The Flagpole

The College is preparing itself for its biggest ever Entrance Exams session tomorrow, Saturday 11 November, with over 300 children due to sit the exams across four age groups. 

Comments Melanie Butler, Assistant Head - Marketing, Admissions and Communications, "This year we have had particularly high levels of interest and following a successful Open Morning earlier in the month, the registrations have continued to flow in. We know that positive recommendations from current families will have played a large part in this success."

"We wish all the candidates the very best of luck, and look forward to seeing them bright and early in the morning!"

Arrangements for the Entrance Exams Day (11+, 12+, 13+ and 14+) are as follows:

Saturday 11 November 2017 - 9.30am to 3.45pm

Candidates are requested to report to the College between 8.45am and 9.30am; it is advisable that candidates should not arrive prior to 8.30am. 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 online test by visiting https://www.intuproject.org/CEMSelect/CSFamiliarisation.swf for a short demonstration.

The examinations will end at 3.45pm and parents are invited to tea with members of the Parent Teacher Association from 3.30pm onwards.

Another exceptional year of achievement, progress, creativity and contribution was celebrated at Princethorpe College’s prestigious annual Prize Giving Ceremony held at The Butterworth Hall, Warwick University Arts Centre last Friday 3 November.

This year the College was delighted to welcome a very special guest of honour, Old Princethorpian Jide Olanrewaju who was returning to the College for the very first time, accompanied by his family, to present the Biodun Olanrewaju Memorial Prize, which commemorates his father.

Before the ceremony the Old Princethorpians Committee hosted a special pre-prize-giving drinks reception for the returning Upper Sixth and their parents, providing a welcome opportunity for last year’s cohort to get together and catch up on their news since the summer.

New Chair of Trustees, Mrs Liz Griffin, opened the proceedings, warmly welcoming parents, friends of the College and Princethorpians old and new to the occasion.

In his formal address the Headmaster, Ed Hester, gave thanks to all those who make Princethorpe the special place it is - the Trustees, the MSCs, the staff, the senior team, the parents and most importantly the pupils. His warm words paid tribute to all that is done in support of the College, the kindness, the compassion and the values that underpin the success stories of so many of our pupils and not just those who received prizes on the evening. He reminded us all that a Princethorpe education can literally change the course of a young person’s life.

Mr Hester congratulated last year’s Year 11 and Upper Sixth on their examination results and reflected that the value added scores of this year’s A-level candidates were the best ever in the College’s history.

The atmosphere all evening was joyful and celebratory and there were superb musical interludes from the Year 7 Chorus, College Orchestra and College Jazz Band whose pieces, 'Lovely Day', 'We Are Family' and 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' fittingly emphasised the spirit of the occasion.

And then it was time for the presentation of the House Prizes for Progress and Achievement, the GCSE and A-level Examination Certificates and a myriad of trophies, cups and shields. Watching the stream of young people coming across the stage and shaking Mr Hester’s hand was truly inspiring and humbling. The talent in evidence, the grit and determination, the passion, enthusiasm and commitment were all applauded and honoured.

Some of the young people took to the Butterworth Hall stage with confidence, others more self-consciously, some made us laugh, some brought a tear to our eye as we listened to, Director of Studies, Michael Reddish’s poetic citations.

The poignancy of the occasion was perhaps best shown by the presentation of the Biodun Olanrewaju Memorial Prize. In making the presentation Jide talked about his family’s time here at the school, about the unstintinting care and support the College provided and how the family had set up the prize in memory of his late father who died tragically and who embodied the spirit and values of Princethorpe. The award which includes a £1,000 cash prize was this year presented to Lower Sixth Former James Fletcher.

And finally it was time for the main award, The Princethorpe Shield, the oldest and most prestigious College award presented annually to the student who is seen to embody the spirit and ethos of the College in many facets of their school life. It was a very popular decision, and with much hand shaking, back clapping and cheering Marcio Zheng was welcomed to the stage to receive the Shield.

Then to close the proceedings Head Girl, Miriam Issacs, and Head Boy, Tim Duffy, gave an eloquent vote of thanks before the evening finally came to an inspiring end with enthusiastic singing of the College Hymn, ‘Here I Am Lord’ by the assembled throng.

Prizewinners will shortly be sent a link to photographs of the occasion.

On Friday 10 November, at 11.00am, the whole College community gathered together to silently reflect on the sacrifices made by our brave service men and women. This year’s remembrance service was held outdoors on a cold and windy school playground.

Fr Alan Whelan’s opening prayer was followed by the sounding of the 'Last Post', the soft, melancholic and mournful notes played confidently by Year 8 trumpeter, Ben Murray.

The two-minute silence offered all a time for reflection, a shared moment to remember those who have given their lives for the peace and freedom we enjoy today.

Then came a selection of readings by pupils and the hymn 'Abide With Me' before a wreath was hung at the Pupils’ Entrance by two former servicemen, Groundsman, Sergeant Michael Luis and former navy officer, RS Teacher, Mr Cyprian Vella.

A final prayer from Mrs Beth Sharpe, Deputy Head Pastoral, brought the proceedings to a thoughtful close.

A much anticipated, logistically difficult and long awaited Princethorpe trip to Russia finally took place over the Michaelmas half term. Some 38 pupils and six staff headed off to Moscow and St Petersburg for six days of spectacular enlightenment, grand culture and pure adventure.

The pupils involved included Sixth Form historians and Soviet enthusiasts, Year 10 and 11 adventurers, looking for a more unusual travel experience and an independent Year 9 on a quest for knowledge and enrichment. All were to be enthralled by the unsurpassed scale of the enigmatic nation that is Russia.

The visit started in Moscow with a full city tour where amongst the many highlights the party took in the iconic Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral, a tour around the Kremlin and the very impressive Armoury Chamber. The next day included a morning visit to the Red Army Museum, before a fascinating exploration of the history of the Russian space programme at the Cosmonaut Museum, where Belka and Strelka the first dogs to be launched into space and safely return, are preserved. And then there was the Moscow Metro at rush hour, where it was not just about getting from A to B safely, but also a visual testament to Stalin’s idea of ‘Palaces for the people’, with its ornate carvings, chandeliers and huge paintings on the walls.

The group travelled onto St Petersburg to explore the grandeur and opulence of the Tsars’ palaces, including the Grand Palace and gardens (often referred to as the Russian Versailles) and the Yusupov Palace, an elegant baroque building full of rooms of amber and gold and famously the site of the assassination of Grigory Rasputin.

The group also got to explore the State Hermitage, a complex of six buildings including the Winter Palace, the largest museum in the world and the War Museum, also known as ‘Heroic defenders of Leningrad’ museum, a melancholic and sombre place where the horrors of the siege of the city in World War II were explored. There 900 candle style lights, lit the room, one for each day the citizens were trapped.

The final night saw a feast of traditional Russian food, including a hearty bowl of borsch at local tavern Masha and the Bear. Theatrical entertainment including traditional song and dance topped off the evening with lots of participation from pupils and notable performances from Mr Hester and Mr McCollin.

The pupils returned to the UK with amazing memories and an incredible array of Russian memorabilia purchased in the cities’ flea markets, with everything from traditional Russian dolls to soviet army hats, belts and even a pair of pilot goggles!

Ed Hester, Headmaster, commented “Russia was a fascinating country to visit, one which has been shaped by tragedy and idealism and tyranny, and which itself has had such a profound effect on 20th-century history.”

During the October half term 20 invited Performing Arts pupils from Years 8 to 11 visited the Big Apple on an exciting adventure to explore and experience the ‘dramatic’ American way of life. The trip was billed as an opportunity to bring together the music and drama departments at Princethorpe, developing friendships, understanding and team spirit across the different disciplines.

On the six-day trip, pupils visited some of New York’s most iconic landmarks, took in a Broadway show and were lucky enough to take part in a performing arts masterclass that also explored Broadway’s historical significance and the training process of a Broadway performer.

Leaving early on the morning of Tuesday 17 October the group travelled to Heathrow to board the plane for JFK, New York. After a long flight, the party arrived in New York and headed straight to their accommodation in the basic but centrally located YMCA, overlooking Central Park and an easy walk away from the Theatre District and Times Square.

Just one of the very many highlights of the trip was the chance to see the revival of the epic Boublil and Schönberg musical Miss Saigon which returned to the Broadway Theatre last year. The performance with its story of heartbreak and stunning special effects that included a helicopter, didn’t disappoint. Neither did the chance to participate in a performance workshop hosted by Broadway Performers, where, in a specially organised masterclass, pupils worked together to develop a storyline for a musical and then sang their song to an existing musical score.

The six-day trip also included a tour of the famous Lincoln Center, one of the world’s leading performing arts hubs and home to the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Ballet, the New York Philharmonic and many more. Then there was a meal at the famous Ellen's Stardust Diner, workplace of aspiring Broadway stars and home to the ‘singing waiters’, who take to the table-tops to whisk you off musical theatre heaven as you sit back and enjoy your favourite quintessential American diner food.

The action packed trip also included a trip up the Empire State Building, where pupils were graced with some mesmerising views of the city’s imposing skyline, a trip to the arresting and humbling Ground Zero Memorial and a visit to the renowned American Museum of Natural History. There was even time for a ‘picnic in the park’ on a visit to the Strawberry Fields Memorial, which is dedicated to the former Beatle, John Lennon, who lived the latter part of his life in New York, close to Central Park.

Director of Music, Gil Cowlishaw, said, “You can’t have a bad trip to New York, there is simply so much to do. We had an unforgettable, fun-filled six days and despite walking what felt like a thousand miles, we had an amazing time - the laughter and smiles just never stopped.”

Our thanks go to the four staff who accompanied the trip: Gil Cowlishaw, Aileen Cefaliello, Jess Newborough and Digby Carrington-Howell.

Pupils and staff at Princethorpe College gathered together on Monday 30 October for a whole school assembly. It was a chance to regroup and refocus after a productive start to the academic year and, for the many who went on school trips, a busy half term break.  It was also a chance to celebrate.

Ed Hester, Headmaster, led the assembly in practising Abide With Me, the hymn which will feature in services and in school remembrance ceremonies during the month of November. 

He also spoke to pupils about the critical role nutrition, exercise and sleep play in developing intelligence, physical and emotional maturity and the increasingly important impact of each individual’s digital footprint, a subject matter that will be discussed and developed further, within the College community, this half term.

Deputy Head Pastoral, Beth Sharpe, then took to the stage to announce the results of the 2016-2017 Merit Awards. She invited the top pupils in each House, Year Group and in the school overall to come forward and be presented with certificates to recognise their achievement. The College congratulates all of them for their commitment to the school’s values and ethos.  Well done to all.

Full details and photos of the award winners can be found on the school website www.princethorpe.co.uk.

Interviews are often seen as daunting and stressful, so in a bid to better equip our Upper Sixth Formers for the challenge, the Princethorpe’s Careers Team organised a mock Interview Day on Thursday 12 October. Designed to perfect their interview technique, sharpen their communication skills, presentational qualities and their ability to respond to feedback, each of our Sixth Form students took part in a thirty-minute mock interview with a professional whose field of expertise matched their future study and career interests.

Some 31 professionals from backgrounds such as: Law, Medicine, Television, Engineering, Architecture, Accountancy and Business kindly volunteered their time. Some were Old Princethorpians, some past or present parents, but all had responded to a request to support our pupils, in this, the most critical year of their school career.

In readiness for their one-to-one interviews pupils had submitted their curriculum vitae or personal statement to be scrutinised beforehand. Exactly like in a real interview these documents formed the basis of questions that were discussed. At the end of their interview our professionals provided valuable feedback with constructive suggestions for improvement.

Head of Careers, Jacqui Quinney, commented, “Our students 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 parents and Old Princethorpians who have given up their time to take part in the day.”

Just before half term an intrepid 47 Year 11 Geography pupils visited Preston Montford, one of the Field Studies Council’s specialist outdoor centres. Lying close to the Welsh border to the west of Shrewsbury in Shropshire, the field centre is a fantastic outdoor classroom where pupils can put into practise the key geographical skills they have studied in lessons. The two-day trip supported the geographical investigations modules that pupils undertake within their Geography GCSE.

Pupils spent one day exploring human geography topics, comparing the quality of life in the Castlefields and Radbrook Green districts of the county town of Shrewsbury. As part of their investigations they completed questionnaires and took photographs which they will put together with secondary data sources to complete their analysis. They then spent the second day investigating physical geography topics in Carding Mill Valley, near the Long Mynd. There they surveyed the rivers, undertaking measurements and investigating the changes downstream.

Mike Taylor, Head of Geography, said, “Preston Montford is an excellent Field Centre. We had a very busy two days and the trip has given pupils an excellent head start in component 3 of their GCSE, Geographical Investigations: Fieldwork and UK Challenges.”

As many of you may be aware, Princethorpe's Student Support Officer Julie Satchwell was heading to the Far East over October half-term to take on an epic fundraising challenge in aid of Ovarian Cancer Action. 

Julie continues her story below:

Well after eleven months planning, fundraising and training I finally completed my Great Wall of China trek challenge in aid of Ovarian Cancer Action during half-term! And what an unbelievable experience it was.

There were 42 of us that took on the challenge between the 14 and 22 October and collectively, we raised over £100,000 for numerous charities. Our group ranged from 23 to 60 years old (me being classed as one of the ‘oldies’) with the majority of trekkers being females and just two males! We trekked consecutively for five days which included two days on the tourist stretches of the Great Wall, Huangyaguan and Mutianyu, culminating with the ascent of the 'Heavenly Ladder' and 1,000 steps to the Wall and then a toboggan back down!

We then had three, tough long trekking days, on original parts of the Wall that linked three famous sections (Gubeikou-Jinshanling-Simatei). The Wall stretched miles into the distance, where we saw ruined watch towers, collapsed parts of the Wall and dirt tracks. One day we covered 27 watchtowers over the old brick-made steps. The terrain was varied from smooth flat sections to rugged, rocky old sections which included some extremely steep climbs with shear drops on either side. Not very good for those who suffer from vertigo…!

The trek also took us on some of the most beautiful parts of the Great Wall, along mountain ridges which gave a real flavour of the enormity of the task undertaken in building this incredible structure. We encountered lots of steps, with countless ascents and descents as we trekked along the Wall. However, the vista of the Great Wall disappearing over the mountains is a truly memorable sight which made every step worthwhile and will stay with me forever.

I have wonderful memories to cherish for a lifetime of this challenge for Ovarian Cancer Action and it was the best thing I have ever experienced in my whole life (apart from having my son). However, this challenge wouldn't have been possible without the support and generosity of my family, friends, staff and parents at Princethorpe College.

My fundraising currently stands at £4,500 which is truly amazing knowing my target was £2,800. Ovarian Cancer Action campaigns to ensure women and healthcare providers know the risk factors, symptoms and treatment options to enable informed and rapid action.

Once again thank you for your kindness and support.
Julie Satchwell

If you would like to support Julie's incredible fundraising mission, there is still chance to do so as her fundraising page will be open until the end of December. Please click here to donate: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/juliesatchwell