Senior teacher Andy Thomas delivered a special Christmas message to Rydal Penrhos pupils with a virtual Chapel.

It was not the end of the autumn term that Rydal Penrhos had planned for its senior school pupils after the Welsh Government ordered the closure of all secondary schools due to the increase in COVID-19 cases across the country.

This meant a busy schedule on Monday and Tuesday to see out the term in style was unfortunately cancelled. However, one staff member remained undeterred to deliver his special message in a virtual setting.

Andy Thomas, who holds the position of senior teacher at Rydal Penrhos, conducted the school’s virtual Monday Chapel from the comfort of his own home, with Head Girl Anna Parry-Williams also lending her support to the Chapel video with an opening prayer.

Mr Thomas is a foster carer, helping vulnerable children and he took this opportunity to highlight the importance of Christmas and caring for other people.

There are an estimated 40,000 children coming into the care system in 2021 and Mr Thomas urged the Rydal Penrhos community to think about what they can do to help people this Christmas.

“Christmas can be a hard time, so it’s really good to think about how you can make it better for other people.”

He ended the Chapel with a video made by Home for Good, a charity that works to inspire, equip and resource people to play their part in caring for vulnerable children.

Rydal Penrhos has worked hard to ensure that Chapels and Assemblies have continued at their prep and senior sites thanks to some sterling dedication from the school chaplain – Reverend Nick Sissons – and other staff members.

This was evident throughout the first lockdown period earlier this year and has continued across the autumn term with videos and live streams of prominent events such as the Harvest Service.

Rydal Penrhos has strived to ensure that high educational standards are maintained despite the ongoing concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

The school’s COVID-19 response team, together with teaching and support staff, have gone to extreme lengths to put every necessary precautions and safety measures in place so that Rydal Penrhos pupils young and old can continue getting the most out of their education – benefitting from the wealth of academic and extra-curricular opportunities on offer.

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Rydal Penrhos is now able to offer private tours to prospective pupils and their families.

For more information email admissions@rydalpenrhos.com or book online at https://rydal.wpengine.com/open-days-visits.