News

Senior Hockey Girls Are In Fine Form

The Girls First XI Hockey team have had an absolutely fantastic start to the season. They are currently on a six-game unbeaten run with recent wins against Solihull (3-1), Ratcliffe (3-0), KES Birmingham (3-2), Kimbolton (7-0), Bablake King Henry's (4-2) and just this week an excellent win against the formidable Bromsgrove School (4-2).

Team Coach, Rachael Mack, said, “The girls are just going from strength to strength. They play an excellent technical game and work really well together as a team anticipating and capitalising on opportunities. The match on Tuesday was intense.”

The matches will keep coming thick and fast after half term, with an important cup match away against Rugby on Tuesday 3 November and a 'Friday Night Lights' match, with charity BBQ against Wellingborough on Friday 5 November.

Congratulations girls and keep up the great play!

Playing for the team this year are: Charlotte Brotherton, Anneliesa Douglas, Jess Evans, Eve Farquharson, Sophie Gray, Molly Harper, Millie Hemmings (Captain), Tilly Houghton, Mia Johnson, Jess Mackenzie, Lucia McCosker-New, Molly Minshull, Immy Morley, Evie Phillips, Emilia Scimeca, Grace Thomas, Lara Tripp-Smith, Sophie Tudor and Alice Whittaker

Emmi Accepted Onto New York Academy Of Sciences Programmes

Princethorpe College Year 9 pupil, Emmi, has been accepted into the prestigious New York Academy of Sciences Junior Academy and onto the 1000 Girls, 1000 Futures mentoring programme. Both programmes offer Emmi the opportunity to join virtual learning communities and work with STEM experts and leaders from around the world.

With only 1000 places available world-wide, Emmi’s selection bears testament to the strength of her application which included an essay on biological engineering and applying the principles of biology to real life situations.

As a member of the Junior Academy Emmi will take part in project-based learning, creating solutions to real-world issues. Emmi will participate in two 10-week challenges working in an international team alongside STEM experts. Emmi’s first challenge begins next week, and she is already enjoying networking with her peers in India and the USA as she prepares for the first project.

As part of the 1000 Girls, 1000 Futures programme, Emmi will participate in one-to-one mentoring with scientists and engineers, take coursework modules focusing on skills such as leadership, communication, and critical thinking and have the opportunity to network with peers and female STEM professionals.

Helen Pascoe-Williams, Da Vinci Co-Ordinator, commented, “It is fantastic to see Emmi’s passion and excellence in the realm of STEM recognised on an international level, we know she will make the most of this wonderful opportunity to further her knowledge and skills. We look forward to hearing news about the challenges Emmi works on and the solutions her team propose.”

Princethorpe College Is Full STEAM Ahead

STEAM education is an approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding and developing pupil studies. Previously known as STEM (see article), the inclusion of ARTS subjects introduces skills such as wonder, critique, inquiry and innovation that delivers a more rounded integrated learning experience.

At Princethorpe College, STEAM encompasses all these subjects, and others also contribute to the development of STEAM associated skills, such as foreign cinema in MFL, the significance of inventions and their influence on History and the evolution of digital technology and its impact on Business Studies and Economics.  

For Princethorpe pupils particularly interested in STEAM, accessing learning and development opportunities is now easier than ever through the College pupil and staff STEAM Team. Here pupils can research and find events to attend, competitions to enter, places to visit, STEAM resources and share their ideas through the TEAM. They can even propose their own opportunities for learning via the TEAM. 

For younger pupils, getting involved with a broad range of STEAM activities helps them to find their interests and focus their future aspirations. As pupils move into Key Stage 4/5 active involvement in STEAM activities is great evidence for their CV and personal statement for University and job applications. 

Opportunities at Princethorpe include or have included in the past: 

  • School Competitions: Science Essay Writing Competition and the Anatomical Art Competition 
  • External Competitions: UKMT Maths Challenge, Science Olympiads, Arkwright Scholarship (Design Technology) 
  • Lectures: Warwick Christmas Lectures, subject specific lectures, visiting external speakers  
  • Educational visits: MAD (Mechanical Art & Design) museum, Leicester Space Centre and JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) 
  • Co-curricular clubs: Forensic Science, Coding Club and VEX IQ Robotics 
  • Hands-on experiences: ‘Careers in the Games industry’ event that includes designing your own computer game 

The economy of the future requires STEAM skills; the College is committed to providing pupils with opportunities to develop their STEAM passions and preparing pupils for jobs that don’t even yet exist.

We would very much like to hear from any OPs or parents who feel they could help support STEAM at Princethorpe College, especially as a speaker or by offering industry visits - if this is you, please contact Dan Lee at danlee@princethorpe.co.uk. We would welcome your ideas.

Dan Lee
Head of Physics and STEAM co-ordinator 

 

Success For Runners In Local Round Of ESAA Cross Country Cup

Princethorpe College was delighted to welcome runners from ten Warwickshire schools on Monday 4 October for the county qualifying round of the English Schools Athletics Association’s (ESAA) Cross Country Cup.

Runners competed in the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Boys and Girls races on a course that led the competitors out around the College’s playing fields. Despite the forecast the weather remained fair, which for cross country, gave the competitors perfect running conditions.

Competing were: Princethorpe College, Kenilworth School, Alcester Grammar School, Lawrence Sheriff School, Myton School, Southam College, King’s High School For Girls, The Kingsley School, King Edward VI School and Stratford Girls’ Grammar School.

Congratulations to the Inter Girls who finished in first place overall, with Kate Pomerleau in 2nd, Ava Farren 4th, Hannah Wildey 13th, Olivia Bacon 14th, Pip Evans 25th and Kaena Wasley 26th.

The Junior Boys who finished in second place, with Charlie Atkins 2nd, Sam Grindal 10th, William Smith 12th, Connor Darcy 16th, Henry Fox 20th and Soren Wasley 23rd.

The Inter Boys finished in third place with Felix Batty 3rd, Eddie Arkesden 11th, Albert Jackson-Bettles 14th, Jamie Capelett 17th, Ned Roach 22nd and Zach Hawkins 26th.

The Senior Girls also finished in third place, with Grace Darcy 5th, Molly Minshull 11th, Julia Loftus 13th, Jess Evans 16th, Lottie O'Connor 18th and Emma Sarkies 22nd.

The Junior Girls finished fourth, with Lily Hunter 9th, Rosa Davis 13th, Martha Summers 23rd, Jessie Murphy 30th and Ellie Maffey 37th.

Competing for the Senior Boys were Zak Johnson who finished in 11th, Alex Matheson 13th and Daniel Webb 17th.

Well done to all the participants for their excellent efforts - it really was fantastic to host the competition once again.

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European Day Of Languages Competition

This year the MFL and House teams challenged staff and pupils to take part in fun language-based activities. Staff were all encouraged to use a foreign language in their lessons, either speaking it or including it in the lesson activity with Princethorpe's pupils acting as judges and the results of the European Day of Languages staff competition are now in!

In 3rd place - Alef Rosenbaum, Maths department.
Mr Rosenbaum showed off his knowledge of French during his maths lessons by counting and giving instructions in his favourite language. Some pupils said "it was beautiful".

In 2nd place - Dr Emilie Onyekwe, Science department.
Dr Onyekwe left her Year 11 astounded when they realised that she spoke French fluently. "I didn't know that she was fluent; this was an unexpected surprise!" shared one of them.

In 1st place - Meg O'Gorman, RS department.
Miss O'Gorman not only used French in her lesson, but she included it in her class notebook, showing a skilled marriage between blended learning and languages. Her pupils loved being called "petits pois" and one could not help saying that they felt it was an amazing lesson, as always.

Berenice Galano, Teacher of MFL, said, "A huge well done to all that took part in this first staff competition for European Day of Languages and rising to the challenge of immersion learning. A special mention also to Mrs Moon, Mrs Pascoe-Williams and Mrs Munford who must be commended for the resources created for the occasion and their effort in making this day special for all."

World Porridge Day Fundraiser For Mary’s Meals

Princethorpe College pupils and staff marked World Porridge Day on Wednesday 6 October by raising money for the Scottish charity Mary’s Meals. Championed by our Sixth Formers and Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Rod Isaacs, pupils participated in a posse of Scottish and porridge fundraising fun.

At break time pupils were invited to dig deep and purchase a traditional Scottish breakfast, a pot of porridge, with a selection of luxurious toppings. Queues quickly formed for the steaming pots lined up along the counter in the Refectory.

The Scottish theme continued out in the grounds where only the brave participated in the annual William Wallace Welly Wanging Challenge. Organised by year group, there were plenty of contenders lined up ready to enthusiastically fling, hurl, chuck and toss the wellies across the fields.

A new school record was set with two pupils tying with matching throws of 34.10m each, congratulations to Upper Sixth, Charlie Crean, and to Year 10, Freddie Roberts, both of Benet House. Just behind them was Ed Sharpe with a throw of 33.5m for More. Lower Sixth, Molly Wincott-Thomas, also for More, threw her welly 23.3m to claim the longest throw for the girls.

Rod Isaacs explains, "Princethorpe College has raised over £110,000 for Mary's Meals in the last 14 years through epic sponsored walks, welly-wanging and cake sales. Last year alone we raised over £10,000 and we are committed to continuing our fundraising for the forthcoming year."

He continued, “We had a lot of fun and laughter on the day. Many thanks to all the Sixth Formers and staff who helped to organise the events. We have raised £293.55 so far and still have the porridge sales money to come, all will contribute towards the College’s ongoing feeding programme at Makalanga School.”

World Porridge Day is a fundraising event organised by Mary’s Meals in aid of starving children in the developing world. 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 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean they feed over 2 million children every year. It costs just £15.90 to feed a child for a whole year.

You can find out more about Princethorpe’s fundraising for Mary's Meals or make a donation here

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Year 11 Geography Field Trip Explores Shrewsbury And Carding Mill Valley

On Thursday 30 September 2021, 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 was a fantastic outdoor classroom where the 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 urban dynamic areas by comparing the quality of life in the Castlefields and Radbrook Green districts of the county town of Shrewsbury. As part of their investigations, they completed questionnaires and took photographs which they will now put together with secondary data sources to complete their analysis. They also spent a day investigating physical geography topics in Carding Mill Valley, near the Long Mynd. There they surveyed the rivers, undertaking measurements and investigating the changes downstream.

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

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A-level Inspiration At The Sixth Form Open Evening

This year's Sixth Form Open Evening took place on Wednesday 13 October. It was an ideal opportunity for Year 11 pupils to discover what Princethorpe’s Sixth Form has to offer. Over the course of the evening some 128 internal and external applicants and their parents toured the school, visiting the various A-level departments, meeting staff and current Sixth Formers and hearing more about subjects and the exciting enrichment and co-curricular opportunities here at Princethorpe. With over 30 different courses available there was plenty to choose from.

Headmaster, Ed Hester, gave a series of short overview presentations and it was great to see the Sports Hall so full of parents and prospective pupils. Excellent academic results are of course a vital feature of any Sixth Form provision, but Mr Hester talked about the College’s family ethos, the focus on adding value for the individual and supporting students to achieve their personal best. He also spoke about Princethorpe's strengths, such as the dedicated Careers team and the enrichment opportunities, that add so much value to students’ future university, apprenticeship or employment applications.

As always the evening was very busy with plenty of interest being shown across the subjects. Sixth Formers acted as tour guides for our external visitors and talked enthusiastically about their experiences.

Head of Sixth Form, Ben Collie reminded everybody, “The next stage is to decide on the subjects you might wish to study, as a rule of thumb you should focus on the subjects you enjoy and are doing well in. Current Year 11s will be well supported throughout the process.”

External candidates now have the opportunity to join us for Sixth Form Taster Days in either December or January. More information on these days is available from the Registrars at admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

For anyone who was unable to make Wednesday's Sixth Form Open Evening, information packs and links to recordings of the presentations will be shared.

Primary Schools Take On Princethorpe College’s Year 5 Maths Challenge

A team from Ruckleigh School, in Solihull, took first place in this year’s Princethorpe College Year 5 Maths Challenge.

The competition took place on Monday 11 October 2021 and was run by Douglas Buchanan of DCBEAGLE Challenges who specialises in organising exciting and innovative maths activities for primary school aged children.

Competing were 18 pairs of enthusiastic and talented mathematicians from nine schools, the pupils took part in a series of puzzles against the clock. In five eight-minute rounds the children tackled Tangram Triangles, Broken Calculators, Domino Jigsaws, Card Order and Curly’s Cycling Circuits, before finishing with a bonus round of five final mathematical problems.

Ably supported and marked by a team of Princethorpe Year 10 pupils, the competition stretched and challenged the children with mathematical activities that required both reasoning skills and mathematical knowledge.

The event was huge fun for all who took part. The final results were:

1st place: Ruckleigh School from Solihull

2nd place: St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School from Kenilworth

Joint 3rd place: Stratford Prep School from Stratford upon Avon and Telford Junior School from Leamington Spa

The winning teams all received mathematical prizes and everyone who participated received a certificate and a special Princethorpe cookie.

It was a great opportunity for all to put their maths skills to the test and the College was delighted to host the event. 

Train To Teach At Princethorpe With The Lion Alliance

Thinking of becoming a teacher? Then why not consider training with the Princethorpe Foundation.

Whether you are a new graduate or contemplating a career change, we have a wide range of opportunities available across the subjects including: Art and Design, Biology, Business Studies, Latin, English, Geography, History, Maths, MFL - French and Spanish, PE, Psychology, RE and at Primary.

Though our association with the Lion Alliance, we offer a year’s training as part of the School Direct scheme, leading to Qualified Teacher Status. Placements would be at Princethorpe or Crackley Hall and also at other schools within the Lion Alliance. Our training is supported by Warwick University, Birmingham City University, Coventry University and by our experienced mentors here at the Princethorpe Foundation.

You can preview the courses on offer here: www.gov.uk/find-postgraduate-teacher-training-courses by searching the database using the details: 1K1 – The Lion Alliance

Our Assistant Head for Teaching and Learning, Dr Liz Pyne is happy to offer advice about the different routes into teaching and what Princethorpe can offer you. Please email Dr Pyne at lizpyne@princethorpe.co.uk.

Further information about the Lion Alliance can be found at www.thelionalliance.co.uk.

Applications are through the DfE portal here: Apply for teacher training - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Applications opened Tuesday 12 October 2021.

Lower Sixth Visit To Dearne Valley

The Lower Sixth enjoyed a fabulous few days at Dearne Valley at the start of October. Their three day trip, from Friday 1 to Sunday 3 October, offered the students the chance to develop leadership and initiative skills, build personal resilience and gave them the opportunity to bond together as a group.

The 74 Lower Sixth Formers took part in a variety of outward bound activities including Canoeing, Zip Wire, Night Line, Climbing, Orienteering and Archery. In the evenings they enjoyed a scrap heap 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.

 

 

 

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113 Shoeboxes Donated To Christmas Teams4U Appeal

This year Princethorpe’s Chaplaincy Team has again supported the St Anne's, Wappenbury, Parish Shoe Box Appeal, to provide gifts for children overseas who would not otherwise receive a Christmas present.

A grand total of 113 boxes have been assembled and delivered to the local co-ordinator, ready to bring happiness and joy at this special time of year. They were packed full of little gifts and included educational and hygiene essentials such as toothbrushes, hairbrushes, paper and pens, every day, ordinary items to us but of great value to those who receive the gift.

The boxes will be distributed by Teams4U and will be given to a vulnerable child, or family, through schools, nurseries, hospitals and orphanages. T4U share the shoeboxes through relationships with local communities as part of a long-term commitment to their children. They also provide financing for pre-school programmes to support education and development.

Our thanks go to all the pupils, parents and staff who have donated to the appeal and to Marco Rodriguez Hernandez, Alex Sykes, Jemima Teeton, Sean Birtley and Andre Barnett for supporting the appeal by assembling, sorting and packing the boxes.

OPs October London Meet A Great Success

What a fabulous time was had by all on Friday 8 October at the eagerly-awaited OPs London Meet. The venue, Le Grand Salon Prive, on the first floor of French restaurant, Balthazar in London’s Covent Garden proved to be very popular indeed with some 45 OPs in attendance.

Past pupils from the 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s and recent leavers mingled and chatted happily together, reminiscing about Princethorpe and their time at the College. Tall stories were swapped, old friendships rekindled and new friendships made as the guests caught up with each other over some delicious food and drink courtesy of the OPs Committee.

Longstanding Assistant Head, form tutor and Physics teacher, Alex Darkes, who had travelled down from Warwickshire, was kept very busy all evening, chatting to his former pupils.

Just before ten o’clock the Princethorpe contingent, including Peter Rollason, Chair of the OPs, said their farewells before making a dash to the train for their journey home.

It was so good to have such an excellent turnout for our first face to face OPs event since March 2020 and we look forward to our next Meet on Friday 4 March 2022 at Inside the 22 in Rugby.

Any OPs interested in coming along, should sign up via Princethorpe Connect here

Old Princethorpian E-newsletter Out Now!

Click here to access the latest issue of the Old Princethorpian e-newsletter which was published on Friday 8 October.

The newsletter aims to keep our alumni in touch with each other and with news, developments and events across the Foundation. 

Please do share news of the newsletter with any Old Princethorpians, or former pupils of the Foundation's schools, including the legacy schools, that you know.

The next edition is due out in February 2022 and we welcome all OP contributions and updates for inclusion. 

If you would like to be added to the distribution list please email Old Princethorpians' Secretary Melanie Butler or sign up to Princethorpe Connect our online alumni community.

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