Introduction
Mr Tom Hutchinson
Dear Pupils, Parents, Carers, and Friends of Rydal Penrhos,
I am delighted to introduce the latest issue of the Rydal Penrhos Newsletter, offering you, our school community, an insight into the remarkable achievements and highlights from the first half of the Advent Term.
Exactly seven weeks ago, I had the honour of welcoming back our dedicated team of teachers and staff for our start-of-term INSET Days. Just a few days later, I had the privilege of standing at the pulpit in St John's Church to greet our pupils for the first time as their Principal.
Reflecting on the remarkable progress we have achieved in the short span of seven weeks makes me incredibly proud to be a member of this community. The unique character and spirit of Rydal Penrhos was evident from my first visit when I applied to become Principal. Each and every day since then, our people – and particularly, our pupils – have constantly reminded me of this special quality, which is evident to anyone who visits our school.
It has been an especially busy half-term at Rydal Penrhos, marked not only by great success, but by palpable enthusiasm and dedication to the positive development of school life. John Wesley’s vision for Christian living – to do all the good you can, as long as ever you can – is alive and well within our historic buildings, classrooms, and grounds.
Beyond their excellent day-to-day educational activities, this half-term saw our Pre-School undergo a formal inspection from CIW (Care Inspectorate Wales). While we await the final report, I am pleased to inform you that the initial results and comments have been exceptionally positive. This comes as no surprise, given the infectious energy and zeal about the place every time I visit our youngest pupils. I would like to thank our Pre-School team for all their hard work.
Over the term to date, Rydal Penrhos pupils have continued to play a leading role in the rich and thriving culture of our Prep School, achieving an array of remarkable accomplishments along the way. Whether it is our keen swimmers returning to gala competition, our budding writers becoming published authors in an anthology, or our talented ski team reaching the highest heights on the national stage, our children have made us all immensely proud.
Across both Prep and Senior Schools, I am particularly heartened to see how our new pupil leadership teams have embraced their roles. Our Heads of School have gone above and beyond expectations, proving exceptional ambassadors for the school and setting a standard that all pupils can aspire towards. Both Prep and Senior Pupil Heads of School have been ably supported by exceptional teams of hard-working Prefects, House Captains and Committee Leaders. I am eager to see how our pupil leaders will continue to play their part over the course of the year.
On the theme of playing a part, rehearsals for our Senior Drama production of ‘Grease’ continue at an electrifying pace. From the rehearsals I have seen, it is wonderful to see such a high standard of acting and performance married with broad participation from our pupils. I have been left feeling much the same on my visits to the Music Departments in both the Prep and Senior Schools, where the quality and variety of the musical talent on display is truly impressive. Thank you to all the pupils, teachers and staff who continue to uphold Rydal Penrhos’ rich tradition in the performing arts.
On the sports field, our talented athletes have turned hard work and hours of practice into competitive success. Our sailors have reached the pinnacle of their discipline, earning nominations for national awards and invitations to elite training programmes. The Under 18s Ladies’ Hockey team have advanced to the national finals, while the First XV Rugby side repeatedly hold their own against the highest calibre of opponents, setting the stage for a promising season.
One of the sporting highlights of the term so far was the school’s traditional Founders’ Weekend celebrations, which saw Rydal Penrhos pupils past and present join together to celebrate our shared identity and heritage. This year not only featured some excellent sports match, capped off by an historic win for the First VII Netball team, but also a visit from our Penrhos College Class of 1983. It was a pleasure to welcome our Old Penrhosians, and thanks to the ongoing work of the Rydal Penrhos Society, we anticipate a stronger and more closely connected alumni network than ever before.
As we strive to draw closer to our past than ever before, we are also closer than ever to our future as one school on a single site. I am encouraged by the hard work going on behind the scenes towards our target date of September 2024. The future for our school is incredibly promising, and we look forward to keeping you updated as we work through our strategy and consult with the Board of Governors.
Lastly, I would like to thank you all for the trust and confidence you have placed in me during my first seven weeks in post. Taking on the Headship of a new school is always a daunting task, but your unwavering support and warmth has proven an incredible source of motivation. I look forward to sharing more successes when term ends in eight weeks’ time.
In the meanwhile, I wish you and your families a peaceful and blessed half-term.
Warm regards,
Mr HutchinsonPrincipal