The RP Weekly: 23 September 2022
The digital newsletter from Rydal Penrhos School - 23 September 2022 edition.
The RP Weekly
23 September 2022
Holiday Club
Booking open for October half-term adventures
October half-term Holiday Club
The October Half-Term Holiday Club will run from October 24 to November 4 (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.
To book now as a current parent please log in to your Schools Buddy App.
To book now as a family who does not attend Rydal Penrhos click here.
Childcare vouchers are also available to use.
For any further enquiries contact holidayclub@rydalpenrhos.com or call 01492 530155.
Performing Arts
Under Milk Wood (The Definitive Edition) production announced
Rydal Penrhos has thrilled audiences in recent years with some Dramatic Society plays and musicals that have enhanced the school’s incredible Performing Arts provision. These productions are always hugely anticipated dates on the calendar, with the likes of Annie the Musical and Les Miserables among the notable highlights.
The school is also thrilled to confirm that there will be two productions this academic year, which follow on from the sensational Matilda the Musical Jr. performance that proved to be another sensational hit.
Our upcoming Year 10-13 showcase will be the amateur production of “Under Milk Wood (The Definitive Edition)“, which is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatres Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd. www.concordtheatricals.co.uk
The call for cast members received an overwhelming response, with more than 50 pupils set to lend their support as actors, rehearsing throughout breaks and lunch as well as during after school alongside their studies.
This collective production will also see 12 pupils taking responsibility for creative elements of the Under Milk Wood (The Definitive Edition) under the supervision of staff led by Miss Fiona Earle.
It promises to be a few weeks ahead for the cast ahead of their performances, which take place on Sunday 16 October, Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 in the Memorial Hall from 7pm.
The set will be formed next week along with a lighting workshop, with full and dress rehearsals also scheduled before what promises to be a memorable three nights showcasing the best performing arts prowess at Rydal Penrhos.
Cast members will also get a vocal masterclass from Mr Ben Richards, a former Rydal Penrhos teacher.
Miss Earle, said: “This will be a celebration of the lyrical beauty of Dylan Thomas’s language and his affectionate characterisation.
“I am excited about the energy and enthusiasm being generated by this communal work, with everyone supporting one another.”
Ticket information will be available in the coming days. It promises to be one not to miss!
Open Day Focus
A thriving Pre-School department
Rydal Penrhos is holding a special Open Day on Saturday 8 October, giving prospective pupils and their families a first-hand opportunity to see for themselves what goes on during a typical day at the school.
Those in attendance will get individual tours and speak with teaching and admissions staff to get a broader perspective of the day-to-day life of a pupil, the diverse curriculum and exceptional pastoral care.
Ahead of the showcase, this special feature series focuses on the key areas of Rydal Penrhos and the outstanding opportunities on offer. We begin with Pre-School – the perfect place to build the foundations for a successful education.
Pre-School forms the bridge between home and school and is a young child’s first experience of an educational environment. It is therefore an important stepping stone in a child’s life.
Rydal Penrhos Pre-School is for children aged 2-4 and aims to provide a stimulating environment in which every child can thrive and develop at their own pace. This also includes progression in important areas such as social, physical, emotional and academic.
Children within Pre-School are softly prepared for a more structured classroom environment when the time comes. Our staff encourage each child to explore their curiosity, be self-motivated and independent, yet aware of their peers under the supervision of the department’s first-class staff team.
Pre-School activities are guided by ‘The Early Years Foundation Phase Framework’ which leads to nationally approved outcomes and links closely with that of the Reception class to ensure progression and continuity for the children.
The Pre-School department is vast, with specialist aged-based spaces and rooms designed specifically to improve thinking and cognitive progress at an important time while having plenty of fun in the process.
Rydal Penrhos also benefits from a vast outdoor space, which is something our staff take full advantage of with Forest School and Coastal School – two unique opportunities with proven results.
Parental involvement is something else we value highly at Rydal Penrhos. Parents are invited to join in some activities throughout the academic year and are regularly kept up to date with day-to-day achievements online.
The Pre-School experience at Rydal Penrhos is vibrant, caring and everything in between. A truly safe and happy environment where children thrive.
Sailing
Freddie represents Team GB at world youth championships
Sailing has been a huge part of life at Rydal Penrhos for more than 60 years.
The school is situated just a stone’s throw from the Colwyn Bay shoreline and has produced a plethora of international-calibre sailors over the years – many of whom go on to achieve exceptional things both in education and once they embark on new challenges.
Rydal Penrhos also offers sailing as part of the curriculum and the school’s Sailing and Water-Sports Centre is accredited by the Royal Yachting Association.
Another pupil that continues to make a name for himself is Freddie MacLaverty. The Year 10 pupil has come of age in recent years on the national and continental circuit, further establishing himself as one of the brightest young talents anywhere in the country.
Freddie attained another notable milestone throughout a busy summer of action, becoming the only Welsh member of the Team GB squad that travelled to Vilamoura, Portugal for the ILCA Youth World Championships.
The pupil was one of the youngest members of the 31-strong Great Britain squad and deservedly earned his place by excelling at several qualifying events held across the United Kingdom.
Despite two-thirds of the nearly 450 competitors at the championships being over 16 years old, it did not deter Freddie, who also had to overcome some blustery conditions over the first two days of racing.
This consistency continued throughout the week for Freddie, who more than held his own on his biggest stage to date and this can provide the aspiring sailor with all the confidence in the world moving forward.
Everyone at Rydal Penrhos would like to commend and congratulate Freddie on yet another remarkable accomplishment. One that can hopefully propel him to bigger and better things in the not-too-distant future.
Prep School
First Stars of the Week of 2022/23 academic year announced!
The start of term has been bittersweet throughout Rydal Penrhos. Whilst it was simply wonderful to see pupils of all ages back in school, smiling and laughing with their friends, we have also faced one of the saddest times for our country with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
This monumental moment in history was handled with understanding and compassion by staff and pupils alike. They came together with special tributes and talked about The Queen’s significance throughout history and modern society – helping one another over a poignant mourning period that will live long in the memory.
Our pupils deserve an exceptional amount of credit for the way they applied themselves. A true testament to the school’s adaptability that was also evident throughout COVID-19 and the educational lockdowns.
Rydal Penrhos is delighted to confirm its first Prep School Stars of the Week for the 2022/23 academic year. Although every pupil can look back on their start following the summer break with an enormous sense of pride.
Rydal Penrhos Prep Stars of the Week
- Reception – Nina
- Year 1 – Emrys
- Year 2 – Livia
- Year 3 – Megan
- Year 4 – Phoebe
- Year 5 – Theo
- Year 6 – Beatrice
The school’s staff also awarded their Artist and Performer of the Week awards, which celebrate creativity, performance and invention within the performing arts.
- Artists of the Week – Minty and Albert
- Performer of the Week – Hattie
Osborn Hall
Excitement builds ahead of North Wales Wedding Guide Awards
Rydal Penrhos has listed buildings, is set in beautifully landscaped gardens and is the perfect venue for an event or a special occasion of any kind.
The school buildings can host between 40 and 250 guests inside or for larger events outside in marquees. Whether you want your wedding or event to be surrounded by history and grandeur or be more relaxed and outdoors there is something for you at Rydal Penrhos.
Excitement is growing ahead of another major event at Rydal Penrhos. The school is thrilled to be hosting the 2022 North Wales Wedding Guide Awards, which is an annual occasion organised by Wedding Guide Wales magazine.
This will take place on Sunday 23 October 2022 and is the first time the awards are being held in person due to recent COVID-19 restrictions.
The event will take place in the newly refurbished Osborn Hall, the Grade II Listed jewel in Rydal Penrhos’ crown that has been transformed into an area that pupils can use to hold events, where guest speakers can come and talk to pupils and play a leading part in major gatherings alongside the Memorial Hall.
The Osborn Hall is a building with beautiful wood panelling, parquet floors and stained-glass windows. It is both iconic and glorious in equal measure.
The first few weddings are already in place for the Osborn Hall and we are delighted to be able to offer this new venue to couples on Saturdays and throughout the holidays.
This means we have the perfect combination of available dates, the ability to host ceremonies in the hall or our church, the most beautiful wedding breakfast and evening reception venue as well as the school’s lavish catering team at Holroyd Howe, planners and lots of photographic possibilities.
We are hugely excited about hosting the North Wales Wedding Guide Awards, which promises to be another memorable occasion. Anyone looking to enquire about Rydal Penrhos’ fantastic facilities should email events@rydalpenrhos.com or call 01492 530155.
Netball
Impressive win for 1st VII squad
It’s been a busy start to the sporting calendar for Rydal Penrhos pupils, who’ve acquitted themselves extremely well in a competitive environment so far.
This comes after an impressive pre-season camp held shortly before the start of term, which improved areas such as conditioning, teamwork and technical aspects to ensure they were ready to hit the ground running.
Another impressive example of this cohesion came from the First VII netball side this week, who took on Ysgol Glan Clwyd at the school’s Sports Hall on Wednesday 21 September.
The group began the contest on the front foot, with Ruby Merrick and Eloise Chapman providing the sharp-shooting to put them in charge early on by remaining composed when scoring opportunities came their way.
This momentum was built upon later in the contest en route to an outstanding victory. Emily Thomas marshalled proceedings exceptionally from the centre position, with the likes of Elsi Pyves, Ester Ball-Iversen, Eve Durrans and Lily Davies creating plenty of chances for Rydal Penrhos throughout.
Defensively, Rydal Penrhos was at the top of their game from start to finish. Sophie Madden’s command of the scoring area was particularly impressive.
Motivation, team chemistry and organisation were all major contributing factors behind the success, which will stand the squad in tremendous stead as they look to accumulate similar results throughout their remaining fixtures during the Advent Term.
It was a real team effort to reach their goals. Everyone at Rydal Penrhos would like to congratulate the First VII netball squad on another eye-catching result and on representing the school positively.
Stars of the Week
23 September 2022
Stars of the Week
- Reception – Bess
- Year 1 – Charlotte
- Year 2 – Tiffany
- Year 3 – Sophie
- Year 4 – Marie-Louise
- Year 5 – Svaksh
Year 6 away on residential
- Performer – Tiffany year 2
Gallery
Netball win vs. Glan Clwyd
Gallery
Under Milk Wood (The Definitive Edition) rehearsals