The RP Weekly: 6 November
The weekly digital newsletter from Rydal Penrhos School.
The RP Weekly
6 November 2020
Chair of Governors
Mr Barnes praises exceptional exam results
A summer of exceptional exam results at Rydal Penrhos has received high praise from the school’s Chair of Governors.
Julian Barnes, Chair of the school Governors and a former Rydal School pupil himself was “delighted” with the strong performance of Year 11 and Year 13 pupils, who received outstanding guidance and support from commitment teaching staff that go above and beyond the call of duty on a daily basis.
He said; “We are of course delighted at all aspects of results. Not just the headline results, in terms of absolute grades in both A Level and GCSE, but also with the fundamental measure of ‘value-added’.
“This may be a new concept to many of you but it represents the key measurement of the degree of improvement in pupils’ attainment added by the school. Few schools nationally will have achieved such a high performance.
“We will continue to build on these excellent achievements and the educational progress promised in February is already very much in evidence.”
The Upper Sixth Form managed to attain a 51.9 per cent pass rate at A*-A at A Level, which is the highest in the school’s history since the introduction of the A* grade and represents an increase of 30.5 per cent year on year, with 75.9% achieving A*-B grades. Those awarded A*-C grades were 90.5 per cent, which is another record and a significant rise of 30.1% from the previous year’s results.
The number of A* grades awarded at GCSE was 49.2 per cent, and 66.7 per cent of grades were A*-A. A*-B grades were recorded at 87.1 per cent, with pupils achieving A*-A or 9-7 grades standing at 62.1 per cent – which is significantly higher than the national averages of Wales (25.9%) and England (27.5%).
In terms of value-added, Rydal Penrhos attained a score of 0.5. This means for every ten subjects taken, five of them came out with higher grades than forecast.
The value-added number for GCSE was even better, with the school achieving a score of 0.83 following a monumental effort in trying times from pupils and staff alike.
This academic excellence, coupled with a diverse extra-curricular programme, university preparations and leadership opportunities, make Rydal Penrhos the perfect place for a pupil to achieve success, learn new skills and become fully prepared for the next stage of their journey.
Alumni
Suzi celebrates retirement at Everest Base Camp
Suzi Derbyshire – maiden name Vaughan – was a pupil at Penrhos College until 1981 and upon leaving school, she went on to study Fashion Design, graduating from Saint Martins School of Art in London in 1986 with a First Class Honours Degree.
Penrhos, of course, merged with Rydal School in the 1990s to form Rydal Penrhos.
She recently marked her retirement by taking a three week, 250km trek from Jiri to Everest Base Camp, following the route that Sir Edmund Hillary took in the 1950s alongside her husband Barry.
This was a lifelong ambition for Suzi, who developed a love for the outdoors and travel after migrating to Australia in 2005.
Suzi learnt to scuba dive in Boracay, Philippines and was lucky enough to dive in pristine reefs in Egypt, the Caribbean and Australia, in addition to travelling around Australia and New Zealand.
After a decade working within the fashion industry all over the world, the former Penrhos College pupil decided to move into Fashion education after taking a teaching post at The London College of Fashion, leading their degree in Fashion Design Technology before migrating to Queensland in 2002.
She was tasked with starting the first Fashion Degree course in Queensland, where Suzi lived with her husband for 18 years, becoming Australian citizens in 2005.
Her career at the Queensland University of Technology saw Suzi appointed as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Technology), which she held successfully for nine years before deciding to take a well-deserved retirement in 2019.
Upon retirement, her service to the university was recognised through conferral of the title of Emeritus Professor.
Ongoing concerns surrounding COVID-19 somewhat disrupted Suzi’s travel plans, but the couple has still been able to explore more of their own state with ‘van life’ adventures in their well-travelled, second-hand campervan.
Suzi’s life and career really do demonstrate how far a good education at Rydal Penrhos and a qualification in design can take you, which is further reflected in her recent TEDx Talk on the topic of “Fashion your Future – Think More Like a Fashion Designer”, which has been viewed more than 328,000 times on YouTube.
Sailing
Keira selected for regional training programme
Keira Luke, who is a Year 8 pupil at Rydal Penrhos, was recently called up to the Royal Yachting Association’s Regional Training Group – Feva (Midlands), for their 2020/21 winter coaching initiative.
This recognises her potential to progress within the British Sailing Team, with the aim of winning selection to the UK Youth Squads or beyond into the RYA’s Olympic Development programmes.
Keira attained selection to the programme on the basis of performance and commitment to training and competition over a period of several years. This establishes her status as a British Youth sailor with the potential to represent Great Britain at major international events in the coming years.
This is the latest in a series of exceptional achievements from Keira, who took up sailing as a Prep School pupil at Rydal Penrhos and has developed into one of the country’s best young prospects.
She is looking to emulate brother and 2018 leaver Ewan Luke, who was also a Team GB sailor during his time at the school.
The commitment required to achieve the objectives of the programme will increase significantly for Keira in the coming months, and she will be supported by the school to balance these alongside her academic studies.
The training weekends are set to be intense and will include time on the water, fitness training, classroom-based theory sessions and work with specialist support staff and coaches.
Keira has acquired a wealth of experience in a sailing capacity in recent years, which has resulted in regional and national competition achievements, in addition to Welsh squad selections and even winning the U18 General Handicap Fleet alongside fellow pupil Freddie MacLaverty at the British Youth Sailing Welsh Regional Championships despite their tender age.
Reception
Teddy Bears' Picnic concludes topic
A Rydal Penrhos Prep School year group concluded a thought-provoking classroom topic with a fun-filled outdoor learning session.
As part of the school’s Forest School scheme, the Reception class spent some time at Rydal Penrhos’ impressive Coed y Plant base for some exciting activities designed to boost knowledge outside of the classroom.
The primary focus of the session was a Teddy Bears’ picnic, which saw each child bring their favourite cuddly toy to school and find it within the forest after it had been hidden by staff members.
Once they located their bears, the group was then tasked with looking after them before enjoying a bear-themed picnic together.
The session was designed to encourage empathetic play and learning, in addition to having great fun in the process and concluded the pupils’ learning on Bears during the first few weeks of the academic year.
There was plenty of excitement within the Reception class relating to the Teddy Bears’ Picnic, which was another fantastic way for them to learn within an outdoor setting and improving vital skills such as problem-solving, communication and teamwork.
They have been a credit to themselves and everyone here at Rydal Penrhos during the first term of the academic year, transitioning to school life and learning exceptionally well despite the ever-changing situation surrounding COVID-19.
This is down in no small part to the immaculate preparation and safety measures implemented across Rydal Penrhos’ Prep and Senior sites, which have enabled learning and extra-curricular activities to continue under strict social distancing guidelines.
Reception is the official first step on the path through education at Rydal Penrhos. The Pre-Prep department is about exciting, stimulating fun and opportunities coupled with sound basic learning in the crucial reading, writing and developing initial numeracy skills.
RP during COVID-19
Catering team adjust to the 'new normal'
Rydal Penrhos’ exemplary plans regarding the current COVID-19 restrictions are further reflected by the changes in catering methods.
The school has been at the forefront of precautions during the coronavirus pandemic, ensuring each Rydal Penrhos pupil continues to receive an exceptional education and extra-curricular opportunities thanks to the sterling effort and dedication of both teaching and support staff.
This is also evident during mealtimes, with catering providers Holroyd Howe working closely with the school’s management team to provide a balanced diet that enables learning to thrive with the same food standards that pupils and staff were provided with prior to social distancing restrictions.
The feedback from pupils about how much they love the food is echoed by all the staff, it is more like dining in a great restaurant than the school dinners you imagine from days gone by.
Catering manager Ian Caddick, said: “We have maintained the same quality of menu we had before lockdown.
“There are still four choices of hot main food available along with a varied selection of sandwiches. We have had to take away the self-service salad bar which was a great hit with the pupils but will reinstall when the pandemic subsides.
“We are always striving to help feed the children with nutrient-enriched food and always endeavour to bring the food forum choices of the children into are termly menus.”
This high standard of provision hasn’t been compromised by recent restrictions regarding social distancing, although it has forced the catering to undergo some major changes to how they operate on a day-to-day basis.
“Holroyd Howe as a company has put together an in-depth reopening document that includes updated laws regarding social distancing, and track and trace mitigation,” added Mr Caddick.
“The biggest challenge is to educate all team members on the new COVID rules and safe distance measures not just for the safety of the team but also the pupils.
“The dining room has been modified to allow a one-way system separating all children by two meters, and the tables are separated into individual bubbles to maintain social distancing.
“Time frames for dinner have also changed with lunch starting at the earlier time of 12pm to help in keeping the dining room COVID secure.
“We have hand sanitiser at three points of the dining room along with notification regarding the procedures to follow and the risks of COVID. The catering team are always two meters apart and follow the stringent policies of the company and Rydal Penrhos.”
The tremendous effort from staff has been another prominent feature of the school’s approach throughout COVID-19, both during the first lockdown period, during the summer months and throughout the current academic year. The school team has done everything it can to maintain “normal” continuous provision of education and wellbeing.
This has been coupled with a strong community effort from Rydal Penrhos, which saw the school produce thousands of PPE masks, open its boarding accommodation and keyworker childcare to the wider region and
Mr Caddick, said: “The staff have taken to all the new challenges in their stride. They have been a credit to Rydal Penrhos and Holroyd Howe and I could not have achieved it without them.”
“School lunches” we love them.
Ben Gibson
A Sixth Form success story!
Leading up to our Sixth Form Information Evening on Wednesday 25 November (from 5pm), we will be running a series focusing on just a teaser of recent success stories from Rydal Penrhos Sixth.
The second pupil to feature is Ben Gibson, who spent the entirety of his senior school education at Rydal Penrhos and developed a considerable amount both academically and within extra-curricular activities of interest.
Ben’s journey began in 2011 as a Year 7 pupil. Although new to the Rydal Penrhos family, he settled in extremely well and it wasn’t long before his love for all things academic came to the fore.
This was something that became prevalent throughout Ben’s time at Rydal Penrhos, which eventually saw the pupil go on to attain a place at one of the world’s most prestigious higher education establishments.
After coming through a strenuous application process with flying colours, Ben confirmed his place at the University of Cambridge – where he is studying History.
Ben was everything you’d want in a pupil. He was polite, conducted himself in an exemplary fashion and provided younger members of the school community with support and guidance.
There were plenty of memorable highlights from his time at Rydal Penrhos. Who could forget Ben’s campaign address during the Mock General Election as leader of the Labour Party who eventually emerged victoriously? Or his exceptional solo performances on the violin during school concerts?
He was also responsible for forming a pupil-led school newspaper alongside Elinor Davies and came away with a wealth of individual accolades during Speech Day events throughout the years.
Ben is a true Sixth Form success story and is the embodiment of what a Rydal Penrhos education provides.
Our strong academic ethos coupled with exceptional university preparation, leadership opportunities and a rich and varies extra-curriculum programme ensures departing Year 13 pupils achieve their goals and ready for the next stage of the respective journeys.
Guests are invited to register for an appointment for our Sixth Form Information Evening on Wednesday 25 November using our online form, by emailing admissions@rydalpenrhos.com or calling 01492 530155 and asking for admissions.
If you are unable to attend our Sixth Form Information Evening, but would like to arrange for a private socially distanced tour please contact admissions on 01492 530155 or admissions@rydalpenrhos.com.
Mrs Davies
Thoughts from the Prep School
Rydal Penrhos Prep School head Lucy Davies returns with her weekly thoughts, with the topic of two big events next week featuring prominently.
A happy week at Rydal Penrhos Prep School this week, equal excitement about upcoming ‘P’ events… Poppy Day and Pudsey Day!
I have tried to explain that, although both days are equally important, they are rather different in tone.
However, that isn’t really working!
This year the two events are separated by only one day and it has been particularly difficult to explain that next Wednesday pupils will need to wear a poppy, come outside to listen to the last post and let tissue poppies float off into the sky; on Friday pupils will need to wear Pudsey clothing and come outside for a fun run.
Both events are to raise money for charity.
So far today I have been asked if they can dress as a poppy for Pudsey day and if they really have to run around the last post to raise money because they think the last post must be very, very far away and they might not get back in time for lunch (and on Fridays, it’s usually chips!).
Roll on next week…who knows what will happen!
And we’re all getting rather good at coping with uncertainty aren’t we!
Mrs L Davies
Sixth Form
Careers documents get the seal of approval
Rydal Penrhos not only offers an exceptional academic and extra-curricular education to its Sixth Formers, but staff also go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure each pupil is fully ready for the next step.
Extensive preparation for university forms part of the Rydal Penrhos Sixth Form timetable. This is a highly beneficial addition to the curriculum - especially to both Year 12 and 13 - as they look to acquire all the information possible before making important decisions on their future.
Mike Farnell, who is Head of Careers at Rydal Penrhos, has been at the forefront of the school's incredible success in this vital area in recent years, which has seen many former pupils go on to achieve a phenomenal amount in the working world.
His careers programme enlisted the help of some top universities across the country in a virtual setting due to the ongoing restrictions surrounding COVID-19, which is the latest example of staff adapting significantly well in pursuit of maximising pupils' potential and helping them reach their goals.
Mr Farnell has been researching some additional tools for pupils in Years 10-13 to further assist them during what can be a stressful process, with these documents getting the staff member's seal of approval.
Downloadable Careers Book for Parents
You can download the book here
UCAS Futures
You can view the latest UCAS Futures information here
More than 25 per cent of pupils are applying for Oxbridge places this year, the application process deadline for which was 15 October.
Almost all Rydal Penrhos pupils proceed to higher education, either immediately after the summer they leave school, or after a gap year. In August 2020, 48 pupils out of 51 decided to proceed to university and 82% of them secured their first-choice.
Sailing
Freddie granted elite athlete status
Freddie MacLaverty, a Year 8 pupil at Rydal Penrhos, has been in tremendous form on the water of late and he recently joined Year 10 pupil Llion Morris in being granted ‘Elite Athlete’ status by Sport Wales.
Training through COVID-19 restrictions implemented by the Welsh Government will ensure Freddie is ready to hit the ground running during upcoming competitions, in addition to his ongoing involvement with national squad programmes.
Freddie joined the Rydal Penrhos community as a Year 3 pupil back in 2015 and it didn’t take long for the youngster to showcase his passion for all things sailing as part of the school’s RYA Accredited provision.
His exploits on the water in recent years has seen Freddie go on to attain some remarkable individual achievements, with one of the highlights seeing his partnership with Keira Luke attaining the U18 General Handicap Fleet crown at the British Youth Sailing Welsh Regional Championships.
Freddie was part of the Team GB squad for their winter training programme last year and his recent development was further reflected in a second-place finish overall at the RS Tera Pro UK Nationals Championships over the August Bank Holiday Weekend.
This saw Freddie become the latest pupil to be awarded a sports scholarship premium by Rydal Penrhos, which includes a £500 contribution each year from the school to further his talent.
A mentor will meet with him half termly to discuss progress in his sporting arena and on how the money will most wisely to advance him whether it be in terms of buying specialist coaching or equipment.
