The Flagpole

Although the school is open we are running a reduced calendar of events as we work within the requirements of social distancing restrictions. Events for the Michaelmas 2020 Term can be found on the College website or on My School Portal.

A summary of upcoming events can also be found below:

• Junior Sports Day - Saturday 12 September
• Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Expedition Group B - departs Saturday 12 September
• VSOP Virtual Mass and Reunion - Saturday 12 September
• Virtual Heritage Open Day - Sunday 13 September
• Year 11 Sixth Form Taster Experience - Monday 14 September
• Year 9 Parents Virtual Duke of Edinburgh Meeting -Tuesday 15 September
• Parents Reading Group - Wednesday 16 September
• Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Expedition Group A - departs Saturday 19 September
• Virtual Headmaster's Quiz For New Parents - Friday 25 September 
• College Open Day - Sunday 4 October

Saturday 12 September 2020 - 11.00am to 1.00pm

We are looking forward to hosting the ‘old girls’ from St Mary’s Priory for a Virtual Reunion this coming weekend. Known to us as VSOPs (Very Special Old Princethorpians) the old girls who were pupils at the school during the 50s and 60s were due to attend our biennial St. Mary’s reunion lunch this September but, due to COVID-19, we have unfortunately had to postpone their in person meet up until next year (Saturday 11 September 2021).

Instead this weekend, on Saturday 12 September, we will be hosting a virtual reunion for them and have put together a very special programme for the old girls to enjoy. Starting with Father Teddy O’Brien MSC celebrating Mass, the old girls will then enjoy a virtual tour of the College buildings and grounds. That will be followed by a live Princethorpe Quiz presided over by longstanding Princethorpian, Assistant Head, Alex Darkes, before the College Archivist, Janette Ratcliffe, takes everyone into the archives to explore the latest donations. The event will finish with an informal online get-together, to allow time for everyone to chat and reminisce.

The virtual reunion will take place on Saturday from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm via the Zoom platform. Full and simple instructions and a running order have been sent out ahead of the event, and the old girls will be able to access the virtual reunion from a mobile, tablet or laptop.

We are really looking forward to hosting everyone and catching up on all our VSOPs’ news.

There is still time to register for the event and we encourage all the old girls to get involved, please visit https://connect.princethorpe.co.uk/event/former-pupils-of-st-mary-s-priory-vsops-virtual-reunion or email oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk.

They are always fascinating get togethers and we always learn new stories and facts about our beloved Princethorpe.

Sunday 13 September 2020 - 2.00pm

Heritage Open Days, England’s biggest heritage and culture festival returns this September and Princethorpe College is once again taking part.

This Sunday 13 September visit the College website www.princethorpe.co.uk to join in with our virtual heritage event.  Links to the Tour will be available on the home page of the websiite and they will e posted on the school's social media as well. Take an interactive tour of the College buildings and grounds with Foundation Archivist, Janette Ratcliffe and Assistant Head, Alex Darkes.

Explore the Chapel and take a behind the scenes look at what was once St. Mary’s Priory. Visit the quintessential Quad that has featured in BBC period productions. Enjoy the stunning stained glass in what is now the Library, visit the nuns’ final resting place in the Roundhouse, uncover the hidden secrets of Little Switzerland and so much more.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to get under the skin of one of Warwickshire’s iconic landmarks. In a fully interactive virtual tour, you can explore Princethorpe from the comfort of your armchair.

Whether you attended the school, are a history enthusiast or just live locally and have always wanted to visit, do join us for a fascinating insight into the history of the school.

You can find out more about Heritage Open Days on their website here.

Wednesday 16 September - 7.00pm

The Parents' Reading Group has been running for many years now. A group of parents get together once a month to discuss a book we have all previously agreed on. It's an opportunity for readers to share their reading interests with others and to pick up suggestions to broaden their own reading. We are very eclectic in our tastes and completely unpretentious. We'd welcome newcomers and can guarantee all a warm and friendly welcome when we are once again able to meet.

We did have a meeting scheduled in the library on Wednesday 16 September but circumstances will not permit us to meet at present. Many of us have kept in touch about books via email, so I will be in touch with members at around that time and perhaps we can share some thoughts on our favourite lockdown reads.  Please let me know if you’d like to be on the reading group emailing list (chriskerrigan@princethorpe.co.uk) and I’ll add you to it. All dates for this term are in the school calendar and I hope we’ll soon be able to meet again in person. We look forward to welcoming a few new faces when permitted to meet, but until them we’ll continue to share reading suggestions via email.

Chris Kerrigan
Head of English

Friday 25 September 7.00pm – 9.00pm

Families new to the school this year (Years 7 - 10) are invited to attend the Headmaster's Quiz.  

This year due to the coronavirus restrictions we will be holding the event virtually, most likely through Zoom. It should be a very enjoyable evening for all and enable you to meet a number of other parents new to the College, as well as some staff and members of the PTA.  

You will receive an email in the next few days with more details.

I very much hope you are able to attend and I look forward to quizzing with you on Friday 25 September; if you have any queries please email admissions@princethorpe.co.uk or call 01926 634201

Ed Hester
Headmaster

Open Day - Sunday 4 October 2020 10.00am to 3.00pm

Princethorpe College is planning on holding an Open Day on Sunday 4 October from 10.00am to 3.00pm.

The day will be split into three hour-long sessions and visitors will be asked to book a specific session, so we can manage numbers and adhere to government guidelines.

This event is aimed at families who have not had the chance to visit the College previously and have a prospective pupil for Years 7 to 10 specifically interested in September 2021 entry. A maximum of two family members will be able to attend with the prospective pupil.

Each session will open with a Welcome Address by our Headmaster, Ed Hester and then visitors will follow a route around key school locations.

Light takeaway refreshments will be available.

To register for this event please click here.

At the moment, under the coronavirus restrictions, we are unable to welcome visitors into school on normal school days.

Depending on the developing situation we are planning a second Open Morning later in the Michaelmas Term. The Open Morning is scheduled for Thursday 26 November 2020 from 10.30am to 12.30pm and again will be by appointment only. 

For further information on admissions and entry to the College in 2021 visit our website here or contact the Admissions Team on 01926 634201/634262 or by email admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

Wednesday 7 October 2020 - 09.00am to 4.00pm

The Crescent School, the Foundation's junior school for 4 to 11 year olds in Bilton, Rugby, is opening its doors for an Open Day on Wednesday 7 October from 09.00am - 4.00pm by appointment only.

This is an opportunity to look around the school on a normal working day and to meet the school's Headmaster, Joe Thackway. This event is for parents and pupils seeking entry in September 2021, please contact the Registrar to book your appointment.

The Crescent is also planning to hold a Reception and Pathfinders Nursery Open Evening on Tuesday 17 November between 7.00pm and 8.00pm, which will give parents an insight into the Early Years at Crescent and the firm foundation the school gives children for their future learning. Pathfinders, the on-site partner nursery, which has been rated ‘outstanding’ by OFSTED, will also be open on the evening should parents wish to visit. Once again this will be an appointment only event.

For more information please contact the Registrar, Mrs Helen Morley on 01788 523851 or by email on admissions@crescentschool.co.uk or visit the school's website http://www.crescentschool.co.uk.

Thursday 8 October 2020 - 9.00am to 4.00pm

Crackley Hall School and Little Crackers Nursery, in Kenilworth, are opening their doors for an Open Day on Thursday 8 October from 9.00am - 4.00pm by appointment only.

This is an opportunity to look around the school on a normal working day and to meet the school's Headmaster, Rob Duigan. This event is for parents and pupils seeking entry in September 2021, please contact the Admissions Secretary to book your appointment.

Crackley Hall School will also be holding a Nursery and Reception Open Evening on Thursday 19 November between 7.00pm and 8.00pm, which will give parents an insight into the Early Years at Crackley Hall and Little Crackers.  Mrs Susan Glen-Roots, the Assistant Head for Early Years, will be on hand, as well as the rest of the Reception and Little Crackers Team. This event will also be by appointment only.

For more information please contact our Admissions Secretary, Mrs Jenny Vaughan on 01926 514410 or by email admissions@crackleyhall.co.uk or visit the school's website http://www.crackleyhall.co.uk.

Saturday 7 November and Saturday 14 November
9.00am to 12.15pm and 1.30pm to 4.45pm

During the Michaelmas Term the College is holding taster experiences for children currently in Year 6 (children born between 1 September 2009 and 31 August 2010), who are interested in admission to the College in September 2021.

There will be four sessions over two dates - Saturday 7 November and Saturday 14 November. Places will be limited and need to be booked.

Each session will involve a welcome introduction from Headmaster, Mr Hester and the chance to experience two taster lessons with a small group of 10-12 other children. The sessions will be carefully managed to adhere to social distancing and government guidelines.

Light refreshments will be provided.

To book your child's place please complete a booking and consent form, available on our school website here.

Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. 

For more information please email admissions@princethorpe.co.uk or call 01926 634201/262.

We have great pleasure in unveiling the OPs' events calendar for the forthcoming academic year.

This year's calendar features many of our regular favourites which we hope dependent on government guidelines at the time, will be able to go ahead. Some of our first events will be virtual, but we look forward to seeing OPs face to face again soon.

All OPs, past parents and staff are welcome to participate in any or all of the events. Click here to download the calendar or visit Princethorpe Connect, our online community to register and book events.

You can also visit the Old Princethorpians section at www.princethorpe.co.uk/ops for more information on Old Princethorpians.