Mission Statement

A warm Welsh welcome to a forward-thinking and sustainable school rooted in the community.

The ward of Butetown is home to some of the most important institutions of Wales and the Welsh language, including the Senedd, the Millennium Centre and the Urdd. The language is heard here on a daily basis, but Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Hamadryad will be the first Welsh-medium school to be located in the area. The wards of Butetown, Grangetown and the surrounding areas are noted for their multi-ethnic and multi-lingual character and one of the objectives of the new school will be to reflect the diverse nature of our different communities.

The name of the school is deeply rooted in the history of the area. The Hamadryad was a ship that was moored close to the site of the school between 1866 and 1905 which served as a hospital for sailors from around the world. Hamadryad Hospital was opened in 1905 on nearby dry land and today Hamadryad Park is the name of the public park on the banks of the River Taff that will provide the school playing fields. The name Hamadryad comes from Greek mythology—the hamadryad was believed to be a nymph that protected trees.

The history of the school’s name conveys many of its most fundamental values: the importance of caring for people and the environment alike – it will be Cardiff’s first ‘sustainable school’, and respect for different cultures and heritage. All these aspects will be brought together by the Welsh language. The school's aim is to create a happy, ambitious, and inclusive learning community that will be an integral part of the surrounding area.