TALENTED teenager Toby Sutcliffe is making serious waves in the world of canoe slalom – and his school is behind him every stroke of the way.

The 15 year-old from Llanberis, a pupil at St Gerard’s School in Bangor, is currently ranked among the top five C1 slalom athletes in the UK for his age group.

A dedicated year-round paddler, Toby trains on Llyn Padarn and at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham and has competed in the Junior Slalom European Cup in France and Germany as part of the Welsh Performance Team.

He joined St Gerard’s aged seven and is about to start Year 11. Balancing elite sport with his GCSE studies, Toby says the school has played a key role in helping him chase his goals.

“My ultimate aim is to reach the highest national division, then Team GB,” said Toby said.

“I’d love to make it to the World Championships or the Olympics one day.

“The school has been so supportive — always helping me catch up or send me extra work when I’ve missed lessons to compete overseas. I’m really grateful.”

Toby’s passion for paddling began during the pandemic, after his previous interest in ski slalom was put on hold.

“We had access to the lake and tried a few local taster sessions,” said mum Vicki.

“From his very first go in a C1 canoe, he just lit up — the smile hasn’t left his face since.”

Dad Will added: “It’s great to see St Gerard’s backing young athletes. Their support and sponsorship for Toby have made a real difference and the sport needs new talent like him coming through.”

Toby is also finding success in kayak cross, a fast, contact-heavy race discipline that debuted at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He reached the semi-finals in Augsburg, Germany, and came third in a recent open event in Nottingham.

Sid Sinfield, Performance Manager at Paddle Cymru, said: “With a strong work ethic and a passion for canoe slalom, Toby is not only competing at a high level for his age but is also on a clear trajectory toward national and international success.

“As he continues to train, travel, and compete, support and sponsorship play a vital role in helping him reach his full potential.

“Funding enables access to top-level coaching, specialised equipment, and travel to key races across the UK and Europe – essential components in the development of a world-class athlete.

“St Gerard’s School’s backing of Toby is an opportunity to invest in the future of British canoeing and to support a driven young athlete with the talent and determination to go far.”

Headteacher Campbell Harrison added: “We’re proud of Toby and all our pupils as they chase their dreams.

“Whether in sport, academics, or the arts, St Gerard’s is committed to helping young people achieve their full potential — and we’re behind Toby all the way.”

For the latest news and information from St Gerard’s School, visit the website www.st-gerards.org and follow them on social media. 

Alternatively, email sgadmin@st-gerards.org or call 01248 351656.

A LEADING independent school has unveiled a £150,000 multi-use sports facility following the completion of construction work.

The new state-of-the-art pitches at St Gerard’s School in Bangor are already drawing attention from prospective students and the wider community, having been finished ahead of the summer season.

The development features a ‘next generation’ artificial grass surface suitable for five-a-side football, netball, hockey, tennis, basketball and more.

Alongside the pitches are an access road, parking spaces, a running track, and landscaped areas. Plans are also in place to add floodlighting, changing rooms, and toilet facilities in the near future.

St Gerard’s – ranked eighth nationally in the Sunday Times Parent Power Guide – has made significant infrastructure investments over the past 18 months.

Headteacher Campbell Harrison reaffirmed the school’s ambition to enhance its appeal and support its current students and their families.

“This is not just a MUGA (multi-use games area), it is a commitment to our pupils and the community,” he said.

“We have a rich academic history but are also renowned for punching above our weight when it comes to sporting activity and achievement, producing many champions and elite young athletes over the years.

“Most importantly, we promote health, wellbeing and exercise, combined with fun! That’s one of the main reasons behind this new facility, which I’m sure will prove very popular with learners but also people in north west Wales keen to participate in sports like five-a-side, netball and basketball in the evenings and on weekends.”

Business Manager Steve Griffiths echoed this enthusiasm, highlighting the wider benefits of the project.

“The facility is a fantastic addition to the site and further improves our physical education (PE) provision.

“We have also introduced a garden and landscaping around the area to complement the ‘wellness walk’ we launched last year, and the overall redevelopment of the seven-acre site.

“We have future plans but as always our key mission is to ensure the pupils receive the best education in a warm, welcoming setting – which they do.”

With a 16% increase in student numbers in 2024 and further enrolment growth anticipated in Year 7 and the Sixth Form, St Gerard’s is well-positioned to maintain its leadership status despite ongoing pressures in the independent education sector.

The school’s broader development programme has included not just sports and outdoor amenities but also a revamped Sixth Form suite, updated library and visitor car park, roof maintenance, a refreshed logo and website, and the installation of a £150,000 heating system.

St Gerard’s will host an open event on Saturday, June 7, from 10am to 1pm.

For more information or to attend the open day, visit www.st-gerards.org, follow the school on social media, email sgadmin@st-gerards.org, or call 01248 351656.

PUPILS and staff at a top 10 school are on the right frequency to launch a new radio station.

Members of the Business Club at St Gerard’s School in Bangor are putting together a strategy to set up a broadcasting platform that will stand as an “education resource” and deliver “interesting and informative” programmes for the local community.

As part of their studies, pupils have secured a start-up budget to get the project underway and plan to generate revenue, so the station is self-sufficient within two years.

They are being supported by learning and development consultant Jacky Leonard and Simon Wynne, operations director at Bayside Radio in Colwyn Bay.

The group – from Years 7 upwards – meet regularly after school and are conducting market research, identifying key demographics including age groups, and have received feedback from parents and residents.

“The pupils have been working hard this term in coming up with ideas, looking at examples of best practice from other schools and community stations and linking the entertainment aspect with academia,” said Jacky.

“As well as being a fun project it will also give them experience of broadcast media and build confidence in presenting, public speaking, journalism, editing and the technical sides of working in radio and the creative industries.

“Our ultimate aim is for the station to be available for the local community online, notably parents and carers, bringing in guest speakers from local businesses, well-known characters and media professionals, forming new partnerships in north west Wales and beyond.”

Simon added: “The enthusiasm and creativity of the students so far has really impressed me; the teamwork has been fantastic and I’m very confident that we will see some very positive outcomes both from a school and skills perspective before too long.

“I’m certain we have some shining stars in our midst and I’m hoping by working on this project we will help the pupils hone their business and communication potential.”

The learners will also explore what content to air, and different formats such as podcasts, streaming platforms, interviews and news affecting the city, and wider region.

They are also looking to attract sponsors, grant opportunities and advertisers to help fund equipment and relevant costs, with plans for events and activities this summer, in addition to social media and a web presence.

“A solid proposal in these areas should help demonstrate both the academic value and financial viability of a school radio station, paving the way for long-term success and community impact,” said Jacky.

“We are in the early stages but have already made progress and the challenge now is to meet deadlines and milestones, engage with the community and ensure when it’s time to launch we know our audience and have everything in place to deliver programming which is both educational and entertaining – we look forward to sharing more news soon!”

For more news and information from St Gerard’s School, visit the website www.st-gerards.org and follow them on social media. Alternatively, email sgadmin@st-gerards.org or call 01248 351656.

WORK is underway on the construction of a new £150,000 sports facility at a top 10 independent school.

St Gerard’s School is building a state-of-the-art multi-use games area (MUGA) at its seven-acre Ffriddoedd Road site in Bangor.

Set for completion in March, the development will feature a ‘next generation’ artificial grass surface, toilet block and changing rooms, parking spaces, upgraded fencing and landscaping, and, subject to planning permission, floodlights.

The investment follows a series of internal and external improvements at the school, which produces some of the best A Level and GCSE results year on year in Wales and was ranked eighth in the country in the Sunday Times Parent Power Guide.

Business Manager Steve Griffiths said they will continue to renovate and revamp the cherished institution while retaining their core values and reputation for academic excellence and providing a safe, welcoming environment for learners.

“The new facilities will be a brilliant addition to the site and further improve our physical education provision,” he said.

“Construction is well underway and the ‘next generation’ pitch will be top of the range, making this one of the best outdoor sporting surfaces in the region.

“Long-term there will be opportunities to capitalise on the MUGA as a potential revenue stream given there is demand in north west Wales for places to play five-a-side football, netball, hockey, tennis, basketball and more.

“There is room for two netball or basketball courts, one seven-a-side football pitch and use for other games and sports as well – it’s going to be epic, and we can’t wait to see the completed project.”

He added: “We have further plans for the site, but ultimately the top priority is providing our pupils with the very best teaching in a high-quality setting.”

Having achieved a 16% rise in learners in 2024 – and with further growth expected in Years 12 and Year 7 – St Gerard’s is well placed to sustain its position as an industry leader in the face of “huge challenges” facing the private education sector.

Headteacher Campbell Harrison said: “Redevelopment of our sports facilities is just one of the ways we are looking to capitalise on our footprint and place here in the centre of Bangor.

“We have demonstrated commitment to pupils, their families and our community with a major investment programme which also included a revamp of the Sixth Form suite, the library, the car park, a ‘wellness walk’, roof repairs, a rebrand of the logo and website, and a £150,000 heating system.

“There are further ideas in the pipeline, and we will continue raising the bar as the largest and most academically successful independent school in Gwynedd and Anglesey – something we are very proud of.”

For more news and information from St Gerard’s School, and to visit the open event, visit the website www.st-gerards.org and follow them on social media.

Alternatively, email sgadmin@st-gerards.org or call 01248 351656.

THE academic year is off to a first class start at one of the country’s leading independent schools.

St Gerard’s School in Bangor has brought all its pupils – primary and secondary – under the same roof for the first time in its 109-year history.

The move follows a summer of huge investment at the Ffriddoedd Road site, including a new car park and toilet block, access, fencing, furniture, and signage, a major overhaul of the roof, and a £150,000 revamped heating system featuring seven state-of-the-art boilers.

After securing some of the best GCSE and A Level results in Wales – more than double the national average at grades A*/A for both qualifications – headteacher Campbell Harrison said September heralded a new dawn for St Gerard’s, ahead of a raft of further developments in the coming months.

“Bringing the primary school children into the main building and investing further in the facilities for them – including new uniforms – and all our learners was crucial,” he said.

“We want to make this a warm, welcoming environment for everyone, following a 16% rise in pupils over the last 12 months, and have done so with these improvements.

“St Gerard’s was already a positive setting for children and staff, and we have built on that with renovations and a rebrand that take us forward into this academic year with confidence.”

Following the installation of an extended ‘wellness walk’ and play surfaces, future proposals on-site centre around sports facilities – five-a-side pitches, tennis courts and a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA).

Business Manager Steve Griffiths said national challenges in the sector can be navigated with the continued support of parents, carers and the community, and they are looking forward to welcoming families and prospective pupils to a ‘cake, coffee and open day’ from 9am until 4pm on Friday September 27, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

“We have invested significantly in chairs, desks, equipment and more for the pupils, so both the internal and external areas of the school have been transformed,” said Steve.

“The sixth form common room and libraries will also undergo refurbishment – including digital platforms and screens – and the sports provision is another major development, with us already applying for planning permission for floodlights to extend usage of the facilities.

“We have big plans but most importantly, given the incredible results achieved by our learners in the summer, the academic side is going from strength to strength.

“The open day is an opportunity for us to raise funds for charity and also showcase the improvements we have made to existing and potential pupils and their families – we look forward to seeing you all soon.”

For more news and information from St Gerard’s School, visit the website www.st-gerards.org and follow them on social media. Alternatively, email sgadmin@st-gerards.org or call 01248 351656.

ONE of the leading independent schools in Wales is celebrating outstanding GCSE results.

Pupils at St Gerard’s School in Bangor achieved a 97% pass rate for grades A*-C, compared to the national average of 62.2%.

The figure for A*/A was 58%, more than treble the 19.2% national average.

The news comes a week after the institution’s learners secured a staggering 60% for A*/A at A Level, more than double the national average of 29.9%.

This followed a hugely positive 12 months which included a 10% rise in pupils, and there are plans for new sports facilities and further redevelopment of the Ffriddoedd Road site.

Headteacher Campbell Harrison praised learners for their dedication and resilience following a challenging time for the education sector during and post-pandemic.

He said: “We are so proud of all the pupils and staff, they have worked hard over the last few years to secure these results, which are fully deserved.

“We look forward to the next chapter in their academic careers and are sure they will all go on to achieve great things.”

Among those celebrating were: Maya Segun (eight A*s, two As), Lily Braden (three A*s, seven As), Charlotte Riches (five A*s, five As), and Deacon Fisher (four A*s, three As and two Bs).

Others to receive their grades included Jack Lowry (three A*s, six As and a 6), Elissa Gibson (three A*s, seven As and a B), Alice Roberts (two A*s, seven As and two Bs), Megan Rae Jones (two A*s, four As and four Bs), and Lola Ashwell with one A*, five As and five Bs.

Mr Harrison added: “Across the board they have done their very best, put in huge effort and are a credit to all of us at St Gerard’s.

“I would like to thank the staff and pupils, their families and everyone who has shown the school so much support, we are proud of our place at the heart of the community here in Bangor, and these results reflect that.”