SCHOOL pupils had the chance to get involved in graduation season during a special event at the University of South Wales (USW).

The youngsters from Woodlands Community Primary School in Cwmbran returned to USW’s Newport Campus after spending a day there earlier this year.

On their initial visit they heard from USW’s cyber security specialists about the importance of staying safe online, and worked in teams to create a poster to raise awareness of internet safety among their peers.

Last Friday – which was also the final day that USW held graduation ceremonies for its students who studied in Newport, Cardiff, and Treforest – the Woodlands pupils had the opportunity to experience their own graduation ceremony.

Dr Eric Llewellyn, Associate Head of Computing & Mathematics at USW, said: “The pupils got to explore the campus as they solved cryptographic clues, before experiencing a real graduation ceremony complete with caps and gowns as they received certificates from USW and First Campus to recognise their skills.

“We very much hope we have inspired the pupils to work hard at school, stay safe online and have raised their aspirations for study at university and their future careers.

“The quality of their work has been excellent, they are all a credit to Woodlands Primary and the hard work and support of the staff there.”

The visit was organised by First Campus, a partnership of the universities in South East Wales which aims to raise the aspirations of young people and encourage them to go on to study at college and university.