The Flagpole

In the Trinity Term Year 9 pupils have the opportunity to take part in Princethorpe's popular Forensic Science Club.

Starting Monday 25 April until Monday 13 June, Mrs Curtis and Mr White will be running weekly lunchtime sessions teaching six different forensic techniques before pupils will be faced with applying their skills to a Princethorpe Crime Scene.

The club will run from 12.10pm to 12.35pm in G5 (accessed through G4's corridor) and the final crime scene challenge will take place on Thursday 16 June from 4.00pm to 6.00pm.

There are 5 spaces; please email samcurtis@princethorpe.co.uk or Teams message Sam Curtis to reserve a spot.

It is great to be able to share news of pupils' co-curricular successes outside of school.

Sophie Gray and Tilly Houghton (both Year 11 pupils) were selected to represented the U17 Warwickshire hockey team in the final end of year Midlands County Championships on Sunday 13 March in Beeston, Nottingham.

Their Warwickshire team won the tournament and are now the U17 Girls Midland County Champions, beating Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Derbyshire and Shropshire.

Fantastic work girls!

Lots of pupils show initiative and tenacity while working towards their Duke of Edinburgh's Awards, particularly when they are completing the volunteering section. For many this is the hardest element, especially for those pursuing their awards over the last two years. Three pupils who have shown particular initiative with their volunteering are Upper Sixth Former, Archie Hancock and Year 10 pupils, Charlotte Gledhill and Emily Slinger.

For his Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s award Archie has been volunteering as a Covid-19 vaccination volunteer at two local centres with the St John Ambulance. Volunteering as a Patient Carer, he has provided medical assistance, managed Infection Prevention Control, supported the check-in process, monitored patients after they have received their jab and supported nervous patients.

Archie commented, “It has been an incredible opportunity that I have really enjoyed. I’ve met lots of interesting people, both those involved in the vaccine roll out and the public. I’m grateful for the whole DoE experience in general and have really appreciated Mr Bower’s support and encouragement to take on this and the other opportunities. I know that I will carry the skills I have developed on through life.”

Both Charlotte Gledhill and Emily Slinger have received awards recognising their volunteering. Year 10, Charlotte was named Junior Volunteer Of The Year 2020/21 by the Nuneaton and Bedworth Sports Forum for her volunteering work as a swimming coach which she undertook while working towards her Bronze and Silver Awards. While fellow Year 10, Emily, raised £620 for the Intensive Care Society as part of DofE volunteering for her Bronze Award and was awarded an NHS Stars Award by the #ThanksKids team from her local NHS Children and Young Peoples Mental Health and Wellbeing Service.

Head of Outdoor Education, Will Bower, commented, “These young people have all shown initiative and a proactive approach towards completing their volunteering. This is just what the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award wishes to encourage. They are all great examples of what the volunteering section can be about, and all these pupils are all well on their way to completing their awards.”

Well done to all who have completed the programme planners and are logging hours for the volunteering, physical and skill sections. Some participants have even completed and signed off sections, a fantastic effort.

If you haven’t started yet, don’t worry, there is still time. Consider utilising the DofE temporary changes.  These options were created to help participants to complete despite the pandemic and are valid until December 2022 and are available to view here.

Bronze

Full information regarding the expeditions will be discussed at the upcoming assembly:

Practice Expedition Meeting – Thursday 24 March 2022 – Tutor Time – Clarkson Theatre

You have been sent a letter containing the following forms:

• Peak Medical Consent
• Princethorpe Code of Conduct
• Expedition kit list
• Kit request form

Please complete and return to the Student Hub by Monday 28 March 2022.

You will also receive an email confirming your group and the relevant dates.  Following the meeting on Thursday you will be sent the presentation containing all of the key details.

Silver

Well done on your efforts at the training and planning weekend in January.  Full final details regarding the expedition will be discussed at the upcoming assembly:

Practice Expedition Meeting – Thursday 31 March 2022 – Tutor Time – Clarkson Theatre

Following the meeting you will be sent the presentation confirming the plan.

Gold

Following our meeting this week please complete the training assignment by Monday 4 April 2022.  After the meeting, I will email all the final plan for the upcoming training day and practice expedition 6 – 10 April 2022.

Will Bower 
Head of Outdoor Education – DofE Manager