The RP Weekly: 25 September
The digital weekly newsletter from Rydal Penrhos School.
The RP Weekly
25 September, 2020
Private Tours
What to expect
Rydal Penrhos is holding socially distanced tours for prospective pupils and their families, with our usual October Open Morning taking on a different form due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This Autumn and Winter as opposed to our normal Open Days we will be offering more personal tours of Rydal Penrhos, one family at a time. These take account of the need for social distancing and enable families to see our facilities safely and thoroughly but also to meet key members of the staff and ask all the questions they would like.
To book a tour contact our admissions team at admissions@rydalpenrhos.com, or call 01491 530155 and we would be more than happy to accommodate you.
If you have previously visited the school and wish to move on to the next stage of registering for a place please also contact admisssions@rydalpenrhos.com.
We have been at the forefront of safety measures since the lockdown, making extensive preparations during the summer for the start of term. This has enabled our staff and pupils to pick up where they left off and thrive in relaxed, safe and friendly surroundings.
The school’s 38 acres provide us with a fantastic platform to create a socially distanced environment for our pupil “bubbles” and allow them to continue most of their normal day-to-day lessons and activities they enjoyed prior to the lockdown earlier this year.
It has been an exciting few weeks for everybody associated with Rydal Penrhos thanks to some historic A Level and GCSE results, which also included some impressive value-added scores that reflect our ability to get the most out of each pupil from an academic perspective and beyond. So what can you expect from a socially distanced tour of the Rydal Penrhos?
Interested in Rydal Penrhos Sixth Form?
Following arrival at Rydal Penrhos, you will be greeted by a member of our Admissions team and Mrs Harding, Senior School Head. Mrs Harding will then take you on a personal socially distanced tour
of the school’s various departments, including the impressive Sixth Form Centre, and you can ask questions about the school’s A Level options, Rydal Penrhos’ outstanding extra-curricular provision, university preparations, historic results this summer and the leadership opportunities available to every Sixth Form pupil.
The tour will take between 1 and 1 ½ hours so leave yourself plenty of time to get a real feel for Rydal Penrhos.
Interested in Rydal Penrhos Senior School?
Mrs Harding will be the one taking you on a tour of Rydal Penrhos Senior School, which will showcase everything from academic classrooms, science laboratories and the exceptional sporting facilities available to our pupils, which also includes a 25-metre Swimming Pool. Those with a more creative flair can explore the Art, Music, Design Technology and Drama departments, and there will be a chance to ask questions about anything and everything associated with Rydal Penrhos with our Admissions team following the tour. This is a great time to become a member of the Rydal Penrhos community. There are some exciting plans to develop the site and the school’s value-added score and GCSE results this summer were extraordinary.
Interested in Rydal Penrhos Prep School?
At Rydal Penrhos Prep School, children are given the freedom to express themselves and develop key skills under the guidance and support of the school’s highly skilled teaching staff, while finding their passion from an extra-curricular perspective with the incredible activities and clubs on offer.
Mrs Lucy Davies, Head of Prep, will provide a more in-depth discussion about the superb education offered during a tour of the school, which includes classrooms, the IT suite, science labs, the music department and the ever-popular Forest School site. She will also be more than happy to answer any queries about the curriculum and activities, in addition to the free wraparound care provided.
Interested in Pre-School?
Another thriving area of Rydal Penrhos is its Pre-School department, which is the perfect place for a child to begin their journey through education. They are given licence to express themselves, be creative and improve essential early skills that benefit them considerably in later life.
Mrs Davies will lead the tour of the school and will discuss with you the specialised area for two-year-olds, art room, reading area, imaginative play and a more typical classroom.
There is also an outdoor play area for them to enjoy and Pre-School children also benefit enormously from the Coastal School initiative, which is another way we use our stunning location on the North Wales coast to benefit our pupils.
COVID-19
Remaining at the forefront of safety measures
This is an uncertain time for families due to the coronavirus pandemic and its continued rise across the country.
At Rydal Penrhos, we have strived to alleviate these concerns by providing our pupils and staff with a safe and cautious environment that has allowed them to feel safe, happy and thrive academically.
Prep School head Lucy Davies and Estates Manager Richard Smith have co-ordinated the COVID-19 risk assessment,in conjunction with Conwy Borough Council, which is a working document that focuses on every area of the school and the safety measures that need to be implemented.
This is constantly updated given such an ever-changing situation, but the school remains at the forefront of implementing measures quickly and efficiently, which also includes making contingency plans in the event of a second lockdown.
Rydal Penrhos’ incredible teaching staff have adjusted to the digital age with online learning extremely well in such a short space of time. This enabled the school to hold a typical day of lessons virtually during the first lockdown period each and every day, in addition to other schemes such as the Classroom to Campus initiative for Year 13 in order to fully prepare them for university life and the virtual speech day for our Year 6 pupils.
Of course, a second lockdown is a worst-case scenario, but it is one that Rydal Penrhos is fully prepared for.
The school has been in constant contact with Conwy County Borough Council regarding an ever-changing situation, and the incredible commitment shown by teaching and support staff during this unprecedented time is a further indication of the care and thought that goes on behind the scenes to ensure each pupil gets the most out of their education.
We have installed the strictest of guidelines to prevent COVID-19 cases within the school. This includes all pupils and staff taking their temperatures before arriving on-site and constant monitoring of their physical and mental wellbeing during school hours and beyond.
Masks are being worn by Senior pupils and staff throughout the Prep and Senior school sites in accordance with Welsh Government advice, which is something that is being adhered to superbly by the conscientious children under our care.
The school is also providing free iPads for pupils in Year 3 and above to aid with their learning and provide them with a useful tool in the event of a second lockdown.
Children below Year 3 will also be able to use iPads during school hours and Rydal Penrhos will also source enough for them to take home if they move back to remote learning.
The school is fortunate to have 38 acres of grounds to give pupils plenty of room to relax, move around and feel safe. Prep School children will continue to benefit from their Forest School initiative to further enhance their well-being and all-round development.
This has been done in structured bubbles both academically and during the rich and varied extra-curricular opportunities available. University preparations for Upper Sixth Formers are continuing through online seminars with prestigious higher education establishments across the country as the current Year 13 look to emulate this summer’s historic A Level results, which were Rydal Penrhos’ best ever.
We are proud of the way everyone associated with the Rydal Penrhos community has adapted to the current climate and the school’s confidence for every eventuality is of paramount importance.
Entrance Exam Day 2021
Date confirmed
Rydal Penrhos has confirmed the date of its 2021 Entrance Examination Day for prospective pupils.
This will be open to those looking to join the Rydal Penrhos community from September 2021 in Year 7, 8, 9 and 10, with the date now officially confirmed for Saturday 6 February at 9am.
Academic scholarships are available in Years 7-10 for anyone that demonstrates potential from their Cognitive Abilities Test and during an interview with a senior staff member.
The school is offering two free day places for Year 7 entry in 2021, which is a means-tested scheme that has proven hugely popular since the initiative was launched.
All applications must be in by Friday 22 January.
It is an enormously exciting time to join the Rydal Penrhos family. The school achieved historic results at A Level and GCSE this summer, which also came with some truly exceptional value-added scores.
This added to the rich history of academic achievements throughout Rydal Penrhos’ illustrious history, which is coupled with an outstanding extra-curricular provision from Pre-School to Sixth Form.
Here is a more in-depth look at the initiatives available for incoming pupils.
Academic Scholarships
Academic scholarships may be awarded to children on entry following “entrance exams” (CAT tests) and an interview with a senior staff member.
These scholarships are open to pupils already within the school and those joining the school and are based on clear testing/results and interviews. There is no limit to the number of these awards.
These awards are not means-tested and the reward is the title of scholar and also a £500 contribution each year for the pupil from the school to further their academic studies through the purchase of books etc. A mentor will be attached to the pupil for this purpose and would meet half termly to discuss progress in that area and help the money be spent wisely and appropriately.
Art, Drama, Sport and Music scholarships may also be awarded to pupils with “exceptional talent” at any point during their senior school years. They do not require an application.
Free (fully-funded) day places for Year 7
At Rydal Penrhos senior school each academic year two Year 7 free (fully-funded) Day Places are awarded based on academic ability and financial eligibility. The Year 7 places are awarded based on school reports, a Cognitive Ability Test (CAT) and an interview with a senior staff member.
These are means-tested awards, intended as an “opportunity” for an academically able child or young person residing in North Wales who is currently being educated within the state school system. Eligible candidates are part of a financial assessment which only considers families in which family income is less than £35,000 per annum and there are no other significant assets which could be monetised.
An external assessor carries out a thorough assessment, including publicly available data that is not part of the submission and carries out a home visit (in line with social distancing guidelines) to establish the family’s suitability for the award.
Once a candidate is awarded a place, they will have it until they leave at the end of Sixth Form assuming they continue to be an exemplary member of the Rydal Penrhos community and are not subject to a significant change in circumstances. REGISTER
Mrs Davies
Thoughts from the Prep School
At Rydal Penrhos pupil leadership is taken seriously…very seriously! The pupils know that we listen to them, respect their opinions and often turn their ideas into reality.
But today, as I was giving out the pupil leadership badges to each class rep (all pupils get a turn at these roles during the year), I was struck by the sheer joy that each class had over the presentation to their friends of a small metal badge. I began to wonder who learns the most from pupil leadership: the leaders themselves, their friends or the staff who work with them.
There are some who say that a five-year-old is too young to be selected for leadership, I would point out that if we want to live in a truly democratic society, where every vote does indeed count, then we need to learn the value of democracy at an early age.
The pupils selected today are so proud to represent their class and, in the case of Year 6, their school. They learn responsibility, sacrifice (losing break to attend a meeting is a big sacrifice for any pupil!) and as one pupil leader told me today, “We learn to listen to others, it’s not just my voice that counts.”
Admittedly that was a young former member of the school council, so I think they had had that drummed into them by the older members last year!
And what of the pupils who aren’t class reps this time, or who didn’t get the leadership position which they were hoping for? What have they learnt? They have learnt patience, their moment will come, they have learnt how to deal with disappointment and they have learnt that it is ok to be upset, take comfort from your friends and then carry on and trust that the pupil leaders will listen to your ideas.
This sounds a bit idealistic but it was very true today…several pupils were very sad but in every case, others were there to say that everyone will have a turn and that leaders represent us, they are not better than us.
It’s a tricky time for the staff, we work tirelessly to help our pupils be happy and thrive on the opportunities we provide at school, we don’t want to see anyone upset.
However the pupils want to have pupil leaders, they want to have their say, they want to be part of the school and the decisions which shape it. I know that every staff member was astounded by the ideas that the children have had this week.
This school does not have pupils who waste time discussing having sweets at break, or making playtime twice as long, they think very hard about ideas that are realistic and could help everyone feel part of a team, that can help others in the world less fortunate and can help themselves learn new skills.
We have so many exciting things planned, just you wait until you hear about our new house competition, “I’m a pupil, get me out of here!” – all pupil ideas, pupil-led and it’s going to be fantastic!
Yes, I definitely think the staff learn as much as the pupils from pupil leadership, and long may it continue! We’re a team here at Rydal Penrhos and every pupil most definitely does count!
GALLERY: https://rydalpenrhos.com/mrs-davies-thoughts-rydal-penrhos-prep-25-september/
Sixth Form
Darren Millar AM to hold discussion with pupils
An Assembly Member will speak with members of Rydal Penrhos’ Sixth Form during a special visit next week.
Darren Millar, who is the Assembly Member for Clwyd West, has kindly agreed to visit Rydal Penrhos and hold a discussion with Years 12 and 13 on Friday 2 October.
Mr Millar will talk about issues both nationally and throughout his constituency, before taking questions from those in attendance regarding any topics they wish to know more about or any concerns they may have in the current climate.
This event has been arranged by members of the school’s dedicated staff team and aims to broaden knowledge of the Sixth Form on current affairs, with the group either coming to or at the eligible voting age.
Rydal Penrhos strives to give each Sixth Former every possible opportunity to not only meet and exceed their academic ambitions, but also fully prepare them for life once they leave school.
This includes exceptional university preparation and matters surrounding public affairs that are vitally important with so much going on across the country and beyond.
Mr Millar was first elected to the Welsh Parliament in May 2007 and was returned to the Senedd in 2011 and 2016 with increased majorities at each election.
He currently serves on the Welsh Conservative front bench as Chief Whip and Shadow Minister for External Affairs and International Relations.
Mr Millar also acts as the Policy Director for the Welsh Conservatives in the Welsh Parliament and as Vice Chair Policy on the Welsh Conservative Party Board.
In addition, he Chairs the Welsh Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Faith, and the Cross Party Group on the Armed Forces and Cadets, each of which he is a founder member.
In 2000/2001, Darren became the youngest serving Mayor in Wales, a record which he understands is as yet unbroken, when he served the township of Towyn and Kinmel Bay.
He has also served as a member of Conwy County Borough Council, the North Wales Police Authority and the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
Prep School
Podcast Club release first broadcast
An exciting extra-curricular activity at Rydal Penrhos Prep School hit their first milestone this week.
The Prep School Podcast Club has been busy over the first few weeks of the academic year learning about the tricks of the trade with Mrs Culver, which has resulted in the pupils publishing the first edition of their podcast for the Rydal Penrhos community to enjoy.
Emily Nurse, Martha Rose-Johnson, Tom Sinfield, Josh Williams, Robyn Borg-Barthet, Steffan Atenstaedt, Angus Holland and Tillie Bennett used their first podcast to introduce themselves and what they liked most about Prep School life at Rydal Penrhos.
This ranged from academic subjects such as Maths and English to creative ones like Music and Art. Of course, the amazing school lunches provided by the catering team at Holroyd Howe also came in for significant praise.
Each pupil also discussed whey they joined the Podcast Club, which aims to improve confidence and speaking in front of the audience, in addition to finding out just what a successful broadcast entails.
To conclude their opening broadcast, which the club is hoping to produce weekly, the group left listeners with a thought-provoking question surrounding Elon Musk and the possibility of putting computer microchips in humans in the near future!
This programme of after school Clubs and Activities is open to all Rydal Penrhos pupils from Reception through to Year 6 and will be available following their normal lesson times at the end of each day.
The Prep School’s exceptional teaching staff have produced a diverse series of clubs and activities to enjoy throughout the academic year, which will further develop key skills in a relaxed setting away from the classroom.
Anyone wishing to listen to the Prep School Podcast Club: Episode 1, can do so here.
https://voca.ro/1noKmQ7E6ryL
Denise Parry
Retires after 18 years at RP
As we say “happy retirement” to Denise Parry who joined Rydal Penrhos in March 2002, 18 years ago, we do it with sadness.
Denise who joined as secretary to Rydal Penrhos’ deputy head at the time Hazel Healy. The summer after joining Lynne Horner took on the mantel of deputy head and then after that Tim Cashell.
Denise joined at the start as an admin assistant and developed into an academic administrator specialist under the deputy head academic Julian Noad. She has enjoyed all of her roles and loved solving problems on iSAMS (the school database/internal and external communications programme).
She has formed long and strong friendships while in school and perhaps one of the most notable was with Jenny Marden, the admissions manager who has also taken retirement.
You would always see them walking and talking on the streets around the school on their lunch breaks. The duo plan on becoming a trio with Julie Lucas and long walks will become part of their new lifestyle.
Sally-Ann Harding, Head of Rydal Penrhos Senior School, said; “I will miss Denise enormously, she has been the most loyal secretary who has always shown integrity and reliability.
“Denise was meticulous and innovative in all she did and could always be relied upon to remind me of a deadline. She was never afraid to look at new initiatives and she will always be remembered to me as the Queen of the Spreadsheets.
“She helped to run the Academic Office efficiently and was warm and friendly to the staff and pupils who relied on her; she never let anyone down and was always there to help.”
Denise remembers fondly something the team nicknamed “Mad Friday” which was just a fond term given to the immense amount of work needed before the weekend and the fact they would laugh their way cheerfully through it, with Phil Mather and Mike Leach on hand to pop in and keep spirits high.
The much-loved staff member is really looking forward to spending more time with her husband in their new motor home.
One interesting and amazing little known fact about Denise is that she is a medal winner in ballroom dancing with her husband. So as she waltzes out of school and tangoes into retirement she says: “I will miss the social side of school, the laughs, Sally (the head) and iSAMS.”
Pre-School
Settling back in superbly!
Rydal Penrhos Pre-School children have made a fantastic start to the academic year, settling in superbly upon their return to school following the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.
It has been a busy few days across the department, which aims to give those starting their journey at Rydal Penrhos a solid foundation from which to build a happy and successful education, starting from the age of two.
The care of the high-quality staff members, who provide each child with exceptional support and guidance during the initial stages of their development is second to none.
Last week the children started the theme “Ourselves”, with the Pre-School staff encouraging the children to communicate through various activities and to develop themselves as a little team in a relaxed and friendly setting.
The children also got the chance to explore the incredible Forest School site, and there was much excitement as the group managed to take part in a thought-provoking session in the woods under the supervision of staff. Forest School is something that Rydal Penrhos Pre-School offers that is of great benefit to the children both in terms of education and well being.
As anyone with a child of Pre-School and Nursery age will tell you, it is an active time. This is on full display during the Pre-School’s weekly Physical Education session that is a lot of fun but also helps to boost confidence and overall happiness.
Igniting the creativity of every Pre-Schooler we have the art room, with imaginative play and even weekly Music lessons with a specialist member of Rydal Penrhos’ teaching staff.
At Rydal Penrhos Pre-School, young children will explore, investigate and question so that they learn while their curiosity and imagination are given full reign.
Effective early learning is about opening minds and encouraging confident communication skills through the sharing of ideas. At its best, early learning is about exciting, stimulating fun and opportunities.
A very impressive first few days back for everyone involved, well done!
Prep School
Stars of the Week
