Latest goings on at the school
Retiring Transport Manager Ken Hulme
A much-loved staff member has retired after more than 12 years at the school.
Ken Hulme, who held the position of Transport Manager, finished his final day on Wednesday, September 28.
The popular character received a special cake from staff during morning break, which featured a picture of Mr Hulme with a school bus.
He then ventured to the prep school where he was treated to dinner, before receiving a number gifts from pupils and the skiing team.
Mr Hulme will now begin preparations for a new life in Thailand with wife Nok, who attended the prep school dinner, and the pair plan to depart the UK next month.
Mr McDuff, said: “Ken was a huge part of the Rydal Penrhos community and he will be sorely missed by staff and pupils alike.
Replacing Mr Hulme as Transport Manager will be Phil Hilton, who commenced employment officially on Monday, September 26.
Headmaster elect Simon Smith
Headmaster elect Simon Smith has joined the debate surrounding homework for pupils.
With a recent BBC Education feature highlighting what could be a shift in principles surrounding homework for some schools, Mr Smith stated that he feels the method of learning still has an important part to play.
He said: “Personally I feel homework has an important role in developing those independent study skills and the discipline required of further study in the Sixth Form and at university.
“Homework (or Prep) should, however, consist of a variety of tasks to it keep it fresh, interesting and effective. It might be for revision, reinforcement or to research something new.
“It can also be quite liberating and might be to encourage further reading or allow for more creative/digital activities. It should be differentiated and for younger pupils, particularly, with parameters in terms of time and expectations.”
“For a pupil sitting at home, alone, struggling with a concept or the repetitive nature of the task I can see why homework may be viewed with suspicion and disdain but when it’s enriching, collaborative and enhances progress then it is an invaluable tool in a teacher’s armoury and we welcome it’s place in our learning.”
The Rev'd William Hughes with two Congolese boys
Pupils and staff will be part of a special ceremony involving African delegates in Old Colwyn as part of Black History Month Wales.
A group from the Congolese Embassy in London will descend on the town in November, where they will be part of a service at the Old Colwyn Cemetery, where a number of young men from Congo are buried.
This is due to the selfless act of the Rev’d William Hughes, who successfully set up and ran Congo House and then the African Institute based in Colwyn Bay from 1885 to 1911.
His aim was to train young and gifted Africans as Christian missionaries, while also assisting them with either craft or medical skills to use when they returned to their homeland.
Pupils and staff have been busy cleaning up the cemetery as part of a community initiative, which has involving a number of graves that will be officially revealed at the ceremony, and they will also lead the group in song during the service.
Year 11 pupil Isabelle Williams is the Great, Great, Great Granddaughter of Rev’d Hughes and has also volunteered at the cemetery.
A host of local dignitaries will be in attendance, in addition to representatives from Black History Month Wales, who will be joining around 80 Congolese delegates.