The Flagpole

Following up on my letter last week, I wanted to give you a few updates.

Over the course of this week, we have seen some more positive Covid cases amongst our community and many of you will be aware that a large proportion of pupils have, as a result, been asked to take a PCR test.

After a visit yesterday from PHE we have been advised that to help us manage the number of Covid cases in school and hopefully reduce new cases, we should move to a ‘test to release’ recommendation. If someone in the household tests positive this would require siblings and other relations to take a PCR test and only return to school when they have received a negative PCR result. This will apply to siblings and other relations across our Foundation schools.

We may also need to advise that some additional pupils ‘test to release PCR’ if they have had substantial contact with a positive case in school. In addition to the ‘test to release’ approach, we will be adding air purifiers for more congested areas around the campus.

We will continue to track and trace and monitor the situation closely. We will review our strategy in consultation with PHE again next week and will keep parents updated if the advice changes again. It is our hope that cases will begin to plateau by the end of next week and that some of the additional control measures we have had to put in place, such as wearing face masks around school and in class and the temporary suspension of competitive fixtures for Years 8, 9 and 10, can be relaxed.

In addition, PHE have confirmed that Princethorpe will become a Covid vaccination centre for 12 to 15-year-olds, when that programme is rolled out shortly. Further specific details will be sent in due course. Please note that this programme will be entirely run and administered by the NHS. For those who wish to opt for the vaccination for their child we hope that parents will find being able to organise the vaccination to take place at school convenient.

What you can do to help us:

1.    Please continue with the twice weekly home testing programme and recording the results via the Test Register emails. Please note that the full 30 minutes should be given to check the results – the positive line can take much longer to appear than the control line on the lateral flow device. Even a very faint line is an indication of a positive result.

2.    Do not send children into school when they are unwell or exhibit any of the signs of covid. If they do, please book them a PCR test.

In the meantime, please be assured that we will do our utmost to keep day to day school life, both in and out of the classroom, as normal as possible for our pupils.

I will write with further updates next week. If you have any immediate or urgent concerns, please contact us by email at post@princethorpe.co.uk. Thank you once again for all your support and co-operation.

With all best wishes

Princethorpe’s Bursary Fund has received a significant boost with a donation of over £100,000 recently pledged to support a new Princethorpe pupil for the duration of their seven-year career at the school.

The transformational bursary has been awarded to a pupil who has joined the College in Year 7 this September, the donation will also cover their school uniform costs and any extras such as books, trips and bus transport.

The generous donors, who wish to remain anonymous, are a current family with two children at the College.

The College committed to expanding its bursary provision during its Golden Jubilee Year and aims to provide fully-funded bursaries for at least ten pupils by its Diamond Jubilee in 2026. At present around 8% of Princethorpe pupils benefit from some form of bursary.

This latest donation brings the total support committed for bursaries to over £200,000, with significant single gifts and pledges and regular giving all playing an important part in funding this life-changing scheme.

Comments Ed Hester, “It is particularly pleasing that this donation comes from a current family who can see the positive effect that Princethorpe is already having on their own children and the transformational experience it could be for others who are less fortunate.”

He continued, “We are most thankful to the donors for their amazing generosity. The deserving pupil we have chosen to receive the bursary has the potential and passion to benefit fully from a Princethorpe education and we will be delighted to update the donor family on the pupil’s progress over the years ahead.”

If you are interested in further information about making a donation to us, please contact Steve Kowal at stevekowal@princethorpe.co.uk or the Development Team at makingadifference@princethorpe.co.uk or call 01926 634265.

Designed to stretch and challenge, the prestigious Cambridge Chemistry Challenge takes students significantly beyond the syllabus and encourages them to think about Science in the way they would at university. 

Back in the summer, seven Princethorpe Sixth Form students, Jessie Crawford, Mathura Elamurugan, Conor Fernández, Robyn Field, Tobias Lambe, Jack Reeve and Harry West, took on this year’s Challenge. The seven chemists had prepared themselves for the competition taking part in the weekly Cambridge Chemistry Challenge co-curricular club to develop their critical problem-solving skills, think creatively, and get a chance to test their knowledge in new, real-world situations. 

All seven now Upper Sixth students were awarded certificates. Tobias Lambe received a Silver certificate putting him in the top 29% of all participants. Conor Fernández was awarded a Copper certificate.

The chemists faced tough national competition engaging with challenging chemistry problems and the College congratulates them on the determination and great resilience they demonstrated.

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

What was once prime time television, Ready Steady Cook, is always a popular inter-house competition. Held this year on Thursday 16 September, teams of Sixth Formers enthusiastically took part in what proved to be a hotly contested challenge, preparing that student staple, an omelette, in the Food Technology suite.

The students were presented with a set of ingredients and challenged to produce an omelette in just 20 minutes. What’s more they had to cook, clean and tidy their workstation before presenting their dish. The plates of food were judged on four criteria - taste, texture, appearance and creativity.

The kitchen was a hive of activity with knives chopping, spoons stirring and pans sizzling as the House teams went to work. Onlookers encouraged from the side as the judges, Ed Hester, Lisa Reay and Amanda McKenzie 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.

House Activities Co-ordinator, Jessica Newborough heaped praised upon the students who so quickly and slickly delivered a mouth-watering, plate of food.

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

Huge thanks to all of the competitors for their enthusiastic efforts, to our judges who clearly enjoyed the bonanza of free food and to the House teams for organising and supporting the event.

With a new Science Building in the planning, everyone has the opportunity to leave their mark on Princethorpe College for generations to come.

At a projected cost of over £8 million, the College is committed to raising a portion of the funds needed through Fundraising. With an overall fundraising target of £1.5 million, realising this goal is a significant factor in determining the timescale and ability to complete the project, which we hope will open its doors to pupils in 2023.

There are many ways for individuals to support, from a major donation or corporate naming rights to smaller one-off donation for names on an Brick, Element or Paver. Our aim is for the Princethorpe community to join together to make the vision for Science a reality.

We do hope you will be interested in supporting this important project and leaving your mark on Princethorpe’s future.

For more information please visit the school website here or contact the Development office at makingadifference@princethorpe.co.uk.

Congratulations to all the Princethorpe Upper Sixth students who have completed their Duke of Edinburgh's Award Qualifying Expeditions over the last few weeks. An amazing achievement by them all.

Unaccompanied and self-sufficient, they have trekked and camped their way across the stunning but challenging terrain of the Snowdonia National Park, working together in teams to achieve their expedition objectives.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Awards are recognised as the world’s leading youth achievement awards. They provide young people with the opportunity to get involved, explore new interests, discover talents and make new friends.

Will Bower, Head of Outdoor Education, commented, “Since Covid struck 62 of our Sixth Formers have completed their Gold DofE Qualifying Expeditions. It’s fantastic illustration of the determination of our young people to get out there and complete something challenging and meaningful. Well done to them all!”

All those who complete their Gold Award are rewarded with an invitation to visit St James Palace, in London, for an official presentation and a proper celebration of their super achievement.

It’s been two weeks since the start of the school year and Year 7 have been settling in well. They are now navigating their way around school, coping with their timetable, the new subjects and new teachers and of course happily taking their lunch in the school refectory.

We know the transition can be daunting but also that it doesn’t take long for new pupils to start to feel at home.

In lessons, Year 7 have been getting to grips with lighting a Bunsen burner in Science, finding out about Jules Chevalier and climbing the Tower in RS, learning the difference between pitch and rhythm in Music and enjoying playing hockey and rugby in Games.

Well done to them all.

It was lovely to see so many familiar faces at the OPs vs College Sports Day on Saturday 4 September - this popular annual fixture traditionally kicks off the College’s sporting calendar for the year ahead.

The staff and leavers of 2021 football team started with a great victory over the older OPs. Honours were split in the hockey with the College winning the girls’ match and the OPs coming out on top in the boys’ match. The OPs showed their experience in the netball with a high scoring performance beating the college.

In the OPs v College 1st XV (John Shinkwin Trophy match) the teams, OPs (leavers of 2020 and 2021) and the College played the newly formed version of Ready for Rugby, with the OPs having a fast start and ultimate victory with the College always chasing the game.

The results of the matches were as follows:

• Football – Staff/College 3 v OPs 1
• Netball – College 16 v OPs 31
• Boys’ Hockey – College 1 v OPs 5
• Girls’ Hockey – College 3 v OPs 1
• Rugby – College 10 v OPs 16

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

Lee Cassell, Foundation Director of Sport, commented, “It was great to see this day take place after a hiatus due to the pandemic. Once again it showed the true spirt of the Princethorpe community and gave staff, pupils, OPs and parents the opportunity to watch five entertaining matches over the course of the day.

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 3 September 2022 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.

Princethorpe College was delighted to take part in the 2021 Heritage Open Days festival on Sunday 12 September. The festival, organised by the National Trust, runs annually celebrating England’s local history by giving access to thousands of places usually closed to the public. The College has taken part in the festival for many years and this year’s event was one of the most successful yet.

On the day, the College welcomed 139 visitors through the doors, all safely socially distanced, hand sanitised and masked of course. From near and far, including local neighbours as well as parents of old and new pupils, new staff and those interested in local history, all were made welcome and enjoyed a fascinating tour that took in Pugin’s magnificent Chapel, the Cloisters, Nuns’ Cells, Library (formerly a church) and the unique Roundhouse.

The College was particularly delighted to welcome back former archivist Rev. Nick Baker who joined our current archivist Janette Ratcliffe and Assistant Head (Development) Alex Darkes as the tour leaders sharing wonderful insights into the history of the magnificent building and the amazing people that made it the place it is today.

A huge thank you to all who kindly organised and supported this super community event.

And for those who weren’t able to visit on the day there is still the option of the virtual tour which can be found here: roundme.com/tour/726654/view/2288475/.

The latest edition of the College's Admissions Update e-newsletter has just been published.

Packed full of information and advice it provides prospective parents and pupils with an insight into College life, information on forthcoming events and helpful guidance on the admissions process, particularly for those who are looking at entry in September 2022.

Its publication coincides with the College’s Open Afternoon that takes place this Sunday 19 September. The Open Afternoon is now fully booked but there are other opportunities available to visit the school.

You can read the admissions newsletter here admissions.princethorpe.co.uk. 

Or for further information on admissions to the school please call the Registrars on 01926 634201/262/297 or email the team at admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

The admissions newsletter is published twice a year to coincide with key admissions periods and the next edition will be available in spring 2022.

Foundation Junior School, Crackley Hall School 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. Crackley Hall 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 school in June, interviewed the Headmaster, Rob Duigan, toured the site with pupils, observed lessons and spoke to teachers 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 teaching and learning, sport and the performing arts, co-curricular activities, pastoral care and leavers’ destinations.

Commenting on the school’s approach to teaching and learning, the Guide says:

"Pupils and parents praise their ‘lovely’ teachers for ‘listening’, ‘really fun lessons’, and ‘taking every opportunity to find what they are good at and encouraging them’'.

“Parents say teachers manage work levels so that at any one time, ‘there may be three different levels taught in the same classroom, giving individual attention, focusing on each end of the spectrum’ without, as one noted, ‘losing sight of the middle of the road’. Children who need stretching are given extension work within classroom, in small tutor groups and access a regional gifted and talented programme.”

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

In his address to pupils the headmaster tells them, ‘You are valued, try your best at all times, stay involved, be kind to others and the world. Smile!’ That pretty much sums what we saw at Crackley Hall.

To read the full review click here.

Comments Rob Duigan, Headmaster, “It was a pleasure to welcome the Good Schools Guide to Crackley Hall. They spent a typically busy day with us and we feel they have captured the warmth and energy of our whole school community. We are delighted that they have recognised the all-round excellence of our first-class school, and especially our collective enthusiasm for all aspects of learning and the individual care and attention each and every one of our pupils receives.”

He continued, “As Covid restrictions ease, we are looking forward to welcoming prospective families to the school, so they can find out for themselves what a Crackley education could do for their child.”

Crackley Hall is hosting open events in October and November for September 2022 entry, to find out more visit www.crackleyhall.co.uk/visit-crackley or email admissions@crackleyhall.co.uk.

Friday 1 October 2021

Those wishing to register for Entrance Examinations should do so by the deadline of Friday 1 October to allow for the processing of the application and to facilitate the gathering of references from junior schools. Registration forms are available from the Registrar, Mrs Vanessa Rooney on 01926 634201 or email admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

Entrance Examinations for Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 will take place on Saturday 6 November 2021 from 9.00am to 4.00pm. More information is available in our 2022 Admissions and Entrance Examinations Booklet available on our website, click here.

Thursday 7 October 2021 - 10.00am to 3.00pm

Crackley Hall School and Little Crackers Nursery in Kenilworth, are opening their doors for an Open Day on Thursday 7 October 2021 from 10.00am to 3.00pm.

This is an opportunity to look around the school and nursery, and to meet staff and pupils on a normal working day. All are welcome, please register your interest in attending our Open Day.

To book your place please click here.

We have places available in Nursery and will be recruiting for places in Reception 2022.  Please speak to our Admissions Secretary, Mrs Jenny Vaughan for availability in other years.

If you can't make the Open Day but would like to look around the school, please call our Admissions Secretary, Mrs Jenny Vaughan on 01926 514410 or email admissions@crackleyhall.co.uk and come on a day to suit you, we welcome visitors on most days.

For more information visit www.crackleyhall.co.uk

Friday 8 October 2021 - 10.00am to 3.00pm

The Crescent School, in Bilton, Rugby, is opening its doors for an Open Day on Friday 8 October from 10.00am to 3.00pm.

This is an opportunity to look around the school and to meet staff and pupils on a normal working day. All are welcome, to book your place please click here

We have a limited number of places available and are now accepting registrations for admission to Reception, Year 1, 2 and Year 3 in September 2022.

If you can't make the Open Day but would like to visit the school, please call our Registrar, Mrs Helen Morley on 01788 521595 or email admissions@crescentschool.co.uk and come on a day to suit you, we welcome visitors on most days.

For more information visit www.crescentschool.co.uk

Some degree courses require students to take an admissions test as part of their application. It will be stated in the entry requirements for the course and Lower Sixth students can check with their tutor or member of the Sixth Form Leadership Team.

These tests take place in school on either Wednesday 3 November or Thursday 4 November depending on the subject.

For medical courses requiring the BMAT test, the entry deadline is Wednesday 29 September, for all other course tests the deadline is Wednesday 13 October.

To be entered for a course please complete the attached form here and return to the examinations office before the deadline.

Shellagh Dodds
Examination and Assessment Manager

The Year 8 Parents’ Evenings takes place on the 6 and 7 October. It will be hosted virtually through of a series of Microsoft Teams meetings with your child's teachers. Meetings will be booked online in five-minute slots. Further details will follow on how to book the appointments.

It is hoped that all parents will be successful gaining an appointment, however if this is not possible teachers may contact you via email to update your about your child’s progress.

You can find a list of your child's teachers under Teacher Contacts on MySchoolPortal.

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

There will be an online Parent-Tutor meeting for parents of students in the Lower Sixth later this month, taking place across the evenings of Wednesday 29 September and Thursday 30 September.

This will be an opportunity to meet with your child’s tutor online to discuss how they have settled into life in the Sixth Form. 

Details regarding how to register for an appointment will be emailed home in the next few weeks.

Deputy Head - Academic

Please see the flyer here about the peer support groups for Warwickshire parents and carers of young people who self-harm. Please do get in touch with them if you feel that you need support.  

InvestIN programmes offer students an immersive experience of their dream career, giving them the confidence to choose the right career and maximise their potential. Attendees gain unique insight through simulations, seminars, Q&As with industry leaders and personalised career coaching.

Their programmes empower students aged 12-18 to take charge of their futures through live, interactive and hands-on sessions with top professionals. Students can choose from 28 careers and attend either in-person across 5 UK cities or live online. 

Interest is high and they expect to be fully-booked for Young Doctor, Engineer, Lawyer, Investment Banker, Software Engineer and Psychologist programmes by 30 September. 

Please click here to register. 

Morgan Stanley is offering 'Step In, Step Up: An Insight to Banking Programme', which is an integral part of their diversity recruitment drive.

It is an introductory two-day programme designed for Year 12 and Year 13 female students. This programme comprises divisional overviews, case studies, panel sessions, trading floor tours and interactive workshops. Participants will also have the opportunity to work as a team, develop their presentation skills and network with employees at all stages of their careers.

Programme dates 26 and 27 October 2021 (the programme will be hosted either virtually or in their offices; to be determined closer to the time, dependent on the COVID-19 Pandemic)

Eligibility Requirements: you identify as a female student who is in Year 12 or Year 13, and you are looking to learn about career opportunities in Investment Banking.

Deadline for applications: Sunday 26 September 2021. Click here to apply.

We are still hoping that Year 11 pupils can undertake some work experience this year.

I know that this is a very challenging time, and that getting some work experience could be less easy for the next few months, but as things start to open up, it could be possible.

Placements can be done at any time during the summer holidays. They can also be undertaken during the early part of Lower Sixth, for example October half term 2021.

I would also suggest looking at the website Springpod which offers a virtual work experience programme which has been highly recommended by our Careers Advisor.

Many thanks to those who already have managed to help their son/daughter obtain a placement; in the meantime please could you let me know if you have managed to arrange something by emailing miketaylor@princethorpe.co.uk

Mike Taylor
Work Experience Co-ordinator

The Chaplaincy is again supporting the St Anne's Parish Shoe Box Appeal, to provide gifts for children who would not otherwise receive a Christmas present. This year the boxes are being distributed by Teams4U who operate around the world supporting community initiatives aiming to improve the lives of children through education, healthcare, training, financial assistance, and delivering shoeboxes.

Each shoebox will be given to a vulnerable child, or family, through schools, nurseries, hospitals and orphanages.

The aim of T4U is that each box is given in relationship with the local community as part of a long-term commitment to these children. This includes financing pre-school programmes to support their education and development.

We are encouraging everyone to bring one item.

What these children need most are educational and hygiene supplies, e.g.

•           Toothbrush and toothpaste

•           Hairbrush/comb

•           Facecloth and soap

•           Stationery/pens/pencils/paper

Please also include a few small gifts, e.g.

•           A soft toy, ball, game, puzzle, stickers, balloons

•           Gloves/hats/scarves

Homecare Family Shoe Boxes

•           Cooking utensils (no knives), candles, hairbrush plastic utensils (plates, bowls, cutlery)

•           Soap, small Christmas decorations, small decorative items, small saucepans

•           T-towels (preferably quite decorative), plastic containers, washing line pegs

•           Washing up cloths

All items may be left in G12a or at the Student Hub by 5 October 2021.

Mary Benham
Chaplaincy Co-ordinator

Maybe there are a few old coins or notes lurking in the back of a drawer, 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! We already have 8kg, but we need more!!

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’.

We raised a spectacular amount last year.....

Many thanks

Rod Isaacs
Assistant Head of Sixth Form

Please find attached here a letter regarding Rugby this term at Princethorpe and a useful guide to concussion here.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me at peterbucknall@princethorpe.co.uk

Mr Bucknall
Head of Rugby

A warm welcome to the Michaelmas Term programme of Physical Education and Games at Princethorpe College. 

Our PE and Games Department have created a helpful new guide for pupils and parents ahead of the Michaelmas Term 2021 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 or Sport), or Ms Law (Head of Girls' Games). 

Lee Cassell 
Foundation Director of Sport 

Welcome to the new academic year here at Princethorpe, and we are looking forward to seeing some great sport being played.

New - For Year 10 upwards (boys and girls) there are new senior tracksuit bottoms which will be available to be purchased from the Uniform Shop. These are unisex tapered tracksuit bottoms which were very popular with the South Africa 2019 tourists.

Just as a reminder, below is the PE and Games kit required and as always, we value your support and commitment to our team and our school.

Curriculum PE Lessons:

Boys - black sports shorts, white socks, white polo shirt or House polo shirt;

Girls - black skort, white socks, white polo shirt or House polo shirt;

In cold weather black tracksuit bottoms, black sports fleeces and/or Princethorpe sports jackets may be worn.

GCSE and A-level Practical Lessons:

Boys - black sports shorts, white socks, red academic polo shirt; 

Girls - black skort, white socks, red academic polo shirt;

In cold weather black tracksuit bottoms, black sports fleeces and/or Princethorpe sports jackets may be worn.

Games Lessons – Boys:

Rugby - black rugby shorts, red and black rugby shirts, Princethorpe black socks, football/rugby boots, gum shield;

Hockey - black sports shorts, white polo shirt, black socks, trainers or astro-turf trainers, gum shield, shin pads;

Football - black sports shorts, red and black rugby shirts, Princethorpe black socks, football boots, shin pads;

Athletics - black sports shorts, white polo shirt, House polo shirt, white socks, black sports fleece;

Cricket - black sports shorts or cricket trousers, white polo shirt or Princethorpe cricket shirt, Princethorpe cricket pullover;

In cold weather black tracksuit bottoms, black sports fleeces and/or Princethorpe sports jackets may be worn.

Games Lessons – Girls:

Netball - black skort, white polo shirt, white socks;

Hockey - black skort, white polo shirt, Princethorpe black socks, trainers or astro-turf trainers, gum shield, shin pads;

Tennis - black skort or white skort (only team players,) white socks, white polo shirt;

Athletics - black skort, white polo shirt, white socks;

Cricket or Rounders - black skort, white polo shirt, white socks;

In cold weather black tracksuit bottoms, black sports fleeces and/or Princethorpe sports jackets may be worn.

In any PE or Games lesson if you wear base layers or 'skinz' then they must be black in colour. No jewellery or watches are to be worn and long hair must be tied up.

Only Princethorpe sports kit can be worn for sports lessons.

All kit must be clearly labelled and valuables must be placed in the valuables box at the start of each lesson. 

Lee Cassell
Foundation Director of Sport

Please don’t forget that Princethorpe College PTA is registered with easyfundraising. So, although we’re unable to get together and hold fundraising events in person, 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.

It always impresses us just how much our pupils achieve in addition to their academic studies. So many regularly take part in co-curricular activities, managing the demands of training, competing, performing or even fundraising in addition to their busy school lives.

Assistant Head, Co-Curricular, Neil McCollin is keen to hear of pupils’ endeavours so that we can celebrate their commitment and dedication, so do please continue to share their news.

Over the summer holidays:

New Year 7 pupil, Amy Robinson, spent the summer cricket season playing for Warwickshire U11s playing against teams including Northamptonshire, Lancashire, Worcestershire to name a few. Her super summer of sport was rounded off with Amy being named ‘Player Of The Year’ and receiving the Warwickshire Bear Award. Amy was presented with her award by Laura MacLoed who is Director of Central Sparks and capped for England over 100 times.

Year 11, Alexander Hammond took part in the England Men’s Goalkeeping development Camp at the National Football Centre St George’s Park. The camp was an opportunity for a select few of England’s up and coming keepers to showcase and develop their skills under the guidance of FA England Head of Goalkeeping, Tim Dittmer and Sam Meek, with a view to being selected to play for the National Squad.

Three Princethorpe pupils made this summer’s Futures Cup tournament run by England Hockey. The pupils all train at Performance Centres and were selected to play in one of the six squads that compete in the Future Cup competition. England Hockey’s national age group coaches attend the tournament to select for the England U16 and U18 squads. Lower Sixth Formers, Evie Phillips and Lara Tripp-Smith played for Mercia Lynx U17 squad and Year 11, Tom Hollis made the Mercia Lynx U15s team.

Good luck also to Year 10, Harriet Boyd who is competing in an international mounted games competition this weekend.

Well done to them all.

Princethorpe College is offering pupils the opportunity to take part in the Salters’ Institute Chemistry Club, an online, interactive learning platform for 11-14-year-olds. The Chemistry Club aims to demystify chemistry and showcase the breadth and depth of chemistry as a subject and future career.

Providing daily new and engaging content on topics that involve chemistry including: Medicine, Cosmetics, Emotions, Oceans and the Environment, the platform offers pupils the opportunity to grow their independent knowledge and interest in the subject.

Teacher of Chemistry, Jo Smith, comments, "The Salters’ Chemistry Club aims to increase the accessibility of chemistry for young learners at the start of their secondary education, a time when chemistry is perhaps not on their radar. It is a great tool that promotes independent learning and offers additional subject knowledge and support in a fun and engaging way. We will be introducing the club to pupils in the classroom and through our STEAM initiative."

Anyone interested in finding out more should visit https://salterschemistryclub.co.uk/register to register.

The Co-curricular calendar has started very well this term, so many thanks to all the pupils who are attending the activities and the parents who are supporting this; staff are thrilled to have the numbers. We have had to make some further tweaks to the programme so please find attached here the most up to date Co-curricular programme. This version now supersedes the printed version in the calendar and is also available on the MySchoolPortal Princethorpe - Co-curricular page. The major changes are: 

• Beginners Archery is now full with new places being available in the Trinity term; 
• Photography will start after half-term with Miss Plenderleith;
• After no climbing last year, this club has been inundated with interest. If pupils wish to be added to the rota please see Mr Bower as he is organising a 6 week rotation of sessions for pupils to join;
• Table tennis will start in the Lent term; 

Following Mr Hester's letter in Friday 10 September, you will be aware that Year 8 and 10 have had to pause their competitive fixtures against other schools. This has now been extended to Year 9 as well. This will be reviewed at regular intervals and an internal programme will be put in place until we are able to continue with our competitive fixture list for these age groups.

For all sporting information, please use www.princethorpesport.co.uk or MySchoolPortal to know when the fixtures are, their venues and whether pupils have been selected. This term pupils must continue to arrive in school in full Princethorpe sports kit on the days when they have their Games afternoons.  

Neil McCollin
Assistant Head - Co-Curricular

Please click on this link to view the DofE Parents’ Information Evening video, information booklet and enrolment form on MySchoolPortal.

The deadline for enrolment is Friday 15 October (half term).  Please complete the form and submit the £50 deposit as soon as possible.  Instructions regarding payment of the deposit can be found at the back of the Information Booklet. I will be in contact after half term to explain the next steps and hand out course materials.

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) 

Will Bower 
Head of Outdoor Education – DofE Manager 

Please continue to prioritise signing off your volunteering, physical and skill 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 below are also available on MySchoolPortal.

For help, please refer to this eDofE Completion Guide and the Electronic Assessor Report Guide. You may also find it useful to refer to the Temporary Changes Summary or Gold Temporary Changes Summary documents.

The Y10 Bronze eDofE lunchtime drop-in clinic continues this week on Thursday 1305 in LG01.  The Y11 Silver clinic will start next week.   I will aim to hold the Certificate Presentation Evening in February 2022.  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.

The postponed Bronze Group B Qualifying Expedition will take place on Saturday 25 8.30am - Sunday 26 September, 5pm.  I am very much looking forward to seeing group B out on their final expedition.

Will Bower 
Head of Outdoor Education – DofE Manager 

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.

The start of term is exceptionally busy and we recommend that new pupils use the bus service from the first day of term.  For busy times we usually have staff managing traffic on site and all drivers are asked to cooperate and to follow instructions.  Our aim is to make it safe and as easy as possible for everyone.

The College has updated its risk assessment on the management of traffic on site to ensure the safety of pedestrians and vehicles which you will find here.  Parents are asked to review this document and to discuss with their children how to keep safe.

Campus changes: we now have two locations for buses to park on arrival at the College.

Eddie Tolcher
Foundation Bursar

To help families new to the school, and as a reminder for all, here are some top tips for navigating the College's e-newsletter, The Flagpole, on your mobile phone.

Each edition of The Flagpole has a general overview message followed by an index list of the news, events and other information, split into categories, with clickable title links.

• Click the title link of the article or event you are interested in.
• From here you can scroll through all the articles in this category.
• To get back to the top of a category quickly, use the arrow in the bottom right corner of your screen. Click this and you will jump to the top of the page nd see the category index.
• Select ‘NEWSLETTER INDEX’, to return you to the main newsletter index listing all the categories and articles.
• To move between different editions of The Flagpole use the dark blue button with three white lines towards the top right of the newsletter. Click on the button and choose which edition of The Flagpole you would like to read.

The Flagpole is one of the College's main communication tools and is always a good first place to look for information and news. Bookmarking https://flagpole.princethorpe.co.uk/ will allow you to get to the newsletter quickly.

Please see below our current vacancies:

• Teacher of English (Maternity Cover) - Princethorpe College
• IT Service Team Leader - Princethorpe College
• Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages (Part Time) - Crescent School 
• Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages (Part Time) - Cracklly Hall School
• After School Care Leader - Crackley Hall School 
• Caretaker - Crescent School
• Lunchtime Supervisors - Crescent School
• Casual Estates Assistant - Princethorpe College

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.

Please find below the Term Dates for 2021-22 and 2022-23

2021-22 (two page document)

2022-23 (two page document)