The Flagpole

Interesting artefacts, objects and articles that reflect modern day life, along with letters to the future from Year 7 pupils, were placed in a time capsule and buried on Tuesday 27 September under the College’s new Science Centre for future pupils of the school to find.

The special composite capsule was buried under the entrance to the new Science Centre which is currently under construction. It included letters and articles produced by Year 7 pupils in their History lessons, reflecting life today and their hopes for the future. Amongst the treasures was memorabilia from 2022, including a flag from the UEFA Women’s Euros, newspaper articles about the appointment of the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, and news of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II passing. Pupils also included popular comics, such as the Beano and The Week, as well as brochures and magazines reflecting the school. Then there was one last essential for life in the 2020s, a lateral flow test - something that hopefully will be a distant memory for those digging up the capsule in 2072. The location of the capsule has been registered with The International Time Capsule Society and can be opened in 50 years.

Year 7 pupils, Lauren Dent and Krishan Patel, together with their History teacher, Tracey Hester, and Foundation Assistant Head, Alex Darkes, handed over the time capsule to the contractors, Trendgrey Construction, who are building the new £8 million Science Centre at the top of the College’s Lime Walk. Lauren and Krishan then got to place the capsule in the cavity under the floor, assisted by Kevin Wynne, Site Manager, before the floor blocks were replaced and the cavity was sealed.

Comments, Foundation Assistant Head, Alex Darkes, “The new Science Centre is a significant project for Princethorpe and the burial of the time capsule is an exciting way for pupils to engage with and commemorate the new building.”

“There are some really interesting documents and artefacts in the time capsule that will be fascinating for future pupils to unearth in 2072. It was a pleasure to watch pupils come together to share these important memories, capturing the history of the school and life in 2022 and leaving behind treasures for future generations.”

An immense amount of hard work, and energy has gone into the new Science Centre project and the build is progressing well, with the current focus being on getting the building watertight. The project is on track to be completed by mid 2023 with the Science Centre opening its doors for pupils next school year.

The Lower Sixth enjoyed a fabulous few days at Dearne Valley, near Doncaster, last weekend. Their three-day trip, from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 September, offered the students the chance to develop leadership and initiative skills, build personal resilience and gave them the important opportunity to bond together as a group.

The 74 Lower Sixth Formers took part in a variety of outward-bound activities including Raft Building, Zip Wire, Night Line, Low Ropes, and Bush Craft. In the evenings they enjoyed sports and games in a mini-Olympic challenge and plenty of camaraderie around the campfire.

Everyone had fun and came back to school having made new friendships and discovered inner strengths. A great start to their time in the Sixth Form.

On Monday 26 September, our intrepid Year 11 Geography GCSE pupils set off for 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 were able to put into practise the geographical field skills they have been studying in their 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, investigating retail changes in the central business district in the county town of Shrewsbury. As part of their investigations, they completed questionnaires and took photographs which they will now put together with secondary data sources to complete their analysis. Then they also spent a day investigating physical geography topics in Carding Mill Valley, Church Stretton. There they surveyed the rivers, undertaking measurements and investigating how river channel characteristics change and how they relate to flooding 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 a fantastic head start in Component 3 of their GCSE, Geographical Investigations: Fieldwork and UK Challenges.”

Year 7 were lucky with the weather when they enjoyed a wonderful three-day programme at Whitemoor Lakes Outdoor Residential Centre.

Pupils took part in an itinerary that included fencing, canoeing, climbing, high ropes and problem solving. In groups they rotated around the different activities, working together to complete the challenges they were set. In the evenings they enjoyed team games and singing round the campfire. All in all, it was a fabulous weekend with plenty of old-fashioned fun.

There were lots of opportunities for pupils to develop their team working skills and the activities all encouraged pupils to show initiative, resilience and social awareness. Over the weekend Year 7 took on all the challenges with determination and enthusiasm making for a memorable three days.

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

Well done to everyone and a big thank you to all the staff who supported the trip.

In the UK four out of five adults regret not having learned another language, but that is something no Princethorpe pupil will ever be able to say. At the College there are many opportunities to get excited about languages and celebrating European Day Of Languages is a popular House activity every year.

This year the MFL and House teams challenged staff and pupils to take part in fun language-based activities. Staff were asked to use a foreign language in their lessons, either speaking it or including it in the lesson activity, with pupils acting as judges and completing feedback forms, the results will be announced next week.

Pupils were challenged to answer a wide range of language-based questions in a trivia quiz in the Limes foyer at break. Every correct answer won a point for their House, it was fast and furious and very competitive, all a lot of fun while helping to inspire pupils too.

During the first few weeks of term the Religious Studies department have introduced Year 7 to the religious history of the College and shown them numerous artefacts, from statues to paintings, which are dotted around the school. Pupils spent a couple of lessons in the Chapel, learning about the architecture and symbolism of it and 7XM took a trip up the tower on Thursday 22 September as a nice treat to round off this sequence of lessons. The climb to the top was challenging but the view from the top was stunning.

On Tuesday 27 September, the Drama department ventured out to see Frantic Assembly's reimagining of Shakespeare's Othello at The Curve theatre in Leicester.

Set amongst the backdrop of The Cyprus pub, the tale of deception, loyalty and treachery thrilled pupils with a dynamic energy that left the audience in the palm of the actors' hands.

Frantic's signature style of fast paced choreography, sound tracking and design impressed both our Technicians and English Literature pupils too, who had joined them for the evening, and it was a pure delight to see them sharing their understanding and knowledge of the play and its production values.

On Tuesday 20 September, the College hosted the next round of its Science Family Challenge. Teams of Year 8 pupils and parents enthusiastically competed for the prestigious first place trophy. Practical skill, teamwork and problem-solving were all essential as the parent and pupil teams completed challenges in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Each challenge started with a demonstration, before the competitors completed experiments and quizzes to score points.

Congratulations go to the winners, Year 8 pupil Georgie Sowter's team, 'Up and Atom', who accumulated an impressive total score of 49 points. The full results were:

• 1st place 'Up and Atom' 
• 2nd place 'E=mc pair'
• 3rd place (joint) 'Archimedes' Angels' and 'Nerdy Neutrons'

Look out for the return of this popular competition next half term when Year 7 pupils and their parents will have their opportunity to experience Science at Princethorpe College - more information will be shared shortly along with details of how to sign up.

Thanks also to our wonderful Laboratory Technicians, pupil helpers and Science staff who made the evening possible.

We hope pupils and parents all enjoyed taking part.

Princethorpe’s Sixth Form students put their culinary skills under the spotlight in the College’s latest inter-house competition, Ready Steady Cook.

Ready Steady Cook is always a popular inter-house competition and this year's event took place on Monday 26 September. Teams of Sixth Formers enthusiastically took part in what proved to be a hotly contested challenge, preparing a student staple, an omelette, in the Food Technology suite.

The students were presented with a set of ingredients and challenged to produce their omelette in just 12 minutes. What’s more they had to cook, clean and tidy their workstation before presenting their dish.

There were knives chopping, whisks stirring and pans sizzling as the House teams went to work. Onlookers encouraged from the side as the judges, Jacqui Scott, Lee Cassell and Georgia Newborough surveyed the proceedings.

The finished plates of food were lined up along the table and, under the watchful eyes of the competitors and their supporters, the judges carefully taste-tested the dishes.

The results were close with just a few points separating all the Houses. This year first place went to Benet, closely followed by More and then Austin and Fisher.

Huge thanks to all of the competitors for their enthusiastic efforts, to our judges who braved the tasting and to the House teams for organising and supporting the event.

It was great to welcome some budding Year 6 Scientists to the College's Science Investigators’ Workshop on Saturday 24 September. This was one of the last opportunities for prospective pupils for September 2023 entry to visit the College before the registration deadline on Friday 30 September.

Ably assisted by Miss Cooper, Mr White, Mr Southern and pupil helpers, the children were put through their paces with some fun Chemistry, Biology and Physics activities. They found out how long it takes for an alka seltzer rocket to explode, discovered the favourite conditions for meal worms to live in using a choice chamber and last but by no means least, designed and constructed paper bridges that withstood some amazing masses.

The morning has also included a run around in the beautiful College grounds near the site of our new Science Centre which will open next year, a legendary Princethorpe cookie at break and a delicious buffet lunch with their parents at the end.

A huge well done to them all, we hope they have enjoyed their investigations and that it will fuel a love of Science and STEM subjects in secondary school!

Many thanks to the staff and pupil helpers who have made the morning possible.

Father Alan MSC introduced 'Change' as the Chaplaincy’s theme for the year in our whole school Eucharist on Wednesday 14 September. He reminded the school that change is all around us, that we should embrace change, as it is only through change that we grow. Pupils were asked to consider what change they could make to be kind to others, recording their individual thoughts on a card.

Those cards have now been put on display, just outside the Chapel, around a wooden silhouette of an oak tree. They will act as a powerful visual reminder to us all that ‘Change’ is a part of life and to embrace change is to grow, just like the acorn grows into the oak tree.

Our thanks go to the Junior Chaplaincy Prefects, Father Alan and Chaplaincy Co-ordinator, Mary Benham, for their help in leading the service and creating the display and to Senior Estates Technician, Dekk Brain, for carving the striking wooden representation of the oak tree.

Sunday 18 September saw Princethorpe College taking part in the annual Heritage Open Days festival that offers the general public an opportunity to explore England’s history, culture and places of interest for free.

Visitors enjoyed a guided tour around the College conducted by Foundation Assistant Head, Alex Darkes, Archivist, Catherine Lewis and former archivists, Janette Ratcliffe and Nick Baker. The tours took visitors around the most historic parts of the building along Lower Pugin into the Library, down to the Round House, back along the Cloisters to the Chapel and then for refreshments in the Sixth Form Centre.

Catherine, commented, “We were really busy, with people queuing up for tours from 2.00pm, and there was a nice mix of visitors from near and far and young and old.”

She added, “It was wonderful to meet everyone and to share the fascinating history of St Mary's Priory.”

It was fantastic to have the OPs vs College Sports Day back in full swing and to see so many familiar faces on Saturday 3 September, kicking off the College's sporting calendar for the year ahead.

With the new Science Centre construction underway, the hub of the event, including the BBQ and OPs marquee, moved to the top of the Orchard, which seemed to work well for players and spectators alike.

The Staff Football Team started the morning in good spirts and the result - a resounding victory for the younger OPs team - does not reflect the quality of the game.

With the College Girls away at a tournament, all hockey attention was focused on the Boys’ match, with the OPs taking the honours in a highly entertaining game. 

Moving on to the Netball, the OPs showed their experience and quality on the court with a high scoring performance against the College team.

The OPs v College 1st XV John Shinkwin Trophy match produced the closest score line for years, with the OPs (leavers of 2021 and 2022) winning by just two points!

The results of the matches were as follows:

•           Football – Staff 0 v OPs 7

•           Netball – College 14 v OPs 30

•           Boys’ Hockey – College 5 v OPs 8

•           Rugby – College 12 v OPs 14

At the After Match Awards, the OPs proudly raised both the Alex Wallis Memorial Shield and the John Shinkwin Cup.

Attendees enjoyed seeing the progress of the new Science Centre, which is halfway through its build now. As well as OPs from across the decades and current families, we were delighted to welcome incoming Headmaster, Grove du Toit, and his family.

Lee Cassell, Foundation Director of Sport, commented, “It was fantastic to see so many OPs returning to play in some very competitive games against the College teams. Once again it showed the true spirt of the Princethorpe community and gave staff, pupils, OPs and parents the opportunity to watch entertaining matches over the course of the day and enjoy some fabulous food.

A huge well done to all those who played and made the day so special. I look forward to seeing them all again next year on Saturday 2 September 2023 for the next OPs vs College Sports Day.”

Thanks to all the players, supporters, organisers and caterers for making the day such a lovely, relaxed affair.

Save the date: Next year’s OPs vs College Sports Day will take place on Saturday 2 September 2023, we are looking at the format of the day and may mix things up a little, watch this space!

With the new school year now in full swing, members of the Princethorpe community have one last chance to leave their mark on the College's new Science Centre.

This incredible development, due to be ready for teaching in September 2023, will facilitate not only state of the art science education at Princethorpe but also the opportunity to redevelop the existing site for complete cross-curricular enhancement.

This last chance to contribute is available in several different ways:

• By having a name engraved on a wall brick to be displayed in the entrance lobby of the Science Centre (£100)
• By having a name engraved on a chemical element on our Periodic Table display in the Science Centre (£250). As the elements are given on a first come first basis please contact the Development Office to find out what is still available.
• By having a name engraved on a granite paver to be placed outside the entrance to the Science Centre (£500)
• By you or your company sponsoring a display panel featuring the picture and biography of a particular scientist, as well as your name, message and company logo (£1500)

You could also choose to name a specific laboratory or piece of equipment (if you would like to discuss this further, please contact stevekowal@princethorpe.co.uk)

The closing date for donations will be Friday 14 October 2022. Don’t miss out on this final opportunity to ensure your chosen name or message is recorded in perpetuity in the future of the Princethorpe Foundation.

To participate, visit the link below where you can donate online: connect.princethorpe.co.uk/pages/leave-your-mark

So many of our parents, staff and friends have done much already to support the Foundation and we are incredibly appreciative of this.

"What sort place is Crackley Hall School?" That’s the question that followers of the school’s social media were teased with last week.

The school repeatedly posed the cryptic question alongside a series of images of children at the school in the countdown to a big reveal on Friday 23 September, at 4.00pm, when the new Crackley Hall School film, A Place To Change, was premiered.

Comments, Headmaster, Rob Duigan, “Crackley Hall School has long been known as ‘the next best place to home’ by its pupils, but it is also a place to learn, grow and develop. As children progress through the school from nursery to Junior 6, we see their self-esteem and confidence grow as they discover at an early age where their talents and passions lie. By the time they reach Junior 6, children have built strong foundations, socially and academically and are well prepared for senior school life and beyond.”

Produced by the Foundation Marketing Team and award-winning Affixxius Films, the new school film was shot in the Trinity Term and captures glimpses of school life as staff support and guide the children on their individual journeys.

There were gasps of excitement in school in their Celebration Assembly when we previewed the new school film. It was wonderful to see the children’s delight as they spotted each other in the film. There were a few tears in the eyes of the adults too.

With thanks to the staff and children who took part (they were all stars!) and the film crew for bringing what makes Crackley so special to life on the screen.

We hope you enjoy it. We'd love you to like and share it on social media too!

A Place To Change

Tuesday 4 October 2022, 7.00pm to 8.00pm

The Crescent School, in Bilton, Rugby, is opening its doors for a dedicated Open Evening on Tuesday 4 October 2022 from 7.00pm.

This Open Evening is for prospective families who are interested in their child joining Reception or Year 3 in September 2023 and beyond.

There will also be opportunities to look around the school, visit specific year group and specialist classrooms, such as the Science Lab and IT Suite, as well as speak to key members of staff. Joe Thackway, Headmaster, will also be available to answer any questions you may have about the school.   

To book your place please click here.

If you can't make the Open Evening but would like to visit the school, you can now book a personal tour here, or please call our Registrar, Mrs Helen Morley on 01788 521595 or email admissions@crescentschool.co.uk and come on a day to suit you.

For more information visit www.crescentschool.co.uk

Wednesday 5 October 2022 - 7.00pm

It was good to welcome some fresh faces at the first meeting of our Parents’ Reading Group this year and there was plenty to discuss about our summer reads. All agreed that Foster by Claire Keegan was a highly sensitive and thought-provoking book. With great economy of style, Claire Keegan leads the reader into the heart of some of life’s unspoken tragedies through the story of a girl who is sent to live with relatives while her mother is having the next baby in her large brood. We also enjoyed Learning to Swim by Clare Chambers, but perhaps not quite as much as her previous Simple Pleasures. This was quite a light read for summer with some surprising twists and turns regarding the life of a bohemian family and the impact they have on a woman from a very different background. Ihimaera’s Whale Rider takes a bit of getting into perhaps but is a lyrical evocation of the lives and culture of the Maori community in New Zealand.

We will be meeting again in the library at 7.00pm on Wednesday 5 October. On this occasion we shall be discussing Fingersmith by Sarah Waters, which many might know from the TV series. Please do join us whether or not you have read this book. We are a friendly and unpretentious group who are always open to new reading suggestions.

Wednesday 12 October 2022 - 6.30pm to 9.00pm

Year 11 pupils and their parents will shortly be receiving an invitation to attend our Sixth Form Open Evening on Wednesday 12 October 2022 from 6.30pm.

The evening will focus on the Route to Sixth Form for 2023 including key dates, milestones and scholarships, specific A-level and BTEC subject information and advice provided by the Heads of Departments, together with information on outstanding pastoral care provided and the vast array of sporting, co-curricular, leadership and service opportunities available.

The evening will include brief talks by Ed Hester, the Headmaster, Ben Collie, Head of Sixth Form and current Sixth Formers in the Sports Hall and there will also be the opportunity to speak to the Sixth Form Team in the Sixth Form Centre. In addition, all of the A-level and BTEC departments will be open for you to visit, with short presentations, course details and the opportunity to talk to staff and current students.

An electronic copy of the Sixth Form Admissions 2023 Information Booklet will be emailed shortly before the event, hard copies will be available on the evening. We recommend you refer to this prior to your visit to help you choose which departments to visit on the evening.

External candidates should register via this link and if you have any questions please do contact the Admissions Team via email at admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

Friday 18 November 2022

Plans are well advanced for our annual Prize Giving Ceremony which will take place on Friday 18 November. The ceremony will be held at Warwick Arts Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, commencing at 7.30pm.

Traditionally, the vast majority of last year’s Upper Sixth return to collect their A-level examination certificates. Most will have embarked on their first year at university, apprenticeship or employment and this is a good opportunity for them to catch up.

GCSE examination certificates will be presented to last year’s Year 11, as well as a number of other awards and prizes, including our most prestigious, The Princethorpe Shield. The Year 7 Chorus will be singing, and the String Orchestra and Concert Band performing. 

Attendance at Prize Giving is by invitation only and invitations will be posted out shortly along with instructions on how to RSVP.

Shellagh Dodds
Examinations and Assessment Manager

Wednesday 30 November and Thursday 1 December - 7.00pm

Our Christmas Wreath making evening has proved so popular in the past that this year we will be putting on two evenings in support of the South Africa Tour fundraising effort.

The evenings will take place on Wednesday 30 November and Thursday 1 December in the Sixth Form Centre. Arrival time will be 6.45pm for a 7.00pm start. Cost for the evening will be £25 per person and includes all materials to make your beautiful wreath, a welcome drink and mince pie.

It is open to all Princethorpe parents, staff and friends. In order to book your place(s) please click here by Wednesday 23 November. One person can book for a group of people – recommended if you would like to sit together for the evening.

There will be a bar on the night and a raffle, so if anyone has a raffle prize they would like to donate, please get in touch with Mr Cassell at leecassell@princethorpe.co.uk

Thursday 1 to Saturday 3 December 2022 - 7.00pm

Princethorpe's Drama Department is delighted to be putting on a production of A Christmas Carol this year.

Performances will take place on Thursday 1 December, Friday 2 December and Saturday 3 December at 7.00pm in the Clarkson theatre here at Princethorpe College and tickets will be available soon.  

We do hope you can join us for this event.

Monday 21 November 2022 – 6.00pm to 7.30pm

As part of our VESPA strategy, Princethorpe College will be holding a virtual, interactive GCSE revision evening, on Monday 21 November between 6.00pm and 7.30pm, for the parents and pupils in Year 11.

It will be hosted by Martin Griffin and Steve Oakes who have worked with more than sixty schools to develop effective character education systems using the VESPA model. During the session, Martin and Steve will explore the key principles of having a positive and proactive learning mindset and share tools and strategies for effective coaching and intervention with parents and equip parents and pupils with practical ideas and strategies to support their children throughout their GCSE courses. We do hope that Year 11 parents and pupils will be able to join us for what promises to be a very useful and informative evening.

We look forward to you joining this event. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at lizpyne@princethorpe.co.uk

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

Saturday 18 March 2023 - 9.30am to 1.00pm

Plans for the College’s Careers Fair on Saturday 18 March are taking shape. The bi-annual event is open to Year 10 to Sixth Form pupils and their parents. It provides a ‘one stop careers shop’ with a wide range of speakers and organisations on hand to offer advice and guidance.

The Careers Fair will run from 9.30am to 1.00pm and as well as a keynote presentation, attendees will be able to attend up to three workshops depending on their personal interests and visit an exhibition zone, with stalls from many well-known companies, charities, institutions, universities and gap year organisations.

Head of Careers, Jacqui Quinney comments, “Do put Saturday 18 March in your diary, registrations will open in February and there will be plenty to interest and inform our pupils and their parents."

Please be aware that the next round of orders for the Digital Device Scheme offered by the College, and facilitated by Easy4U/CTS, is now open, and will close on Monday 17 October. 

The scheme is open to pupils in all year groups who wish to refresh or upgrade their current device, and in particular to all pupils in Year 7, who are expected to participate in the Digital Device Scheme. This is to ensure that all Year 7 pupils have the same, school-managed device, ready for use in January 2023. 

There are two options when using the scheme. The device and package can be purchased as either a one-off payment or via monthly payments with the rental option. 

The key points regarding the rental option are: 

• One low monthly payment covers the rental of the device, the installation of school approved software, and ongoing service, support, and insurance 
• At any point you can return the device to CTS/Easy4U and they will return your deposit - you are not tied in to a costly finance agreement 
• As it is a rental scheme (not a lease agreement), there are no credit checks required
• At the end of the rental period (36 months) you either give the device back to CTS and they return your deposit, or you keep the device and CTS keep the deposit 
• To purchase or rent the device please simply click on the link below, enter the school code, select the relevant options, and complete the details and online payment.

Easy4U Online Portal

School Code: PRINCE1

For those pupils in receipt of bursaries, there is support available to help meet the cost of the scheme. If your child accesses a bursary and you would like to take advantage of this support, please email feessupport@princethorpe.co.uk for more information. Please ensure you email Fees Support before purchasing through the portal. We will then get back to you regarding how to order. 

Please note that the portal will close on Monday 18 October, so please be sure to make your purchase ahead of this time. 

All devices will be delivered to the school and distributed to pupils. We anticipate these will be available for pupils to collect in the second half of the Michaelmas term, but we will provide further details to parents once the delivery date is confirmed. 

We continue to be very excited by the continued enhancement of the learning experience for our pupils through this scheme and the use of digital devices in the classroom. 

Progress Reports for Upper Sixth and Year 11 will be published next Friday, 7 October 2022, and will be available to view on My School Portal.  

Michael Spencer
Deputy Head - Academic

Pupils signing out of school

For clarification, parents of Year 7 to 11 pupils leaving school early for appointments or as a result of illness etc. must sign their child out at the Student Hub. Pupils must not go home without a parental signature.

Dropping off school bags/sports bags

If you are dropping pupils’ belongings off during the school day, you must drop them off at the Student Hub please and not go through school via any other entrance.

Thank you for your continued support on both these matters.

Beth Sharpe
Deputy Head - Pastoral

There will be a Whole School Photograph on Wednesday 5 October 2022. 

Furthermore, there will be a Sixth Form group photograph and Year 11 group and House photographs on Monday 10 October 2022.

Beth Sharpe
Deputy Head - Pastoral

The Lower Sixth students and a group of staff had a fun weekend away at Dearne Valley Activity Centre last weekend. It was a great opportunity for staff and students to get to know each other better and to take part in activities familiar and new. See the gallery for pictures from the weekend.

Lower Sixth 360 event – thank you to everyone who took part. We’ve had very positive feedback and parents unable to attend will be sent the information and a video to explain the data.

Upper Sixth UCAS Q&A event – another excellent evening with some excellent questions from students and parents, and a good opportunity to understand the UCAS process better, and in a timely fashion.  Please find a link to the live event here. 

University Open Days

Many of our students are already out and about visiting universities and making an excellent impression. We are hearing some good stories about their experiences so far and about subsequent offers of work experience opportunities prior to enrolling.

Community Service and Charity Events

The Granger's Club

This coming Tuesday evening, 4 October, Princethorpe College Youth SVP group is welcoming members of the Granger's Club for people with learning difficulties along with family members, helpers and volunteers. The club is usually based at the Hagard Community Centre in Willenhall where a number of our sixth form pupils regularly volunteer. Activities will include use of the climbing wall and fitness suite, therapy dogs and board games. 

World Porridge Day and Mary's Meals

Our World Porridge Day celebration in aid of Mary's Meals, which provides a daily meal in school for over 2 million children, will include our annual inter-house welly-wanging competition and will take place on Thursday 6 and Friday 7 October. Scotland - where Mary's Meals has its roots - has an obvious connection to porridge. In Malawi, the staple food is a maize porridge enriched with vitamins... so porridge will be on sale at break time to help raise funds for the charity. A reminder to all the Sixth Form to bring in cash on the day. 

Families are also encouraged to order a big blue mug through this form which can support any further fundraising at home.

View our progress in fundraising for Makalanga School by viewing our dedicated site here. Or to support the Mary's Meals emergency appeal click here.

Sixth Form Photograph

This will take place on Monday 10 October.

Car parking Permits

For any queries please email me and I will reply to you as promptly as possible.

UCAS and Careers

Any questions about UCAS or careers related advice please contact Mrs Quinney directly by email at jacquiquinney@princethorpe.co.uk.

Lower Sixth Reminders

Lower Sixth Social on Friday 7 October

James Bond themed event to include music and dancing on Friday 7 October in the Sixth Form Centre.

Upper Sixth

Upper Sixth Social on Friday 9 December

The next Upper Sixth Social will take place on Friday 9 December. More information to follow soon.

With best wishes

Ben Collie 
Head of Sixth Form 

The Lower Sixth Social will take place on Friday 7 October.

This will be a wonderful event and a fabulous opportunity to celebrate the end of your first half term in the Sixth Form.

Anne Allen
Assistant Head of Sixth Form 

We thought we would take this opportunity to remind you of what we do and where we can be found. Our office is now in F49 on Lower Pugin, and Kerry Low and I welcome visits from students and staff with queries and questions. 

Here is reminder of what we aim to do.

For pupils

For all year groups we can talk about pupils' choices and options for subjects and careers. We offer each student a one-to-one guidance interview in Y10 and Y11 and again in L6. Students are also welcome to pop into F49 at lunch, tutor or breaktime for further help. We also contribute to the careers curriculum that runs from Yr7 to Yr13 in PHSE and provide information for all the choices the students will need to make at the appropriate time.

For parents

Parents can contact the careers team via email and one of us will get in touch. 

Finally, we are now responsible for Work Experience and the biannual Careers Fair, next scheduled for March 2023. If you are a parent and feel you could contribute in terms of offering a work placement or exhibiting at our Careers Fair please get in touch.

Jacqui Quinney   
Head of Careers

CyberFirst Student Bursary and Development Scheme is a unique opportunity to join the CyberFirst student community that rewards students for their talent and commitment whilst they study at University. Working with GCHQ, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), as well as over 150 industry members and other government departments, you’ll gain unrivalled insight into the constantly evolving world of cyber security, taking on some seriously unique, real-world research tasks and projects. Think cyber-attacks, espionage, terrorism, and organised crime. It’s a challenging, varied and meaningful development opportunity that you simply won’t find anywhere else while gaining your degree of choice.

The programme could potentially lead to exciting roles within government and industry. Particularly in intelligence and national security organisations or their industry partners, where you’ll help to shape and further advance their technical capability, including the ability to tackle national security threats.

You’ll be working with some of the most advanced technology and will develop a broad range of skills including teamwork, communication and leadership. Throughout the scheme you’ll be part of a close-knit cohort, providing opportunities for support and learning within this community. Ultimately, you’ll be making a real contribution to the UK as a whole.

During the years you study at university, you will receive a Bursary of £4,000 per year. Each summer, you’ll complete either training at a CyberFirst Academy or an 8-week development placement with the NCSC, a government body or one of the industry members. Wherever you are placed for the summer, you will receive a summer placement payment equivalent to £2,000. In addition, you may receive expenses towards accommodation and travel. There is also the potential for a year in industry placement, if this is required by the university and course that you chose. If at the end of your degree course, you would prefer to continue with academic study, there may be the opportunity to do post graduate research in cyber security, with the possibility of funding.

To apply for this opportunity, you must meet their nationality, residency, and security requirements. You must be 18 years of age on or before 31 December 2023. You will find more details here

World Porridge Day, held annually on or around 10 October, is a fundraising event organised by Mary’s Meals in aid of hungry children in the developing world and it has a regular place in the Princethorpe calendar too. 

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 can help them out of poverty. Through their school feeding programmes in 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean Mary's Meals now feeds over 2.2 million children every year. It costs just £15.90 to feed a child for a whole year and 97% of all donations go directly to this hands-on work.

This year, conflict, COVID-19, climate change and the rising cost of living have converged to create world hunger on an unprecedented scale. Over 5.7 million children under five are now a step away from famine. This is why Princethorpe College remains deeply committed - through the work of Mary's Meals - to supporting a daily meal in school for every child at Makalanga school in Malawi. Year on year for the past five years, we have raised over £10,000 to make that possible. 

Our own World Porridge Day celebration, which will include our annual inter-house welly-wanging competition will actually take place over two days - Thursday 6 and 7 October during break time. Scotland, where Mary's Meals has its roots has an obvious connection to porridge and in Malawi, the staple food is a maize porridge enriched with vitamins... so porridge will be on sale at break time to help raise funds for the charity. Cost will be £2.00, including toppings and will be cash only.

Families are also encouraged to order a big blue mug through this online form which can support any further fundraising at home - wherever or whenever cash is still in use!

Please support us in our fundraising for Makalanga School by donating on our dedicated site here. 

Or to support the Mary's Meals emergency appeal click here

Thank you. 

Mary Benham
Chaplaincy Co-ordinator

Pink Day will be taking place on Friday 14 October - this is our annual fundraiser for breast cancer charities. Please bring in £2 for the charity pot for the pleasure of a non-uniform day, and if you are in Sixth Form dress to impress in pink!

Non-Uniform Days
On non-uniform days we still expect certain standards of appearance to be upheld as
detailed below:

• Clothes should be sensible, safe and suitable for a school day.

• Clothes should not be too tight or too short, sheer or flesh revealing.

• Headwear is not permitted inside the school buildings.

If staff consider that a pupil’s appearance does not meet these standards, the pupil may be asked to change into borrowed clothing for the day. Pupils are not compelled to participate in non-uniform days and may choose to wear normal uniform, however, if they do wear non-uniform they are expected to pay for this privilege. If a pupil fails to make the appropriate donation senior staff will follow this up and make parents aware of the situation.

Maybe you were lucky enough to get away over the summer holidays and now there are a few foreign coins or notes lurking in a pocket or a handbag?

Why not round them up and put them to good use? All donations would be gratefully received and all money raised will be split between UK projects of the SVP (St Vincent de Paul Society), including support for the homeless, elderly, handicapped and those coming out of prison and an overseas SVP project helping to fund secondary school education children - especially girls - in India. Click here to discover what the SVP organisation is about and how your donation can help.

The money can be current or out of date, British or foreign; anything is welcome.

Click here and watch the video to see how cash4coins works. This is what you can donate:

• All foreign coins and banknotes
• Current UK coins and banknotes
• Any old British and Irish money
• Even obsolete currency

Please send in money in a strong envelope labelled ‘Rod Isaacs - Cash4Coins’. This can be handed in to form tutors to pass on.  We raised nearly £170 last year. 

Many thanks

Rod Isaacs
Assistant Head of Sixth Form

The PE department were delighted to see every girl in Year 8 represent the College on Thursday 22 September in an U13 hockey fixture against Bablake & King Henry VIII School. The girls played with perseverance and grit, which allowed them all to come away with a win. Highlights included the U13C team who won 4-0 and the U13D team who won 7-1.

Keep up the good work Year 8!

Our PE and Games Department have created a helpful guide for pupils and parents for the Michaelmas Term 2022 which includes further information about: 

• Team coaches and how you may contact them
• Instructions on how to access the Princethorpe Sport app
• Information about fixtures, including selection and cancellations
• Sports kit expectations
• Postcodes for away fixtures (which can also be found in the Michaelmas Termly Calendar)

If you have any questions, please direct them to your son/daughter's team coach or email myself, Lee Cassell (Foundation Director of Sport), Jen Law (Head of Girls' Games) or Joe Jackson (Head of Boys' Games).

Lee Cassell 
Foundation Director of Sport 

We have been able to arrange a package which will allow us to raise some funds for the upcoming school trip to South Africa in July 2023.

A hospitality package is available for us to go and watch Coventry RFC at the Butts Park Arena in their league match against London Scottish, with the hospitality in the Formation Media Marquee.

We have 40 seats available for the match on 4 March 2023 at £78 per person (inc VAT) which includes a £18 donation to the 2023 Tour Fund.

The price includes:

• Matchday Ticket
• Three Course meal
• Welcome drink on arrival
• Access to private cash bar for pre-match, half time and post match socialising
• The option to watch the match from the XL Motors stand or from the Marquee
• A visit from a player, subject to availability and Covid rules
• Free e-programme

We did a similar event for the previous school tour in 2019 which was a great event enjoyed by all who went. 

To book your seats please could you email post@princethorpe.co.uk with the following details:

• Name of parent
• Contact email address
• Whether your son or daughter is due to be on the 2023 trip
• Number of seats you would be interested in taking up

Neil McCollin
Assistant Head - Co-Curricular

Please don’t forget that Princethorpe College PTA is registered with easyfundraising. So, although we’ve been unable to get together and hold fundraising events in person for a while, we can continue to raise free funds, at no extra cost to you.

When you shop via the easyfundraising website or app, with over 4,100 of your favourite retailers, including John Lewis & Partners, eBay, Amazon and many more, you will raise FREE donations for the school.  

If you’re not already registered, please visit our easyfundraising page here:

This will really make a difference to our school! Thank you for your support.

Our friendly PTA here at Princethorpe College are keen to welcome new members. 

By joining our PTA community, you are not committing to volunteer, but just to joining our community and if you do wish to volunteer you will receive emails when we require help to run our events.

For more information about the PTA and how to join please email pta@princethorpe.co.uk

Princethorpe PTA

The Parent Information Evening recorded presentation, Information Booklet and Enrolment Form are all available on MySchoolPortal/Co-curricular/DukeofEdinburgh’sAward via the link here.

The deadline for enrolment is Friday 14 October (half term). Please complete the form and submit the £50 non-refundable deposit. Assemblies will be held with pupils after half term where course materials will be distributed and the next steps explained.

Here is a reminder of the eligibility criteria: 

Award Stage    Age Requirement

Bronze              Year 9

Silver                Year 10

Gold                 16 years old (must be in the Sixth Form)

I look forward to welcoming pupils onto the scheme this year. 

Please continue to prioritise signing off your volunteering, physical and skill sections.  You will notice that this week I have been working through signing off your expedition sections.  Many have already completed their award in full.  Guidance can be found on a DofE Completion email sent to you and your parents, the advice documents are also available on MySchoolPortal.

Lunchtime drop-in clinics continue this week, lunch 1 – LG01 and lunch 2, in LG02.  I will aim to hold the Certificate Presentation Evening in February 2023.  However, the final deadline for completion for those aiming to move from bronze to silver is October half term, for those stopping at bronze it is Christmas.

Will Bower
Head of Outdoor Education - DofE Manager

It is always great to hear about our pupils' successes that take place outside of school; please do keep us updated if your son or daughter has won a competition, is performing in a show or competing at a high level with a sporting team outside of school, we would love to hear more. 

We would like to invite parents to submit this information to us via a nomination form by clicking here so we might celebrate these achievements in school too.  

Neil McCollin
Assistant Head - Co-Curricular

Tuesday 4 October 6.15pm

The Year 8 and 9 South Coast Tour Parents' Information Evening will take place online at 6.15pm on Tuesday 4 October.

A link for the evening will be sent to parents of those pupils invited on the Tour on Monday 3 October.

Co-curricular trips and educational visits have always been a major part of life at Princethorpe. These experiences for pupils enrich their lives, enhance their learning and develop their understanding and appreciation of the world around. The Upper Sixth Biologists had a successful trip to Dorset last week and we are looking forward to running the Year 7 residential to Whitemoor Lakes and the Lower Sixth residential to Dearne Valley in Yorkshire next weekend.

We would like to update you with the provisional major trips and visits plans as they currently stand (this does not include academic department day trips or Duke of Edinburgh's Award). Please click here for the planned school trips in the coming years.

Please also ensure that you read the information about individual trips with care when they are released, in particular in relation to consent, cancellation and insurance.

Neil McCollin
Assistant Head - Co-Curricular

As a Foundation we take IT Security very seriously, for the benefit of all stakeholders including pupils, parents and staff. As we move into the new school year we wanted to remind you of our IT Security Incident Reporting Policy and highlight once more some key elements of this, in the unlikely case that you encounter anything that could constitute a possible security incident in your use of Foundation systems such as My School Portal, or receive any suspicious emails that pertain to be from the Foundation.

IT Security incidents are any incidents which may risk compromise of personal data, attempts to imitate Foundation IT Systems or unauthorised access to Foundation IT Systems. This could include incorrect communication of information, for example via email, information being available publicly, unauthorised access to Foundation IT Systems such as My School Portal through password cracking or sharing, or the theft/loss of portable media such as unencrypted USB drives or laptops.

Should you or your children become aware of any of the above incidents, or similar, please contact either servicedesk@princethorpe.co.uk or a member of staff at the school attended by your child/children. The Incident Management Procedure will then be initiated.

Pupils will also be informed of the need to tell a member of staff, such as their tutor or teacher if they suspect any IT security incident such as those above, and staff are also made aware of this.

Of course, we hope this will never be necessary, but felt it important to inform you of the correct procedure if you do encounter any IT Security Incidents relating to Foundation systems. 

Eddie Tolcher
Foundation Bursar 

The school shop is open for pupils during both break and lunch time and after school for pupils and parents on Mondays and Wednesdays 3.30pm - 4.30pm, term time only. 

When ordered items are ready for collection, the pupil with be emailed and informed that they can collect from the shop during the opening times.

If you need to contact the school shop please email in the first instance to uniform@princethorpe.co.uk.

Barbara Bromwich
Foundation Shop Manager

Traffic Update

Parking on The Close (grassed area by the playground)

This area is now unavailable for parking before and after school. If the playground is full, please queue on the drive until space becomes available.

Parking when visiting the Student Hub

Our automatic main gates close between 9.00am to 3.20pm. Should you require access to the Student Hub during this time, please park in the Short Stay parking area and follow the pedestrian Theatre Entrance sign.

General Traffic

The College takes the safety of pupils, staff and visitors very seriously and we have taken various measures to minimise the risk of an accident involving a vehicle. Please take care when driving on campus particularly at busy times such as the start and end of the business day.

Steps drivers can take to improve safety:

• Adhere strictly to the speed limits and instructions given by College staff
• Never hold or use a mobile phone whilst driving
• Park in designated areas and never on double yellow lines
• Stop for pedestrians wishing to cross at designated crossing points
• Ensure that pupils only exit or enter cars when safely parked in designated areas
• Music should be kept to a minimum level
• Be patient, kind and courteous 
   

Everyday traffic

• All pupils arriving and leaving school at the normal time must be dropped off and picked up in the playground area adjacent to the pupils’ entrance and tennis courts; this is the only designated area for parents at the beginning and end of the school day. 
• The playground is closed to traffic from 9.00am to 3.30pm. Parents arriving within this period are asked to park in the ‘Short Stay’ parking (yellow hatched area between Reception and the Roundhouse) and go to Reception or the Student Hub.
• If you are collecting your child at the end of the day, please avoid arriving before 3.00pm. If you are queuing, please keep yellow hatched areas by the main gates clear to enable our Estates Team or Emergency vehicles access.
• Please do not drop off pupils at the end of the drive as it is unsafe for pedestrians.
• For the safety of all pupils, parents are asked not to drive through the North Car Park and drop off or pick up from the Sixth Form Centre and not to park on the grassed areas.
• Sixth Form parking is available only to those issued with permits. A designated Sixth Form car park has been provided next to the sports field. Permit holders must park in their designated space as issued by Mr Collie.
• For improved security, our automatic main gates close between 9.00am to 3.20pm.
• Parking on site is very restricted especially whilst we have construction taking place on site. If you are wishing to attend the College to watch sport, please use visitor or short stay parking however, we cannot guarantee this will always be available.
   

Polite reminders

• We encourage drivers to turn off their engines whilst waiting to reduce pollution
• The whole site is non-smoking/vaping

Rob Heath
Director of Estates

We would like to remind parents of some useful contact details.

To report a pupil absence please email attendance@princethorpe.co.uk or telephone the Attendance Line on 01926 634260.

For other enquiries please use the email addresses below:

Bus related queries - princethorpe@vectare.co.uk

School Shop - uniform@princethorpe.co.uk

Medical Centre - pcmatrons@princethorpe.co.uk

School fees -  accounts@princethorpe.co.uk

General enquiries - post@princethorpe.co.uk

Lost property - lostproperty@princethorpe.co.uk

Wisepay catering - cashless@princethorpe.co.uk

Email addresses for members of teaching staff can be found on My School Portal.

Please see below our current vacancies: 

Princethorpe Foundation

• Foundation Director of Finance

Princethorpe College

• Head of Learning Support and SENCO

Little Crackers

• Nursery Practitioner

Full details and how to apply are available via the following link: Join Us

Should you know anyone who might be interested in this post, please do share this information with them.