Success from former pupils
Emily Hickman
Emily Hickman, who left the school in 2014, is currently studying Agriculture at Harper Adams University in Shropshire, and she has secured a scholarship in conjunction with Faccenda Foods and the British Poultry Council.
The 21-year-old competed in a scholarship essay competition run by the BPC on Tuesday, December 6, which was held at the Institution of Civil Engineering in London.
She gave a presentation on the role of British poultry post Brexit as part of the evaluation process, which also involved writing a 1,000-word essay on the subject.
Despite not winning the competition, Emily’s essay received the highest mark out of the 11 scholars who were entered.
For her efforts, the former pupil received an invitation to the House of Commons for the BPC’s annual awards ceremony.
Mr McDuff, said: “We are always delighted to hear of news of our former pupils, and this is a truly fantastic achievement from Emily.
“She was a much-loved pupil during her time here and has returned to speak about Agriculture to our current pupils at our annual Careers Fair, something which she will be attending again in 2017."
Dr Mark Baker
Dr Mark Baker, who left the school in 2003, has joined forces with Dr Greg Stephenson to write ‘50 Buildings that built Wales’, which is now available to buy.
The book explores the idea of identity as expressed through a nation’s ‘bricks and mortar’, considering the industry, culture and language of Wales and the way in which these have all come together to form the country we know today.
In an interview with Rhyl Journal reporter Suzanne Jordan, Dr Baker, said: “We decided to look at buildings which have contributed to Welsh history.
“We took 25 each and we were looking at material culture and buildings that show the development of an intricate and highly cultivated cultural heritage.
“Some of the sites included are personal to us as authors, but we felt that they illustrate the breadth of architectural history and buildings archaeology that Wales is famed for.
“One of mine was the Abergele Kinmel Hall which has links to copper mining. Another one is Hafodunos Hall [in Llangernyw], a gothic-style house and obviously Gwyrch Castle is very close to my heart in terms of architectural features, the medieval building techniques and its structure.”
The book also includes photographs by noted photographer David Wilson, and topics include industrial and economic boom, Welsh culture across the globe and protests that have helped preserve the native language in Wales.
The former pupil, who went on to study at Bangor and Cardiff Universities, added: “It was so important to obtain the right photos – we didn’t want pictures of daffodils, sheep, rugby – it was important to concentrate on Wales’ rich history.
“It was about weaving a tapestry – each building is part of the weave.”
Rob Hall, who left the school in 2011, is a drummer with chart topping indie sensations Catfish and the Bottlemen, who have been invited to join Green Day as special guest in their North American tour this summer.
The “Radio Revolution Tour” is in support of the group's 12th studio album, Revolution Radio. It is currently set to have 77 dates in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand from September 2016 through July 2017.
This is the latest in a long line of successes for the former pupil as part of the Bottlemen, who have gone from strength-to-strength over the last year, which has seen them top the UK Album Chart with their second release The Ride, in addition to winning Best British Breakthrough Act at the Brit Awards.
The four-piece, led by Van McCann, are currently in the midst of a New Year tour of Japan, before heading to South America and the United States for seven special gigs.
Rob generously donated a signed poster and used drumsticks to the recent Friends of Rydal Penrhos Christmas Auction, which were snapped up by new Headmaster Simon Smith and will be on display in his office.
Mr Williams, said: “What Rob has achieved with Catfish and the Bottlemen is something that fills us with great pride, and for them to be included on a tour with a band as popular and renowned as Green Day is a marvellous achievement.”
A former Head Boy at Rydal Penrhos has shared a video of his speech at a prestigious school event.
Shaswath Ganapathi, who left the school last summer, returned to Rydal Penrhos over the festive break to share the video, which was shot at the school’s annual Speech Day event.
The 18-year-old, together with ex-Head Girl Hannah Cashell, spoke about their time at Rydal Penrhos and shared their fondest memories in-front of a packed out Memorial Hall in what is considered to be one of the most prominent dates on the school calendar.
Shaswath, who gained an impressive two A* grades in Biology and Chemistry, while also achieving two A’s in Mathematics and Physics, is now studying Medicine at the University of Birmingham.
Former Wales Hockey international Hannah is currently on a gap year in New Zealand, where she is working at St Peter’s Independent School in Cambridge, which is just a short drive from Hamilton.
She will then head to the University of Newcastle to study Geography.