Celebrating Young Voices: The 2025 Wales School Creative Competition Awards

The annual Schools Creative Competition, hosted by Show Racism the Red Card Wales, was recently celebrated at a vibrant awards ceremony held at the Marriott Hotel in Cardiff. Designed to align directly with the six Areas of Learning and Experience in the Curriculum for Wales, the competition showcased the creativity, courage, and commitment of young people across the country in promoting anti-racism.

Over 450 schools and nearly 90,000 young people took part in this year’s competition—an incredible testament to the growing passion for equity and anti-racism within classrooms across Wales

A day to Remember

The awards brought together an inspiring group of prize winners, parents, teachers, and guests from the Welsh Government, local authorities, education, private sector, and sporting bodies. The day began with a drink’s reception before the start of the formal awards, a break where the guests were provided with a delicious two-course meal before moving into the remaining of the awards.

The event was opened by Dean Pymble, Campaign Manager for Wales at Show Racism the Red Card, who introduced the day and handed hosting duties to Luchia, the 2022 overall winner, and Donna Ali, Director of BE.Xcellence and Cardiff Radio presenter. The celebration was energised by a performance from former Children’s Laureate Wales, Connor Allen, setting a powerful tone for the event.

Honouring Creativity Across Curriculum Areas

Each of the six curriculum areas was represented with unique challenges that encouraged pupils to engage deeply with anti-racism through creative expression, critical thinking, and innovation. Awards were given to both Primary and Secondary categories, alongside a newly introduced Outstanding Achievement Award celebrating young people with additional learning needs.

Outstanding Achievement Award

Presented by Dean Pymble:

• Primary Winner: Frankie Parry (Maes Derw) – for an incredible art piece.
• Secondary Winner: Ella Edwards (Pentrehafod).

Expressive Arts

Challenge: Create a song, rap, performance, or speech promoting anti-racism. Presented by Catrin Sullivan from Bridgend College.

• Primary Runners-up: Richmond Park Primary and Garth Primary (joint runners-up)
• Primary Winner: St Patrick’s group entry.
• Secondary Runner-up: Osian Wooley – “Stand Together” song.
• Secondary Winner: Dennis Mead (Ysgol Bro Taf).

Health and Wellbeing

Challenge: Design a stadium banner/poster to challenge racism in sport. Supported by the Fire Brigade Union and presented by Ibby Abdi (IBY World).

• Primary Runner-up: Isaac Raddenbury (Maes Derw).
• Primary Winner: Uliana Dudchenko (Radnor Primary).
• Secondary Runner-up: Elin Spragg (Ysgol David Hughes).
• Secondary Winner: Mellina Karthikeyan (Cardiff High School).

Mathematics and Numeracy

Challenge: Use numeracy to create a 3D structure promoting anti-racism. Presented by Caitlin Rodrigues (Principality Building Society).

• Primary Runners-up: Manha Uddin & Amna Shmny (St Helen’s Primary).
• Primary Winners: Amira, Yolande & Karsha.
• Secondary Runners-up: Shaun Phillips & Ethan Weaving (Milford Haven School).
• Secondary Winner: Jack Jones (Ysgol David Hughes) – 3D printed hand with the Welsh Show Racism the Red Card message: “Dangos Y Cerdyn Coch I Hiliaeth.”

Science and Technology

Challenge: Innovate a tech-based solution promoting an anti-racist Wales by 2030. Presented by Hayley McCallion(Cardiff and Vale College).

• Primary Runner-up: Alyssa & Abigail (Howardian Primary) – anti-racism game.
• Primary Winner: Riley (Burlais Primary) – anti-racism robot.
• Secondary Runners-up: Hanna Lovesey, Cerys Williams & Alex Gulley (Ysgol Gwent Is Coed) – equitable health technology.
• Secondary Winner: Dyllan Roberts (Bedwas High) – 3D printed coffee stencil delivering an anti-racism message.

Humanities

Challenge: Discover untold stories of people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds in their local community. Presented by Roopa Vyas (Transport for Wales).

• Primary Runner-up: Ada Wilson (St Andrew’s Major CIW Primary) – Research on Paul Robeson.
• Primary Winner: Iyolah Jeffers (Lansdowne Primary) – Research on Betty Campbell.
• Secondary Runner-up: Regan Williams (Brynmawr) – Research on Roy Francis.
• Secondary Winner: Ariana Akinleye (Cardiff High School) – Profile of Hanef Bhamjee.

Languages, Literacy and Communication

Challenge: Create an original written piece on racism or anti-racism. Presented by Caitlin Rodrigues (Principality Building Society).

• Primary Runner-up: Gracie Jones (Halfway Primary) – “Stand Out”.
• Primary Winner: Debbie Bodunwa (Lansdowne Primary) – “Little Me”.
• Secondary Runner-up: Zainab Fatima (Cardiff High School).
• Secondary Winner: Joanna Hall (Ysgol David Hughes).

Celebrating the Overall Winner

Stuart Williams, Policy Officer at the National Education Union (overall event sponsor), presented the Overall Winner Award—an Apple iPad—and highlighted the vital work of Show Racism the Red Card and its collaboration with NEU to educate trainee teachers across Wales.

The 2025 Overall Winner of the Creative Competition:

• St Patrick’s Primary for their powerful rap “Speak Out, Shout Out.”

A Message from Show Racism the Red Card

Closing the ceremony, Dean Pymble reflected on the powerful impact of the competition:

“This competition is always a highlight of our calendar, but this year has felt particularly special. The entries have been bold, honest, imaginative, and deeply moving. We’ve laughed, we’ve reflected, and in some cases, we’ve been challenged to confront uncomfortable truths—and that’s what real change looks like.

To the teachers and support staff who have guided and encouraged these brilliant young minds—thank you. Your work to support anti-racism education in classrooms across Wales is invaluable. You’re helping nurture the next generation of allies, activists, and leaders.”