For a large majority of students at Rydal Penrhos, sport is half the reason they wish to go to the school. There are school teams dedicated to various sports within each year group including but not limited to rugby, hockey, netball, tennis, football and swimming.
As with art, drama and music it is compulsory for the lower school students to be involved in various physically involving classes. In years 7-10 it is likely that every student will participate in a school team fixture at a week. In addition to the normal 'games' classes, lower school students must take part in one activity per week during a designated afternoon slot which can be anything from normal sport to hill walking, climbing, sailing and badminton.
In the sixth form (ages 16-18) sport is much more of an option than a requirement. The only compulsory sport slot during the week is on the activities day where the student must partake in an activity for at least 2 periods.
Artwork by students can be found in various places throughout the school. One major example is the display of various paintings in the school dining hall. Aside from this, displays throughout the rest of the school vary from year to year. The artwork may be done by art students or it may have been done as part of a project that otherwise is not related to the art department.
Art is a subject that is encouraged throughout the lower school years. From years 7 to 9 it is compulsory to take Art class.
Drama as a subject is thoroughly enjoyed by GCSE and A Level students. Attendance of the class is compulsory in years 7 to 9.
Every year the school puts on a play performed by the students, usually in the form of a musical. Depending on the play it may only involve the oldest students, or it may involve people from a wide range of ages inside the school.
Many students at the school learn to play a musical instrument. As is the case with Art and Drama, Rydal Penrhos has a dedicated building for this art form. Here, students can take extra curricular music lessons in an instrument of their choice should they wish to. Students of the lower school in years 7 to 9 must take music class.
Those students heavily involved in the music department (usually GCSE/A Level) help to run the lunch time music activities such as choir and jazz band. These students also help to perform at school events such as open days.