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