Foreword from Mr Smith
It is quite extraordinary that we are almost at the end of February and I hope that the pupils and staff are currently enjoying a well-earned rest with some time made for reading and reflection.
As I reflect upon the stories contained in this newsletter and all the other less headline grabbing moments in the last four weeks of Rydal Penrhos life I am heartened by the diversity of the pupils' engagement and achievement.
I think everyone of our 5 Ls philosophy is in evidence here. If I were to pick one highlight it would have to be the packing of shopping bags in Morrisons to raise funds for the RNLI. As I have said on numerous occasions I want Colwyn Bay and other neighbouring towns and villages to be immensely proud to be associated with this school.
I was certainly proud of the way that our pupils confidently and politely offered their packing services to complete strangers throughout the day. A number of shoppers and Morrisons staff commented on how impressive the pupils were; my bag packing, however, was less impressive as my wife could testify. More importantly we raised over £800 for the RNLI. This is a charity very close to my heart.
My father worked at sea from the age of 16 and for much of his 45 years in work. My wife spent her teenage years living on the coast of the Isle of Man and her family still regularly cross over to the mainland. Whilst neither, fortunately, ever required the services of the RNLI many others are grateful for the skill and bravery of their crews. They cover over 19,000 miles of coastline and on average launch a boat 23 times per day.
I dread to think what many of their crews were having to do yesterday as Storm Doris swept across the UK. Our fundraising will go towards the new Lifeboat House at Llandudno to open in the Spring of 2017 and house its new Shannon Class boat. For a school so close to the sea and with a thriving sailing club I believe it's a charity we should, and will continue to, support very closely.
Much of what you will see in these pages are about service and commitment to a cause it's what makes this a special school and I hope you can by reading this month's newsletter both enjoy and appreciate our pupils' very worthy efforts.