The RP Weekly: September 11
The digital weekly newsletter from Rydal Penrhos School.
The RP Weekly
11 September 2020
GCSE
Results far exceed national averages
Rydal Penrhos’ exceptional 2020 GCSE results compare more than favourably to the national averages.
The Year 11 pupils secured Rydal Penrhos’ best results at GCSE level by a considerable margin, which is a testament to their outstanding commitment during an unprecedented situation, receiving every possible piece of support and advice from the school’s dedicated teaching staff throughout.
The number of A* grades awarded was 49.2 per cent, which is a significant rise of 33.2% from the previous year.
Those securing A*-A and 9-7 grades were recorded at 62.1 per cent, which was considerably higher than the national average in Wales (25.1%).
This average also eclipsed the English average of A*-A and 9-7 marks, which was recorded at 27.5 per cent.
There was further cause for celebration from a Rydal Penrhos perspective as the number of A*-C and 9-4 grades awarded was 98.4 per cent. This was once again higher than the national averages in Wales and England, which were 74.5% and 78.8% respectively.
These historic results are a further testament to the school’s strong academic ethos from Pre-School to Sixth Form, which is coupled with an exciting and diverse extra-curricular provision.
Among the outstanding individual success stories were Shruthi Ganapathi, Tasnim Mortuza, Hannah Davies, Damisola Animashaun, Rebecca Mann, Juan Rajagopal, Arthur Hind, Daniel McLaughlin, and Noone Abdalla, who have all moved on to Sixth Form and the next stage of their journey.
A well-rounded and balanced education has been at the forefront of Rydal Penrhos’ ongoing commitment to making each pupil feel safe and happy, which enables them to thrive both academically and in their activities of interest.
The school is currently riding on the crest of a wave following the A Level and GCSE results, in addition to the exciting plans to improve all areas of Rydal Penrhos which will put even more emphasis on pupil development and value-added.
Prep School
Exciting Clubs & Activities programme launched
Rydal Penrhos Prep School pupils can enjoy a wealth of different activities relating to their interests thanks to an exciting new programme which has been launched this week.
This programme of after school Clubs and Activities will be open to all Rydal Penrhos 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.
They are focused on five categories:
- Creative Arts
- Performing Arts
- Reading, Games and Quizzes
- Sport and Activity
- Wellbeing and Personal Skills
The new programme has something for everyone and will be supervised by teaching staff.
Among the more exciting new additions include a Prep School Podcast, where pupils will work with teacher Catherine Culver on their very own show, gaining valuable knowledge of what the process involves.
Sixth Formers will also be lending their support to the programme with their Chess Club, which proved to be immensely popular during the spring term and even resulted in an inter-house tournament.
This is a further example of how Rydal Penrhos Prep School strives to give pupils the very best start to their education in pursuit of a successful future at Senior School and beyond.
The school’s strong academic ethos, incredible support system, small class sizes and making the most out of Rydal Penrhos’ location on the North Wales coast has proved highly beneficial over the year, which is further reflected with so many former Prep pupils gaining exceptional GCSE and A Level results this summer.
Creative Arts
- 3D Crafts
- Art
- Card Making
- Crafts
- Crochet
- Photography
- Pom Pom Crafts
- Puppet Making
- School Podcast
- Sewing
Performing Arts
Ballet
Choir
Drama
Jazz Dance
Music Makers
Music
Prep Choir
Reading, Games & Quizzes
- Board Games
- Book Club
- Chess Club
- Construction Club
- French
- Nature Detectives
- Quiz
- Rocket Readers
- Storytime
- Treasure Hunters
- Word Games
Sport & Activity
Football
Forest School
Gardening
Get Moving
Gymnastics
Hockey
Skiing
Swimming Squad
Table Tennis
Tennis
Yoga
Wellbeing & Personal Skills
Cookery
First Aid
Mindful Colouring
Passport
Pet Animals
More information on which clubs and activities are available to each year group can be found here: https://rydalpenrhos.com/prep/clubs-activities.
Reception
Limited number of places remaining
We still have a few places left for Reception at our amazing Prep School for 2020 entry.
If you are looking for:
- Small class sizes
- Great teaching
- Your child to be guided and encouraged individually based on their strengths
- Interactive feedback on a very regular basis through our new parent/teacher app
- High teacher to pupil ratio
- Forest School
- Free wide-ranging afternoon clubs available from creative arts through to sport and wellbeing
- Free wraparound care until 6pm
- School buses
- And most importantly safe, happy, thriving children
Then please contact us to organise a socially distanced tour and to find out more on admissions@rydalpenrhos.com or book online at https://rydalpenrhos.com/admissions/open-days-visits/.
Sixth Form
Anna appointed Head Girl
Rydal Penrhos is thrilled to confirm the appointment of Anna Parry-Williams as Head Girl for the 2020/21 academic year.
The Sixth Former has been at Rydal Penrhos for the entirety of her education after arriving as a Reception class Prep School pupil back in 2007. Anna has achieved plenty of success from an academic perspective, in addition to taking full advantage of the school’s exceptional extra-curricular provision.
Anna’s academic development has been exemplary under the guidance and support of teaching staff at the school’s Prep and Senior sites and saw her secure some outstanding GCSE results in Year 11, before moving on to the next stage of her education at Sixth Form.
She is a talented Netball player who is a key member of the 1st VII at the school and she has also received notoriety as part of the Conwy county squad.
Her talent for the Performing Arts is something that has also been prevalent during her time at senior school and included a memorable contribution to the outstanding Rydal Penrhos Dramatic Society production of Les Miserables in 2019.
Her selfless nature has come to the fore in her role with the Sixth Form Charity Committee, which has raised a significant amount for worthy causes in the region and beyond. Anna is following in the footsteps of her brother, Lloyd Parry-Williams, who attained the role of Deputy Head Boy for the 2015/16 academic year.
Anna, said: “It’s incredibly exciting to be offered this role.
“I’ve been part of the Rydal Penrhos community for over 12 years, so I’m thankful for the opportunity to give something back.”
Sixth Form
Richard secures Head Boy role
Rydal Penrhos is delighted to announce Richard Wolfendale as its new Head Boy for the 2020/21 academic year.
Richard arrived at Rydal Penrhos as a Prep School pupil in Year 5 and has gone on to achieve a considerable amount of success both academically and from the diverse extra-curricular provision provided by the school.
This included some extraordinary GCSE results in 2019, which saw Richard achieve no fewer than six 9 marks in English, English Literature, French, Geography, Mathematics and Music, in addition to three A* grades in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Richard also secured a distinction in Additional Mathematics and an 8 score in Religious Studies.
The Sixth Former is also a keen golfer and currently holds the position of Junior Captain at North Wales Golf Club in Llandudno. Richard has brought on his game substantially as part of the Rydal Penrhos Golf Academy and even managed to achieve his first-ever hole-in-one last year.
Richard has been heavily involved in the Sixth Form initiatives as a Year 12 pupil, particularly with the Charity Committee raising funds for worthy causes throughout the region and beyond.
His time at Rydal Penrhos has also seen Richard win a place on the high-profile Met Office Work Experience course surrounding Meteorology and Environmental Physics offered by the University of Reading as a 14-year-old.
He said: “I’m extremely honoured to have been offered the role of Head Boy for this academic year, and I’m looking forward to adopting such an important role within the school. I believe that Anna and I can make the best of what is a difficult current situation, as we have a great team of senior prefects and plenty of supportive staff to help us along the way.”
Freddie
Year 8 pupil earns sports scholarship
The school is delighted to announce that Freddie MacLaverty has been awarded a sports scholarship at Rydal Penrhos following a wealth of achievements in recent years, which have propelled the sailor to one the best young prospects in the UK.
Freddie, who joined the Rydal Penrhos community as a Year 3 pupil back in 2015 showed his love for sailing early on and started developing his initial skills as part of the school’s RYA Accredited programme.
His exploits on the water have seen the Year 8 pupil achieve a considerable amount of competition success, which caught the eye of RYA Cymru Wales selectors that resulted in national squad selections.
The youngster has also been part of the Team GB squad for their winter training programme last year and Freddie hit the ground running during his first competition since the coronavirus lockdown with a high-profile finish at the RS Tera Pro UK Nationals Championships over the Bank Holiday Weekend.
As part of the sports scholarship, Freddie will receive 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.
Socially Distanced Tours
At Rydal Penrhos School
Socially Distanced Tours
Personal tours are available in a socially distanced setting for families to meet the Principal or Heads of School.
You will also meet staff from our Admissions Office, who will answer any questions you may have about applying for a place at Rydal Penrhos.
You can book with our Admissions team at the options below.
We look forward to hearing from you!
