The Flagpole

The Girls First XI Hockey team had another super win this week when they beat Blundells School. The game finished 2-2 at full time so, with the scores level, the match went to penalty flicks. In a thrilling but nail-biting shoot-out the girls slammed home the penalties to come out 3-1 on top and take the win.

The team now progresses through to the England Hockey Tier 2 Semi Finals. What an amazing achievement, and incredible team effort. Great job girls we are all delighted for you!

Following on from the Year 11: 360 Reviews and Parents' Evenings, we would like to remind Year 11 pupils and parents of the Sixth Form Scholarship process for September 2022 for internal candidates.

All of our Year 11s are able to apply for Sixth Form Scholarships - Academic, Art, Music, Organ, Drama and Sport. To do so they must complete a Sixth Form Scholarship Application Form and write a 'personal statement' outlining their achievements to date and why they feel they would make an excellent candidate for the scholarship (maximum 500 words).

Those pupils who currently have a scholarship, will normally retain their award for Sixth Form, but must also complete a Sixth Form Scholarship Application Form to re-apply for the scholarship.

The deadline for this application is Monday 31 January 2022. Applications should be marked for the attention of the Registrar, Mrs Vanessa Rooney.

Depending on the scholarship, prospective award holders may be interviewed and/or take part in a scholarship assessment in February or March.

Details of any awards will be confirmed when the Sixth Form Offer letters are sent out in writing during week commencing Monday 28 March 2022. Some awards may be dependent on final GCSE grades.

The criteria for each of the scholarships can be found on our website here and in the Sixth Form Admissions Information Booklet 2022. It is essential that pupils and parents look through these in detail before making an application. The Sixth Form Application Form for current Princethorpe Year 11 pupils can be found here.

We hope that this will be another motivational factor for our Year 11s as they focus on their studies and revision in the build up to the exam season.

Over the last couple of years, the Book Trust Bookbuzz scheme has been hugely beneficial in encouraging independent reading among pupils, so this year the College is participating once again. Earlier this term pupils chose a book from a list of exciting new titles and there was much excitement when their chosen books arrived. Rumour has it that apparently, some pupils have already finished reading theirs!

Independent reading is crucial for pupils’ cross-curricular learning, emotional development, and academic outcomes; reading for pleasure is one of the key predictors of examination success. So, to engage the pupils with their new books, Language for Learning Leader, Mrs Parsons has been running a cross curricular task with Year 7. Pupils have been creating a poster about the characters in their book in their Spanish lessons.

All great fun and super learning for Year 7.

Today was the College's Feast Day, our annual celebration involving the whole of the College community, marking the day back in 1854 that the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart were founded. To celebrate, the whole school came together virtually this afternoon to mark the occasion, Father Alan Whelan MSC opened the proceedings reminding us all that Feast Days are about giving thanks, he explained that the day is an important day for all Roman Catholics, as it is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

During the ceremony, awards were presented to pupils from across the school including the House Progress and Achievement Prizes from the last academic year, the CREST Awards and the Biology Olympiad Awards. Congratulation to all the award winners.

The assembly also included a number of musical interludes, showcasing the performing arts and our thanks go to the String Orchestra, Hattie and Liv Sarkies, Henry Corbin, Amelia Hunt and the cast of Holes.

Feast Day is an important day in the Princethorpe calendar, one where we all take time to give thanks to our community’s founders and celebrate Princethorpe’s special ethos and spirit of family.

Last Friday 3 December, the Development team welcomed invited guests to Princethorpe for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the College. Organised as a thank you for those who support the work of the school, some 60 visitors and senior staff enjoyed a fascinating evening delving into dark corners and hidden places and discovering the history that has made the Princethorpe we all know and love today.

The College was especially delighted to welcome back as guest of honour, former Director of Sport, Gwilym Price OBE, who reflected on his long association with the school and celebrated its achievements and growth over the years. He spoke warmly of its success with so many children and said, “I am very excited with the latest developments and the proposals for the forthcoming new Science Centre and wish the school well for the future”. 

Our Foundation Archivist, Janette Ratcliffe, began with an introductory presentation to set the scene, she gave a brief potted history of the College from across its 190 years, from its early days as a priory through to its life now as a school.

Then came the tour, starting in the Sixth Form our guests were led down Lower Pugin past the ornate Benedictine room and on up to Maths, and what was the Girls dormitories. Then it was back to the ground floor and G4 for an explanation of an enclosed order and what life was like behind the door with the grille. Then on through the girls’ dining room (DT workshop) and kitchens (that still has a hot cupboard where the food was served) to where the school ended, and the priory began. The tour went into what was the nuns’ library (now a physics lab) before going down to front of house to see the visitors’ guest house. Then up to the Roundhouse, to talk about the burial vault and next door into music technology and what was once the mortuary chapel before visiting the nuns’ sitting room and then on finally to the Chapel.

After all that exploring, the evening finished with a buffet and drinks and plenty of convivial chat. Foundation Assistant Head, Alex Darkes, who is also known as Mr Princethorpe after so many years as a pupil and then teacher, commented, “Hidden Princethorpe was a unique opportunity to gain an insight to the history and inner workings of the College, we were delighted that our guests were all fascinated by the evening’s talks, tours and anecdotes. We are very grateful for their continued support of the Development Office.”

The event was so successful that the Development team are hoping to host a follow-on event in the summer. For more information on the work that they do, please email the team at makingadifference@princethorpe.co.uk.

Princethorpe College was delighted to welcome guest speaker, Mr Gary Knight, Senior Design Engineer on Bodywork Engineering at Jaguar Land Rover, and parent at Princethorpe College, into school on Friday 3 December.

Mr Knight visited the school to talk with Design Technology pupils from Year 10 through to the Sixth Form. He delivered a lively and engaging presentation to the Design Technology groups covering topics such as the design process, concept iterations, CAD and virtual model analysis.

Design Technology Teacher, Tom Walton, said, “Princethorpe’s pupils thoroughly enjoyed hearing from an expert in design engineering and finding out how the skills they learn in the classroom are put into practise in industry. Many thanks to Mr Knight for his inspirational presentation to our young designers and engineers.”

This year you can buy a Christmas present with a difference and help turn the Foundation’s vision for Science into reality. The new Science Centre has been a long time in the planning, but everyone has the opportunity to make a donation and leave their mark on Princethorpe College for generations to come.

At a projected cost of £8 million, the College is committed to raising a proportion of the funds needed for the project through fundraising. There are many ways for individuals to support the project, from smaller donations for names on a Brick, Periodic Element or Paver to more significant donations. Our aim is for the Princethorpe community to join together to make the vision for Science a reality, regardless of the size of your support.

This Christmas why not consider supporting this important project by making a donation and giving a present that lasts a lifetime.

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

Perhaps the most challenging Physics test available to Sixth Form students, set by the British Physics Olympiad, was tackled by some of Princethorpe's finest physicists with resounding success. Seven students sat the Year 13 Physics Olympiad Challenge, a series of tough problems that stretches the sixth formers with questions beyond the scope of the A-level course.

Special mention goes to Ben Scares, Caitlin Mason and Josh Rawlings, who all achieved the highest level of 'Merit' within the competition. Congratulations also to Louis Beck, Charlie Wollaston, Archie Hancock and Daniel Hatfield, who all achieved good scores.

Look out for the Senior and Intermediate Challenges next term for the Lower Sixth and Year 11 pupils.

Princethorpe College is celebrating after Year 9 pupil, André Onyekwe, and Year 8 pupil, Sam Grindal, had a successful outing at the Independent School Association’s National Swimming Championships.

André and Sam qualified to swim for the Midlands team at the Regional Finals in October and on Sunday 28 November they travelled down to the London Aquatics Centre at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to take part.

André swam in three events and came away with three Silver medals. In the Year 9 and 10 Boys 100m Freestyle he finished in second place in a time of 59.02 seconds, then in the Year 9 and 10 Medley Relay 4x50m he helped his team to second place in a team time of 2.04.78 and finally in the Year 9&10 Freestyle Relay 4x50m another strong swim helped the team again finish in second place in a team time of 1.50.88. Sam swam in the Year 8 Boys Freestyle Relay 4x50m team that finished in third place to bring home a Bronze medal after his team finished in 2.08.52. Together the boys’ medal winning performances helped the Midlands team finish in second place overall at the national event.

Foundation Director of Sport, Lee Cassell, was delighted and said, "Our swimmers have traditionally done well in the ISA Swimming Championships, and they have had another successful outing this year. Well done to everyone who competed in both the National Championships and in the qualifying regional competitions."

Princethorpe’s STEAM essay competition attracted plenty of entries and Mr Lee and the STEAM Ambassadors, Caitlin, Ben and Ciaran, were delighted with the response.

Pupils were asked to write a 500-word essay on a STEAM subject and another interdisciplinary topic of pupils’ choice, and the judges were really impressed by pupils well thought out and constructed analysis of their chosen linked subjects.

After careful consideration the prizes were awarded as follows:

Receiving a book token and Da Vinci Merits:

• Isaac Nelson, Year 7 - Isaac’s engaging essay explored a link between Maths and Art, by investigating the connection between the popular Simpsons cartoon and mathematical ideas subtly hidden in the episodes, such as the Googolplex cinema that appears in one of the cartoon’s episodes (a googol is 10¹⁰⁰).
  
  
• Tim Peyret, Year 10 - Tim’s excellent essay considered How Technology has impacted Biology explaining how the advancement of technology has contributed and led to advances in Biology.
  
  

A Da Vinci Merit was awarded to:

• Jorja Parris, Year 8 – for her interesting essay on Musical Fractions.
  
  

Special mention also goes to Ariana Gray, Megan Thandi and Delilah Teeton for their submissions of topical essays.

Congratulations and a very well done to all who took part.

The Christmas tree in the College Chapel has been lovingly decorated with twinkling lights and hand cut stars, each holding the name of a special someone.

All members of the college community were invited to write the names of those who have touched their lives with love and have a special place in their hearts on a star. Then each individual star has been carefully positioned on the tree. 

Comments, Mary Benham, Chaplaincy Co-ordinator, “The message of Christmas is one of love and the decorated Christmas tree in the Chapel symbolically represents that message. The many stars on the tree are a testament to the presence of love in the world – and the way in which, individually, all our lives have been enriched by love.”

Our thanks go to Year 7 pupils Elizabeth Burgess, Isabella Kay, Emily Knight (not pictured) Anabel Kowal and Alicia Maddams for their help with preparing and hanging the stars.

Princethorpe College pupils, parents and staff have responded generously to the seasonal challenge to show they care. The school community was asked to bring in items of non-perishable food and they did not disappoint, showing a sense of empathy, generosity and solidarity that at one stage led to the school’s prayer room overflowing with boxes and bags of donations. All their gifts have been passed on to the Leamington branch of the charity St Vincent de Paul Society, to be packed into hampers to be given to local families in need.

Mary Benham, Chaplaincy Coordinator added, “The level of enthusiasm and support shown for our Chaplaincy challenge was wonderful, affirming the school’s spirit of family ethos and showing that pupils embrace the communities they live in and are willing to help those who are less fortunate than themselves.” She continued, “It is easy to sometimes think that one person alone cannot make a big impact, but by bringing all of those individual small acts of kindness together we have been able to show how we care.”

Thank you to Year 7 pupils, Keira Arriordaz, Lola Esler, Jessie Murphy and Roxanna Waldron for their help with organising the donations, some of which you can see here.

Princethorpe’s popular PTA Christmas Fair took place on Sunday 28 November marking the start of the festive season.

Hundreds of visitors descended on a College resplendent in decorations, and to add to the excitement there was even a dusting of snow. There were plenty of stalls selling a range of artisan products and gifts and an array of seasonal activities for all ages to partake in. Father Christmas and his elves made their usual stop off at the Fair, delighting children of all ages. The crowds enjoyed musical entertainment with a range of traditional melodies to get everyone in the Christmas spirit and in the Sixth Form Dining Room, families gathered to enjoy warming hot drinks and delicious mince pies.

Our huge thanks go out to the many helpers, supporters and workers who worked all weekend to make the event such a success. It is one of the PTA’s main fundraising events and they are delighted to report that this year the fair and Christmas raffle have raised a superb £6,000.

At the end of January, the PTA will be holding a Burns Night Quiz and then planning for the Summer Fete on Sunday 26 June will begin in earnest. If you fancy getting involved, then do email the PTA at pta@princethorpe.co.uk.

A very successful Christmas wreath making evening certainly decked the doors with boughs of holly as 82 parents, staff and friends jumped at the chance to get arty and crafty on Wednesday 1 December. Places on the evening were snapped up like hot mince pies, and the participants armed with secateurs all enjoyed snipping and clipping away with twigs, foliage and prickly holly to produce some cracking Christmas door decorations.

Head of Academic PE, Louise Harrison, was delighted with the whole event saying, “It was a great, well supported evening. We raised over £500 on the night, that also included a ‘head and tails’ game to win a table decoration and hockey bag which was great fun. Thank you for supporting our sports tour fundraiser - here’s hoping we are able to go on a tour soon!” 

The event was so successful that the Sports department have already pencilled in tentative dates for next year so if you enjoyed the fun do keep your eyes on the Flagpole next autumn.

As the Michaelmas 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.

At lunchtime, last Monday 30 November, Assistant Head Co-curricular, Neil McCollin, congratulated 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 sport, performing arts, charity work 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: Isabella Card and Harry Turvey

From Year 8: Sam Grindal, Ben Jones, Euan Nelson, Ewan Pearce, Lucas Summers, Delilah Teeton and Bella Ward

From Year 9: Sean Birtley, Max Black, Adam Chambers, Amelia Chard, Jess Lane, Lucy Hardy, Joe Heritage, Abigail Mandava, André Onyekwe, Emmi Parmenter and Carla Shayler

From Year 10: Sammie Borland, Jayden Carr, Kobby Enyimayew, Ollie Farquharson, Theo Knight, Vincent McNevin, Rhys Milestone, Freddie Roberts, Ben Smith, Matty Thomas and Sam Verity

From Year 11: Bongneh Bibi, Jess Evans, Sophie Gray, Alexander Hammond, Tilly Houghton, Noah Kemp, Charlotte Lewington, Finn Osborn, Simran Sandhar, Alice Whittaker and Izzy Wright

From Lower Sixth: Corin Alford, Amber Cowie, Eve Farquharson, Ben Hardy, Molly Harper, Mia Johnson, Annabel Koster, Jess Mackenzie, Oscar Page, Eleanor Page, Toby Pearton, Evie Phillips, Grace Thomas, Lara Tripp-Smith and Amber Williams

From Upper Sixth: Harpreet Birdi, Greg Burford, Seb Dibb, Anneliesa Douglas, Mathura Elamurugan, Conor Fernández, Milly Hemmings, Tobias Lambe, Lucia McCosker-New, Molly Minshull, Max Passantino, Joshua Rawlings, Izzy Riley, Emilia Scimeca, Ethan Smith, Sophie Tudor and Remo Volpe

More information on pupils’ achievements can be found here.

Back in November pupils from Princethorpe College took part in the 2021 UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Senior Challenge, a prestigious national problem-solving competition that recognises the best young mathematicians in the country.

The Challenge involves answering multiple choice questions and is sat under normal school exam conditions. The papers are then sent away to be marked by UKMT and the best pupils in the country are awarded Bronze, Silver or Gold certificates. The competition is aimed at students in the Sixth Form and Princethorpe selected 28 able mathematicians from both Lower and Upper Sixth to participate in this year’s Challenge.

It is a demanding exercise designed to stretch and test pupils’ mathematical skills, so the College is delighted that this year, Princethorpe’s mathematicians achieved exceptional results. Congratulations to Upper Sixth Former, Ben Scares who was awarded a Gold certificate, and took the award for best performing student in school, and to Lower Sixth Former, William Hawkins, who was awarded a Silver certificate, and took the award for best performing student in the Lower Sixth. Ben performed so well that he has also qualified for the follow-on round, the Senior Kangaroo Challenge.

Silver certificates also go to: Joshua Rawlings, William Gibson-Sexton, Caitlin Mason, Edward Sharpe
Bronze certificates also go to: Tobias Lambe, Alex Hill, Pablo Scopes, Henry Walker, Mary Lomas, Anthony Convey, Jack Rochford, Ciaran Smith, Tom Spencer, Alexander Allison, Robyn Field

Well done all and many thanks to all the pupils who took part, we hope you enjoyed the challenge.

Theo Scoutas
Post 16 Mathematics Co-ordinator

On Monday 22 November the College hosted a Year 11 GCSE Revision Evening and was delighted to welcome educational researchers Martin Griffin and Steve Oakes, from VESPA Mindset, to work with parents and pupils.

Martin and Steve spoke about the characteristics of successful pupils and shared their wisdom on the different approaches and techniques that would support pupils in achieving good grades.

Both are well equipped to give expert advice in this area, having spent many years in teaching, and in leadership roles in schools. They have seen a lot of successful and not so successful pupils over the years, and their strategies are based on real pupil experience. Their presentation was full of excellent, practical and constructive advice.

Dr Liz Pyne, Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning, said, “We were delighted that Martin and Steve could join us once again to share their VESPA Mindset approach. We know from feedback we have received in previous years that their strategies work for pupils and parents. Their techniques are an important part of our study skills curriculum and staff will be following through on the revision evening to reinforce their advice and approach in the classroom and in exam preparation.”

Feedback from parents and pupils about the evening has been very positive with lots of comments on how useful it was.

Dr Pyne continued, “At Princethorpe we want our pupils to be the best they can be. We work hard to create a ‘can do’ environment and we know getting to grips with the VESPA mindset as they focus on their studies will make a difference to their final grades.”