The Flagpole

As we approach Advent and move towards the end of term, I am writing to let you know formally that Liz Griffin, our wonderful Chair of Trustees, will be retiring at the end of the year. I am delighted to announce that John Fisher, currently Chair of the Finance Committee and a former Princethorpe parent who has been a trustee for four years, will be taking over from Liz as Chair of Trustees.

Liz has been a member of our Governing Body for nine years and our Chair for the past seven. She has been a constant presence and has been selfless in her support of all our schools; attending and enjoying innumerable events to ensure she has first-hand knowledge and appreciation of the amazing work by our pupils and staff.

The majority of the important work our trustees do is often unseen by most of our community, but the fruits of their labours is clear.

During Liz’s tenure we have:

• developed and started to implement our comprehensive strategic plan to ensure the Foundation's continued success and sustainability;
  
  
• strengthened the governance framework to ensure effective leadership across the Foundation's schools;
  
  
• maintained and enhanced the educational standards and ethos of the Foundation;
  
  
• undertaken significant improvements and developments in the Foundation's facilities and infrastructure.

Liz Griffin's leadership has been marked by her warm and collaborative approach, working closely with her fellow trustees and the executive team, and at all times embodying our “Spirit of Family”.

I want to thank Liz on behalf of all the Foundation community for everything she has done and on a personal note for all the help and support she has given me over the years. 

Ed Hester

Tonight is one of the most important events in the Princethorpe calendar. Our Prize Giving Ceremony takes place in the Warwick Arts Centre, where we as a community come together to celebrate every Year 11 pupil and Upper Sixth student who completed their public examinations during the 2023-24 academic year. We also award our top subject and school prizes to pupils who have achieved in many areas during their time at the College. Parents and pupils, all comment on the uplifting nature of the evening as it is a moment to pause and to acknowledge the effort and commitment required to succeed in public examinations. During the evening, we will read every name in those two year groups as every pupil deserves their individual journey celebrated. It is also an exciting evening where we will see our former Upper Sixth students (now Old Princethorpians) for the first time since they embarked on their various next steps. I have no doubt we will hear great stories of forays into cooking and laundry, budgeting, and how great it is to be back home for a weekend. We will publish all the prize winners in our next Flagpole.

Our current Year 11 pupils and Upper Sixth students are very much at the other end of their journey. Mock exams took place this week and end next Wednesday, and there was a real change in the atmosphere around school. I have no doubt lessons will be learnt, and clear targets will be set to ensure progress moving forward. They are nearing the home straight and we wish them good luck with the results and hard work that now follows. It is also a good challenge to the rest of the school. This half-term is already in its third week, and we must not forget that academic success requires a sustained effort. We have reminded pupils of the importance of being a good Princethorpe Learner and how we all have a responsibility to contribute to a positive learning environment. As per previous communications, we continue to expect and maintain the highest standards, especially where a pupil may be disrupting the learning of others.

On Monday 11 November, we had a poignant Remembrance Service. The world faces uncertain times and remembering previous sacrifices is more important than ever. The highlight was several of our pupils reading various parts of the service and prayers in different languages. The service coincided with Interfaith Week which was very well led by Mrs Tallis. Our community consists of different faiths. Therefore, creating time to acknowledge, explore, and listen to different religions is crucial to building on our values of tolerance and understanding as a Catholic school. We are continuing the theme of diversity with Culture Week starting on Monday. This has been organised by our prefects and will see us raise awareness about all the different cultures and nationalities that attend the College. On Friday, we will be hosting a fair and pupils are encouraged to attend school wearing clothing that reflects their background – you may see me proudly wearing my South African rugby shirt for obvious reasons.

As a Headmaster, I encounter unpredictable situations every day. However, last Thursday I was sitting in front of an audience in The Clackson, with a folded playing card in my mouth, being bamboozled by a young magician in our House Talent Show – this was definitely not on the cards (see what I did there) when planning my day. The evening was a brilliant showcase for the talent that walks our corridors. Our pupils were confident, creative, and full of energy. Performing Arts at Princethorpe is alive and well and the evening was evidence of that. We are looking forward to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory being performed next week and urge you to book your tickets before they sell out. I am also aware that rehearsals for School of Rock are in full swing for its run next term.

You may have noticed a flurry of visiting younger pupils in different uniforms during the past week coming in for scholarship interviews. We are nearing the end of our main entrance exam session and once again, we have been blown away by the abilities and character of all who have applied to join Princethorpe. I have met some incredible young people, which bodes well for next year’s intake. We do continue to offer admissions opportunities throughout the year, limited places are available, so please do spread the word with any interested friends or family. Our Registrars are only too happy to talk families through the process.

When you ask my colleagues for a “main theme” that is most relevant when our pupils get it wrong, I am certain all would say technology. As a school we spend a lot of our time, educating pupils on positive use of technology, as well as the dangers involved when you step into the online world. For example, last week we hosted a whole school digital assembly on Snap Chat. Unfortunately, our audience is teenagers who sometimes engage with risky behaviour, and make decisions that sometimes have very negative outcomes. The pastoral team have had to manage a range of incidents involving online behaviour and activity since our return from half-term, hence my mentioning this subject. The world on the other side of a screen can be an incredible place, but when it goes wrong, it has the potential to cause irreparable damage. My plea is for you as parents to be as involved with your child’s online life as you are with their weekly activities and school. It is crucial that your wi-fi settings, home mobile phone rules, social media app discussions, transparency in what is accessed, and a full awareness of what your child is doing when they go online forms part of regular family discussions. We have locked down Princethorpe in terms of ensuring our pupils are safe online. However, when they leave site, parental controls take over and I cannot stress enough how important an active role is. We are always on hand to offer help and guidance so please do reach out. We also offer tools such as Schools Mobile to assist with managing devices – here’s the link to our recent Schools Mobile webinar on Vimeo and main page – please get in touch if you have any questions. As a community, it is our responsibility to keep all our pupils safe. Therefore, if ever you were to notice activity or behaviour that causes concern beyond just your child, let us know as swift action always leads to better outcomes.

Finally, as we are moving into the second half of this half-term, can I issue my normal request of taking some time to read through the various updates and notices in this and upcoming editions of The Flagpole? Our PTA has various excellent activities and initiatives which I hope you will wholeheartedly support. I have also sent out a letter regarding catering that requires your attention please. Princethorpe is busy and our pupils will be working hard in lessons – let's make sure it is a smooth run-up to Chr ... (not yet)!

With my very best wishes,

Grove du Toit
Headmaster

Much anticipated and always hotly contested, the House Talent Show did not disappoint providing yet another sensational evening of entertainment for the College community. The show took place on Thursday 14 November, in the Clarkson Theatre in front of an audience of enthusiastic supporters.

Compered by House Activities Leader, Meg O’Gorman, ably assisted by the House Captains, the show included an array of amazing vocal, instrumental and dance performances and this year even a magician. It presented a real conundrum for the audience who had the impossible challenge of choosing the winner.

After the acts had performed, the audience had the pleasure of two special, surprise numbers. The House Captains outdid themselves performing a slick routine to a medley from Pitch Perfect. Then Princethorpe’s Dance Troupe rounded the evening’s entertainment off with a brilliant number to Somewhere In The Crowd from La La Land.

This year’s winners were Darcey and Isla Edwards, for Fisher, for their fabulous rendition of Don’t Lose Your Head from Six The Musical. Taking second place was the talented Jack Fleming, for More, who played an incredible Movie Medley on piano. Then in third place was the Mixed House Band of Lara, Esme, Harper, Lila, Erin and Poppy who sang and danced to the theme from Six The Musical.

As well as being a great night out, the event was also about fundraising with a collection for the school’s charity Mary’s Meals.

A huge thank you to all who took part, we were super impressed by your enthusiasm and commitment to your House and also to the technical team who so ably assisted. It really was a sensational House Talent Show.

Performing were: Gilbert Millward-Boyton, Emilia Novissimo-Richards, Evie Gibson, Darcey Carroll, Zara Bushell, Lara Lorimer-Allen, Esme Luck, Harper Lloyd, Lila Dixon, Erin Ferguson, Poppy Morris, Oakley Smith, Stephanie Bolton, Cassandra Quirke, Leani du Toit, Darcey Edwards, Isla Edwards, Jemima Teeton, Delilah Teeton, Adelaide Teeton, Giorgio Kleinmann, Megan Shipton, Alice Minshull, Anna Reay, Roxy Glenn, Molly Grimsley, Jack Fleming, Sophie Gambling and Lousie Gambling.

Congratulations to the U14 Girls Hockey team, who triumphed in the Tier 2 Midlands Championships on Friday 15 November, earning a well-deserved spot at next year’s Nationals.

The team was unstoppable, winning all seven matches, scoring 16 goals, and conceding just one. Captain Katherine Lee was excellent, scoring some important goals against quality opposition to keep the team on track. The girls sealed the title with a hard-fought victory over Worksop College in the final, where the winning goal was scored by Lillibee Harris.

A fantastic achievement – well done to the players and their coach Miss Carminati.

Playing for Princethorpe were: Emilie Bell-Barth, Evie Bierton, Olivia Burley, Zara Bushell, Issey Cleary, Lottie Corbin, Katie Dodd, Isla Edwards, Hattie Godfrey, Lillibee Harris, Isla Harrison, Evie Johnson, Katherine Lee and Elena Raiseborough.  

This year’s first Inter Faith week at Princethorpe College has been an inspiring celebration of our ‘spirit of community’ and a powerful reminder of the importance of unity, respect and understanding. Throughout the week, pupils and staff came together to explore the rich tapestry of beliefs that make up our school, fostering a deeper sense of connection, empathy and shared purpose.

The Inter Faith House Trail competition allowed pupils to engage in a friendly and collaborative challenge that not only promoted teamwork but also encouraged a deeper exploration of the values that unite us all. From designing beautiful Inter Faith greeting cards, donating items to the Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre and to crafting symbolic lanterns in Religious Studies lessons, pupils creatively expressed the idea that despite our differences, there is always light and unity between all faiths - and indeed, between those who follow different paths or none.

One of the most profound moments of the week was the Inter Faith Staff Question Time Panel. Mrs Tallis’ Year 10 class were given the rare opportunity to hear directly from our staff about their personal beliefs and values, creating an open space for dialogue and reflection. It was a moving experience, and afterwards many pupils shared that they felt a greater sense of understanding and respect for the diversity of thought and belief within the school community.

"Listening to the interfaith representatives was very interesting as it gave us the opportunity to learn about not just their faith but their personal thoughts as well." Daisy

"I was very inspired by panel’s loyalty and trust in God which was shown through their stories." Lauren

"This opportunity has given me a deeper understanding of the different faiths and why people may hold certain beliefs." Morgan

For our Religious Studies A-level students, Inter Faith week also extended beyond the Princethorpe Tower! Head of Religious Studies, Mr Vella took Lower Sixth Religious Studies students to the Midlands Inter Faith Conference at Coventry University. The event was organised by the United Religions UK Initiative which aims to promote dialogue and understanding between all faiths and none. Students took part in a youth workshop that tackled some of the most pressing issues of our time such as hate speech and its impact on society. These discussions were thought-provoking and challenging but also essential in nurturing the critical thinking and moral awareness that will equip students to make a positive difference in the world.

Lower Sixth Former, Izzy Price, said about the event, "Overall, this was an amazing opportunity and although some topics, like the violence towards women, were hard-hitting and upsetting, I have learnt a lot of new and extended information on interfaith."

As we reflected on this week, we are reminded that our differences should not divide us, but rather, they should be celebrated as the strength of our community. The light of unity, symbolised by the lanterns we created, shines brightly as a beacon of hope and connection. Inter Faith week has been a profound reminder that, together, we can build a more compassionate and understanding world, one conversation at a time.

It feels fitting to conclude our reflections with the revered Sikh scripture taken from the Sukhmani Sahib and which was kindly shared by Mr Gurvinder Cholia during our Inter Faith Staff Question Time Panel:

'Sarab dharam meh sresht dharam; har ko naam jap nirmal karam.'

In English, this translates to:

'Of all religions, the supreme religion is to meditate on God’s Name and perform virtuous deeds.'

This message beats at the very heart of our Inter Faith week celebrations at Princethorpe and also aptly reflects our school’s mission statement: to be kind and to always try your best.

Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to making this week such a meaningful and impactful experience.

Marianne Tallis
On behalf of the Religious Studies Department

Last Friday 15 November, we were once again delighted to recognise and celebrate the many pupils who have risen to the challenge of the College’s ethos.

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:
Jessica Blythe, Jessica Parker and Phoebe Ward

From Year 8:
Leela Blythe, Esme Card, Sophie Crawford, Grace Crowfoot, Darcy Forinton, Darcey Gonon, Emmeline Millward-Boyton, Jess Reynolds, Alice Roberts and Ava Sheppard

From Year 9: Dami Ajagunna, Evie Bierton, Merryn Cleary, Isaac Fowle, Katherine Lee, Mimi Legge, Krishan Patel, Amber Rhodes-Jones, Noah Walker and Erik Windham

From Year 10:
Keira Arriordaz, Andrei Bodorin, Noah Cowlishaw, Nashe Darare, Hartley Fielding, Joe Harcourt, William Harvey, Faith Katanda, Harry Messenger, Jasper Nicholls, Lizzie Nichols, Teni Okusanya, Jay Patil, Louis Reynolds, Amy Robinson, Tara Rodgers, James Sinclair, Oscar Singh, William Smith and Elwin Williams

From Year 11:
Josh Baker, Fin Bucke, Will Colledge, Denny Dix, Amy Farquharson, Jessica Franklin, Conor Horan, Jess Johnson, Alex Lloyd, Leo May, Lila McClelland, Rosie Moreton, Jorja Parris, Hunter Staveley, Issy Thompson, Dan Tomlinson and Bella Ward

From Lower Sixth: Max Black, Sean Birtley, Pip Evans, Issy Farrow, Liv Fox, Zach Hawkins, Hugh Henderson Martin, Anna Johnson, Frankie Kelly, Jess Lane, Tilly Southgate, Theo Sparkes and Louis Yuen

From Upper Sixth: Ollie Farquharson, Jack Fleming and Ollie Hutton

More information on pupils’ achievements can be found here.

On Wednesday 13 November, our Sixth Form physicists enjoyed a day trip to A-level Science Live at the Emmanuel Centre in London. They heard from five inspirational scientists working at the cutting edge of their specialisms and had an informative and thought provoking time.

The presenters included theoretical nuclear physicist Professor Jim Al-Khalili who spoke about the ‘Story of Time’, Dr Jessica Wade on cutting edge materials science ‘Nex-Gen Technology’, Dr Helen Czerski on the ocean engine of the planet, which she has explored in her book ‘Blue Machine’, Dr Emma Chapman about her work on ‘First Light’ and Professor Frank Close on the subatomic world in ‘Charge: Why does gravity rule?’

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

It was a fantastic extra-curricular session for our Sixth Form students.

On Monday 11 November, the College community gathered together outside on the school playground to remember the bravery and selfless sacrifice made by so many service men and women.

Father Alan Whelan MSC opened the Remembrance Service with a prayer and prayers were then read in different languages by Year 10s, James and Tommy, and Year 11, Mohammed. At 11.00am, College trumpeter, Year 11, Henry Corbin, sounded The Last Post.

The College community observed a two-minute silence, offering all a time for reflection, a shared moment to honour and remember. Sixth Form students, Max, Bea, Eliana, Hugh, Issy, Oli and Topsie, read the poignant poem by Laurence Binyon, For The Fallen, and Maria finished the readings with a prayer in Ukrainian for peace.

A wreath was hung at the Pupils’ Entrance by Headmaster, Grove du Toit, and Heads of School, Megan and Seb. Then, Teacher of Religious Studies, Marianne Tallis, read a prayer for peace.

The Remembrance Service finished with College community singing the traditional hymn Abide With Me. They were accompanied by Director of Music, Gil Cowlishaw, and College musicians, Year 7s Darcey and Naomi, Year 10s, Will and Jasper, and Lower Sixth Former, Alex.

At the Eleventh Hour on the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month – We Will Remember Them

The Classics department took Upper School pupils studying the Classics at GCSE and A-level to Warwick University on Friday 8 November to attend the A.G. Leventis Ancient Worlds Day. Pupils experienced University style teaching through lectures and smaller seminar sessions delivered by Warwick University academics. The topics covered supported those in the Latin, Ancient Greek, Classical Civilisation and Ancient History curricula and reflected the specialities and interests of Warwick’s Classics lecturers. The seminars expanded pupils’ knowledge and understanding, building on what they have already learnt in their school studies, further deepening their appreciation of the Ancient World.

The day was informative and enjoyable and provided pupils with the opportunity to connect and engage with their study of the Classics.

On Friday 8 November, our A-level Geographers attended an excellent Geography Study Day at Malvern St James Girls School. They heard from Chief Examiner and Geography teacher, Cameron Dunn, and curriculum designer, fieldwork advocate and Senior Examiner, David Holmes. Across five informative sessions, students refined their exam skills and furthered their understanding of the Tectonics, Superpowers, Regeneration and Climate Change topics. They even had time for some well deserved lunch at the beautiful nearby Priory Park.

The 2025 College Calendar featuring 12 superb images of the College and its grounds, and priced at £7.50, is now available. It is sure to be a handy addition for any kitchen or office and would be a perfect Christmas present for all Princethorpians.

The front cover of this year's calendar was chosen by followers of the College's social media and is an autumnal photo of the tower, but the competition was a very close-run race, as the picture with the cows in front of the tower (which features in June) was in the lead almost to the end. We had so much interest in the calendar competition that we decided to award a free calendar to both a current Princethorpe family and an Old Princethorpian. Many congratulations to Kerrie Heatherington and to OP Alice Pointer who were picked as our two lucky winners. 

Copies of the calendar can be purchased via our online shop here or from the OPs/College stall at the PTA Christmas Fair on Sunday 1 December.

If you are on the hunt for presents, we also 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.

Then we have prints and greetings cards available featuring the Soaring Red Brick Tower image and prints also of St Joseph's School.

To ensure UK orders can arrive in time for Christmas, orders and payment will need to be received by 12 noon on Monday 16 December 2024 please.

Thursday 28, Friday 29 and Saturday 30 November - Clarkson Theatre - 7.00pm

Roald Dahl was a spy, ace fighter-pilot, chocolate historian and medical inventor. He was also the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This story is perhaps the most popular of his irreverent, darkly comic novels written for young people and tells the story of an impoverished young boy who wins a golden ticket to tour the mysterious and magical chocolate factory of Willy Wonka. 

We invite you to step inside our very own peculiar Chocolate Factory! 

Chocolate rivers, everlasting gobstoppers, gum that tastes like a whole three course meal....there are wonders galore in store...It’s pure imagination! 

Please click here to book your tickets. Refreshments will be available on the night, with the option to pre-order via a form linked here.

Wednesday 27 November 2024 - 4.00pm to 5.00pm

Our next English Enrichment Event will take place on Wednesday 27 November, between 4.00pm and 5.00pm in the Sixth Form Lecture Theatre.

Ever wondered what it would be like to be a Sports Journalist?

Join us as guest speaker and Old Princethorpian, Molly Geehan (Class of 2019), shares her journey to this exciting career and what a day in the life of a sports journalist looks like.

All welcome!

Helen Pascoe-Williams
Head of English

Sunday 1 December - 2.00pm to 4.30pm

Princethorpe's PTA are looking forward to welcoming families from across the Foundation and beyond to their annual Christmas Fair, taking place at Princethorpe College on Sunday 1 December starting at 2.00pm and finishing at 4.30pm.

The fair will have all the things you need to get you in the mood for Christmas including numerous stalls with lots of new additions to entertain all ages, and music to get you into the spirit. 

• Christmas Market Place
• Father Christmas
• Games
• Craft activities
• Refreshments
• Mulled wine
• Raffle

Entry to the fair is £2 per car. Bottles, chocolates, or pre-loved uniform donations can be dropped off at the Pupil Hub before Friday 29 November. 

See you there!

Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 December - 7.00pm

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 South Africa Tour fundraising effort.

The evenings will take place on Wednesday 4 December and Thursday 5 December in the Sixth Form Centre. Arrival time is 6.45pm for a 7.00pm start. Cost for the evening will be £30 per person and includes all the 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 Friday 29 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 leecassell@princethorpe.co.uk

Lee Cassell
Foundation Director of Sport

Tuesday 10 December 2024 - 6.00pm to 7.30pm

The STEAM Ambassadors warmly invite you to join us for this year's Science Christmas Lecture on Tuesday 10 December.

The evening begins at 6.00pm, with a festive reception in the Refectory with refreshments, plenty of science magic and a fun science quiz. The main lecture follows in the Clarkson theatre and is based on this year's Royal Institute's Christmas Lectures on 'the revolutionary science inside our bodies when we eat'.

Don’t forget to bring your mobile phone so you can take part in the online quiz.

Please book your free tickets via MySchoolPortal or by clicking the link here. 

Dan Lee and the STEAM Ambassadors

Thursday 12 December 2024 - 7.00pm to 8.30pm - 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 join us for festive refreshments 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

Fr Teddy O'Brien MSC, the Parish Priest for St Anne's Catholic Church, Wappenbury, CV33 9DW and the Chapel of Our Lady of the Angels, Princethorpe College, CV23 9PX, warmly invites you to attend any or all of the services over the Christmas season at the churches indicated below:

Monday 16 December 2024
7.00pm      Carol Service - St Anne's, Wappenbury

Sunday 22 December 2024
8.30am       Mass - St Anne's, Wappenbury
10.30am     Mass - St Anne's, Wappenbury

For any further information or to read the Parish newsletter please visit the link to St Anne's website here

Thank you
 
 

Tuesday 17 December 2024 - 7.00pm to 8.00pm 

Tuesday 14 January - 9.00am to 5.00pm

For those of you who have children in Year 11 who are not currently studying at Princethorpe or who have friends with Year 11 children, our upcoming Sixth Form Taster Day for external candidates may be of interest. 

The Sixth Form Taster Day is an opportunity for a small group of prospective Sixth Formers to visit the College for a selection of A-level and BTEC subject taster lessons, a Q&A session with current Sixth Formers and Year 11, lunch, a tour of school and a chance to meet the Headmaster and Head of Sixth Form.

The day will run from 9.00am to 4.15pm, when parents are invited back to join an informal Sixth Form information session which will finish around 5.00pm.

The Sixth Form at Princethorpe offers great choice, quality teaching in small classes, a vast array of sporting, co-curricular, leadership and service opportunities coupled with excellent pastoral care and careers guidance, tailored to the needs of today’s young adults. Our staff give outstanding individual support to all students and this remains an essential feature of Sixth Form life.

This event is for external candidates who are interested in attending Princethorpe College Sixth Form. Places are limited. To register your interest in attending our upcoming Sixth Form Taster Day at Princethorpe College, please click here.

The deadline for external candidates to register for the Sixth Form for September 2025 entry and to apply for scholarships or bursaries is Monday 20 January.

For more information on Sixth Form admissions please contact the Registrars on 01926 634201 or email admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

• Subject areas: Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology and Project Management 
• Target pupils: Those interested in pursuing a career in Science based subjects, healthcare, chemical industry or further research in Year 10 only
• Sign up: Pupils are to sign up via their Science teacher (message via Teams or email) 
• About RBT: RBT is a global developer, formulator and manufacturer of hygiene and infection control products. Their products are equally as effective as harsh chemicals but are biodegradable, alcohol-free and water based. Based locally, they work with distributors across the globe to distribute their products for a range of uses across human and animal health. For more information please click here.

The College is pleased to inform parents of some new features and updates in My School Portal which will help parents to support their children with homework and organisation, and bring key information into one easy view.

Please see here for information on a new Homework View and the reconfigured Day Planner.

Tutor Reports for Year 9 will be published today, Friday 22 November 2024, and will be available to view on My School Portal.  

Tutor Reports for Year 10 will be published on Friday 29 November 2024, and will be available to view on My School Portal.  

Year 11 Mock Exam Reports will be published on Friday 6 December 2024, and will be available to view on My School Portal.

The Year 11 Subject Progress Evening will take place online on Wednesday 11 December 2024 from 5.00pm to 8.30pm. Details of how to book appointments will be emailed week commencing 2 December 2024.

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

As we look back on a busy couple of weeks, we're pleased to report that our Upper Sixth students have recently completed their mock exams, which began on Monday 18 November. This period was crucial for assessing their understanding and readiness for the final exams. We appreciate the support from parents in helping their child maintain a balanced routine of study, rest and relaxation.

We also have several exciting events planned for the upcoming weeks.

Christmas Tree Decorating - Friday 29 November

The annual festive afternoon of decorating our school's Christmas tree.

PTA Christmas Fair - Sunday 1 December

A fun-filled day with stalls, games, and holiday cheer. Don't miss it!

Care Home Christmas Lunch - Wednesday 4 December

Our students will host local care home residents to share a meal and spread some holiday spirit.

Upper Sixth Social Evening - Friday 6 December

Our Upper Sixth students get to enjoy an evening of fun activities, entertainment and the chance to unwind and socialize in a relaxed environment.

Ben Collie 
Head of Sixth Form

Upper Sixth Mock Exam Reports will be published on Friday 29 November 2024 and will be available to view on My School Portal.

The Upper Sixth Subject Progress Evening will take place online on Tuesday 3 December, from 5.00pm to 8.30pm. Details of how to book appointments will be emailed during week commencing Monday 25 November 2024.

We are supporting the local Society of St Vincent de Paul who make up and distribute Christmas parcels and hampers to needy families locally, as well as to individuals. This year the project is being extended, to cover 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 3 December to enable time for the preparation and distribution of the hampers. Donations can be left in G12A or collected by Tutor Group. 
 
Please can everyone bring something to enable Christmas to be enjoyed by all. 
 
Thank you. 

Raffle tickets have been given out this week in tutor time and sent home with pupils and students. Tickets are coloured matched to their house and the house who returns the most bought tickets will each receive a free Princethorpe cookie! 

Please check school bags, sports bags or even blazer pockets!

Please complete the ticket stubs and place them in an envelope with your child's name and tutor group on the front, and return to the Pupil Hub or to the PTA on the day of the Fair.

There are some fantastic prizes including:

• Apple Air Pods
• Smartwatch
• Gin tasting experience
• Optara Lux brush
• Sephora voucher
• Champagne Afternoon tea for two
• Christmas Family Hamper
• Escape Room voucher
• Cineworld voucher
• Weekend Health Club pass – The Warwickshire

Plus lots more…

Good luck and thank you for your support!

We are looking for help with the set up and running of the Christmas Fair, taking place on Sunday 1 December. Any help you can offer would be gratefully received. It is a lovely event for the whole family, but can only run with a large group of helpers. 

This year we would love pupil and student helpers too, they have had a separate sign up form shared in Pupil Briefing, or can let us know in whichever way is easiest. Please remind them to sign up if they too would like to help.

If you can spare some time, please fill in the form linked here.

Our PTA Secretary, Melanie Flegg, will email you closer to the time with further details.

Please feel free to share this plea for help with any other members of the school community that you know may also be able to help. 

So why not come along and get into the spirit of Christmas with help at our Christmas Fair while supporting Princethorpe PTA!

Thank you for your continued support. 

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

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.

We are looking for pupils who would like to help play an exciting and important role in the day-today running of the Library.

Further details and an application form are available from the Library. Applications need to be in by Friday 6 December.

Did you know that our Library Management System, OLIVER, holds book lists to give pupils ideas of what to read?

If pupils click on Reading Lists at the top menu then there are lots of book lists that we have put together to help them find their next fabulous read. These include different genres, book awards we follow, suggested reads by Year Group and all these lists are updated regularly. In addition there is an excellent interactive News page, that changes regularly. The main Search page also shows new books as they come into the Library, and also popular reads and recommendations.

Access is via The School Portal, pupils should click on School Information – Princethorpe, then select Library from the left hand menu.

It is always great to be able to share news of pupils' co-curricular achievements outside of school.

Talented Year 7 pupil and Music Scholar, Darcey, is celebrating after successfully auditioning for the National Children’s Orchestra for the second year in a row. Darcey is an accomplished oboe player and plays in the school’s Concert Band. She also sings with the Choir and Chamber Choir and, last week, Darcey performed in the House Talent Show. Her selection is a huge achievement and we are all very proud of her.

Year 7, Elora, is a squad gymnast at Nile Wilson Gymnastics and recently competed in the West Midlands Regional Classic Challenge. Elora competed on all four pieces of apparatus, was awarded Gold on bars and placed third on vault. A huge well done to Elora!

Year 7 pupils, Sebastian Rotheram and Charter Handley, represented their club, Barker Butts RFC U12s, in the Saracens Defender Cup on Saturday 26 October. Competing with exceptional skill and teamwork, they stood out among 21 teams, making it through to the final and ultimately winning the tournament. Impressively, their team conceded only one try throughout the entire event. As part of this fantastic achievement, both boys have been invited to join the Winners’ Parade at Twickenham on 14 June 2025 - a memorable opportunity to celebrate their hard work and dedication on a grand stage. We’re incredibly proud of Sebastian and Charter, whose dedication to rugby is truly commendable.

All Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award participants for 2024-25 should now have received their welcome email from eDofE with instructions on how to login and trigger the welcome pack being sent to the home address. 

The presentation, expedition dates and other useful information is live on My School Portal under the Co-curriclular - Princethorpe page. Link here.

The new Duke of Edinburgh's staff team have completed their training and will be aiding last year's participants to sign off their awards over the coming weeks to ensure completion by the Christmas deadline.

For any Duke of Edinburgh's enquires please use the dedicated email dofe@princethorpe.co.uk with the subject DofE-B, S or G-Surname.

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’.

Princethorpe College, will again this year be holding our very own Jolabokaflod (dates to be announced shortly). Pupils will be asked to bring in a pre-loved book or books from home that they are willing to donate to the event. In return they will receive a merit for each donation. Pupils will also receive a ticket for each book donated, which can be exchanged for another prevloved book during Jolabokaflod week. 

All donations need to be received in the Library by Friday 29 November. We kindly ask that pupils only bring in books appropriate to their own age groups. 

Thank you.

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.

Please see below our current vacancies:

Princethorpe College

• Apprentice Grounds Operative

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.

Tuesday 17 December 2024

A festive Christmas lunch will be available to purchase on Tuesday 17 December, served in the Main Refectory and Sixth Form Dining Room.

Andrew Williams
General Manager - Holroyd Howe