The RP Weekly: 25 March 2022
The weekly digital newsletter from Rydal Penrhos School.
The RP Weekly
25 March 2022
GCSE Revision Courses
Places filling up fast!
Easter is the key revision period for GCSE pupils and so we are holding a special revision week during the Easter holidays with our warm, friendly teaching staff for those across the North Wales area to assist with their exam preparations.
The GCSE Revision Week will take place over three days from 11-13 April 2022.
Excellent value for money at £150/day for eight hours of distraction-free study, including lessons and all food and drink.
This is a can’t miss opportunity for any GCSE pupil sitting exams this year.
Current GCSE pupils at Rydal Penrhos can book their place for FREE using the Schools Buddy App.
For external pupils, register and book here.
Anyone else wishing to book their place on our GCSE Revision Week, or for more information, email admissions@rydalpenrhos.com or call 01492 530155.
Open Day 2022
Booking open for May event
Rydal Penrhos is pleased to announce details of a special Open Day next month, which will take place on Friday 6 May 2022 and is set to provide prospective pupils and their families a first-hand opportunity to see for themselves what goes on during a typical day at the school.
This is an exciting time to join the Rydal Penrhos community. The school is flourishing from Pre-School to Sixth Form, examination results and value-added scores remain of the highest standard and things have a much more familiar feel to them across academic subjects and extra-curricular activities with decreasing restrictions from the Welsh Government.
The Open Day will be held in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines at the time and booking is advised for anyone looking wishing to attend. The event will be split into two sections to accommodate anyone looking to visit both Prep and Senior sites.
- Prep visitors – 9am-12pm
- Senior visitors – 1-4pm
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.
Our thriving extra-curricular provision will also be on full display as pupils young and old go about their usual activities.
The Open Day will take place from 9am-4pm and refreshments will be available following tours.
Anyone wishing to book their place at our Open Day, or for more information, please call 01492 530155, email admissions@rydalpenrhos.com or use our online form.
Easter Holiday Club
Booking now Open!
Booking now for Easter Holiday Club 2022
Starting on Monday 4 April and going to Friday 22 April there are 13 days of holiday club available to book this Easter.
In Year 2 to Year 8, the Holiday Club is open for external children and current pupils.
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 parent for the Year 2 to Year 8 club please log in to your Schools Buddy App.
To book now as a family who do not attend Rydal Penrhos for the Year 2 to Year 8 club click on here.
In Pre-School to Year 1, the Holiday Club is only available to current Rydal Penrhos Families. Book here.
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.
Music
Four Choirs Concert a roaring success
This week saw another major milestone following the most disruptive of periods thanks to COVID-19 restrictions.
The Rydal Penrhos community came together for the first concert in quite some time, which was a celebration and a further indication of normality returning across school life since the start of the academic year.
The school was delighted to welcome pupils, staff, parents and the wider community to the Memorial Hall for a Four Choirs Concert, which featured some outstanding performances during a hugely entertaining evening for those in attendance.
Deputy Principal and Head of Prep Lucy Davies welcomed everyone to the occasion before the Rydal Penrhos Community Choir got things underway with This Joyful Easter Tide by Charles Wood and a superb rendition of John Rutter’s For the Beauty of the Earth.
Another notable contribution during the concert came from the Prep Choir, who were in fine voice during two songs – Risen Lord by Barry Rose and This is the Day – which was extremely well-received by the audience.
It was then the Senior Choir’s turn to take the stage for Never Enough by Benj Pask and Justin Paul as well as Vance Joy’s Riptide. The group have been working hard on the pieces alongside the expert guidance of Director of Music Pete Williams during extra-curricular sessions, which really came off after an outstanding showcase of collective vocal ability.
Two more songs from the Community Choir were followed by the final pieces of the evening courtesy of the Chapel Choir, who brought the exceptional concert to a conclusion with Shine Jesus Shine by Graham Kendrick and the iconic Welsh hymn Calon Lan, written by Daniel James and John Hughes.
Rydal Penrhos would like to thank the Community Choir for lending their support and congratulations to all staff and pupils who performed so well during the concert.
Boys' Hockey
U18 squad crowned Eryri champions!
Rydal Penrhos is celebrating yet more hockey success after the school's U18 Boys' team clinched a well-deserved regional title to book their place in the national finals.
It's been a strong start to the season for the group, who brought their skills and teamwork on considerably under the guidance of coach Dan Rippon. This is despite the significant lack of activity over the last two years due to COVID-19 restrictions and something each squad member deserves an exceptional amount of credit for.
This was another outstanding performance at the Eryri Championships, which began with a convincing 3-0 victory over nearby Eirias High School thanks to a polished display.
Some accomplished approach play and attacking prowess throughout led to goals from Wales U18 international Alex Starling, Laurence Richardson and Jonathan Osbourne giving Rydal Penrhos a commanding advantage they were able to take through to the final whistle.
The school's talented young hockey stars then came up against Llanidloes High School looking to extend their unbeaten record. Something they were able to do once again with more efficiency in front of goal to secure another 3-0 triumph.
Not only did the Rydal Penrhos team defend well and control possession throughout, but they also took full advantage of chances thanks to strikes from Alex, Laurence and Jonathan to secure the title.
The newly crowned Eryri champions will now head off to the Welsh School's National Finals on Tuesday 5 April, where they will look to add to the school's rich and proud history of hockey achievements.
We would like to congratulate our U18 Boys' Hockey team on securing the Eryri championships and wish them the very best at the nationals next month.
Rydal Penrhos Boys' Hockey U18 squad: Alex Starling, Gregor Perry, Anthony Bowe, Jacob Cousins, Laurence Richardson, Jonathan Osbourne, Will Tavernor, Kosi Iwobi, Adam McGuigan, Gabriel Speakman, Liam Farrell, James Gilman, Ollie Davies, Edward Altoft.
Comic Relief
Hundreds raised from fundraising day
We are enormously proud of our charitable work at Rydal Penrhos. This is something that forms a core component behind our ethos and is a collective effort from pupils, parents, staff, alumni and almost everyone associated with the school.
One of the most prominent dates on the fundraising calendar took place on Friday 18 March, with the school arranging a series of activities in support of the BBC’s nationwide Comic Relief appeal, which has raised £42.79 million to date for those less fortunate.
It was a hive of activity at the Prep during the morning, with pupils coming in their finest red attire and participating in many activities on the school playground to further boost the total raised.
This included welly throwing, jigsaw making, a penalty shootout and much more for pupils to enjoy under the supervision of staff, who did a marvellous job of organising the event.
Hundreds of pounds were raised from the occasion, will have been sent to the Comic Relief fund. This is the latest in a series of outstanding efforts from the Rydal Penrhos community during the academic year so far, with things going back to a much more normal feel thanks to relaxed COVID-19 restrictions implemented by the Welsh Government.
GALLERY: Comic Relief Fundraising Day 2022
Drama
Strong representation at Chester Festival
It’s been great to see so many of our pupils returning to their passions and interests since the start of the academic year.
Sporting fixtures have resumed, outdoor excursions are taking place, and performances in music and drama have also wowed audiences at Rydal Penrhos thanks to relaxed COVID-19 restrictions implemented by the Welsh Government.
The school’s annual Dramatic Society production of Matilda the Musical Jr. was a roaring success and a testament to the acting talent situated across all year groups at Rydal Penrhos.
Not only this, but young performers are also busy working hard to attain additional honours as part of the Speech and Drama provision, which is led by Christina Bloomfield and has gone from strength to strength over the years.
Participating in Speech and Drama allows pupils to understand others in new and exciting ways and provides training in the very practical aspects of communication so necessary in today’s increasingly information-centred world.
Pupils who have participated in speech and drama activities are less likely to have difficulty speaking in public, will be more persuasive in their communication, will be better able to be empathetic and will have a more positive, confident self-image.
This was once again evident as a large Rydal Penrhos contingent travelled to the Chester Competitive Festival of Performing Arts last weekend, taking part in various categories in the hope of securing accolades against other performing artists from schools across the region.
We are enormously proud of the way each pupil performed at the showcase. Mrs Bloomfield is currently correlating all the results from the festival, which will be published on our website next week.
Hopefully, our pupils got a tremendous amount out of the experience and we would like to congratulate every participant involved!
RLSS Pool Lifeguard
Quartet gain qualification
Rydal Penrhos is keen to offer as many opportunities as possible for our pupils. This not only comes through a diverse academic and extra-curricular provision but also thinking outside the box to put them in the best possible position to develop, succeed and reach their respective targets.
Another fine example of this came recently, with staff offering Sixth Form pupils a chance to gain a vital qualification they could put towards attaining employment during the holidays or upon concluding their education.
Under the expert guidance of instructor Phil Hilton, four pupils were put through their paces during the RLSS National Pool Lifeguard Qualification, which is the most awarded qualification of its kind in the UK and Ireland and is also internationally recognised.
More than 40,000 pool lifeguards qualify with the RLSS UK every year, and there are currently more than 80,000 pool lifeguards qualified in the NPLQ – 95% of all UK pool lifeguards.
Saul Sugarman, Tristan Martin, Jacob Cousins and Ellise Wallace all successfully came through the respective elements of the course with flying colours. They also excelled during the final assessments to achieve their objectives.
The four pupils took on some significant knowledge surrounding elements of Pool Rescue Techniques, Lifeguarding Theory, First Aid and CPR. Although the course was physically demanding with things such as swimming to set times, lifting casualties and diving to the deepest part of the swimming pool involved, each pupil deserves an exceptional amount of credit for displaying the necessary focus and determination in equal measure.
This was followed by an assessment that consisted of a practical in Rydal Penrhos’ swimming pool, a theory assessment as well as practical first aid and CPR.
We would like to offer many congratulations to Saul, Tristan Jacob and Ellise, who have already begun securing part-time employment in the leisure industry as a result of their outstanding commitment.
History
Sixth Form visit Hack Green Nuclear Bunker & Beeston Castle
This is an important time for Sixth Form pupils at Rydal Penrhos. Year 13 are gearing up for their all-important examinations and preparing for the next stage of their respective journeys within higher education or the working world, with Year 12 busily going through their A Level modules in readiness for the final academic year they spend with us before moving on, fully ready for whatever challenges lie ahead.
Our teaching staff does an exceptional job of guiding them every step of the way. This comes not only in a typical classroom environment but also by organising excursions to prominent landmarks or venues to further assist with their studies.
With COVID-19 restrictions now easing across the country, this is something that’s become more prevalent during the current academic year and saw A Level History pupils take a trip to the Hack Green Nuclear Bunker and Beeston Castle alongside staff.
Hidden deep in the Cheshire countryside, the bunker stayed secret for more than 50 years. Now the blast doors are open and pupils had the chance to discover the labyrinth of rooms and authentic equipment used to run this defence region in the event of a National Emergency.
Sixth Formers examined the nuclear weapons on display, came face to face with generations of the UK’s nuclear defence and visited the N.A.A.F.I. Canteen that comes complete with rations that would be used in the event of nuclear war.
After this visit, pupils then made the short trip to the medieval ruins of Beeston Castle, which stand on a rocky summit 500 feet above the Cheshire plain and boasts splendid views extending for 30 miles in all directions.
The castle, which was built in the 1220s by Ranulf, Earl of Chester, consisted of an outer ward with an imposing gatehouse and curtain wall, and an inner ward, which contained the most important accommodation but was never completed. Pupils toured and explored what remains of Beeston today – a brooding hulk of a major medieval fortress without its domestic buildings.
This was a very worthwhile trip for our pupils. One that should benefit their efforts in the classroom considerably and Rydal Penrhos would like to thank Mrs Freeman and other staff for arranging the day.
Extra-Curricular
Activities thriving once again
It’s been refreshing to see things get back to some semblance of normality throughout the academic year so far after COVID-19 restrictions meant some significant changes to events, activities and the way each Rydal Penrhos pupil and staff member approached their day-to-day lives.
This immense period of disruption was something that increased resilience in everyone throughout education and is a testament to the ability to make adjustments quickly and ensure progress remained unaltered.
Although every precaution is still being taken, getting back to doing what they love has had a marked impact on our pupils. Something that we hope continues long into the future given how vital structure and varied experiences are regarding development.
Whether children are just starting out their journeys through education or getting ready for the next stage as Sixth Formers, Rydal Penrhos endeavours to treat every pupil as an individual with a broad academic curriculum and extra-curricular options that cater to every possible passion and interest they may have.
There is a growing sense of excitement as we head into spring and the improved weather that is sure to follow. This has always been a time of year that excites pupils and staff alike and after two years of limited activities, we have arranged a bumper calendar for the school and wider community to enjoy.
The return of music events will begin tonight (Tuesday 22 March) with a Four Choirs Concert held at Rydal Penrhos, with many more scheduled between now and when we break up for a well-deserved summer holiday. This is a part of school life that has been sorely missed, with pupils getting the chance to showcase their musical skills, building confidence and poise for good measure.
Not only this, but the school’s Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme is back in full swing, with plenty of expeditions, training days and assessments scheduled in the coming months as pupils look to attain meaningful qualifications that look great for prospective employers or on university applications.
Rydal Penrhos has a rich and proud history of sporting success. Our aspiring athletes have got a substantial amount out of competitive fixtures returning, with the school recently welcoming schools and teams from across North Wales and the North West for our annual U16 Rugby 7s competition, which was an unbelievable occasion full of life and high quality.
Our young performing artists have been able to flourish on stage and at competitions across the region such as the Chester Drama Festival in recent weeks. And there will be another unique element returning in the coming weeks as our RYA Accredited Sailing and Water-Sports Centre gets its summer season underway.
Sailing has been a part of Rydal Penrhos’ illustrious history for more than 60 years and even forms part of the Prep curriculum. Couple this with residentials and educational trips to boost things academically, it’s not hard to see why things are looking up after so much uncertainty.
We are enormously indebted to the entire school community for the way they responded to adversity throughout COVID-19. Our teaching staff put together a comprehensive online provision during the lockdowns that received exceptional support from parents, with pupils also doing their part by remaining committed to their studies in ever-changing circumstances.
There could be more challenges to come regarding the virus. But for now, our pupils are challenging themselves each and every day, reaching and often far exceeding their goals across a wide range of areas that will stand them in good stead throughout their time with us and long after they become part of our ever-growing alumni community.
Alumni
Suzi Derbyshire returns to inspire current pupils
We were thrilled to welcome back a former pupil to Rydal Penrhos recently. Suzi Derbyshire, Emeritus Professor at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), visited the school to speak with current pupils about employability, creative careers and transferable skill-sets rather than subject-defined futures.
After studying at Lyndon, Penrhos Junior and Penrhos College where she began at age five, she left to take a foundation year at Wrexham College of Art. Suzi went on to Central Saint Martins in London and achieved a First Class Honours in Fashion Design.
Following a number of years in the fashion industry based in locations such as the UK and Hong Kong, Italy, China and America, she moved to the London College of Fashion as a lecturer teaching Fashion Design. Suzi migrated to Australia in 2002 to become the inaugural head of fashion at QUT where she set up a world recognised degree course in fashion design and rapidly progressed from there to become the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Learning and Teaching for more than 50,000 students.
One of Suzi’s main early influences was the late, great, David Bowie, an iconic figure who shifted the landscape of music and pop culture during the 1970s and beyond.
“When I was young and first went into fashion David Bowie was a huge influence. I remember going to see an exhibition of David Bowie’s work in Melbourne many, many years later, and it really brought home for me just how extraordinary an artist he was, how he was able to reimagine himself and how creative he was in every aspect of his work – from his song-writing to being an incredible musician and appreciating other musicians.”
Suzi firmly believes that fashion forms a significant part of the art we see around us. Not only in the modern-day and the ever-changing culture, but also historically.
“Fashion is by far the most intimate form of design. It’s a really interesting one because it’s very constrained – in that people have two arms, two legs, a head, and that form dictates, to a large degree, what clothing is. You put your legs through things, arms through things, and most people want to be able to move and function through the day, and so there is so much constraint built into fashion, and yet, so much imagination and skill. The art of fashion, of couture particularly, is extraordinary.”
Suzi’s talks were extremely well received by current Rydal Penrhos pupils who could possibly follow in her footsteps one day. They covered a variety of different topics and gave those in attendance plenty of useful information to take on board during a critical stage of their future planning.
How we dress is a reflection of our personalities. Something Suzi believes can make all the difference when it comes to interviewing or simply making people sit up and take notice before words are exchanged in life or business.
“You make a decision about someone visually before they’ve even opened their mouth. There have been reams written about how to be successful at an interview – and we all know implicitly what’s appropriate or not: most people can make a pretty good instinctive decision about what you’d wear for an interview versus what you would wear for a first date for example.”
But what’s the secret to fashion? Is it a gift or something you can teach? Is it simply reacting to natural instincts or conceived through knowledge of the almost constant change to current trends?
For Suzi, it’s finding a niche amid the chaos. Examining the circumstances and reacting accordingly.
“Many students are focused, rightfully, on more sustainable and ethical approaches to fashion design and consumption. When I teach, I try to help students understand the world they’re going into, to understand the design process and the positive change that they can bring to bear, under any set of constraints. But that means continually trying to bring something new into the mix, to design conceptually, to look at anything for inspiration – perhaps Japanese costume, or an old school cape, and to bring different sources of inspiration together to design a collection that’s different, because it isn’t just repeating what has been done before.”
Suzi’s transition from the fashion industry into the education sector was probably a daunting proposition at the time. Although she’d generated a vast amount of experience within her chosen profession, this step into the unknown was something the alumna instantly felt comfortable doing.
“One of my heroes, Sir Ken Robinson, did a wonderful short talk about the power of education and creativity which was animated by RSAnimate.”
“He’s been so influential for me because he talks about schooling and the need to make profound changes to the education system to better prepare young people for the world they now live in. One thing he said which really struck me relates to the way that schools ‘batch’ students by year, by age – nothing to do with how we learn, how we progress, we are all batched into year groups and we all proceed in every subject at the same speed.
"How ridiculous is that when you think about it?! It’s totally unrealistic to think that, in the times we live in, you could finish your education at 21 and be fully educated to meet the kind of needs, demands, and opportunities that you’ve probably got ahead of you in the next 60 or 70 years. You think of the change we’ve seen in the last 20 years and imagine the change we’ll see in the next 70.
"The idea that schooling that finishes at 18 or 21 is sufficient, however good it was, is ridiculous. And in a way that’s actually very liberating because what you realise then is, you have to learn throughout your life, all the time.”
At the end of the day, what is education all about? It’s about helping pupils find what inspires them, acquire the necessary qualifications and go on to pursue their dreams. Education should help pupils develop ‘know how’ as well as ‘know what’, help them build skills and attributes that they can bring to any role, in whatever avenues they wish to explore.
“Many people still get asked what they want to be when they grow up but this is an increasingly redundant question. The idea of a career is changing – now it’s about finding out what you’re good at, what you enjoy, and taking that to every job – or of being entrepreneurial and making jobs that make the most of your particular combination of skills and attributes.
“Creativity is absolutely what defines us as humans. I mean it, imagination is free, it’s endless, it’s the greenest power! It’s a muscle that we have to strengthen by using it every day. It’s important, it’s so important, and it’s going to save us. Our creativity and our ability to bring different skill sets together will be what helps us tackle the most wicked problems that remain unsolved.”
Suzi believes that creativity should be at the heart of education and creativity is, without question, a core component in her journey from Penrhos College to where she is today.
On behalf of everyone at Rydal Penrhos, we would like to thank Suzi for visiting us and our pupils deeply appreciated it.
Tennis
Toby makes North Wales squad debut
Our young sports stars at Rydal Penrhos work their socks off both in school and during their participation in various organisations and clubs across a number of wide-ranging interests. These passions are also nurtured by the school’s teaching staff during lessons and extra-curricular activities that cater to every individual.
One pupil that’s integrated well into school life over the last year is Toby Evans, who is a Year 4 pupil and is an incredibly talented tennis player, earning selection to the North Wales tennis squad thanks to his encouraging development in a very short space of time.
After training with the squad over the past few months, Toby and his teammates came together for their first competitive outing of the season at the prestigious County Cup, which saw them take on other talented players from Cheshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire.
Despite their lack of experience in such an environment, Toby and the North Wales squad acquitted themselves extremely well, gaining a significant amount from the event that will stand them in good stead ahead of a busy summer.
Toby receives coaching at Rydal Penrhos as well as his involvement with the regional set-up, who train at the indoor tennis centre at Parc Eirias.
This is another important milestone for Toby, who earned selection to the regional squad in Kent before relocating to North Wales. He is looking to follow in the footsteps of pupils who have thrived in a tennis environment previously, with Ellie Scarff attaining a place on the LTA Tour and is now making her way as a successful coach to inspire the next generation.
Everyone at Rydal Penrhos would like to congratulate Toby and the North Wales squad on their performance and we look forward to hearing about further progress in the coming weeks.
Eco Committee
Pupils lend support to Earth Hour initiative
Our pupils at Rydal Penrhos are aware of their surroundings and care deeply about the world around them. This is something that the school’s outstanding staff encourages and nurtures as part of the exceptional education they receive from Pre-School to Sixth Form.
The Prep Eco Committee has become a hugely influential presence across the site since its inception. Pupils have organised events, taken part in campaigns and are always looking for ways to make Rydal Penrhos a more environmentally-friendly place to learn.
Mrs Julie Woodthorpe, teacher and Eco Committee leader, has been working hard with the group to raise awareness for Earth Hour. This takes place over the weekend and is a global awareness initiative to highlight the need to conserve energy wherever we can.
Pupils have been learning about the dangers of climate change, the global fuel crisis and also created some stunning posters relating to the topic that are now on proud display.
Earth Hour is an event run by the World Wildlife Fund each year, bringing people together all around the world to show leaders of countries that urgent action is needed to protect our planet from Climate Change.
This year, Earth Hour is on Saturday 26 March at 8.30pm and millions of people across the globe will participate in turning off their lights for one hour.
Mrs Woodthorpe, said: “Nature is vital because it provides the food we eat, the air we breathe and the water we drink. Human actions, such as destroying forests, polluting oceans and the way we produce and use energy is causing climate change, habitats being lost and animals becoming endangered.
“Support Earth Hour this year by switching off your lights for one hour at 8.30pm this Saturday. You can also take part in an activity during the day for one hour which does not require electricity, such as reading a book, going for a walk or playing a board game.”
Mother's Day 2022
Pupils create portraits
One thing all Prep pupils at Rydal Penrhos love is their weekly Art lessons. Led by teacher Suzy Morris, aspiring artists get the chance to explore various topics that continue to inspire our eager learners and build key skills – many of which transition into other subjects.
Art enables our pupils to develop intrinsic human qualities such as creativity, expression, identity, culture and imagination as well as helping to preserve our cultural heritage.
It gives young children an opportunity to progress their own languages which help shape their individual, community and global identity. It also has a hugely beneficial impact on areas such as confidence, self-esteem, personal, social, emotional development and behavioural health.
Not only this, but Mrs Morris also incorporates the creative with the theory from a very early age, giving Rydal Penrhos pupils a broader understanding of Art and some of the world’s greatest-ever creators.
Year 1 pupils have been taking part in a special project to mark a special occasion this weekend. Each pupil got creative and drew their very own “my mummy” portraits in recognition of Mother’s Day, which is on Sunday 27 March.
Stars of the Week
Congratulations!
Stars of the Week
- Year 6 - Kenzie (absent)
- Year 5 - James
- Year 4 - Rose
- Year 3 - Jack
- Year 2 - Immie and Josie
- Year 1 - Bobby
- Reception - Lola
- Artist of the week - Sophia Year 4 for her fantastic Mexican celebration animal
- Performer of the week - Ela L-B in year 5 on the piano
The two winners of the Fairtrade/ sustainable ingredients baking competition.
- Seren Year 6
- Isabella Year 2
