The Flagpole

Having had two of our three staff induction and training days, all our schools are well prepped and looking forward to welcoming the pupils back after the summer break.

Following my email on Wednesday 21 August I hope all our Foundation parents will be aware of our response to the Government’s plan to add VAT on private school fees and our intention that if implemented, we will reduce our fees so that the gross increase passed on to parents will be 5%, substantially less than the 20% VAT rate. For more detailed information visit our website here.

Many thanks to parents across our Foundation schools for your feedback on our strategy which has been overwhelmingly both appreciative and positive of our efforts to minimise the impact on our families, whilst maintaining the high quality of the education we provide.

Of course, this is currently draft legislation, and the Treasury is in the process of consulting over the plans until Sunday 15 September. Whilst the Government is committed to implementing the tax changes, this consultation is an opportunity for us to raise concerns and suggest potential mitigations to the policy, we will therefore be submitting our response to the draft legislation, alongside industry bodies and fellow schools.

We will also be continuing our dialogue with the newly elected local MPs, who will be voting on the legislation, so they are aware of the impact on our schools and families in their constituencies.

It is a public consultation so if you would like to add your voice to ours, you can do so by emailing independentschools@hmtreasury.gov.uk or contacting your local MP, see link here.

If you have any queries or comments on the prospective January fee increase and the matters outlined in this email, please submit them using the link here. If there is any change to the Government’s position following the consultation, then we will of course provide further information.

Many thanks for your continued support of the Foundation, we are heartened that we start the year on the back of excellent A-level and GCSE results at the College and with the Foundation in very strong position.

I send our best wishes to all our families for the start of the Michaelmas Term.

E D Hester

It is my absolute pleasure to welcome all the Princethorpe community back to this new academic year. I trust the summer break was restful and filled with family time and relaxation. We all know that Princethorpe never stands still, therefore, having the opportunity to step away and switch off is necessary and one I hope all families made the most of. Having said that, we have been busy this last week getting ready for the start of term and there is real excitement amongst my colleagues. We were once again extremely proud of our pupils’ exam results and the fantastic atmosphere on both Results Days was testament to the hard work of both pupils and staff. We are starting the year with the successes of both our Upper Sixth and Year 11 pupils as motivation – our pupils deserve the very best we can offer, and we are ready to go!

Those of you who follow our social media channels, would have seen that our A-level results achieved a 100% pass rate with 35% of all grades being A*-A. 65% of all grades were A*-B. However, they do not represent many of the individual success stories which included 99% of our pupils achieving their choice of next step – this included one pupil who was accepted to study Medicine through clearing. We are very proud of all our leavers. Our Year 11 results were just as good with 27% of all results being grade 8-9, and 44% of all grades being 7-9. Our pupils achieved a third of a grade better, across the board, than predicted. This is obviously down to the hard work and effort of our pupils, but I must thank our staff for all they have done. The best schools have the best teachers, and we are right up there!

In my last Flagpole letter, we said farewell to colleagues moving on from Princethorpe. It is now also my pleasure to welcome some new staff who are joining us from September.

• Katy Burrows joins Modern Foreign Languages as teacher of Spanish and French
• Lynsey Dixon joins as Head of Psychology and Sociology
• Rachel Fox joins as teacher of Dance, with the introduction of the subject to the curriculum from September
• David Leach joins the English department as teacher of English
• James Long joins as teacher of PE and Games, he will also be looking after our Hockey programme
• Joanna Turner also joins the English department as teacher of English

In addition, we welcome our new Graduate Teaching Assistants, Tiegan McCann and Sion Murphy (OP), who I am sure you will meet when you collect your child from Prep. Hannah Thomas, Gemma Tilley, Holly Summers and Graham Burden also join the College in various roles across the support functions. Last but by no means least, we are also welcoming just over 170 new pupils across all years, and we wish them all the best as they begin their Princethorpe journey.

In terms of campus development, our Estates team has been very busy, and you will notice several essential upgrades across the site. The most noticeable will be “The Bourse” which is our newly developed and upgraded tuck shop, funded by our caterers, Holroyd Howe. We hope this will offer improved services to both parents and pupils in due course with details to follow.

On the academic front, all pupils should now have access to their timetables through the My School Portal. We are taking a slightly different approach to homework in Key Stage 3, and I request that you read Mr Spencer’s communication explaining the changes. The hope is that we are creating more time for our younger pupils to engage with all that is on offer outside of the classroom. When our pupils are in lessons, we work hard and fast, therefore, allowing some time to engage with other interests and being more flexible with how we set homework, should lead to better engagement when we need it most. To further build on the importance of lessons, I wish to issue a plea regarding attendance. There is no substitute for receiving good teaching from an expert teacher. As a school, we are placing a real emphasis on attendance this year and we will be critically evaluating any need that requires the missing of lessons. School trips and sport fixtures add crucial value to any educational experience, and they will continue. However, we want our pupils in class as much as possible and we need your support. We request that you avoid any requests that may involve your child missing school unless absolutely necessary or unforeseen. As per last year, we must be notified of any school absence as early as possible, using the absence form on My School Portal. A reminder that the My School Portal is the most important channel of communication, and you should be able to access all information you need from there. Your child’s tutor remains the first port of call if you need to send in a communication as they would be able to assist with most queries. You will also note that we have changed the name of the “Wellbeing Notification” to “Parent Notification”. This is to reflect what we use the system for – passing on a notification about your child for information.

We placed a lot of emphasis on standards and expectations during last year and this had a noticeable, positive impact on the experience of everybody within the Princethorpe community. It will come as no surprise that we are building on those foundations from day one and staff will expect nothing but the very best in terms of behaviour and standards. Can I request that uniform meets expectations and that all pupils come to school ready with the correct kit and equipment as needed? As I have outlined previously, if we don’t have to worry about the little things, we can throw all our efforts into the big things – teaching and learning. Two of the best ways our school rules of being kind and working hard find their feet, are through good manners and positive engagement. If any family needs last minute uniform, please get in touch with the Uniform Shop Team who will be able to assist.

Over the holidays, I read a thought-provoking book called The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. It was excellent in exploring how we are a risk averse society and how we do everything possible to keep our children away from activities that may be “dangerous”. However, he then juxtaposes this with our children having free reign in a digital world where the risks are often much higher and the consequences much more harmful. One wonders how many parents criticising Kirstie Allsopp for her actions when she allowed her 15-year-old son to go Interrailing, for example, have no controls on the social media usage of their children? The crux of Haidt’s argument is that mobile phones are having a demonstrable effect on the development of our children as their worlds are now only 7.5 inches in diameter and 12 inches in front of them. Children don’t want to take risks because they are anxious and feel perceived safety and control on the other side of a screen. Society is aiding in this as we don’t provide learning opportunities where they can take chances as we deem it high risk. I was inspired by the youngest and oldest Olympians in Paris. They were 11 and 65 years of age respectively. Both competed in sports (skateboarding and equestrian) that have an element of risk involving trial and error (pain). The challenge is for our pupils to discover their “skateboards” or “horses” by engaging with the wider world outside of social media. To further encourage this approach with our pupils, we have updated our mobile phone policy for pupils. This will be shared with pupils next week and again, we would appreciate your support no matter how big your child’s moans or groans may be.

Finally, it would be remiss of me if I didn't mention VAT on fees following the announcement by the Government that it will become policy in January. I hope the Foundation’s response has shown a clear strategy and understanding of how important it is to support our families. The key message from my desk is that we will be very mindful of how we approach our finances, and you will notice small changes moving forward. However, our number one priority is to continue to provide the quality and breadth of education Princethorpe is known for. In my start of term address to staff, I highlighted that Princethorpe is a very good school in a very good place, despite the challenges that may come down the line. We are excited about this year and the future of the College, and I hope you share this sentiment. In a thank you note from one of our pupils following their exam results, they called us “the best school in the world”. If we are or not does not matter. What is important is that we helped that pupil achieve their best and we will continue to do this for all our pupils.

I look forward to catching up with you next to the touchline and at social events, starting with the OPs vs College Sports Day tomorrow and the Headmaster’s Quiz for all new parents later in the term. Do come and say hello and remember our door is always open.

With my very best wishes,

Grove du Toit
Headmaster

Princethorpe College is celebrating another year of excellent exam results.

108 students sat A-level and BTEC examinations and completed the Extended Project Qualification this summer and, continuing the strong performances of previous cohorts, two thirds of all grades awarded were A*- B, with more than a third being A*- A. Impressively, 17 pupils achieved three or more A* or A grades.

At GCSE, Princethorpe pupils also performed well, from a cohort of 150 pupils, 44% of all entries were the coveted 9, 8 or 7 grades, with 32 pupils achieving nine or more 9, 8 or 7 grades.

Grove du Toit, Headmaster, commented, "We are delighted with the excellent results that our Sixth Form students and Year 11 pupils have achieved. They have worked incredibly hard and deserve these results. It was wonderful to see all their happy faces on results day, and we congratulate them all on their well-deserved success. We are thrilled that our pupils have received such good grades but also, more importantly, that the overwhelming majority are moving on to their first choice of next step."

He continued, "We are proud of their academic achievements, but all these pupils have many other fine qualities: kindness, respect and a strong sense of right and wrong, which will be tremendously important for them in the next phase of their lives. We wish them all the very best."

Prospective families can now discover all the ins and outs of applying to Princethorpe College in a new informative podcast series, Pathway to Princethorpe.

From choosing the right school to preparing for the entrance exams, the podcast is designed to help parents navigate the admissions process step by step. This is perfect for parents whose children are looking to join Princethorpe in Year 7 to Year 10. Join Registrar, Catherine Rogers, and new Assistant Registrar, Georgia Newborough, plus special guests, as they explore many aspects of Princethorpe life, share expert tips, and demystify the journey into independent secondary school.

Launched at the beginning of the summer holidays, there are now seven informative episodes in the series which can be found on Spotify, YouTube and Amazon Music. More will be released over the coming weeks as we approach Entrance Exams in November.

Comments, Registrar, Catherine Rogers, "We hope that these bite-sized episodes, which cover many areas that we get asked about frequently, will allow parents to listen and gather essential information at their convenience, whether commuting, relaxing, or enjoying a cup of tea."

Click here to access the Pathway to Princethorpe podcast series. 

With just ten weeks to go, the countdown to the College's Entrance Exams for admission in September 2025 has begun. This year the exams for Year 7 to 10 entry will take place on Saturday 9 November from 9.00am to 4.00pm.

Our friendly Admissions Team have been kept busy over the summer accepting registrations from prospective parents. The deadline for registration is Friday 27 September, to enable the processing of applications and seeking of references from junior schools. For Year 7 to 10 entry please register online by clicking the link here.

There are still plenty of opportunities for prospective pupils and their parents to visit the College before the Entrance Exams, including our Open Afternoon on Sunday 15 September from 2.00pm to 5.00pm. Our Open Afternoon will allow prospective families to look around the school, join in with department activities and hear from our Headmaster, Grove du Toit. 

Our Year 6 Taster Days are also a great way for prospective pupils to really experience Princethorpe. Our Taster Days typically involve four lessons, a question and answer session with some of our current pupils and the chance to talk to the Headmaster, Mr du Toit.

We have three sessions available on Tuesday 17 September, Thursday 19 September and Wednesday 25 September for those who are in Year 6 and have not had the chance to attend a previous Taster Day.

All our events are by appointment. To book your place click here

If you have any queries relating to admissions please feel free to email the Admissions Team, Catherine Rogers, Registrar and Georgia Newborough, Assistant Registrar, at admissions@princethorpe.co.uk or call them on 01926 634201/297.

At the start of the summer holidays, 30 Princethorpe pupils embarked on a memorable trip to Malawi in East Africa to build on the College’s ongoing commitment and support of projects provided to local communities in the country, through Mary’s Meals, Classrooms For Malawi and Bwengu Projects Malawi.

During their two-week trip, the Year 11, Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth students toured round the south of Malawi from the city of Blantyre to the shores of the spectacular Lake Malawi. They visited Steka orphanage to deliver back packs of clothing and supplies and enjoyed learning about the local culture and local dances with the children. They spent time at EcoLodgy Sustainability & Permaculture Centre, learning about their work to educate local communities on sustainability. They admired the incredible Mulanje, the highest peak in Malawi and ventured into the wilderness to see the wildlife on a safari.

They also visited Lauderdale School, the first school that Princethorpe College worked with in Malawi back in 2007/8, where they completely refurbished two classrooms, work that was funded by their own pre-trip fundraising, repainting the buildings and installing new desks. There they also took part in one of the highlights of their visit, when they supported the school’s feeding project serving Mary’s Meals porridge to hundreds of smiling students in the school’s community.

The memories made on their trip to Malawi will last a lifetime, the landscapes, the bustling communities, the wildlife, the vibrant colours but most of all the genuine kindness and generosity displayed by all the people. It was an incredible experience for them all.

Grace McCollin, Olivia Monk and André Onyekwe competed for Warwickshire at the English Schools Athletics Track & Field Championships in Birmingham at the start of the summer holidays.

It was a fantastic achievement for these pupils to have been selected for this prestigious national event, but to have three pupils reaching the standard was super exciting for us all here at Princethorpe College.

Our young athletes competed in the Hurdles, Mixed Relay and High Jump. Grace ran an outstanding race to take the Silver medal in the 80m Hurdles while Olivia claimed a Bronze in the Mixed 4x100m Relay. André cleared the bar at 1.94m to finish in 5th position in the High Jump.

Grace subsequently went on to represent England in the Home Nations Championships the following weekend.

We are all hugely impressed by their commitment and dedication to their sports and are incredibly proud of them.

The College welcomed specialist conservator, Alexandra Carrington, and her colleague, Dawn Jessop, to Princethorpe during the summer holidays to renovate the final Station of the Cross and a decorated Altar Alcove in the former Nuns’ Library.

Part of the incredible story of Princethorpe, the artworks had been hidden for around 40 years until last year when refurbishment work began on the old G22 and G23 Physics Labs, after the opening of the College’s new Science Centre.

Both the Station of the Cross and the Altar Alcove had been preserved behind classroom boards but were suffering from damage and the build-up of decades of dust and grime. The conservators used a range of cleaning, consolidating and retouching techniques to reveal and restore the charming nature-based design and stencilling on  the painted wall above the alcove, which would have been specially commissioned by the nuns who founded the Priory, and to repair damage and restore the vibrant colours of the last station, which depicts Jesus being laid in the tomb.

Director of Estates, Rob Heath, commented, “It is wonderful to see these unique works, part of Princethorpe’s rich heritage, brought back to their original splendour and saved to be studied and enjoyed by generations of pupils to come.”

The work was generously funded by the College's PTA and will be available for visitors to see on Sunday 8 September when the school is opening for Heritage Open Day. If you want to come along you can find out more here.

Princethorpe College is welcoming plenty of new faces this Michaelmas Term, as in addition to all its new pupils, the school also has a number of new staff members joining the school.

Pictured here on their Induction Day, our new staff have enjoyed an informative and busy start to their time at Princethorpe. Together they bring a wealth of new experience to the school and we extend a very warm welcome to them all.

Joining the College teaching staff are:

Katy Burrows - Teacher of MFL
Lynsey Dixon - Head of Psychology and Sociology
Rachel Fox - Teacher of Dance
David Leach - Teacher of English
James Long - Teacher of PE and Games
Joanna Turner - Teacher of English
Tiegan McCann - Graduate Teaching Assistant
Sion Murphy - Graduate Teaching Assistant

Joining as trainee teachers are:

Rebecca Downey - Trainee Teacher (Art)
Thomas Godbehere - Trainee Teacher (French)
Savannah Grindell - Trainee Teacher (Art)
Samantha Harding - Trainee Teacher (PE)
Aderyn Herondale - Trainee Teacher (Chemistry)
Katherine Hester - Trainee Teacher (English)
Sophie Hunter - Trainee Teacher (PE)
Phoebe Tankard - Trainee Teacher (Biology)

Joining the College support staff are:

Graham Burden - Estates Operative
Hannah Thomas - Science Technician
Gemma Tilley - Administrator/Receptionist
Holly Summers - Events Co-ordinator

Saturday 31 August 2024 - 10.30am to 4.30pm

Our 13th Annual Old Princethorpians vs College Sports Day (and 15th John Shinkwin Trophy Match), takes place on Saturday 31 August 2024. 

This will be a relaxing day that mixes sporting matches with music, a BBQ and ice cream van, and a bar. 

As before, points will be accumulated throughout the day, with the Alex Wallis Memorial Shield being awarded to the victors at the end of the day.

The format of the day is as follows:

10.30am to 11.45am Football OPs vs Staff

11.45am to 12.45pm Hockey Princethorpe College Mixed Team vs OPs XI

12.45pm to 1.45pm Netball Princethorpe College 1st VII Girls vs OPs VII

2.00pm to 3.30pm Rugby - John Shinkwin Trophy - Princethorpe College 1st XV Boys vs OPs XV (leavers of 2024 and 2023)

3.45pm - After Match Awards by the BBQ

We are keen to get as many leavers of 2024 and OPs from across the generations participating, so please spread the word amongst the OPs and 2024 Leavers that you know, and encourage them to come along to what is always a fun-filled and celebratory day. College teams will have been notified via SOCS as usual.

Players will get complimentary refreshments and spectators can enjoy free tea, coffee and water and a subsidised BBQ and bar. 

Parents, students and staff are particularly welcome to spectate and support all the teams.

If you have any queries please contact Caroline Spencer, Alumni Relations and Development Officer, at oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk.

We hope to see you there!

Sunday 8 September 2024 - 2.00pm to 4.00pm

Princethorpe College is pleased to open its doors again in partnership with Heritage Open Days to share and celebrate the rich history of the school with the wider community.

Heritage Open Days is England's largest community-led festival of history and culture, involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations. Every year in September it brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history. Stories are told, traditions explored, and histories brought to life. It’s the nation's chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all free!

Our Archivist, Jo Wong, will have key items from our diverse catalogue of archive materials on show and is looing forward to sharing the rich history of our iconic setting with visitors.

Built in 1832, St Mary's Priory was one of the first Catholic buildings in England after the reformation. Come for a tour of the magnificent building and discover its history, including the routes and connections that made it the place it is today.

Guided Tours will be staggered, taking place at 2.00pm, 2.30pm and 3.00pm, with last entry at 3.00pm. All welcome.

Further information is available here.

Wednesday 11 September - 6.30pm to 7.30pm

The College's Admissions Team will be holding an Online Parents' Q&A session on Wednesday 11 September from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

The event will be a live streamed Q&A session with Grove du Toit (Headmaster), Michael Spencer (Deputy Head - Academic) and Catherine Rogers (Registrar).

This is a chance for parents interested in Year 7 to 10 entry to the College in September 2025 to ask our Admissions Team questions relating to the admissions process and Entrance Examinations Day in an informal forum before the registration deadline of Friday 27 September.

If you would like to attend please click on this link where you will also be able to submit any questions in advance.

Sunday 15 September 2024 - 2.00pm to 5.00pm

Princethorpe will be holding its annual Open Afternoon on Sunday 15 September from 2.00pm to 5.00pm. All are welcome to visit the College and for younger visitors, there will be many fun subject related activities organised by the departments.

The Headmaster will address visitors in the Chapel during the afternoon and refreshments will be available. 

To book your place please click here.

Year 6 Taster Days - Tuesday 17, Thursday 19 and Wednesday 25 September

Our Year 6 Taster Days are aimed at Year 6 pupils who wish to join the College in September 2025 and who have not already attended a Year 5 Taster Day. 

Taster Days are available on:

• Tuesday 17 September 2024
• Thursday 19 September 2024
• Wednesday 25 September 2024

Taster Days typically involve lessons, a question and answer session with some of our current pupils and a chance to talk to the Headmaster, Mr du Toit. They run from 9.30am to 3.00pm. Snacks and lunch are provided and there is no charge for the day.

To book your place click here.

Friday 20 September 7.00pm – 9.00pm

We are delighted to invite parents of new pupils to our Quiz and Curry Evening, which will take place  on Friday 20 September from 7.00pm to 9.00pm. Tickets for the Parents’ Quiz are available on a first come, first served basis, including the curry supper, and are £10 per head. Payment for tickets will be charged to the Lent Term school fees.

The PTA will be running a pay bar and Mr du Toit’s quiz will hopefully not be too testing! 

It should be a very enjoyable evening for all and enable you to meet and socialise with fellow parents, as well as some staff and members of the PTA.  

If you would like to reserve your place, and to enable us to plan our catering, please click here to complete and submit a brief form by 9.00am, Monday 16 September.

Year 7 Social

At the same time, there will also be a Year 7 Disco organised by the PTA, staff and school prefects. 

Tickets for the Year 7 Disco are free of charge, but you do need to reserve a place; to do so, please follow the link above. Children can attend the Year 7 Disco without their parents attending the Quiz, however parents are required to sign them in and sign them out. Drop off is at 7.00pm and collection no later than 9.00pm.

We recommend children bring approximately £3 pocket money with them to purchase drinks and treats. Children should have eaten their evening meal before attending. 

We very much hope you are able to attend and we look forward to seeing you on Friday 20 September.

Thursday 26 September 2024 - 6.00pm to 8.00pm

Crackley Hall School and Little Crackers Nursery in Kenilworth, are hosting a dedicated Nursery, Reception and Year 3 Open Evening on Thursday 26 September from 6.00pm.

This Open Evening is aimed at prospective families looking at entry in September 2025 and beyond. 

This is a perfect opportunity to vist the Nursery and School, and to talk to key members of staff who will be teaching and supporting your child.  

To book your place please click here. 

The Early Bird Deadline for Reception registrations for 2025 entry is Friday 18 October 2024.

If you can't make the Open Evening but would like to look around the school, you can now book a personal tour here or call our Registrar, Mrs Jenny Vaughan on 01926 514410 or email admissions@crackleyhall.co.uk and come on a day to suit you.

For more information visit www.crackleyhall.co.uk

Friday 27 September 2024 - The Clachan, London, W1B 5QH - 6.00pm to 10.30pm

Our annual OPs London Meet, always a popular and sociable affair, moves this September to the upstairs function room at a unique city centre pub with a rich history, The Clachan, on Friday 27 September.

Described as 'your local pub in London', The Clachan is perfectly located on Kingly Street, a little street behind the iconic Liberty, just off Regent Street, and only a brief stroll to the likes of Carnaby Street, Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus and the ever bustling Soho.

Our London Meets offer an ideal opportunity for OPs who have moved further afield to gather in an accessible and popular location, and it is always a pleasure to witness OPs from across the generations mixing and networking together. The Old Princethorpians Association welcomes guests with a complimentary drink and the evening unfolds happily from there.
 
If you are an OP and would like to attend please RSVP via the events page on Princethorpe Connect by Friday 20 September 2024, or follow this link: OPs London Meet 2024

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, ‘Clachan’ is Gaelic for ‘meeting place’.

Tuesday 1 October 2024 - 7.00pm to 8.00pm

The Crescent School, in Bilton, Rugby, is opening its doors for a dedicated Reception and Year 3 Open Evening on Tuesday 1 October 2024 from 7.00pm.

This Open Evening is aimed at prospective families wishing to join Reception or Year 3 in September 2025 and beyond.

The evening will have presentations highlighting key admissions information as well as what school life is like in Reception and Year 3. There will also be opportunities to look around the school and visit the Reception and Year 3 classrooms, as well as speak to key members of staff. Joe Thackway, Headmaster, will also be available to answer any of your questions you may have about the school.  

To book your place please click here.

The Early Bird Deadline for Reception and Year 3 registrations for 2025 entry is Friday 18 October 2024.

If you can't make the Open Evening but would like to visit the school, you can now book a personal tour here, or please call our Registrar, Mrs Becky Witcomb on 01788 521595 or email admissions@crescentschool.co.uk and come on a day to suit you.

For more information visit www.crescentschool.co.uk

Following the distribution of exam results, the period for making enquiries about results continues until 5.00pm, on Wednesday 25 September. The options still available are a review of marking and/or requesting a copy of the exam script. 

To apply for any post-results service please complete the form enclosed in your results envelope, or a copy can be downloaded here. Please note that all fees are per candidate, per component/paper/unit. If the exam taken had more than one written paper pupils must make clear which paper, they wish to have reviewed.

If you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact me at sarahtsang@princethorpe.co.uk.

Pupils will be able to see their new timetable for the academic year in My School Portal from the morning of Friday 30 August. They should bring in appropriate books and equipment for Tuesday’s lessons from Period three onwards. Year 7 pupils do not require any books, but those timetabled to have PE should bring their kit.

When arriving at school on Tuesday pupils should go to their tutor room for the beginning of Period one.

Thursday 19 September - 6.00pm to 8.00pm

We would like to invite all parents of Year 11 pupils to a 360 Review Evening with their child’s Form Tutor. This will include a 15-minute face-to-face appointment to discuss key priorities for the coming year. Senior staff will also share an overview of Year 11 and advice to support preparations for the forthcoming mock examinations.

Booking details will be issued the week before this event.

Michael Spencer
Deputy Head - Academic

Please see the link here for the equipment pupils will be expected to have for the start of term.

Kind regards,

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

A warm welcome back to school after the summer break, I hope you have had an enjoyable time.

Can I please remind parents to read and fully appraise themselves of the information in the Information Booklet for Parents and Pupils that was emailed out to you in readiness for the start of the new school year. A copy can also be found here under Parents' Documentation - 2024-2025 Key Documents.

Thank you for your continued support. 

Beth Sharpe
Deputy Head - Pastoral

Please be aware that individual portrait photographs will be taken on Tuesday 3 September for all of Years 7, 10, 11, Lower Sixth and other pupils new to Princethorpe College.

Biometric fingerprinting will also take place for pupils new to Princethorpe College (with parental consent for this) to enable them to use the cashless catering service.

Beth Sharpe
Deputy Head - Pastoral

Please be aware our procedure of reporting a pupil absence has changed for the new term to make it easier for parents to report. Parents must inform the school via the online absence form on My School Portal if they know their child will not be in school for either the whole day or any part thereof. For unplanned absence, parents must complete the Absence Form. This can be found on the dashboard or in the My Children section of My School Portal.

If a pupil has a pre-planned appointment e.g. medical, please inform the school in advance on the Requesting Student Absence: Planned Form, which can be found within the My Children section of My School Portal. This can then be pre-coded on our attendance system. Having alerted the school for any reason of absence it is not necessary to follow up the absence with a written note.

Thank you in advance for your co-operation.

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated in the College Chapel in the Lent Term 2025. We are waiting for the Bishop to confirm the date.

Confirmation preparation will begin in October 2024. The preparation takes place over the lunch break. There will be four sessions in the Michaelmas Term and four in the Lent Term. Each 20-minute session will be offered twice during the week to avoid clashes with other activities.

If you would like further information, please email marybenham@princethorpe.co.uk.

New term in the Sixth Form: Celebrating Success and Embracing New Beginnings

As the doors of our Sixth Form swing open to welcome the new academic year, there's an unmistakable buzz of excitement in the air. The corridors echo with a sense of achievement, pride, and anticipation, as we reflect on the tremendous successes of our outgoing students and look forward to the exciting journey that lies ahead.

Outstanding A-level Results: A Testament to Hard Work

The most recent A-level results are nothing short of remarkable. Our students have truly excelled, achieving some of the best results in the history of our school. The dedication and hard work of our students, coupled with the unwavering support of our talented teaching staff, have led to a stellar performance across the board.

It is with great pride that we announce a record number of students achieving top grades, reflecting not only their academic prowess but also their resilience and commitment.

These results have opened doors to some of the most prestigious universities. We are thrilled to report that the vast majority of our students have secured their first-choice universities, embarking on exciting new chapters. This accomplishment is testament to their academic excellence and the well-rounded education they received during their time here.

Exceptional GCSE Results: A Strong Foundation for Future Success

As we celebrate the success of our A-level students, we must also acknowledge the exceptional achievements of our Year 11 cohort in their GCSE examinations. Their results are a clear indicator of the bright futures that lie ahead in our Sixth Form.

The GCSE results this year were truly outstanding, with a significant number of students achieving grades 7, 8, and 9 across a wide range of subjects. These results reflect not only the hard work and determination of our students but also the high standards of teaching and the supportive environment we strive to provide.

The transition from GCSEs to A-levels can be challenging, but with such a strong foundation, our new Sixth Form students are well-equipped to rise to the occasion. We are confident that they will continue to excel in their studies and make the most of the opportunities available to them in the Sixth Form.

Looking Ahead: Embracing New Challenges and Opportunities

As we begin this new term, we encourage all our Sixth Form students, both returning and new, to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The Sixth Form is a time for academic growth, personal development, and preparing for the future, whether that be further education, apprenticeships, or entering the workforce.

We are committed to providing our students with the support and guidance they need to achieve their goals. With a range of exciting extracurricular activities, leadership opportunities, and academic enrichment programs, this year promises to be one filled with growth, discovery, and success.

A Bright Future Awaits

The start of this new term is not just a time to reflect on past achievements but also to look forward with optimism and determination. The outstanding A-level and GCSE results are testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, staff, and the entire school community. We are incredibly proud of what our students have achieved and are excited to see them continue to thrive in the Sixth Form.

Here's to another year of excellence, achievement, and success. Welcome back!

Ben Collie 
Head of Sixth Form

A warm welcome to the Michaelmas Term programme of Physical Education and Games at Princethorpe College. 

Our PE and Games Department have created a helpful guide for pupils and parents ahead of the Michaelmas Term 2024 which includes further information about: 

• Team coaches and how you may contact them
• Instructions on how to access the Sports homepage and teamsheets
• Information about fixtures, including selection and cancellations
• Sports kit expectations
• Postcodes for away fixtures 

Please click the link here to view the guide. 

If you have any questions, please direct them to your son/daughter's team coach or email myself, Lee Cassell (Foundation Director of Sport) at leecassell@princethorpe.co.uk.

Lee Cassell 
Foundation Director of Sport 

This term your child will be taking part in rugby and hockey and following national governing body and school guidelines, it is compulsory that your child wears a mouthguard during these sports. 

Therefore, in the interest of your child’s safety, we have invited OPRO, who specialise in the provision of custom made mouthguards, to visit the school on Thursday 5 September from 12.30pm to 2.30pm. 

On that day the OPRO dental team will take impressions of all pupils who want to be fitted and the finished mouthguards will then be delivered back to your home address approximately seven working days later. 

Prices start from £41.99 and our exclusive school design mouthguards are priced at £46.99. Please click here to view. 

OPRO offer a number of benefits with their service:

• Buy one mouthguard and get a second mouthguard for half the price
• Your child will receive a complimentary Snap-Fit mouthguard at the dental visit so they have something to use whilst they wait for their custom mouthguard to be delivered 
• Each mouthguard comes with a dental warranty which covers up to £22,500 
• Your child’s name and the school name will be included on the mouthguard and case 
• OPRO store all of the models in case a replacement is required 
• All mouthguards carry the CE mark

If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity and have your child fitted, please place an order with OPRO by Tuesday 3 September. If you have any questions about the products or OPRO’s service please contact their customer care team directly on 01442 430690 or email info@oprogroup.com. 

Once all the bookings have been confirmed we will inform you of the time slot for your child's fitting.

Pupils do not need a custom made mouth guard to participate in sport. They can use mouthguards that can be purchased from the school shop or any sports shop. 

Many thanks 

Lee Cassell 
Director of Sport 

Wednesday 11 September 2024 - The Refectory - 7.00pm

The PTA extend a warm welcome to all, and hope you will be able to join us for cheese and wine at the PTA AGM on Wednesday 11 September at 7.00pm.

The AGM will give new and current parents an opportunity to find out what the PTA does for the school, and how you could help us by supporting activities such as Open Days and the Christmas Fair and Summer Fête.

There will be an opportunity to meet other parents, those who are new to the PTA and existing members. We have a number of parents who are involved in the PTA to differing degrees. As well as welcoming those parents who may wish to join us on the committee – we also very much welcome parents who may be able to spare an hour supporting the fairs or welcoming visitors to the school on Open Days. It really is an excellent way to get involved with school life, and you can offer as little or as much of your time as you feel is possible.

Our main aim is to provide the ‘extras’ for the school which are very much appreciated by pupils and staff alike; we support events such as school Trips, House Activities Day, Proms; extra-curricular clubs eg. Planet Princethorpe, Vex IQ, Archery, as well as equipment for Sports, Music and Library departments.

If you are interested and would like to discuss what is involved in being on the PTA please feel free contact the Committee at ptassociation@princethorpe.co.uk. 

We hope you will be able to join us on the night and very much look forward to meeting you.

Princethorpe PTA

Did you know you can support the Princethorpe PTA online?

Follow, like, and share our social media posts to help us reach a wider audience. The more people who are aware of our fundraising events, the greater impact we can make for the school community! Please see below the links to our social media pages:

Facebook: PTA Princethorpe

Instagram: @princethorpepta

X (Twitter): @PrincethorpePta

Thank you for all your support this academic year. 

Princethorpe PTA

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.

Thank you for the applications for individual Music and LAMDA lessons received to date; tuition will commence during the second week of term from Monday 9 September. The teacher concerned will contact you in the next few days to confirm the day of the first lesson as well as the accompanying documents. Please can all parents return the invoice payment and the completed ‘pupils’ Teacher/Parent contract and Privacy Statement to the teacher by the first lesson date at the very latest. Please note that Lesson Timetables will be drawn up within College and I shall issue these to parents during next week.

Most peripatetic lessons will be taught in the Music and LAMDA teaching area on the Upper Pugin Corridor (on the top floor - above the Heads of House and Learning Support) with just a few remaining on the ground floor for logistical reasons.

On a musical note, I would appreciate it if you could encourage some practice at home before the initial lesson and ask your child to bring along a piece of music to play to their teacher (this helps establish positive relationships between pupil and teacher as the pupil is ‘in charge’ of their own learning and lessons can then progress swiftly from such a meeting of minds).

All musical instruments must be clearly named on both the case (try a strong suitcase label or dog tag) and instrument, if possible, and then stored safely either in the pupil’s locker or music storage shelves on Upper Pugin first thing in the morning.

Guitars and cellos are very vulnerable to accidents if placed in the Bus ‘hold’, I would recommend that guitars/cellos are brought to school in a hard shell or very padded case. These can be purchased either online or from a local music store and will be a sound investment. NB. Instruments must not be left around school at any time.

Should you require any further information then please can you contact me either by email at felicitycoulson@princethorpe.co.uk or by my direct phone line on 01926 634268.

Felicity Coulson
Peripatetic Music Co-ordinator

Congratulations to last year's Year 9 Latin pupils on your superb Latin Level 1 results!

For current Year 9 pupils, co-curricular Latin lessons commence the week of 9 September on Mondays or Tuesdays, 4.00pm-5.40pm, in LF65. Please come to see Mrs Rindler at lunchtime in LF65 on Tuesday 3 September to register your preferred date of attendance.

Tuesday 17 September - 6.15pm (Online)

More information regarding the Year 7 Trip to Whitemoor Lakes, which departs on Friday 4 October and returns on Sunday 6 October will be available at the Parents' Information Evening (online) on Tuesday 17 September at 6.15pm. 

We will email you a link to access this online event in advance of the meeting. This meeting will give parents and pupils an insight into activities and arrangements. This will be a fantastic weekend which will give our new Year 7s an opportunity to make new friends and have fun.

Parents will have received an email via Evolve asking for consent for this trip and a request for further information. Please could you send the information by Friday 6 September.

Beth Sharpe
Deputy Head - Pastoral

The Foundation is constantly looking closely at all ways to reduce our costs and consequently keep our fees as low as possible - not least with the announcement that VAT will be chargeable on tuition fees from January 2025. 

One significant cost, despite having a highly competitive agreement, relates to the charges we incur when fees are paid by debit or credit card, currently in the region of £50,000 per annum. Direct debit and bank transfer are entirely without additional costs.

We want to start saving money without delay, so have withdrawn the card payment option. If you currently pay by card, we would now ask you to please pay your fees by one of the following alternative methods:  

• direct debit – a form is linked here,  please sign and return the form to the School Office marked for the attention of the Bursary (fees are due on the first day of term so please allow sufficient time for processing);  
• direct bank transfer - bank details can be found on your termly invoice;  
• school fee plan - leaflet is linked here.   

Whilst we recognise that paying by card is a convenient option for some parents, we believe that it is better to use this money to help reduce the amount payable by all parents from January. This is one of a range of cost saving measures we will be implementing over the coming year.

We apologise for the short notice, but hope you will understand that by working together we can reduce the impact of the imposition of VAT. 

Eddie Tolcher
Foundation Bursar

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

To report a pupil absence please do so 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.

A reminder that our bus services commence on Tuesday 2 September and those wishing to book a new single or return bus pass or ad hoc journeys should do so from our bus website here. New users need to first set up an account.

If you were a user last term, unless you gave a half term's notice you will have been billed and need to rebook, so you receive your child's pass for this year.

The site shows clear information on all bus routes, stops and fare information.

Bus passes are booked on an annual basis and are invoiced termly, starting with the Michaelmas Term fees. Payment must be made by the start of each term in order to guarantee the place. A half term's notice is required if your child no longer needs to use the bus services.

Ad Hoc Journey Bookings
All ad hoc users must pre-book a seat to travel. A £10 penalty fare will be charged per journey for those who fail to do so. You are able to make multiple ad hoc journey bookings at the same time. All ad hoc journeys must be paid for at the time of booking using a debit or credit card.

Bus Passes
Vectare will email parents of all bus users with a digital wallet pass before the start of term, the pass is similar to those used for plane and train travel, which they will be able to load onto their child's mobile phone. Should your child not have a suitable phone for this purpose, please respond to the email and Vectare will issue you with a Swipe card. Bus users must scan or swipe on the bus in the morning and on and off the bus in the afternoon.

Safety
The safety of pupils using the bus service is of paramount importance. We ask parents to talk to their children about how to keep safe going to and from the bus stop and ensure they know what to do if the bus doesn’t arrive. There is a briefing for pupils who use the bus service at the start of each academic year. The College’s risk assessment of the bus service is attached here and a copy is also on the Parent Portal.

Buses Customer Service
Vectare, our transport consultant handle the customer service for the buses on the College’s behalf, the Vectare team are very familiar with our bus routes and do this already for a number of schools with great success. They provide parents with support between 6.00am and 10.00pm, seven days a week. For any live operational matters (i.e. stood at a bus stop), please call Vectare on 0115 777 3185. For any matter that is not live, and operational, please use the contact form on the website, or contact them via email at princethorpe@vectare.co.uk.

Should you have any queries relating to any of the above information please do not hesitate to contact the team at Vectare and they will be more than happy to assist.

Please find below the Term Dates for 2024-25 and 2025-26.

2024-2025 (two page document) - revised Sixth Form Open Evening and Christmas Fair dates. Updated June 2024

2025-2026 (two page document) - revised Sixth Form Open Evening

Please see below our current vacancies:

Princethorpe College

• Learning Support Assistant

Full details and how to apply are available via the following link: Join Us

Should you know anyone who might be interested in these posts, please do share this information with them.

• Adhere strictly to the speed limits and instructions given by College staff
• Never hold or use a mobile phone whilst driving
• Park in designated areas and never on double yellow lines
• Stop for pedestrians wishing to cross at designated crossing points
• Ensure that pupils only exit or enter cars when safely parked in designated areas
• Music should be kept to a minimum level
• Be patient, kind and courteous 

• Pupils arriving to school at the normal time can be dropped off in the area adjacent to the pupils’ entrance. Please note, this is for quick drop-offs only. Should you need more time or have to wait, please use the main playground area instead.
• The playground is closed to traffic from 9.00am to 3.30pm. Parents arriving within this period are asked to park in the ‘Short Stay’ parking (yellow hatched area between Reception and the Roundhouse) and go to Reception or the Student Hub.
• If you are collecting your child at the end of the day, please avoid arriving before 3.00pm. If you are queueing, please keep yellow hatched areas by the main gates clear to enable our Estates Team or Emergency vehicles access.
• Sixth Form parking is available only to those issued with permits. A designated Sixth Form car park has been provided next to the sports field. Permit holders must park in their designated space as issued by Mr Collie.
• Should you require access to the Student Hub, please park in the Short Stay parking area next to Goods In and follow the sign to the Student Hub.

• Parking on site is very restricted. If you are wishing to attend the College to watch sport, please use visitor, short stay or overflow parking however, we cannot guarantee this will always be available.
• We encourage drivers to turn off their engines whilst waiting to reduce pollution.
• The whole site is non-smoking/vaping and dogs must be kept on leads.

To help families new to the school, and as a reminder for all, here are some top tips for navigating the College's e-newsletter, The Flagpole, on your mobile phone.

Each edition of The Flagpole has a general overview message followed by an index list of the news, events and other information, split into categories, with clickable title links.

• Click the title link of the article or event you are interested in.
• From here you can scroll through all the articles in this category.
• To get back to the top of a category quickly, use the arrow in the bottom right corner of your screen. Click this and you will jump to the top of the page and see the category index.
• Select Newsletter Index, to return you to the main newsletter index listing all the categories and articles.
• To move between different editions of The Flagpole use the dark blue button with three white lines towards the top right of the newsletter. Click on the button and choose which edition of The Flagpole you would like to read.
• To find a topic quickly use the the search function with key words.

The Flagpole is one of the College's main communication tools and is always a good first place to look for information and news. Bookmarking https://flagpole.princethorpe.co.uk/ will allow you to get to the newsletter quickly.

Did you know that we are on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn? We use social media to share all that goes on, day in day out, in our school, posting regularly to keep you up to date with school news and school life, and to share all the amazing activities and wonderful work our fantastic pupils do.

If you engage with social media, why not check out our pages and be sure to follow us so that you never miss a post.

Princethorpe College accounts:

https://www.instagram.com/theprincethorpefoundation/

https://www.facebook.com/princethorpecollege/

https://x.com/PrincethorpeCol/

https://uk.linkedin.com/school/princethorpe-college