The Flagpole

As always, we have had a busy start to the second half of the Michaelmas Term. It was wonderful to have new Headmaster, Grove du Toit in school for the first week back, giving him the opportunity to meet with key members of staff and discover more about Princethorpe’s systems and approaches before he starts and I begin my new role as Princethorpe Foundation Principal in January. 

Grove also had the pleasure of being involved in Entrance Examinations Day on Saturday 5 November and met many prospective and current families, which I know he enjoyed. He also sat on the Admissions Panel over two days, helping us decide which of the many candidates will be offered places to join us in September.

One of the most poignant events of this term is our annual Remembrance Day Service. It is such an important occasion for us to mark as a whole school. We gathered together in the playground and with music and prayers reflected as a community on the sacrifices made for us all, not only in the First and Second World Wars but with ongoing conflicts in mind. You can read more about this in the News section.

I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Peter Bucknell, our Head of History and Politics and Head of Rugby, who has been appointed to the role of Deputy Head – Academic at The Kingsley School in Leamington with effect from May 2023. Peter is a much respected and valued member of staff both academically and on the games field and has been part of the Princethorpe family for 10 years. Peter will continue working with his exam classes up until May half term and we wish him all the very best in his new role.

Finally I hope to see many parents at this evening’s Prize Giving at Warwick University’s Butterworth Hall, as ever it promises to be a wonderful, joyous celebration of our young people and their many and diverse achievements. Wishing you all a very good rest of term.

Ed Hester
Headmaster

Thanks to the hard work of the construction team and their contractors, work on Princethorpe’s new Science Centre continues to make great progress. As at Week 38 of the build, work on the roof is almost complete with the majority of the tiles now in place and we are looking forward to the official topping-out ceremony which will take place at the end of November.

The College’s new Science Centre is situated at the top of The Lime Walk. Due to officially open in September 2023, the ten teaching laboratories will provide state of the art science facilities for the next generation of pupils to come through our doors.

On Wednesday 16 November we sent our photographer on site with Foundation Assistant Head, Alex Darkes, who is overseeing the project, to record the progress so far. The structure and layout of the ten new teaching laboratories was clear to see with the internal walls all now in place. The large spacious laboratories, five on each floor, supported by preparation areas, workshops and storage spaces. The break-out area on the first floor, the staff bases, offices and plant room are all now visible within the structure, as are the breakthrough points from The Limes. With the roofing slates almost all in place and the roof lights due to be fitted next week the building is really starting to take shape.

The first fix of the electrical and mechanical works is well underway. The new Science Centre will be an ‘intelligent’ building, driven by an integrated digital Building Management System to optimise heating and ventilation; underfloor heating will shortly be put in place and work is well underway to install the latest standards of insulation. Infrastructure will allow a progression, in time, to Ground Source Heat Pumps, for reliability. There will be LED illumination throughout, with presence sensors and daylight sensors to control light levels. An energy performance monitor in the ground floor circulation area will be visible to all will give a real-time picture of the building’s energy performance.

The building’s location at the top of The Lime Walk places it central to the College’s campus and the views from the laboratories are stunning but on their tour this week Mr Darkes made it up on to the roof where the views were even better, as you can see in this clip, it’s all very exciting for us here at Princethorpe!

Much anticipated and always hotly contested, the House Talent Show did not disappoint providing yet another sensational evening of entertainment for the College community and a real conundrum for the judges facing the almost impossible challenge of choosing the winner. This year’s show returned to a fully live format and took place on Thursday 10 November, in the Clarkson theatre in front of an audience of enthusiastic supporters.

A huge thank you to all who took part and to the technical team who so ably assisted, your hard work, dedication and sheer talent are what makes this event so hugely enjoyable. Thanks also to this year’s judges, Graduate Teaching Assistants, Georgia Newborough and Izzy Arevalo who had the impossible task of picking the eventual winners.

Compered by House Activities Leader, Jess Newborough, the show included an array of dazzling dance routines, stunning instrumental and vocal solos and fabulous bands. After the serious acts had performed, the audience then had the pleasure of a special, surprise act, the House Captains’ Band, singing and playing Valerie, originally by The Zutons.

This year’s winners were Squad 7 a Year 7 contemporary dance troupe including Josie Friend, Annabel Hetherington, Mimi Legge, Orla McDonagh and Millie Nealon. Taking second place were RJNE a Year 8 band who played Hotel California by the Eagles, including Noah Dando, Jacob George, Rafferty Jones and Elliot Oyekunle. In third place was Jonjo Boyle who performed an Irish dance routine.

As well as being a great night out, the event was also about fundraising for this year’s House Charity, Shelter, with donations on the evening raising £270.

We were super impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment to their House of all our performers. A huge well done to them all, it really was a sensational House Talent Show.

Huge congratulations to the Boys 1st XV Rugby team who put on a dominant display to claim an excellent 44-12 win against Hereford Cathedral School in Round 4 of the Schools Vase on Wednesday 9 November. In an exciting match full of brave tackling the team played an impressive game.

The boys now progress to the next round, where they will face Dr Challoner's Grammar School on Wednesday 23 November (2.15pm kick off at home - supporters welcome).

Well done to them all.

Scroll through the gallery for photos of the action.

Congratulations to the Boys 1st XI Football team on an excellent third round 4-1 win in the Independent Schools Football Association’s Boodles Cup. The team played away at Mill Hill School on Tuesday 15 November, and in a well fought game Toby Nicoll made the most of his chances claiming a hat-trick with Barnaby Hammond taking Princethorpe’s score to 4. That great result means the boys have reached the final sixteen. A huge well done to them all! 

Princethorpe College’s cross-country runners have been busy this month with the Warwickshire Inter Area in Stratford-upon-Avon on Saturday 5 November and the English Schools Cup Regional Final at Bromsgrove School one week later, on Saturday 12 November. Cross country running has always been a strength of the school, so it was great to see so many pupils taking part and upholding the tradition.

The College took 16 runners to the Inter Area event and 11 pupils qualified to run for Warwickshire in the Inter County Race which takes place tomorrow, Saturday 19 November at Himley Hall in Dudley. Good luck to Year 7s, Charlie Leech and James Bostock, Year 8, William Smith, Year 9s, Lily Hunter and Charlie Atkins, Year 10s, Evie Marston and Jesse Esler, and Year 11s, Ava Farren, Kate Pomerleau, Ben Smith and Felix Batty.

Princethorpe had qualified four teams to run in the ESAA Schools’ Cup Regional Final, a first for the school, and was delighted that the Senior Girls team ran superbly finishing third overall to earn themselves a place in National Finals that will take place on Saturday 3 December at The Grammar School Leeds. Commiserations to the Senior Boys who just missed out finishing fourth.

Head of Outdoor Education, Will Bower commented, "Well done to all of our runners, who put in a great effort against strong competition. I am very pleased with the results. A huge thank you to all the parents who took the runners to the races. It was really great to have so many pupils competing."

Many congratulations to the U15 Boys Rugby team who won the ISA Midlands 10-a-side Cup at Worcester RFC on Monday 14 November.

This was a new event in the calendar and Princethorpe's boys played a superb game with plenty of attacking rugby and a number of outstanding tries.

The boys won the Group stage with wins against Quinton House 39-0, Pitsford 29-0 and Worksop College 21-7 and progressed to the Cup playoffs. In the semi-final they put on another dominant display winning 36-0 against Bowbrook House before comfortably seeing off Worksop again 17-0 to take the title.

Well done to all the players on a very successful day.

Our U15A Girls Hockey team were celebrating last week after earning themselves a Silver medal at the ISA National tournament.

The team travelled to the Lee Valley National Hockey Stadium in the Olympic Park on Wednesday 9 November where they faced 20 schools from across the country. The tournament started with a pool round where the girls put on a confident display winning their four group games comfortably without letting a single goal across their line.

That put them through to the Cup playoffs where the girls held their nerve, played superbly against Farnborough Hill and were delighted with a 1-0 win. In the final, the girls faced local King’s High School in a closely contested game. Princethorpe got into some good attacking positions and were unlucky not to score more. In the end the girls went down 4-1 to finish in second place and take the silver medal.

An excellent effort, congratulations to them all.

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. The College’s Upper Sixth Physicists sat the Year 13 Physics Challenge, based on the curriculum and featuring questions that relate to A-level topics, to stretch their thinking into the application of Physics.

Congratulations go to Ed Sharpe, Oscar Page, Madoc Williams, Josh Apaya, Tom Dodsley, Joe Glover, Tom Knight, Dan Webb, Alex Allison, Alex Hill, Ed Mitchell, Henry Walker, Harry Scott and a very special mention goes to Harry Hewitt who achieved the highest possible accolade of a Merit.

At the Eleventh Hour on the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month – We Will Remember Them.

On Friday 11 November the College community gathered together outside on a windy school playground to silently reflect on the bravery and the selfless sacrifice made by so many of our country's service men and women.

Deputy Head (Pastoral), Beth Sharpe opened the proceedings with a prayer. Year 7 pupils, Dami Ajagunna, Alvin Wamala, Reuben Allen and Sophie McCormick read out a thought-provoking reading on ‘Why Do We Wear A Poppy?’ Then College trumpeter, Year 9, Henry Corbin sounded the melancholic and moving notes of the Last Post.

The one-minute silence offered all a time for reflection, a shared moment to remember those who have given their lives for the peace and freedom we enjoy today. Sixth Form students, Connor Silvester, Radley Evans, George Wild, Sophie Gray, Alice Whittaker, Maisie Edge and Joseph Newborough, read out For The Fallen before the College community sang the hymn Abide With Me.

A wreath was hung at the Pupils’ Entrance by, Air Cadet and Year 10, Ben Heywood and Michael Luis from the Foundation’s Estates team.

Finally, Ed Hester, Headmaster, brought the proceedings to a thoughtful close with a prayer for peace.

Thanks to our College musicians, Henry Corbin, Lottie Corbin, Chloe Hurworth and Chloe Sarkies who played during the service.

A recording of the service can be viewed here.

During November, the College has been reflecting on the theme of Remembrance. The month is the last in the Church’s calendar and commemorates all those who have departed from life. It begins with the Feast of All Saints, a tribute to the saints, and is followed by the Feast of All Souls, when we pray for those who have died, particularly our loved ones.

In Tutor groups pupils have considered the theme of Remembrance, the legacies of war and why we commemorate those who fought and served in the World Wars, and in more recent conflicts, and the sacrifices they made.

Year 7 pupils, Merryn Cleary, Lottie Corbin, Hattie Godfrey, Chloe Sarkies and Ro Somerset, cut out over 1,000 poppies, enough for every member of the school community. Form Tutors shared the poppies with their Tutor groups and encouraged pupils to record their remembrances, personalising the poppies with their dedications and messages. The poppies were then assembled into a prominent and impressive display in the Limes by Emily Knight (not pictured) and Isabella Kay.

The poppy is our society’s symbol of collective remembrance and the symbol of all our hopes for a peaceful future. The display provides our community with a powerful focus for prayer during this contemplative month of November. It is especially poignant for us all this year.

Thank you to all the pupils for their hard work and help putting together our poppy display.

Over the last few months the Planet Princethorpe team have been working to improve Princethorpe’s recycling and sustainability. To help, pupils were tasked with designing stickers to cover recycling bins, to help people recycle correctly.

We had some fantastic submissions and the College is delighted to announce that Year 8 pupil, James Henderson Martin, was chosen as the winner, with Year 8, Felicity Underwood, taking second place and Year 7, Dami Ajagunna, coming third. Congratulations to them all.

Princethorpe College celebrated National Poetry Day on 6 October. The theme this year was the ‘Environment’. The poetry writing competition organised by the library was won by Genevieve Slater-Tucker in Year 11, with her poignant entry entitled Deathly Climate.

The runner up was Dami Ajagunna in Year 7 with her creative acrostic poem entitled The Environment Needs Us Now. Congratulations to both pupils.

Among the many entries, there were other noteworthy entries from Alex Ainsworth and Evie Johnson, both pupils in Year 7. Well done to all who took part.

Beautifully illustrated signed copies of the 40th anniversary edition of the classic story War Horse by Michael Morpurgo were presented to Genevieve and Dami.

Deathly Climate by Genevieve Slater-Tucker Year 11

The Environment Needs Us Now – Dami Ajagunna Year 7

AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon that lets customers enjoy the same wide selection of products, low prices, and convenient shopping features as on amazon.co.uk. The difference is that when you shop through the smile.amazon.co.uk web address, AmazonSmile donates 0.5% of the net purchase price (excluding VAT, returns and shipping fees) of eligible purchases to the charitable organisation selected by the customer.

So whenever you make an eligible purchase from Amazon via AmazonSmile, the charitable organisation benefits at no additional cost to you.

The Princethorpe Foundation is a charity and within the Foundation, the Development Office work to enable the provision of more bursaries to deserving pupils, to update our facilities and buildings, and to meet our strategic development plans. You can find out more about the work of the Development Office on our school website here. 

The Development Office is asking the Princethorpe community to consider choosing The Princethorpe Foundation as their nominated charity on AmazonSmile. 

How do I shop at AmazonSmile?

To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.co.uk from the web browser on your computer or mobile device.

Can I use my existing amazon.co.uk account on smile.amazon.co.uk?

Yes, you use the same account on amazon.co.uk and smile.amazon.co.uk. Your shopping cart, Wish List, wedding or baby registry, and other account settings are also the same. Simply visit smile.amazon.co.uk and log in to your usual Amazon account.

Which products on AmazonSmile are eligible for charitable donations?

Millions of products on AmazonSmile are eligible for donations to charities by Amazon. You will see eligible products marked 'Eligible for smile.amazon.co.uk' on their product detail pages. Recurring Subscribe-and-Save purchases and subscription renewals are not currently eligible.

How do I select to support the Princethorpe Foundation when shopping on AmazonSmile?

On your first visit to smile.amazon.co.uk you need to select a charitable organisation to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping, simply search for and select 'The Princethorpe Foundation'. Amazon will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.co.uk will result in a donation to support Development Office projects.

How will you use the donations you receive?

All donations received via smile.amazon.co.uk will go towards our Annual Fund. Each year, this fund supports the purchase of necessary academic and extracurricular equipment, ensures educational, enrichment and entertainment opportunities for students, and helps maintain the School’s academic and sporting facilities. Your Annual Fund contributions are at the heart of all that we do, and all that we give to our pupils.

If you are on the hunt for presents, we have a wonderful range of Old Princethorpian merchandise available from ties to cufflinks, pin badges to scarves and, not to mention, some very snazzy socks that would make a perfect Christmas gift.

Copies of A Spirit of Family, the first fifty years of Princethorpe College, by Alex Darkes and Nick Baker are also available.

Then we have prints and greetings cards available featuring the Soaring Red Brick Tower image and prints also of St Joseph's School.

Finally, the 2023 College calendar featuring 12 superb images of the College and its grounds is a perfect present and is sure to be a handy addition for any kitchen or office.

To ensure UK orders can arrive in time for Christmas, orders and payment will need to be received by 12 noon on Monday 19 December 2022 please.

Purchases can now be made easily via our online shop at https://connect.princethorpe.co.uk/shop or from the OPs/College stall in the Sixth Form Centre at the PTA Christmas Fair on Sunday 27 November.

Friday 18 November - Butterworth Hall, University Of Warwick
Doors Open 7.00pm

We are looking forward to welcoming guests to this evening's Prize Giving Ceremony.

This year's Prize Giving promises to be a full house, so please arrive in good time to take your seats. Doors will open at 7.00pm in time for everyone to be seated by 7.25pm.

Many thanks.

Monday 21 November 2022 – 6.00pm to 7.30pm

As part of our VESPA strategy, Princethorpe College will be holding a virtual, interactive GCSE revision evening, on Monday 21 November between 6.00pm and 7.30pm, for the parents and pupils in Year 11.

It will be hosted by Martin Griffin and Steve Oakes who have worked with more than sixty schools to develop effective character education systems using the VESPA model. During the session, Martin and Steve will explore the key principles of having a positive and proactive learning mindset and share tools and strategies for effective coaching and intervention with parents and equip parents and pupils with practical ideas and strategies to support their children throughout their GCSE courses. We do hope that Year 11 parents and pupils will be able to join us for what promises to be a very useful and informative evening.

We look forward to you joining this event. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at lizpyne@princethorpe.co.uk

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

Sunday 27 November 2022 - 2.00pm to 4.30pm

The PTA Christmas Fair will take place on Sunday 27 November - a fun, festive event for all ages including:

• Christmas shopping market – choose from a range of artisan crafts, jewellery and gift
• Christmas craft room – make a Christmas table decoration
• Refreshments – mince pies and mulled wine, hot drinks and cake
• Bottle and Chocolate Tombolas
• Princethorpe student stalls
• Pre-loved school uniform stall
• Many other fun stalls

Please note the PTA can now take card payments on their refreshments and pre-loved uniform stalls.

You can also participate in the Christmas Raffle, tickets should already be with you.

We have been donated some fantastic prizes this year, including a weekend ticket for 4 to the British Superbikes 2023 at Silverstone and a signed ladies Wasps rugby shirt and not forgetting our amazing top three prizes:

• 1st Prize £250
• 2nd Prize Fortnum and Mason Hamper
• 3rd Prize £100

Plus, many more….

We would be very grateful for donations of bottles and/or chocolates in order to run the ever-popular tombolas - these can be sent in to school via the Student Hub.

And don’t forget your pre-loved school uniform! Please leave laundered uniform that is still in good condition with plenty of wear at the student hub. Thank you.

Help Needed:

If you love decorating for Christmas and would like to help in the preparation for the Fair or even at the Fair itself, we’d really like to hear from you. Setting up begins after school on Friday 25 November and runs through the weekend. We greatly appreciate any help, so even if you can only spare half an hour we’d love to see you. Please register with us on the following website app.ptasocial.com/register/princethorpecollege or email PTA@princethorpe.co.uk for more information.

We do hope that you and your family and friends are able to come along to what promises to be a wonderful festive event.

Wednesday 30 November and Thursday 1 December - 7.00pm

We have a few spaces left on the Christmas Wreath making evenings.  Please email post@princethorpe.co.uk to check current availability.

The evenings will take place on Wednesday 30 November and Thursday 1 December in the Sixth Form Centre. Arrival time will be 6.45pm for a 7.00pm start. Cost for the evening will be £25 per person and includes all materials to make your beautiful wreath, a welcome drink and mince pie.

There will be a bar on the night and a raffle, so if anyone has a raffle prize they would like to donate, please get in touch with Mr Cassell at leecassell@princethorpe.co.uk

Thursday 1 to Saturday 3 December 2022 - 7.00pm

The Drama Department warmly invite you to an evening of seasonal cheer!

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

An Adaptation 

One ghostly Christmas night...solitary as an oyster....

The cold hearted Ebeneezer Scrooge is taken on a magical journey with the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future. 

Join us for a festive feast for all the family with Tiny Tim, Fezziwig and the Urchins.

Tickets are free and performances will take place on Thursday 1 December, Friday 2 December and Saturday 3 December at 7.00pm in the Clarkson theatre here at Princethorpe College. Please click on the day you require in order to book tickets on My School Portal.

We do hope you can join us for this event.

Wednesday 7 December 2022 - 7.00pm

Readers at our last meeting had clearly enjoyed The Dance Tree by Kiran Millwood Hargrave. Although set in Strasbourg in 1518, the novel clearly addresses many twenty first century themes, exploring the role of women, female sexuality, fertility and so on. On another front, the book embodies some excellent research on bees and bee keeping.

We were a little less enamoured of Delicacy by Katy Wix. This memoir is very funny in parts but also contains some serious reflections on death and loss. A little self-indulgent at times, perhaps, but an honest exploration of grief and its impact on our lives. 

Our next meeting will be at 7.00pm, in the library, on Wednesday 7 December. We have opted for some non-fiction again and will be discussing Landlines, the latest book by Raynor Winn, focused on walking in Scotland. Many have found her previous books inspiring. Although this one is still in hardback, it is available from some supermarkets at a reasonable price. We are always happy to welcome new faces so do join us if you can make it, whether or not you have read this particular book.

Thursday 8 December 2022 - 7.00pm - College Chapel

The Music Department extends a warm invitation to all parents and friends to join us in a Christmas celebration of music and poetry.

This will be an informal evening offering pupils the opportunity to perform a range of out-of-the-ordinary Christmas pieces. Pupils from the various music ensembles, LAMDA lessons, as well as individual music recitals will be taking part in the evening. Please feel free to enter into the spirit of the occasion by wearing a Christmas jumper or similarly festive outfit. There will be an award for the finest example of Christmas knitwear!

This promises to be an enjoyable and memorable introduction to the festive period. If you would like to join us then please note that due to our restrictions on numbers this will be a ticket-only event. To apply for tickets please click here and complete your details. Please note that due to the number of seats available in the Chapel there is a limit of four seats per family. If you think you may need any more, please contact me directly at gilcowlishaw@princethorpe.co.uk

We hope that you will partake in a little festive mulled wine and mince pies following the performance in the Sixth Form Centre. Please note that tickets are free of charge, but there will be a retiring collection in aid of Save The Children's Christmas Jumper Day Appeal.

With thanks for your continuing support.

Gil Cowlishaw
Director of Music

Thursday 15 December - 7.00pm 

Progress Reports for Years 8 and 9 will be published today, Friday 18 November 2022, and will be available to view on My School Portal.  

Thursday 24 November 2022

The Year 8 Subject Progress Evening will take place on Thursday 24 November 2022 from 5.00pm to 8.30pm. The evening will be conducted online using SchoolCloud. 

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.

Progress Reports for Lower Sixth will be published on Friday 25 November 2022, and will be available to view on My School Portal.  

Wednesday 30 November 

The Lower Sixth Subject Progress Evening will take place on Wednesday 30 November 2022 from 6.00pm to 8.30pm. The evening will be conducted online using SchoolCloud. We will send out detailed information in advance of the event on how to book your 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.

Progress Reports for Year 10 will be published Friday 2 December 2022, and will be available to view on My School Portal.  

Tuesday 6 December 2022

We warmly invite all parents of Year 9 pupils to join us at Princethorpe for our GCSE Options Evening on Tuesday 6 December. This event will be held in person in the main college building and will run from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

There will be a presentation to explain the options process, in the Clarkson theatre; this will run at 6.30pm and again at 7.30pm and will last approximately 25 minutes, with time for questions. We request that all parents attend one of these presentations.

Optional subjects will be based in nearby classrooms and will deliver short presentations and answer questions throughout the evening. Parents and pupils are advised to visit as many departments as possible in order to explore the available options. Staff representing the compulsory core subjects will also be available to answer any questions you may have and will be based in the Sixth Form Centre, where refreshments will be available.

I hope you were able to attend the Year 11 360 Review Evening recently and that you found it informative and helpful.

Presentations from the evening are available below:

Year 11 Journey

Revision Skills

Making good choices for A-level and BTEC

We would also welcome your feedback on the evening to inform our planning for future events, using the following link here.

Now we are in to the second half term, it is important to recognise the stresses and demands on our Lower Sixth students. You should have noticed the level of study has increased somewhat but be aware that this level of load can cause difficulties and anxieties. Here are some tips to support your youngster.

Encourage your youngster to ask for help when they need it – seeking out a teacher before stress starts to build up is essential. This could be as simple as finding the teacher before class, chatting to their tutor or sharing worries with friends.

Stay organised – consider how your youngster is scheduling their time and ensure that they are setting aside time for each subject throughout the week. Encourage them to start assignments early, set deadlines and make the most of study periods in the school day.

Mix up your study routine – talk to your youngster about staying focused and positive during their study time. It is important that they use a variety of study techniques from using flashcards or mind maps, writing summaries and watching online tutorials to getting a friend or family member to quiz them, completing practice tests under exam conditions and working through questions from the text book.

Take time to research your post-school options – get your youngster thinking about their future aspirations. Taking time to research and make plans for post-school life can provide a nice break from studies, while also helping them to stay motivated by reminding them of the bigger picture. This may include researching institutions and courses of interest, organising things for a gap year and putting together course applications.

Stay calm and keep things in perspective – Sixth Form studies are rewarding but also demanding. Your youngster’s mental health is a vital component to success. Take time to encourage them to be involved in other activities and have a balanced life style.

For more suggestions, please click on this link.

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

As part of the Year 8 Technology rotation pupils will spend 8 sessions, approximately 20 hours with homework, being introduced to, and working toward their John Muir Discovery Award.

John Muir is a world-renowned environmental campaigner, widely considered to be the father of the National Parks movement which started in America with the designation of the Yellowstone as the first National Park and spread worldwide. The Trust operated in his name offers the Discovery Award to young people, the aim of which is to raise their awareness of nature and wild places.

The Award is spilt into four challenges.

• Discover a wild place
• Explore it
• Do something to Conserve it
• Share your experiences

To complete the award pupils must.

• Complete all four challenges
• Complete the required time commitment
• Show enthusiasm and commitment
• Have an awareness of John Muir

The link here explains a little more about the Award and its aims.

In school we aim to facilitate all four challenges. Over three sessions we introduce the Award and Discover and Explore the Princethorpe site and a local nature reserve, observing and researching the fauna and flora to understand the landscape and how it is managed. There follow three more Conserve sessions when we work with and are supervised by the Princethorpe Foundation Grounds Team working on season dependent conservation and countryside management projects. In the final two sessions we complete a poster project to Share experiences and communicate with others what we have found out.

It is essential if we are to make the most of the Discover, Explore and Conserve sessions, when we spend most of the time outside, that pupils wear weather appropriate clothing and footwear that will keep them warm and dry or cool and safe from the sun depending on the season. In autumn and winter waterproofs and wellies, with hats and gloves, are the best option over warm layers. In spring and summer lighter clothes that still cover the skin and a hat if warm. Legs and arms are best covered to prevent scratches and scrapes from the undergrowth. Princethorpe sports kit can be used but does not have to be. Pupils will be expected to be in uniform prior to and after sessions and we have access to the changing rooms to facilitate this. As we will be using a variety of hand tools PPE and full training will be provided.

The time allocation of lessons with homework equates to approximately 20 hours, five hours short of the required time stipulated by the John Muir Trust. Therefore, to facilitate Year 8 pupils completing the John Muir Discovery Award we ask that families consider how they may voluntarily spend five hours fulfilling the aims of the Award in their own local area. This may include.

• Explore walk on the local footpaths around where you live
• Visit and explore a National Park on holiday
• Go orienteering or geocaching
• Ride a bike at a Forestry Commission Centre
• Create some sketches of plants in your garden
• Write a poem about nature, you could use Robert MacFarlane’s The Lost Words as inspiration
• Create an area in your garden for birds, bees or insects
• Build a bat or bird box and put it up in your garden
• Record the sounds of nature: the wind in the trees, birds and animals
• Volunteer to help with a work party at a local Wildlife Trust site
• Visit a Warwickshire Wildlife Trust woodland
• Go birdwatching, complete a plant or wildlife survey

The list is not exhaustive, and completion is not compulsory, but we hope that you may find it something fun to do to achieve this nationally recognised Award. All that we require to show how you have spent your five family hours is some form of documented evidence that can be shared with us at school digitally. All Year 8 students have been added to a Team, John Muir Award 2022-23 where your collected evidence can be uploaded. The deadline for completion is Friday 30 June 2023.

I hope many of you will join us so that we can raise awareness of the importance of wild places to us all, something John Muir was aware of nearly 150 years ago.

'Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity.

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn'.

John Muir

Simon Robertson - Teacher of Outdoor Education
Will Bower - Outdoor Education Coordinator

At the start of the academic year our school photographers, Gillman and Soame, with whom we have an excellent and longstanding relationship, came to school to take the start of year portrait photographs. Photographs were taken of pupils in Years 7, 10, 11 and Lower Sixth, as well as of all pupils new to the College. 

If you have not already, could you please order these photographs as soon as possible, especially if you would like them in time for Christmas.

If login details have been mislaid, please contact Gillman and Soame directly at action@gillmanandsoame.co.uk or on 01869 328200 with your child’s name and quoting the security password princethorpe755fvr2022 and they can then assist you to retrieve your individual login details for you to then order.

Beth Sharpe
Deputy Head - Pastoral 

The Immunisation Service will be in school on Thursday 5 January 2023 to offer all pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 a nasal flu vaccination. A link to consent forms will be emailed home in due course.

Further vaccination dates:

Year 8 will be offered their HPV1 vaccination on Thursday 2 February 2023 and Year 9 will be offered their HPV2 vaccination on Friday 3 February 2023.

Year 9 will also be offered the Dipheria/Polio/Tetanus booster and Meningitis ACWY vaccination in the Trinity Term, date to be confirmed.

Paula Greig  
Senior Matron

Thank you to all the Sixth Form students who helped at Saturday’s Entrance Examinations Day. The feedback from prospective parents about our helpful Sixth Formers has been excellent. 
 
Parking  
The Upper Sixth parking permit holders have been exceptional recently; they have been driving slowly, with care and patience. As a reward for their exemplary behaviour, they are being treated to a legendary Princethorpe Cookie on Wednesday at break time 
 
Lower Sixth will be allowed to apply for a permit when Upper Sixth have left in the summer.  
 
Wednesday Games 
Please remember to email Mr Collie by 9.00am on Wednesday mornings if for any reason your child is unable to do Games. If your child becomes ill during the day they must see Matron before the end of lunch.
 
Remembrance Day Service
Thank you to Lower Sixth – Poem For the Fallen, read by: 
 
Connor Silvester 
Radley Evans 
George Wild 
Sophie Gray 
Alice Whittaker 
Maisie Edge 
Joseph Newborough 
 
Sixth Form Learn about Personal Finance and First Aid 
Our students are currently enjoying a carousal of activities as part of their CoRE programme including two sessions of first aid and an invaluable programme of sessions which includes learning about Loans and Mortgages and Understanding Credit. These are run by professionals who are members of the Personal Finance Society.
 
Oxbridge Symposium 
On Wednesday 16 November we were delighted to welcome eight students from Southam College, together with their Head of Year, Tom Cole, who all attended an Oxbridge Symposium here at Princethorpe College. They were joined by Princethorpe College students and various members of staff, and the purpose of the afternoon was to collaborate in subject areas to address and discuss some big intellectual questions.  
  
We were impressed by the way that all of the students embraced the opportunity, and the level of intellectual debate was outstanding. We hope that this will have helped them prepare for the next stage of their applications to Oxford and Cambridge Universities and we wish them all the best of luck. 
 
UCAS and Careers 
Any questions about UCAS or careers related advice please contact Mrs Quinney directly by email at jacquiquinney@princethorpe.co.uk. 
 
Key Dates 
Friday 18 November at 7.00pm - Prize Giving at Butterworth Hall, Warwick Arts Centre
Tuesday 22 November - Year 11 Immersion Day with Sixth Formers helping out 
Friday 25 November - Sixth Form Christmas Tree Decorating in the Sixth Form Centre 
Tuesday 13 December - Care Home Lunch in the Sixth Form Centre 
Wednesday 11 to Wednesday 18 January - Business and Sports BTEC examinations 
Wednesday 4 to Friday 6 January - Upper Sixth Mock Examinations 
Friday 13 January - Upper Sixth Mock reports available on My School Portal 
Wednesday 18 January - Upper Sixth Subject Progress Evening 
Tuesday 7 February - Interview Skills Day 
Saturday 18 March - Careers Fair 
 
Upper Sixth Social on Friday 9 December - Reminder 
The next Upper Sixth Social will take place on Friday 9 December in the Sixth Form Atrium, with a Winter Wonderland theme. Times are 7.30pm to 10.00pm and the dress code is glamourous. Food and entertainment are all included in the £20 cost of the ticket. 

If you have not already filled out the consent form for your child to attend, but they would like to, please let Amanda McKenzie know by emailing amandamckenzie@princethorpe.co.uk  
 
Best wishes

Ben Collie  
Head of Sixth Form  
 

Last year the Society of St Vincent de Paul made up and distributed Christmas parcels and hampers to needy families as well as to individuals. This year, the project is being extended the aim being to do the same as last year but covering a wider area. However, they can only do this with your support.

They are appealing for donations of non-perishable food items such as tinned, packeted, and dried food, bottled and tinned soft drinks, chocolates, snacks, biscuits and Christmas items such as mince pies, puddings, selection boxes and Christmas crackers. Games and jigsaws are also welcome.

The cut-off date for donations is Monday 5 December to enable time for the preparation and distribution of the hampers.

Thank you to those who have already donated. Please can everyone bring something to enable Christmas to be enjoyed by all.

During October half term Year 10 pupils Joe McCullough and Oscar Glover visited New Delhi, in India, as part of a Hockey Tour that comprised of sport, culture and charity work. The trip was organised by the National Hockey Academy (NHA), who the boys train with on Monday nights in Coventry.

The team played in a five-team tournament that took place in India’s Hockey National Stadium over two days in 30 degree's heat and humidity. They reached the final but unfortunately lost to a New Delhi team after the match finished 2-2. So, shuffles were needed and then a sudden death shoot out!

As well as the sport, the trip also involved many opportunities to experience the unbelievable cultural life of India; the food, sights, sounds, traffic and hospitality has given all memories that will last forever. The highlight from a tourist point of view was a trip to the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

To be in New Delhi for the festival of Divali was also a treat. However, the most important part of the trip was the charity donation of over 300 pairs of used hockey shoes that were brought from England, after donations from the clubs the team play for. These were given to the charity One Thousand Hockey Legs (OTHL), a charity that uses hockey as a way of getting boys and girls involved in the sport and therefore a temporary break from the difficulties that life in New Delhi brings.

Kieran McCullough

Well done to the U14 Girls hockey team who won their T2 Midlands Zonal Tournament yesterday. Holding Shrewsbury to a 1-1 draw and then beating Nottingham High 3-0 and Newcastle-under-Lyme 1-0 meant the girls finished at the top of the table and progress on to the T2 Midlands Finals next week.

We are looking for a major tour match shirt sponsor for the main playing shirt which all the South Africa Senior Sports Tour tourists will wear. The sponsor’s logo will feature on the front of the playing shirt. The cost to the main tour sponsor would be £2,000.

We are also looking for a sponsor for each team’s playing shirt (boys’ rugby, boys’ football, girls’ netball, boys’ hockey and the girls’ hockey) which will go on the playing shirts. The cost of this sponsorship would be £1,000 for each team.

In addition, the following opportunities for sponsorship are available:

• to sponsor the South Africa Tour hoodie for all members of the tour – approx. £1000
• to sponsor the South Africa Tour jackets for all tour members – approx. £1000
• to sponsor the sleeve of the South Africa Tour polo shirt for all tour members – approx. £750

We hope that this gives people the variety to sponsor an aspect which suits them. Sponsorship provides a great opportunity to promote your company during the tour and afterwards when the kits will be worn during weekly fixtures. 

Thank you for your consideration. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at leecassell@princethorpe.co.uk to discuss the opportunities in more detail.

Lee Cassell 
Foundation Director of Sport 

We relaunched the Elite Sports Programme last year and now have two different groups that the pupils can be part of - the Elite Sports Performer and the Elite Sports Pathway.   
 
Pupils in Year 8, or pupils in Year 9 and above who think that they have progressed and developed in their sport since last year, can now apply to be considered for the Elite Sports Programme. 
 
Attached here is a presentation with more information and we would ask that parents complete the form here if your child would like to be considered for the Programme.  

Pupils who have shown that they are meeting the performance standard for the programme will then be invited to be part of the one of the programmes. Teams will be the main method of communication between staff and pupils.  
 
If you have any further questions please email me at leecassell@princethorpe.co.uk 

Lee Cassell 
Foundation Director of Sport 

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

Who?
Any Year 7s who love science!

When?
Every Friday lunchtime (1.10pm-1.40pm) from Friday 4 November

Where?
Lab G22

What will we do?
Practical, practical, practical! Experiments include making slime, bath bombs, volcanoes you can erupt in the lab, fire related demonstrations and much more. 

Online eDofE accounts have been created and you have been sent an email with the login details. Please sign in as soon as possible. The DofE will then send a participant handbook directly to your home address.

The enrolment packs have been distributed at the DofE Start-Up Meetings and the next steps explained. Please could all new bronze, silver and gold participants complete the steps listed below by Friday 16 December.

1. Download the DofE app or find www.edofe.org

2. Login using the username and password sticker on your folder (or the email sent directly to the address you put on your enrolment form).

3. Update your personal details.

4. Set timescales (for example at bronze physical 6, volunteering 3 and skill 3 months).

5. Complete programme planners for the physical, volunteering and skill sections. This includes;

- selecting the activity  
- inputting start dates
- setting a goal to achieve
- recording your assessor details (please speak to your potential assessor to ask permission before you upload the details)

Submit your ‘programme planners’ online to your DofE Leader for approval. Once approved you can start your award.

6. Get used to the app/website by experimenting with other features, for example: manage evidence, contact your leader and DofE card.

Additional guidance will be emailed directly home, please could participants spend some time reading through this information with their parents. Further resources will be added to My School Portal next week.

Will Bower
Head of Outdoor Education - DofE Manager

Whilst the enrolment deadline has now passed for moving up to the next level, there is still time to complete your award from last year in full. Please continue to prioritise signing off your volunteering, physical and skill sections. Guidance can be found on a DofE Completion email sent to you and your parents, the advice documents are also available on MySchoolPortal.

Lunchtime drop-in clinics continue this week, lunch 1 – LG01 and lunch 2, in LG02. The Certificate Presentation Evening takes place on Thursday 16 February 2023. Please do prioritise signing off your sections before the Christmas break so they can be processed in time for an invite to the evening. We would like to celebrate all of your achievements on the scheme.

Will Bower
Head of Outdoor Education - DofE Manager

A group of 28 A-level Mathematics students travelled to the University of Warwick on Monday 14 November to attend the annual Maths in Action enrichment event. The session comprised of talks from leading mathematicians and maths communicators, bringing students an insight into the often-asked question: “When will I ever use this in real life?”

The students enjoyed five fascinating talks titled: Fighting Disease With Mathematics, Mathematics In Games, Predicting The Future With Magical Maths, A Prime Puzzle and Over Analysing Video Games. There was also a useful session on exam technique.

For all the Sixth Form students, it proved a thoroughly enjoyable day. It was also a great opportunity for them to visit a leading campus-based university.

On Thursday 10 November, the Design Technology department took Princethorpe's A-level Product Design and Fashion students and Year 10 Textiles pupils to London.

The A-level designers visited the Design Museum and the V&A Museum, both leading museums devoted to contemporary design and decorative arts. At the Design Museum the students took part in a hands-on workshop focused on Smart And Sustainable Materials. They then had time to visit the Designer Maker User exhibition before visiting the V&A where they looked round the 20th Century design and furniture exhibitions.

The Textiles and Fashion pupils visited the V&A’s Africa Inspired Fashion exhibition before taking inspiration from the Fashion work on display at the V&A.

Head of Design Technology, Paul Scopes, said, “We had a very productive day out, with plenty of time at the exhibitions. The trip was stimulating and inspiring and really useful extension for pupils’ learning.”   

Our Sixth Form chemists enjoyed a trip to A-level Science Live at the Emmanuel Centre in London on Thursday 3 November and had a fantastic time. Five inspirational scientists working at the cutting edge of their specialisms explained how science really does offer solutions for many of the world's great problems.

The presenters included Professor Serena Cussen who spoke about the ongoing hunt for new batteries, Dr Peter Wothers who gave interesting insights into the Periodic Table, Professor Andrea Sella who explored philosophical questions about the study of molecules in respect of Chemistry’s dirty secret, nerve agents, Professor Lucy Carpenter who explained the relationship between chemistry and climate and Dr Tim Gabriel who spoke about chemistry and careers.

The day also included very useful sessions from A-level examiners, with tips and guidance on how to improve examination performance.

All in all, it was an interesting and informative day!

An enthusiastic and ardent group of readers from the book club were lucky enough to visit Waterstones book shop, in Leamington Spa, during the half term break to help choose a new collection of diverse and current books for the school library. Accompanied by Ms Helen Lewis and Mrs Celia Scott, pupils were tasked with selecting ten books each which they would recommend to their peers.

Lots of lively and informative discussion took place as pupils wandered around the shelves for a couple of hours using their own wide knowledge to select appropriate titles. They were ably assisted by Ms Helen Lewis and her vivacious book knowledge!

This was topped off with an obligatory visit to a local café to sample the delights of their delicious cakes and treats. There ensued a buoyant and insightful discussion about the books chosen and who would enjoy them most.

What a lovely way to spend a day in half term!

Thank you to Ms Helen Lewis, Beatrice Moule, Jess Johnson, Jess Lane, Pip Evans, Ariana Gray Cara Richardson and Laurent Dent for their time and energy. All books are now available for loan from the school library. 

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. 

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 click 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

If your child has a full or part bus pass, you will have received the following communication from Vectare:

Further to the communication at the end of August, we would like to provide you with a digital wallet pass in order to allow pupils to use the bus service. 

Could we please ask that this email is forwarded to your child. 

Once your child has opened the digital pass, they will be able to select “Add Pass” in the top right hand corner, which will add it to their mobile phone wallet.

If there are any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact us at princethorpe@vectare.co.uk. 

With kind regards, 

Vectare

It is a requirement for all pupils to carry either a swipe card or to present the QR code on their mobile phone when using the service.

A £10.00 charge is levied for lost or broken cards, so having the QR code on your child's mobile phone will mean they can still board and disembark quickly and prevent any additional charges.

Adhoc users of the bus service should book in the usual way, in plenty of time before travel.

Eddie Tolcher
Foundation Bursar

With the cold weather setting in, just a reminder that school jumpers are available from the School Shop. The school jumper for girls is red in Years 7 and 8 and green for Years 9 to 11. The boys school jumper is black. Sixth Form students wear a plain dark coloured jumper.

Written permission from home is needed to add items to the school fee account. Cash, cheque or card payments are of course welcome.

Barbara Bromwich
Foundation Shop Manager

Please see below our current vacancies: 

Princethorpe Foundation

• Maths Teacher (maternity)
• Library Assistant
• Examination Invigilator
• Sports Coaches (Cricket, Football, Netball, Hockey)

Little Crackers

• Nursery Manager
• Nursery Practitioner

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.

We would like to remind parents of some useful contact details.

To report a pupil absence please email attendance@princethorpe.co.uk or telephone the Attendance Line on 01926 634260.

For other enquiries please use the email addresses below:

Bus related queries - princethorpe@vectare.co.uk

School Shop - uniform@princethorpe.co.uk

Medical Centre - pcmatrons@princethorpe.co.uk

School fees -  accounts@princethorpe.co.uk

General enquiries - post@princethorpe.co.uk

Lost property - lostproperty@princethorpe.co.uk

Wisepay catering - cashless@princethorpe.co.uk

Email addresses for members of teaching staff can be found on My School Portal.

Please find below the updated Term Dates for 2022-23 and 2023-24

2022-23 (two page document) -  new Bank Holiday for the King's Coronation

2023-24 (two page document) - revised Prize Giving date