7 minute read
Education
Learning by heart
Christmas is almost upon us. For Rydal Penrhos pupils and beyond, it represents two or three weeks of fun and excitement after a busy start to the academic year.
It is a chance to rest, celebrate with family and friends and revise. This is especially true if pupils are about to sit GCSEs or A Levels in the summer or have their mock exams in the New Year.
The big question is how much revision to do over Christmas? Something our teaching staff provide expert advice and guidance on before Rydal Penrhos pupils head off on their well-deserved break.
Some pupils throw themselves into revision. They will see the Christmas holidays as an opportunity to get lots done, without the small matter of school or homework getting in the way. However, revising constantly during this period isn’t necessarily the right approach.
Other pupils cannot wait to put their school-books away. This is not the correct approach, either.
Those who work constantly throughout the holidays will return to school as though they haven’t had a break. There is still a long way until the summer exams, and this might be the final opportunity they get for a prolonged spell of relaxation.
Pupils who pass the whole holiday without picking up a pen might return to school in a panic and become overwhelmed by what the year ahead will bring.
The trick is to get the balance right, between having a relaxing break and revising so that pupils are both rested and ready to return to school. This is something Rydal Penrhos monitors, but parents can also lend their support by checking in to ensure the right time is spent socialising and studying. Aim to switch off from work for one of the weeks of the holiday and then revise during the other week, or two if the holidays are longer. Enjoy Christmas week, concentrating on family, friends and activities that don’t involve the stresses of exam preparation.
Christmas holidays can be complicated, which is why finding
the appropriate balance is important. Plan study days in advance when you can concentrate on work at home and try to avoid fitting revision around any family celebrations.
There are alternative, family-friendly ways of studying, which can be equally valuable. These do not involve picking up an iPad or a pen, for those non-study days but rather reading a book related to a course being studied. Delving into a History or Science book, for example.
GCSEs and A Levels reward pupils who have wider knowledge and understanding of the subject. Perhaps a visit to the theatre for English, or a walk along the coast or mountains for Geography? Playing a board game with friends or family to improve your Maths skills is something else to consider.
So how much revision to do over Christmas? It is a holiday, so even on those study days, enjoy a lie-in, keep evenings free for other activities, and revise during the day. Doing this will feel like a break from normal school routines, allowing time for rest and revision. n
John Waszek
is the Principal of Rydal Penrhos
EDUCATION NEWS
Degrees with a difference at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai
Are you ready for a new challenge? Maybe you are looking to change career or improve your chances of promotion? Are you looking to study for a degree but you have commitments at home, you don’t want to incur exorbitant costs, or you don’t relish the long-distance travelling? Then look no further! Grŵp Llandrillo Menai
has one of the largest suite of degrees and universitylevel courses in Wales. The number studying on university-level courses has increased steadily yearon-year. Today, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai has around 1,200
higher education students studying on 50 different degree courses across its three colleges: Coleg Llandrillo, Coleg Menai and Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor. Grŵp Llandrillo Menai
continues to expand its portfolio of Higher Education courses, both independently and in partnership with Bangor University. As well as the more traditional honours degree programmes and higher nationals, the college has been at the forefront in developing and promoting innovative and unique Foundation Degrees and vocational courses. Most of the degree courses are offered at the fully-equipped, multimillion-pound University Centre in Rhos-on-Sea, with some university-level programmes also available at the Bangor, Llangefni and Dolgellau campuses. In an exciting recent development, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai has been approved and validated by Bangor University to also deliver university-
level / higher education courses on its Rhyl campus. Many of the courses on offer are vocational qualifications
developed in consultation with employers, to equip learners with the skills and knowledge that employers require and to make progression into employment easier. Often, the full-time courses are delivered over two days per week, helping learners fit their studies around work and family commitments.
St David’s College and RGC Extend Partnership
Homegrown rugby talent received a welcome boost this week with the announcement that the St David’s College and RGC (Rygbi Gogledd Cymru) partnership will continue. This academic partnership, which was first formed last year, creates an alternative pathway for talented
young players in North Wales, giving them the opportunity to gain access to top-level coaching and award-winning education. Building on last year’s success, St David’s College has extended its support of RGC through kit sponsorship. St David’s is now a sleeve sponsor for the 1stXV Mens team and Kit sponsor for the U15s development side. St David’s College is establishing a reputation as one of the best holistic sports schools in the country. Working closely with RGC and other academic partners, the newly formed partnership will provide support and a clear pathway that gives students the tools needed to achieve at the highest level. Head of Sports and PE at St David’s College, Mr Dan Lycett, said: “St David’s working together with RGC provides an alternative pathway for aspiring young rugby players. We mould our provision to the player and not mould the player into our system. We work closely with the RGC coaches creating individual training plans for the pupils, allowing each of them to reach their full potential.” RGC provides coaching support as well as access to their facilities at Parc Eirias, while the school has its own strength and conditioning coaching that is available to boarders seven days a week.
EDUCATION NEWS
Wrexham student works on award winning documentary
Wrexham Glyndŵr University alumni, James Veal
has spoken about his experience of working on the award-winning series, Welcome to Wrexham. The series that focused on Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s takeover journey, recently won the Best Sports Documentary at the Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards.
Graduating from his BA (hons) TV Production degree in 2020, James went on to work on music festivals, TV ads, Antiques Roadshow and, most recently, a Netflix documentary. One year after
graduating, James started as a camera operator on Welcome to Wrexham. He said: “Working on the Welcome to Wrexham series was a brilliant experience, especially so soon after graduating. To say I’ve worked on a show that’s being talking about all over the world is amazing.” Relating his achievements back to his time at university, he said: “The experiences I’ve had and the knowledge I learnt at Glyndŵr helped tremendously when I
started working in the industry.”
Rydal Penrhos pupil impresses in hockey arena
Another talented hockey player at Rydal Penrhos has begun to make significant waves on the
national stage after winning a place in the Welsh U17 youth squad earlier this year. Alex Starling, who is a Year 13 pupil and the school’s First XI boys’ captain for the academic year, turned out for the Wales U17 squad at the 2022 School Games, which took place at the high-profile
Loughborough University facility recently. After earning a well-deserved call-up to the squad, Alex participated in three separate training camps in Cardiff to familiarise himself with new teammates and coaches before embarking on one of the most prestigious tournaments on the youth circuit. It proved to be another worthwhile outing for the Welsh contingent, who acquitted themselves well in the face of quality opposition to finish third overall as
a result of their efforts. Alex’s performance levels were of the highest standard during the competition, finishing as the team’s top scorer thanks in no small part to a brace against Ulster to further establish
himself within the set-up. The Sixth Former was the joint-third top scorer overall, which represents an outstanding accomplishment from Alex, who captained Rydal Penrhos on a Sports Tour of The Netherlands and has developed his exceptional talent with the school’s dedicated staff. Alex also attends Hockey Wales Regional Performance Centre training, balancing his hockey progression with his A Level studies with the school’s full support.
Ydych chi wedi ystyried astudio am radd yn y coleg? Have you thought about studying for your degree at college?
• Arbed arian drwy astudio’n lleol • Dosbarthiadau bach • Amserlenni hyblyg
• Save money by studying locally • Small class sizes • Flexible timetables
