The Flagpole

We are well and truly back in the swing of all things academic, following a very welcome double Bank Holiday fortnight. I trust there was opportunity to rest and unwind, especially with fairer weather making an appearance last weekend. The sunshine does bring a different feel to the College – visitors always comment on how amazing our campus looks on a clear day. This has meant our cricket and athletics teams have been hitting their stride and I am proud to report some incredible results. We have also hosted several taster days for prospective pupils hoping to join us in September 2024. However, the real highlight is our Summer Open Evening, scheduled for Wednesday 7 June, where we will have the opportunity to put our very best foot forward. More than 180 families have already booked onto the event which is testimony to our strong reputation and popularity in the community. Another date for the diary you cannot miss is the National Two-Day Equestrian Event taking place next weekend, Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 May. The cross-country course on the Sunday is a must watch and is yet another example of the breadth of opportunity available to all Princethorpe pupils.

The rest of the school join our Year 11 pupils and Upper Sixth students taking exams next week, with our internal exam week beginning on Monday. May I request you spend some time with your child to ensure they have read all the relevant information? All they need has been emailed to them and it will help to lower anxiety if they know where to be, at what time, and what equipment they need. I'd also like to make a plea to our Year 11 and Upper Sixth parents to remind your children again of all exam regulations of which they are fully aware. We are regulated externally and have no choice in how we respond to any possible, intended or accidental, exam breach. We must follow guidelines and report everything to ensure the integrity of Princethorpe as an exam centre. We will follow the same strict approach during internal exam week to ensure the right culture develops in preparation for external exams. Any breach of our internal regulations will be sanctioned.

Thank you to all parents who have made the change to the online absence form. As we continue to phase out the option to report absence by phoning in, this is another reminder to access the online form on the landing page of “My School Portal”. We request it is used for all planned and unplanned absence reporting. However, if you need to discuss your child’s absence, please do call the school who will refer you to the relevant member of staff.

As we approach the final half term of this academic year, there will be even more opportunities for pupils and parents to get involved with events and activities at Princethorpe. Our PTA is hosting a Gin Tasting event – there are still spaces available – and we look forward to the Summer Fête and Motoring Festival. Pupils are heading off on various trips and visits, and choices for the Innovation and Adventure Days were submitted this week. During one of the taster days, I asked our prospective pupils what they thought about their visit. One of the boys said: “It looks really busy and exciting”. I feel this is a good description for the final few weeks of the year – busy and exciting. There is much to look forward to before July.

I hope to see you at the various events, please continue to come and say hello, and I hope that the half term break provides time to relax.

With best wishes for the weekend.

Grove du Toit
Headmaster