The RP Weekly: 24 June 2022

The weekly digital newsletter from Rydal Penrhos School - 24 June 2022 edition.

The RP Weekly

24 June 2022

Looking Ahead

with Mrs Lucy Davies and Mr Phil Sutton

Events for the upcoming week:

Walkathon link – Prep pupils have all brought home a sponsor form for the whole school walkathon on Wednesday 6 July. However, no money should be brought into school; instead, it can be gifted via the following JustGiving link (https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rydalpenrhos).

Senior pupils will also be taking part and donations are accepted from now onwards. We were delighted to invite Billy Baxter from Blind Veterans UK into both Prep and Senior assemblies earlier this week. The pupils are very keen to raise money for this very important charity.

Uniform information – new uniform lists and a price list were sent to parents yesterday. Please check through the information and email school if you have any questions. The pop-up shop will be open in the Osborn Hall in the school on Wednesday 24 August if you would like to make an appointment to come in and try before you buy. To book an appointment for this please go to https://www.monkhouse.com/appointments; it is called the Rydal Penrhos Sell Event.

Appeal for Colwyn Bay Foodbank – we have been alerted to the fact that the foodbank in Colwyn Bay (known as the Conwy Food Bank) is desperately short of all dried food supplies. If you are able to send your child in with any tins or packets of food, this would be much appreciated. We will collect them all together and deliver the items next week.

Thank you to the Prep Parent Form Reps – a face-to-face meeting was held today with our parent form reps; this group is extremely useful for hearing parent feedback and always results in positive changes being made to various areas of Prep life. Thank you to the form reps for spending such a lot of their own time contacting parents and putting together suggestions and ideas.

Fixtures this week:

Thursday 30 June – U11 rounders vs Lady Barn School (Home) at 14:00.
Friday 1 July – U10 netball tournament (Conwy Urdd) (Home).

Trips/events for pupils this week:

Friday 24 to Monday 27 June – Gold DofE assessment for Year 12.
Monday 27 to Wednesday 29 June – Pre-School trips to Bodafon Farm.
Monday 27 June – Biology field tip for Year 12.
Tuesday 28 to Thursday 30 June – LAMDA exams will be taking place for both Prep and Senior pupils.
Tuesday 28 June – Year 11 Bridging Day; moving into Sixth Form, followed in the evening by a ‘Careers Pathways’ event for parents and pupils. Pupils are welcome to attend in smart casual clothing. Year 9, 10 and 12 are also recommended to attend the ‘Careers Pathway’ which is a new initiative to explain real world careers.
Tuesday 28 June – Year 12 UCAS convention in Liverpool.
Tuesday 28 June – Reception, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 6 will be taking part in police safety workshops with our police support officer, PC Gary Winfield.
Wednesday 29 July – LAMDA exams for Prep pupils (please note change of day).
Wednesday 29 June – Level 1 rugby refereeing course in Liverpool from 07:00 to 17:00.
Wednesday 29 June – Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 trip to the beach.
Thursday 30 June – Year 12 and 13 Geography field trip to Liverpool. Mrs Coates will inform pupils of the details.
Thursday 30 June – LAMDA Drama night. Parents are invited to come and watch our Year 7 to 13 Speech and Drama pupils perform. Doors open at 19:00. Please book using the link in the parent email.
Friday 1 July – moving up morning for all pupils from Pre-School to Year 6, who will spend the morning with their new form tutor/class. Year 6 pupils will spend the day in the Senior.
Friday 1 July – Years 3 and 4 will visit Bryn Euryn in the afternoon.
Friday 1 July – trip to Wimbledon. The pupils involved have been informed.
Friday 1 July – CCF Annual Camp.

Parents’ events this week:

Monday 27 June – Years 7 to 10 Rydal Penrhos Extra Curricular Awards ceremony at 15:00 in the Memorial Hall, followed by refreshments in the Osborn Hall. Please use the Eventbrite link in the parents’ email to book.
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 – ‘Careers Pathways’ evening in the Memorial Hall from 17:30 to 20:00.
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.

Parents’ events further ahead:

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. Please use the Eventbrite link in the parents’ email to book.

Pupil events further ahead this term:

Friday 1 to Saturday 2 July – Wimbledon trip for the Year 12 Senior girl games players.
Saturday 2 to Sunday 3 July – Bronze DofE Assessment for Year 9.
Monday 4 to Wednesday 6 July – Silver DofE practice for Year 10.
Monday 4 to Wednesday 6 July – Annual Cricket Festival. Mr Kitchen and Mr Rippon will accompany pupils to Bolton for the Annual Cricket Festival. The pupils who will be involved have been informed.
Monday 4 July – Year 8 trip to Caernarfon Castle and slate museum.
Monday 4 July – Beach Activities Day.
Tuesday 5 July – STEM Challenge Morning for Years 7 and 8.
Tuesday 5 July – Beach Activities Morning for Years 9 and 10.
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.

Holiday Club

Book now for summer adventures!

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.

Open Day 2022

Booking is open for October showcase

October 2022 Open Day

There has never been a better time to join the Rydal Penrhos community. The school has gone from strength to strength over the last year, which is reflected in outstanding examination results, high value-added scores and many other incredible achievements from Pre-School to Sixth Form as normal service resumed following COVID-19 restrictions.

The school’s strong academic ethos coupled with a diverse extra-curricular provision is integrated with a pupil-centred approach that has seen numbers across all year groups surge in recent months.

Rydal Penrhos’ teaching staff left no stone unturned with a comprehensive online provision during the second educational lockdown at the start of the year, enabling pupils young and old to meet their targets and achieve notable goals in ever-changing circumstances.

Looking ahead, Rydal Penrhos is pleased to announce details of a special Open Day, which will take place on Saturday 8 October and gives 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 from the school 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.

There will be a host of things to enjoy throughout the showcase, which will feature core academic departments such as English, Mathematics, Art, Drama, Music and Science.

The school’s thriving extra-curricular provision will also be providing demonstrations throughout the Open Day event.

Full timings will be released in the near future and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone to our wonderful school.

To book, contact admissions@rydalpenrhos.com or call 01492 530155

Founders' Weekend 2022

An exciting schedule revealed!

Being a pupil at Rydal Penrhos institutes a life-changing connection, symbolised by lifelong membership of the Rydal Penrhos Society, our alumni association.

The activities of the alumni association are varied. It works to help our current pupils in very practical ways, securing them career advice, professional mentors, and work experience opportunities. It also publishes a termly newsletter that shares stories both from school life and alumni themselves.

The Society also organises events. In the past, we have held Regional Dinners in London, Chester, Cambridge, and Oxford, and abroad in Paris and Hong Kong. Last September’s Founders’ Weekend saw a host of celebratory events, while this summer we are hosting the class of 1982 for their reunion.

Rydal Penrhos is now thrilled to confirm its Founders' Weekend 2022 schedule, which will take place on Friday 9 September and Saturday 10 September, which has something for everyone and all our wonderful alumni are welcome to attend.

It will be an occasion not to miss and we hope to see as many former pupils back at the school as possible.

Friday 9 September 2022

9am: Founders' Service in St John's Church (all alumni welcome) - Service by the Rev'd Dr Rob Beamish, Music by Senior Choir and Mr Pete Williams.
2.30pm: Year 12, 13 and Class of 2022 (i.e. Year 14) Speech Day in the Memorial Hall
3.30pm: Refreshments in the Osborn Hall

Saturday 10 September 2022

9.15am: Rydal Penrhos Society Committee Meeting and AGM in the church room at St John's Church
10-10.20am: Chapel Service and Community Choir with Rev'd Dr Rob Beamish and Alan McGuinness - All alumni are invited to attend as well as Governors, the Senior Leadership Team, staff and pupils (past and present) participating in sports matches.
10.30am-12.30pm: Sports matches on the Astro and in the Sports Hall - Refreshments will be available in the Dining Hall for those in attendance.
12.30pm-1.30pm: Buffet Lunch in the Osborn Hall for all alumni, staff and current pupils attending the day's events - Archive displays of the Osborn Hall and the cricketing history of the school will be available to view. There will be performances from the Rydal Penrhos Community Wind Band and the Prep School Choir.
2pm-6pm: Eton Fives Tournament

The Osborn Hall

Great transformation complete!

One thing that truly sets Rydal Penrhos apart is the school’s constant desire to put the pupils’ interests at the forefront of everything we do. Improving the provisions and facilities for our pupils whilst remaining focused on preserving our heritage and history is a key element of this.

The school’s ethos that was implemented well over a century ago still forms the core values that are evident across the site today. Values that bring success both academically and through the wide range of extra-curricular opportunities available. Values that enable our children and young people to be confident, kind, resilient and curious, capable of handling whatever challenges life throws at them.

The school’s Senior Leadership Team and staff, together with the Governing Body, have worked exceptionally hard in recent years to form a clear, concise plan to improve all areas of Rydal Penrhos. This is done with the sole purpose of putting our pupils first and ensuring they get the most out of their education with us.

Recognising the importance of the school’s foundation and making it fit in with the current direction of Rydal Penrhos is of paramount importance. This comes with a comprehensive curriculum and prepares each pupil for the challenges that lie ahead when they move on to higher education and the working world.

Our outstanding facilities also play a significant role in keeping our pupils safe, happy and thriving. We are thrilled to announce that another exciting development – the refurbishment of the newly named Osborn Hall – is now complete!

Used in past lives as the chapel, the Dining Hall and Learning Resource Centre/Library it is the very heart of the school, the jewel in our crown. Now restored to its former beauty and grandeur it offers a substantial learning space and will play a leading part in major gatherings, alongside the Memorial Hall.

The Osborn Hall will serve as the base for pupils in Years 12-13 during term time to study outside of typical classroom lessons. Mr Mike Farnell, the longest-serving teacher at Rydal Penrhos, will be on hand throughout the day for guidance on everything from revision and coursework to UCAS application guidance alongside another member of the school’s academic staff.

This is going to be a significant asset for our pupils at an important time. The Osborn Hall will also be used for special guest speakers and presentations, which also forms a key component of a Rydal Penrhos education.

The Osborn Hall is a Grade II listed building with beautiful wood panelling, parquet floors and stained-glass windows. It is both an iconic and glorious building. And so reviving it to its former beauty is felt by the school to be its duty and its honour.

The Osborn Hall

How the transformation took place

Depending on when you attended or visited Rydal Penrhos, a particular version of the Osborn Hall will stick in your mind’s eye. Whether that be the hall as a chapel, Dining Room or its most recent form, the Learning Resource Centre.

What is harder to envision is what the space looked like when it is between these different guises. When it comes to the Osborn Hall’s latest transformation, we have an extensive record of this process, thanks to the efforts of a longtime member of staff, Mrs Christine Bramhall.

This includes an incredible time-lapse video that exhibits the painstaking work involved in restoring this jewel in the crown of the school’s estate. A huge thank you to the members of our Estates team who worked tirelessly over several weeks to produce the magnificent results we have today.

Who was Thomas Osborn?

Thomas Osborn MA was the founding headmaster of Rydal School, which opened in a house named Rydal Mount in 1885. Though the site in Lansdowne Road only started with 15 boys, its growth was rapid and the accommodation soon had to be expanded.

In five years, the number of pupils had risen to more than 100.

Mr Osborn was an extremely able and inspiring teacher.

A report on the speech day of 1905 gives an insight into Mr Osborn’s aims for the school:

“He did not aim at the idea of an ordinary English public school. He wished to make that domesticity which was incompatible with life in a large public school a feature of school life at Rydal Mount, and he wanted his school to be conducted on lines leading to the highest possible education, combined with high religious culture.”

On his death his son, George FA Osborn, BSc assumed the headship.

We look forward shortly to furnishing the walls of this grand hall with some of our archive paintings and boards for the benefit of future generations who will use and enjoy this space.

Sixth Form

Smoothing the transition for Year 11 pupils

Sixth Form should be the best two years of your school life. At last, there is the freedom to study the subjects that really excite you, have more informal and rewarding relationships with teachers and make new friends – all whilst being guided towards the next stage of the journey at university or the working world upon leaving Rydal Penrhos.

Although exciting, this can also be a daunting prospect for Year 11 upon finishing their GCSEs. In addition to the exam pressures, they must also mentally prepare for making the transition into Sixth Form life for the final two years of their time in school.

This is something that our teaching staff are fully aware of at Rydal Penrhos. We recognise the strains that any changes might have on our young learners and strive to ensure that they are fully prepared for any obstacle or challenge.

Our staff accomplish this by putting on an exceptional “Stepping up to Sixth” programme that consists of seminars, activities and plenty of fun along the way.

Our recent Higher Education Day kicked things off in a positive fashion and pupils will also get the chance to familiarise themselves with their new surroundings during Year 11 to Year 12 Bridging Days so nothing will be a shock to them at the start of the new academic year.

There will be fun and bonding aplenty during a specially arranged day out to Alton Towers before the summer holidays and our upcoming sponsored walk from Colwyn Bay to Llandudno Pier provides those involved with a sense of community and what it means to be a Rydal Penrhos Sixth Former.

Many staff members will be on hand during GCSE Results Day in August to discuss A Level options and provide expert support on the big day, with our aspiring sporting stars set to hone their skills during a preseason rugby, hockey and netball camp in pursuit of hitting the ground running when competitive games commence.

Another exciting event will be The Big Sleepover, which is an overnight stay on-site with workshops, team-building exercises and a motivational speaker visiting to inspire the next generation of Rydal Penrhos Sixth Formers.

It’s the little things that make a big difference. Something that’s been at the heart of our success at Rydal Penrhos, with examination results remaining extremely high and impressive value-added scores indicating that our pupils greatly exceed expectations consistently.

Our Sixth Form knows they are lucky and as such, they work hard to represent the school as impeccable ambassadors giving back to us and the wider community with their energy and enthusiasm.

The Sixth Form experience espouses an ethos of teamwork, leadership and service underpinned by a sense of intellectual curiosity. Effective teacher/pupil ratios and bespoke pastoral care ensure that Rydal Penrhos pupils move forward ready and willing to contribute their skills to the wider world around them.

Tutor groups are deliberately small and caring, meaning tutors can take the time to know their pupils, forging relationships that will challenge them to fulfil their ambitions.

We understand that Sixth Formers are older and more independent – but there are still people on hand to guide and help as they navigate their way through classes, exams and what lies beyond school.

Year 6

Snowdon Summit walk completed!

It’s been another eventful academic year across all areas of Rydal Penrhos. COVID-19 restrictions are now non-existent and everything is thankfully back to normality, which means a full schedule of activities for Year 6 throughout the Trinity term before they head off on a well-deserved summer holiday in preparation for their big leap to Senior School.

Our pupils deserve all the credit in the world for taking everything in their stride. Year 6 have been exceptional role models for younger members of the school community and been tremendous ambassadors in leadership roles, which will stand them in good in Year 7 this September and beyond.

The group are currently going through an action-packed schedule to further boost friendships and other vital skills outside of a typical classroom environment. One that always generates a significant amount of excitement is their annual trek up Mount Snowdon, which was greeted by glorious sunshine on Monday 20 June.

This saw Year 6 tackle another big challenge with a steely will that has been especially evident throughout their time at Rydal Penrhos, motivating one another when times got tough to ensure they all reached the top in good time under the supervision of staff.

Many other activities are planned in the coming weeks, including the all-important Moving Up Day where Year 6 will get the opportunity to familiarise themselves with Rydal Penrhos’ senior site before their transition in the not-too-distant future.

It was another fantastic occasion for a group of pupils that have given so much across academic and extra-curricular subjects. Well done to all involved and we offer our sincere thanks to the staff.

Cricket

Prestigious fixture with MCC held

This is the time of year when cricket comes to the fore at Rydal Penrhos. It's one of the finest traditions at the school and the programme has produced a wealth of Welsh internationals in recent years.

One of the most prominent dates on the school’s sporting calendar is the annual fixture against Marylebone Cricket Club, which dates back to the early 1900s and made its triumphant return in 2021 after COVID-19 restrictions prevented the 2020 occasion from taking place.

The eagerly-anticipated match took place once again this summer, with the MCC descending on Rydal Penrhos’ exceptional New Field facility on Wednesday 22 June for what was another fantastic occasion for those involved.

Rydal Penrhos has invested a significant amount in re-invigorating the wicket and playing surface over the winter, with the school’s staff working with contractors to make some notable improvements.

Fixtures are once again in full swing across various age brackets across the school, with experience of playing competitively proven to enhance the development of aspiring cricketers, who worked hard during coaching sessions at the school’s specialist outdoor nets area in the lead-up to the fixture.

Marylebone Cricket Club was founded in 1787, taking as its home a cricket ground set up by the ambitious entrepreneur Thomas Lord staged his first match – between Middlesex and Essex – playing at a ground on Dorset Fields in Marylebone.

The following year, MCC laid down a Code of Laws, requiring the wickets to be pitched 22 yards apart and detailing how players could be given out. Its Laws were adopted throughout the game – and the club remains the custodian and arbiter of Laws relating to cricket around the world.

In 1814 MCC moved up the road to a new rural ground in St John’s Wood – which remains their home to this day. A decade later, when Lord was 70 years old, he sold the ground to a Bank of England director, William Ward, for £5,400. Having provided the MCC with a ground for 38 years, Lord retired before passing away seven years later.

In the 1870s, MCC decided it wanted to get involved in county cricket, which was growing in popularity. In 1877, it invited Middlesex to adopt Lord’s as its county ground – an arrangement which continues over 140 years later.

We would like to thank the MCC for visiting us once again and look forward to welcoming them back to New Field in 2023.

Pre-School

Parents attend Nature Trail

Rydal Penrhos Pre-School and its outstanding staff provide a stimulating environment in which every child can thrive and develop at their own pace.

Their programme is engaging and stimulating, preparing them for the more structured environment of Pre-Prep and beyond when the time comes.

Encouraging Pre-School children to be self-motivated and independent, yet aware of their peers, is a strong building block to progress throughout their time at Rydal Penrhos. This is done through diverse activities within the department, across the school’s vast campus and around the North Wales region on excursions and visits.

Now that COVID-19 restrictions have eased, parents are now able to come to school and participate in some activities to enhance development and become more involved in their child’s early progress. This was once again evident during a specially arranged Pre-School Nature Trail, which was a cause of great excitement on a truly beautiful day for all involved.

Working alongside their parents and staff, children searched for different animals, flowers and leaves situated around the Prep School site.

It was so nice to see the interactions between fellow parents, children and staff throughout the Nature Trail. Everyone at Rydal Penrhos would like to thank everyone that attended and we look forward to welcoming you back very soon.

Alumni

Former pupils' song of hope goes viral

Ukraine hit the top spot in the Eurovision Song Contest this year, but there’s another unexpected music sensation created by two former Rydal Penrhos pupils which caught the nation’s attention as well as their hearts.

A song initially inspired by their mother’s life (who sadly passed away during lockdown), Ed and Pete Brookes as Brothers Abide penned ‘Til We Can Run‘, a song of hope, fortitude and unity for those suffering hardship.

The lyrics written by the brothers, who also provided backing vocals, have been taken to heart by the people of Ukraine, with the majority of the more than 100,000 YouTube hits emanating from the country due to its heartfelt plea for freedom, peace, unity and harmony.

The song is a celebratory and uplifting piece of ‘Euro pop’ completely composed over the internet due to lockdown restrictions. Featuring contributions from musicians and singers from Britain, Romania, Madagascar, Nigeria, Kenya, and mixed in the Netherlands, it’s pan-global appeal bursts with positivity at a time when many need it most.

A combination of the uplifting lyrics and music, together with the stunning accompanying video put together by the brothers, helped to inspire students from the Ugandan orphanage Galaxy Foundation 256 (for children whose families have been torn apart by war and oppression), to create and upload their own video for the song via YouTube.

Ed and Pete, said: “Thanks to the song’s pan-global composition and creation it really is for everyone but seems to resonate more deeply with those in need of comfort and support, hence its popularity in war-torn Ukraine.

“It proves that a small idea can have a big impact.”

Reaching the widest audiences possible is the mission of Brothers Abide, to spread the message of hope. To further this mission, two new remixes were commissioned for new genres, new listeners and new people.

These exciting new pieces will be released later this summer. And everyone at Rydal Penrhos would like to congratulate Ed and Pete on their incredible work to inspire others in times of crisis.

Video

Art lesson bursts into song!

Gallery

Pre-School Nature Trail

Stars of the Week

Congratulations!

Prep Sport

Impressive Cricket and Rounders results

Sporting fixtures are in full swing across all areas of Rydal Penrhos at this time of year. This was sorely missed during COVID-19 restrictions despite the development of pupils continuing thanks to the ongoing commitment of teaching staff and coaches during training sessions.

Prep pupils have been hard at work honing their skills relating to summer sport, with contests taking place over the last few weeks against other schools and even older year groups within Rydal Penrhos Senior School.

Rydal Penrhos welcomed a travelling contingent from Myddleton College on Friday 17 June for an afternoon of Rounders and Kwik Cricket for mixed teams in U9 and U11 age brackets.

It was a profitable series of fixtures for the aspiring Prep stars, who triumphed in all four contests after immensely positive teamwork boosted overall performance to reach their required goals.

The Prep cricket team were also given the opportunity to participate in their first full fixture of hard ball cricket on the same day, coming up against Year 7 at Rydal Penrhos’ stunning New Field area.

After a nail-biting finish with plenty of parental support, the Prep team emerged victorious from a close-fought encounter that brought the best out of everyone involved.

There are many other fixtures taking place before pupils and staff head off on their well-deserved summer break, with some new initiatives also being held.

We would like to thank Myddleton College for visiting us and the parents who came along to passionately support their children. Everyone at Rydal Penrhos appreciates it greatly.