Pupils’ breakfast meeting with Michael Sheen

The actor chatted to students at Tonyrefail Community School on Zoom

Welsh actor Michael Sheen joined pupils in Rhondda Cynon Taf for a Zoom meeting this morning
Author: Polly OliverPublished 19th May 2022

Pupils at one Rhondda school have been joined for breakfast by Welsh actor Michael Sheen.

The star of stage and screen made a surprise appearance to learners at Tonyrefail Community School, via a Zoom during a breakfast meeting at the school, where they discussed the Welsh language, and the booming film and TV industry in Wales.

He was also grilled about the differences between Wales and Hollywood.

Mr Sheen heard from learners at Tonyrefail Community School to talk about their work with the school’s Author in Residence, the inaugural Children’s Laureate for Wales, Eloise Williams, who spent her childhood in Llantrisant and now lives in Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire.

Gaynor Davies, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Director of Education and Inclusion Services, said:

“This was a day that the learners at Tonyrefail Community School will remember for the rest of their lives. Michael Sheen is one of Wales’ most successful stars of the stage and screen and his works are shown around the world.

“We thank him for taking the time to inspire the learners at Tonyrefail Community School, providing them with plenty to think about and work with.”

Heather Nicholas, headteacher at Tonyrefail Community School, said:

“All at our school are grateful to Michael Sheen for giving up his time to speak to our young learners about their work with the Children’s Laureate for Wales.

“He spent time chatting to them and gave thoughtful, inspirational responses to their questions. He then left our students with a very powerful message about us all having a story to tell and how important it is that we tell it.”