News from former pupils
Elishia Phillips, who left the school in 2016, has just begun her third year studying Drama at the University of Chester, took on the North West Tough Mudder in Malpas, Cheshire last month in aid of Ataxia UK.
This is a charity that is close to the heart of Elishia, with friend and fellow ex-Rydal Penrhos School pupil Scarlett Salisbury suffering with the condition until her passing earlier this year aged 21.
Elishia, who also works as a booking administrator at the Zip World Centre in Llanrwst, was joined at the event by Scarlett’s brother Henry.
She greatly surpassed her target thanks to a wealth of donations that eventually came to £1,900.
She said: “Scarlett was such an inspiration to everyone.
“My friend never let it overcome her, or become her main personality trait, and she inspired me and so many others with her determination and strength.
“The Tough Mudder was so much fun and I would like to thank all those that donated.”
The school recently raised almost £800 for Ataxia UK in Scarlett’s honour following donations from its recent Creative and Performing Arts evening, which the 2016 leaver was an enormous part of before moving to Bangor University. Scarlett was a massive part of school life from 2009 until 2016 and she left behind a fantastic legacy at Rydal Penrhos, where she thrived in her role as Prefect during her final year at the school.
Harvey Holmes and Nick Fiorita, who left the school in 2016 and 2019 respectively, have co-founded the Rydal Penrhos Dragons, a hockey team for alumni that will compete annually at Founders’ Weekend.
The pair have already been incredibly busy during the initial stages of the club, designing a new kit, coming up with a name, recruiting players and setting up a Facebook page to increase engagement regarding the newly formed side.
Multi-talented sportsman Harvey will captain the side going forward, and Nick has also secured sponsorship from Bodnant Welsh Food to further boost the squad going forward.
The Mather Cup did not take place on Founders’ Weekend this year but it will take place at a later date, before once again joining the action-packed programme in 2020.
Anyone wishing to join the Rydal Penrhos Dragons can visit their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Rydal-Penrhos-Dragons-100446131334989/) or by contacting pupil liaison officer Sarah James on SJames@rydalpenrhos.com.
Imogen Camp and Nick Fiorita, who left the school earlier this summer, spoke with the Year 12 Physics group shortly before the headed off for the next stage of their education journey at two of the most prestigious further education establishments in the country.
The pair achieved some impressive A Level results in recognition of their exceptional dedication to their studies, with Imogen and Nick spending the vast majority of their progression through education at Rydal Penrhos’ Prep and Senior sites.
During the talk, the former Head Boy and Prefect both spoke about the best ways to use your time both in and out of the classroom, including preparation for revision and examinations.
Imogen left the school with no fewer than five A* grades in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Physics, which confirmed Imogen’s place at Queens’ College Cambridge.
She is now studying Natural Sciences at Queens’ College Cambridge, and Imogen’s results were made even more extraordinary with the fact she scored 499 out of a possible 500 in her Chemistry and 497/500 in Physics.
Nick also managed to attain some outstanding final grades with one A* and three As, and he recently joined the incoming group at the University of Warwick, where he is studying Physics at degree level.
Jessica Maudsley and Sara Owen, who left the school in 2018, travelled to St James’ Palace on Wednesday, October 2, where they picked up their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.
The pair worked exceptionally hard throughout the thriving scheme during their time at Rydal Penrhos and completed the final stages of the award in their own time after leaving the school.
They now add themselves to the long list of pupils that have successfully secured Gold at Rydal Penrhos, which has seen a plethora of candidates achieve their objectives in recent years.
Sara is now studying Medicine at King’s College London after overcoming significant adversity to attain some exceptional A Level results, and Jessica is also thriving at university after ending a successful time at Rydal Penrhos in the role of Prefect.
Mrs Harding, said: “This was deserved recognition for the exceptional distinction achieved by Jessica and Sara, who displayed a tremendous work ethic across their academic studies and extra-curricular activities during their time here at Rydal Penrhos.
“Our Duke of Edinburgh programme as really gone from strength-to-strength since we introduced it, and that is down in no small part to the outstanding commitment shown by co-ordinator Dr Jim Lewis and our incredible pupils.”