The Flagpole

With Easter a distant memory, having two Bank Holiday weekends in a row provides a welcome opportunity to rest and recharge. Both internal and external examinations are around the corner which adds even more value to a possible Monday morning lie in. The coronation taking place tomorrow is obviously the reason for this extra holiday, and it is impossible not to be interested, intrigued, or just aware of the possible “once in a lifetime” event playing out in London. During the week our Archivist, Mrs Lewis, sent me an article from our old school magazine, Peeps at Princethorpe, dated 1953. It was written by a pupil called Alyson Starkey and had the title: An afterthought on the Coronation. This obviously referred to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, seventy years ago. It was a fascinating read, seeing how a teenager, not long after World War Two, viewed the event. She spoke about the mix of the crowd and how no other event could gather such a congregation in peace. There was also reference to the Queen trumping any Hollywood celebrity in their attempts at grabbing the limelight – did she know something about social media that we didn’t?

However, what struck me most was her articulate construction of a good, thought-provoking essay that still has relevance today. The foundations of the excellent teaching that happens in classrooms at Princethorpe was present in 1953. Alyson’s essay could be replicated by any of our current pupils, and it would not look out of sorts. In my assembly this morning I further told the College that I wrote to Alyson as she now lives in London, and she will be sitting with her scrapbook from 1954, comparing notes on the same event she lived through many years ago. My challenge to the pupils was based on the wise words of one of my teachers: “Let life go through you”. No matter your thoughts on the monarchy, this is a “life moment” and we need to take note, be aware, discuss, have an opinion, respect other opinions – let life go through us. Pupils need to look up from the square six inches in front of them and, like Alyson, reflect. Especially on days like tomorrow.

Online Absence Form

We will shortly begin to phase out the use of our absence phone line. Instead, we ask parents to report any absence using the online form that is available on the landing page of My School Portal. This new process will streamline and improve absence reporting and I ask that parents familiarise themselves with the form when next on the Portal. This will be for all types of absence. If you need to discuss your child’s absence, please contact their tutor as normal.

External Exams

Our Year 11 pupils and Upper Sixth students embark on their final exams in less than two weeks. In my assembly at the end of last term, I wished them luck and assured them all of our support. We are genuinely cheering them on through every minute of every exam. They have received their final briefings from Mr Spencer, and I ask that you remind them of the importance of adhering to all examination regulations. A small error of judgement can lead to severe consequences over which we have no control – they are externally managed, and we are held to the highest standards, as it should be. Both year groups will have their last days where we hope to say goodbye with some good humoured and well-behaved fun. Again, all pupils have been briefed and a reminder about the importance of finishing on a positive note would be appreciated.

The Trinity Term is always quick, but we have been busy during the past three weeks. Duke of Edinburgh's expeditions, hosting hockey teams from the Netherlands, abseiling down the Tower, having more than 20 athletes qualify for ISA National finals, preparing for our two-day Equestrian event, hosting various dinners and admission events, and working through normal day to day Princethorpe life. Please encourage your children to make the most of the opportunities on offer – especially during this term. Very often we focus on the end and begin to wind down. However, with sunshine threatening to be more regular, and a change in season, I hope to see our Princethorpe community get stuck in and involved right up to the end.

I hope your Bank Holiday weekend is restful and thank you for your continued support.       

With best wishes for the weekend.

Grove du Toit
Headmaster

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 Saffron Lane Athletics Stadium in Leicester on Wednesday 3 May with College athletes joining competitors 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 35 Gold Medals, 14 Silvers and 11 Bronzes, an amazing achievement for the College’s young athletes.

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. It looks like we will have 24 athletes going forward to the Nationals, we are just waiting to have that confirmed. Pupils are encouraged to keep training as there are lots of upcoming events for them to represent the College at this term.”

It was fantastic to see pupils performing to such a high standard of competition so early in the summer and it has laid the foundations for a successful athletics season. 

In the 100m sprint:

Year 7 Girls – Lillibee Harris took Bronze

Year 8/9 Girls – Penelope Jones took Gold

Year 8/9 Boys – Josh Harris took Bronze

Year 10/11 Girls – Olivia Monk took Gold

Year 10/11 Boys – Freddie Knott took Bronze

In the 200m sprint:

Year 7 Girls – Lillibee Harris took Silver

Year 7 Boys – George Knott took Silver

Year 8/9 Girls – Grace McCollin took Gold

Year 8/9 Boys – Dan Tomlinson took Bronze

Year 10/11 Girls – Olivia Monk took Gold

Year 10/11 Boys – Max Phillips-Gore took Bronze

In the 300m sprint:

Year 8/9 Girls – Lauren Tebbatt took Bronze

In the 400m sprint:

Year 8/9 Boys – Hunter Staveley took Gold

Year 10/11 Boys – Oscar Civzelis took Gold

In the 800m race:

Year 7 Boys – Charlie Leech took Gold

Year 8/9 Boys – Mark Message took Silver

Year 10/11 Boys – Jesse Esler took Silver

In the 1500m race:

Year 7 Girls – Issey Cleary took Gold

Year 7 Boys – James Bostock took Gold

Year 8/9 Girls – Lily Hunter took Gold

Year 8/9 Boys – Charlie Atkins took Gold

Year 10/11 Girls – Martina Grace took Silver

Year 10/11 Boys - Ben Smith took Gold

In the Hurdles:

Year 7 Girls – Stephanie Bolton took Bronze

Year 7 Boys – George Knott took Gold

Year 8/9 Girls - Grace McCollin took Gold

Year 8/9 Boys – Conor Horan took Silver

Year 10/11Girls – Emily Evans took Gold

Year 10/11 Boys – Ben Smith took Gold

In the 4x100m Relay:

Year 7 Girls – Issey Cleary, Lillibee Harris, Stephanie Bolton and Dami Ajagunna took Gold

Year 7 Boys – James Bostock, George Knott, Henry Sims and Alvin Wamala took Silver

Year 8/9 Girls - Grace McCollin, Penelope Jones, Lauren Tebbatt and Skye Rotherham took Silver

Year 8/9 Boys – Hunter Staveley, Dan Tomlinson, James Wright and Josh Harris took Gold

Year 10/11 Girls – Olivia Monk, Kate Pomerleau, Martina Grace and Lim Self took Gold

Year 10/11 Boys – André Onyekwe, Freddie Knott, Max Phillips-Gore and Ben Smith took Gold

In the Long Jump:

Year 7 Girls – Issey Cleary took Gold

Year 7 Boys – Henry Sims took Bronze

Year 8/9 Girls - Penelope Jones took Gold

Year 8/9 Boys – Dan Tomlinson took Gold

Year 10/11 Girls – Lim Self took Bronze

Year 10/11 Boys – Freddie Knott took Gold

In the High Jump:

Year 7 Girls – Dami Ajagunna took Silver

Year 7 Boys – Henry Sims took Gold

Year 8/9 Boys – Dan Tomlinson took Gold

Year 10/11 Girls – Emily Evans took Gold

Year 10/11 Boys – André Onyekwe took Gold

In the Triple Jump:

Year 8/9 Boys – Josh Harris took Gold

Year 10/11 Girls – Lim Self took Silver

Year 10/11 Boys – André Onyekwe took Gold

In the Shot Put:

Year 7 Girls – Olivia Burley took Silver

Year 8/9 Boys – Hunter Staveley took Gold

Year 10/11 Girls – Frankie Kelly took Bronze

Year 10/11 Boys – Max Black took Silver

In the Discus:

Year 7 Girls – Olivia Burley took Silver

Year 10/11 Boys – Oscar Civzelis took Bronze

In the Javelin:

Year 7 Girls – Dami Ajagunna took Gold

Year 7 Boys – Olly Moore took Gold

Year 8/9 Girls – Lauren Tebbatt took Gold

Year 10/11 – Sam Divers took Silver

The thud of ball on bat, followed by shouts from excited fielders and screams of encouragement for the batters was once again heard up on Switzerland this week as for the first time in over 10 years cricket returned to the very top field. The Year 8 boys U13C team faced Bablake and King Henry VIII School yesterday afternoon and much to the delight of us all, they won their match by 34 runs.

Thanks to the sterling work of the Grounds team, Princethorpe now has six cricket match pitches as our facilities team respond to the growing interest in the sport especially from our girls’ teams.

The College has a busy cricket fixture list for the Trinity Term, with matches planned across the year groups and even for our staff team. Yesterday alone the school fielded 11 teams!

We are looking forward to a super summer season.

Four Princethorpe College pupils, Alexandra Bonsall, Mitchell Endenburg, Grace Isaacs and James Maclean, have all achieved distinction in their London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) Grade 8 Gold Medal examinations.

Year 11 pupil, Alexandra Bonsall, Lower Sixth Form student, Grace Isaacs, and Upper Sixth Form student, James Maclean, all sat the LAMDA Grade 8 Acting examination while Upper Sixth Form student, Mitchell Endenburg took his Grade 8 Public Speaking examination.

Gold is the highest medal awarded by LAMDA and takes years of training to achieve, and receiving a distinction in their LAMDA Gold Medal examinations also means that all four pupils have now accrued 30 extra UCAS points towards their university applications.

Lead LAMDA Teacher, Kathy Buckingham-Underhill, commented, "I am delighted to see these four young people completing their LAMDA studies on such a high. Congratulations to them all. Their hard work, diligence, perseverance and commitment have been amply rewarded. Their LAMDA teachers are incredibly proud of them all."

A huge well done to all four pupils on a really impressive achievement.

The College was once again delighted to welcome Dutch hockey club, De Hopbel to Princethorpe for the return leg of our long-standing exchange programme. Organised by the Sports department, over the last 15 years hundreds of pupils have participated in the hockey training camp and enjoyed the opportunity to experience another country and culture.

This latest six-day tour, from Friday 28 April to Wednesday 3 May, saw our visitors enjoy plenty sightseeing alongside all their hockey training and matches. Amongst their trips out our guests enjoyed the sights of Stratford-upon-Avon and the thrills of Drayton Manor Theme Park as well as enjoying a tour barbeque on the Sixth Form Lawn on Sunday evening.

This year’s tour saw 45 girls and boys enjoying life with their Princethorpe host families reciprocating the bonhomie and generosity our pupils received back in October 2022.

De Hopbel played a total of nine matches against various Princethorpe teams while they were with us, and the College was delighted that Princethorpe's girls were victorious this time round claiming back the coveted Tour Cup.

Summing up the visit, Head of Girls’ Games, Jen Law, said, “Our annual hockey exchange is a great experience for us all, we make so many friends, learn about each other’s cultures and get a fantastic insight into the way that another country plays our favourite game!”

Huge thanks to all the host families who welcomed our Dutch visitors into their homes and to all the staff involved in organising and supporting the trip.

Work on the College’s new Science Centre continues to progress well across the site. Next week Foundation Assistant Head, Alex Darkes, who is overseeing the project, will be taking more of the Science staff to visit the building to get a feel for the new facilities and to see for themselves how the construction work is progressing.

Inside, the internal partition walls are now in place and the flooring is down, both ceramic and vinyl. All the doors have also been fitted. The downstairs labs now have much of their furniture in place. The staff bases have been decorated and will soon have their furniture fitted. The mechanical and engineering work is well advanced. The lift is in, the boilers are in, and the plant rooms are nearing completion. The washroom fit out has started.

Outside, most of the cladding on the front of the building has been completed and some of the scaffolding will shortly be coming down. Landscaping has started, although it will pause for the examination season, and the construction team is back working on the new courts.

The Science Centre remains on schedule to open its doors for teaching in September 2023, it will have 1,800sqm of floor space and 10 laboratories spread over two floors. 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, it is all very exciting for us here at Princethorpe!

Have a look at the latest photos of the progress of the project.

As part of their Science studies, Year 10 were visited by Beth Parker from Severn Trent Water’s Education Team on Thursday 4 May. Beth gave a series of talks on the Science of Sewers, taking pupils through the water cycle and explaining the journey water makes to and from our homes.

As well as explaining how Severn Trent deliver fresh clean water to our taps, pupils also discovered how dirty water is treated and recycled and some of the problems and strange items that Severn Trent regularly encounter in the sewers (everything from mobiles to false teeth).

She also shared how Severn Trent’s sludge scientists and their sustainability work is helping to harness the power of poo.

The enrichment talks support pupils’ studies on potable water, one of the topics they will cover in their AQA GCSE Chemistry studies in Year 11.

At the end of the session Beth also spoke about career opportunities at Severn Trent, including apprenticeships and graduate placements and encouraged pupils to visit the Severn Trent website to find out more.

Many thanks to Severn Trent and to Beth for delivering such a fascinating session.

Many congratulations to, Lower Sixth Former, Finn Osborn who played in the Coventry Telegraph Cup Final at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Tuesday evening. Finn is goal keeper for local team Kenilworth Sporting FC and kept a clean sheet on the night to help his side win 4-0 in the cup final match against Folly Lane. To top a successful evening off, Finn was also awarded Man of the Match. All in all a fantastic result – a huge well done to Finn!

Tuesday 9 May - 5.00pm to 7.00pm

Prospective pupils and their parents are warmly invited to Crescent School's Open Evening on Tuesday 9 May 2023 - 5.00pm to 7.00pm.

Come and find out why Crescent School has been judged 'Excellent in all areas' by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. It's a great opportunity for prospective families to get a feel for the school and to meet, Mr Thackway, Headmaster.

We are already taking registrations for places in Reception and Year 3 starting in September 2024 and beyond. 

To book your place please click here. 

For more information or to talk to our Admissions Team, please contact our Registrar Mrs Helen Morley on 01788 523851 or by email admissions@crescentschool.co.uk.

Availability for September 2023: 

We have had very high levels of interest in places for Reception and our Year 3 class for September 2023 entry. As a result, we have already allocated all of the available places in these year groups for September 2023. We are now operating waiting groups for families who are still interested in a place, should a suitable one become available.

We are also currently operating waiting groups in most other years apart from our current Year 1 class (Year 2 for September 2023 entry).

To find out more please click here.

Tuesday 9 May 2023 - 7.30pm in the Sixth Form Lecture Theatre

2023 is a very special year for van Gogh at it is 170 years since he was born in March 1853 and 50 years since the Van Gogh Museum opened it doors in June 1973.

In celebration, former Deputy Head (Pastoral), Margaret-Louise O'Keeffe will return to Princethorpe for an illustrated talk, focusing on some key dates in the last ten years of van Gogh's life, including some lesser known ones. The events on each selected date will be linked with others, so a vivid picture of van Gogh's experiences, feelings and output will be revealed.

Works will include: those in Paris, where he lived with his brother, Theo; Arles, where Gauguin arrived for a catastrophic visit; San Remy, where van Gogh stayed in the asylum; and Auvers, where the artist took his own life in July 1890 and where he is buried.

You can reserve places by using the link click here

Tickets can be purchased at the door but having an idea of numbers will help for refreshments afterwards.

Adults £5.00 and children are free.

If you have any queries please contact Loretta Curtis here or telephone 01926 634200 x 326

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Saturday 13 May 2023 10.30am - 12.30pm

We are offering OPs, former parents and staff the opportunity to visit the College and get a sneak preview of the new Science Centre, after a delicious complimentary brunch in the Refectory.

The Brunch will start at 10.30am and the visit to the Science Centre at 11.30am.

Foundation Assistant Head, Alex Darkes, who is project managing the build will lead the tour, that will also include other parts of the campus. 

Visitors are also welcome to watch the Sports Fixtures taking place that morning.

The Old Princethorpians' Association organises the brunch as an opportunity for all to reconnect with both the College and with each other in an informal, friendly environment.

If you would like to attend please register on Princethorpe Connect by Tuesday 9 May. Please do spread the word!

It was good to see such a good turn-out for our last meeting in April. We were discussing Still Life by Sarah Winman – a huge tapestry of a book spanning generations and evoking both the earthiness of the East End of London and the artistic world of Florence. Despite its length, this is an easy and engaging read where both the triumphs and tragedies of life are explored with a warm heart.

As our next book, we will be reading How We Disappeared by Jing-Jing Lee. This is one of the 70 books selected for the big Jubilee read. Set in Singapore at the time of the Japanese invasion, the book has been well-researched and explores the consequences of this on the lives of a variety of characters including the “comfort women”. We’ll be meeting in the library at 7.00pm on Wednesday 24 May. You’ll be guaranteed a warm welcome so do please join us whether or not you have had a chance to read this particular book. 

Thursday 25 May 2023 - 7.00pm to 8.30pm

There will be a recital from some of the most talented pupils taking music lessons at Princethorpe College in the Clarkson theatre on Thursday 25 May at 7.00pm.

It will be a friendly and informal evening, and a great chance to experience some of the vast talent shown by our pupils. There will be a combination of solo and small group performances on the evening, and an opportunity after the event to meet up with your child’s peripatetic teacher for a chat if you would like.

Everyone is welcome to attend, and there will be light refreshments after the event. Tickets can be booked through My School Portal by clicking here.

Gil Cowlishaw
Head of Music

Saturday 27 May – Sunday 28 May 2023

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

Entries are now open for the National Schools and Riding Clubs Two-Day Event, which is the only event of its kind in the UK and attracts up to 300 riders each year.

Now in its 22nd year, this year’s event includes a new 70cm class to open it up to a wider field of competitors, with a new spectator area introduced to satisfy growing demand.

The event takes place from Saturday 27 to Sunday 28 May at Princethorpe College, near Rugby, and is backed by local firms The Wigley Group and Newton LDP as its returning main sponsors.

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

For more information and or to enter please click here.

Wednesday 7 June - 6.30pm to 8.30pm

The College's annual Summer Open Evening will take place on Wednesday 7 June from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. This is a perfect opportunity for prospective families looking for a place in September 2024 and beyond to visit the school, for children to take part in departmental activities and for parents to meet and chat to members of staff and pupils.

The Headmaster, Grove du Toit, will also address visitors during the evening. Light refreshments will be available.

Please click here to book your place. 

Friday 9 June 2023 - 6.45pm to 9.30pm in the Sixth Form Centre

Please note the new start time for this event

Princethorpe PTA would like to invite you to a Gin Tasting evening with Rugby Distillery to sample their fantastic range of crafted gins, that are produced in copper stills using traditional methods.

Upon arrival you will be welcomed with a gin cocktail or mocktail. The evening will then continue with four gin tastings from Rugby Distillery’s range, paired with a recommended Fever-tree mixer. Throughout the evening you will be guided by Richard and Emma, the owners of the distillery, who will give an insight into their business and how Rugby Distillery craft gin came to be.

A small bar will be available throughout for alternative beverages.

Tickets cost £25.00 for gin drinkers including a cocktail, four gins and cheese platter and £10.00 for non gin drinkers including a mocktail and cheese platter.  Please click here to book your tickets.

Need a taxi?

Why not book our friendly Princethorpe taxi service aka the South Africa Tour teams to drive you home once the event is finished. All proceeds will go to the South Africa tour. If you would like to book this service, please email PTAssociation@Princethorpe.co.uk

Princethorpe PTA

Saturday 10 June - 12.00pm to 2.30pm

Crescent School will be holding a 75th Anniversary Summer Fête on Saturday 10 June from 12.00pm to 2.30pm. All Old Crescentians, former staff and parents are most welcome to attend.

In addition to stalls, activities and a BBQ organised by the wonderful Friends of Crescent on the school field, Old Crescentians are warmly invited to come along, have a tour of school, visit our archive room, help us identify past pupils, visit our 'memory booth' and catch up with fellow past pupils and former and longstanding members of staff.

If you would like to attend please sign up via Princethorpe Connect here.

Sunday 25 June 2023 - 2.00pm to 4.30pm

As the College enters the Trinity Term the PTA focus our attentions on the highlight of summer – the PTA Summer Fête and 26th 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 Fête 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 welcome, 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

Thursday 22 June from 6.00pm to 8.30pm and Sunday 25 June from 2.00pm to 4.30pm

A celebration of our pupils' GCSE and A-level Art, Photography and Design work will take place in the Sixth Form Centre on Thursday 22 June from 6.00pm to 8.30pm and on Sunday 25 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."

Adds Head of Design and Technology, Paul Scopes, "We look forward to welcoming all the exam pupils and their families from across Design, Art and Photography to enjoy the fruit of their labours."

All are welcome. 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 available.

Tuesday 27 June 2023 at 11.15am in the Sports Hall 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 Thursday 4 May 2022 - RSVPs are due please by Friday 9 June using the link here

An extract from the email can be found below.

Keren Andrews
PA to the Headmaster 

Extract from the email to all Year 11 parents:

There will be a Thanksgiving Service on Tuesday 27 June 2022 at 11.15am in the Sports Hall 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 9 June 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.

Thursday 29 June 2023 at 7.00pm 

(RSVP by Friday 9 June 2023)

Invitations to this event were emailed on Wednesday 3 May 2023 - RSVPs are due please by Friday 9 June using the link here.

An extract from the email can be found below.

Keren Andrews
PA to the Headmaster

You are warmly invited to the Upper Sixth Thanksgiving Eucharist and Buffet Supper on Thursday 29 June 2023.

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. 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, the dress code is smart.  

To enable seating and catering arrangements, I would be very grateful if you would rsvp by Friday 9 June 2023 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

Summer Exam Season

All pupils have been given their personal exam timetable and a copy of the Candidate Handbook – it is important that they are familiar with all the information it contains; a copy can be viewed here. Timetables and, nearer the time, allocated rooms can be viewed on the pupil and parent portals.

A few pupils have exam clashes, these individuals have all been contacted now. A clash of exams only occurs when two exams for different subjects are timetabled to start at the same time on the same day.

Where two exams for the same subject are timetabled to start at the same time on the same day, they will be taken one after the other. This applies to GCSE History, IGCSE French, IGCSE Spanish and A-level Maths.

As we approach the beginning of the examination season, we wanted to provide some final notes about arrangements for Year 11; this repeats information given to parents in the recent Q&A evening and to pupils in assemblies. 

Examination Timetables 
Year 11 pupils have already received their examination timetables and know how to view these on My School Portal. These are also visible to parents from the left-hand menu on My School Portal. Roomings will be added closer to the examinations. 
 
Study Leave  
From Thursday May 11, pupils are not required to be on-site except when they have an examination. They may choose whether they work at home, in school or a combination of the two.  
 
Study Leave Registration 
In order to know exactly who is on site at any time, Year 11 pupils will need to sign-in and out of school if arriving/leaving during the school day. For those wishing to leave school after an examination, we would request that they are collected in specified windows so that we can control traffic on the playground during the school day. 

• Pupils arriving for a morning examination will be registered in the exam room 
• Pupils arriving to a study room for Period 1 will be registered in the room
• Pupils arriving at any other time of day should sign in at the Pupil Hub 
• Pupils leaving after an examination can sign-out on the playground and be collected by parents at the times shown in the table below. 

Pupils and parents in Year 8 are reminded that the following textbook needs to be returned to their Science teacher by Friday 16 June 2023.

Year 8 - Smart Science textbook.

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

Running On The Roof Of The World by Jess Butterworth

Tash and her best friend Sam have grown up used to following the rules in occupied Tibet. But when a man sets himself on fire as an act of protest, Tash barely escapes after her house is raided and her parents are arrested. She, Sam and their two yaks set out on a dangerous journey across the Himalayas to reach India and the Dalai Lama, who she hopes will be able to save her parents.

This beautifully designed book is a richly atmospheric story of friendship, courage and survival. It provides a rare insight into Tibetan culture and raises timely questions about the nature of freedom, without being overtly political. Although there are some distressing moments, these are sensitively handled and the overriding message is one of hope and compassion.

Monday 8 May is the deadline for the Upper Sixth to sign up to Princethorpe Connect to be in with a chance of winning a £25 Amazon Voucher and a magnum of champagne for their table at the Leavers’ Ball on Wednesday 5 July at Warwick House. The winner will be announced on their last day, Friday 12 May.

All the Upper Sixth have been encouraged to join Princethorpe Connect over the last few weeks giving them access to our online alumni network, careers and mentoring advice, the termly OP e-newsletter and OP Friendly Faces, our initiative to match new undergraduates with OPs at universities around the country. They will also be able to view their Leavers’ Ball photos on the platform after the event.

Any of the Upper Sixth who have yet to join can do so by going to connect.princethorpe.co.uk and creating a profile as an Upper Sixth leaver.

All the Upper Sixth leavers profiles will be go live week commencing Monday 15 May.

Parents of Upper Sixth leavers, for whom this is their last year in the Foundation, are also very welcome to join as a Former Parent and can do so be going to connect.princethorpe.co.uk and creating a profile as a Former parent.

Parents might also like to take a look at the Princethorpe Connect Online Shop and purchase some of our souvenir items which include the OP Tie, Tower Pin, Scarf, Pen and the Soaring Redbrick Tower Fine Art Print. Items will also be available to purchase at the Upper Sixth Thanksgiving Eucharist and Buffet on Thursday 29 June.

connect.princethorpe.co.uk/shop

A limited number of members of the Lower Sixth will be able to park at school from Thursday 8 June 2023.

To receive permission the Sixth Former must:

• have the consent of their parents and the Head of Sixth Form
• provide their full driving licence and their current insurance certificate and photocopies
• agree to abide by the required Code of Conduct

There is an administration fee of £30 for the provision of a parking permit which provides access to parking, an electronic fob and a parking permit until the end of Upper Sixth. The charge for lost fobs is £18 and for lost discs £2.  Please note that there will be a refund of £10 for electronic fobs returned to the School Shop at the end of Upper Sixth.

Please note that there is a limit to the number of parking permits that can be issued. Permits are issued on a first-come first-served basis but only where the requirements detailed above are met in full.

The forms to apply for a permit are available from the Sixth From Administrators in the Sixth Form Resource Centre. When completed, including the signature of a parent and the Head of Sixth Form, the Sixth Former should take them, together with their full driving licence, (both the card and the paper section - if applicable) and current insurance certificate, plus photocopies, to the School Shop.

Members of the Lower Sixth are welcome to provide the paperwork to the School Shop from the 22 May 2023 but permits will only be issued from Thursday 8 June.

If the contract is broken then the permission to drive to school will be withdrawn by the school. Please note that Sixth Formers park at their own risk and that the school does not accept liability for accidents, damage or loss incurred.

Please note that if a Sixth Former drives to school without a permit they will be given a warning on the first occasion and will be denied parking on the second occasion. We would appreciate the support of parents in this matter, this is so we can discharge our responsibilities to everyone on school premises as well as to individual drivers.

Eddie Tolcher
Foundation Bursar 

We wish all the very best to the Upper Sixth in their exams and the Lower Sixth in their mocks.

Thank you to all of the Sixth Formers who helped with the making of the new Sixth Form film. We will announce the release once it is complete and share it accordingly. 

UCAS and Careers

Please find below links to the presentations from the Lower Sixth UCAS Evening.

Oxbridge with UCAS 2023

Options after Sixth Form

The presentation on apprenticeships will be available soon.

Any questions about UCAS or careers related advice please contact Mrs Quinney directly by email at jacquiquinney@princethorpe.co.uk.

Key Dates

Friday 5 May - Headmaster's Outgoing Prefect and Subject Ambassador Dinner 7.00pm-9.45pm

Friday 12 May - Upper Sixth last day - 8.35am registration, 2.00pm students will leave the college. Lunch will be provided.

Thursday 29 June - Upper Sixth Thanksgiving Eucharist and Buffet Supper 7.00pm-9.30pm

Monday 3 July - Lower Sixth UCAS and future planning day and evening BBQ

Wednesday 5 July - Upper Sixth Leavers' Ball 7.00pm-11.55pm, Warwick House

Best wishes

Ben Collie 
Head of Sixth Form 

We are delighted with the wide range of university offers that our Upper Sixth students have so far received this year. The deadlines for replying to these offers are fast approaching and students should login to UCAS.com to ensure that they know their own deadline. 

For everyone who receives all of their university decisions by 18 May 2023, they must reply to any offers by 8 June 2023. Failing to reply to offers in time will result in these offers being automatically declined by UCAS.

Jacqui Quinney
Head of Careers

Anyone wishing to start university later this year must have applied for Student Finance (for tuition fee and maintenance loans) by 19 May 2023 at the latest.

Apply online for student finance

Jacqui Quinney
Head of Careers

High Fliers Research Ltd have produced a fantastic 90 minute programme on the latest research on today’s graduate job market, the universities and degree courses that lead to successful graduate employment, and what employers offer to new graduates. In the programme, there are presentations from special guests Robert Halfon, Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education and Zoe Thomas, author of The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. There are also:

• interviews with recent graduates and degree apprentices from Dyson, the Royal Navy, Rolls-Royce and accounting and professional services firms PwC and BDO, sharing their experiences of getting from Sixth Form into the working world

• an introduction to degree apprenticeships, the alternative route they can provide to the graduate job market, and a showcase of employers offering degree apprenticeships to Sixth Form school-leavers

• expert advice and guidance from senior recruiters at Lloyds Banking Group, the NHS, investment bank Deutsche, law firm Slaughter and May, and AWE the nuclear defence company – on making the most of university or a degree apprenticeship, and getting ready for the graduate job market

The programme is being presented by Martin Birchall, research director for the Department for Education’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers and Levi Jouavel, a presenter on BBC Three and former BBC apprentice. 

This is the YouTube link you will need to watch the programme but it is only available until the end of May:

Link to Watch Programme

The programme is very well put together and tackles some of the assumptions about how to get into the different job areas. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact the careers team in school Jacqui Quinney or Kerry Low .

Maybe you were lucky enough to get away over the Easter break and now there are a few foreign coins or notes lurking in a pocket or a handbag?

Why not round them up and put them to good use? All donations would be gratefully received and all money raised will be split between UK projects of the SVP (St Vincent de Paul Society), including support for the homeless, elderly, handicapped and those coming out of prison and an overseas SVP project helping to fund secondary school education children - especially girls - in India. Click here to discover what the SVP organisation is about and how your donation can help.

The money can be current or out of date, British or foreign; anything is welcome.

Click here and watch the video to see how cash4coins works. This is what you can donate:

• All foreign coins and banknotes
• Current UK coins and banknotes
• Any old British and Irish money
• Even obsolete currency

Please send in money in a strong envelope labelled ‘Rod Isaacs - Cash4Coins’. This can be handed in to form tutors to pass on.  We raised nearly £170 last year. 

Many thanks

Rod Isaacs
Assistant Head of Sixth Form

Please don’t forget that Princethorpe College PTA is registered with easyfundraising. So, even when we are not hosting fundraising events in school, we can still 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 PTAssociation@Princethorpe.co.uk

Princethorpe PTA

The Drama Department are pleased to announce the November production will be A Monster Calls. We will be holding a brief meeting and launch on Tuesday 9 May after school in MU1, 4.00pm to 4.45pm.

Auditions will be on the following Monday 15 May, in the Clarkson Theatre 4.00pm to 5.30pm. We are really looking forward to recruiting actors and design creatives for this exciting project.

The exciting and varied Innovation and Adventure Days Programme was launched to pupils this week.

The Innovation and Adventure Days this year take place during the last week of term on Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 July. Normal lessons are suspended and a wide variety of activities are on offer at school and off-site. Please note that the school day will be extended on Tuesday 4 July and the buses will depart at 5.00pm.

Pupils have been asked to make their provisional choices which will then will finalised based on demand.

The forms for pupils to make their final choices will be emailed to them on Tuesday 16 May. Bookings will then open at 6.00pm on Wednesday 17 May and the form will close at 10.00pm on Sunday 21 May.  Activities are offered on a first come, first served basis.    

Some activities attract a charge – this charge will be added to the school bill with parent consent. If you have any queries about the Innovation and Adventure Days, please do not hesitate to contact me.

The presentation given to pupils is attached here. We have some really exciting opportunities and the days will be a great way to end the term.

Neil McCollin
Assistant Head - Co-Curricular

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

Wednesday 7 June 2023

This academic year, pupils in Year 7 have been looking at life in Medieval England, particularly focussing on castles throughout the period and their impact on the people that lived in and around them. In order to support this program of study, the History department have organised a trip to Warwick Castle on Wednesday 7 June 2023. This is a fantastic opportunity to visit a local attraction that will help all students understand the significance of the structure and its impact upon life in Medieval England.

The intended areas of study are:

• The structure of the castle and how it was an effective defensive fortress;
• Life in Warwick Castle and how it can help us learn about life if Medieval England;
• The role of Warwick Castle in the Wars of the Roses and its relevance to the story of King Richard III;
• There will also be a Medieval Battle Skills workshop with the staff at Warwick Castle, which is an additional experience open to schools to engage and learn in a more hands on manner.

All Year 7 pupils are expected to go on the trip to the castle as it is a central part of the study of History this academic year. The cost of the trip will be £26.00 per pupil, which covers, transport, admission and guided tours/activities. The coach will leave Princethorpe College at 8.45am and return for 3.45pm. An electronic consent form will be sent by email which will provide consent for the trip and the £26.00 cost to be added to the Michaelmas term bill.

Peter Bucknall
Head of History

Bus users are advised that due to the various closures having a significant impact on how a coach would get around Snitterfield village. The operator is unfortunately not going to be able to serve the village between Tuesday 9 May and the end of term.

Bus users are requested to please board the bus at the next stop - Barford, Wellesbourne Road adjacent to Lambert Court at 7.30am, returning in the afternoon at 4.53pm.

Apologies for the inconvenience caused.

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 Vectare by email princethorpe@vectare.co.uk.

Eddie Tolcher
Foundation Bursar

The Princethorpe Foundation welcomes back Aimee Brookes who has joined us as a Graduate Teaching Assistant.

Aimee has a wealth of experience working with children and young people. Aimee has previously worked for the Foundation as a Teaching Assistant after completing her A-levels and has since worked as a family Nanny and Children's Club Manager.

Outside of work Aimee is a keen sportswoman with a particular interest in Netball, Climbing and Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. 

Alan Haris joins us from Stoke Park School in Coventry as a Teacher of Mathematics.

Alan worked as a Head of Department in his last school and and as Second in Department prior to this. Alan is keen to inspire pupils to explore Mathematics in the real world.

Alan is involved in various extra curricular activities, including Chess, Football, and Badminton.

The Examinations Team welcomes Victoria and Gurdip as new Invigilators for the Summer exam period.

We are pleased to welcome Evan Collis who has recently joined the Grounds Team as Groundsman.

Evan comes to us with many years’ experience in practical roles within both the Horticultural and Industrial Maintenance sectors. 

After living in Devon for the last three years, Evan has recently relocated with his wife back to the Rugby area.

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

To report a pupil absence please use the online absence form available on My School Portal

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 note that from Monday 15 May we will be reverting back to one lunch sitting. Lunch break will be from 1.05pm - 1.55pm Monday to Friday.

Please see below our current vacancies: 

Princethorpe College

• Registrar
• Teacher of Spanish
• Graduate Sports Coach
• Rugby Coach 

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.