The RP Weekly: 1 June 2022
The weekly digital newsletter from Rydal Penrhos School - 1 June 2022 edition.
The RP Weekly
1 June 2022
Looking Ahead
With Mr Phil Sutton and Mrs Lucy Davies
Events for the upcoming week:
Fixtures:
- Friday 10 June – U13 and U14 cricket against Stockport Grammar School (Home). This will begin at 14:00 and end around 17:30.
- Saturday 11 June – the first round of inter-house cricket for Years 9 and 10 from 09:00 to 11:00.
Trips/events for pupils:
- Monday 6 June – Year 10 Geography Field Trip from 08:30 to 10:30.
- Monday 6 June – Higher Education Evening in the Ferguson Centre for Year 10, 11 and 12 pupils and parents/carers at 18:00.
- Saturday 11 June and Sunday 12 June – CCF Camp.
Parents’ events:
- Friday 10 June – the much-requested return of parents attending the Prep Celebration Assembly. Parents are invited to the library between 08:00 and 08:30 for refreshments and will then be able to attend assembly in the Prep Hall, which finishes at 09:00. There is no need to book.
Events further ahead this term:
- Tuesday 14 June – parents' dinner for parents of Year 5, 6, 7 and 8 pupils in the Osborn Hall. The evening will start at 19:00 and conclude at 22:00. Please book using the link in the parent email.
- Thursday 16 June – parent/pupil nature trail in the Pre-School from 08:00 to 09:30.
- Thursday 16 June – class photographs in the Prep.
- Friday 17 June – Prep Celebration Assembly. Parents are invited from drop-off until 09:00.
- Monday 20 June – Prep ballet club show from 16:00 to 16:30. There is no need to book.
- Wednesday 23 June – Year 12 Higher Education Day. This will include talks with employers regarding apprenticeship options and a guide on how to complete a UCAS application.
- Friday 24 June – Prep Celebration Assembly. Parents are invited from drop-off until 09:00.
- Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 June – musical play ‘Paws and Claws’ at 18:30 for Years 3 to 6 in the Prep Hall. Please find the booking link in the parent email.
- Tuesday 28 June – Year 11 Bridging Day; moving into Sixth Form, followed in the evening by a ‘Careers Pathways’ event for parents and pupils.
- Tuesday 28 June – Year 12 UCAS Convention in Liverpool.
- Thursday 30 June – LAMDA Celebration Drama Evening at 19:00 in the Memorial Hall. Please book using the link in the parent email. This is an event for Year 7 upwards.
- Friday 1 July – moving up day in the Prep and Year 7 taster day.
- Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 July – Senior Activity Days. More details will be shared soon.
- Monday 4 July – Pre-School celebration in the Prep Hall from 09:00 to 10:00 (no tickets required).
- Tuesday 5 July – KS1 prize-giving in the Prep Hall from 09:30 to 10:30 (no tickets required).
- Tuesday 5 July – KS2 Speech Day (Years 3 to 6) in the Prep Hall from 11:00 to 12:30 (no tickets required).
- Tuesday 5 July – Years 7 to 10 Speech Day in the Memorial Hall from 14:00 to 15:00 (no tickets required).
- Wednesday 6 July – all day whole school sponsored walkathon in aid of Blind Veterans UK, covering various distances along the coast before finishing at 15:00 on Colwyn Bay Pier.
Looking further ahead:
- Friday 23 September – one of the UK’s most celebrated choral groups ‘The Sixteen’ will be presenting a powerful concert programme of English choral music during 2022. We are organising a trip to their closest performance which will take place at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral on Friday 23 September from 19:30 to 21:30. We believe that this will be a unique opportunity to hear one of the world’s most famous choirs, conducted by the equally famous Harry Christopher. If you or your child would like to book, more details are available in the parent email.
Holiday Club
Booking is open for Summer Holidays!
It promises to be another exciting summer for those attending the Rydal Penrhos Holiday Club, which is open during the school holidays and provides an extensive programme of activities for the children to experience.
This is not only a lot of fun, but it also helps assist them with their emotional, physical, social, intellectual, language and creative development.
Staff have done a wonderful job of devising a comprehensive provision full of adventures and exciting challenges, which includes plenty to enjoy across prominent landmarks across the North Wales region.
There are also a large number of activities for Holiday Club members to participate in within the school grounds, which boosts their overall development and progresses key skills in a relaxed setting under the supervision of staff.
The Rydal Penrhos Holiday Club has something for everyone and this half-term promises to be no exception thanks to the sterling commitment of our dedicated staff team.
The Summer Holiday Club will run from 11 July to 26 August (Monday to Friday).
For those aged 5 to 12, the Holiday Club is open for external children. For current Rydal Penrhos pupils, the Holiday Club is open for Pre-School to Year 8.
The cost is £45 per day and includes all trips, activities, sports and crafts as well as two snacks, a packed lunch and a fresh-cooked meal. Sibling discount of 5 per cent available.
To book now as a current Rydal Penrhos parent please log in to your Schools Buddy App.
To book now as a family who does not attend the school, click here.
For any further enquiries contact holidayclub@rydalpenrhos.com or call 01492 530155.
Class of 2022
Emotional final day before exams!
It was a day full of emotion at Rydal Penrhos as the Class of 2022 concluded their final official day at school ahead of study leave and their examinations.
This is the culmination of the final part of their secondary education and represents another significant milestone before the next step, whatever that might be.
The group have gone through a significant amount of disruption throughout their A Level studies thanks to COVID-19 restrictions, but each pupil deserves an endless amount of credit for the way they conducted themselves and remained focused under the guidance of the school’s dedicated and tireless teaching staff.
Throughout the day there was time to reflect and celebrate their time at Rydal Penrhos, which saw a special photoshoot and other events take place in recognition of the outstanding commitment demonstrated during a memorable stint with the school.
For some, this represents the end of an era, with many spending the entirety of their Senior School education at Rydal Penrhos and in some cases, joining as a Pre-Schooler.
Pupils will still be able to seek additional support from staff during the busy exam period, where each individual will be looking to add their name to the rich and proud history of academic success achieved by Rydal Penrhos in recent years.
On behalf of everyone at the school, we would like to congratulate our Class of 2022 for all their exemplary efforts, for becoming strong role models for the entire Rydal Penrhos community and wish them all the luck in the world during their examinations.
A full gallery from the day can be found here.
Queen's Green Canopy Tree
Eco initiative launched to mark Platinum Jubilee
Excitement is building ahead of what promises to be a memorable weekend celebrating Queen Elizabeth II‘s Platinum Jubilee.
This is something that was prevalent across Rydal Penrhos over the final week before the half-term break, with a special picnic and other events taking place to mark the occasion.
Another fine example of this came from Year 2 pupils, senior figures at the school, and Rydal Penrhos’ catering partner Holroyd Howe, who held a ceremony for their Queen’s Green Canopy Tree initiative. Executive Principal Mr John Waszek was among those in attendance, with Mrs Julie Woodthorpe, Prep Eco and Gardening teacher, also on hand alongside Holroyd Howe staff and pupils.
The scheme is headed by Eco Committee leaders Hayden and Isabella, who planted wild pear and crab-apple trees, respectively, near the Memorial Hall situated on the Senior School site.
Many pupils lent their support to this important project, performing important tasks such as digging holes in the ground or watering the fledgling trees, including Sixth Form pupil Osca Clark. Senior Groundsperson Howard Street was also on hand to share his green-fingered expertise with budding horticulturalists.
Rydal Penrhos and Holroyd Howe share a commitment to sustainability that is epitomised by this new scheme, which includes a variety of educational materials designed to illuminate the subject to pupils of all ages.
With a focus on planting sustainably, the Queen’s Green Canopy encourages planting trees to create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the nation, which will benefit future generations.
Colours Awards 2022
Memorable evening celebrates achievements
One of the most celebrated occasions on the Rydal Penrhos calendar, the Colours Awards Evening, recognised the outstanding commitment of pupils across a wide range of extra-curricular settings, ranging from sport to the performing arts and outdoor education programmes such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
The evening took place on Thursday 12 May 2022, with Andy Reid MBE on hand to deliver an inspirational address to those in attendance and dish out the prizes.
These included full and half colours in various activities such as Sports, Music and Drama, with some prestigious accolades also secured by those who have played a leading role in the school’s incredible success throughout the academic year.
Congratulations to the following pupils on their well-deserved awards:
- Derbyshire Trophy for Girls’ Sport – Hannah Davies
- Morphy Cup for Boys’ Sport – Jacob Cousins
- Ronald Grime Sailing Achievement Cup & Commodore Sailing Award – Llion Morris
- Wight Cable Cup for Senior Cadet – Simeon Murphy-Thomas
- Netball Player of the Season – Isabella Rutherford
- Boys’ Hockey Player of the Season – Alex Starling
- Tom Fletcher Trophy for Senior Rugby Player of the Year – Joshua Stewart
- Mike Leach Award for Exceptional Contribution to Sport – Anthony Bowe
- The Ainsworth Cup for Contribution to the Musical Life of the School – Hannah Davies
- Pinn Cup for Vocal Performance in the Creative & Performing Arts – Darcie Harker-Weston
- Price Cup for Acting – Darcie Harker-Weston
- Pugh Thomas Cup for Best Acting Performance – Tristan Martin
Following the presentation, pupils, family members, staff and governors descended on the lavish Osborn Hall for refreshments to conclude the occasion.
Andy was selected for the MBE on the strength of his services to the veteran community as well as his extensive work helping the disabled in St. Helens.
Corporal Reid was injured by a Taliban IED while on patrol with the 3rd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, in Afghanistan in 2009 and lost both legs and his right arm. But rather than let his injuries take over his life, he turned his attention to his recovery.
In 2010 he became a volunteer ambassador and fundraiser for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and has committed his life to raise awareness and fundraising for amputees, both civilian and military.
A full list of award winners can be found here.
A full gallery from the event can be found here.
STEM Olympics
Gold for Rydal Penrhos!
A crack team of Year 9 scientists led Rydal Penrhos to victory at a STEM Olympics competition hosted by The Grange School, Northwich. This represents a remarkable achievement from the group, who beat out 30 other independent schools from across Wales, Cheshire and the North West to achieve the distinction.
STEM is much more than just science and mathematics concepts. The focus of hands-on learning with real-world applications helps develop a child or young person’s ability to think outside of the box, to project-manage different scenarios, it enhances creativity and enables pupils to be more prepared for the 21st-century.
Other skills attained through STEM learning include problem-solving, real-time thinking, igniting curiosity, promoting leadership and perhaps most importantly, learning from mistakes and reacting accordingly.
Keira Luke, Rana Abou-Samra, Fflur Pierce and David Tate formed the Rydal Penrhos team, who competed in various challenges that included dissection, dentistry, crime scene investigation, model rocket launching, coding and a STEM-themed quiz in pursuit of accumulating the necessary points required to achieve the prize.
The team, which was named Gauss after the world-famous scientist, acquitted themselves exceptionally well throughout the competition to emerge victorious in fine fashion, working tremendously well as a team and remaining calm in the face of pressure.
All four pupils worked hard in the lead-up to the event under the guidance of Mr Ian Richardson and Mr Dave Robson, which paid off in a big way judging by their outstanding level of consistency and composure throughout.
This is the latest in a series of fine academic accomplishments from Rydal Penrhos pupils in a STEM environment, which is a testament to the well-rounded education they receive at the school.
We would like to congratulate the team on winning such a competitive competition and thanks to The Grange School for giving us a very warm welcome.
Skiing
Triumphs galore at North Wales Championships
Skiing is a unique provision provided by Rydal Penrhos and something that has brought the school a considerable amount of success over the years. Many pupils have gone on to achieve great things in regional and national events, with some even making a name for themselves at the Great British level thanks to the outstanding coaching they receive.
This is something that our pupils love. Testing themselves in an unfamiliar setting and developing core skills that can transition from different interests in and out of the classroom.
With competitions now taking place up and down the country, Rydal Penrhos sent a strong contingent to the Llandudno Snowsports Centre for the 2022 North Wales Ski Championships, which also featured other top skiers from clubs and schools across the region.
It was an outstanding competition overall for Rydal Penrhos, with the team consisting of mainly Prep pupils and Cameron Pye, who enhanced his growing reputation by finishing first in the U16 Boys’ Registered Racers event with another strong showcase of his immense talent.
There was also plenty to celebrate from the younger competitors, with Sebi C winning the Male U6 event and the school getting a 1-2-3 in the Female U8 category thanks to the efforts of Tilly T (1st), Immie C (2nd) and Ellie J (3rd).
It was a similar story in the U18 Male category with Casey L-L (1st) and Oliver T (2nd) filling the top-two spots on the podium. Wilfred J also triumphed in the Male U10 Registered Racers competition with a polished run.
Jack B-F and Ollie C finished first and second respectively in the Male U10 event. Rydal Penrhos also managed to secure all the medal spots in the Female U10 category thanks to the performances of Marie-Louise F (1st), Margot G (2nd) and Carys W (3rd).
Things got even better in the Male U12 race thanks to Freddie G and Ethan P coming first and second. Beatrice B-F (1st), Connie R (2nd) and Ella C (3rd) took home the medals in the Female U12 section.
Wilfred J’s run’s production on the slopes earned him second Male overall, with Jack B-F just behind in third place. Rydal Penrhos also managed to win the Primary Team Award thanks to the aforementioned duo and Beatrice B-F, who came third Female overall.
Rounding off another superb set of accomplishments was the team of Freddie G, Connie R and Ella C, who came in third overall as a result of the collective commitment.
We could not be prouder of our skiers. Congratulations on a magnificent performance!
Gallery
Queen's Platinum Jubilee Artwork
In recognition of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations this weekend, Rydal Penrhos Prep pupils were given a creative challenge ahead of the school's own marking of the prominent event before the half-term break.
Each pupil from Years 1-6 took part in a special art competition, where they were tasked with designing portraits of the Queen via paintings, drawings and other creative methods.
This saw the gifted young artists come up with some truly outstanding work, with all entries taking pride of place across the Rydal Penrhos Prep site and during the school's Jubilee Picnic that was held after another memorable Sports Day on Friday 20 May.
A huge well done to everyone that took part in the competition. It was another fine example of the artistic prowess emanating within the Prep under the exceptional passion and guidance of Mrs Suzy Morris.
Here is just some of the artwork produced, which is of an extremely high standard.
