Mr Geraint Williams

Teaching Awards 2009 Winner

The Ted Wragg Award for Lifetime Achievement in Wales

Ysgol Cynfran Llysfaen, COLWYN BAY

Geraint Williams rarely stands still. When he is not implementing an exciting new initiative in his own school, he might be found mentoring fellow heads in other primaries. He has been known to fix the computers, repair leaking water pipes and even to climb on to the roof to retrieve misplaced shoes and toys.

He has enjoyed a 30-year career as a headteacher, the last 11 of which have been at Ysgol Cynfran. He has worked hard to create a happy school of which everyone has ownership.

Geraint ensures staff are supported and coached to develop their skills, and rewarded for their contributions, and given a say in the way it is run. He has successfully initiated a number of projects such as targeting able and talented pupils; healthy living; and international school work. The school was selected by the Welsh Assembly to be visited by the First Minister, Rhodri Morgan, to see how it was implementing the Safe Routes to School scheme. But he is also wary of over-loading staff and encourages them to develop their own teaching styles.

Geraint is constantly seeking ways to improve the school. As an Estyn-trained inspector, he is aware of the changing demands placed on staff and how this impinges on teaching in the classroom. He has been asked to put his many years of experience to use as a part-time ‘associate headteacher’ for the Welsh Assembly Government on the School Effectiveness Framework Project, with responsibility for four Welsh medium rural schools in Anglesey and Gwynedd.

Parents and pupils respect Geraint for his hard work and total commitment to the school, and the dynamic way he runs it. Pupils find him approachable, and love the way he eats his lunch with them, gaining stickers for eating all his food.

One colleague described him as “one of the best headteachers I’ve known in my life”, while a parent said he had “a big, soft heart”.

A former semi-professional soccer player Geraint remains a keen sportsman. He plays football regularly, and is a member of the ‘Dawnswyr Sir Conwy’ Dawnsio Gwerin team (Welsh folk dancing) practicing with them weekly.

Judges said they felt a “real buzz” on entering the school and said Geraint’s enthusiasm “immediately shone through”. “We were left in awe of an amazing man,” they said.

Message Board

Please leave a messsage for Mr Geraint Williams

• proud .Balch

  We are very proud to have a brother and brother in law who always do his best for us and family and its obious the same to your school. Llongyfyrchiadau da iawn Ger

  Posted: June 9, 2009 at 18:06 PM | Author: Gwilym

• Llongyfarchiadau!!!

  Llongyfarchiadau Geraint, dachin heuddu fo, well done!

  Posted: June 9, 2009 at 22:06 PM | Author: Susan a Paul

• Llongyfarchiadau

  Llongyfarchiadau - be mae'r ysgol yn mynd i wneud heb ti?!? Da Iawn x

  Posted: June 10, 2009 at 10:06 AM | Author: Natasha Jones

• A very deserving recognition

  You really deserve this award because of the commitment,dedication and enthusiasm you have given to the teaching proffesion over the last 38 years. ( Bodnant, Gwernaffield, Bodffari, Dyserth, TASC, Bodelwyddan and Cynfran). Llongyfarchiadau fil - mi rwyt yn haeddu'r gydnabyddiaeth am dy waith caled ar hyd y blynyddoedd. Cariad mawr Ann

  Posted: June 11, 2009 at 07:06 AM | Author: Ann Williams

• year 4

  congratulations on winning the teaching award Mr Williams.

  Posted: June 12, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Andrew Davies

• year 4

  We are very proud of you.

  Posted: June 12, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Callum

• year 4

  Well done Mr Williams great job. Hope you carry on teaching.

  Posted: June 12, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Jack

• year 4

  Great work congratulations, well done.

  Posted: June 12, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Emily

• year 4

  Congratulations Mr Williams

  Posted: June 12, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Samuel

• Year 4

  Congratulations Mr Williams

  Posted: June 12, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Amy

• year 4

  Congratulations Mr Williams

  Posted: June 12, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Tegan

• year 4

  Well done for winning the award.

  Posted: June 12, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: James

• year 4

  Well done Mr Williams for winning hope you enjoy yourself.

  Posted: June 12, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Adam

• year 4

  Well done Mr Williams for winning.

  Posted: June 12, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Megan

• year 4

  You won, great I am proud of you, you worked very hard Mr Williams.

  Posted: June 12, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Seren

• year 4

  Congratulations Mr Williams we are very proud of you .

  Posted: June 12, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Charlotte

• year 4

  Well done for winning the award.

  Posted: June 12, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Shaun

• year 4

  Well done for winning the award Mr Williams

  Posted: June 12, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Dylan

• year 4

  Great job your a great headmaster Mr Williams

  Posted: June 12, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Anji

• year 4

  Congratulations for the teaching award.

  Posted: June 12, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Liam

• the best teacher in the world

  Your the best head teacher ever.You make us laugh when you sing. Wish you all the best when you leave Ysgol Cynfran.

  Posted: June 12, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Olivia and Jasmine

• well done

  well done mr williams

  Posted: June 12, 2009 at 16:06 PM | Author: sean

• GREAT WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  mr williams has huge trust in our school and he is a brilliant football and cricket coach and he's made a phrase saying 5 to 9 get in the line, tell your mate dont be late.

  Posted: June 12, 2009 at 21:06 PM | Author: Owen and Olivia

• Fantastic!!!

  Congratulations! I think you are an inspiration to all teachers (as one, I should know!) Your family are rightly proud of you. x

  Posted: June 14, 2009 at 11:06 AM | Author: janice&derek

• great headteacher

  I'm really pleased that you've been my headteacher all these years. You've been really supportive- with my sinding, cornet playing, parts in plays,ect.You deserve to win this because of how much you've put into ysgol cynfran. You have made a big difference to all of us there.

  Posted: June 14, 2009 at 18:06 PM | Author: Beth Williams

• congratulations/Llongyfarchiadau

  O maen fraint cael bod yn perthyn i ddyn mor arbennig ac annwyl: angor ein teulu ni, ac arweinydd cadarn ei ysgol, maen amlwg.Llongyfarchiadau mawr yncl Geraint.

  Posted: June 16, 2009 at 12:06 PM | Author: Elaine

• Brilliant Uncle/Teacher

  Congratulations Uncle Geraint, We are all so proud of you.xx

  Posted: June 17, 2009 at 18:06 PM | Author: Elaine

• Congratulations!

  Great job. You earned it and your'e not that old!

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 13:06 PM | Author: Jordan Reynolds Year 6

• Congratulations!

  Well done. You did deserve it and i hope you have a good one. You are a good head teacher . Da iawn. I am going to miss you.

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 13:06 PM | Author: Shannon Williams Year 6

• Congratulations

  Congragulations Mr.Williams you are great!! All of the things you do for us are outstanding. Like the master of gym, dancing, football and everything else. Diolch yn fawr for everything and i will miss you a lot when we leave. Da iawn you're the best!! Im sure the vegetables are going to taste great. Lots of love danielle yr.6 xxx

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 13:06 PM | Author: Danielle Howard Year 6

• Congratulations

  Congratulations Mr Williams. You are great. Thank you for everything.

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 13:06 PM | Author: Darren Hills Year 6

• Congratulations

  Well done, all the best for the future.

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 13:06 PM | Author: James Randle

• Congratulations

  Well done Mr Williams. I knew you would win.

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 13:06 PM | Author: Tyler World

• Congratulations

  Congratulations Mr Williams for winning. You have done a lot for us and we really appreciate it. Thank you.

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 13:06 PM | Author: Melissa Williams

• Congratulations

  Well done for winning the award. Thank you for everything.

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 13:06 PM | Author: Ffion Prosser

• Congratulations

  Well done on winning the award. I'm very proud of everything you have done for Ysgol Cynfran.

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 13:06 PM | Author: Chloe Brown

• Congratulations

  Congratulations. You have done Ysgol Cynfran proud. You are a great football player and im going to miss Golden Time with you.

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 13:06 PM | Author: Liam Reeves

• Congratulations

  Congratulations on winning the award. Hope you win the Gold Award which i'm sure you will because your'e fab. Good luck in the future.

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Chloe Jones

• Congratulations!!!

  Mr.Williams is a great teacher he is full of joy and happiness we are very proud of him! He loves spending time with all of the children here at Ysgol-Cynfran! he loves his gardening , football and playing cricket during golden time with the children who feel like joining the fun! Congratulations Mr. Williams!!!

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Kaitlan, Dorothy and Leah year 5

• Congratulations

  Congratulations. Im really happy that you won a teaching award. Thank you for the being the best headteacher.

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Ethan King

• Congratulations

  Well done Mr Williams. Have a great time in London. I really hope you win.

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Owen Boyle

• Congratulations

  Well done Mr Williams. You're a very good Headmaster.

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Ryan Williams

• Congratulations

  Congratulations Mr Williams. Well done. You have been a fab Headteacher.

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Jade Coleman

• Congratulations

  Congratulations Mr Williams.

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Giordan Wilson

• Congratulations

  Congratulations. Thank you for being our Headmaster. You have done us proud and you rock.

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Sarah Ormond

• Congratulations

  Dear Mr Williams. Thankyou for being our Headteacher. We will miss you lots when you retire.

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Amber Williams

• Congratulations

  Well done for winning the award. We are all very proud of you.

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Liam Baxter Year 6

• Congratulations

  Congratulations Mr Williams. You deserved to win the award. I hope you win the next one.

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Georgia Williams

• Congratulations

  Congratulations on winning the Teaching Award. Thank you for all you have done for Ysgol Cynfran, especially for making the butterfly garden.

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Naomi Pendrigh

• Congratulations

  You have been a great help. Congratulations on winning the award. You deserved it.

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Bethany Woodham

• Congratulations

  You have been a great help. Congratulations on winning the award. You deserved it.

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Bethany Woodham

• Congratulations

  Congratulations. You are the best Head ever. Well done.

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 14:06 PM | Author: Chloe Griffiths

• Congratulations

  Thanks Mr Williams .You have been a great headteacher and great at football too.You have helped me on my way and when i struggled with my work THANK YOU for everything

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 15:06 PM | Author: Callum Ellis

• well done

  congratluations mr williums are school is very proud and you have been a great head teacher well done

  Posted: June 19, 2009 at 22:06 PM | Author: sean

• Congratulations!!!

  Mr.williams is a great head teacher we are so proud of him! he is so funny. He loves spending time with the children. During golden time he plays football, cricket and loves gardening! Well done Mr.Williams you deserved it!!!!!!

  Posted: June 22, 2009 at 12:06 PM | Author: leah,dorothy,kaitlan and olivia

• Brilliant

  Llongyfarchiadau Dad. Mae eich gawith caled yn cael ei adnebyddu o'r diwedd

  Posted: June 24, 2009 at 19:06 PM | Author: Gwenann

• Congratulations

  Very well done Mr Williams. Congratulations for winning the teacher award. I think you are great.

  Posted: June 25, 2009 at 09:06 AM | Author: Charlotte

• Congratulations

  Mr Williams you deserve this award. I am very proud of you. I think you are great and I don't want you to leave.

  Posted: June 25, 2009 at 10:06 AM | Author: Madison

• Congratulations

  Congratulations for winning the award. Well done. I hope you come back to see us.

  Posted: June 25, 2009 at 10:06 AM | Author: Jasmine

• Congratulations

  Congratulations for winning the teaching award you really deserved it.

  Posted: June 25, 2009 at 10:06 AM | Author: Libby

• Congratulations

  Well done Mr Williams. What a great head teacher - fantastic!

  Posted: June 25, 2009 at 10:06 AM | Author: Caitlin

• Congratulations

  To Mr Williams congratulations for winning the award, we hope you come back.

  Posted: June 25, 2009 at 10:06 AM | Author: Zena

• well done

  Congratulations. You are the best head teacher in the world. You are great. Well done for winning the award.

  Posted: June 25, 2009 at 10:06 AM | Author: Olivia

• Congratulations

  To Mr Williams Congratulations you have won the award. From Aman

  Posted: June 25, 2009 at 10:06 AM | Author: Aman

• Congratulations

  Congratulations Mr Williams on winning the teaching award.You are fantastic at football and cricket.

  Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:06 AM | Author: Byron

• Congratulations

  Congratulations Mr Williams for winning the teaching award you are the best head teacher playing football and cricket.

  Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:06 AM | Author: Jordan

• Congratulations

  Mr Williams - congratulations on winning the teaching award.

  Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:06 AM | Author: Adam

• Congratulations

  Congratulations you deserve the teaching award well done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:06 AM | Author: Jacob

• Congratulations

  Congratulations Mr Williams I hope you have a fantastic time when you are at home doing sport.

  Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:06 AM | Author: Joe

• Congratulations

  Well done for winning the teacher award. I hope you come back to visit us.

  Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:06 AM | Author: Molly

• Congratulations

  Congratulations Mr Williams you have won the award he likes football, gardening and he is the best head teacher.

  Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:06 AM | Author: Kayla

• Congratulations

  Well done Mr Williams. I think you are the best head master.

  Posted: June 25, 2009 at 11:06 AM | Author: Tommy

• well done

  Hiya Mr Williams congratulations on winning the award i just hope u win the u k one hope u do the party was great today thank you very much ,uve done ysgol cynfran proud u are one of a many few and id just like to say u are and always have been the best head teacher anyone could ask for and ill always remember you and good luck in the near future

  Posted: July 13, 2009 at 22:07 PM | Author: giordan wilson yr 6

• best head in the world

  mr G williams was a great head he was funny and always plays footie with us. Ive even seen him on facebook

  Posted: October 9, 2009 at 18:10 PM | Author: owen west