The RP Weekly: 18 December 2020

The weekly digital newsletter from Rydal Penrhos School.

The RP Weekly

18 December 2020

Christmas Jumper Day

RP comes together to support national cause

Rydal Penrhos once again lent its support to a nationwide festive fundraising drive in aid of a global children’s charity.

There was festive attire aplenty across Rydal Penrhos for their annual Christmas Jumper Day, which took place on Friday 11 December in aid of Save the Children, which raises millions worldwide every year for an extremely worthy cause.

Children and staff came to school wearing their uniform with a Christmas jumper for a small donation of £2.

This saw plenty of eye-catching designs featuring everything from Father Christmas, Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer and even characters from popular video games.

Another fantastic effort from the school community saw hundreds raised from the event, which was the last of its kind before senior pupils broke up for their well-deserved break ahead of time due to the recent announcement from the Welsh Government.

Rydal Penrhos has a rich and proud history of fundraising for worthy causes throughout the region and beyond.

The school is proud of its community involvement, which was further evident with the extraordinary efforts to help those in need during the first coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

This included a PPE project that created thousands of protective masks for NHS staff and keyworker facilities, opening boarding accommodation for critical keyworkers and holding keyworker childcare not only for Rydal Penrhos parents, but also the wider community.

More than 2.2 million companies, organisations and schools signed up for this year’s Christmas Jumper Day, which highlights those less fortunate during a time of struggle that has been made even more difficult over the last 12 months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Sport

Senior pupils complete Mini London Marathon

A sterling effort from Rydal Penrhos senior school pupils saw them complete a notable milestone recently.

Years 7-13 took on the challenge of the Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon, which involved each pupil running a total distance of 2.6 miles to reach their overall goal.

This was done by either running, jogging or walking.

The mini-marathon took place around the impressive school campus at Rydal Penrhos with two courses mapped out.

The first course was around the astro playing surface and the main school block, with the other based across the picturesque New Field site.

A total of 156 pupils successfully completed their required distance, which accumulates to 405.6 miles in total and represents a significant collective achievement from senior school pupils.

Sean Kitchen, who is a Physical Education teacher at Rydal Penrhos, said: “There was a great community atmosphere with peers helping one another over the finish line with encouragement and cheers.”

Although the current COVID-19 restrictions are preventing normal sporting fixtures from taking place at Rydal Penrhos, the school has done everything in their power during the autumn term to ensure pupils are fit, active, healthy, and improving in a sporting environment.

Training sessions took place under strict social distancing guidelines implemented by the Welsh Government and Sport Wales, which is sure to stand them in good stead when competitive action is permitted to resume and is also building key skills such as teamwork and communication in the process.

Mr Thomas

Special Christmas message during Monday Chapel

It was not the end of the autumn term that Rydal Penrhos had planned for its senior school pupils after the Welsh Government ordered the closure of all secondary schools due to the increase in COVID-19 cases across the country.

This meant a busy schedule on Monday and Tuesday to see out the term in style was unfortunately cancelled. However, one staff member remained undeterred to deliver his special message in a virtual setting.

Andy Thomas, who holds the position of senior teacher at Rydal Penrhos, conducted the school’s virtual Monday Chapel from the comfort of his own home, with Head Girl Anna Parry-Williams also lending her support to the Chapel video with an opening prayer.

Mr Thomas is a foster carer, helping vulnerable children and he took this opportunity to highlight the importance of Christmas and caring for other people.

There are an estimated 40,000 children coming into the care system in 2021 and Mr Thomas urged the Rydal Penrhos community to think about what they can do to help people this Christmas.

“Christmas can be a hard time, so it’s really good to think about how you can make it better for other people.”

He ended the Chapel with a video made by Home for Good, a charity that works to inspire, equip and resource people to play their part in caring for vulnerable children.

Rydal Penrhos has worked hard to ensure that Chapels and Assemblies have continued at their prep and senior sites thanks to some sterling dedication from the school chaplain – Reverend Nick Sissons – and other staff members.

This was evident throughout the first lockdown period earlier this year and has continued across the autumn term with videos and live streams of prominent events such as the Harvest Service.

Cross-Country

Snowdon retain prep inter-house title

Rydal Penrhos’ annual Prep Inter-House Cross-Country competition saw some thrilling finishes and outstanding performances during what was another hugely successful event despite the weather being less than accomodating.

The Year 3 boys’ race saw Jacob De La Mare Norris take control from the outset to cross the line in first place after a fantastic display, with Holly Hogan making it a double for Snowdon with success in the Year 3 girls’ race.

Snowdon tightened their grip on the competition thanks to Archie Glyn-Chesworth, who won the Year 4 boys’ race, and a thrilling girls’ event saw Ella Craig dig deep to claim bragging rights for her house.

Much was expected of Pembroke star Oscar Jewsbury in the Year 5 boys’ competition and he duly obliged with a first-place finish, with a competitive Year 5 girls’ category eventually seeing Snowdon’s Ella Payne cross the line ahead of everyone else.

All eyes were on the Year 6 boys’ event thanks to a standout field of aspiring athletes, which eventually saw Tom Sinfield of Brecon House emerge victorious, and the individual races were rounded off with a superb triumph for Robyn Borg Barthet (Brecon) in the Year 6 girls’ competition.

After all the points were tallied, Snowdon took home the overall team crown with 18 points, with Pembroke and Brecon both finishing just two points behind on 16.

Each pupil involved deserves a tremendous amount of credit for toughing it out in difficult conditions, which is a testament to the house spirit emanating across Rydal Penrhos’ prep and senior sites at the various competitions and events put on during the academic year.

Art

Pupils end term on a high

One of the main benefits of a Rydal Penrhos education is variety. There really is something for everyone and this is a cornerstone behind the school's rich history of success.

Whether you are academic, have a passion for sport, or the arts, teaching staff at Rydal Penrhos strive to ensure that each pupil's interests are nurtured and guided in a positive direction to help them reach their respective goals.

This is no more evident than within the school's Art department, with staff doing an exceptional job both during the lockdown and amid the current COVID-19 restrictions to put on a diverse, thought-provoking curriculum that builds new skills and enhances creativity.

You don't have to look far across the senior school site to see just how many special things going on during Art lessons. Rydal Penrhos virtually looks like an art gallery most of the time, a testament to the tireless work and dedication of Mark Sherrington and Suzy Morris, who go above and beyond the call of duty on a daily basis for their pupils.

Mr Sherrington took some time out of his busy schedule at the end of term to put on another installation, which consists of current and past pupils’ portrait work. The idea behind the gallery was to show the diversity of work that comes out when he gives a subject as simple as a portrait. The philosophy behind the Art department is to let each pupil try all different mediums and discover what is their form of expression and then let them explore that further.

Year 8 also got to grips with some portrait work with Mrs Morris before they headed off on their well-deserved Christmas break, producing intricate colourful reverse perspective pieces that really catch the eye.

Mr Sherrington, said: "For Mrs Morris and I, it remains a delight to teach such enthusiastic and talented pupils and we always appreciate the very unique space we have in school.

"Because of the high teacher to pupil ratio, we have the time to be able to enable pupils to explore and expand on their artistic interests and talents as individuals."

Prep School

Prep Christmas Party Day a huge success!

Rydal Penrhos Prep School was full of festive cheer during their annual Christmas Party celebrations despite COVID-19 restrictions making things very different this year.

There was plenty to enjoy for pupils and staff alike thanks to a fun-filled schedule prior to the break, which was carefully managed under strict measures implemented by Rydal Penrhos' COVID-19 response team with guidance from the Welsh Government.

All age groups came in either their own clothes or made a special effort in fancy dress with an ‘I’ theme for the occasion, with staff also getting in the spirit with some fantastic costumes.

There was everything from Sir Isaac Newton, the Incredible Hulks, Iron Men, Ice Queens and Indiana Jones' on show, with each pupil looking resplendent in their respective outfits on a memorable day for them all.

Pre-School, Pre-Prep and Prep pupils also welcomed a special visitor in the form of Father Christmas, who chatted with each pupil and gave them a gift following their wonderful Christmas dinners which went down extremely well with those in attendance.

The day concluded with both Pre-Prep and Prep pupils taking part in their own special parties, with plenty of games and dancing for them to enjoy that followed on from the exciting activities put on in their group bubbles during the morning.

Our Christmas Party Day is a great way to reward our pupils and dedicated staff.

Year 6

Christmas village making during DT transition

Making the transition from Year 6 to Year 7 should be exciting and exhilarating - not daunting - and so Rydal Penrhos plans this period carefully.

The expert transitional Year 7 teacher Mrs Maria Freeman and Head of Key Stage Ms Sarah Bollan have put their heads together alongside other teaching staff to produce a series of fun familiarisation events throughout the academic year so that each child is ready and cannot wait for the next step.

Although these events look a little bit different this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, the teaching staff at Rydal Penrhos have worked exceptionally hard to ensure these sessions can continue.

And so just before the Christmas break Year 6 made the trip to the incredibly well-equipped, well-used and loved Design Technology department for a practical afternoon that took on an exciting festive theme.

Using just some of the CAD and laser tools available and working individually under the guidance and support of the teacher Mark Harmsworth and technician James Bonser, each pupil in attendance was given the task of making their own wooden Christmas house to create a village for display.

This involved learning new skills and working with tools that were unfamiliar to the pupils, but they all rose to the challenge superbly well and produced some outstanding pieces as a result.

There was even time to compare designs, which came with everything from snowmen and Santa Claus outside, lights to make their creations look more homely and some Christmas trees made from the materials provided.

Plans for the new year include a Chemistry practical with scientist Mr Pender, a drama workshop and a business project with Mrs Bollan.

"Thank you for making our little Christmas houses with us, we all enjoyed making them! I was so proud of what I had done it was one of my finest creations, I will treasure it forever.

"I particularly enjoyed making my little Christmas tree and making the big Christmas village! Thank you so much for doing them with us we really enjoyed it!"

Music

RP releases mini Christmas Concert

It’s looked very like Christmas here at Rydal Penrhos over the festive period this year despite the COVID-19 restrictions preventing the normal busy calendar of events from taking place.

All the Rydal Penrhos family, teachers, support staff and parents have managed to come up with ways to keep the Christmas spirit alive across both prep and senior sites.

One prime example of this is the Christmas Concert, which was unable to take place in its usual format because of course we could not have a large gathering. However, that was not going to stop talented prep and senior school musicians from showcasing their talent.

Rydal Penrhos has now officially released a virtual mini Christmas Concert for pupils, staff, family members and the wider community to enjoy.

Mr Williams, said: “Some items have been recorded by pupils at home, and in one case, staff at home/school, and emailed to the music department to have accompaniments built around them.

“Other recordings, such as the prep items, have been recorded and supervised at the prep school by Mr Alan McGuinness.

“We hope you thoroughly enjoy these performances and I wish you all the very best for Christmas and the New Year.”

Richard Wolfendale –Vivaldi Guitar Chamber Guitar Concerto, first movement
Gwynant Davies –Klengel Cello Concertino in C major, second movement
RPS Senior School Staff –Step into Christmas
Niamh Cook –Mozart Clarinet Concerto, second movement
Ivo Vonbank –Let it Snow (saxophonesolo)
Ella Craig and Hannah Pittway –Little Saint Nick
Adhira Nimalan, Ella Payne, April Williams, Lissy Williams –Lift up lightly
Alexandra Lopez-Moreno –O Christmas Tree
Ella Payne and April Williams –Calypso Carol
Year 5 Keyboard class –Good King Wenceslas
Year 6 Keyboard class –Deck the Halls

Prep School

Star project delivers message of hope

You may have noticed an eye-catching collection of stars outside Rydal Penrhos Prep School’s gates over the past few weeks.

Suzy Morris, who is an Art teacher at Rydal Penrhos’ prep and senior sites, came up with an idea for each pupil in Reception-Year 6 to create individual stars that are taking pride of place across the Prep School gates.

The stars come with their own wishes written on the back, which centred around family, hope and issues surrounding the coronavirus pandemic that has caused so much disruption to people’s lives this year.

This was yet another thoughtful activity delivered by Mrs Morris, who has worked exceptionally hard to provide pupils with a number of exciting projects to develop their artistic skills both during the lockdown period earlier this year and throughout the autumn term.

Rydal Penrhos has maintained the highest educational standards despite restrictions surrounding COVID-19, which is down to the intricate planning from the school’s response team and the tireless commitment of staff to ensure each pupil maximises their potential after an unprecedented period of change across the country.

Classes are continuing as normal and the Prep School also put the necessary precautions in place to allow things such as sport, Forest School and Coastal School to continue.

This has proven to be a substantial boost for pupils of all ages and we are all extremely proud of the way they have conducted themselves throughout a busy first term of the academic year.

Mrs Davies

Thoughts from the Prep School

Christmas 2020 will always be remembered for its virtual nativity, socially distanced outdoor carols and mask-wearing Elves!

But we had soooo much fun!

Staff and parents from across the school helped to make this an extremely joyful end to the term, one where we really felt the benefits of being such a close community.

The photographs in our Turtl document below capture just a small part of the Rydal Penrhos Christmas.

We had a Pre-Prep and Pre-school nativity, we watched the wonderful Saltmine Theatre’s production of ‘Hark!’, their online drama of the nativity message, we had a visit from Father Christmas, many of us took part at the end of term virtual school Christmas service, we dressed up as something beginning with ‘I’, we made Christmas boxes and filled them with treats for our families provided by Christmas elves.

We had a special Christmas dinner and ‘sang in’ the pudding, we watched a socially distanced live tableau of the nativity story (no Florence, that’s not your mummy, it’s Mary!) and we had class Christmas parties with traditional games. Phew!

It’s been a special couple of weeks and now we head off to our homes for a well-deserved holiday.

We’ll miss you children – get yourselves ready for a terrific 2021!

Mrs Lucy Davies - Head of Prep