As we approach the end of a very busy and productive year I write to thank you for your support over the last 12 months. Having attended end of year services and productions at all our schools over the last few weeks I continue to be inspired by the pupils, how much and how widely they have achieved, and their sense of purpose, joy and optimism. 

I would like to thank all the staff at our schools who work so hard and with such passion to ensure our pupils thrive and flourish. 

It was almost exactly a year ago that the Labour Party won the general election and followed up on their promise to tax our school fees and remove charitable business rate relief for independent schools. Whilst the national picture is one of independent school closures and a pupil exodus to the state sector, the Princethorpe Foundation is bucking this trend. Our long-term strategy of keeping the fees as affordable as possible whilst maintaining the highest standards of education for our pupils has been successful with numbers across all our schools being at optimum levels for September 2025. We know that parents make huge sacrifices to enable their children to attend our schools and we are committed to continue with this strategy over the years ahead. 

I would particularly like to thank all those parents who have supported the Annual Fund this year. Thanks to your generosity, we have secured over £500,000 in pledged donations across the Foundation—commitments that will be received over time and already making a tangible difference. But beyond the figures lies the true impact: new changing facilities, much-loved outdoor spaces, vital bursary support that is changing lives, and hardship funding that has kept pupils in our classrooms through times of real family challenge. Fundraising is now playing a central role in shaping the future of all our schools—helping us to grow, adapt and support every pupil. Whether you made a single gift or give regularly, your support is not only appreciated—it is powerful, and it is making a lasting difference. 

Foundation COP and Environmental Sustainability Report December 2025 

On the theme of optimism, I’m delighted to let you know that we are running our first Foundation COP next term at the start of December. This will mirror COP30 which takes place in Brazil two weeks earlier. 

The Foundation COP will feature our very first whole Foundation Assembly and Keynote address; our pupil environmental teams – Planet Princethorpe, The Crescent Green Team, and the Crackley Eco Committee – will spend a day collaborating in a range of tasks and activities, House Quizzes and Competitions, there will be focused lessons within the curriculum and the launch of the Eco Schools’ Award and Carbon Literacy Project across the Foundation. At the end of the COP Week we will be publishing our second Foundation Environmental Sustainability Report which will record progress on our aims and details of our future targets. 

I know that a significant number of parents work within the “environmental sustainability” industry, and I would be delighted if we could garner your expertise and support to help us meet our goals. With this in mind, I would be very grateful if any parent working in this field or with connections could fill in this brief form. 

And finally, on a more personal note, I am proud to say that in two weeks’ time my daughter Lizzie, an Old Princethorpian, is getting married in our beautiful College Chapel and so we are crossing our fingers that the sunny weather continues just a little bit longer… 

With all best wishes to you and your families for a very happy and safe summer break. 

Ed Hester
Foundation Principal 

In the last two whole school gatherings that took place today and yesterday, I referenced the importance of making memories while being part of the Princethorpe community. I have no doubt all of us can recall the highlights of our time at school and as we close this academic year, there has been an amazing amount of memory making opportunities that our pupils have grabbed with both hands. For example, yesterday, as I was waiting to receive the baton for the second leg of the staff relay (don’t ask...), looking across the field the whole school was together in their House Colours. The energy, buzz, and excitement of pupils waiting to see how their teachers got on, is something I will remember for a long time. I hope every one of our young people will go into this summer break with a highlights reel of events and achievements they are proud of.

In my letter last year, I warned about the challenges on the horizon, and they arrived in full force during this year. Phrases such as VAT on fees, Business Rates, and National Insurance were the focus of far too many a conversation, but we had no choice. A robust and pro-active response was necessary, and I hope you would agree that we have done very well. September 2025 sees one of our biggest Year 7 intakes in recent times and we have seen growth in all other year groups. Because of this, we break for summer with a quiet confidence and reassurance that we will continue to look after our families to the best of our ability.

During challenging times, organisations very often close their hands and just look inwards. The Princethorpe Community is different. With more than £14,500 raised for charity, big support for the shoebox appeal and Foodbank Fridays, and our pupils giving time during outreach activities such as MAD day, we continue to live the ethos of our Religious Order, the MSC’s, by giving to those who have more need than us. I want to thank you all for your continued support. The strength of our community is something we never take for granted – your involvement, encouragement and generosity are what help make Princethorpe such a special place. The 24/7 mile walk (special mention to Lola the dog who completed the whole walk), Danceathon, and Pink/Blue/Orange Days pull us all together and we look forward to building on these Charity events next year.

I have said this often, but it needs repeating, I’m particularly grateful for the support shown towards our Annual Fund this year. Thanks to you, we’ll be able to deliver a number of important projects in the year ahead as outlined in my last Flagpole letter, with more to follow over time. There is so much we can achieve together, and I would encourage all families to continue being part of this growing effort. One exciting development will be the launch of our new smallholding in October. It will begin modestly but grow into something truly special – enriching our curriculum, co-curricular life, and sustainability work.

The affirmation received through our parental questionnaire regarding the quality of Teaching and Learning at the College was very encouraging and please rest assured that this will continue in September with a new focus, specifically aimed at pushing our pupils even more. I always say to parents that we want to make every pupil’s brain hurt – in a good way! I will provide more context at the start of the academic year, but an exciting step change is ready to go as we aim higher and ensure consistency across all subjects. In our awards assembly yesterday, we recognised achievements in Mathematics, MFL, Design Technology, Public Speaking, and the Da Vinci programme, and we have also seen success in Science, Art, and Food Nutrition competitions. On the academic front, our pupils are flying, and we look forward the external exam results in August. 

Outside of the classroom the programme has grown compared to last year and there are now more opportunities to get involved in than ever before. With almost 900 competitive sports fixtures, and 80% of ALL our pupils representing the College, taking part and being part of a team is more than just a culture, it is a given. 26 Pupils were awarded regional colours or higher in 11 different sports, while many of our teams reached semi-finals and finals of cup competitions. Special mention to our girls' cricket and hockey teams walking away as County winners. Please do take a minute and watch the video message from Mr Jackson and Ms Walton regarding sport development for next year. This year also saw the introduction of a third school production, Newsies, to further develop performing arts at the College. Add to these an incredible 203 Duke of Edinburgh participants, new House competitions such as Just Dance and Yarn Bombing, IAD days, Sports Day, the BIGGEST Summer Fest ever, Performing Arts week, Culture week, the Art and Design Show, trips to Europe, the USA and Africa, external conferences, and more than 40 weekly clubs and activities, and you will understand why our pupils may be a little jaded. Princethorpe Co-Curricular is a way of life and it is bursting at the seams – we cannot wait for next year as we will be hosting our first external Cyclo Cross event, and the English Schools Cross Country event will also take place on the Estate.

You must be tired of hearing me say that the best schools have the best teachers, and Princethorpe is right up there. It is hard to explain the time and effort my colleagues, both teaching and support, put in every day to ensure our pupils receive the best possible experience. They give so much, above and beyond what is expected and I cannot thank them enough. We will have six new teachers join us in September and they are an excellent group of professionals who will add value in all areas – more details to follow in due course.

Unfortunately, that means we are saying goodbye to a few members of staff. The support staff who are moving on are: 

• Alison Cox who worked as one of our Science Technicians is stepping down to spend more time at home
• Chella Franklin who was our Academic Systems Co-ordinator and made sure the internal exams ran smoothly. She is retiring and I have no doubt she is looking forward to not having to worry about rooms and timetables
• Wendy McCann, our Foundation Office PA, is relocating overseas after eight years’ service. Wendy did a lot of her work in the background without anyone knowing. However, if she wasn’t there...
• Amanda Kelly is stepping down as a Learning Support Assistant after nine years’ service. She has made such a difference to many of our pupils who needed a little bit extra in terms of unlocking their educational experience. We know she will be missed on the Pastoral Corridor
• Felicity Coulson is retiring after 35 years. Her most recent role as Peri and LAMDA Co-ordinator kept hundreds of lessons running every week, but previous roles included being a peripatetic music teacher, Teacher of Music and Teacher of History. Her dedication and genuine care have been invaluable and we are delighted that she will keep in touch as a Peri music teacher

Our Graduate Teaching Assistant team was once again integral to so many good things happening this year. Sion Murphy and Tiegan McCann have completed their year and have been everywhere. Performing Arts and Sport have especially benefitted, and we are excited that Sion will stay on as a trainee teacher next year. Nat Hardy is off after two years as a Sports GTA and again, the impact she has made has been noticed by so many pupils and parents. We wish her nothing but the very best on her next venture.

Teaching Staff saying farewell are:

• Katy Burrows who leave us after one year in the MFL department. Pupils commented on her excellent classroom practice and her leaving the profession is not just a loss to us. We hope to maybe see her back in front of pupils enthusing them about other languages
• Lydia Petrucci has been at Princethorpe for two years as an English teacher and she has really got involved in the school productions. Pupils commented on her passion and enthusiasm, and we are all very jealous as she is taking a year out to travel. We hope to see her back at the College in the very near future and we want to thank her for all her commitment and efforts
• Dan Lumb is off to Stoneyhurst following four years in the Business Studies department. Mr Lumb has thrown himself into everything and we will miss him as a sports coach, DoE member of staff, and sports tour coach. His move back into boarding was always a discussion and we are gutted not to have had him for longer
• Laura Rindler steps down as Head of Classics after five years’ service. Her impact especially on our GCSE and A-level pupils, as well as teaching a whole course off timetable, is inspiring and she will leave a very big gap come September. We wish her nothing but the best
• Meg O'Gorman leaves us to take on the role as Head of Department at Myton School. As Teacher of Religious Studies, House Activities Co-ordinator and an OP, Meg leaves a big mark. We know it is not goodbye as she will be back for events. However, I know both pupils and colleagues will massively miss her positive approach to her work and her incredible ability to manage all things “House Activities” without breaking stride
• Katharine Darwood-Bredin, leaves us after 11 years to take up a role at Kings High. Her impact in the History and Politics department, as well as getting involved in Games and Activities, will be missed as we know how much she cared for every pupil she interacted with. We will still see her on the other side of the touchline but will miss her presence around the College

To all our departing colleagues, please know that the ripples you leave as you move on, will linger long after the final farewell’s. You will be missed and know that you go with our very best wishes, thoughts and prayers.

Finally, I need to quickly mention Beth Sharpe who starts her one-year secondment at Trinity School in Leamington. This is a fantastic opportunity for her, and we know she will make us all proud. Even though Beth is not “leaving”, we will miss her larger-than-life presence and incredible care for our pupils. She will remain in touch and we look forward to hearing how she gets on.

On a more general note, can I please request you take time and read through all of this edition of the Flagpole. There is a lot of information and even though September is a long way off, writing a to-do list for the fridge may not be a bad idea. The normal reminder about uniform remains important as we want to hit the ground running with the highest standards and expectations in place. My start of year Flagpole will set the scene for the 2025-2026 academic year and as a College, we are ready for the 915 pupils we are expecting. However, before then a holiday is in order and I hope every family has some time set aside to rest, recharge and connect.

On a personal note, may I thank you for all the support this year. When speaking to other Heads, I always reference our parents as a strength of Princethorpe. The relationship between home and school is strong and it is a privilege to be part of that. Please be safe during the summer and as I always say, be selfish. Forget about Princethorpe and lock the front door. We look forward to seeing the whole Princethorpe family back in September.

With my very best wishes,

Grove du Toit

The College’s annual Sports Day took place yesterday, Wednesday 2 July, and it was a fantastic morning of friendly, but fiercely competitive sport. Field and track events took place simultaneously, so the playing fields were action-packed from the moment the starting gun fired. College staff were kept busy measuring, timing and recording all the running, jumping and throwing taking place.

Thankfully the temperatures had abated but the performances were still sizzling, as pupils fought for the honour of their House. Everyone was hoping that their House would be victorious but, in the end, it was Benet House who claimed victory, very well done to them all.

Foundation Director of Sport, Lee Cassell, said, “It was another super Sports Day with plenty of excellent performances and lots of new College records set. The atmosphere was incredible, pupils were very supportive of each other, appreciating every individual effort and there was very little in it at the end.”

Huge thanks to all the staff and Sports Leaders involved in organising the event.

Enjoy the photos in the gallery, more can be found on social media.

Boys' Sports Day Records 

Girls' Sports Day Records 

Princethorpe College finished the school year with a Yee-haw when pupils saddled up for a Wild West adventure on House Activities Day. The biggest event of the House year is always a real favourite and our cowboys and girls went all out in a showdown at sundown to win the house points up for grabs.

Our Tutor Groups roamed the prairies and plains taking part in a series of challenges and activities. They embraced the fun as they panned for Fool’s Gold, fought with pride Protecting the Ranch, risked all for dynamite in the High Stakes Saloon, enjoyed the raucous adventures of Cowboy Camp, decorated and designed in the Rhinestone Cowboy, strutted their stuff in the Louisiana Line Dance, discovered country music in Nashville Noise, took on the challenge of Taskmaster and saddled up and sought the Sherriff’s Most Wanted.

After all the activities had been completed, the school gathered around the campfire for a final sing song and to hear the results. Huge congratulations go to More who were our House wild west escapade winners this year.

An absolutely massive thank you to all those who made the day possible, especially House Activities Co-ordinator, Meg O’Gorman, House Leaders; Harry Walters, Naomi Chard, Clare White and Laura Wilford and our stalwart Sixth Form House Captains who all worked so hard to make House Activities Day so much fun.

It was another epic adventure, and as always Princethorpe you were amazing!
 

Congratulations to all the Princethorpe pupils who have completed their Duke of Edinburgh's Award Qualifying Expeditions this half term. 

Unaccompanied and self-sufficient, pupils have trekked and camped their way across Snowdonia (a bumper group of 30 Golds), the Peak District (49 Silver) and the Cotswolds (124 Bronze), working together in teams to achieve their expedition objectives.

Last weekend, we had the Gold and Silver expeditions out competing with extremes of temperatures and weather.  

The Duke of Edinburgh's Awards are recognised as the world’s leading youth achievement award. They provide young people with the opportunity to get involved, explore new interests, discover talents and make new friends and they are a big part of life here at Princethorpe.

Tamsin Frost, DofE Manager, said, “I am always impressed that so many of Princethorpe’s pupils embrace the challenge of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. They take the opportunity to develop skills and try new experiences, pushing themselves both mentally and physically to live up to the College’s ethos and be the best they can be and all with such commitment and enthusiasm.”

She continued, “We will be holding a celebration evening next year when pupils who have completed their Award will be presented with their certificates. The Gold Award participants will also receive an invitation to visit a royal palace, in London, for their official presentation.”

Well done to everyone who has taken part this year and make sure you all sign off the volunteering, physical and skills sections so we can celebrate your achievements next year.

We are so grateful to the many OPs who volunteer their time to come in and speak to our pupils, sharing their personal stories or their career insights to inspire and encourage the next generation of Princethorpians. In just the last couple of weeks, we were delighted to welcome back three OPs on separate occasions who shared their career insights and spoke about their journeys since leaving the College.

Kathryn Lavery (Class of 2016) and Ruth Magill (Class of 2005), both spoke to Year 10 pupils on Friday 20 June.

Kathryn presented to Year 10 in their PSHE Careers session, and spoke broadly about careers in Law, her particular journey and her current role in the Defence industry. Having completed a degree in Politics and International Relations and then a Masters in Law at Coventry University, she moved into the Defence Industry and is now a Commercial Manager for AtkinsRéalis, supporting their Aerospace, Defence, Security and Technology division. Kathryn encouraged the pupils, reflecting on the values and practices that have helped her achieve success at such a young age: commitment to continuous improvement, being willing to make and learn from mistakes and treating others well. She also highlighted the importance of taking care of your mental health, not comparing yourself to others and being kind to yourself. 

Ruth, speaking from her perspective as Procurement Sourcing Manager (Packaging) for Hotel Chocolat, provided Year 10 Food Technology pupils with a detailed insight into careers within the Food industry and how they interlink. Initially interested in a career in fashion, Ruth changed direction after discovering an aptitude for the procurement and supply sector. She has forged her career in buying for various industries and relishes her current role at Hotel Chocolat. Pupils were able to see how the Food industry is structured and Ruth shared advice on how to identify roles that would suit different personalities and interests.

On Friday 27 June, Investment Banker Jason Evans was visiting from his home in Switzerland to attend the OPs Summer Supper Reunion in the evening (celebrating his 30th anniversary of leaving the College!), but he generously offered to come in during the afternoon to share his story and insights with our Sixth Form students. Jason is an Executive Director at Julius Baer, specialising in Equity Derivatives and Structured Products Trading. His talk was peppered with nuggets of advice, such as 'Question, Listen and Act', 'Back yourself', and 'Choose your battles', but he framed these as lessons that he's learned over the years, intentionally avoiding simply giving a list of dos and don'ts. The students responded well with thoughtful questions, and a clear reluctance to leave at the end of the session! They also enjoyed his Swiss chocolate and free gifts which were offered as prizes for answering his questions!

Our thanks to Kathryn, Ruth and Jason for taking the time to speak so openly with our pupils; it was our pleasure to welcome these OPs back to Princethorpe.

If you are a parent or friend of Princethorpe who would like to volunteer to give a talk, please email Head of Careers, Jacqui Quinney, at jacquiquinney@princethorpe.co.uk. If you are an OP, please email Caroline Spencer at oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk. We would love to hear from you!

As we come to the end of the school year, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported the work of the Development Office over the past year. Whether you’re a current parent, an Old Princethorpian, or part of our wider community of past families and friends, your generosity continues to shape the lives of our pupils in meaningful ways.

This year saw the launch of The Annual Fund to our current parent community – and the response has been hugely encouraging with the full impact of that support being felt from next year onwards. Our Annual Fund has, for many years, been sustained by Old Princethorpians and former families whose generosity has helped to fund essential bursaries and hardship support across the Foundation. Such support makes a profound difference to individual pupils and their families – and we are enormously grateful to all who contribute.

Importantly, this year has also seen the Annual Fund – together with personal philanthropy from generous families past and present – make possible a number of exciting capital projects. At Crescent School, the Barnaby Friendship Garden has been created as a thoughtful and welcoming outdoor space for pupils. At Crackley Hall, new changing facilities on the sports fields are now in place, improving the experience for pupils all year round.

Looking ahead, the Annual Fund continues next year – as the name suggests, it is an annual opportunity to support projects that directly benefit pupils. Every gift, no matter the size, contributes to the kind of enriching, rounded education we believe in. With your support, there’s so much more we can achieve together.

At the beginning of next year, we are also excited to be launching the first phase of our smallholding project. With your support, this space will grow into a unique outdoor learning environment – one that promotes sustainability, supports hands-on learning, and strengthens the connection between pupils and the natural world. It’s a project we’re incredibly proud of, and one that will evolve and grow over time.

Finally, we are now preparing for a longer-term fundraising campaign that will support a transformational programme of development at the College. These plans are ambitious – and rightly so. They aim to ensure that our facilities meet the standard of our educational ambitions and provide every pupil with the best possible environment in which to thrive.

We’ll be sharing more in due course, but for now, thank you again. Your support – past, present and future – is helping us to remain a truly special school.

Wishing you and your family a happy and restful summer,

Steve Kowal
Director of Development
 

Princethorpe's Year 10 Science pupils competed in the British Physics Olympiad Junior Challenge, an online competition where pupils answer multiple-choice questions across two quizzes. The Junior Physics Challenge is designed to engage and stretch pupils by offering a range of problems to solve. It allows pupils to apply their curriculum knowledge of physics practically, to the real world, while taking part in a challenge at a national level. It is the first opportunity GCSE pupils have to participate in a British Physics Olympiad event.

Princethorpe’s pupils' results were excellent this year, so a huge well done to all who took part. Particular congratulations go to Jay and Louis who both achieved a Gold certificates. Pupils at the College were also awarded 32 Silver and 53 Bronze certificates.
 

Princethorpe College welcomed pupils to Walton Hall near Wellesbourne on Friday 20 June to celebrate the end of their time in Year 11. In time honoured tradition the boys, handsome in black tie, and the girls, bedecked in beautiful gowns, arrived at the venue in their choice of transport to be greeted by members of staff. The backdrop of the atmospheric architecture and grounds of Walton Hall lent an extra special magic to the air.

Deputy Head Pastoral, Beth Sharpe, said, "It was a wonderful event and the end of an era for this year group. We are immensely proud of them all, and it was a pleasure to welcome them to their celebration. It is always an emotional occasion, but the mood was full of optimism for their next steps and the journey ahead."

The professional photos are now available and a link to a gallery has been emailed to parents.

This year’s Summer Art, Photography and Design Show opened on Thursday 26 June with a special evening reception for the artists and their families, friends and guests. The displays remained on show until Sunday 29 June allowing visitors to the College’s Summer Fest to enjoy the superb standard of work this year’s GCSE and A-level pupils have produced.

Those who know the College will be familiar with its formidable reputation for quality Art and Design and this year’s show was no exception. On display was work from pupils exploring a diverse range of mediums and themes. In the Sixth Form Atrium and Lecture Theatre fascinating portraiture sat alongside superb studies, imaginative illustrations and phenomenal photography. Intermixed were intricately stitched dresses and jackets, showcasing this year’s Textiles pieces. Recycling or repurposing was a theme running through many Resistant Materials’ final products.  

Visitors were audibly impressed with what they saw, stopping to stare in wonder, exclaiming over the ingenuity and talent and enjoying the fine collection of work. 

Our congratulations go to all our GCSE and A-level pupils for producing such a worthy display. Thanks go to the Art and Photography Department and the Design and Technology Department for all their support and inspiration to pupils this and every year and for putting together such an outstanding display.

Images of their work will be shared with our community once all their work has been moderated and any exam appeals finalised. (Pictured is work from last year's show.)

The College’s exhibition was once again one of many venues across Coventry and Warwickshire taking part in Warwickshire Open Studios 2025.

Alumni from the classes of 1975, 1985, 1995 and 2015 returned to celebrate their respective 50th, 40th, 30th and 10th anniversaries of leaving, many having not been back to the College or seen each other since they left as pupils. Joining them in the revels were former and long-serving members of staff, as well as current members of staff who will be sadly leaving the College this year. 

Many guests arrived early for the optional tour of the campus, led by Melanie Butler and Caroline Spencer. The group meandered excitedly around the campus, visiting historic areas such as the Chapel, the Library, the cloister corridors and the Roundhouse, as well as the newer Limes Building and Sixth Form Centre and the most recent addition to the site, the Science Centre. 

During the Drinks Reception in the Quad, Foundation Principal, Ed Hester, welcomed the guests and once seated in the Refectory, Fr Alan Whelan MSC said Grace and the room filled with the hubbub of chatter and laughter as guests sat with peers from the same or similar leaving decade. Over a delicious three course meal, conversations were bolstered by a rolling PowerPoint meticulously curated by our Archivist, Jo Wong, which featured images of many of the attendees taken from year books, prize giving programmes and the College’s magazine, The Tower.

Before dessert, Headmaster Grove du Toit gave messages of thanks. Gifts were presented to attending members of staff who have served more than ten years at the College: Aileen Cefaliello, Lee O'Gorman, Lorna Prestage and Vicky Roberts. He then honoured members of staff who are leaving the College this year: Meg O'Gorman, Wendy McCann, Katharine Darwood-Bredin and Felicity Coulson. Grove noted that Felicity has taught music for almost 30 years and led the Peri and LAMDA teams for over ten. She was presented with a special bouquet, and all leaving staff were welcomed into lifelong membership of the Old Princethorpian Association. 

As the supper came to a happy close, guests mingled, teachers enjoyed hearing of their pupils’ achievements, and plans were made for keeping in touch with more informal reunions in the future.

Thanks go to our wonderful catering and estates teams, the OPs Committee and all who contributed to the success of the event. To see all the photos from the evening, sign up to Princethorpe Connect or log in to view this gallery.

Team Super Sports Camps are back this Summer! The camps are held at Princethorpe College from Monday 7 July until Friday 22 August, the Holiday Camps will run from 8.00am to 5.00pm.

Summer Holiday Camp at Princethorpe College:

📆 Monday 7 July - Friday 22 August

⏰ Drop off 8.00am-9.00am / Pick up 4.00pm-5.00pm

😁 Ages 5-16

🏅 Rugby / Football / Gymnastics / Netball / Tennis / Cricket / Hockey - Children choose their sports!

Check out this video of the Super Sports Camp at Princethorpe to see what they get up to. 

Camps are priced at £38 per day. 

Sibling discounts and flexible booking options available!

Click here to book your Team Super Sports camps 

Saturday 30 August 2025 - 10.30am to 4.30pm

This fun, family-friendly event serves as a fantastic farewell to summer and 'hello' to the new academic year, and is a great opportunity for the Class of 2025 to meet and play with other members of the Old Princethorpian community.

There will be music throughout the day, and a BBQ, ice cream van and subsidised bar (serving cold beers and prosecco) will be available, with players receiving a voucher for a complimentary food and drink item.

We are keen to have as many leavers of 2025, along with a good number of OPs from previous years, playing against the College teams, so please encourage the OPs you know to get involved. Those interested in participating in any of the fixtures are invited to please complete the short online form here ASAP, or by Tuesday 26 August at the latest.

Parents, students and staff are particularly welcome to spectate, support the teams and enjoy the refreshments, so do put it in your diary and register your attendance on Princethorpe Connect, via this link, so that we have an idea of numbers for refreshment purposes.

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

Format of the day:

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 2025 and 2024)

3.45pm After-Match Awards by the BBQ

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

We hope to see you there!

Sunday 14 September 2025 - 2.00pm to 5.00pm

Princethorpe will be holding its annual Open Afternoon on Sunday 14 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 - Wednesday 10, Tuesday 16, and Thursday 18 September 2025.

Our Year 6 Taster Days are aimed at Year 6 pupils who wish to join the College in September 2026 and who have not already attended a Year 5 Taster Day. 

Taster Days are available on:

• Wednesday 10 September 2025
• Tuesday 16 September 2025
• Thursday 18 September 2025

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 26 September 2025 - 6.00pm to 10.30pm, Mulberry Bush, 89 Upper Ground, Southbank, London, SE1 9PP

We are delighted to confirm the venue for this year's OPs London Meet and invite all alumni, past parents and former members of staff to join us.

Tucked away behind Gabriel’s Warf, and close to London’s best tourist attractions such as the National Theatre, Royal Festival Hall and the London Eye, Mulberry Bush is right in between Waterloo and Blackfriars stations, making it the perfect City pub in central London.

The Green Room is an ideal setting for our London Meet, with gorgeous decor and double doors out to the balcony for an al fresco feeling. Just head up the spiral staircase when you arrive, to relax for the evening in our own private room!

As ever, Foundation staff will greet you warmly with a complimentary Welcome Drink or two, courtesy of the Old Princethorpians Committee. Included in the ticket price* will be a tasty spread catering to various dietary requirements, our own private bar and dedicated service from the friendly staff.

If you would like to attend, please click here to sign up on Princethorpe Connect by Friday 19 September 2025, indicating any special dietary requirements to help us cater accordingly.

Our London Meets are always popular, sociable affairs, with OPs from across the generations mixing and networking happily together. We hope you will be able to join us, and as we sadly do not hold email addresses for all our alumni, we encourage you to spread the word to any OPs you are in contact with.

*We will require a small donation in support of bursaries upon booking. Bursaries are vital in providing financial support to pupils who demonstrate both academic promise and financial need. By fostering an inclusive educational environment, these bursaries ensure that every pupil has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. Click here for more details.

Warwickshire Libraries are delighted to announce that the competition to become Young Poet Laureate 2025/26 is now open. The search is on for the county's eleventh Young Poet Laureate, who will succeed Ananditha Venkatramanan in the role for 2025/26.

The competition is open to anyone aged between 13 and 17 who lives and is educated in Warwickshire and who would like to perform their own poetry to an audience. The Young Poet Laureate will take part in events and activities across the county and is offered the mentorship of a professional poet. Past Warwickshire Young Poet Laureates have performed on the radio, on film, at festivals and led their own poetry workshops.

For further information please click here.

Nicola Treadwell
Head Librarian

We look forward to seeing Year 11 and Upper Sixth pupils and parents for their examination results in August. We will write to them the week before their results days to provide more detailed instructions.

If a pupil is unable to collect their own results, please be aware that results cannot be given out over the phone. If a pupil wishes to nominate a third party to collect their results, the Examinations Officer must be informed of this before the end of July. Please email examinations@princethorpe.co.uk from your school email address with the following information: 

Full name of third party
Full address
Relationship to student

The person collecting the results must bring their own photographic ID with them.

Thursday 14 August 2025 – A-level results
School will be open at 8.00am. Results will be published to student accounts on My School Portal at 9.00am. 

Thursday 21 August 2025 – GCSE results
School will open at 8.30am. Results will be published to pupil accounts on My School Portal at 10.00am. 

Michael Spencer                     Sarah Tsang
Deputy Head - Academic    Examinations Officer

Please click here for the summer holiday homework expectations.

Thank you 

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

Yet again, and how quick it has come about, when in the words of the famous song its "Time to say goodbye".  Not only goodbye to students and staff who move on to new ventures but also to students who move up to the next phase of their education in the next academic year.  

However, in the intervening time we have our holidays to look forward too, a time to enjoy the company of family and friends and undertake new and exciting adventures. Whether they be at home or abroad, off to South Africa on the College trip or just lazing about with time to do as we wish, let us give thanks for this precious time and opportunities give to us.

So, as we go forth at the end of this school year, we pray and give thanks:

for the learning both in and outside of the classroom
for the talents and gifts acquired and used
for the challenges and successes
for the strength and the courage to do what is right
for the friendships made and enjoyed
for the love of family and friends
for the time to relax and appreciate the world around us
for the memories of loved ones who now enjoy their heavenly reward
for the faith that has been lived in our daily struggles
for the hope that has lifted our spirits
We give thanks and with gratitude in our hearts we pray for
all students, staff, parents and guardians of Princethorpe
College, that over the coming weeks of the summer holidays
we may cherish this precious time with one another.  

Amen.

Fr Alan Whelan and Mary Benham
Chaplaincy

Over the Summer should you find that you require help or guidance then I am sharing some helpful points of contact which may assist you. 

Should you have a significant safeguarding concern, please contact Warwickshire's Family Connect on 01926 414144 (Monday to Thursday: 8.30am – 5:30pm and Friday: 8.30am –5:00pm) or the Children’s Emergency Duty Team, for calls at weekends and outside of these core working hours on 01926 886922.

If your concern is urgent and the situation requires immediate action outside of the above core working hours, please call The Social Care Emergency Duty Team (EDT) on 01926 886922. 

For help or support with your child's mental health or wellbeing, you can find useful information on The Young Minds website: www.youngminds.org.uk. Alternatively, you can contact your GP or call 111 and select option 2 for mental health support.

In an emergency, please call the police immediately on 999 or go to A&E and ask to speak to the duty psychiatrist.

I hope that you all enjoy a safe and restful Summer.

Beth Sharpe
Deputy Head – Pastoral

As we come to the end of another busy and successful academic year, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of the Princethorpe community - students, staff, parents and friends - for their continued support, commitment and contributions throughout the year.

There has been so much to celebrate, from academic achievements and co-curricular successes to the many memorable events that have brought our community together. We are proud of all that our pupils have accomplished and the values they have demonstrated along the way.

Particular thanks go to our wonderful Upper Sixth leavers. We marked their departure with a moving and joyful Leavers’ Eucharist, where students, staff and families gathered to reflect and give thanks. This was followed by a magical Leavers’ Ball, a fitting finale for a special year group who have made a lasting impression on the College.

We wish them all the very best for the future and look forward to welcoming them back as Old Princethorpians.

Wishing everyone a restful and enjoyable summer break.

Key dates for your diary

• A-level Results Day - 14 August 2025
• Upper Sixth BBQ - 24 September 2025

Ben Collie 
Head of Sixth Form

Next 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 4 September from 12.30pm – 2.30pm.

On the 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.

OPRO offer a number of benefits with their service:

• Prices start from £41.99
• Our exclusive school design mouthguards are priced at £46.99 and can be found at the following link:

https://opro.info/PrincethorpeCollege

• Buy one mouthguard and get a second mouthguard for half 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 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 on their website www.opro.com.

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 that your child will be having their 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
Foundation Director of Sport

Sport at Princethorpe College focuses on developing pupils to achieve personal excellence across multiple sporting disciplines through a varied and comprehensive experience of sport, physical activity and physical education. 

Please watch the video here to hear from Head of Boys’ Games, Joe Jackson, and Head of Girls’ Games, Carly Walton, on updates to the Sporting Programme from Michaelmas 2025.

They explain how the introduction of Tiered Sports and the Term And A Half model will better serve pupils' development into multi-sports athletes and support them in becoming the best version of themselves.

If you have any questions on the changes please email Mr Jackson at joejackson@princethorpe.co.uk and Miss Walton carlywalton@princethorpe.co.uk

Expeditions - Huge congratulations to all the Bronze, Silver and Gold participants who have completed their qualifying expeditions over the last few weeks. The instructors will directly upload the expedition assessor report to the participants eDofE account over the coming weeks. 

Assessor Reports - Participants should be actively asking their assessors to complete their assessor reports for their volunteering, physical and skill sections. Participants will have paper reports in their welcome booklet or they can request an electronic assessor report. Click here for a guide to completing an assessor report with a useful template email participants can update with their own information and send to the assessor. Participants should also be uploading evidence of their activity to demonstrate their time commitment. 

Participants are reminded to check their Teams messages. Please check in with your participant to ensure they are making full use of the support on offer. 

Participants are encouraged to use Teams chats with their Young Leader or individually with Tamsin Frost or Sion Murphy for any extra help.

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

Neil McCollin
Assistant Head (Co-curricular and Operations)

Princethorpe College is excited to offer and gauge interest in steel pan lessons beginning this September. Taught by an experienced tutor and open to students of all musical backgrounds. The programme will give a chance to learn in a fun, supportive, and inclusive environment. Lessons will be available both individually and in groups, with opportunities to form a school steel band and participate in performances throughout the year once they feel confident. Whether your child is looking to try something new, deepen their musical abilities, or simply find a creative and social activity, steel pan offers a dynamic and joyful experience.

Learning to play a steel pan in a steel band is far more than just picking up a new instrument — it’s a gateway to personal growth, musical joy, cultural discovery, and community spirit.  Whether you are a pupil, parent or staff member(I’m hoping to launch a “Pan and Prosecco/Pint/Pomegranate Juice” nights), please click the link here to register your interest.

Why Steel Pans?
There is something deeply joyful and contagious about the sound of a steel pan. With its warm, resonant tones and rhythmic pulse, the steel pan brings a little piece of Caribbean sunshine wherever it’s played. But beyond its beautiful sound, learning to play steel pan — especially as part of a steel band — offers a wide range of personal, social, and cognitive benefits for children and adults alike. From building musical skills and boosting confidence, to fostering teamwork and cultural appreciation, joining a steel band is an enriching experience — and now, from September, Princethorpe College is delighted to offer students the opportunity to learn this vibrant and versatile instrument.

What is a Steel Pan?
The steel pan (sometimes called a steel drum) is a percussion instrument originating from Trinidad and Tobago. Crafted from oil drums and carefully tuned, each pan is capable of producing multiple notes, allowing for complex melodies, harmonies, and rhythms. There are different types of pans - from high-pitched tenor pans to deeper bass pans - and together, they form the full sound of a steel orchestra. Steel bands perform a wide range of musical genres, from calypso and soca to pop, classical, and jazz. It is a remarkably versatile instrument, and learning it offers more than just musical education.

Musical Skills Without Prerequisites
One of the most appealing aspects of learning steel pan is that it is accessible to beginners. Unlike some orchestral instruments that require years of one-on-one training to reach performance level, steel pan players can begin playing songs quickly, even if they have no previous musical experience. Notes are clearly marked, rhythms are often taught by ear, and the communal nature of the band encourages group progress. For more advanced students, the steel pan also offers plenty of depth — from refining technique and tone to mastering complex arrangements. It’s an instrument that grows with the player.
There are a range of other benefits too

• Boosts memory and cognitive function
• Builds confidence and performance skills
• Encourages teamwork and social connection
• Promotes cultural awareness
• Positive outlet for energy and emotion

Please do email me at kerrylow@princethorpe.co.uk with any queries.

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 your support. 

Princethorpe PTA

Yes it’s true, if you sign up to Princethorpe College Easyfundraising, when you shop online the retailer will give us a percentage of your spend at no extra cost to you. It is a reward and thank you for shopping with the retailer and free money in the PTA pot to spend on the much needed extras in the school.

We DO keep reminding you about Easyfundraising, however we have raised £715 so far this school year with 79 supporters including parents, family and friends. Just think of what this amount could be with a fraction more of you signed up!

It is incredibly easy! If you are not already registered, please visit the link here or search for Easyfundraising and find Princethorpe PTA. Once registered you can set automatic tracking or go through the Easyfundraising App to purchase and the PTA will receive a percentage of what you spend!

We are hoping to buy a 3D printer for the Technology Department with the money raised via Easyfundraising. This will really make a difference to the department and students! 

Thank you.

We are absolutely thrilled at how successful our very first Summer FEST was. The festival was a true celebration of everything that makes our school community special.

From the early planning stages to the final clean-up, we were overwhelmed by the incredible support of our community, families, staff, volunteers and local businesses. 

A huge thank you to all the families, friends, and members of the wider community who came out in force to celebrate! The smiles and laughter stayed all day, creating a fantastic festival atmosphere we won’t forget.

The event was packed with fun, food and entertainment for all ages. From the Motor Festival and food trucks galore, to our Art Exhibition and the wide variety of artisan stalls, there was truly something for everyone. The PTA zone with the Festival Stall and bar were busy all day and the tombolas and raffles kept the excitement going and we are grateful for all the generous donations that made them possible.

Our activity zones were buzzing throughout the day and the Tower Stage hosted an amazing line-up of local performances from our talented community.

We’re still waiting for the final total raised, which will go toward funding exciting projects in school, and we look forward to announcing this at our upcoming AGM in September.

Thank you once again to everyone who helped make the day such a resounding success - from the hardworking organisers and volunteers to the performers, stallholders and every single visitor. Your support means the world.

Princethorpe PTA and Princethorpe Enterprise Team
 

Please find below the Term Dates for 2025-26 and 2026-27.

2025-2026 (two page document - with key dates) -  Updated December 2024

2026-2027

Bookings are now open for current bus users and new joiners for 2025-26.  New joiners have been sent information on how to set up their account.

There have been changes to the routes and some timings, so please do familiarise yourself with the service your child is going to use.  In addition, from September as publicised we will be introducing three late bus routes, Leamington/Stratford, Coventry/North Rugby and South Rugby/Southam stopping at a limited number of hub stops from Monday to Thursday. To visit the 2025-26 bus website click here.

If you foresee your child using the late bus service on a regular basis please speak to Vectare who can amend your booking to reflect this, to make an ad hoc late bus booking please follow the video guide here. 

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 you wish your child to stop using the service.

Those wishing to book a new single or return bus pass will be able to do so from late June. 

Ad hoc journeys for the next academic year will be available to book from the bus website from the end of the summer holidays. 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. 

Should you have any queries please email princethorpe@vectare.co.uk. 

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

+Pay catering - cashless@princethorpe.co.uk

Email addresses for members of teaching staff can be found on My School Portal.

For parents of new starters:

We are pleased to inform you that +Pay accounts for new starters will be created on Tuesday, 2 September. You will receive an email from noreply@parentmail.co.uk, with a link allowing you to set-up the account. Please ensure that you setup the account and top-up the account by Friday, 5 September. Rest assured, pupils will be able to get food during the first week of term regardless of the balance on their account.

For parents of pupils leaving the school:

The accounts of pupils leaving the school will be archived over the summer. Any remaining balances will either be credited or debited to the leavers invoice, during this period.

For current parents:

There will be no change to cashless catering accounts for current pupils. We would be appreciative if any negative balances could be cleared by the end of the Trinity term on 3 July, and for parents to ensure that accounts are topped-up ready for the start of term on Tuesday 2 September.

Please be reminded that you can download the IRIS Parentmail app form the Google Play Store or Apple App Store to manage cashless catering easily. There is also an 'Auto-top-up' feature within +Pay, allowing the system to automatically top-up the balance once it goes below a set level, should you wish to enable this.

Should you have any queries, please email cashless@princethorpe.co.uk.

Thank you for your attention to these matters.

Kind regards

The Cashless Catering Team

Please see below our current vacancy:

Little Crackers

• Nursery Practitioner

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.