The Flagpole

Half term seems a distant memory and it felt strange hearing the first Christmas song on my way to the entrance exams two weeks ago. Mariah Carey belting out her hit certainly led to mixed emotions on that early morning drive! However, it is a sign that we are nearing the end of term and are almost in December, with the College as busy as ever.

We had one of our most successful entrance exam sessions two weekends ago. It was the largest cohort registered for the exams in the past five years, which is testament to the excellent work of staff and the reputation of Princethorpe. The pupils sitting were strong and exciting young people and came from various schools across the surrounding counties. As per my previous communications, we are working hard to ensure Princethorpe continues to be the supportive, all round, academically challenging school it is known as. Seeing this message hitting home in conversations with prospective parents was encouraging and shows we are heading in the right direction. In the most recent Princethorpe specific Education meeting, Trustees were impressed and encouraged by the strategy and initiatives coming together to further improve our pupil experiences and outcomes. Our focus on standards, expectations, and keeping teaching and learning front and centre, will further create an environment where pupils can be challenged to be amazing. I have no doubt this is key to why so many prospective families are keen to join the Princethorpe family.

Our Year 11 and Upper Sixth pupils will be sitting their first set of mock exams from next Monday onwards. We are very impressed with the focus and effort we have seen from these two year groups and there is a palpable sense of steely determination as you encounter them in the corridors. We wish them the best of luck and hope they use this opportunity to ensure a good foundation for the rest of the year, leading up to their final exams. Their predecessors will be at the Warwick Arts Centre tonight, receiving their public exam certificates from their summer exams. Prize Giving is a special event in the calendar as we recognise individual successes and achievements. We will find out how our leavers from last year have survived their first few weeks at university and about the new adventures they have embarked upon. Most importantly, it is an opportunity to catch up and reconnect. It is an evening of celebration, showcasing the end of a special journey that those who have just taken their entrance exams hope to start in a couple of terms.

I have received several requests for pupils to miss school at the end of this term, mainly relating to family holidays. I appreciate there will always be circumstances that may require a pupil to miss a day or two. Travel does broaden horizons, and we will support requests when reasonable. However, our term dates are published well in advance and the expectation remains that a pupil should attend every day of school during term time. May I request holiday requests are reserved for exceptional circumstances, and they should be kept to as few days as possible please. If we feel a request is not justified, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised.  

Finally, if ever you need to contact the College after 5.00pm on a weekday for an urgent matter or emergency, may I request you use this number: 01926 634287. This will connect you to the member of the Senior Leadership Team on duty that evening who will be best placed to deal with any incident that may arise.

Can I issue my usual plea to read the Flagpole thoroughly please? With only two more publications to go before we break up, it contains very important information that will need some digesting.

Thank you for your continued support.

Grove du Toit
Headmaster

Princethorpe College Year 11 pupil, Martina Grace, has been selected for the U16 England Hockey Squad. Martina received the exciting news just this week after attending a series of six assessment sessions. It’s fantastic recognition for this talented young player.

Foundation Director of Sport, Lee Cassell, commented, “We are incredibly proud of Martina and congratulate her on her selection. She worked extremely hard through the assessment phase and takes every opportunity to stretch and develop her hockey skills both inside and outside of school. I know she will learn a lot from this amazing opportunity.”

Martina has been playing hockey since the age of six-years-old. As well as playing at school, she also plays for the Ladies 1st team at local Olton & West Warwickshire Hockey Club and she has progressed through the England Hockey Player Pathway, first playing for the County when she was just 11-years-old. Her commitment to her sport has her training in school and with her club for up to 10 hours each week and she does this all alongside working for her GCSEs.

Martina said, “I am thrilled to have been named in the squad and excited to represent my country. I am really looking forward to the training and the chance of selection for an international game.” Martina credits Princethorpe College for supporting her throughout her time at school, adding, “The coaching at Princethorpe has allowed me to grow as a player both technically and tactically and I am very grateful for the support of the school.”

Princethorpe Hockey coach, Rachael Mack, said, “All credit to Martina for her hard work and dedication to her hockey, she has worked hard and deserves this reward. We are absolutely delighted for her and look forward to supporting her in her hockey ambitions.”

It’s an amazing achievement, congratulations to Martina, everyone here at Princethorpe looks forward to following your hockey progress and development.

Many congratulations to the 1st XI Football Team on an excellent second round 4-1 win in the Independent Schools Football Association’s U18 Shield. Having overcome University College School on penalties in a nail biting first round match, the team faced Abingdon School at home this week, on Wednesday 22 November. In a well fought game Barnaby Hammond made the most of his chances claiming two goals with Alistair Forinton and Blessing Katanda adding one each to take Princethorpe’s score to four.

That great result means the boys have now reached the quarter finals. A huge well done to them all!

On Tuesday 21 November, our Sixth Form physicists had an interesting and informative day trip to A-level Science Live at the Emmanuel Centre in London. Part of their curriculum enrichment activities, they heard from five inspirational scientists working at the cutting edge of their specialisms.

The presenters included theoretical nuclear physicist Professor Jim Al-Khalili who spoke about the exciting field of Quantum Biology, Dr Jessica Wade who shared her work on developing new carbon based materials at Plastic Electronics, Roma Agrawal who gave insights about Physics Careers in Engineering, Dr Emma Chapman who talked about her work on First Light and Dr Melissa Uchida an expert in high energy physics and Ghost Particles.

The Sixth Form students commented:

As A-Level Physicists, we ventured far into the wilderness of London to see some exciting and insightful lectures that showed us just how broad the opportunities of physics research are, ranging from Quantum Biology to Astrophysics, it was an inspiring day for us all.

One student said, ‘While the topics of the lectures were extremely deep and complicated, the scientists were phenomenal explainers, which meant anyone with any academic background could follow the science.’ Another student stated, ‘I found the talk on neutrinos to be fascinating, as it went in depth into an unfamiliar topic, whilst informing everyone to a high level of understanding.’

One excellent lecture on Quantum Biology was presented by Jim Al-Khalili, famous for his work presenting science documentaries for the BBC and other public scientific outreach media. A student commented on their great interest in the previously mentioned Quantum Biology lecture, taking a unique look at quantum entanglement and how quantum properties affect birds’ sense of direction using photons.

Many of the lectures will undoubtedly play an incredibly important role for the future of human development, and it was an incredible opportunity to see the future of science explained by experts. Additionally, the lectures unveiled exciting speculations in Physics, from future discoveries to the mysteries of the Big Bang. These discussions highlighted the importance of theoretical knowledge in understanding our universe and shaping future scientific endeavours. This fascinating journey into Physics’ potential future and past left a lasting impression, emphasizing its crucial role in scientific exploration.

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

All in all it was a fascinating day, and one made particularly special by the opportunity of a photo with Professor Jim Al-Khalili.

This week we were once again delighted to recognise and celebrate the many pupils who have risen to the challenge of the College’s ethos.

At lunchtime, on Monday 20 November, Assistant Head Co-curricular, Neil McCollin, congratulated pupils from across the College who had been nominated by members of staff for recognition for their achievements. All had tried their best; some had excelled or showed commitment to sport, performing arts, charity work or academic studies, whilst others had gone over and above for their House or Tutor group. All were an outstanding example for their peers.

Mr McCollin thanked each and every one of them, recognising the commitment and effort they put in and all that they do to enrich school life.

This term congratulations go to:

From Year 7: Eloise Burchill, Esme Card, Delilah Clay, Rufus Jones, Esme Luck, Austin Newbold, Ria Pathania and George Williams

From Year 8: Stephanie Bolton, Issey Cleary, Katie Dodd, Grace Johnson, Bohdan Nicholl, Lewis North, Ro Somerset, Thomasina Spencer, Josh Taylor and Kian Thandi

From Year 9: Sophie Collett, Noah Cowlishaw, Amy Robinson, Tara Rodgers, Will Smith, Alexa Thoday, Harry Turvey and Elwin Williams

From Year 10: Sam Grindal, Lily Hunter, Daniel Ovens Gibbs, Jorja Parris and Delilah Teeton

From Year 11: Isabel Barnes, Amelia Chard, Samuel Divers, Zach Hawkins, Anna Johnson, Alex Lawrence, Evie Marston, Sophie Nicolle, André Onyekwe, Emmi Parmenter, Anna Powers, Theo Sparkes and Nell Tilstone

From Lower Sixth: Georgina Barnes, Tom Bucknall, Jayden Carr, Ruby Clark, Jack Fleming, Louise Gambling, Charlotte Gledhill, Freddie Hadley and Chloe Henderson, Giorgio Kleinmann, Niamh Perks, Megan Shipton, Joseph Simon, Emily Slinger, Ben Smith, Jemima Teeton, Kaena Wasley, Henry Woodrow and Krystina Yuen.

From Upper Sixth: Sam Astle, Alex Flegg, Chris Lock, Joseph Newborough, Katie Richards, Esmé Saunders and Connor Silvester

More information on pupils’ achievements can be found here.

The U15 Boys Rugby team took part in the ISA Midlands Rugby 10-a-side competition this week, at Worcester RFC on Wednesday 22 November.

Playing in Group B, the boys got their tournament off to a good start, powering through their group round games. Their first match was against Quinton House School and the team quickly secured a good 43-0 win, they then saw off Derby Grammar 19-0 and Tettenhall College 47-0.

That put them through to the Cup competition in the afternoon. In the semi-final they met Lichfield and claimed another excellent 41-0 victory. In their last match of the day, the final, the boys faced Worksop College. The team delivered another strong performance and despite conceding their first try of the day, their hard work and commitment ensured they emerged victorious wining 24-7 to take the Gold Medal.

Foundation Director of Sport, Lee Cassell, said, “It was an excellent day, and the boys were a credit to the College playing some outstanding rugby. Well done to them all.”

Playing for Princethorpe were: Matthew Crawford, Alex Sykes, Zach Rose, Josh Gorbutt, Dan Tomlinson, Oscar Robbins, Hunter Staveley, Conor Horan, Henry Fox, Joshua Baker, Harry Gallagher, Leo May and James Wright

Our Lower Sixth chemists enjoyed an exciting and thought-provoking day when they attended the Chemistry A-level Science Live event in London on Tuesday 14 November.

They heard from five inspirational scientists working at the cutting edge of their specialisms who shared how science can 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, Professor Lucy Carpenter who explained the relationship between Chemistry and the world and Dr Tim Gabriel who spoke about Chemistry and careers.

Their day also included two 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 very informative day!

On Friday 17 November, Princethorpe College welcomed Patrick Flynn and Mark Lloyd from Online Behaviours into school to work with pupils from Year 7 up to the Sixth Form as part of the Foundation’s Digital Wellbeing Day.

Patrick and Mark explained what makes a good digital citizen and explored steps and strategies for a positive, safe and empowering experience online. Their presentations reminded pupils of what constitutes risky behaviour and the difference between risk and harm and discussed the actions we can all take to engage online in a positive way. They reflected on the importance of guarding your digital reputation and on how that begins right now and highlighted six key behaviours to support showing respect.

Their presentations were informative and interactive and gave pupils plenty to think about. Many thanks to Patrick and Mark for supporting our Digital Wellbeing Day.

Mr Walton and the Princethorpe Precious Plastics Club have converted their plastic shredder to pedal power. They are now able to shred plastic for recycling much more efficiently. The shredded pieces are remoulded into plastic billets ready for reuse.

The next billets of plastic produced are destined for Year 11 who will use them to complete their GCSE coursework project making chess pieces.

If anyone has any pedals with toe clips that they no longer use for cycling that they would be happy to donate please drop them off at Pupil Hub marked for the attention of Mr Walton.

During November, the College reflects 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. Form Tutors shared poppies with their Tutor groups and encouraged pupils to record their remembrances on them, personalising the poppies with their dedications and messages.

The poppies were then assembled into a prominent and impressive display in the Limes and Cloister Corridor with the help of Year 9 pupil, Alex Thoday.

The poppy is our society’s symbol of collective remembrance and the symbol of all our hopes for a peaceful future. The displays provide our community with a powerful focus for prayer during this contemplative month of November.

Thank you to all the pupils for their contributions for our poppy display.

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 at the sale price of £10 plus postage and packing.

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 2024 College calendar featuring 12 superb images of the College and its grounds, and priced at just £6, 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 18 December 2023 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 10 December.

Wednesday 29 November 2023 - 4.00pm-5.00pm

The next English enrichment event will take place on Wednesday 29 November, between 4.00pm and 5.00pm in the Sixth Form Lecture Theatre.

This time we will be looking at The World of Publishing. Where can the study of English lead you? To publishing perhaps?

Join us to find out more about how to research a book and get published, or the art of publishing itself.

Pupils from all year groups, staff and parents are all welcome. 

Thursday 30 November to Saturday 2 December 2023 - 7.00pm

Princethorpe's Drama Department is delighted to invite you to our production of A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. 

Conor has the same dream every night, ever since his mother fell ill. But tonight is different. Tonight, when he wakes, there’s a monster at his window. It’s elemental, a force of nature, and it wants something from Conor. It wants the truth. 

Our company have crafted an imaginative version of this acclaimed novel of love, loss and hope. We bring this powerful story to the stage for just three nights in the cold of the winter.

We would love you to come along and support our cast who have worked with vigour and imagination to tell this important tale.

Please be aware the story deals with powerful themes of illness, loss and grief. We recommend for Year 7 and above. 

Tickets are free and performances will take place on Thursday 30 November, Friday 1 December and Saturday 2 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.

Tuesday 5 December and Wednesday 6 December - 7.00pm - 9.00pm

Our Christmas Wreath Making Evening has proved so popular in the past that this year we will be putting on two evenings in support of the Malawi fundraising effort.

The evenings will take place on Tuesday 5 December and Wednesday 6 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.

It is open to all Princethorpe parents, staff and friends. In order to book your place(s) please click here by Tuesday 28 November. One person can book for a group of people – recommended if you would like to sit together for the evening.

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 bencollie@princethorpe.co.uk

Ben Collie
Head of Sixth Form

Thursday 7 December 2023 - 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

Sunday 10 December 2023 - 2.00pm to 4.30pm

The PTA Christmas Fair will take place on Sunday 10 December 2023 - 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 and tickets have now been sent out.  We have some fantastic prizes: £250 cash, £150 cash, Fortnum and Mason Hamper - 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 8 December 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. 

Should you have any access requirements please do let us know ahead of the day and we can ensure a parking space is made available close to the fair entrance. Thank you.

Tuesday 12 December 2023 - 6.00pm to 7.30pm

The STEAM Ambassadors warmly invite you to join us for this year's Science Christmas Lecture on Tuesday 12 December.

The evening begins at 6.00pm, with a Science themed Christmas quiz in the Refectory with festive refreshments, music and some close-up Science magic.

The lecture will be held in the Clarkson Theatre from 6.30pm and will conclude at 7.30pm with an online quiz (bring your mobile phones!) to test how much you have learned.

Our theme is "A sustainable Christmas" and we look forward to seeing you on 12 December. Please book your free tickets via MySchoolPortal or by clicking the link here. 

Tuesday 19 December 2023 - 7.00pm 

Next week our Upper Sixth students and Year 11 pupils will be sitting mock examinations. We wish them all well in their preparation for these and would like to remind all other pupils to be considerate in keeping quiet while moving around site near examination venues.

Year 11 pupils should ensure that they have sufficient revision resources with them to use in the sessions when they do not have mock examinations, making sure that their laptops are fully charged.

Full reports for Year 9 will be published today, Friday 24 November 2023, and will be available to view on My School Portal.

Tutor Reports for Year 10 will be published on Friday 1 December 2023, and will be available to view on My School Portal.  

The Upper Sixth Subject Progress Evening will take place online on Thursday 14 December 2023 from 6.00pm to 8.30pm. Details of how to book appointments will be emailed during week commencing Monday 4 December 2023.

Tutor Reports for Year 7 will be published on Friday 15 December 2023, and will be available to view on My School Portal.  

Year 11 Mock Exam Reports will be published on Friday 15 December 2023 and will be available to view on My School Portal.

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

On Thursday 14 December the Immunisation Team will be in school to offer all pupils in Years 7 to 11 the nasal flu vaccine.

A link to an electronic consent form and further information was emailed home earlier this week. Please follow the link here to complete the consent form if you have not received it by email. 

Please note this link expires on Sunday 3 December 2023.

Please contact pcmatrons@princethorpe.co.uk if you have any questions or queries.

Mrs Paula Greig
Senior Matron

As we joyfully approach the enchanting Christmas season, let's take a heartfelt pause to celebrate the achievements of our dedicated Sixth Formers and embrace the exciting opportunities that await them. In the midst of their academic pursuits, we eagerly anticipate infusing this half term with the spirit of joy and warmth through a series of heartwarming events. 

A particularly exciting prospect on the horizon is the potential for a Sixth Form Ski Trip to Canada in the future - an adventure that would allow our students to blend their passion for exploration with the exhilaration of winter sports. To better understand the level of interest and gather insights from parents, please reply to bencollie@princethorpe.co.uk. 

Amidst the festive season, our school community is set to unite in spreading holiday cheer through cherished activities such as the heartwarming care home lunch and delightful care home Christmas carols. These events offer our students a meaningful opportunity to give back and share happiness with the elderly residents in our community. 

As we embrace the spirit of Christmas, let us come together to not only applaud the academic achievements of our sixth formers but also to create moments of warmth, compassion, and festive joy within our school community. Your cooperation and participation are vital in making this season truly special. 

Wreath Making - Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 December 2023

We are thrilled to invite you to our upcoming wreath making event! Get ready to embrace the holiday spirit and let your creativity bloom as we come together to craft beautiful wreaths.

For full details and to book your place please see the article under Events.

UCAS and Careers - Reminder 

This can be an overwhelming and confusing time for Sixth Form students (and their parents) when faced with the huge choice of university courses and apprenticeships available. The Careers and Sixth Form teams are available to help and advise students on all aspects of these decisions, but we are also here for parents too. Below is some information that may help but please do get in touch if you any specific queries that are not answered.  
Feel free to contact me by email jacquiquinney@princethorpe.co.uk
 
University Applications 

All applications to university are made through UCAS.com which produces a very comprehensive Parents Guide.  
 
Parent guide to UCAS (ucas.com)
 
Students will receive comprehensive guidance this half term on all aspects of the UCAS application.  

Apprenticeships

Students interested in applying for apprenticeships can find lots of information both on Unifrog and also UCAS.com. Applications are made directly to the employer and many larger schemes open for applications from November onwards. However, many smaller employers will continue to recruit throughout the year. Due to the competitive nature of many degree apprenticeship schemes, students may want to consider applying to university too, as a back-up.   

Key Dates

Tuesday 27 to 29 November - Upper Sixth Mock Examinations

Tuesday 5 December - Wreath Making 7.00pm

Wednesday 6 December - Care Home Christmas Lunch

Wednesday 6 December - Wreath Making 7.00pm

Friday 8 December - Upper Sixth Mock Reports available on My School Portal

Thursday 14 December - Upper Sixth subject progress evening online

Friday 15 December - Upper Sixth Social - More details coming soon

Ben Collie 
Head of Sixth Form 

As a careers adviser, I often have the privilege of helping individuals explore diverse career paths and discover opportunities that align with their passions and talents. One industry that consistently captivates the imagination of many is horse racing. It's a world of speed, elegance, and tradition that offers a wide range of exciting career prospects. One invaluable resource that stands out in this industry is the British Racing School (BRS). In this article, I will share insights from a careers adviser's perspective on the myriad opportunities available at the British Racing School.

1. Becoming a Jockey: The Ultimate Racing Experience

For those who thrive on adrenaline and possess a natural affinity for horses, the role of a jockey might be the perfect fit. The British Racing School's jockey training program is renowned for its comprehensive approach. It's a pathway to mastering riding techniques, understanding race tactics, and forging a career at the forefront of the racing world. As a careers adviser, I've witnessed countless success stories of individuals who've honed their skills at BRS and gone on to become accomplished jockeys.

2. Stable Staff Training: The Backbone of Racing

Behind every triumphant racehorse stands a dedicated team of stable staff. These professionals ensure the well-being, training, and preparation of the horses. The BRS offers an array of courses that equip individuals with the knowledge and skills required to excel in stable management. For those interested in a career that blends horsemanship with responsibility, this pathway provides numerous opportunities to thrive in the racing industry.

3. Apprenticeships: Learn While You Earn

Apprenticeships at the BRS present a unique opportunity for individuals to gain practical experience in a real racing environment. For career seekers who prefer hands-on learning, these programs are invaluable. They offer a chance to work alongside industry experts, earn a salary, and gain a deep understanding of the racing world—all while obtaining recognized qualifications.

4. Horse Care Courses: The Well-Being of Champions

Caring for racehorses is an art and a science. The BRS offers specialized courses in equine care, veterinary support, and farriery. These programs cater to individuals who may not aspire to be jockeys but have a genuine passion for working with horses. A career in horse care is not only rewarding but also essential to the success of the racing industry.

5. Racing Administration and Management: Behind-the-Scenes Excellence

While jockeys and stable staff shine on the racetrack, there's a critical need for skilled professionals to manage the logistics, finances, and marketing aspects of the sport. The BRS recognises this need and offers courses in racing administration and management. These programs open doors to a wide range of career opportunities, from racecourse management to marketing agenci

In conclusion as a careers adviser, I wholeheartedly endorse the British Racing School as a hub of opportunities for those passionate about the world of horse racing. Whether you're a young aspiring jockey, a horse enthusiast with dreams of working in the industry, or someone looking for a unique career path, the BRS offers a comprehensive range of programs to suit diverse interests and aspirations.

This institution isn't just about education; it's about fulfilling dreams and nurturing talents within a thrilling and historic industry. To find out more about opportunities and open days come to the careers office in F43 or email jacquiquinney@princethorpe.co.uk or kerrylow@princethorpe.co.uk

Kerry Low
Careers Advisor

The Society of St Vincent de Paul make up and distribute Christmas parcels and hampers locally 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 Sunday 10 December to enable time for the preparation and distribution of the hampers.

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

We are pleased to announce that we have been given an exclusive offer from Northampton Saints, for our parents to purchase tickets at a discounted rate. In order to access these rates, please click the link here, verify your identity and enter the code ‘college’ at checkout. The rate applies to adult or junior seats in the bronze or green blocks. 

Please don’t forget that Princethorpe College PTA is registered with easyfundraising. 

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 or visit MySchoolPortal.

Princethorpe PTA

The Army are returning to Princethorpe College on 6 and 7 March 2024 to run a series of STEM workshops for our Year 9 pupils. This includes an introduction to careers within the Army and the wide range of opportunities they offer, followed by a hands-on workshop. Year 9 pupils have a choice of which workshop they take part in and should use the link on the Year 9 TEAM, also here for reference to select their workshops in preference order. Any pupils who do not complete the form will be allocated an activity to take part in. 

Any questions please contact Dan Lee at danlee@princethorpe.co.uk.

Christmas is just around the corner and the library staff are preparing to decorate their wonderful space! Our book craft club, which runs every Thursday break and lunchtime, are busy making book related Christmas decorations for our tree. There is a wonderful Winter display up already on one of our boards, with another coming soon which celebrates our wintery reads. 

To see all of our displays and what’s on in the library don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @princethorpelibrary.

Our book and biscuit club runs every Tuesday in the library at breaktime. At the moment we are looking at the shortlisted books from the Warwickshire Teen Book Award. They are Tag You’re Dead, Happy Head, The Promise Boys and With Fire In Their Blood. Our book clubbers have all submitted questions that they would like to ask the shortlisted authors and next month will be voting on their favourite book.

Struggling to think of gifts for Christmas? Why not give a book token. National Book Tokens are an excellent idea for a gift, just visit their website here. In the meantime, you could win yourself a prize by finding the books in the 2023 Hidden Books Game. You can find it by using the following link here.

Nicola Treadwell
Head Librarian

Jolabokaflod (Christmas book flood) is the Icelandic tradition of exchanging books on Christmas Eve. The tradition began during World War Two, when rationing was in effect, but paper remained plentiful. To this day, families in Iceland gather on Christmas Eve to gift each other with books, before spending the evening reading side by side, usually with some hot cocoa to ‘sweeten the deal’.

This year at Princethorpe College, we will be holding our very own Jolabokaflod between Monday 11 December and Wednesday 13 December. Pupils will be asked to bring in a pre-loved book from home that they are willing to donate to the event. Then, in the penultimate week of term, students will be invited by year group to come to the Limes foyer over lunchtime to select a new book to take home over Christmas. At the end of the event, any leftover books will be given to The Krizevac Project, to be taken to their schools in Malawi (where some of our students will be visiting later next year).

We would be very grateful if you could encourage your child(ren) to bring in a book by Tuesday 5 December. Books can be either handed in to tutors or taken directly to the Library. We kindly ask that pupils only bring in books appropriate to their own age groups. Thank you.

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.

Further course materials are being distributed at the DofE start-up meetings. Attendance at these sessions are mandatory for pupils, as the next steps will be discussed.

Gold – took place Friday 24 November

Silver – took place Wednesday 22 November

Bronze – will take place on Wednesday 29 November, during tutor time, in the Clarkson theatre

Please could all new bronze, silver and gold participants complete the steps listed below by Wednesday 20 December.

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

2) Login using the username and password sticker on your folder

3) Update your personal details

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

5) Complete the 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)

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

Any email will be sent to pupils and parents with further advice. After the assemblies, the relevant resources will be uploaded onto MySchoolPortal. 

Whilst the enrolment deadline for new starters has passed, there is still time to complete your award.

Please continue to prioritise signing off your volunteering, physical and skill sections. Many have already completed their award in full. Guidance can be found on a DofE Completion email sent to you and your parents and the advice documents are also available on MySchoolPortal.

Lunchtime drop-in clinic takes place eevry Tuesday at 1.05pm in LG02.

The Certificate Presentation Evening takes place on Thursday 8 February 2024. Invitations will be distributed in the New Year.

Will Bower
Head of Outdoor Education - DofE Manager

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.

Thursday 14 December 2023

A festive Christmas lunch will be available to purchase on Thursday 14 December, served in the Main Refectory and Sixth Form Dining Room.

Andrew Williams
General Manager - Holroyd Howe

Please see below our current vacancies: 

Princethorpe College/Foundation

• Art Technician
• Learning Support Assistant
• Graduate Teaching Assistant
• Weekend Caretaker
• Estates Assistant
• Casual Estates Assistant

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.