The Flagpole

Last Friday 20 May, twelve Old Princethorpians, were invited to Buckingham Palace in London to be presented with their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award. In the first award ceremony since the pandemic thousands of young people gathered at Buckingham Palace to celebrate their achievement. Weather was true to form but walking through the gates of Buckingham Palace and into the gardens to be met by music from The RAF Squadronaires and The Band of the Coldstream Guards, the rain was soon forgotten at the joyful festival-style celebration.

His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex, a Gold Award achiever himself, congratulated all those that had completed this challenging award, commending them on overcoming the many obstacles that they had encountered over the past two years. He reminded them that many of the skills they had acquired would remain with them for life.

Lira Lewis, an Ambassador for the DofE, spoke of the many challenges she battled every day and shared how the experiences and lessons she gained from completing the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award had helped her build her confidence, shape her attitude, and succeed in her goals.

Hannah Cockcroft OBE, and Paralympian, spoke of how the Award had led to her career. She talked of the many challenges she had faced as a Paralympic athlete and the extra challenges of training for the Tokyo Olympics; her message was strong and clear, never give up.

Speeches over, the guests were left to enjoy the truly magnificent gardens and in true British style, a cup of tea and cake. As the guests left the Palace and looked back up The Mall with the Union Jacks lining the route, there was a sense that the sore feet and camping in the rain in Snowdonia National Park might just have been worth it.

Head of Outdoor Education, Will Bower, who attended the event, was very proud, commenting, “Completing your Gold Duke of Edinburgh takes real commitment and resolve, and the skills developed along the way benefit both the individual and their local community. All of these young people showed dedication and perseverance and their final expedition to Buckingham Palace while wet, was a really wonderful reward.”

Receiving their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award this time were: Freya Barnett, Leah Dunkley, James Fletcher, Will Hedderwick, Alys Hemmings, Anthony Lock, Sion Murphy, Issy Simpson, Katie Shorten, Cara Wallis, Louise Way and Jake Wilson.

We look forward to news of further awards presentations for those OPs who were unable to collect their awards this time due to university exams.

Eighteen-year-old, Princethorpe College student, Alfie Kay, is celebrating after being awarded a degree apprenticeship with the investment bank JP Morgan. The Upper Sixth Former, who is studying for A-levels in Economics, Politics and Psychology, went up against thousands of hopefuls and came out on top bagging one of only 50 much sought-after apprenticeship places.

Alfie will study for a BSc in Applied Finance from the University of Exeter while working full-time in JP Morgan’s Bournemouth office. His programme starts in September with ‘Boot Camp Week’ when the new apprentices settle into the company, learn about the way things are done and choose which area of the business they would like to work in.

After five gruelling rounds of assessments Alfie has already learnt a lot, having completed an online application and a telephone interview before being invited to an assessment centre then a group interview insight evening and a final in-depth video interview.

Alfie commented, “To be offered this opportunity with such a well-regarded company is a dream come true and I am determined to make the most of it. I’ve already learnt a lot through the application process particularly in regard to remaining positive, being yourself and trying your very hardest.”

Added Jacqui Quinney, Princethorpe Head of Careers, “This is amazing news for Alfie. His degree apprenticeship will develop invaluable skills that will certainly help him with his future career. Many of the top firms are recruiting degree apprentices and these make an excellent career choice for aspiring school leavers.”

Alfie continued, “My advice for anyone looking at going down the degree apprenticeship route is to consider all the options and know that it is definitely the career path you want to pursue. Do your research thoroughly so that you are prepared for the selection process, but most importantly be yourself as this is the truest reflection of you and this is what companies want to see; enjoy the process and go into it with a positive attitude. Although the experience will be incredibly daunting and nerve-racking, you will learn a lot, more than you think you will.”

We are all delighted for Alfie and wish him the very best in his apprenticeship in the working world.

On Friday 20 May, the Development Team hosted a very successful second Hidden Princethorpe event. Organised especially for those who support the work of the Development Office, Hidden Princethorpe Two offered an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the College campus.

The College was especially delighted to welcome back as guest of honour, long-serving and much loved teacher, former Head of Junior School, Sean Philpott, who spoke to the attendees of his time at the College, from 1978 to 2012.

The event included the unique opportunity to climb the Princethorpe Tower and our visitors all enjoyed winding their way up the spiral stone staircase to take in the stunning views over the parapets at the top.

Their tour started in the Quad where, with photos of the past, the history of what was once St Mary’s Priory was recounted. Guests then went on down to Front of House to see the limit of the enclosed area and the visitor’s Guest House, before going back past the Round House and the Mortuary Chapel to G4 to hear an explanation of what an enclosed order was and what life was like behind the door with the grille. Then it was outside to the site of the old swimming pool, by the Orchard Wall, on into the Orchard itself to see the alcoves that statues once adorned and then up to the playing field above Switzerland where the girls used to play hockey. Next was Switzerland itself to see the pond, an oasis for wildlife, and to hear the history of its creation. Then on around the Mile Walk, the path of many a cross country run, before descending to view the ruins of the Gas Works and take a peek into the Nuns' cemetery.

After all that exploring, the evening was finished with a BBQ and plenty of convivial chat. Foundation Assistant Head, Alex Darkes, commented, “Our Hidden Princethorpe events are a unique opportunity to gain an insight into the history and inner workings of the College, and we were delighted that our latest guests were all fascinated by the evening’s tours, talks and anecdotes. We are very grateful for their continued support of the Development Office.”

For more information on the work of the Development Office, please email the team at makingadifference@princethorpe.co.uk.

Back in April, pupils from Princethorpe College took part in the 2022 UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Junior 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 pupils in Year 7 and Year 8 and Princethorpe selected 84 able mathematicians 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 Year 8 pupil, Daniel Ovens Gibbs who was awarded a Gold certificate, and took the award for best performing pupil in school, and to Year 7, Noah Cowlishaw, who was awarded a Gold certificate, and took the award for best performing pupil in Year 7. Gold certificates were awarded to Year 8s Oliver Baker, Jorja Parris and Kathryn Flegg and to Year 7s Tara Rodgers, Jasper Nicholls and Woody Osborn. Daniel Ovens Gibbs, Oliver Baker and Noah Cowlishaw performed so well that have also qualified for the follow-on round, the Junior Kangaroo Challenge.

Silver certificates go to: Cassia O'Hanlon, Benjamin Jones, Lucas Summers, Jacob George, James Sinclair, Megandeep Thandi, James Wright, Sophie Henry, Toby Iley, Eve O'Brien, Charlie Atkins, Thomas Zanyi, Myles Bowley, Jessica Murphy, Jay Patil, Isabella Card, Jonjo Boyle, Annabel Slinger, Victoria Benbow, Matthew Crawford, Jessica Sarkies, Callum Chadwick, Finlay Williams and Oliver Hawkins.

Bronze certificates go to: Lucas Robinson, Soren Wasley, Charlotte Gower, Marco Antonio Rodriguez Hernandez, Henry Fox, Harry Messenger, Louis Reynolds, Joseph Sheeran, Elise Robbins, Fintan Bucke, Glenys Chapman, Jessica Johnson, Rosa Davis, Harvey Fisher, Maisie Mealing, Eloise Maffey, Isaac Nelson, Ewan Pearce, Samuel Beaman-Henderson, Sebastian Darch, Theo Read-Jones, Jessica Franklin, Alfie Nemeth, Oluwateniayo Okusanya, Harriet Sarkies, William Sutton, Henry Corbin, Ayla Plumb, Lily Hunter, Jimmy Loftus, William Long, Neve Anderson, Georgina Sowter, Roxanna Waldron, Ariana Gray, Penelope Jones, Isla Morrish and Isabella Ward.

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

Princethorpe is celebrating after bringing home a huge haul of medals from the Independent Schools Association’s (ISA) Midlands Track and Field Athletics.

The event took place at the Norman Green Athletics Track in Solihull on Thursday 19 May with the College athletes joining competitors from 21 teams from across the Midlands region all aiming to quality for the National Finals later in June.

In a dominant display, Princethorpe’s medal haul included 23 Gold Medals, 8 Silvers and 9 Bronzes, helping the College to score nearly double the points of any other team on the day.

Foundation Director of Sport, Lee Cassell, was delighted commenting, “A huge well done to all of our athletes for an excellent performance. They responded so well to the competition they faced. We are looking forward to hearing who has been selected to compete at the Nationals.”

In the 100m sprint:

Year 7 Girls - Lola Esler took bronze in 14.93s

Year 7 Boys - William Harvey took Gold in 14.91s

Year 8/9 Girls - Olivia M took Gold in 12.79s

Year 8/9 Boys - Jimmy Loftus took Bronze in 12.91s

Year 10/11 Girls - Evie Berger took Bronze in 13.91s

Year 10/11 Boys - Anjola Okusanya took Gold in 11.83s

In the 200m sprint:

Year 7 Boys - Josh Olner took Silver in 31.13s

Year 8/9 Girls - Olivia M took Gold in 26.95s

Year 8/9 Boys - Max Phillips-Gore took Bronze in 26.16s

Year 10/11 Boys - Ollie Farquharson took Gold in 24.70s

In the 400m sprint:

Year 8/9 Boys - Oscar Civzelis took Gold in 40.61s

In the 800m race:

Year 7 Girls - Clea Roach took Bronze in 2.57m

Year 8/9 Boys - Eddie Arkesden took Gold in 2.18m

Year 10/11 Girls - Ava Farren took Silver in 2.36m

Year 10/11 Boys - Vincent McNevin took Gold in 2.29m

In the 1500m race:

Year 7 Boys - William Smith took Gold in 5.22m

Year 8/9 Girls - Martina Grace took Gold in 5.19m

Year 8/9 Boys - Jesse Esler took Gold in 4.51m

Year 10/11 Girls - Kate Pomerleau took Silver in 5.04m

Year 10/11 Boys - Ben Smith took Gold in 4.29m

In the Hurdles:

Year 7 Boys - Cody Glenn took Gold in 15.67s

Year 8/9 Girls - Grace McCollin took Gold in 12.26s

Year 8/9 Boys - Freddie Knott took Gold in 14.91s

In the 4x100m Relay:

Year 7 Boys - William Harvey, Josh Olner, Louis Reynolds and William Smith took Gold in 1.00.34m

Year 7 Girls - Lola Esler, Emme Edge, Amy Robinson and Clea Roach took Bronze in 1.00.62m

Year 8/9 Girls - Grace McCollin, Penelope Jones, Olivia Monk and Lim Self took Gold in 52.16s

Year 8/9 Boys - Max Phillips-Gore, Andre Onyekwe, Eddie Arkesden and Jimmy Loftus took Gold in 50.84s

In the Long Jump:

Year 8/9 Girls - Penelope J took Gold with 4.55m

Year 8/9 Boys - Andre Onyekwe took Gold with 5.59m

In the High Jump:

Year 7 Boys - Cody Glenn took Bronze with 1.3m

Year 8/9 Girls - Grace McCollin took Bronze with 1.3m

Year 8/9 Boys - Andre Onyekwe took Gold with 1.8m

Year 10/11 Girls - Ava Farren took Silver with 1.55m

Year 10/11 Boys - Ben S took Gold with 1.66m

In the Triple Jump:

Year 8/9 Boys - Freddie Knott took Gold with 10.25m

Year 10/11 Girls - Evie Berger took Silver with 8.4m

In the Shot Put:

Year 10/11 Boys - Matthew Thomas took Bronze with 8.61m

In the Discus:

Year 7 Girls - Georgina Sowter took Silver with 11.85m

Year 7 Boys - Isaac Nelson took Silver with 15.10m

Year 8/9 Boys - Max Phillips-Gore took Bronze with 21.6m

In the Javelin:

Year 7 Girls - Georgina Sowter took Silver with 15.7m

Year 7 Boys - Louis Reynolds took Gold with 20.76m

Princethorpe Girls’ Football Club has welcomed local Long Itchington Football Club manager, OP Oscar Rose, and his coaches Stav, Sophie and Lucinda to their Friday afternoon training sessions for the last four weeks.

The coaches have been putting the girls through their paces, working on fitness, tackling, holding the ball, passing, shooting and match play. In their final coaching session, they split the girls into four teams and held a mini ‘World Cup’ to put all those newly honed skills into practise. The event was fiercely contended with plenty of shots on goal. It ended with a nail-bitingly close final, where Mr Lee's team were beaten by a single goal.

Huge thanks to Oscar and his coaches for their support and encouragement and for helping the girls develop their football skills.

The after-school club is run by Mr Lee and Mr Compton and will continue next term with players of all ability levels welcome to get involved.

Our Upper Sixth are now focusing hard on their A-level examinations but as they went on study leave, they shared a message of thanks with their parents for all the support that they had given them over the years.

We hope you all feel, as we do, that this year group have developed and grown not just academically but also has matured into fine young adults with a good set of values to guide them through the years ahead.

Our outgoing Head Girl and Head Boy, Caitlin and Anthony, recorded the message of thanks on behalf of the Upper Sixth, and made one final request. Please take a moment to view it here.

Every year parents choose to donate their deposit to the school’s bursary fund, enabling more children to benefit from a Princethorpe education. To donate your deposit and change the life of a future Princethorpe pupil, please click here. Or to find out about other ways to support the work of the Development Office click here.

Gorgeous sunshine greeted attendees of our OPs Bluebells and Brunch event on Saturday 14 May. The occasion attracted a lovely mix of OPs, former staff and former parents from the late 70s to the early 2020s. The group happily mingled in the Refectory over coffee and tea and after a warm welcome from Headmaster, Ed Hester, sat down together for a delicious brunch.

Our catering team put on a super spread as ever, with a Full English on offer, plus fruit salad and pastries to round off the meal. With appetites well and truly satisfied there was the option to walk off brunch with a tour of the College and a wander around the Mile Walk to see the bluebells.

Visitors enjoyed seeing the College’s heritage locations including the Chapel, Quad, Library, Cloister Corridors and the Chemistry Lab, before moving onto newer additions, the Sixth Form Centre (set up for public exams) and the Limes. They even got a sneak preview of how work is progressing on the new Science Centre, which is due to open in 2023, before viewing the Orchard, Astroturf and Playing Fields.

The party enjoyed a leisurely stroll up and round the leafy Mile Walk, taking in the view of the College from the top of Switzerland, before descending to the Sixth Form Lawn and the end of their tour.

Comments, Melanie Butler, OPs Secretary, “It was a lovely, relaxed event and so good to see all our alumni groups enjoying each other’s company, sharing their memories and appreciating Princethorpe in the sunshine. It was particularly lovely to have generations of families attending, including our youngest visitor at just one-years-old. It’s definitely never too early to enjoy a visit to Princethorpe!”

Our next OPs event is the Summer Supper Reunion on Friday 24 June, which is already nearly fully booked, to find out more visit Princethorpe Connect.

Princethorpe College’s Senior Girls, Inter Girls, Inter Boys and Junior Boys teams delivered top scoring performances to finish in first place in the Warwickshire Schools Combined Events. Hot on their heels were the Junior Girls Year 8 team whose determination led to a deserving second place overall, the Minor Boys who finished third, the Minor Girls who finished fourth and the Junior Girls Year 9 team who finished fifth. It was a super start to the athletics season at the Warwickshire Schools Combined Events, held at The Pingles Stadium, in Nuneaton, from Wednesday 11 to Thursday 12 May.

19 schools from across the county sent their best athletes to the two-day event. Standards were high as competitors aimed to accrue as many points as possible across the track and field events.

In the Senior Girls Heptathlon, the College’s girls took first place; they attacked the Long Jump, High Jump, Javelin, Shot, 100m Hurdles, 200m and 800m with Evie Phillips finishing 1st and Lucy Randall placing 2nd.

The Year 10 girls put in a magnificent effort in the Inter Girls Heptathlon. They competed in the Long Jump, High Jump, Javelin, Shot, 80m Hurdles, 200m and 800m. After all the events Ava Farren finished in 4th place overall, with Kate Pomerleau just behind in 5th, Evie Berger 8th and Lottie Hunter 11th; their consistency helping Princethorpe clinch team first place.

The Inter Boys had the Long Jump, High Jump, Javelin, Discus, Shot, 100m Hurdles, 400m and the 1500m to contend with in their Octathlon event. Super throws in the Javelin and Discus helped Ben Smith finish 1st, just in front of teammates Ollie Farquharson 2nd, Anjola Okusanya 3rd and Vincent McNevin 4th. Their hard work earned the College another first place team finish.

The Junior Boys took on the Pentathlon with the 80m Hurdles, Shot, Long Jump, High Jump and 800m events. André Onyekwe was dominant in the Long Jump and High Jump claiming individual 1st place overall, Jesse Esler finished 3rd and Max Phillips-Gore 6th. Against one of the biggest fields of the day the team amassed a super score to take first place overall.

For the Junior Girls Year 8 team, Grace McCollin finished 5th, Penelope Jones 8th, Lauren Tebbatt 20th, helping the team finish in 2nd place overall. While for the Junior Girls Year 9 team Martina Grace finished 13th, Olivia Bacon 18th and Isla Lacey 21st taking their team to 5th place overall

In the Minor Girls, Lola Esler finished 10th, Emme Edge 12th and Faith Katanda 16th giving a 4th place finish for the team overall; and for the Minor Boys Josh Olner finished 7th, Max Kiely 9th and Harry Messenger 18th, earning them a 3rd place finish for the team.

Director of Sport, Lee Cassell, was thrilled with the early season performances, commenting, “This was an excellent start to the athletics season, Princethorpe’s athletes shone across all the disciplines delivering consistent solid performances in both field and track events to help the College to a super set of results. Well done to everybody.”

Pupils from Years 9 and 10 had the opportunity to visit the National Museum of Computing in Bletchley on Tuesday 17 May.

The museum traces the history of computing and includes working reconstructions of the Turing-Welchman Bombe that broke the Enigma code and Tommy Flowers' Colossus that broke the Lorenz cipher, used by Hitler to communicate messages with his High Command in World War II. It charts the development of computing from these ultra-secret pioneering efforts through the large systems and mainframes of the 1950s, 60s and 70s, on to the rise of personal computing in the 1980s and up to the internet and mobile world of today.

Pupils took part in sessions on BBC Basic programming, Artificial Intelligence and the History of Computers as well as having the opportunity to explore the museum.

Head of Computer Science, Adam Depledge, said, “This was a fantastic opportunity for the pupils, supporting their learning for their Computer Science GCSE as well as giving them a deeper appreciation of just how far the subject has come over the last 70 years.”

Year 8 were lucky with the weather when they enjoyed a wonderful three-day programme at Whitemoor Lakes Outdoor Residential Centre.

116 pupils took part in an itinerary that included fencing, canoeing, climbing, high ropes and problem solving. In groups they rotated around the different activities, working together to complete the challenges they were set. In the evenings they enjoyed team games and singing round the camp-fire. All in all it was a fabulous weekend with plenty of old-fashioned fun.

There were lots of opportunities for pupils to develop their team working skills and the activities all encouraged pupils to show initiative, resilience and social awareness. Over the weekend Year 8 took on all the challenges with determination and enthusiasm making for a memorable three days.

Assistant Head Co-curricular, Neil McCollin, said, “This was a fantastic opportunity for our Year 8 pupils. They had an amazing time and we were impressed with how supportive they were of one another. They have come back into school with new friends and better able to work together as a team.”

Well done to everyone and a big thank you to all the staff who supported the trip.

Aspiring young singers from local primary schools enjoyed a super day of song when they joined Princethorpe's Director of Music, Gil Cowlishaw, Music Teacher, Alison Wakeley, Peripatetic Music Co-ordinator, Felicity Coulson, and members of the Princethorpe College Choir for a fabulous Choral Fun Day.

The Year 5 and 6 pupils tackled a variety of choral pieces from popular favourites such as Bruno Mars' Count on Me, traditional works such as Siyahamba and Canon, to the inspirational High Hopes by Panic at the Disco.

As well as rehearsing furiously, the visiting children took part in a musical team scavenger hunt and enjoyed lunch in the Refectory.

The day culminated in an impressive gala performance of their newly learnt pieces in front of an enthusiastic capacity audience of family and friends in the College's Clarkson theatre, followed by afternoon tea for all.

Commenting on the day, Gil Cowlishaw said, "We were really impressed by the children. They achieved such a lot in just a few hours, learning so many songs and then taking to the stage to perform in front of an audience is no mean feat, a huge well done to them all!”

And a special thank you to all of the fantastic Princethorpe pupils and staff who came along to support the Choral Fun Day.

Saturday 28 May – Sunday 29 May 2022

The National Schools And Riding Clubs Two Day Event will take place for the seventh year running on the magnificent Princethorpe estate.

Around 240 riders are set to take part across Saturday May 28 and Sunday May 29 in dressage, show-jumping, roads and tracks, steeplechase and cross-country disciplines. 

The event, run by Stoneleigh Riding Club, has the backing of Warwickshire property companies The Wigley Group and development and rural agency Newton LDP who have been announced as joint main sponsors.

The 80cm class continues again, as well as Novice 90cm and Open 100cm classes. Once again, the event includes Independent Schools' Association Classes. Show Jumping and Dressage take place on the Saturday with Roads and Tracks, Steeplechase and Cross Country on the Sunday.

Entry to the event is free so we do hope you can come along and enjoy a wonderful weekend of equestrian events.

Wednesday 8 June 2022 - 6.30pm to 8.30pm

The College Summer Open Evening will be a great opportunity for prospective families for September 2023 entry and beyond, to look around the school and to meet members of staff and pupils.

There will be two opportunities to hear from Ed Hester, Headmaster, at 6.45pm or 7.30pm, allowing families to explore the College before and after. So families do not miss out, we are encouraging visitors to book their place and optional time slot for the talk. 

Click here to book your place.

Our Year 5 Taster Days are now fully booked. However, prospective pupils who have yet to attend a Taster Day can register their interest in attending our Year 6 Taster Days in September. Click here to register your interest and be the first to book one of our Taster Days.

If you have any questions please contact the Admissions Team on 01926 643201/262 or 297 or email admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

Wednesday 15 June - 7.00pm

Our book for May was Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, which has proved to be a best seller. Set in the Sixties, the novel charts the discrimination received by a superb female scientist who achieves fame eventually through a cookery show in which her scientific approach to cooking earns her a huge band of followers. Despite its serious themes, the book is engagingly entertaining and was very much enjoyed by the whole group. 

We will be meeting again at 7.00pm in the library on Wednesday 15 June. On this occasion we will be discussing Oh William! which is the latest novel by Elizabeth Strout, who is certainly one of our favourites within the group so we have high expectations of this book. We have also been giving some thought to summer reads, so over the summer we are intending to read Learning to Swim by Clare Chambers and Foster by Claire Keegan. These are both authors we have enjoyed in the past, so these should both prove worthwhile.

Please join us whether or not you have managed to read the book. Even if you are just looking for a few recommendations, you will find us a welcoming group of readers with diverse tastes.

Chris Kerrigan
Head of English

Tuesday 21 June 2022  - 6.00pm to 8.00pm

Year 8 pupils and their parents are invited to compete in our inaugural Science Family Challenge. 

Each team will carry out a range of hands-on science practical work, competing against other pairs to win the coveted Science Family Challenge trophy.

We can only accommodate one parent per pupil and a maximum of 36 teams due to limited space, staffing and equipment, so sign up as soon as you can to avoid disappointment.

Between challenges, Science teachers will carry out fun and exciting demonstrations and presentations. Our goal for the event is to share our enthusiasm for science and to give parents the opportunity to experience a taste of science education at Princethorpe College. 

If you have any questions, please get in touch via email: danlee@princethorpe.co.uk

Please sign-up via the link here.  

Dan Lee
Head of Physics and STEAM co-ordinator

Thursday 23 June 6.00pm to 8.30pm and Sunday 26 June 2.00pm to 4.30pm

A celebration of our pupils' GCSE and A-level Art, Photography, Design and Textiles work will take place in the Chapel and cloister corridor on Thursday 23 June from 6.00pm to 8.30pm and on Sunday 26 June from 2.00pm to 4.30pm.

A range of design and technology projects, from resistant materials to textiles, will be showcased alongside the stunning art and photography work the College is renowned for.

Comments, Paul Hubball, Head of Art, "This is a great opportunity to share our pupils' fantastic creativity with a wider audience and to welcome more art and design lovers to Princethorpe."

On Thursday evening admission is free, on the Sunday admission will be £2 per car including entry to the College's Summer Fête and Motoring Festival. Light refreshments will be served in the Quad.

All are welcome.

Friday 24 June 2022 - 6.00pm optional tour, 7.00pm drinks reception, 7.30pm supper

OPs who left the College in 1972, 1982, 1992, 2002 and 2012 (or those who were in the same year groups) are cordially invited back to the OPs annual Summer Supper on Friday 24 June to celebrate their respective 50th, 40th, 30th, 20th and 10th anniversaries of leaving.

Leavers of year groups ending in a 0 and 1, who missed out, and other year groups are also most welcome. 

Comments OPs Secretary, Melanie Butler, "This event is proving very popular and we already have some 90 guests booked to attend. We know many OPs are keener to come to these events if they can be sure of seeing some familiar faces.  By focusing on year groups ending in a 2, we hope to get a critical mass of attendees, although OPs from other years are of course welcome too!"

The Summer Supper is an established event in the OPs calendar, attracting a large number of OPs, former and current members of staff. The supper is preceded by an optional tour and drinks in the Quad. Every year the OPs recognise long-standing members of staff and say farewell to any staff leaving the College.

Numbers are limited to around 100 guests, so if you would like to attend please go to Princethorpe Connect by Friday 10 June to reserve your place.

Sunday 26 June 2022 - 2.00pm to 4.30pm

As the College gallops into Trinity Term the PTA focus our attentions on the highlight of summer – the PTA Summer Fête and Annual Motoring Festival.

There will be the usual array of stalls including our school supported charity stalls; countless fun games and activities.  We'll be firing up the BBQ and for those of you who find days like this thirsty work we'll be providing an array of drinks in the refreshment tent.

We are always seeking new supporters for this event so if you could help us out for an hour at the Fair or at future events, please do contact us at pta@princethorpe.co.uk or via Twitter @PrincethorpePTA.

We are once again running the popular ‘Pre-loved Uniform Stall’ and if you have any uniform which is no longer required this can be given in at the Student Hub.  School blazers, ties, skirts, jumpers, PE kits and PE bags are always welcomed, with proceeds of this stall going directly back to the PTA and the pupils of the College.

Should you have any ideas or queries regarding the Fête or the PTA, please contact us at the above email address.

Many thanks

Princethorpe PTA

Tuesday 28 June 2022 at 7.00pm 

(RSVP by Friday 27 May 2022)

Thank you to the many parents who have already replied to the Headmaster's invitation to this event. If you are yet to reply, please use the link below to let us know whether or not you will be attending.

Please click here to RSVP. 

An extract from the letter can be found below.

Carmel Hopkins
PA to the Headmaster

You are warmly invited to the Upper Sixth Thanksgiving Eucharist and Buffet Supper on Tuesday 28 June 2022. 

The evening starts at 7.00pm with a celebration Eucharist in the College Chapel, after which we shall all adjourn to the Sixth Form Centre for a buffet supper. The dress code is smart jacket and tie for men and equivalent for ladies. This will, I’m sure, be a very enjoyable and beautiful occasion; it is a celebration of all that this Upper Sixth group and their parents have contributed to the Princethorpe community over the years. I very much hope you will all be able to come. 

To enable seating and catering arrangements, I would be very grateful if you would rsvp by Friday 27 May 2022 using the link below, indicating whether or not you will be able to join us for this evening and how many people will be in your party.

RSVP form

On Wednesday 29 June at 7.30pm in the Chapel Tim Campain will play a wide variety of pieces from various genres. 

The renowned Princethorpe Binns’ organ of 1901 was built by James J Binns, Bramley Organ Works, Leeds. It was restored by Hugh Page in 1984.

From our archives we have a fascinating insight into the numerous letters that were written between Peter Paul Pugin and Sister Procurator of the Priory regarding the organ and the delay in placing the organ. An extract from one of the letters:

March 30th 1901 

...."it is all nonsense Binns saying the organ would be finished long ago if he had has a design for case. I sent him the design for case with full working drawings which he never acknowledged. He could have worked on it at once. The console is quite a separate affair. When I see Binns I will give him a bit of my mind. I was not at all extravagant in the design for the case and a tracing of it is now enclosed which you will kindly return after M Prioress has seen it. I will send on details of console as soon as I can!"

Please click here to reserve your place

Tickets - £5.00 including refreshments. All Foundation pupils free of charge.

The main image shows the original position of the organ console - it was moved to the gallery in approximately 1908 to make way for a statue of St Peter. This statue was taken by the nuns to Fernham when they left St Mary's Priory 1965. 

Thursday 30 June 2022 at 11.15am in the Chapel followed by a buffet lunch on the Sixth Form Centre lawn at 12.30pm

Invitations to this event were emailed to Year 11 parents on Friday 5 May 2022 - RSVPs are due please by Friday 27 May using the link here.

An extract from the email can be found below.

Carmel Hopkins
PA to the Headmaster (Acting)

Extract from the email to all Year 11 parents:

There will be a Thanksgiving Service on Thursday 30 June 2022 at 11.15am in the Chapel followed by a buffet lunch on the Sixth Form Centre lawn at 12.30pm for all Year 11 pupils.   

This is a beautiful occasion and parents are warmly invited to both the service and to lunch.  If you would like to attend, and to enable seating and catering arrangements, I would be very grateful if you would rsvp by Friday 27 May using the link here. 

This will be a special day for the pupils.  They come into school wearing suits\smart clothing following the Sixth Form dress code.  Pupils need to arrive in school at the normal time on this day ie 8.40am and will be free to leave school after the buffet lunch, from 2.00pm

Saturday 3 September 2022 - 10.45am to 5.30pm

We are gearing up for the 12th annual Old Princethorpians vs College Sports Day (and 14th John Shinkwin Trophy Match) on Saturday 3 September. 

We are planning to repeat our previous format with a relaxing day that mixes sporting matches with music, a BBQ and a bar.

As before points will be accumulated throughout the day, with the Alex Wallis Memorial Shield being awarded to the victors at the end of the day.

Format of day:

10.45am to 12.00pm Football OPs vs Staff

12.00pm to 1.00pm Hockey Princethorpe College 1st XI Girls vs OPs XI (x 2)

1.15pm to 2.15pm Hockey Princethorpe College 1st XI Boys vs OPs XI (x 2)

1.30pm to 2.30pm Netball Princethorpe College 1st VII Girls vs OPs VII (x 2)

2.30pm to 3.45pm Rugby - John Shinkwin Trophy - Princethorpe College 1st XV Boys vs OPs XV (leavers of 2021 and 2020)

3.45pm - After Match Awards

3.45pm to 5.00pm Rugby - OPs XV vs TBC

We are keen to get as many OPs from across the generations participating. Upper Sixth leavers of 2022 and other OPs interested in playing in any of the sports should please complete the short online form here by Friday 1 July.

Team sheets for College players will be on SOCS towards the end of the holidays.

Progress Reports for Years 7, 8 and 10 will be published on Friday 17 June 2022, and will be available to view on My School Portal.  

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

Progress Reports for Lower Sixth will be published Friday 10 June 2022, and will be available to view on My School Portal.  

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

Reports for Year 9 will be published on Friday 17 June 2022, and will be available to view on My School Portal.

I hope you were able to attend the Year 7 and 10 360 Evening recently and that you found it informative and helpful.

Presentations from the Academic Review Evening are available below:

Careers At Princethorpe

Supporting Learning At Home

The Princethorpe Curriculum (Year 7)

Learning Skills For Exams (Year 10)

Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 June 2022 - 6.00pm to 8.30pm

The Year 10 Parents’ Evening will take place on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 June 2022 from 6.00pm to 8.30pm. The evening will be conducted as an online Parents’ Evening using SchoolCloud. We will send out detailed information in advance of the event.

Meetings will still be booked online and further details will follow on how to book the appointments.

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

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

Thursday 16 June 22 - 6.00pm to 8.30pm 

The Lower Sixth Parents’ Evening will take place on Thursday 16 June 2022 from 6.00pm to 8.30pm. The evening will be conducted as an online Parents’ Evening using SchoolCloud. We will send out detailed information in advance of the event.

Meetings will still be booked online and further details will follow on how to book the appointments.

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

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

Pupils and parents in Year 8 are reminded that the following textbook needs to be returned to their Science teacher by Friday 10 June 2022:

Year 8 - Smart Science textbook.

If a textbook has been lost, a charge will be made for this book.   

Pupils and parents are reminded that textbooks, locker keys and car parking fobs are to be returned to school after the external examinations.  We will be sending out an email to pupils and parents after half term with details of books to be returned and the return date.

Please note that books, fobs and locker keys that are not returned will be charged for.

Michael Spencer
Deputy Head - Academic

The James Bond-themed Lower Sixth Form Social went off with a bang last Friday with the Lower Sixth enjoying a very well-deserved break from their studies.

The event was orchestrated and meticulously planned by Mrs Allen and the Social Prefects, Zoe Wallis and Amber Williams and I know, having spoken to many of the Sixth Form, that they were hugely grateful to everyone involved in making this event possible.

Ben Collie
Head of Sixth Form 

The Lower Sixth have worked hard and completed a successful period of internal exams. They can look forward to a well-earned break over the half term holiday after which they should return ready to consolidate on their academic progress thus far and enjoy the remaining few weeks of term.

I particularly bring your attention to the Lower Sixth BBQ for parents and students on Tuesday 5 July from 5.00pm to 6.30pm, and look forward to seeing many of you then, if not before.

Lower Sixth Progress

Following the Lower Sixth exams, progress reports will be published on My School Portal on Friday 10 June 2022. Parents and students will then have the opportunity to speak to subject teachers at the Lower Sixth Parents’ Evening on Thursday 16 June 2022.

Parents of those students who the Sixth Form Leadership Team feel require extra support and guidance will be invited in for a Lower Sixth 360 Review on Monday 27 June 2022.

UCAS Offers
For advice on replying to university offers or anything careers related, please contact Mrs Quinney directly by email at Jacquiquinney@princethorpe.co.uk.

Lower Sixth Reminders

Pizza lunch - Friday 10 June

Lower Sixth TEFL Training Course - Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 June 2022, the cost is £175, which includes a certificate and course book.

Lower Sixth BBQ for parents and students - Tuesday 5 July 2022 from 5.00pm to 6.30pm 

Lower Sixth Trip to Alton Towers - Monday 4 July 2022

Key Dates

Click here to see Lower Sixth Key Dates

More details about specific events will be sent out to parents in due course.

If you have any general queries or concerns please contact your child’s Tutor in the first instance, or if relating to one of their subjects, please contact their subject teachers.

With best wishes for a relaxing and enjoyable half term break.

Ben Collie 
Head of Sixth Form 

Many thanks for your help over the past year or so in helping your son/daughter find some work experience; I do hope it has been beneficial, as it can help so much with career, reference and course planning in the future. This last two years has, of course, been rather difficult with the COVID situation, but there have been over 90 placements arranged, and a lot completed, which is great.

If you have already let me know of a placement (either to come this summer or which has already taken place) then I already have the details and have sent out the relevant paperwork. If you have recently arranged a placement and haven’t forwarded the details, please could you let me know and I can then confirm and forward the necessary forms?

Once again, thank you for your continued support

Kind regards

Mike Taylor
Work Experience Co-ordinator

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

Our friendly PTA here at Princethorpe College are keen to welcome new members. 

By joining our PTA community, you are not committing to volunteer, but just to joining our community and if you do wish to volunteer you will receive emails when we require help to run our events.

For more information about the PTA and how to join please email pta@princethorpe.co.uk

Princethorpe PTA

The qualifying expeditions are fast approaching after the half term break.  I would like to encourage all to consider completing some walks with a rucksack over the next few weeks to further prepare for the physical demands of the trip.  In addition, please could all participants continue to log hours and sign off their physical, volunteering and skills sections.  I am delighted to see the quality of the evidence and assessor reports being uploaded onto the eDofE website.  Any pupils requiring help with this element should please attend the weekly DofE clinic, 1.05pm on Tuesday lunchtime in LG02.

Bronze

Pupils have a pre-trip meeting scheduled on Thursday 9 June, Tutor Time, in the Clarkson Theatre.  Following this, full final expedition details will be distributed via email.

Group A – Cotswolds - Saturday 18 June, 7.30am – Sunday 19 June 2022, 5.00pm.

Group B – Cotswolds - Sunday 3 July, 7.30am – Monday 4 July 2022, 5.00pm.

Silver

Thank you to pupils for attending the qualifying expedition assembly today.  I will send an email to you over half term with the presentation confirming full final details for the trip. 

Good luck in your preparations.

Peak District – Dark Peak - Saturday 11 June, 6.30am – Monday 13 June 2022, 6.00pm.

Gold

Pupils have a pre-trip meeting scheduled on Friday 10 June, Tutor Time, in the Chapel.  Following this full final details will be distributed via email.

Snowdonia - Saturday 18 June 9.00am – Wednesday 22 June 2022, 9.00pm.

It is always great to be able to share news of pupils' co-curricular successes outside of school.

Many congratulations to Year 9, Henry Jeffries, on winning the Year 9/10 boys race at the West Midlands Schools' Orienteering Championships. Henry runs for Octavian Droobers Juniors and you can read more about the event here.

Congratulations also to Year 11, Finn Osborn, who helped his team, Coventry Copsewood U16s win the Birmingham County Cup on Saturday 14 May. Finn's team faced Stratford Town Youth U16 and goalkeeper Finn helped his team claim victory with a 3-1 win.  

Uppe Sixth Former, Cam McGregor was called up to represent GB in the British Junior Athletics team at the 2022 Loughborough International, a key competition opportunity in the British Athletics Olympic Performance Pathway that provides opportunities for promising young athletes. Cam competed in the 400m and 400m relay. We are incredibly proud of him.

Congratulations to Year 8 pupil, Lauren Tebbatt, who helped Warwickshire U13 Girls to victory in the Midlands County Hockey Championships on Sunday 15 May. Lauren left the Whitemoor Lakes trip early on Sunday to join her Warwickshire County Hockey teammates for the competition at Ratcliffe College.  

Well done also to Year 10s, Jemima Teeton and Ruby Clark, who were a part of the victorious U15 Warwickshire County Hockey team taking the Midlands Hockey Championship on Sunday 8 May at Nottingham Hockey Centre.

What a fantastic achievement by them all.

It is always great to hear about our pupils' successes that take place outside of school; please do keep us updated if your son or daughter has won a competition, is performing in a show or competing at a high level with a sporting team outside of school, we would love to hear more. 

We would like to invite parents to submit this information to us via a nomination form by clicking here so we might celebrate these achievements in school too.  

Neil McCollin
Assistant Head - Co-Curricular

Co-curricular trips and educational visits have always been a major part of life at Princethorpe. These experiences for pupils enrich their lives, enhance their learning and develop their understanding and appreciation of the world around. It has been great for us to be able to successfully run the Year 7 residential to Whitemoor Lakes and the Lower Sixth residential as year group bubble trips this year. Supporting the curriculum, we have had Maths Challenge to Warwick University, Geography field trips for Year 11 and Upper Sixth, as well at the Fashion and Design Technology trip to London.

We would like to update you with the provisional major trips and visits plans as they currently stand (this does not include academic department day trips or Duke of Edinburgh's Award). Please see here for the planned school trips in the coming years.

Please also ensure that you read the information about individual trips with care when they are released, in particular in relation to consent, cancellation and insurance.

Neil McCollin
Assistant Head - Co-Curricular

Our review of the College bus services continues to make good progress.

The aim of the review is to optimise the services we provide for families and where possible improve routes and journey times.

We have a meeting scheduled with transport consultants, Vectare, just after half term to discuss their recommendations after which time we will be able to share revised routes and timetables with parents and proceed with bookings for current and new users for the next academic year.

Bus Safety

Following a report of pupils being questioned by a stranger in a vehicle whilst waiting for the S1 service in the Dunchurch area this week, we would ask that you speak to your child about staying safe when using the bus service and practising the following advice;

Pupils should:

• be observant
• not use phones when walking or standing in public
• stay in groups where possible
• avoid any situation which looks suspicious by, for example, crossing the road when safe to do so
• if there is a concern, go into a shop or other public premises and ask for help
• if there is a concern, make your way to the nearest most public place
• report any concerns to the bus driver and to the senior person on bus duty immediately

The following links may also prove helpful:

• for guidance on walking to and from a bus stop see https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/news/article/1254/does-your-child-know-the-warwickshire-road-safety-club-code-
• and https://www.care.com/c/stories/3239/when-can-my-child-walk-to-school-alone/en-gb/

Please click here to see our Bus Service To and From School Risk Assessment.

Many thanks

Eddie Tolcher
Foundation Bursar

Please note that half a term's notice is required if a pupil no longer needs to use the bus service provided by the school.

Parents wishing to give notice should contact Barbara Bromwich by emailing buses@princethorpe.co.uk.

Eddie Tolcher
Foundation Bursar

Please see below our current vacancies: 

Princethorpe College

• Teacher of PE and Girls' Games
• Library Assistant
• Evening Caretaker
• Estates Assistants (zero hours)
• Weekend painter and decorator

 Crackley Hall School

• Learning Support Assistant
• Nursery Practitioner (Little Crackers)

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, including the forthcoming Bank Holidays.

2021-22 (two page document)

2022-23 (two page document)