News

First Review For Princethorpe By Prestigious Good Schools Guide

Princethorpe has received its first ever review by the prestigious Good Schools Guide. The Guide, which selects schools to be included on merit alone, is famous for its unbiased and candid reviews of state and private schools, and is trusted by families worldwide. Princethorpe is now one of just 1,300 schools currently reviewed by the Guide, out of over 30,000+ schools in the UK.

An editor from the Guide visited the College in May, interviewed Ed Hester, the Headmaster, toured the campus, observed lessons and spoke with pupils and parents.

The 2,500-word review, which now appears on the Good Schools Guide’s website and will be included in the next hard copy edition, includes a pen portrait of the Headmaster, plus insights into exam results, teaching and learning, co-curricular life, discipline and the College’s ethos and heritage.

Commenting on the College's approach to pastoral care, the Guide says: 

“There are two rules at the school: be kind and do your best. The whole school runs on this ethos and it appears to be all that is needed as pupils and staff adhere to it. The school is renowned for its pastoral care and kindness. Every parent we spoke to mentioned it and for virtually all of them it was the reason they chose the school. ‘It really is like a family and we are included too.’ These two old fashioned values shape the school. It’s open minded and all are very welcome but the Catholic teaching permeates throughout. Every child is treated as an individual ‘and they really are,’ said parents. The overall feeling that this is a kind school, we would concur.”

The very comprehensive and positive review concludes with a Last Word, which sums up the Guide’s findings:

We have the impression that Princethorpe College just gets on with things, modestly feeling no need to blow its own trumpet. But during the long-term tenure of this head it has gained in confidence, reputation and status and parents have sat up and taken notice. They know that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to educating their children and have found the school that agrees with them; a good outcome for all.

To read in full What the Good Schools Guide says click here.

Comments Ed Hester, Headmaster, “It was a pleasure to welcome the Good Schools Guide to Princethorpe. We are delighted that they have recognised our ‘spirit of family’ and found us to be a ‘kind school’ and that every parent they spoke to was ‘hugely impressed by the diligence and commitment of our staff’. They have successfully managed to get under our skin and paint what we feel is an accurate picture of life at the school.

He continued, "Thank you to all the parents and pupils who kindly spoke to the Guide's editor about their experience of the school."

Year 11 And Upper Sixth Enjoy Thanksgiving Celebrations

To mark the end of their journeys through school, Year 11 and the Upper Sixth took part in Thanksgiving Services this week as they celebrated their last day in school. Parents joined the services virtually and both events were joyous occasions full of celebration and optimism. For us all it was a wonderful opportunity to remember and reminisce over pupils' time at the College, the friends they have made and the many adventures they have had along the way.

Both Year 11 and the Upper Sixth then enjoyed BBQ picnics and plenty of fun and games with their friends before finally heading home.

We wish Year 11 and Upper Sixth the very best as they move on to the next exciting chapter in their lives. They have been delightful year groups, have worked hard, risen to the challenge and we are confident they will be rewarded with success when the examination results are published in August.

If you missed the services you can watch a recording of them here:

Year 11 Thanksgiving

Upper Sixth Thanksgiving

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Five Year 10 Pupils Awarded Silver Certificates In Junior Physics Challenge

On Friday 7 May, 60 Princethorpe College Year 10 pupils took part in the Junior Physics Challenge, a competition organised by the British Physics Olympiad.

This year the competition was run online and attracted 6,171 entries from 122 schools. It comprised of two papers each containing 30 multiple choice questions on topics that included Dynamics, Electricity, Optics, Heat, Units, Astronomy and Waves and was designed to engage and challenge pupils by offering a range of problems to solve. It was a great opportunity for our physicists to apply their curriculum knowledge of physics practically.

Five Princethorpe pupils were awarded Silver certificates including Zak Abba, Harry Fitzpatrick, Amy Hogg, Tom Lomas and Joseph Newborough. A further 44 pupils received Bronze certificates.

Dan Lee, Head of Physics, said, "Congratulations go to all the participants, it was great to see our Year 10 pupils engaging with the Junior Physics Challenge."

Another Exceptional Summer Art, Photography And Design Show

The Summer Art, Photography and Design Show opened on Thursday 24 June. This year the event was pre-bookable and on the Thursday evening we were delighted to welcome some 140 visitors to the school in timed viewing slots. The displays will once again be on show on Sunday 27 June allowing visitors to enjoy the superb standard of work this year’s GCSE and A-level pupils have produced.

Those who know the College will be familiar with its formidable reputation for quality Art and Design. The walls of the College are adorned with exceptional examples and the work at this year’s show was no exception with striking portraiture and photography sitting alongside technically complex product design.

The Sixth Form Centre and Lecture Theatre were transformed into an eclectic exhibition space, the light and airy atrium helping to showcase the work at its best. The College’s exhibition is one of many venues across Coventry and Warwickshire taking part in Warwickshire Open Studios 2021.

On display was work from A-level and GCSE pupils exploring a diverse range of mediums and themes. In the main hall fascinating portraiture sat alongside superb studies, imaginative illustrations and phenomenal photography. In the Design and Technology studio, intricately stitched dresses and tutus showcased this year’s Textiles pieces. With multipurpose furniture a theme running through many Resistant Materials’ final products.

Visitors were audibly impressed with what they saw, stopping to stare in wonder, exclaiming over the ingenuity and talent and enjoying the fine collection of work.

Our congratulations go to all our GCSE and A-level pupils for producing such a worthy display. Thanks go to the Art and Photography Department and the Design and Technology Department for all their support and inspiration to pupils this and every year and for putting together such an outstanding display.

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Trinity Term Celebration Of Achievement

As the Trinity term draws to a close it is time once again to recognise and celebrate the many pupils who have risen to the challenge of the College’s ethos.

This term Assistant Head, Co-curricular, Neil McCollin, congratulated 42 pupils from across the College who had been nominated by members of staff for recognition for their achievements. All had tried their best; some had excelled or showed commitment to the performing arts, sports or academic studies, whilst others had gone over and above for their House or Tutor group. All were an outstanding example for their peers.

Mr McCollin thanked each and every one of them, recognising the commitment and effort they put in and all that they do to enrich school life.

This term congratulations go to:

From Year 7: Charlie Atkins, Daniel Ovens Gibbs and James Wright

From Year 8: Sean Birtley, Hattie Gray, Ruby Mander, Lorna McLoughlin, Ben Moore, Sophie Nicolle, André Onyekwe, Emmi Parmenter and Dylan Williams

From Year 9: Sammie Borland, Andrew Hope, David Ikuomola, Albert Jackson-Bettles, Ben Rose, Harriet Sharpe, Priya Somel and Oscar Tebbatt

From Year 10: Tahlia Collis-Smith, Alexander Hammond, Tom Hollis, Tilly Houghton, Claudia Newman, Darcy Reeve, James Robinson, Zoe Shayler, Zara Simpson, Daisy Southgate, Alice Whittaker and Izzy Wright

From Year 11: Edward Sharpe

From Lower Sixth: Kate Keane, Caitlin Mason, Cam McGregor, Ben Scares, Max Smith and Luke Williams 

From Upper Sixth: Katie Heywood, Mia Hornett and Abbie O'Carroll-Bailey

More information on the pupils’ achievements can be found here.

Upper Sixth Enjoy PC At The Races

The Upper Sixth enjoyed a fun social event last Friday that gave the year group a welcome chance to catch up. The students were back in school for their Bridging Courses, a series of sessions offering activities, advice and support.

PC At the Races took place at lunchtime and the Upper Sixth chose their horses and then took their seats to cheer them on. Former Head Boy, Jack Neale did a superb job commentating and after the four races were run it was Daisy Walker who took the trophy for picking the most winners. The event concluded with a tasty picnic lunch.

 

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Confirmation June 2021

We are profoundly grateful to Father Teddy O’Brien MSC, our Parish Priest and to Father Alan Whelan MSC who made it possible for our Confirmands to be able to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this term.

Father Teddy celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation in the College Chapel, along with Father Alan, on three separate occasions, in order to maintain social distancing regulations. In total 18 pupils were Confirmed.

The Confirmands are to be congratulated on their diligence in preparing for Confirmation, attending sessions both in person and on line and for witnessing to their faith.

Carnegie Shadowers Celebrate As Winners Announced

On Wednesday June 16 the winner of the Carnegie Medal 2021 was announced and Princethorpe College’s shadowing group celebrated in style. The College Shadowers got together for a small party outside to hear the winners announced and of course to talk more about the books!

Our pupils were among thousands across the country who had enjoyed reading and debating this year’s shortlist of eight novels. An activity which broadens their reading choices, challenges their preconceptions and sharpens their debating skills. After all that reading, Princethorpe’s Shadowers’ choice of winner was Run, Rebel, a debut novel by Manjeet Mann, about a girl who runs in quiet rebellion to escape an arranged marriage. Run, Rebel was also awarded the Shadowers’ Choice Award as the most popular book amongst the Shadowers nationally.

The winner of the CILIP Carnegie Medal was the novel Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds. It features 10 intertwining, interconnecting stories from the international bestselling author Jason Reynolds about those 15 minutes of unsupervised independence; the walk home from school.

Princethorpe's pupils have had great fun taking part in the Shadowing, and we will be doing it all again next year.

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Two Day TEFL Course Teaches Valuable Skills

20 Sixth Formers and two Year 11 pupils have just completed a two-day course in Teaching English As A Foreign Language (TEFL). Taught by Nathan Lomax, an experienced TEFL Teacher Trainer, and former Modern Foreign Languages university lecturer, the course took place in school on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 June. The course covered topics such as teaching English language skills, identifying learning styles and creating learning materials through a series of engaging and fun learning activities.

Princethope’s Sixth Form has offered the TEFL qualification for a number of years. TEFL certification is particularly useful for those students considering a gap year abroad, as it offers a good way to help fund travel. Despite giving up two full days of their weekend, all the participants really enjoyed the course.

Ethan Smith said, "Even though it was two full days the tutor kept us really engaged and interested." Tom Spencer, said, "Learning Chinese was eye-opening and fun and the teaching practice gave an insight into what Princethorpe College staff experience." Lucy Hatfield, added, "It was a new way to discover English as a language. I was reminded of what adverbs were!"

Congratulations to all who successfully completed the course. Everyone passed with flying colours and we wish you well in your TEFL adventures!

 

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Andrew Takes Part In Opening Of Coventry’s COVID Memorial Garden

Year 8 pupil, Andrew Gordon took part in the official opening of the COVID Memorial Rose Garden at Memorial Park in Coventry on Monday 14 June. The garden, that is made up of four new rose beds, was sponsored by the Godiva Trust who worked in partnership with Memorial Park managers and gardeners to develop and create the rose garden to remember all those who lost their lives during the pandemic.

Andrew is an ambassador for the Godiva Trust, an organisation that works with schools, groups and individuals to provide opportunities for growth, development and social cohesion across communities. Andrew has worked with the Godiva Trust for several years freely giving his own time to help others. He was invited to take part in the opening event alongside children from four other schools. Also attending the opening of the Memorial Rose Garden was Father Teddy O’Brien MSC, Parish Priest for the College Chapel, Our Lady of the Angels, Princethorpe. Father Teddy offered a blessing at the opening event.

The official opening was covered by Midlands Today as well as local newspapers and radio stations and Andrew even got to be interviewed.

 

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Kerry Low’s Destination Dream Job Journal

Kerry Low’s careers handbook, Destination Dream Job Journal, has just been reviewed in Careers Matters, the journal for the Career Development Institute. The review is professional recognition for her journal that was first published last year.

Kerry works part time as a Careers Adviser for Princethorpe College and has over 20 years experience in the careers industry. She put together the Destination Dream Job Journal to act as a ‘careers adviser in a book’ for anyone trying to plan their next career move.

Kerry explains, “I have been in the business a long time and had never come across a good careers handbook so the Destination Dream Job Journal was my way of helping people to work out what it is they really want to do. I really am delighted to see my journal featured in Careers Matters magazine and it is such a lovely review, it is a wonderful endorsement of the handbook.”

Pupils here at the College benefit from advice and input from both Kerry and Princethorpe’s Head of Careers, Jacqui Quinney. Together they provide a comprehensive careers service, encouraging and supporting pupils as they develop their career plans. However, Kerry’s journal is fantastic news for the wider world and it is great to see it receiving professional recognition.

More information is available here.