Rydal Penrhos Society Newsletter: Autumn 2020
Autumn 2020 edition of the Rydal Penrhos Society newsletter.
The Rydal Penrhos Society newsletter: Reaching out across the world
Newsletter: November 2020 - Issue 34
Reaching out across the world
Contents
- We need you!
- Welcome from the President
- Message from the Executive Principal and Chair of Governors
- Message from the Chaplain
- Message from the Head Boy and Head Girl
- Breaking News from Rydal Penrhos
- The Big Virtual Reunion
- CCF - The past meets the present
- A Tribute to Peter Watkinson
- Nicholas Fiorita juggles Physics and the Police
- Retired alumnus celebrates at Everest Base Camp
- Alex Bytheway gets published
- Dr Baker hosting I'm a Celebrity Get me out of Here!
- A life in Nursing
- Sport
- Old Penrhosian Association
- Prep School Pupil Leadership
- University destinations
- Marriages & Births
- Obituaries/Deaths
- Events
- Lost and Found - Can you help?
- News in Brief
- Christmas Gifts
- Just a reminder....
We need you!
Rydal Penrhos Society
We need you!
We are actively inviting you to this year's Annual General Meeting… from the comfort of your own front room, or study bedroom possibly (if you are in quarantine at University).
It will take place on Monday 23 November at 6pm and will take the format of a Zoom meeting.
We are looking for alumni to become involved, share ideas, take on new roles, move us forward.
This means that wherever you are in the world you can contribute to this meeting and become an active member of the Rydal Penrhos Society.
And so please email our pupil liaison officer Sarah James on SJames@rydalpenrhos.com and we will send you a Zoom meeting invitation and password. Look forward to seeing you on the night.
Let us see how far around the world we can travel…will you join us from Hong Kong, Australia, Washington, Colwyn Bay?
Welcome
From the Rydal Penrhos Society President
So Hello again!
What strange times we are all living in, for so many reasons. In 2018 the AGM was held at The Imperial Hotel in Llandudno and in 2019 it was held in the Ferguson Centre at School. In view of this Pandemic, we cannot hold a physical AGM this year. So the Society’s Executive Committee have decided that for 2020 only the AGM will take place via Zoom in our own homes on 23rd November; please do join us if you can.
As the many changes at the School are taking shape, I have been pleased to support the Executive Principal, John Waszek and the Heads Sally Harding and Lucy Davies, in any way that I can to develop on your behalf, a continued involvement between current and former pupils. Hopefully, with your support, we can continue to promote and maintain a thriving alumni association. Please do support any alumni events - you will be missing out if you don’t!
Graham Knowles RS 1962-67, Rydal Penrhos Society President
Message
From the Executive Principal and Chair of Governors
As for many millions of people throughout the world, 2020 has been a very difficult year for the pupils, parents and staff of the school.
Throughout Rydal Penrhos pupils have been brave, sensible and completely committed to the tasks before them. The spirit of the school has shone through. We particularly commend to our alumni, the dedication of the staff of the school.
We were especially pleased that, despite all this turmoil, at both GCSE and A level our pupils secured the best set of results achieved, certainly since the turn of the century. These results in turn meant that the vast majority of our own Year 13 Leavers secured their first choice university place. The details are available to read on the school website: https://rydalpenrhos.com/parent-new/exam-results/
Pupils could only be taught online for much of the summer term and that brought challenges for teachers and pupils alike, and the restrictions on face to face teaching has required very significant changes to the daily operation of the school.
The school has been able to accelerate the IT aspect of Project Bold with an investment this year of £250k, including the provision of iPads for every pupil, designed for daily use in school; but very helpful for remote learning. There is no doubt that ‘Learning Loss’ is a very real issue for all schoolchildren and will undoubtedly have a real impact in years to come. The commitment of the school to ensure that Rydal Penrhos pupils continue to thrive is unwavering.
Although we have been unable to have a Chapel service since March, online services have carried on. We also look forward to the resumption of many activities currently impossible including much sport, music and drama.
Staff have been inventive and imaginative in how many activities can continue whilst ensuring that pupils and staff remain safe and that we remain compliant with the regulations.
Even the Governing Board has moved to online meetings and has had 100% attendance to all committee and Board meetings.
Like the vast majority of fee-paying schools and charities, Rydal Penrhos has also faced very significant financial challenges as a direct result of Covid-19, as have many of our parents.
During these times the support of our Alumni is of great importance. We are deeply grateful for the many messages of encouragement that we have received and we look forward to the time when we can welcome you back to Colwyn Bay to visit the school.
Julian Barnes - Chair of Governors
John Waszek - Executive Principal
Rev'd Sissons
A message from the Chaplain
Looking up in Lockdown by the School Chaplain
I’m writing this in October half-term at the end of the county-wide lockdown in Conwy. For two weeks we were not permitted to go outside the county boundaries and, whilst periods of enforced restrictions such as this can be very taxing, I try to implement one of the key principles of wellbeing: there is no point in getting annoyed at things beyond your control. So I decided to explore areas of the County Borough of Conwy that I had never visited.
This was also to test out another principle that I believe in: there is always so much more right on your doorstep than you ever imagined.
Here’s what I discovered.
I live on the school site and to begin with my wife and I visited a few places very close to home, such as the beautiful ancient woodland of Parc Mawr at Henryd, just south of Conwy, with its colony of lesser horseshoe bats and glorious views over the river valley to Bodnant Gardens.
The woodland is crossed by a new long-distance path called the North Wales Pilgrims’ Way, which runs for 135 miles from Basingwerk to Bardsey and links various historic sites of religious importance such as the small chapel of Llangelynnin on the hill just above Henryd, which is always a delight to visit.
After these closer trips we then travelled to the edges of the county, performing something like a beating of the bounds, that ancient ritual whereby people would go to the edges of their parish to re-establish their territory and to ask God’s blessing upon their land.
So we went to the far south-west and walked the Lledr river beside the village of Dolwyddelan with its hidden gorge, where fishermen and climbers still tiptoe along girders nailed precariously above the waters.
We travelled to the east to Llannefydd, a few miles from Denbigh, where the oldest human remains discovered in Wales were unearthed in a nearby cave: the teeth and jawbone of an 11-year-old Neanderthal boy dating from 230,000 years ago.
Much more recently this was the birthplace of the 18th-century poet Twm o’r Nant, who wrote satirical sketches attacking the social evils of his day such as greedy landowners, swindling lawyers and immoral clergymen (I’d say some things never change but that might appear to be somewhat undermining of my own profession! – however, Twm o’r Nant was a supporter of the early Methodists in Wales and mainly directed his religious attacks upon local Anglican vicars).
At Llannefydd we climbed up to the pre-historic hill fort of Mynydd-y-gaer to view the coastline from Llandudno to Prestatyn. Finally, on the last day of the lockdown (before the national lockdown began!) we drove as far as one can within Conwy to the small settlement of Llangwm, close to Bala, and climbed the hill that separates one from the other: Foel Goch.
Although only 600m high this hill has the most spectacular 360-degree views of all the great North Walian mountain ranges: the Clwydian hills to the north-east; the Berwyns to the south-east; the Arans due south, the Arenigs due west, and the Rhinogs south-west with the Cadair Idris range further south still, and of course the Moelwyns, Carneddau, Glyders and the Snowdon massif to the north-west. Standing on top of Foel Goch taking in the view one could not have felt less under lockdown.
So here’s my point: to some extent, we are only as locked-down as we feel. I firmly believe that around us as well as within us there are illimitable resources to help us not just cope with the restrictions imposed upon us but emerge stronger from them.
Rev'd Sissons
Sixth Form
Messages from the Head Boy and Head Girl
Head Girl Anna Parry -Williams' report on Autumn Term 2020
Despite the obvious difficulties of navigating school life with new restrictions, this half term has been filled with memorable moments.
After consulting various members of Year 13, I would like to reflect upon some of the highlights of the school year so far.
Firstly, returning to a classroom environment and being able to see teachers and pupils has been refreshing after months of online learning. The transition has been beneficial educationally, whilst enabling pupils to regain some normality and routine within their daily lives.
Wishing to retain some of the social elements of school life, Year 13 organised a game of rounders, which included all members of the year group.
This was enjoyed by all who participated and demonstrated the possibility of social events that adhere to the covid 19 regulations.
Another memorable moment of the first half of term was World Mental Health Day, which involved all members of the school dressing in yellow and donating to the ‘young minds’ charity.
This resembled previous charity days and brought a sense of solidarity with the whole school contributing to a crucial cause.
I hope within the coming months we can continue to create more positive moments.
Anna Parry-Williams
Head Girl 2020/21
Head Boy Richard Wolfendale reports on Autumn Term 2020
It may be difficult to find another time in recent memory where so many have been affected on such a large scale.
The consequences of two lockdowns and countless other restrictions have made this year a very tough and frustrating period of time, largely due to the huge disruptions we have had to face at Rydal Penrhos, but even more so due to the extremely unnerving projections for the future.
I can say with confidence that this concern for what lies around the corner is a feeling shared by every member of Rydal Penrhos, and I suspect that the word ‘terrified’ is not an exaggeration of how many currently feel.
From a student’s perspective, the effects of the pandemic have been extremely damaging – those of us sitting A-levels in June do not know if there will be any exams to sit, or whether the reward of higher education will be available afterwards.
The entire structure of the school has also had to adapt; year groups can no longer mix and ‘bubbles’ are simply no longer things you blow in the playground.
However, this very negative image is not one I wish to portray.
As I sit writing this, gathering my thoughts on the events since March, I realise that since we were told to stay at home, I have completed almost two terms worth of schoolwork and completed the entire university application process, a remarkable feat considering the circumstances.
This, of course, would have been impossible without the school; it is only now I realise how much I owe to the efficiency of online learning and the willingness of my teachers to maintain their constant support on all fronts.
As I hear the stories of others in far worse situations, the realisation of how fortunate I am grows.
I would now be in serious danger of falling behind without weekly lessons on Microsoft Teams, and would be extremely stressed without online guidance from school on how to write my university application.
A word I recently came across is ‘fenua’. It comes from Polynesian culture and is used to describe the feeling of belonging to a community or place, regardless of distance or time away from home.
I feel strongly that this word has more meaning than ever at present; as we sit in our homes, the feeling of community in a world of isolation is now of huge importance.
I also feel that ‘fenua’ is something Rydal Penrhos has achieved incredibly successfully; never before has the school community worked so hard to maintain the unity that gave it so much character before the pandemic.
Over the past few months, I have been involved in many events such as school council meetings, virtual assemblies and more, and each one has added to the sense that in a strange but fulfilling way, we as a school community are still able to stay in one piece.
The Hello Yellow charity day a few weeks ago stood out in particular, as despite all year groups being forced to separate, a dress-up day complete with a drawing competition was still able to raise a significant sum for a good cause.
Even while apart, we worked together; I feel it links perfectly with the idea of ‘fenua’.
Therefore, there is every reason to be positive. My message is one of optimism – in such a testing time, the school has shown itself to be resilient and forward-thinking.
I wish to leave the idea to all those who read this that you are fortunate to be a part of such a fantastic wider school community, and that we should all be looking forward to the future, rather than fearing what comes next.
Richard Wolfendale
Head Boy 2020-21
Breaking News
From Rydal Penrhos School
The Upper Sixth Form managed to attain a 51.9 per cent pass rate at A*-A, which is the highest in the school’s history since the introduction of the A* grade and represents an increase of 30.5 per cent year on year, with 75.9% achieving A*-B grades.
Those awarded A*-C grades stand 90.5 per cent, which is another record and a significant rise of 30.1% from the previous year’s results.
Rydal Penrhos’ pass rate (A*-E) rose to 100 per cent for the sixth time since 2000. And the mean number of subjects passed per candidate was 3.1.
This is a just reward for the tireless commitment each pupil has shown throughout their A Level studies under the expert guidance and leadership of the school’s teaching staff.
Among the top-performing subjects were Mathematics, Physics, Further Mathematics, Chemistry, Art and Design, and English Literature.
This academic excellence, coupled with a diverse extra-curricular programme, university preparations and leadership opportunities, make Rydal Penrhos Sixth Form the perfect place for a pupil to achieve success, learn new skills and become fully prepared for the next stage of their journey.
Grades compared to National Averages:
A*-A grades: Rydal Penrhos: 51.9% - National Average: 38.1%
A*-B grades: Rydal Penrhos: 74.9% - National Average: 65.4%
A*-C grades: Rydal Penrhos: 90.5% - National Average: 87.5%
A*-D grades: Rydal Penrhos: 97.5% - National Average: 96.8%
Best GCSE Results on Record
Year 11 pupils secured Rydal Penrhos’ best results at GCSE level by a considerable margin.
With 49.2% of grades awarded being A* and those securing A*-A and 9-7 grades recorded at 62.1 per cent, considerably higher than the national average in Wales (25.1%). This average also eclipsed the English average of A*- A and 9-7 marks, which was recorded at 27.5 per cent.
There was further cause for celebration from a Rydal Penrhos perspective as the number of A*-C and 9-4 grades awarded was 98.4 per cent. This was once again significantly higher than the national averages in Wales and England, which were 74.5% and 78.8% respectively. These historic results are a further testament to the school’s strong academic ethos from Pre-School to Sixth Form, which is coupled with an exciting and diverse extracurricular provision.
The school is currently riding on the crest of a wave following the A Level and GCSE results, in addition to the exciting plans to improve all areas of Rydal Penrhos which will put even more emphasis on pupil development and value-added.
Rydal Penrhos has issued free iPads to pupils for their remote learning during the “fire-break” lockdown announced by the Welsh Government.
These iPads are intended for daily use both during school lessons and for homework tasks when pupils are in school as well as coming into their own when they are in lockdown.
All teachers will also have an identical iPad and the intention is that during the “fire break “ period online learning is set to be structured as much like a normal school day as is possible, to ensure consistent academic provision despite COVID-19.
VALUE-ADDED 2020 SCORES
This year the school’s A Level results were in value-added terms the best ever achieved by Rydal Penrhos pupils.
What does this mean? What is “value-added”? And perhaps most importantly how is it one of the best indicators of the performance of schools like Rydal Penrhos?
When children arrive in school they are evaluated through tests (most of the time they do not even realise this is what is happening, so it is nothing to worry about). These tests plot the child’s innate ability and performance and can therefore forecast the child’s likely outcome at GCSE and then later at A Level according to the national average.
To “Add Value” means a school can significantly influence a child’s performance through such a high standard of teaching that the projected outcome is improved and therefore they achieve much better grades than they would have done at an average school (i.e. the national average).
At Rydal Penrhos this is the overwhelming outcome, using analysis by the Centre of Evaluation and Monitoring (CEM) based in Gateshead and working in symmetry with the University of Cambridge.
At A level our score is 0.5 this means for every ten subjects taken, five of them (i.e. half) have come out with higher grades than forecast. This has meant for example that over the 51 Year 13 pupils who recently left, 100 additional ‘A’ grades were achieved.
Similarly, at GCSE we show strong consistent “Value-added” with a score of 0.8 so again eight out of every ten subjects taken would result in higher scores than predicted. This means that the 36 pupils in Year 11 secured more than 250 higher grades than projected given their prior performance.
We are very pleased with these results and feel it is a good indicator for parents that they are giving their child the very best opportunity to perform to their highest capability and even beyond it. We continue to strive to create an education which enables children through excellent teaching and support to achieve their best and we are constantly looking to make adaptations to what we do to ensure this.
Rydal Penrhos has announced changes to the structure of teaching and the curriculum in Years 12 and 13 and throughout the school all the way to Reception we are considering teaching methods, monitoring methods and every little thing that can impact a child’s progress.
We wish to improve a child’s performance holistically, so alongside the excellent teaching and thorough monitoring, there is everything that we do outside the classroom and extra-curricular pursuits that rounds a child and builds their resilience and confidence and essentially makes them safe, happy and thriving.
The big virtual reunion
Let's reach out!
THE BIG (VIRTUAL) REUNION IS COMING!
We cannot have reunions you may say… we are not allowed to travel, we are not allowed to gather in groups, we are not allowed to dance and sing and make merry.
Well yes, we can! Indeed we can now all meet up wherever we are in the world, without the cost of travel, without having to buy a new outfit or slim down, have your hair done, book a hotel room… from the comfort of your own home…
Yes, 2021 is going to be the year of the ZOOOOOOOMMMMM reunion!
So, if you fancy the idea of an evening in with all your old school friends, on-camera or not… catching up on old times planning for future meet-ups then get in touch.
If you email us on SJames@rydalpenrhos.com and tell us your year group and a proposed “virtual reunion” date and time, then we will set up a Zoom reunion meeting and send the links to all involved. Could not be simpler.
CCF
The past meets the present
Rydal Penrhos’ Combined Cadet Force past and present
The Officer Training Corps (OTC) made its first official appearance at a parade held at St John’s Church on Sunday 3 December 1916, at which 70 cadets were presented on strength. More than a century later – 103 years to be precise – the OTC has now evolved into the Combined Cadet Force (CCF), which was re-established at Rydal Penrhos in October 2019 under the leadership of the current Commanding Officer Captain Alun Brown and Senior Staff Instructor Sergeant Phil Hilton.
This Army Section is affiliated to the 1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards whereas the original Corps was affiliated to the 4th Royal Welch Fusiliers and the Headmaster, Rev’d A J Costain was appointed Honorary Chaplain while the Commanding Officer was Captain F R Saberton.
Its first two Sergeants were H R Collier and M L Whiteley.
History and tradition and linking the past to the present has always been important to the school and so when one of the school’s current parents and amateur historian Professor Atenstaedt came across a piece of related history it was too good a chance to miss.
Through his own research into the history of the school’s Cadet Corps he found one of the original OTC beret badges. Professor Atenstaedt then went about purchasing it and then in a ceremony in school he presented it to Captain Brown to add to the history and memorabilia of the ever-growing cadet force.
Due to current Covid-19 regulations, only the Year 11 cadets were in attendance during the visit, but they were still actively participating in a training evening.
The cadets were involved in a series of team exercises and planning activities as part of their instruction on a leadership cadre. Once regulations permit year groups at Rydal Penrhos to mix, it is hoped these enthusiastic pupils will lead the growing number of junior cadets who are joining the Army Section.
Professor Atenstaedt was impressed on the turnout of the Year 11 cadets and congratulated Captain Brown and Sgt Hilton on all their efforts in re-establishing the CCF initiative at Rydal Penrhos.
Peter Watkinson
Tribute to much-loved former Headmaster
Rydal Penrhos was deeply saddened to hear of the recent passing of much-loved former Headmaster Peter Watkinson, aged 89.
Mr Watkinson held the position as Head of Rydal School from 1968-91 and was responsible for many positive changes across the site during his tenure.
He oversaw the transition from an all-boys school, introducing more female pupils from 1970 before becoming fully co-educational with the opening of two girls’ boarding houses.
Edenfield opened its doors in 1977 and Heathfield followed shortly after in 1980. This was a landmark change for Rydal, which had been male-only since 1885, and Mr Watkinson’s forward-thinking played a leading role in this.
Mr Watkinson’s passion to make the school a better place was evident throughout the entirety of his time as Head. The Art Studio was officially completed from 1969-70, and two squash courts were also constructed around the same period.
In 1984, Mr Watkinson oversaw the construction of Rydal’s Technology Centre that houses the school’s Design Technology department, and a Music School was also completed during this time period.
Debbie McCluskey, a former pupil and current staff member, said: “As my headmaster I found Mr Watkinson to be one of the most quietly influential people in my life.
“He made me raise my expectations of myself and encouraged me to achieve more than I thought I could achieve.
“Looking back this is what gave me the confidence to do what I have in life and is really the best gift an educator can give any child.”
Mr Watkinson had the honour of being Headmaster for Rydal’s centenary in 1985, at which time there were more than 500 boys and girls in the Senior and Prep Schools combined.
He stepped down from his post in 1991 and was replaced by Nigel Thorne, but Mr Watkinson’s legacy at Rydal Penrhos will live on forevermore.
In recognition of his exceptional dedication to the school, the Watkinson Library was named in his honour, which is now home to the Business department.
Mr Watkinson kept a keen interest in all things related to the school in his role as an honorary member and life vice-president of the Rydal Penrhos Society.
Lucy Davies, former pupil and Head of Prep School, said: “Peter Watkinson or ‘Chiz’ (on account of his very chiselled profile) as he was known to all pupils, was equally revered and loved by all pupils.
“I never heard a bad word spoken about him. He was my sixth form Headmaster at Rydal and, as a prefect, we would be given instructions as to what he wanted doing in regards to all areas of pupil school life, including quad duties, chapel behaviour and how loud the singing should be which accompanied home rugby matches at New Field on a Saturday afternoon.
“I sometimes felt that I was being educated in a school for boys but I think Chiz was the Headmaster who really removed that notion; he genuinely wanted the girls’ voices to be heard and treated equally and he never treated us in any sort of tokenistic way, indeed he did not distinguish us from the boys.
“I remember once saying that it was difficult for a girl prefect to lead singing practice in the quad (this happened before a home match and was led without masters present and with several hundred younger pupils, 80% of whom were boys). He replied, “Why?”. I explained that I couldn’t sing baritone and felt conspicuous singing alto with so many lower voices. He replied, without a moment’s hesitation, “Well Vera Lynn did it, didn’t she?” I couldn’t think of a reply to this, so stepped out in front of the throng and just got on with it!
“Peter Watkinson was a Headmaster who led by example, who inspired both pupils and staff, and was missed by all after his retirement in 1991. He was a strong family man and my thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.”
Head of Art Mark Sherrington, added: “As former pupils, Karen and I are very, very saddened to hear of the passing of Peter. He very much set the tone and ethos of the place during the 70’s and 80’s with his memorable sermons on a Sunday morning and Chapel every day.
“A man of considerable intellect but also seen as kind and fair by the pupils. He steered a thriving and vibrant school, which seemed to us almost effortless but clearly with great skill.
“In those days to find yourself in the Headmaster’s study was a rare and potentially frightening thing- you had to have done something truly terrible to be stood in front of his desk. He would sit, almost horizontal, listening carefully but always with deep Methodist compassion and wisdom.
“I saw him recently on a couple of visits to the school, frail but with the same razor-sharp wit and humour. We listened to him speak brilliantly (and without notes) at John Darlington’s memorial service. He returned again a couple of years ago. We sat in his former study as he delivered a couple of diamond one-liners at my expense and I remember thinking then how remarkable he was and how he hadn’t changed.
“His Christmas letter, that my parents received every year, was always full of that characteristic self-deprecating humour and warmth that seemed to run through everyone’s encounters with him.
“But my abiding memory of PFW will be patrolling the far touchline at New Field with the whole school watching, on a wet Saturday afternoon cheering on and encouraging his team, sometimes with irritation but always with passion and volume.”
Other tributes from the RP Family
From Ron (Jonathan) Green (RS 1969-78)
“Mr Watkinson, who I was introduced to, by father, on entering the senior school, holds very many fond memories and was treasured by our family. I remember the good times and the praise I received as well as the discipline when rules were broken and the penalties that had to be paid. Mr Watkinson was always fair and in my experience with a rye sense of humour."
From Helen Roberts, worked in school (1973 to 2005)
“I was so sorry to hear the sad news of the loss of Peter he was a lovely man he will be greatly missed. I worked in Rydal for 32 years in the catering department from March 1973 till March 2005 I was there for the Centenary party and it was fantastic how everyone pulled their weight and made it a Memorable occasion Peter was brilliant with everything his speech was a class on its own. I was made an Old Rydalian before I left which to me was a great honour I helped plant a tree for Rick Maple who I was great friends with from when he was a pupil I visited him in hospital just before he passed away and I still think about him he was greatly missed also."
From Alan Harrison (RS 1955-63)
“Thank you for sending the very nice piece about Peter Watkinson. I left the school in 1963 and only met him a couple of times. The first at a fundraising session (in the 1980s) held at my house in Harrogate, North Yorkshire where I lived at that time. He was always a gentleman and, in my mind, compared well to Donald Hughes the wonderful, much-admired headmaster during my time at Rydal.”
From Anthony J Robins (RS 1949-53)
“I was sorry to hear of the death of Peter Watkinson who was headmaster of Rydal School from 1968 to 1991 and contributed so much to the school for many years. With my sympathy and gratitude to Peter Watkinson for his years of service to Rydal School.
From James Potter (RS 1973-81)
“Thank you for notifying me about this sad news. Mr Watkinson proved to be a superb headmaster for my five years in senior school. He was a kind and patient man; a leader and a true gentleman. I never knew he taught until my A levels when he took us for 'The Weimar Republic and the rise of Hitler'. He made the whole period come alive and left us engrossed - and as a bit of an academic dosser that is saying something for me. It encouraged me to go to Liverpool University and read History. Whenever I have thought of him in the passing years it has been with fondness and respect. My sincere condolences to his family."
Nick Fiorita
Juggling Physics with the Police!
(photo credit, West Midlands Police Guardian Twitter @GuardianWMP)
Report from Special Constable Nicholas Fiorita (RPS)
Nick left Rydal Penrhos in 2019 having held the position of Head Boy and having achieved one A* and three A grades in his A Levels to secure a place at Warwick University to study Physics.
“I joined West Midlands Police as a Special Constable in February this year, a week before my 19th birthday. This was after a number of months completing the recruitment process which I applied for the day I got my A level results. The training was very difficult to balance with my Physics degree at Warwick University as it was held in Birmingham.
However, both the police and the University helped me to accommodate my schedules. Sadly, training was postponed during the initial lockdown in March. This moved online for legislative training and 8 days of in-person First Aid and Personal Safety training in June. Finally, in July I was attested and became an authorised warranted Police Officer.
The difference between a Special Constable (SC) and a Police Constable (PC) is that the latter get paid and have more in-depth training whereas we volunteer our time, SCs have the same powers and carry the same equipment (apart from firearms). We are expected to complete a minimum of 16 hours a month of shifts, but most do more than this.
I was only able to start my shifts in September as I was in Wales over the summer. In the month of September, I volunteered 187 hours, as my second year at university didn`t start until October. I enjoyed that month more than I had imagined, and I was able to fully experience life as a regular police officer as I followed a regular police officer`s shift pattern. As a special constable, you join a Neighbourhood Police Team and stay with them for one year before being able to change department if you want to. I am stationed with St Michaels, which is Coventry`s city centre NHT team.
Working in the city centre is fast-paced and means that the crimes and incidents that we are involved with are diverse and ever-changing. I managed to get rotations of half a week on each of the following teams: response, force CID (criminal investigative department) and Adult PPU investigations (Public Protection Unit – basically domestic violence). This was after two weeks with my Neighbourhood team during September.
During this time, I completed a number of arrests, warrants, searches, interviews and patrols both in marked and unmarked police cars or on foot. I have even seized uninsured cars and no police training is complete without having written a few parking tickets of course. It is quite remarkable how quickly cars disappear when we arrive and issue the first ticket. Of course, they reappear just as quickly when we drive away!
I think the most interesting arrest I have made is for money laundering, but this was quite a rare occurrence and it was even rarer that I got to interview the suspect afterwards. However, every arrest is complicated and very serious. I have not had to use many Covid-19 laws as the approach is always to use enforcement as the very last resort.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a Special Constable so far and though I have a lot more to learn still, both the training and being on duty has been a real eye-opener. More than ever before I can appreciate how fortunate I was to receive the education at Rydal Penrhos, most people are not as lucky.
The photo is from an operation called Operation Guardian conducted by West Midlands Police.
This is a long term operation and the taskforce that goes across the West Midlands, when it came to Coventry one Friday evening, I joined and we went across hot spots in the city centre with a number of officers and a drugs dog pictured there. “
Suzi Derbyshire (Vaughan)
Retired Alumnus celebrates at Everest Base Camp!
Suzi Derbyshire (maiden name Vaughan) left Penrhos in 1981 to study fashion design.
She graduated from Saint Martins School of Art in London in 1986 with a 1st Class Hons Degree and worked as a womenswear fashion designer for ten years.
During that time, her work took her all over the world and she lived in London and Hong Kong and travelled extensively throughout S.E. Asia.
She learnt to scuba dive in Boracay, Philippines and was lucky enough to dive in pristine reefs in Egypt, the Caribbean and Australia.
After ten years in the fashion industry, Suzi was ready for a new adventure and switched career into fashion education.
She worked at London College of Fashion for six years, leading the College’s degree in Fashion Design Technology until in 2002, she migrated to Queensland, Australia to start the first Fashion Degree course in Queensland.
She and husband Barry have lived in Queensland for eighteen years, becoming Australian citizens in 2005.
They have travelled around Australia and New Zealand and particularly love the mountains of Tasmania and New Zealand’s South Island.
Suzi’s career QUT (Queensland University of Technology) provided many opportunities for growth and leadership and Suzi retired at the end of 2019, after nine years in the role of Deputy Vice Chancellor (Learning and Technology). Upon retirement, her service to the university was recognised through conferral of the title of Emeritus Professor.
Two weeks after retiring, Suzi and Barry set off to pursue a lifetime ambition – the three week, 250km trek from Jiri to Everest Base Camp, following the route that Sir Edmund Hillary took in the 1950s.
Covid-19 has somewhat disrupted Suzi’s travel plans for 2020 but living in Australia, which is now almost Covid free, Suzi and Barry have been lucky enough to explore more of their own state and have started ‘van life’ adventures with their very well-travelled second-hand campervan.
Suzi’s life and career really do demonstrate how far a good education and a qualification in design can take you!
If you’d like to learn a bit more about Suzi’s ideas about fashion design, you can watch her short TEDx Talk ‘Fashion your Future – Think More Like a Fashion Designer’.
The link to the take can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkjNxCzBUqQ
So far, her talk has had over 328k views.
Alex Bytheway
Work published in leading Scientific magazine
Alex Bytheway, who left Rydal Penrhos in 2016 after securing some exceptional A Level results, recently secured a first-class honours’ degree in Chemistry, Biological and Medicinal Chemistry from the University of York and now embarks on the next stage of his journey.
Whilst in his final year of study, Alex had an article published in Chemistry Review magazine, where he discussed what A Level students need to know about the process of energy and how it works.
During the hugely informative and thorough article, Alex went over topics such as forms of energy, the first law of thermodynamics and infrared spectroscopy.
Alex also went on to discuss nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and the quantisation of energy levels, which will surely be of benefit to those looking to following in his footsteps from a scientific perspective.
This is the latest in a series of outstanding accolades for Alex, who joined the Rydal Penrhos community as a Year 9 pupil and benefitted considerably from the school’s strong academic ethos and wide range of extra-curricular options.
He was part of the 2015/16 Prefect team before securing one A* and three A’s from his A-level examinations as a result of his efforts. This enabled him to attain a place at his first-choice university.
In addition to his impressive academic exploits at Rydal Penrhos, Alex also achieved national success in science competitions and also had his work featured at the National Big Bang Fair in Birmingham.
This success is a trend that has continued throughout Rydal Penrhos’ rich history, with this summer’s A Level results confirmed as the school’s best-ever.
Dr Baker
Castle project to host I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!
Former Rydal Penrhos pupil Dr Mark Baker has been reflecting after the prominent landmark he is restoring was officially confirmed as the venue for a popular reality television show I’m a Celebrity get me out of here!
The alumnus has led a group of volunteers with the intent of fixing the historic Gwrych Castle, which overlooks Abergele and can be seen from the A55 expressway.
Restoring the castle is something that has been at the forefront of his ambitions since the age of 11, and Dr Baker formed the Trust at 13-years-old whilst still a pupil at Rydal Penrhos.
The Grade I listed site was left to rot for decades, but the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust has worked tirelessly over the last decade to restore prominent rooms and gardens across the picturesque area.
In a huge boost for the project, it will now be the shock venue for ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here’ this month after the coronavirus pandemic prevented them from travelling to their usual site of Australia.
Dr Baker was clearly shocked when speaking to the Rhyl Journal about the news and stated when he first received the original email enquiry, he thought it was spam.
He said: “It is a great honour they have chosen the castle. I think one of the motivations behind ITV coming is they see the building and the estate need a lot of help and support, so they would rather the money for the publicity goes to something will be of benefit and not just a commercial venture.
“Since it has been confirmed, it has been very exciting; lots of people getting in touch and lots of support. It is going to give a great boost, particularly with what everyone has had to go through with lockdown.
“The negotiations went on for a very long time so it was touch and go until the day before. Things kept changing with lockdowns and so on and the situation in Australia. It was really very swift towards the end. It has been going on for months.
“I got an email quite a while ago. It probably could have been in May and June and at a time when ITV were considering their options. I thought it was just spam. You would, wouldn’t you?”
Dr Baker’s project has been aided by Rydal Penrhos pupils over the years, with the school’s community action days seeing various year groups spend time at the castle assisting with the clean-up project.
This is just one amazing success story regarding community involvement regarding pupils old and new from Rydal Penrhos over the years, which is all part of the school’s ethos.
“I’m not sure how similar it will be in terms of insects and the bushtucker trials. Whether they will try something new, old favourites or a mix of both,” he added.
“I don’t know if the challenges are going to be elsewhere, just because of the pandemic and keeping in bubbles.
“What is really good about the castle is that it is accessible off the A55 and can act as a really good bubble. It is all enclosed and really locked down. It has just given us that kind of push to get things going.”
My Life in Nursing
Becky Banks
Becky Banks (RPS 1998-06) started at Rydal Penrhos in Year 6 when she was 10-years-old, moving through the school and leaving at 18 in 2006.
Following school she says "I went down to Cardiff in 2007 and started my nurse training, I took a year out during my degree due to personal reasons but then qualified with a 2.1 in my degree in Bachelor of Nursing Hons in 2010 (I was two points off a 1st ).
I then worked in the Heath hospital in Cardiff on a trauma orthopaedic specialist spinal ward for six months. Then three orthopaedic wards in the Heath hospital got mixed up and amalgamated together forming into a specialist spinal ward, a trauma ward and a short stay orthopaedic ward.
As I’ve always loved the fast pace of nursing I then worked on the short-stay orthopaedic ward for a further six months before deciding to return home.
Following the move back to North Wales I then worked on a renal, diabetic ward at Glan Clwyd hospital for two years in the Emergency Department where I worked for five and a half years and I also got to cover a band 6 post for maternity leave for six months.
Recently, I got a job working in a GP practice, Rysseldene surgery working as a band 6 practice nurse. I have now been working there just over a year, after having my first anniversary in September.
I was always intrigued by nursing as my mum was a practice manager in a Dr's surgery, so I used to go and sit in the practice nurse's seat when I would go and visit my mum and loved looking at all the medical bits dotted around her consultation room.
My true dream of becoming a nurse happened after my dad passed away when I was 14 years old and I was in admiration of two of my mum's best friends who were nurses, one was a practice nurse and the other was a midwife.
I aspired to become like them one day and help people in this world. When I started my nurse degree I knew I always wanted to go down the path of being a practice nurse or midwife, so I am over the moon, that my dreams have come true.
I love my job more than anything and would do anything I can to help my patients and their relatives. My next plans are to eventually become an advanced nurse practitioner within the GP surgery. However, this will be in a couple of years' time.
Becky Banks (RPS 1998-06)
Society Sport
Golfers take part in Pochin Cup
Richard Watson, winner of the Pochin Cup
Rydal Penrhos Golf Society
Pochin Cup report September 25th 2020
We had a successful day at Sandiway on a sunny afternoon with a full complement of players for our allotted tee times. It was great to have former Sandiway member and scratch county player, Henry Branch, joining us from Surrey.
An added attraction was seeing Tommy Fleetwood who was at the club doing some filming for the BBC!
L-R Richard Watson, Robin Forster, Andy Hurst
A blustery cold wind and little run on the fairways made scoring difficult. It was good to see several of our younger members playing and one winning the cup.
Many thanks must go to John Millington and Sandiway golf club for making this event possible whilst following strict Covid 19 social distancing rules.
Richard Watson won the trophy by one shot from Ian Cochrane and was presented with the Cup following a meal in the clubhouse.
Guy Watson, Golf Secretary (RS 1957 – 1966)
Three former Rydal Penrhos pupils managed to complete a gruelling cycling challenge to raise funds for a worthy cause.
Tom Harding, Jake Lovatt and Dylan Kerfoot Robson who all left Rydal Penrhos in 2014, set off from Porth Eirias in Colwyn Bay in the early hours of the morning of Saturday 15 August.
The trio were aiming to complete the daunting 187-mile journey to Cardiff Bay in around 12 hours, and they were supported along the way by a school minibus that contained teaching staff Sally-Ann Harding and Dave Robson, in addition to former teacher Mike Leach.
They encountered almost every climate possible throughout their journey from north to south. But despite some testing moments, the group managed to reach their destination by late afternoon on the same day.
Tom was joined by fellow members of the Royal Marines for the challenge, which was to raise funds for The Walton Centre in Liverpool.
This is a cause that is close to Tom’s and Rydal Penrhos’ heart, with his father Timothy spending time at the centre over the last 15 years.
Dylan is no stranger to cycling, with the former pupil competing at a high standard professionally. He also represented Wales at the Commonwealth Games, which represented yet another outstanding achievement to add to the illustrious sports history of the school.
Jake is a former rugby captain at Rydal Penrhos who has since gone on to become part of the Royal Air Force. And his sporting exploits saw him play a leading role in the RAF Spitfires team securing a notable tournament victory at the Calcutta 7s.
This reunion is testament to the affinity that pupils of Rydal Penrhos have with the school after moving on to the next stage of their life.
The school will always go out of its way to help former pupils with anything they need, and we are delighted to be supporting this challenge in some small way.
The group raised £3,154 for Walton, a marvellous effort!
SCHOOL SPORT
Freddie MacLaverty, a Year 8 pupil at Rydal Penrhos, tested his skills against some of the best young sailors in the country at the RS Tera Pro UK Nationals Championships over the Bank Holiday Weekend.
The aspiring star travelled to Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy – which is the United Kingdom’s national centre – for the RS Tera’s biggest event of the summer. Freddie worked incredibly hard during training sessions prior to the competition and on the day itself adjusted well to the conditions
Freddie adjusted well to the conditions and produced a series of outstanding displays to eventually come away with second place overall.
This represents a significant achievement for the pupil, who developed a love of sailing thanks to his involvement with the school’s thriving programme, which has its own boat park on the Colwyn Bay coastline and has produced a large number of nationally recognised sailors over its 60-year history.
Freddie himself is an RYA Cymru Wales squad member alongside fellow pupil Keira Luke. He also achieved selection to the Team GB National Youth squad for their winter training programme in his single-handed Tera boat.
The Llandudno Sailing Club member even managed to gain some racing success during the lockdown period, with Freddie chosen to represent Wales at the virtual 2020 Eric Twiname Junior Championships, which was a virtual regatta held recently by the Royal Yachting Association.
He eventually came away with a superb silver medal finish to further add to his ever-growing list of accolades.
Rydal Penrhos school’s sailing programme is available to both Prep and Senior pupils. It is led by a team of specialist and fully qualified coaches with a wealth of experience.
Rocco Molina-Franco, a Year 13 pupil at Rydal Penrhos, produced a series of outstanding displays for Buckley Cricket Club, who did manage to get some competitive action in despite a much-changed outlook across the region due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The teenager was at the top of his game throughout the summer, emerging as the team’s top-scorer at the crease with an impressive average of 41.13 from 19 appearances in the middle.
This resulted in Rocco securing 648 runs during this time, in addition to four half-centuries and a season’s best score of 104 not out in Buckley’s 103-run victory at Hawarden Park.
Rocco’s efforts with the bat accounted for just over 24 per cent of his team’s run total throughout the campaign and it is a testament to the pupil’s ability to rise to the occasion in the face of older and more experienced opposition.
This represents an outstanding achievement for the Sixth Former, who has been playing senior cricket since a very early age and made his full debut in 20-15. Over the past five years, Rocco has attained 3,200 runs from 143 innings’ and boasts a career-high of 137 which he achieved against Brymbo in August 2019.
In addition to his batting exploits, Rocco also plays a significant role in the field as a wicket-keeper and has recorded 91 catches, 38 stumping and four run-outs during a standout young career to date.
Rocco turned 17 in August but has already made a substantial impression for his local club, which has also caught the eye of Cheshire squad selectors.
The pupil was part of their youth set-up last summer and made it to the final selection process this time around before it was cut short amid increasing fears surrounding Covid-19. He was also selected to play for North East Wales Cricket in 2018 despite his tender age at the time.
Rocco’s outstanding efforts during the season resulted in the aspiring player making the Cricket Wales batting honours board on numerous occasions.
Keira Luke, who is a Year 8 pupil at Rydal Penrhos, was recently called up to the Royal Yachting Association's Regional Training Group – Feva (Midlands), for their 2020/21 winter coaching initiative.
This recognises her potential to progress within the British Sailing Team, with the aim of winning selection to the UK Youth Squads or beyond into the RYA's Olympic Development programmes.
Keira attained selection to the programme on the basis of performance and commitment to training and competition over a period of several years. This establishes her status as a British Youth sailor with potential to represent Great Britain at major international events in the coming years.
This is the latest in a series of exceptional achievements from Keira, who took up sailing as a Prep School pupil at Rydal Penrhos and has developed into one of the country's best young prospects.
She is looking to emulate brother and 2018 leaver Ewan Luke, who was also a Team GB sailor during his time at the school.
The commitment required to achieve the objectives of the programme will increase significantly for Keira in the coming months, and she will be supported by the school to balance these alongside her academic studies.
The training weekends are set to be intense and will include time on the water, fitness training, classroom-based theory sessions and work with specialist support staff and coaches.
Keira has acquired a wealth of experience in a sailing capacity in recent years, which has resulted in regional and national competition achievements, in addition to Welsh squad selections and even winning the U18 General Handicap Fleet alongside fellow pupil Freddie MacLaverty at the British Youth Sailing Welsh Regional Championships despite their tender age.
Old Penrhosian Association
A message from the group
OPA Branch News (Old Penrhosian Association)
I am writing on behalf of Helen (Moreland) Faulkner who for many years has been chairman of the West Riding branch of the Old Penrhosian Association.
We are having problems contacting former pupils of Penrhos College, mainly because of the restrictions of GDPR, and thus to arrange reunions and meetings. Over the years, the contact details of OPA members have become lost or out-of-date.
Would it be possible for any “old girls” who live in West or North Yorkshire to contact the school on 01492 530155 or by email at SJames@rydalpenrhos.com with their details if they are happy for us to contact them for future get-togethers.
A recent lunch at Wetherby had to be cancelled due to insufficient numbers. Of course, ORs and ORPs would also be very welcome to join us at future meetings.
The Sheffield branch of the OPA is thriving and has an active membership, so it is mainly members in North and West Yorkshire we are anxious to contact.
Many thanks
Diana (Brocklehurst) Wetherill
PC 1951-1960
Prep School
New leadership focus brings success!
Rydal Penrhos Prep School pupils are enjoying their fundraising success as part of their new leadership focus.
Year 6 have voted on leadership positions as part of an ongoing initiative to enhance responsibility and pupil voice, something that has grown in significance since Rydal Penrhos announced the appointment of Lucy Davies as Prep School head.
Each pupil received their leadership badges from Mrs Davies last week, which included the Head Boy and Girl, their deputies, the new Prefect team, House Captains and Monitors.
Rydal Penrhos Prep School is thrilled to confirm Amelie Skinner as its new Head Girl and Noah Roberts is the new Head boy for the Prep School for the 2020/21 academic year. Both will play a substantial role across Prep School life in the coming months in addition to offering additional support and guidance to younger members of the Rydal Penrhos community.
A long tradition of pupil leadership has led to this reverence and the pupils are well aware of how things happen and that everything is done just like the ‘real world’ as one pupil put it today. Mrs Davies, said: “The pupils want to have pupil leaders, they want to have their say, they want to be part of the school and the decisions which shape it. “I know that every staff member was astounded by the ideas that the children have had.
“The pupils selected are so proud to represent their class and, in the case of Year 6, their school. They learn responsibility, sacrifice and as one pupil leader told me today, ‘We learn to listen to others, it’s not just my voice that counts’.”
Mrs Davies, said: “I’m not sure that the younger members fully understood, but they certainly know that the shiny badge on their jumper means something. Only two had forgotten to wear their badge and they both immediately blamed their mum! - A little more work to do on taking responsibility then!”
House captains recently played a vital role in events and fundraising activities like the ‘Hello Yellow Day.’ The object of the day was to raise awareness and raise funds for the Young Minds charity and hundreds of pounds were generously donated.
Pupils put on their finest yellow garments for the occasion, with teaching staff arranging wellbeing activities throughout the week to help children understand the importance of mental and physical health. However, it should be noted that not all of our pupils wanted to relinquish their uniform for the day; several of our pre-schoolers were tearful at the gates this morning!
Pupils ALWAYS get very excited on non-uniform days. As if to prove this point Lucy Davies overheard two seven-year-old girls talking as they passed her open door.
”I kid you not, the conversation went as follows:
Pupil 1: Do you think I seem a bit over-giddy?
Pupil 2: Not really… but the yellow doesn’t help does it!
It was all a bit Enid Blyton….oh well, that’s it for ‘over-giddy’ until Pudsy rides back into town on 13th November!”
University
Top choices secured by Year 13!
Almost every one of the school’s Year 13 leavers secured their first-choice university destination.
The school has placed a strong emphasis on university preparation, and it is reaping rewards.
Out of 51 pupils in Year 13, a total of 82 per cent managed to attain places at their first-choice higher education establishment.
This rises to 87.5 per cent without the three members of Year 13 who are taking a gap year before beginning the next stage of their journey. Many of our Year 13 achieved places at Russell Group universities, with Ed Patrick and Cassie Parry continuing the school’s rich tradition of successful Oxbridge applicants.
The school and its university admissions team is committed to matching pupils to the correct university and course, whatever that might be and this year as always we had a great range of subjects being pursued. From Actuarial Science at LSE to Midwifery in Manchester, Fine Art in Edinburgh to Environmental Geo Science at Durham.
For a full list of university destinations and courses followed please click on the following link https://rydalpenrhos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/UNI-DEST.pdf
Marriages & Births
Rydal Penrhos Society
Rydal Penrhos was absolutely thrilled to host the wedding of Henry Lee at St John’s Church, the school’s place of worship on Saturday 29 August.
Henry, whose parents took a ship from Hong Kong to Liverpool in the 1960s and were the first to establish takeaway restaurants in several towns across North Wales, was a pupil at the school from the ages of 12 to 18, leaving in 2000.
His sister Lisa also attended the school under Michael James’ headship in the years following the merger of Penrhos College and Rydal School on the present site in 1999. Lisa was given the honour of reading from the bible during the ceremony.
The bride Victoria Dean hails from Devon and she met her new husband through their shared medical professions. They live in Manchester and have a 15-month-old daughter called Primrose.
Reverend Nick Sissons, Chaplain of Rydal Penrhos, conducted the service and Director of Music Pete Williams played the organ. (An event in itself which required risk assessment by Prep School head Lucy Davies, who is leading the school’s COVID-19 protocols).
The couple chose Calon Lan to be played – which is always a big hit with pupils at the school – even though they couldn’t sing it due to restrictions.
The congregation were carefully socially distanced across the church, with reserved and named seats, making sure that nobody was closer than two metres to the central aisle, leaving plenty of room for the bride and her father to walk down it.
Rev’d Sissons, said; “It was a lovely occasion, the confetti flew and the sun made a rare appearance, which was a great blessing after the awful rain of the previous few days.
“I am sure that staff and alumni who remember Henry will join us in wishing him and his new wife Victoria all the very best for their married life together.
Lydia Parry (RPS 2005 -12) is delighted to announce the arrival of Olivia Ruby Parry 28/3/2017 and Louis James Peter Parry 15/6/2020.
Richard Watson (1991-2000) is delighted to announce the arrival of Thomas William Watson, born 6 October 2020. Annabelle and Rose are both very pleased with their new baby brother.
Obituaries/Deaths
Remembering Rydal Penrhos Society members
Deaths / Obituaries
Notification has been received of the following deaths since our last Newsletter published in May 2020 and up to the end of October 2020.
- CR = common room
- G = Governor
- Hon = Honorary Member of the Rydal Penrhos Society
- *Detail unknown at time of publication
A.V. Brown “Napoleon” (RS 1943-48) Aged 89 died on the 13th May 2020. Informed by his brother Derek. V. Brown.
Bruce Stewart Hess (RS 1949-57) Born 10 March 1940 died 29 July 2020.
He was a Gentleman, with a great sense of humour, married to Wendy for many years, who died about ten years ago. Lived in Oxton on Wirral and was an Estate Agent. Loved Birkenhead Rugby Club and always supported them until he was in an Abbeyfield home. Dianne Swaffield.
W. Martin Stewart (RS 1954-56)
P. F. Watkinson Headmaster of Rydal School (RS1968-91) CR HON
Events
Dates for your diary!
Events
Virtual Society Annual General Meeting
Monday 23 November at 6pm
To join this Zoom meeting contact Sarah James at SJames@rydalpenrhos.com
This is a virtual meeting.
Sixth Form Information Evening
Wednesday 25 November from 5pm
Booking essential Contact admissions@rydalpenrhos.com
Zoom Reunions
Contact us to nominate your year group and to agree a date and time SJames@rydalpenrhos.com
Lost & Found
Can you help?
LOST AND FOUND
All Old Penrhosians PLEASE help us… we need to make a comprehensive list of Head Girls of Penrhos College from the very start of the school until it merged with Rydal School…please get in touch and tell us who was the Head when you were in school…together we can find every Head and put them with their correct dates!!!! Email SJames@rydalpenrhos.com
· On behalf of Richard Hoffman (now nearly 81! he tells us) we are trying to find news on Margot Britton, sister in charge of the San. in my day and later married to Doc. Britton.
· Rosalind Powell an old Penrhosian is wondering whether her old English teacher Ms Aine Bourke would get in touch. Rosalind has thought of her often since graduation and would love to be in touch.
· Please help Pat (Sandiford) Bowie (PC 1951-58) find her school friend Eileen (Sutcliffe) Hemingway (PC 1951-58) as they are both celebrating their 80th Birthdays this year. She would also welcome the Preston Old Penrhosian Association contacting her please.
· Chris Wright (RS1964 – 1969) is trying to get in contact with one of his school friends, Andrew M Lamb (1963? - 1969?).
Were you at Penrhos College in the 1960s?
Ex Penrhosian Jane Laxton (Brightwell/Jennings) is aiming to launch a new “Register of Past Pupils” from the decade of the 1960s. She hopes to create an A4 booklet with photographs included, and she is asking old girls from that era to get in touch and write a couple of paragraphs for this ‘magazine’. This would cover their best memories from Penrhos College, and a note on their careers/lives after school. (The booklet would only be available from the Rydal Penrhos Alumni office).
As Jane goes on to say “One tends to keep in touch with school friends from one’s own year group, but school houses covered all ages, as did sports and drama, so it would be of great interest to hear from as many Old Penrhosians as possible.” If you would like to get involved then do contact Jane on jennings258@btinternet.com or call her on 07762 746781, she is ready to receive replies with eagerness and anticipation!
As example of the type of information Jane would like to put in the register she has reported on herself “Following my schooling I went on to open my own school, and to play the violin in a semi-professional ensemble in London. I married two teachers (one history and one music) and have two sons. The younger “boy” is 34 and is Director of Music at a public school in Oxfordshire!”
To help or get involved with any of the above please do contact Sarah James, Pupil Liaison Office on SJames@rydalpenrhos.com
News in Brief
From Rydal Penrhos Society members
Andrew Cashmore (RS 1979-84)
I am now of Fellow of Advance HE - I am a lecturer with the University of Plymouth as an Adult Nurse Lecturer.
I’ve been in nursing for around 25 years, and it is a real privilege to be teaching students.
Chris Jelfs (RPS 2006-10) reports:
“I will be getting married to my fiancée Sioned Walker on July 31st next year - our original date was going to be August 8th this year but due to the lockdown measures we had to postpone, here's hoping that the second attempt will be more successful!”
Heather (Bolt) Edwards (PC 1952-61), following closely in the footsteps of Timothy West and Prunella Scales “Great Canal Journeys” decided to take an adventure in her seventies and cruise in her narrow boat (Skara Brae) all the way from Cheshire to Bath via London. It took 4 months, and this image shows one of possibly the most memorable, if not challenging parts of the route. Accessing the Thames at Limehouse Basin through an enormous commercial lock, having had to purchase a two-way radio on instruction of the Harbour Master. “(He also wanted us to acquire an anchor, just in case but managed without!)” the wind factor was too high initially and they had to wait two days for it to calm down before sailing under Tower Bridge and alongside the London Eye. What an adventure!
Brian Kay’s (RS 1953-63) autobiographical book “Music, My Life” full of memories and anecdotes has just been published and hot off the press school has received a copy. And goodness what fascinating reading this will make.
He says his school days at Rydal - 1953-63 are well covered and might make memorable reading for others who were in school at the time.
Brian says he is “a lucky man who has spent his entire working life in a rewarding and successful career as musician and broadcaster.”
The book's blurb says it “throws a hugely entertaining light on a life entirely devoted to the joy of music and music-making”.
Brian started as the founder bass with the internationally renowned vocal group, The King’s Singers, and then joined the BBC as a presenter.
He moved back to the concert hall, conducting choral and orchestral concerts worldwide, including the annual 4000-voice Really Big Chorus Messiah from Scratch in London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Interestingly, he has been the lowest frog on a Paul McCartney single and a member of the backing group for Pink Floyd!!
This would just make the best Christmas present for alumni and music lovers alike and is being published by Umbria Press.
Christmas
Rydal Penrhos related gifts!
With Christmas coming we have all become more mindful about buying from small companies and organisations, and buying things with meaning for those who really matter to us. With this in mind can we tempt you with:
A RYDAL PENRHOS CHARM BY CLOGAU (Price: £50)
Beautiful exclusive silver and rose gold charm made by Clogau Gold especially for Rydal Penrhos. This is undeniably a collector's item. Clogau Gold is the rarest gold in the world and is mined from the last remaining gold mine in Wales, so this really is a very special item. The detail is incredible on such a small piece encompassing the lamp, the dolphin that represents the Rydal and Penrhos history.
A DRAMATIC STORY: A HISTORY OF THEATRE AT RYDAL PENRHOS (Price: £13)
If you were ever involved in Drama at school, then this is the book for you. Covering 1899 to 2015 this paperback dedicated to Mr Robert Tickner archivist, school master and housemaster is a history of Drama at Rydal School, Penrhos College and Rydal Penrhos. It includes some historical information, lots of photographs and reviews along with the memoirs of John Fletcher and Denis Lavin.
VINTAGE RYDAL RUGBY SHIRTS BY CANTERBURY
Synonymous with Rydal School was the sight of the rugby team in their striped gold and black rugby shirts! And so we have reproduced them… yes what a gift an “old boys” rugby shirt based on the design of the original.
Shirts are available in a range of sizes, and are priced at £50
PENRHOS AND RYDAL DURING THE GREAT WAR
With Remembrance Sunday in our thoughts you might like the chance to purchase this small book about the school during the Great War including the Roll of Honour.
£7.50
THE OSBORNS and RYDAL MOUNT SCHOOL 1885-1915
Written by Headmaster Peter Watkinson this paperback plots the history of “A Promising Place in the North”. A son of the manse, Mr Watkinson was educated at Rossall School before reading Modern History at Worcester College,Oxford. He was Head of History at Campbell College, Belfast, and St Albans School before being appointed as Rydal’s fifth Headmaster in 1968.
£7.50
AND TO PUT EVERYTHING IN, OR INDEED JUST YOUR SHOPPING, A RYDAL PENRHOS BAG
Price: £5
You can order your gifts by emailing SJames@rydalpenrhos.com
Just a reminder....
WE NEED YOU!
We need you!
We are actively inviting you to this year's Annual General Meeting… from the comfort of your own front room, or study bedroom possibly (if you are in quarantine at University).
It will take place on Monday 23 November at 6pm and will take the format of a Zoom meeting.
We are looking for alumni to become involved, share ideas, take on new roles, move us forward.
This means that wherever you are in the world you can contribute to this meeting and become an active member of the Rydal Penrhos Alumni.
And so please email our pupil liaison officer Sarah James on SJames@rydalpenrhos.com and we will send you a Zoom meeting invitation and password. Look forward to seeing you on the night.
Let us see how far around the world we can travel…will you join us from Hong Kong, Australia, Washington, Colwyn Bay?
Thank you for reading the
Rydal Penrhos Society newsletter
Newsletter: November 2020 - Issue 34
