The RP Weekly: 15 October 2021
The weekly digital newsletter from Rydal Penrhos School in Colwyn Bay.
The RP Weekly
15 October 2021
Skiing
Team RP crowned Welsh champions!
Rydal Penrhos has a rich and proud history of skiing success over the years, which is another unique element to the thriving extra-curricular provision provided by the school and is available for pupils from an early age.
Now that competitions are resuming up and down the country thanks to reduced COVID-19 restrictions, pupils are busy working hard to boost their respective reputations against some of the brightest young skiers nationwide.
The latest big challenge for the group was at the Welsh Schools Skiing Championships in Llangranog, which is always one of the more eagerly-anticipated events on the sporting calendar and this year proved to be no different.
It proved to be another successful outing for the Rydal Penrhos team (Years 7-13) at the event, with Chay Bonnington, Cameron Pye, Louis Hollingsworth and Jack Dougherty digging deep to eventually emerge with the Secondary School Boys title as a result of their exceptional efforts.
Chay is a vastly experienced performer at high-profile events and produced another fine performance to come away with second place in the Registered U18 Boys category and the fastest non-Welsh squad racer at the championships.
The Year 12 pupil was unable to try out for the Welsh squad after injuring his arm during the selection process.
There was further cause for celebration with Louis finishing as the first U16 non-registered racer category, which was an incredible achievement from a pupil that has progressed considerably on the slopes in recent months.
Rounding off the individual accomplishments was Cameron, who finished in third position (U14 registered) for yet another podium finish to add to his ever-growing collection.
Team Rydal Penrhos will now begin preparing in earnest after earning qualification to the British Schools Skiing Championships, which will be held close to home this year at the Llandudno Snowsports Centre on Sunday 28 November.
We could not be prouder of Chay, Cameron, Jack and Louis. Another national sporting title for the school and one they richly deserved!
Sixth Form Information Evening
Booking now open
Sixth Form Information Evening
We warmly invite you to our Sixth Form Information Evening on Thursday 25 November from 5-7.30pm.
Once you have registered an interest, we will confirm a time for your meeting. It is important that we allow you the time and attention you need as a family with our key staff to consider the Sixth Form here at Rydal Penrhos.
It will all be conducted with consideration of COVID-19 safety protocols.
There has never been a better time to become part of the Rydal Penrhos Sixth Form community. The school recently celebrated its best-ever A Level results, with a total of 70.5% attaining a pass rate at A*-A, which represents an increase of 20.3% year on year.
Those achieving A*-B grades stood at 84.1% – a rise of 9.9% – with 92% of pupils achieving A*-C grades as a result of their efforts.
This is an increase of 2.1% from the record-breaking A*-C mark set in 2020.
Rydal Penrhos’ pass rate (A*-E) remains at 100%, which is the seventh time since 2000 that the school has achieved this feat.
The mean number of subjects passed per candidate was 3.14.
Our ability to get the most out of each pupil brought an incredible ‘value-added’ score of 1.04. This means for every ten subjects taken, all of them came out with one grade higher than originally predicted.
To book, email admissions@rydalpenrhos.com, call 01492 530155 or use our online form.
Harvest Food Drive
Annual initiative gets an incredible response
Giving back to the community is something at the forefront of everyone’s mind at Rydal Penrhos.
It forms a key component of the school’s ethos and this is reflected in the large number of initiatives put on by staff and pupils throughout the academic year.
One of the most important is the annual Harvest Food Drive, which once again saw the Rydal Penrhos family rally around to support a very worthy cause.
An incredible amount of canned goods and other essential items were donated by pupils and their families of all ages. These were collected over the last fortnight and brought around a fantastic response from everyone associated with the school.
They were on display at St John’s Church during the annual Harvest Festival, which was the last big occasion event before the two-week half term break on Friday 15 October.
Reverend Rob Beamish will now split the donations between the Conwy Food Bank and the Kind Bay Initiative – two worthwhile projects in the region that assist those less fortunate.
Pupils in Reception-Year 6 collected food from their respective houses this year. House Captains went into classes twice a week to collect food for their box before transferring them down to St John’s Church.
Our Harvest Food Drive is something that always generates a considerable amount of support from everyone associated with Rydal Penrhos. We were absolutely thrilled with this year’s collection, which was one of the biggest since we started the initiative.
We would like to thank everyone who donated to this year’s Harvest Food Drive. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and the items collected will be put to good use.
DofE
Pupils praised for Gold qualifying expedition resolve
Since it began in 1956, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has been dedicated to the personal development of young people from all backgrounds and is now widely recognised as the world’s leading youth achievement award. Something Rydal Penrhos has been involved with for a considerable period of time.
It certainly is a real adventure from beginning to end, helping young people to develop their independence and leadership qualities.
Rydal Penrhos School is a DofE Directly Licensed Centre and offers all three levels of the Award, beginning with Bronze in Year 9, continuing on to Silver in Years 10 and 11, culminating with the prestigious Gold Award in Years 12 and 13.
This is something many of our pupils accomplish under the guidance of programme co-ordinator Dr Jim Lewis and other qualified staff. It also comes with a memorable trip to a royal venue to pick up their distinction.
The current year 13 cohort, consisting of Arthur Hind, Daniel McLaughlin, Simeon Murphy-Thomas, Juan Rajagopal and Suhas Shekar, embarked on their final Gold DofE qualifying expedition from September 24-27, trekking across some of the most demanding terrain of the Snowdonia National Park.
They were also joined by Lara Pyves, a 2021 leaver who is also completing the award during her GAP year.
This was a route that the team had designed for themselves, into which they had incorporated two wild camps and one night at a basic farm campsite. Having completed their practice expedition in July, honing their skills with a tough traverse of the Rhinog Mountains, the team were hoping for easier going this time around.
Unfortunately, the weather was against them almost from the start and this turned out to be a very challenging journey with little opportunity for relaxation.
During the latter part of the first day, as the Rydal Penrhos group made their way up into the relatively featureless landscape of the Moelwyns, the mist descended in earnest and made finding the finish a very serious task indeed, requiring absolute concentration and all of the navigational tricks that they had at their disposal.
The first night was spent adjacent to a pair of very picturesque upland lakes, although the pupils will have to return another time to appreciate the beauty of the location – having arrived just as it got dark, and then departed early the following morning with thick mist still persisting, they did not really get to see much more than a bleak, monochromatic and seemingly desolate patch of moorland.
With visibility down to as little as 20 metres for much of the second day, navigation became extremely demanding and mistakes could not be afforded.
Fortunately, the team proved themselves to be more than up to the task, taking compass bearings and striding confidently across trackless bogs, never moving more than a few hundred metres without confirming their position with what passes up here as an identifiable feature, such as a stream junction or noticeable change in gradient.
With some relief, in the early afternoon, they arrived on the crest of the Moelwyn Ridge and were rewarded, firstly by the vague fence line that they were hoping to find and follow as a handrail, and secondly by improving conditions as they finally began to lose height on their descent to Dyffryn Mymbwr.
A promising start to the third day was met with a fast pace along a well-trodden valley track for several kilometres, but then the weather turned once more to herald a day of heavy rain and increasingly strong winds.
By the time the weary team arrived at their final camp, in the remote upper reaches of Cwm Eigiau, sodden from a difficult and drenching afternoon, the wind was blowing a hoolie and the rain was becoming more and more persistent.
This was not a night to savour, sheltering behind a wall of the old mine buildings to cook a hot meal, but it was certainly one to remember – crouched in tents, praying they would withstand the battering from the gale, trying to snatch whatever sleep was possible, and contemplating putting on a pile of wet clothing and boots again in the morning!
To show everyone how beautiful the natural surroundings of our local environment are, the sun eventually came out on the final day, and was greeted with joy by all.
This team had come through the fog and high water, cold, wet and wind, numerous trials and occasional tribulations, but they had done so with skill, with laughter (much of the time) and an insuppressible strength of spirit to earn an accolade worthy of Bear Grylls: Born Survivors.
Extremely well done, everyone!
Prep Pupil Leader Groups
New teams confirmed
Giving our pupils a voice forms a key component of day-to-day life at Rydal Penrhos. We strive to ensure every child is safe, happy and thriving in their educational surroundings, which leads to strong performance both in and out of the classroom with consistently impressive results.
This also makes pupils feel part of the process, enabling them to voice opinions, express their feelings on school matters and boost key skills such as listening, communicating and debating.
It is evident within the new Prep Pupil Leader groups consisting of committees that play an essential part in the smooth running of the school from Reception to Year 5.
These are led by the Prep Pupil Leadership Team, with a number of Year 6 pupils recently appointed to prominent and coveted positions following a thorough application process.
The School Council is led by Head Boy Oscar Jewsbury and Head Girl Ella Payne and this year’s representatives are:
- 5CC – James and Ella F-W
- 4JM – Angus and Lily
- 3KO – Iris and Jacob M-P
- 2CC – Ellis and Demiana
- 2RD – Josie and Peter
- 1MW – Ellie and James
- RLD – Kit and Erin
The school’s Eco Committee is something that’s gone from strength to strength in recent years. This group – led by teacher Julie Woodthorpe and the Deputy Head Boy/Girl team, works exceptionally hard to make sure Rydal Penrhos is an environmentally conscious place with various initiatives and supporting worthy causes.
This year’s Eco Committee representatives are:
- 5CC – Hattie and Alfie
- 4JM – Rose and Hannah
- 3KO – Zachery and Sienna
- 2CC – Megan and Tilly
- 2RD – Haydn and Isabella
- 1MW – Livia and Oliver
- RLD – Nel and Dylan
Rounding off the Prep Pupil Leader groups are the House Reps, who work alongside the House Captains throughout the year in the planning process for events and competitions.
This year’s House Reps are:
Brecon
- 5CC – Pippa and Harrison S
- 4JM – Eglantine and Toby
- 3KO – Bea and Arji
- 2CC – Tommy
- 2RD – Poppy
- 1MW – Edith
- RLD – Lola and Ebenezer
Pembroke
- 5CC – Lissy and Freddie
- 4JM – Sebastian and Layko
- 3KO – Hania and Logan
- 2CC – William O
- 2RD – Ajwaa
- 1MW – Bobby
- RLD – Morgan and Charlotte
Snowdon
- 5CC – Beatrice and Archie
- 4JM – Jacob DLMN and Holly
- 3KO – Ollie and Marie-Louise
- 2CC – Casey
- 2RD – Eleanor
- 1MW – Joshua
- RLD – Sebby
Congratulations to every member of our leader groups. We wish you the very best of luck in the coming months and hope they all get the very most out of the experience.
Rugby
Incredible comeback win for U15 squad
One of the most memorable comebacks in recent memory gave Rydal Penrhos’ U15 rugby side a memorable victory against Liverpool College at New Field to progress in the National Plate.
It’s been great to see competitive sporting fixtures return to the school after almost 18 months of frustration due to COVID-19 restrictions. Something with everyone associated with Rydal Penrhos has missed enormously.
This was an absolutely incredible display from the U15 side. Things looked bleak at one stage during the contest, which saw the hosts fall behind 34-7 and with plenty of work to do in the second half.
Thankfully, resolve is something the U15s have plenty of. They regrouped and came out with a renewed sense of purpose following the interval, which brought about a complete turnaround in the team’s fortunes.
A relentless attacking display saw them get to within one score of their opponents before Liam Farrell came up with the goods at the death with a last-gasp try to level things up.
All eyes were then on Gabriel Speakman, who had the chance to cap a dramatic victory by successfully converting the score. Thankfully, the Year 10 pupil held his nerve and despatched the conversion with aplomb to the delight of those in attendance.
There were a host of outstanding performances throughout the encounter. Alex Wise, Gabriel Donohue and Philo Rozek carried the ball hard to break through many tackles during the game, which contributed significantly to Rydal Penrhos’ success.
This was matched by some exceptional vision and determination from backs such as Freddie MacLaverty, Ethan Akroyd and James Gilman en route to a sensational triumph.
Comebacks such as this don’t happen without a full team effort. Everyone played their part, worked well as a unit and gave maximum effort to bounce back in the best possible fashion.
Next up in the National Plate will be a game against Wirral Grammar School on Thursday 4 November and we would like to congratulate every member of our U15 squad on a remarkable accomplishment in the face of adversity.
Year 7
Design Technology in Textiles course produces fantastic results
As one of the leading independent schools in the North West, Rydal Penrhos strives to provide richness through a breadth of experience and depth of study to every pupil in a safe, happy environment where they can thrive.
Our curriculum also allows for increased choice and specialisation as pupils move through the school, which is constantly monitored by staff to ensure our pupils reach and exceed their goals consistently.
This not only brings exceptional examination results at A Level and GCSE, but it also gives pupils the confidence to know they are flourishing through hard work and the opportunities available.
Another exciting addition to the provision offered is “Design Technology for Year 7 Textiles”, which has proven hugely popular, building core skills and enhancing creativity in the process.
One fine example of the work being done by Year 7 emerged from a recent project, where they created their own woven God’s Eyes in preparation for further weaving on a loom, felt making, sewing and much more.
This is part of their task to create and put together their very own South American hat. Something that’s brought plenty of enthusiasm, an eagerness to learn new skills and some outstanding creations that are a reflection of their development throughout the autumn term.
A huge well done to Year 7 for their incredible efforts so far. We are looking forward to seeing more of your work in the coming weeks.
Prep Pupil Leadership
Prefect Team announced
Another important part of Rydal Penrhos’ Prep Pupil Leadership Team are the Prefects.
They work closely with the Head Boy, Head Girl, their Deputies and the House Captains on providing strong leadership for younger members of the school community, which builds key skills such as communication, working well within a group and the ability to express themselves from prominent positions.
This year’s Prefects were chosen after a thorough process that involved written applications, an interview, staff consultation and a residential week away at the Arete Outdoor Centre in Llanrug where they could test their limits and demonstrate leadership skills out of their comfort zone.
After some tough deliberation from Deputy Principal Mrs Lucy Davies and other staff, we are delighted to announce this year’s Prep Pupil Leadership Prefect Team for the 2021/22 academic year.
- Huw W
- Elizabeth F
- Steffan A
- Ceri W
- Serenity T
- Honey K
All of the Prefects also wrote excellent letters and shone throughout the application process. They have been issued with personalised Hi-Vis jackets in readiness for the role and formally began their duties last week.
These will include helping at break and lunchtime, monitoring the dinner queue and sorting the library books amongst other jobs. They will certainly be very busy with more responsibility on their shoulders, something that’s sure to bring out the very best in each Prefect in the coming months.
Everyone at Rydal Penrhos would like to congratulate each member of our Prefect team on securing positions. We know you’ll all get a significant amount out of the experience and wish you the very best of luck.
Charlotte Holmes Adventure
A popular extra-curricular activity
At Rydal Penrhos, we strongly believe in developing the whole person. Whilst academic progress is our undoubted and committed priority, we also encourage our pupils to find out about themselves through challenge and endeavour.
This is structured through a comprehensive extra-curricular activity programme where vital life skills are developed such as team building, initiative, resourcefulness and self-help.
One popular addition to this provision throughout the autumn term is the “Charlotte Holmes Adventure Box”, which is the brainchild of former Rydal Penrhos teacher Ben Richards and Will Cousins, who visited the school last year and even got pupils involved in the story idea process for their second edition.
Working in groups, pupils are currently working their way through a series of activities relating to the story, which centres on Charlotte Holmes – an evacuee in Yorkshire during World War II as she aims to collect clues and crack cases.
Not only is the adventure box providing Rydal Penrhos pupils with plenty of thought-provoking discussions, but it also boosts their problem-solving skills and helps them look at things from different perspectives in the pursuit of reaching a specific goal or target.
Evacuation during the war is a prominent part of the school’s history. Around 250 girls from Penrhos College were given refuge at the Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, where they lived in dormitories within the property’s staterooms for six years.
During the day they tended the vegetable gardens to contribute to the national war effort, enjoyed ice-skating on the Canal Pond during winter months and had the run of the house, as its contents had been carefully packed away.
They were sent to Chatsworth House from September 1939 until the war finished in September 1945.
Community Choir
Popular group set to return
It’s been wonderful to see activities and events returning to the school calendar after so much disruption thanks to COVID-19 and the safety restrictions implemented by the Welsh Government.
Rydal Penrhos has been a hive of activity throughout the academic year so far, with trips, sporting fixtures and occasions on-site giving things a much more familiar and welcome feel.
With measures now easing and remaining at Alert Level 0, the school is thrilled to confirm that the Rydal Penrhos Community Choir is returning after a brief absence.
The Community Choir consists of parents, staff, and former pupils. They practice weekly and contribute to various events across the school such as the Christmas Concert and Speech Day.
The first session back for the group will take place on Monday 8 November in the Memorial Hall from 6.15-7.45pm and the Choir will meet every Monday thereafter.
Refreshments will be available for anyone attending, and the Choir will now be led by music teacher Alan McGuinness, who takes over from Director of Music Pete Williams.
Mr McGuinness has plenty of experience with choirs from his time working at St Asaph Cathedral, where he was given the task of promoting, establishing and directing a new Cathedral Girls’ Choir which featured current Year 13 pupil Hannah Davies.
In January 2004, at the age of 28, he was appointed as Organist and Master of the Choristers.
He directed the Cathedral Choirs in both live and recorded broadcasts for national radio and television, and was organist for two broadcasts of Songs of Praise.
Mr McGuinness has given many organ recitals at home and completed a concert tour of New York City and New England in the United States of America.
The Community Choir is now seeking members and anyone wishing to register their interest can do so by emailing Mr McGuinness at AMcGuinness@rydalpenrhos.com.
PQA Conwy at RP
New Principal appointed
Rydal Penrhos welcomes community groups and teams, local theatre and drama groups and local schools to use our outstanding facilities.
This includes regional and national sports teams and we are also proud to be the home of the Pauline Quirke Performing Arts Academy‘s base in Conwy.
PQA Conwy is a performing arts Academy, with classes for children aged four to 18.
Led by a fantastic team of teachers with specialist industry experience and knowledge, their students learn and develop skills in Comedy and Drama (acting), Musical Theatre (singing and dancing), in addition to Film and Television on a weekly basis.
The Academy has formed close links with Rydal Penrhos in recent years, with many pupils joining, developing their skills and even performing on the West End stage.
There was some big news emerging from the Academy recently, with Lucy Connah appointed Principal, replacing April Herzog after four outstanding years in the role.
April has been working as an actress since graduating from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts with a Masters in Acting (Distinction) in 2008.
This includes roles in both theatre and film, and her educational work has taken Mrs Herzog all over the world – from a convent in Italy to the British Embassy in Dubai.
Lucy takes over as Principal having spent four years as they Comedy and Drama Teacher with the Academy.
As part of our campus, we have a large drama studio for either rehearsals or performances in the round. The Memorial Hall is a traditional theatre with a large stage, state of the art AV and dedicated dressing room facilities.
Everyone at Rydal Penrhos wishes Lucy the very best of luck in her new role. We would also like to congratulate April on a marvellous job well done.
Vacancy
Casual/Relief Minibus Driver
Rydal Penrhos School is looking to recruit a relief, ‘zero-hour' driver, starting as soon as possible.
Working as part of a team to provide school transport services to the children attending the School, to provide cover for morning and evening bus runs in the North West Conwy area, reporting to the Transport Manager.
Profile
The following gives candidates an idea of the characteristics that we are looking for in the successful candidate:
- Total reliability
- Excellent time-keeping
- Ability to deal firmly but kindly with children aged between 4 and 18 years.
- Ability to deal politely and tactfully with staff and parents
- Cheerful disposition
- Flexibility
The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring Health and Safety matters are adhered to at all times.
Full information and how to apply can be found here.
Have an amazing half-term break!
Thanks for all your support and efforts during the academic year so far.
