The Flagpole

Princethorpe College was delighted to welcome Fr Absalón Alvarado Tovar MSC, Superior General of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, to school on Tuesday 3 May.

Father Absalón was visiting from Rome, and he met with Father Alan Whelan MSC and Ed Hester, Headmaster, before speaking with pupils and staff.

At Tutor Time, Fr Absalón met with the Junior Chaplaincy Prefects and was presented with a College Prayer Book. Then during break, he spoke to the College staff thanking them for the work they are doing and reminding us all how the world is transformed through education.

We were honoured to be able to show Fr Absalón our school.

Princethorpe claimed four titles in the ISA National Tennis Tournament which took place at Rugby School on Wednesday 11 May. Princethorpe’s pupils were also runners up in two further events and took 3rd place in another, making for a very respectable performance from the College teams.

Jen Law, Head of Girls’ Games, said, “The teams played brilliantly. The standard of tennis was high and Princethorpe’s pupils performed very well. We had some fantastic results. It was a very successful day kindly hosted by Rugby School whose facilities were first class.”

The results included:

U13 Boys Singles National ISA Cup Champion – Will Harvey (Y7)
U13 Boys Doubles National ISA Cup Champions – Will Harvey (Y7) and Will Smith (Y7)
U15 Girls Singles National ISA Plate Champion – Emily Hennegan (Y10)
U15 Boys Doubles National ISA Plate Champions – Alex Beck (Y10) and Tim Peyret (Y10)
U15 Boys Singles National ISA Cup Runners-Up – Will Gower (Y9)
U15 Boys Doubles National ISA Cup Runners-Up - Will Gower (Y9) and Xander MacRae (Y10)
U13 Boys Doubles National ISA Cup – Henry Fox (Y8) and Angus Griffin (Y7)

Jen Law continued, "All of the Princethorpe players showed depth and courage in their play. The Finals were a fantastic learning experience for us. A great day of tennis - well played to all the pupils who participated in the tournament.”

Foundation Assistant Head, Alex Darkes and Trendgrey MD, Nick Henderson, visited Warwick Steel in Deppers Bridge near Southam on Wednesday 4 May to see the fabrication of the steel frames for the College’s new Science Centre. There they met MD Tony Langford and Martin Furniss, Contracts Manager, who works alongside Tony.

Warwick Steel has been established for 30 years and Tony Langford, who has had a lifetime in steel, spends most of his days in the workshop involved with the fabrication process. Both Tony and Martin are no strangers to Princethorpe, having provided the steel structure to several parts of our buildings including the Sixth Form Centre which was opened in 2007.

Warwick Steel is now located at The Grange Works at Deppers Bridge, where it has recently re-located, as HS2 will go through their former workshop in Southam. They pride themselves on being the preferred suppliers for some of the largest blue-chip companies, including many in the motor industry.

During the visit, Alex and Nick were given a tour of the company’s three workshops that include a main fabrication area where colossal I-section beams of up to 18 metres in length are cut down to size using a giant electric twin pillar bandsaw, after which they may be additionally drilled or have take-off points and fixings welded to them using oxy-acetylene. They saw the vast flatbed, computer-controlled, plasma cutter able to accurately cut flat materials up to 5cm in thickness and drilling, bending and guillotine machines which were all on hand. They also visited the paint shop, in between the cutting and fabrication shops, where the finished structures are painted – usually either red or grey.

The steels for Princethorpe’s Science Centre, most of which have been sourced from western Europe, are just over 100 tonnes. Formed from precise cross-sections, to defined standards, the steels will provide a durable, strong and flexible frame for the new building. They will take four flat-bed loads to deliver from the factory to the Princethorpe site.

Alex Darkes said, “Significant progress has been made on the construction project since the preparatory earthworks began back in late February, and it was good to be able to visit Warwick Steel today to see the process of the steels being made. Whilst we can see the new building progressing, it’s the installation of the steels that will really show that the new building is becoming a reality. Thanks to all the staff at Warwick Steel and to Nick Henderson, MD of Trendgrey, for organising this fascinating visit. We’re delighted that another part of the contract will benefit the local economy and also cut down on fuel miles. I am really looking forward to seeing the steels all bolted into place.”

Nick Henderson of Trendgrey, the lead contractor for the project, added, “We are pleased with the progress we’re making with the Science Centre. Getting the steel framework in place is always a significant milestone in delivering a new building. So we are looking forward to seeing Tony and his team on site soon at Princethorpe erecting the steelwork for the project.”

A small group of former St Mary’s Priory Old Girls, or VSOPs as we like to call them, received a very warm welcome when they visited the former convent of the Benedictine nuns in Fernham, over the recent Bank Holiday weekend.

The community of 33 nuns, led by Mère Benedict, moved to Fernham in 1966 after they sold the estate at Princethorpe to the MSCs for £160,000. Over the years they extended the property to include a Chapel and additional nuns’ cells, but as the property became too large for their needs, the decision came to sell the property and around 2003 the remaining sisters joined various other communities, including Minster Abbey in Ramsgate, Benedictine Abbey in Chester, Oulton Abbey in Staffordshire and Boarbank Hall in Cumbria. We are delighted to keep in touch with Srs Mary Bernard OSB, Mary Catherine OSB, Mary Lucy OSB and Mary Stephen OSB.

The house, still named St Mary’s Priory, has undergone significant changes since the nuns were in residence and is now the family home of well-known impressionist Rory Bremner and his talented sculptor wife, Tessa Campbell Fraser. The Bremners could not have been more welcoming and friendly and were delighted to show the group around the grounds, the nuns’ graveyard (where 24 of the nuns are buried) and inside their beautiful property.

With its private setting and wonderful views over the Vale of the White Horse, the party, some of whom had visited during the nuns’ tenure, could easily understand why the house had appealed so much to the community all those years ago and what a wrench it must have been when the time came to leave.

Over coffee and cake outside in the sunshine, the group who had been taught by the nuns during the 50s and 60s, reminisced about their experiences and swapped stories with the Bremners, whose current postman used to deliver to the nuns.

After thank yous and farewells, the visit organised by Foundation Assistant Head, Alex Darkes, was rounded off with a delicious pub lunch nearby.

The party comprised, Biddy Allen (whose father, Princethorpe home farm bailiff, Lewis Baines had helped the nuns find the property and moved them in 1966), sisters Mary Holgate and Liz Hughes, Marianne Horne, Judy Povey and Mary Wheildon. Supported by Loretta Curtis (Princethorpe), Alex Darkes (Princethorpe) and Melanie Butler (Old Princethorpians Secretary, Princethorpe).

Comments Alex Darkes, “This was very much something of a highlight for me. Meeting our VSOPs from the days of St Mary’s Priory always enables us to add more pieces to the Princethorpe jig-saw puzzle. These past pupils hold very dear the Princethorpe ethos and friendships as we do and this was a marvellous opportunity to enjoy a reunion with the wonderful hospitality of the Bremners, in a house which is still central to the Princethorpe story.”

Many thanks to Peter Kay and Aled James from DCA Design International Ltd who joined us on Friday 6 May for our latest STEAM Talk.

Peter and Aled shared their different design career journeys with pupils and brought along a host of products that DCA Design have helped produced. They spoke about the many roles and opportunities available in the product design industry and shared how the design team work together to develop new and innovative products.

The range of products and projects they have worked upon was incredible and it provided a fascinating insight for pupils into the opportunities and careers available in product design.

Princethorpe College was delighted to welcome, award-winning author, Tom Palmer, to school on Thursday 12 May. Princethorpe’s Year 7 pupils have been studying Tom’s compelling story, After The War, in their English lessons, and they thrilled to meet the author himself.

Tom has written over 50 books, despite struggling with reading as a child. He began his career writing about sport and is well known for his Football Academy, Foul Play and The Squad series. He graduated on to war stories starting with Over the Line, a story about a professional footballer’s experience in the First World War and now has six stories loosely based on real life characters and events that engage both as history education as well as on a human level.

During an absorbing afternoon, Tom spoke openly to Year 7 pupils, discussing the inspiration behind his books. He shared his journey to becoming an author and answered a host of questions from our enthusiastic pupils. His down to earth and frank manner, drawing the children in.

Tom Palmer was clearly delighted with his appreciative audience and after his talk happily signed copies of his books for the children.

School Librarian and Teacher of Drama, Celia Scott, commented, “We were honoured to have Tom visit Princethorpe, he was just so interesting. Year 7 were mesmerised by his stories and bursting with questions. It was a fascinating afternoon for us all, and we just can’t wait to read Tom’s next book Resist.”

Put together 113 Sixth Formers, 18 professionals and one day, Wednesday 11 May, and you get a very successful Sixth Form Interview Skills Day.

Designed to perfect their interview technique, sharpen communication skills, presentational qualities and the ability to respond to feedback, during the day the College's Lower Sixth students each took part in a formal interview.

Taking the role of interviewer were senior professionals from a variety of different business backgrounds. All were past or present parents, with years of interviewing experience out in the working world.

In readiness for their one-to-one interviews, students had submitted their curriculum vitaes to be scrutinised beforehand. Exactly like in a real interview these documents formed the basis of questions that were discussed. Then at the end of the interview the professionals provided valuable feedback with constructive suggestions for improvement.

Feedback was very positive with many of the interviewers commenting on how impressed they were with the College's Lower Sixth students.

Head of Careers, Jacqui Quinney, commented, “Our Lower Sixth were encouraged to prepare well for these interviews. Our aim was to provide them with a head start in developing their interview technique. It was an extremely important day for them all as they face the looming reality of university and workplace interviews. The skills practised today will benefit all of our students and we are immensely grateful to the volunteer interviewers who have given up their time to help us today.”

Ethan Smith has landed his dream job after being accepted as a Police Constable Degree Apprentice. The Upper Sixth Former, who is currently studying for A-levels in Law, Psychology and English Literature and Language has wanted to join the police force since he was a boy. He will now embark on a three-year Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship – a programme that combines practical on-the-job training with academic learning to achieve a BSc degree in Professional Policing Practice.

Ethan certainly has a ‘can-do’ and tenacious attitude having completed a five-stage application process. After the initial application over a period of months he sat psychometric tests, completed an assessment centre, a panel interview and finally a series of pre-employment checks.

Ethan commented, “To be offered this opportunity is a dream come true and I am determined to make the most of it. I know I will be learning every day and gaining invaluable hands-on experience.”

Added Jacqui Quinney, Princethorpe Head of Careers, “This is amazing news for Ethan. His degree apprenticeship will develop invaluable skills that will certainly help him with his future career. Choosing a degree apprenticeship is an excellent career choice for aspiring school leavers. Ethan has chosen a practical and vocational degree; he will be paid a salary and incur no tuition fees and on completion of his course he will already have years of experience.”

Ethan continued, “Police work will allow me to help people and make a difference in the community. There will be plenty of challenges, but every day will be different, and I am really looking forward to starting the programme later this year.”

Crackley Hall’s Junior 4 pupils and Crescent School’s Year 4 took part in a half-day music technology workshop at Princethorpe College on Thursday 12 May. Hosted by Director of Music, Gil Cowlishaw, and Music Teacher, Alison Wakeley, the sessions took place in the College’s dedicated Music Technology suite and in IT classrooms. The children were introduced to computer music production concepts such as sequencing and arrangement and then encouraged to experiment. Using the technology software Soundtrap, the children enjoyed creating music in a completely new way. Starting with drum machine patterns and loops and adding texture through the addition of bass, keyboard and even vocal lines the children each created their own unique piece.

After a short break and an obligatory Princethorpe cookie, the children moved on to explore the concept of harmony. This time using online song writing software Hookpad, the children built a pattern of major and minor chords and overlaid their own melodies. Finally, the children listened to their music in a variety of music styles including rock, pop, jazz and even reggae.

The Year 4s clearly enjoyed the workshop and exploring music in a new way and everyone was able to save their creations to their OneDrive accounts to take home to share with their families.

Mr Cowlishaw, commented, “We had lots of fun in our music technology taster, the children were all fantastic to work with and created some amazing pieces.”

At the end of last week, the College welcomed specialist education transport consultants Vectare to school as part of their review of our school bus services. Four of the Vectare team, Adam, Dominic, Peter and Thomas joined pupils on bus routes to and from school to experience and evaluate the routes currently served.

Once their review is completed, Vectare will present their findings to the College and work on revised routes and timetables, details of which will be published in the second half of the Trinity Term.

Upper Sixth leaver, Ishbel Kempton, is the lucky winner of the College’s Upper Sixth Leavers' Princethorpe Connect Prize Draw, winning a £25 Amazon Voucher and a magnum of champagne for her table at the Leavers’ Ball on Wednesday 29 June at Coombe Abbey.

All the Upper Sixth were encouraged to join Princethorpe Connect over the last few weeks giving them access to our online alumni network, careers and mentoring advice, the termly OP e-newsletter and OP Friendly Faces, our initiative to match new undergraduates with OPs at universities around the country. They will also be able to view their Leavers’ Ball photos on the platform after the event.

Any of the Upper Sixth who have yet to join can do so by going to connect.princethorpe.co.uk and creating a profile as an Upper Sixth leaver.

All the Upper Sixth leavers profiles will be go live on Friday 13 May.

Parents of Upper Sixth leavers, for whom this is their last year in the Foundation, are also very welcome to join as a Former Parent and can do so be going to connect.princethorpe.co.uk and creating a profile as a Former parent.

Parents might also like to take a look at the Princethorpe Connect Online Shop and purchase some of our souvenir items which include the OP Tie, Tower Pin, Scarf, Pen and the Soaring Redbrick Tower Fine Art Print.

connect.princethorpe.co.uk/shop

Wishing all our Upper Sixth leavers well as they come to the end of their Princethorpe journey. Good luck to them all in their exams and do please keep in touch, we always love to hear how you are doing.

The latest issue of The Old Princethorpian, the Princethorpe Foundation’s termly alumni e-newsletter for past pupils, staff and parents, has just been published and was emailed out over last weekend. If you haven’t seen it yet then you can find it here: http://www.oldprincethorpian.co.uk

The newsletter aims to keep our alumni in touch with each other and news, developments and events across the Foundation. It includes the latest Foundation and College news, and plenty of news and updates from OPs across the decades.

There is a bumper Events section as we have a busy term planned. On Saturday we have our OPs Bluebells and Brunch, and then there are all the usual summer events including the OPs Summer Supper Reunion. Full details can be found in the Events section on Princethorpe Connect here: https://connect.princethorpe.co.uk/events

We hope everyone enjoys reading the newsletter and finding out what is going on in the alumni community. Please do share it with any alumni you know.