Bright stars of sailing

Two KS2 pupils at Rydal Penrhos performed exceptionally at the RS Tera Inland Championship earlier in the summer. Harrison Hogan and Harry Bennell’s success was “testament to their talent, hard work and dedication”, said the school. “It also inspires younger sailors to strive for similar success.”

Rydal Penrhos takes pride in cultivating skilled sailors who not only achieve remarkable accomplishments but also develop an enduring passion for the open waters. The school, which eagerly anticipates moving to a cutting-edge sailing hub at Porth Eirias, boasts a distinguished Sailing and Water-Sports Centre, recognised and accredited by the Royal Yachting Association.

More do DofE

THEnumber of pupils signing up to the Duke Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award at a leading North Wales school has risen in tandem with national figures. Ysgol Eirias in Colwyn Bay has noticed a surge in interest over the past year, with more than 100 pupils taking on the Bronze and Silver categories. Teacher Sam Hawkins, leader of DofE provision at the school, has plans to introduce the Gold standard from September and hopes even more will get involved. The charity revealed more than 320,000 participants started their Award journey in 2022/23, the highest number in its 67-year history and a huge 10% increase. It aims to reach one million young people by 2026.

Congratulations to Abbey Gate College student Erin Matthews, who finished the summer term with a very strong entry in the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. Erin was one of hundreds of applicants from around the world and made it to the final four, singing on the main arena stage to a packed audience.

Erin performed ‘Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again’ from Phantom of the Opera singing beautifully and confidently, and placed second overall in the competition. She was supported by one of the college’s peripatetic teachers, Mr Smith, who has been a part of the school community for 45 years.

Derwen College Wins Natspec Award For Innovation

A specialist Shropshire college is delighted to have won a national award for an innovative partnership forged with a local film company who share its ambition for people with special educational needs and disabilities. Derwen College, near Oswestry, won the Natspec award for Innovative Partnership Working for its mutually beneficial partnership with film-making company Rocking Horse Media. Oswestry-based Rocking Horse use areas of Derwen College as the location for their pilot TV comedy/drama with an inclusive theme. They also provide work experience and industry information to students and supported interns.

Inspiring Engineering

Budding engineers from The Queen’s School Chester recently enjoyed an insightful trip to EA Technology. The Year 10 students had lunch with some of the engineers, followed by three presentations from sta in a diverse range of electrical engineering careers, o ering insights into how their career decisions since school have influenced where they now are.

The students were given a tour of the facilities, getting a real flavour of what a company that promotes the development of resilient, low-cost energy networks globally does day to day, and learnt how EA is striving to accelerate the transition to energy decarbonisation.

They even viewed their own school’s energy usage and could pick out which weeks were school holidays!