The Flagpole

Registrations for September 2018 entry to the College are at an all time high. Entrance Exams for Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 entry have moved to November and a publicity campaign to ensure awareness of the change has proven very effective.

Comments, Melanie Butler, Assistant Head, Marketing and Admissions, "We have had a huge response in terms of registrations by last Friday's deadline and are looking at our biggest ever entrance exam session. We are still accepting registrations but parents should be advised that the Saturday session is now full and we will be looking at an additional session on the Monday to accommodate everyone. It's very important to us that the children have a good experience on the day so we will have to manage numbers carefully.

Any outstanding registration forms should be submitted as soon as possible.

Those wishing to have one last look around are most welcome at Open Morning on Thursday 2 November from 10.30am to 12.30pm. It is as far as possible a normal working day, with pupils from Years 7 and 8 acting as tour guides.

For more information on admissions please contact the Registrar, Mrs Vanessa Rooney on 01926 634201 or email admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

Saturday 11 November - 9.30am to 3.30pm

Entrance Examinations for Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 take place on Saturday 11 November 2017 from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

Candidates are requested to report to the college between 9.00am and 9.30am; it is advisable that candidates should not arrive prior to 9.00am. Please enter the school via the Pupils’ Entrance in the playground. Candidates should wear their current school uniform and bring a pen, two pencils, eraser and ruler. Candidates for Years 9 and 10 (13+ and 14+) should bring a calculator, protractor and a relevant language dictionary. Candidates will have the opportunity to play outside at lunchtime, if the weather is kind to us. 

Candidates for Years 7, 8 and 9 are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new online test by visiting https://www.intuproject.org/CEMSelect/CSFamiliarisation.swf for a short demonstration. (If you experience difficulties opening this link please try Internet Explorer.)

The examinations will end at 3.30pm and parents are invited to tea with members of the Parent Teacher Association from 3.15pm onwards.

Those attending the additional Monday session will be advised of the timings and arrangements by the Registrars.

Good luck to all the candidates!

Princethorpe College pupils have once again supported World Porridge Day raising money for the Scottish charity Mary’s Meals. Championed by Sixth Form students and Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Mr Rod Isaacs, pupils have participated in a posse of Scottish and porridge themed fundraising fun, raising a total of £258.45 which this year will be used to support a feeding programme at Makalanga Primary School in Malawi.

For World Porridge Day Princethorpe pupils were invited to dig deep at break time and, instead of buying their usual mid-morning snack, purchase the traditional Scottish breakfast, a pot of porridge, from the College refectory.  In return for a small donation they could opt for either a simple plain porridge or a deluxe, extra special, with toppings of their choice.

The Scottish theme continued at lunchtime on the school fields where only the brave participated in the William Wallace Welly Wanging Challenge.  Pupils and staff payed for the privilege, the honour of their house and some delicious highland toffee, in an attempt to break the College record.   This year the winning throw came from Joe Connell whose Welly Wang reached a whopping 33m for More House (new record), Haydn Connell (also More) threw 31m.  Best in House for Fisher - Leo Race 28m, for Austen - Alex Hutcheson 27m and for Benet - Callum Cooke 26m. Best staff throw - Matt Parsons 30m.

Sixth Form Charity Prefect, Ben Haden, one of several Scottish Wild Men roaming the campus to chivvy fellow students into donating their pennies said, “For many children a simple bowl of vitamin enriched maize porridge, or likuni phala as it is commonly known in Malawi, will be their only meal of the day. Our day here at Princethorpe has involved much fun and laughter, yet beneath this we know that we are contributing towards changing people’s lives for the better. Princethorpe pupils have recognised the vital role that porridge plays in feeding projects that help to address the issue of child hunger across the globe.”

World Porridge Day, held annually on 10 October, is a fundraising event organised by Mary’s Meals in aid of starving children in the developing world. The charity provides daily meals in a place of learning, addressing both the immediate needs of hungry children whilst encouraging them to go to school where they can gain an education that, in the future, can help them out of poverty. Through their school feeding programmes in 14 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean they feed over 1.25 million children every year.  It costs just £13.90 to feed a child for a year.

Princethorpe College’s charity minded Sixth Formers blitzed the school day with an array of pink costumes as the College celebrated its annual ‘Pink Day’.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and, with one in eight women being diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lifetime, the Sixth Form ‘Wear it Pink’ to raise funds for the research programmes funded by Breast Cancer charities.

In true Princethorpe tradition, the Sixth Formers wholeheartedly embraced the theme, turning up dressed as pink pigs, fairies, cheerleaders and fluffy pink onesies galore. Every pupil in the school made a cash donation for the non-uniform day and the coffers were swelled by a break time cake sale. Pastel coloured cup-cakes and biscuits went down a treat, all in a bid to raise awareness of the women who suffer from this terrible disease.

Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Mrs Anne Allen, was delighted in the support students gave to the cause.

“We only have to make a suggestion and the Sixth Formers run with the idea, keen to make it as successful and enjoyable as possible.”

A special lunch time event caused much amusement amongst younger pupils as Sixth Form boys and girls dressed in pink attire and paraded down the cat walk.

“We are still counting but it looks likely that we will have raised well over £500 for the charity,” commented Mrs Allen. “For an end of half term fund raising effort, this reflects how brilliantly the College community comes together to support those in need.”

The inaugural performance in the College’s recently refurbished theatre was a moving performance of Diane Samuels' classic 1993 play, Kindertransport. The play movingly portrays the psychological scars left on some of the 10,000 unaccompanied Jewish children who were evacuated to England from Europe between December 1938 and the declaration of war against Germany.

The story starts in Hamburg where a mother selflessly prepares her daughter Eva for her escape.  Whilst in modern day England, another mother, the uptight, cleanliness fanatic Evelyn, is helping a daughter to leave home. When the latter discovers belongings revealing that Eva is Evelyn's secret past, she becomes upset and angry.

This painfully plausible story echoes Eva’s favourite fairy-tale about child stealing,The Rat-Catcher. The emotional legacy of the Kindertransport, mixed with the issue of inter-generational conflict provided a gripping mother and daughter story that held the audience enthralled as the play moved between past and present.

It was a fabulous and fitting production for the new theatre to open with, put together by Drama teacher, Alyson Goodey and a small cast of six pupils - Maymie Alford, Georgia McCallum and Abbie O’Carroll-Bailey from Year 10, Carys Burchell and Natasha Carter from Year 9 and Tom Lomas from Year 7.  

Alyson commented, “It has been a pleasure to work with such a dedicated cast and crew. Congratulations to them all on a great performance -  a stunning first for the new theatre!”

Head of Drama and Theatre Studies, Aileen Cefaliello, echoed her praise, “A big thank you to Alyson Goodey and her small yet mighty cast for their commitment in presenting this moving piece of Theatre.  The technical crew were professional to the fingertips too!”

Our Sixth Form Open Evening took place on the evening of Wednesday 11 October.  It was an ideal opportunity for Year 11 pupils to discover what Princethorpe’s Sixth Form has to offer. Over the course of the evening some 130 internal and external applicants and their parents toured the school, visiting the various A-level departments, meeting staff and current Sixth Formers and hearing more about subjects and exciting enrichment and co-curricular opportunities.

With some 26 different courses available there was plenty to choose from, including completely new subjects to consider such as Law and Psychology. The diversity of subject choices the College offers is a real strength when so many mainstream schools are restricting student choices these days.   

Headmaster, Ed Hester, Head of Sixth Form, Ben Collie and Sixth Formers Tom Warne and Aimee Sen-Gupta, gave a series of short overview presentations and it was great to see the new theatre packed to the gunnels with parents and prospective pupils.  Excellent academic results are of course a vital feature of any Sixth Form provision, but Mr Hester talked about the College’s family ethos, the focus on adding value for the individual, supporting students to achieve their personal best as well as the uniquely Princethorpe opportunities, such as the Princethorpe Diploma, that add so much value to students’ future university, apprenticeship or employment applications.

As always the evening was very busy with plenty of interest being shown across the subjects. Sixth Formers acted as tour guides for our external visitors and talked enthusiastically about their experiences.  External candidates have the opportunity to join us for Sixth Form Taster Days in either December or January. More information on these days is available from the Registrars.

Head of Sixth Form, Ben Collie reminded everybody, “The next stage is to decide on the subjects you might wish to study, as a rule of thumb focus on the subjects you enjoy and are doing well in.  Current Year 11s will be well supported throughout the process, which will pick up speed after the GCSE mocks in January.”

For anyone who was unable to make Wednesday's Sixth Form Open Evening, Information Packs available on the night will be sent home in the post. 

To view Wednesday's Sixth Form Open Evening Presention, please click here.

To download a copy of the 2018/19 Sixth Form Information Booklet, please click here. 

If pupils would like to make an appointment with the Careers Department, please contact Head of Careers, Jacqui Quinney at jacquiquinney@princethorpe.co.uk.

Visiting Roman Centurions invaded Princethorpe College on Tuesday 10 October armed with swords and scutums (shields) ready to do battle. It was Year 7 Roman Day, a day when every pupil in the year enjoys lessons full of tales of blood and gore, as they learn about the Roman invasion and settlement of Britain.

The Centurions’ passion and knowledge of the period was vividly dramatised as the two men, dressed in full legionnaire’s costume, brought to life the strategic tactics and organisation of the Roman fighting machine. With replica costumes and equipment based on real archaeological finds the sessions complimented the lessons Year 7 have been studying in History this half term.

Lucky class ‘volunteers’ dressed up in full body armour and attempted to carry a soldier’s kit, as Roman Tours expert, Centurion Ocratius Maximii, captivated the new recruits with graphic stories of life in the Roman Army and fascinating facts about all things Roman. Oliver Alford was just one of the lucky pupils who donned the Roman Tunica, Lorica (armour) and Galea (helmet) and then picked up his soldier’s kit and prepared to march. Oliver and his classmates were also treated to lessons in sword skills and battle tactics from the greatest army of the time.

Peter Bucknall, Head of History said, “The Year 7s have learnt all about the life of a soldier, his training and his clothing and armour, but they have also discovered lots of interesting background information about Roman times. The Centurions’ visit has left pupils buzzing with curiosity and keen to find out more, it was a fantastic day’s learning for all who took part.”

Click here to access the twenty sixth issue of the Old Princethorpian which came out last Friday 6 October.

This issue includes the latest Foundation and College news, reviews of the last events of the Golden Jubilee Year, plus plenty of news and updates from OPs across the decades.

If you are an OP or know an OP who would like to share their news or pictures with us for the next issue due out in the spring please email oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk by the beginning of February.

If you would like to be added to the distribution list please email Melanie Butler.

Princethorpe English Teacher, Jess Newborough and OP and Deputy ICT Manager, Becky Thornton will be taking to the stage in late November in the Sudden Impulse Theatre Company's production of The Accrington Pals at Nuneaton's Abbey Theatre.

The production, by Peter Whelan, is set in Accrington during 1914-16 and contrasts the experiences of the ‘Pals’, the local volunteer battalion, in the trenches, with the women they have left behind. It is an, at times funny, at times sad, portrayal of the challenges of the war years, of the womenfolk who held the fort, who flourished despite their anxiety and their troubles when terrible news inevitably comes home.

Jess will be playing Annie, wife to the very religious Arthur Boggis, mother to the rascal Reggie, a bit of a harridan, and often the butt of humour, but with glimpses of the warmer person she might have become. Whilst Becky plays May, a strong willed, independent woman whose second-cousin (and secret love) Tom, takes up the call for volunteers. Left at home to build up the business, she is torn between her new found opportunity and her desire to keep her cousin safe.

Becky says, “I am really excited to be back on stage; my days of treading the boards at Princethorpe seem a lifetime ago. It feels very a propos that my return to College life also marks my return to theatre!”

Jess comments, “The Accrington Pals is the fourth in the series of World War One centenary tribute plays Sudden Impulse Theatre Company has performed.  Last November I played Mrs Peaceful, in the Michael Morpurgo story Private Peaceful, performing in front of some 100 of our Year 7 pupils. I am delighted that this year we have an Old Princethorpian joining us on stage.”

Many will have enjoyed her performance of Hippolyta, the Amazon queen in the company’s outdoor summer performance of A Midsummer’s Night Dream which played here at Princethorpe College on the Sixth Form lawn back in June.  The College is hoping the company will stage further outdoor performances at Princethorpe next summer.

Formed in 2014 the theatre company has won awards, most recently at the 2017 Buxton Festival and is renowned for the high quality, professional drama it produces.

The Accrington Pals will run from Wednesday 22 to Saturday 25 November.  Tickets are priced: £12 Adult/£10 Concessions, and are available from 07899 406843 or online at www.suddenimpulse.co.uk.

When it comes to having fun and finding new things to do our Development Assistant and former Registrar, Loretta Curtis, together with her best friend Di Downes, one of our Exam Invigilators, certainly know how.

Last year, just for a lark, they filled in a form for the television programme Bargain Hunt never expecting much to come of the application. Well, several months later Loretta received a phone call from a researcher at the BBC offering Di and herself a telephone interview. Not only did they pass that first round but also were then invited to an audition at a hotel in Warwick.

A few days later Loretta and Di received emails to say that the producer of the programme would be delighted to offer them the opportunity to come and film the ‘buying’ stage of Bargain Hunt in Hungerford. Well, never being a pair to turn down a chance of some entertainment off they went to the town for the filming. Antiques expert, Richard Madley, was on hand to offer advice and a valuation of the items that Di and Loretta were considering. What a time they had meeting lots of the crew and not forgetting their opponents, Clint and Matthew, a great day was had by all the teams. A few weeks later it was the auction at Bigwoods Auction House in Stratford on Avon. Another brilliant day – food and refreshments provided and lots of conversation between all the teams that were in action for the programme.

Di and Loretta are not letting on whether they won or not, made any money or not, and they are yet to find out when their programme will be televised but safe to say these two never miss a chance for some fun!

Our Year 7 pupils returned happy, exhausted and muddy from their residential trip to the Pioneer Centre at Cleobury Mortimer in Shropshire over the weekend of 30 September to 2 October. They had all grown in confidence having approached new challenges with determination and enthusiasm and enjoyed a memorable three days of organised activities.

The College took over 120 pupils for a three-day programme that included caving, climbing, abseil and zip wire, the big bounce, raft building and initiative games. Pupils also participated in a challenging tropical reptile experience and got the chance to boogie the night away at a lively and noisy Saturday night disco.

It was non-stop fun as the Year 7s tested their nerves as they climbed the big wall, swooped down the zip wire and explored the depths of the caving systems with only a little light on their helmets to see by. They developed leadership and team building skills as they built a raft to sail on the pond, and despite the mud all jumped in for a splash around in the cold. And the very brave overcame their fears as they got ‘hands on’ with snakes and lizards.

Deputy Head – Pastoral, Beth Sharpe said, “This was a fantastic early opportunity for the Year 7 pupils to bond together as a year group. They had an amazing time and were really kind and supportive of one another. They showed resilience and initiative and I know they have come back into school with new friends and better able to work together as a team.”

The Pioneer Centre is a superb purpose built activity holiday centre situated in stunning countryside on the edge of the Wyre Forest. Our pupils were a credit to themselves and to the school, the Pioneer staff commented on how well behaved they had been.

Year 7 pupils Sam, Dina and Rahul from ACW commented, “It was great. The activities were all fun! We even had fire alarms that a mouse set off in the night!”

Well done Year 7 Pioneers it is great to see such a positive approach from you all and a big thank you to all of the staff and Sixth Formers who supported the weekend it was another unforgettable Princethorpe residential!