The Flagpole

Princethorpe is fortunate to have two talented young goalkeepers this year, playing for the College’s first team. Alexander Hammond and Finn Osborn, who are both in Year 11 and currently preparing for their GCSEs, have also impressively both recently seen success in their chosen sport outside of school.

Alexander is an accomplished and determined player who currently plays for Aston Villa Academy. Last year, he was put on standby for the England football squad and just recently he took part in an England Men’s Goalkeeping Development Camp at the National Football Centre, St George’s Park. The camp was an opportunity for an elite few of England’s up and coming goalkeepers to showcase and develop their skills and was an amazing opportunity for him.

Finn, who has previously played at West Bromwich Albion Academy, is currently playing for the Independent School Football Association’s (ISFA) U18 South squad and after a particularly strong performance has just been selected to go forward to the final national trials for the ISFA U18 National squad. Finn has also given up his Thursday evenings this year, to help coach and referee the U12 and U13 school teams.

PE Teacher, Ross Holtom, comments, “It is great to see these young players performing so well, it is unusual to have two such gifted, dedicated and hard-working goalkeepers to call on for a school team and it is fantastic to have them so committed to playing for the College.”

Well done to both boys, we are delighted to have such fine shot-stoppers here at Princethorpe.

The U13 Hockey Girls had a fantastic day at the National ISA Tournament at the London Olympic Park on Wednesday 17 November.

Facing the best players from 20 schools from across the country, the girls began with a morning of round robin games in the first round group stage. They made an excellent start winning their first game against Luckley House School 2-0. That was followed with two tight matches against Tranby School and Alton School that both ended as goalless draws. They finished the first round with an unlucky loss, going down 1-0 against Langley Prep.

That qualified the team for the afternoon’s Trophy competition. In their semi-final the team faced Bedford Greenacre School. In a fast and exciting game, the girls worked hard and scored twice to take the win 2-0. They then faced Cundall Manor School in what was a tough final that finished in a 1-0 loss.

Head of Girls' Games, Jen Law, said, “The girls played some great hockey and represented the College excellently. We had a fantastic day full of hockey, they have learnt lots and should be proud of finishing second in the Trophy competition. Well done to all the girls who took part.”

The College’s Cross Country Team can congratulate themselves after another good run at the English Schools’ Athletics Association’s Cross Country Regional Finals. The event took place at Bromsgrove School on Saturday 13 November and running conditions were good for the field of over 300 runners, from 32 schools, on what was a mild dry autumn day.

The Junior Boys team finished in 6th place overall after a strong run by Charlie Atkins helped him home in 3rd place. He was followed over the line by William Smith in 25th, Sam Grindal 37th, Connor Darcy 40th, Henry Fox 55th and Soren Wasley 56th.

The Inter Girls also ran well, Kate Pomerleau was first home finishing in 5th place with Ava Farren just behind in 9th, Olivia Bacon 39th, Kaena Wasley 45th and Olivia Sarkies in 54th. The Inter Girls team finished 9th overall.

The Senior Girls had a good outing with Grace Darcy finishing in 6th, Julia Loftus in 22nd and Emma Sarkies in 33rd.

Head of Outdoor Education, Will Bower, was delighted and commented, “We have a strong team of runners who support each other and never give in.  They ran well today against tough competition taking on the course tenaciously.” He added, “We have a brilliant turnout every Wednesday morning for our breakfast cross country club.  Week in week out, we always have runners out early and their hard work, discipline and commitment are commendable.”

Well done to all the runners who took part.

Congratulations to the Princethorpe’s Equestrian Team, who had an excellent outing at the Bloxham School Eventer Challenge.

The event took place at the Aston-Le-Walls event centre on Sunday 14 November and welcomed riders from across the country. Princethorpe College entered two teams: Jess Hedgecock, Rosie Moreton and Grace Paybody took on the 80cm challenge while Sophie Glover, Claudia Newman and Lottie Paybody rode in the 90cm class.

The competition involved jumping an exciting mix of show-jumping and cross-country fences, including water, banks, drops and ditches, in a continuous round.  

All the girls competed with confidence against a very strong field of talented teams. They rode with determination and assurance to claim great results. Sophia, Claudia and Lottie finished third overall while Grace, Jess and Rosie finished fantastically in first place.

A really accomplished performance and well-deserved success – a huge well done to them all!

With dark nights upon us and the cold weather of winter fast appoaching, the new Princethorpe College Zaini hat is now available. The hats can be bought for £15 from the school shop.  These would make a fantastic Christmas present.

I would like to say thank you to all the pupils and staff for their hard work in all of the PE and sport activities that happened last half term. It has been great to see so many pupils participating in sport on site and representing the College in competitive fixtures. 

For Games, pupils will continue to come to school in their Princethorpe College PE kit and the correct footwear for their activity, it is recommended that pupils bring their College waterproof with them with a change in the weather expected.

The extra-curricular programme will follow the same programme although some small changes have been made to boys' football.

Year 9 boys football training – Tuesday lunchtime on the astro turf

Year 8 boys football training – Thursday lunchtime on the astro turf

Year 7 boys football training – Friday lunchtime on the astro turf

All pupils must ensure that they attend all sporting activities in the correct College kit. 

Sports Kit Reminder

Just as a reminder, with the weather likely to change, below is the PE and Games kit required and, as always, we value your support and commitment to our team and our school. When coming to school in PE kit for Games lessons boys must wear black Princethorpe tracksuit bottoms and girls can either wear black Princethorpe tracksuit bottoms or leggings with a skort.

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;

Games Lessons – Boys:

Rugby - black rugby shorts, red and black rugby shirt, 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, white polo shirt, Princethorpe black socks, football boots, shin pads;

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;

In cold weather black Princethorpe 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 and sports fixtures.

Lee Cassell
Foundation Director of Sport