The Flagpole

Please find below the Headmaster's letter posted to parents this week together with the Lent calendar:

Dear Parents

Please find enclosed the 2019 Lent Term calendar; it shows another full and busy term ahead. One event I would like to draw your attention to will take place at 7.30pm on Thursday 14 March, when I shall be giving a presentation with the opportunity for Q&As afterwards, entitled: “Princethorpe a Vision for the Future”. As part of our development planning, we will be undertaking another full on-line parental questionnaire which will be emailed to you in the first half of the term; I would be very grateful if you could spend 15 minutes or so completing this.

In addition to the plethora of sporting fixtures, trips and co-curricular activities, we are also looking forward to our main school production, Little Shop of Horrors, and the sixth annual Princethorpe Oscars Ceremony, which will showcase our pupils many talents. Both events are likely to be sell-outs, so please do look out for ticket information in next term’s Flagpole so that you can secure your seats in good time.

I have already thanked the pupils for the time they spent filling in questionnaires on their teaching group earlier in the term. The overall responses were very positive indeed, here are a few examples:

·         “I enjoy my lessons in this subject and am interested during the lessons”, 80% of responses were “all of the time” or “most of the time”

·          “I feel that I have a good relationship with my teacher”, 93% of responses were “agree” or “strongly agree”.

·          “I feel that the amount of homework in this subject is:…”  81% responded “about right”, 16% responded “too much” and 3% responded “too little”

All the pupils’ feedback and anonymised personal comments will be fed directly back to the departments and individual teachers. We will reflect on the data gathered, looking at trends, areas of concern and strength, which will help us with our planning to make teaching and learning as good as it possibly can be.

It was a year ago when we introduced our new regulations on mobile phones and we have been very pleased with the result of limiting phone usage around the campus. Maintaining effective boundaries for mobile devices is a constant challenge for us all and I would urge all parents to engage with their children in ensuring effective support in this area. Please see some sensible guidelines and advice for parents by clicking here.  If you have worries or concerns over this issue, please do contact your child’s form tutor or our Director of Digital Strategy, Andy Compton at andycompton@princethorpe.co.uk

As always, the on-line calendar, accessible via the website and Parent Portal, will be updated with any amendments to the enclosed calendar so please do check this regularly. Pupils’ reports too are, of course, found on the Parent Portal; please do ensure you take the time to look at these reports and discuss them with your child.

Particularly for those involved in the summer public examinations, next term will fly by; our pupils have had much support and guidance regarding how to structure their revision and studies at this time and I know parents of Year 11 and Sixth Form students will be keen to ensure there is a proper balance of work, rest, play and quality family time over the Christmas holiday period.

Please find enclosed a Thank You booklet which illustrates the impact of your generosity in the past year and the ongoing work of the development office. I hope you will enjoy reading about the difference your support is making to the College, and those who benefit from an education here. Thank you for your continued support.

Finally, I would like to thank you for your support during the course of this year and wish you and your families a joyful and peaceful Christmas.

Yours sincerely

Ed Hester
Headmaster

This year Friday 7 December was designated College Feast Day, a celebration involving the whole of the College community, marking the day, 8 December 1854, when the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart was founded.  Feast Day allows the College to honour its important link with the MSCs.

In the afternoon the whole school came together in the Sports Hall to mark the anniversary.  The ceremony began with the presentation of the House prizes allowing the whole school to recognise pupil progress and achievement. (To see photos of the winners please click view gallery.) 

Then Director of Ethos, Kieran McCullough, reflected on the reasons why we celebrate Feast Day and in particular this year’s initiative to put Faith In Action through the donations of non-perishable food to local food banks.

Finally it was time for what has become an important school tradition, the House Singing Competition.  Much secrecy had surrounded the House choice of songs and in the run up to the big day the House Activities Co-ordinators had zealously been rehearsing their singers.

In turn the Houses rose to their feet to perform their pieces. First were Austin House who delivered an enthusiastic and strong performance of Abba’s Mamma Mia.  Benet came next with a joyful, toe-tapping rendition of I Just Can’t Wait To Be King from the film The Lion King.  Fisher House were next up and confidently belted out We Will Rock You by Queen and then finally More delivered a lively performance of You Can’t Stop The Beat from the musical Hairspray.

The competition was judged by professional singer Georgie Mason who was very impressed with the standard.  She commented, “I really enjoyed the performances, everyone was singing, there was lots of enthusiasm and good pitch and timing.  It was a very difficult decision to make but in the end I have decided that the winner should be Fisher House.”

Whilst the judge made her deliberations the College’s A capella group performed and then after the winning House was announced the afternoon came to a joyful conclusion with an impromptu performance by the whole school of Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas.

Headmaster, Ed Hester said, "Thanks to Director of Ethos, Kieran McCullough, the Heads of House, the House Activities Co-ordinators and all the staff and pupils for wholeheartedly entering into the spirit of the day. This is an important annual event for the College, one that takes time to celebrate Princethorpe’s spirit of family."

To hear a compilation of the House songs please click here.

The Christmas tree in the College Chapel has been lovingly decorated with twinkling lights and over 1,000 special stars, hand-cut and each holding the name of a special someone.

All members of the college and parish communities were invited to write the names of those who have touched their lives with love and have a special place in their hearts on a star. Each individual star has then been carefully positioned on the tree.

Comments, Mary Benham, Chaplaincy Co-ordinator, “The message of Christmas is one of love and the decorated Christmas tree in the Chapel symbolically represents that message. The many stars on the tree are a testament to the presence of love in the world – and the way in which, individually, all our lives have been enriched by love.”

Our thanks go to Year 7 pupil Freddie Hadley and Year 8 pupils Ethan Fletcher, Amelie Hancock, Julia Loftus, Zara Simpson and Erika Zanyi for their help preparing and hanging the stars.

After school on Thursday 13 December the Design Technology Department hosted four festive craft workshops.  On offer was the opportunity to create Christmas-themed gifts and decorations in Textiles, Electronics, Resistant Materials and Food.

Staff had organised the different activities so there was plenty to choose from.  Pupils really enjoyed decorating mini Christmas cakes, creating gingerbread houses, using templates to create wooden Christmas snowmen and star decorations, stitching ribbon Christmas trees, machining padded fabric trees or soldering lights into mini Christmas cabins.

Plenty of jolly Christmas songs could be heard coming from the workshops and staff had organised a few extra seasonal treats.  Everyone enjoyed getting in the mood for the festive season. Many thanks to the staff who organised all the crafty fun.

A very successful Christmas wreath making evening certainly decked the doors with boughs of holly as 85 parents and staff jumped at the chance to get arty and crafty on Thursday 13 December.  Places on the evening were snapped up like hot mince pies, as the participants armed with secateurs beavered away with twigs, foliage and prickly holly to produce some cracking Christmas door decorations.

PE Teacher, Louise Harrison, was delighted with the whole event saying, “It was a great, well supported evening. Huge thanks to everyone who came and to the girls who helped organise and run the workshop.  We made just over £1,000 towards the 2019 South Africa Tour fundraising.”

The event was so successful that it might just become an annual Christmas event.  In fact Mrs Allen is already planning to host another wreath making workshop next year to support the fundraising for the 2020 Malawi expedition.

Princethorpe College pupils, parents and staff have responded generously to Director of Ethos, Kieran McCullough’s seasonal challenge to put Faith In Action through the donation of non-perishable food items.  Mr McCullough challenged every member of the school to bring in one item of food and the community did not disappoint, showing a sense of empathy, generosity and solidarity that at one stage led to the school’s student hub overflowing with boxes and bags of donations.

On Monday 17 December Richard Gordon from the charity, St Vincent de Paul Society, visited the school to collect the donations.  Mr McCullough’s Year 10 class helped to load all of the tins, boxes and bags of food into his car.  There were so many that the donations literally had to be crammed in.  Mr Gordon was almost speechless, he thanked the Princethorpe community profusely, saying, “The donations will be shared between the homeless and refugee charities that the SVP supports, including the Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre, Carriers of Hope and Warwick District Foodbank. They will be astonished at how much you have given.  It will be invaluable.” 

Kieran McCullough commented, “The level of enthusiasm and support shown for our Faith In Action challenge was amazing, affirming the school’s spirit of family ethos and showing that pupils embrace the communities they live in and are willing to help those who are less fortunate than themselves.”  He continued, “It is easy to sometimes think that one person alone cannot make a big impact, but by bringing all of those individual small acts of kindness together we have been able to make a real difference.”

On Thursday 13 December Princethorpe College Sixth Formers welcomed over 100 guests, for a special Senior Citizen's Christmas Celebratory Lunch.  They included elderly parishioners from St Anne’s, Wappenbury, and residents from a number of local care homes, Greenways, Clifton Court, Galanos House, Overslade House, Homewood, Helen Ley Care Centre, James Hirons, Castel Froma, The Sesame Centre, Town Thorns and Willow Tree Nursing Home.

The lunch has become an annual community event where the guests are served turkey and all the trimmings, prepared by the College catering team and waited on by College Sixth Formers.  It was held in the Sixth Form atrium and delicious smells wafted across the room whilst all around there was much chatter and laughter.

Sixth Formers, Will Puchy and Dexter Powell, did a sterling job entertaining all with festive tunes on the keyboard then mid-way through the meal the guests were treated to a special performance by Princethorpe’s A cappella group who sang the modern White Winter Hymnal.  Juliette Carter then took centre stage and performed well known Christmas songs.  She also led the assembled guests in the now traditional joyful sing-along of much loved traditional carols, including Ding Dong Merrily On High, We Wish You A Merry Christmas and Hark The Herald Angels Sing.  Ed Hester, Headmaster, who had popped in to welcome the senior citizens, happily joined in the communal singing.  Then Izzy Smith took over the entertainment and kept everyone happy singing more popular songs until the event came to a happy close.

Before they left all of the visitors were presented with a personalised Christmas card produced by pupils from the College and from local primary school, Our Lady’s in Princethorpe.

Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Cyp Vella commented, “It was wonderful to see old and young chatting and simply enjoying the moment together, embodying the true spirit of Christmas. A huge thank you to our Sixth Formers and staff for organising such a fabulously festive event.”

Singing in the A Capella group were Greg Burford, Conor Fernandez, Lauren Mason, Charlotte Fitzpatrick, Holly Kennedy, Lauren Bach, Mary Lomas and Jemima Teeton.

Twelve Princethorpe College Sixth Formers have just completed an inspirational, cross-generational project working with the residents of Tithe Lodge in Southam.  In The Me Project, led and co-ordinated by Stratford Literary Festival, sponsored by Orbit Homes, and in partnership with Warwickshire Library Service, the Sixth Form students have worked with nine of the care home’s residents to write up their memoirs.

Over six visits the students paired up with a resident, interviewed and recorded their stories and then, on their behalf, wrote their memoirs up.  The Festival organisers subsequently collated the finished accounts with personal photographs and then published them in a book.

On Wednesday 12 December the students returned to Southam to see the residents one final time.  At the meeting, Director of Stratford Literary Festival, Annie Ashworth, presented copies of the finished memoir books to both the residents and students.

Annie said, “The Me Project was an opportunity for the residents to share their memories from the past.  As we get older our memories help define us and it is important to share our stories.  The residents at Tithe Lodge have a huge amount to give, their lives have included many incredible experiences and they have so many stories to tell.  Princethorpe’s Sixth Form students have shown such interest and commitment to the project and it has really encouraged the residents to open up and share their memories.  The finished memoirs are a marvellous read and for posterity we have also presented copies to the Warwickshire archives.”

David Constable, whose fascinating memoirs tell of his life as one of 22 children commented, “Over the years I have done a lot of charity work. It’s been really nice to meet Eleanor and Jade and to share my life with them.”

Betty McKay, added, “Hannah has been such a patient girl, of course I did have to censor some of my memories, but there were still plenty of interesting stories to tell about my family and friends.”

Former soldier, Derek Haden explained, “This is the first time I have spoken of some of the events in my life.”  His memoir author, Sixth Former Hannah added, ”It has been amazing to hear Derek’s tales.”

Olga Baskerville also shared her wartime memories, she said, “I am not good on dates now, but when I look back the memories are really clear.  Maddie has been wonderful.”  Maddie added, “I have really enjoyed talking to Olga, hearing about her life has brought the Second World War vividly to life.”

Princethorpe College’s Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Rod Isaacs explained, “It has been a real privilege to be a part of The Me Project.  It has benefited our pupils tremendously, I could see that our Sixth Formers were genuinely attentive and interested in the many rich memories and experiences that someone, often 70 years their senior, was sharing with them.  When you read through these memoirs in their final printed form, it is really very moving and inspiring.”

This is the second memoir project the Festival has worked on in conjunction with Orbit Homes, they undertook a similar exercise with Briar Croft in Stratford-Upon-Avon in March this year.

Taking part in The Me Project this time were Tithe Lodge residents: Olga Baskerville, David Constable, Deirdre Dunbar, Myckee Finch, Derek Haden, Betty McKay, Barry Newbold, Terry Plummer and Gordon Sharples

Writing up the memoirs were Princethorpe College Sixth Formers: Frances Bromwich, Elizabeth Carr, Meerah Chauhan, Eloise Dowell, Maddy Downey, Eleanor Makepeace, Hannah Owens, Hannah Porter, Harriet Simms, Izzy Simpson, Maya Spence and Jade Swan.

Princethorpe College school heat winners, Year 8, Chloe O’Carroll Bailey and, Year 10, Jonti Spillman took part in the Springboard Futurechef Local Finals on Monday 3 December. The competition was hosted by Caludon Castle School in Coventry and saw five young school heat qualifiers from three schools, Caludon Castle School, Lutterworth High School and Princethorpe College, battling for a place in the Regional Final which will take place next year in February at Birmingham College University.

The competitors cooked a two course meal, a main and a dessert, for two people in 90 minutes for a budget of up to £7 under the scrutiny of four professional chefs who were the judges for competition.

Chloe’s menu featured a main course of pork with prunes and apple served with green beans and roasted potatoes accompanied by a chocolate orange fondant volcano with orange cream.  Whilst Jonti cooked loin of lamb with parmesan risotto and spinach, his dessert was a lemon cheesecake and a sesame tuile.

Both pupils were nervous but had put a lot of effort into practising to prepare for the competition. Chloe had a problem when her oven went out whilst her fondant was cooking, but the judges let her finish cooking. Jonti worked so efficiently that he was finished with 15 minutes to spare.

The organisers of the competition, Springboard, provide opportunities for young people aged 12-16 to explore food and develop their culinary skills.  Each year over 8,000 young chefs take part in their national competition.

Announcing the winners the judges commented that they were impressed with the talent shown throughout the morning. They praised the contestants for the high standard of the dishes produced and agreed that the competitors had displayed good technique and execution.

The youngest competitor by far, Princethorpe’s Chloe cooked up a storm and was judged overall winner.  She will now go on to represent Coventry and Warwickshire at the Regional Final in Birmingham.  Chloe has been allocated a chef mentor, Lawrence Jeffries, who is the Executive Chef for Warwick and Cheltenham racecourses.  She also won a cookbook and will have her own set of personalised whites.  Jonti was placed third; he also received a cookbook. 

Chloe will now spend time with her mentor at the dining suite at Warwick Racecourse where she will meet the chefs and learn new skills, such as how to ballotine a chicken, and develop her menu for the Regional Final. 

Chloe said, “I am completely in shock, I saw the standard of the other competitors and thought that their food looked amazing. I was pleased to be given the opportunity to take part and never expected to win”.

Food and Nutrition Teacher, Jacqui Scott, commented, “I am extremely proud of both of Princethorpe’s competitors who put a lot of time and effort into menu planning and practising. The food they produced was of the highest standard and was beautifully presented. Both meals could have been served at a restaurant table. They were calm and collected throughout the tense 90 minutes and all four chefs gave very positive feedback to them saying it was a very difficult decision. This was been such a great experience for the pupils so I am sure that the competition will become a regular event in the College calendar.”

A team of six swimmers represented the Princethorpe Foundation at the National Independent Schools Association’s Swimming Championships at the London Aquatics Centre, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, back at the beginning of December.  They were swimming for the Midlands team and were up against tough competition, the best swimmers from regions across the country.

Princethorpe College Director of Sport, Neil McCollin, commented, “Our swimmers have traditionally done well in the ISA Swimming Championships and they have had another successful outing this year. Well done to everyone who competed in both the National Championships and in the qualifying regional competitions; it’s good to see Foundation pupils representing the Midlands and we are delighted with their performances.”

Saturday 1 December, was a busy day for the Foundation, with swimmers across the age ranges competing in no less than nine events; the Senior Girls 4x50 metre medley relay and freestyle relay, the Year 7 Boys 50 metre butterfly, the Year 7 4x50 metre medley relay and freestyle relay, the Senior Girls 100 metre backstroke, the Girls Year 9/10 4x50 metre freestyle relay, the Boys Year 9/10 4x50 metre freestyle relay and the Year 5 Girls 50 metre backstroke.

Year 7, Ed Grindal swam strongly in the 4x50 metre medley and freestyle relays earning himself a silver medal in the freestyle relay and a bronze medal in the medley relay in team times of 2.16.47 and 2.39.17 respectively. 

Year 9, Jess Mackenzie also swam superbly to finish in a team time of 1.57.92, a new record for the Year 9/10 Girls 4x50 metre freestyle relay event, earning herself a well-deserved gold medal.

Year 10, Ben Scares just missed out on a medal swimming in the Year 9/10 Boys 4x50m freestyle relay with the Midlands team just pipped into fourth position.

Year 11, Evie Nicholas finished sixth in the Senior 100 metre backstroke in 1.24.22.

Year 13, Jasmine Rigg swam well to claim a bronze in the Senior Girls 50m freestyle relay in a team time of 2.03.54.

Last, but by no means least, Crackley Hall’s Junior 5 Lily Carroll had an excellent outing at the competition in the Year 5 Girls 50 metre backstroke, finishing in a personal best time of 48.68, nearly 4 seconds up on last year.

A super, huge well done to all of our swimmers.

Click view gallery to see images of Princethorpe College's swimming teams who competed in this year's ISA swimming competitions.

Following the success of previous Green Team calendars, we are delighted that our pupils have been busy exploring our local environment once again and have produced yet another fantastic Green Team Calendar.  

Stewart Dear, Geography Teacher and Green Team Leader comments, “The photographs in this year’s calendar are once again amazing. It is a true celebration of our wonderful surroundings and a reminder of just how lucky we are to have our historic school embedded in such beautiful countryside.”

The calendar showcases the photography skills of pupils throughout the school from Year 7 to Upper Sixth, capturing a range of seasons and environments and will be a handy addition for any kitchen or office as it also includes the Foundation’s term dates.

The 2019 Green Team Calendar is just £5 and there are a limited number available so make sure you grab yours before the end of term. To purchase a copy, please visit the School Shop or contact Stewart Dear at stewartdear@princethorpe.co.uk.

Parents, pupils, staff and Old Princethorpians would be very welcome at the Christmas and New Year Masses in the College Chapel and at St Anne’s Catholic Church, Wappenbury, CV33 9DW.

Details are as follows:

Monday 24 December 2018:

• Our Lady of the Angels' Chapel, Princethorpe College 5.00pm Family Mass for Christmas
• Our Lady of the Angels' Chapel, Princethorpe College 10.00pm First Mass of Christmas 
• Please note there will be no Midnight Mass

Tuesday 25 December 2018:

• St Anne’s, Wappenbury 9.00am Mass
• St Anne’s, Wappenbury 10.30am Mass
• Please note there will be no Mass at Our Lady of the Angels' Chapel, Princethorpe College

Sunday 30 December 2018:

• St Anne’s, Wappenbury 8.30am Mass
• St Anne’s, Wappenbury 10.15am Mass
• Please note there will be no Mass at Our Lady of the Angels' Chapel, Princethorpe College

Sunday 6 January 2019:

• St Anne’s, Wappenbury 8.30am Mass
• St Anne’s, Wappenbury 10.15am Mass
  Please note there will be no Mass at Our Lady of the Angels' Chapel, Princethorpe College

Sunday 13 January 2019:

• St Anne's, Wappenbury 8.30am Mass
• Our Lady of the Angels' Chapel, Princethorpe College 10.15am Mass

Further information about St Anne's, Wappenbury please use the link

Fr Teddy O'Brien MSC

Wednesday 9 January 2019 at 7.30pm

At our December meeting we discussed This Is Going To Hurt by Adam Kay, a hugely popular book about a young doctor’s early years in hospitals.  Whilst very funny at times, the book has serious messages about the pressures on young doctors and on the Health Service itself.  The writer emerges as an extremely sensitive and caring professional for whom the pressures just seemed too great at times.  There is possibly a little too much information at times about the bizarre and the gruesome sides of hospital practice, but it is undoubtedly an engaging, informative and undemanding read. 

We have decided on a ghost story for Christmas:  Dark Matter by Michelle Paver which comes recommended by those who know it.  Our next meeting will be in the library at 7.30pm on Wednesday 9 January.  Please come along whether or not you have read this book.  We are a welcoming bunch of readers who are always keen to hear about others’ reading interests.

Chris Kerrigan
Head of English

Thursday 17 January - 9.00am - 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 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 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. Our own Year 11 pupils had Sixth Form taster experiences last summer and further opportunities will arise during the course of this year. Places are limited. To register your interest in attending our upcoming Sixth Form Taster Day at Princethorpe College, please click here.

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

Saturday 19 January - 9.00am to 4.30pm

If you have a Year 5 child who loves to sing then they would be very welcome at our Choral Fun Day on Saturday 19 January. This day of free musical activities, will include singing tuition, a musical treasure hunt and will end with a gala performance. Refreshments and lunch will be included.

The day is aimed at pupils currently in Year 5. For more information and to register your interest please click here and complete the form by Monday 14 January. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Monday 21 January - 10.00am to 3.00pm

The Crescent School, the Foundation's junior school for 4 to 11 year olds in Bilton, Rugby, is opening its doors for an Open Day on Monday 21 January from 10.00am to 3.00pm.

This is an opportunity to meet the Crescent's headmaster, Joe Thackway, see its new facilities, look around the school and to meet staff and pupils on a normal working day. All are welcome, no need to book.

If you can't make the Open Day but would like to visit the school, please call our Registrar, Mrs Helen Morley on 01788 521595 and come on a day to suit you, we welcome visitors on most days.

For more information visit www.crescentschool.co.uk

Thursday 24 January - 10.00am to 3.00pm

Crackley Hall, Princethorpe's junior school and nursery in Kenilworth, is opening its doors for an Open Day on Thursday 24 January from 10.00am to 3.00pm.

This is an opportunity to look around the school and to meet staff and pupils on a normal working day. All are welcome, no need to book.

If you can't make the Open Day but would like to look around the school, please call our Admissions Secretary, Mrs Jenny Vaughan on 01926 514444 and come on a day to suit you, we welcome visitors on most days.

For more information visit www.crackleyhall.co.uk

Thursday 7 February 2019 - 12.15pm

On behalf of Fisher House, it is my pleasure to invite you to our House Eucharist, which takes place on Thursday 7 February in the College Chapel.

The service will be a celebration of our House community and will begin at 12.15pm.  If you are able to join us, I would recommend you aim to arrive at midday to be seated in the Chapel before the arrival of the pupils.

There will be signage to indicate where to park on the day.

We would be delighted if you could also stay at College after the service to join us for lunch. So that we can cater efficiently, please reserve places by completing the form here no later than Wednesday 6 February 2019.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Mrs Chris McCullough
Head of House – Fisher

Friday 21 June and Monday 24 June 2019

We can now confirm that the Headmaster’s Thanksgiving Service and Buffet Lunch will be held on Friday 21 June 2019 and the Year 11 Prom will be held on Monday 24 June 2019 at Coombe Abbey in Coventry.

We hope Year 11 and their parents will be able to join us for these celebratory occasions.

Please find below details regarding homework expectations over Christmas. Whilst homework is of course vital, especially for those taking external exams this coming summer, Christmas is a very important family time and it follows a long and demanding term. All pupils should make sure to include at least three days of total rest and family time.

Years 7, 8 and 9

1.  No formal homework will be set for the holiday (although some pupils may have to complete homework set for the last week of the half term).
2.  Pupils will be expected to catch up on any missed or incomplete work and sort any files or folders.
3.  Review of internal assessments and completion of corrections as directed by subject teachers.

Year 10

1.  Homework may be set for all subjects.
2.  Pupils will be expected to catch up on any missed or incomplete work and sort any files or folders.
3.  Review of internal assessments and completion of corrections as directed by subject teachers.

Year 11

1.  Pupils should be revising for their mocks beginning Monday 7 January. This should include revision work as indicated by subject teachers and areas of revision that pupils have identified for themselves.  Pupils should aim for at least four hours’ productive work per day.
2.  Pupils will also be expected to catch up on any missed or incomplete work and sort any files or folders. 
3.  Review of examination papers and completion of corrections as directed by subject teachers.

Sixth Form

1.  Homework may be set for all subjects. Students should aim for at least four hours’ productive work per day
2.  Students will be expected to catch up on any missed or incomplete work and sort any files or folders.
3.  Review of examination papers and completion of corrections as directed by subject teachers.

Wishing you all a happy and peaceful Christmas and a healthy and successful 2019.

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head – Teaching and Learning

This year we have introduced two significant improvements to the assessment system at Princethorpe: a change to the November assessments and the addition of a second set of formal mocks for our Year 11 pupils.

We have moved away from a specific ‘exam week’ in November and instead each Department chooses the best time, according to their particular curriculum, to assess the pupils in class. These assessments happen within an appropriate window to inform relevant reports. We hope the change will reduce the pressure on the pupils and dissipate the stress that many used to feel in the run up to and during the exam week. It will also allow departments to craft their assessments in a way which is most helpful to the pupils in their particular subjects. Please note that the end of year Exam Week remains in the same format as previous years and will take place in the week prior to Whitsun half term break, the week commencing Monday 20 May 2019.

As many of you may know, Year 11 pupils traditionally have mock exams at the beginning of the Lent Term, usually over seven days. This year we will be refining and building on that model by giving the pupils two mock weeks – firstly in the week commencing 7 January and then again in the week commencing 25 February, over five days in each week.

This will give the pupils two opportunities to really test themselves and learn from their successes and difficulties, supported by their teachers, before sitting the real exams from 13 May onwards. It will also allow us to spread out the exams a little more within each week to ease the strain on the pupils and make the experience that much more realistic as well as give them that bit more experience of what it is like to work in proper examination conditions. We hope this will be another important step in giving our pupils the best possible support for academic success.

Dr Michael Reddish
Deputy Head - Academic

January 2019

IGCSE Maths and English – All candidates taking these exams have been issued with their timetable, this shows their allocated room and seat number. They have been reminded to be ready and waiting outside their allocated room at least 10 minutes before each exam is scheduled to begin.

Summer 2019

The College specific exam timetable for Summer 2019 is available by clicking here. The exam board and specification we follow for each subject at GCSE and A-level can be found by selecting the appropriate

• GCSE
• A-level

Entries for these exams will be made during the month of January and individual timetables issued to candidates before the February half-term holiday together with a copy of the Exams Information booklet. In the New Year the Public Exams section of the pupil and parent portals will be made unavailable until all entries have been confirmed.

For any public exam related queries please email: examinations@princethorpe.co.uk

Shellagh Dodds
Examinations Officer

Tuesday 15 January 2019 - 6.00pm to 8.30pm

The Lower Sixth Parents’ Evening takes place on Tuesday 15 January 2019 from 6.00pm to 8.30pm in the Sports Hall.

We will continue with the new system introduced successfully last year and offer the option of a two course supper for you and your family, at a cost of £2.00 per head, and served across three sittings, 5.30pm to 6.00pm, 6.00pm to 6.30pm and 6.30pm to 7.00pm. Supper will be served in the Refectory.

We will also provide two supervised areas where siblings can wait whilst you and your son or daughter meet with the teaching staff. There will be a film screening in one room and for those looking for a quieter environment, a second area will be provided where they can relax or study.

To help us with the smooth running of Parents’ Evening and so that we can cater efficiently we would be grateful if everyone who would like to book for supper could complete the RSVP form by clicking here no later than 10.00am on Friday 11 January 2019.

Here is some additional information that you may find helpful:

• Parking will be available on the school playground
• Please enter the Limes building through the main entrance only
• Please ensure you sign in and collect your name badge from the reception desk before entering the Sports Hall
• There is no appointment system. You should allow approximately five minutes per teacher – a timer will sound every five minutes to assist with keeping discussions within this timeframe.  Those teachers with smaller subject teaching groups may be able to facilitate longer discussions, however, where this isn’t the case please do organise a further meeting.
• If you require them, a list of your child’s teachers and subjects can be found on the Parent Portal
• On leaving the building please sign out at the reception desk

We look forward to seeing you.

Dr Michael Reddish
Deputy Head - Academic

Thursday 14 February 2019

On Thursday 14 February, the GCSE Options Information Evening is being held in the Sports Hall at 7.00pm. The evening comprises a series of short presentations on the options process followed by an opportunity for parents to meet with subject staff. Light refreshments will be available. The purpose of the GCSE Options Information Evening is to provide parents with sufficient information regarding the options process so that they can help their son or daughter decide their GCSE options.

Prior to this, the Year 9 Parents’ Evening will be held on Tuesday 5 February between 6.00pm and 8.30pm. The Parents’ Evening will enable you to discuss the progress of your son or daughter with subject staff.  This academic feedback can then prepare you to think about GCSE choices prior to the Information Evening taking place on 14 February.  

After half term, on Tuesday 5 March 2019, the Year 9 & 10 Academic Review Evening will then provide you the opportunity to meet with your child's tutor and discuss the next steps.

Dr Michael Reddish
Assistant Head - Director of Studies

We wanted to bring to your attention an important date change: the Year 9 and 10 Academic Review Evening will now take place on Tuesday 5 March 2019, instead of the previously published date of Monday 25 February 2019.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Dr Michael Reddish
Deputy Head - Academic 

It's that time of year again - turkey, tinsel, and mince pies. Unfortunately it's also flu season and the winter bugs are in abundance.

If you and your children are unlucky enough to pick up something please do let us know be emailing pcmatrons@princethorpe.co.uk or calling 01926 634214. There are members of our Princethorpe community who are more susceptible to infections and it would be very useful if we are aware of any bugs which are a bit more serious than the common cold "doing the rounds". 

In addition if your child is into school with an injury i.e. on crutches or with an arm in a sling/plaster, please ensure they report to the student hub before attending classes, so that Matron can see them for a health and safety assessment and can give any extra support required.

On behalf of myself and Mrs Helen Cutter, we wish you all a very happy and healthy Christmas.

Mrs Paula Greig
Senior Matron

This term has been a tremendous success for our Sixth Form, some beginning their A-level studies, others focusing their attention on the details of the Upper Sixth courses and all the while they have contributed to our school community with various House Competitions and College events. A few highlights for me have been the very ably compered House Talent Show by Alfie Thomson and also the superb way in which our students have reached out to the younger years to offer their support through our Sixth Form Patron scheme.  

Since the return to the linear A-level system, we have put in place many opportunities for consolidation throughout the two years of study your sons and daughters undertake with us in the Sixth Form. For the Upper Sixth students the mock examinations fall in the week of 25 February 2019 and their effective preparation for these exams is most important. The Lower Sixth will have examinations towards the end of the year in the week of 20 May 2019 and these will also help formulate their predicted grades for their university/apprenticeship applications. 

The exams themselves and the results are certainly not intended to cause unnecessary levels of stress; their purpose is foremost for the pupils to gauge how well they have assimilated information, learnt and developed techniques and approaches to writing in their chosen subjects. They do, however, provide us all with a sense of progress and will initiate many useful reflections and conversations, all of which are geared towards refining learning approaches. It can, for instance, take some time to develop the best approach to writing essays in a new subject or grasp the level of detail required to gain top marks in a science paper.  

Last week I spoke to the whole Sixth Form about the need to take appropriate measures to be safe on these dark, winter evenings. I placed emphasis on driving appropriately according to the conditions on the road and setting off in plenty of time to reach their destination. Please do reinforce these key messages at home. 

Dates/notices; 

·         7 January - Epiphany Service during Tutor Time

·         15 January - L6 parents evening

·         1 to 2 February - Physics Trip to CERN

·         8 February - Mega Kahoot Quiz

·         14 February - Valentine Flowers

·         15 February - Blue Day

·         25 February - U6 Mock exam week

·         5 March - Pancake Races

·         24 March - Open Afternoon

·         28 March - Apprenticeship Fair (for Year 10 to L6)

·         10 March - Mary’s Meals 24/7 charity walk

·         7 April - Mary’s Meals 40 mile charity walk

·         10 April - Prefect Inauguration and Awards Ceremony

I left the Sixth Form with this message. Time has now passed and much work has been completed but at this festive time of year it is time that is so precious, and it is my hope that their time is spent enjoying family occasions and resting or recuperating for the new term ahead. May the timeless message of Christmas fill your heart and home with joy now and throughout the coming year. May you have the gift of faith, the blessing of hope and the peace of God’s love at Christmas and always. 

With all best wishes  

Ben Collie
Head of Sixth Form 

Thursday 24 January 2019

Year 11 pupils are invited once again to learn more about life in the Sixth Form. This event will include a tour of the Sixth Form Common Room and Resource Centre, and the opportunity to visit the Academic Subject stalls and speak to Subject Ambassadors.

The morning will be rounded off with Q&A session in the Sixth Form Lecture Theatre. 

Work Experience Placements at Princethorpe College, as part of our Careers programme, take place at the end of Year 11.  We believe that all pupils can gain immeasurable benefits from their placements; not only can a good placement teach a pupil a lot about an area of work that he or she may be interested in, but it can also develop communication skills, self-confidence, initiative and teamwork.

Many thanks to all Year 11 parents for helping your son/daughter to find a work placement. These can be done at any time after the last GCSE exams, at any point in the summer holidays to fit in with family plans. We normally expect at least one week, although historically we have had many undertake more than this, often in more than one placement. Such experience is invaluable for considering a future career path, getting used to the world of work, and for references.

So that I can complete the necessary paperwork, possible references and so on, I'd be grateful if you could you let me know the company name and contact details, for the placement(s) you have arranged either by return of the slip attached to the letter sent to you in June, or by email to me at miketaylor@princethorpe.co.uk.

If you need a hard copy of the original letter, please could you ask your son or daughter to ask me for one at school.

Mike Taylor
Work Experience Co-ordinator

Sunday 10 March and Sunday 7 April 2019

This year we are going the extra mile for Mary’s Meals with two sponsored events. The 24 Mile Walk will take place on Sunday 10 March 2019 and the 40 Mile Walk takes place on Sunday 7 April. The 40 Mile Walk is with the official Coventry Way Association event featuring 250 competitors. Both challenges are in support of Makalanga School, in Malawi so that each of the 500 children can receive a daily meal in school. Twenty one students and four staff will be taking on the ‘Full 40’ mile circular route around Coventry and a total of 85 will be taking part in the 24 mile challenge, starting at Ryton Village Hall, with a target time of under eight hours.

These walks are a major challenge for all taking part but they could not be for a more worthy cause. Mary’s Meals was founded back in 2002 with a small project to feed 200 children in a school in Malawi and now feeds 1,101,206 children each day in 12 countries, across four continents.  

Why not support our intrepid walkers by sponsoring one or more children at a cost of only £13.90 for an entire year of school meals for one child.  You can make a donation via the on-line page, simply click here to make your pledge.  We are also looking for willing volunteers to help at the various checkpoints along the walk on Sunday 10 March, and will be in touch again soon to request your help.

We’ve already raised over £2500 this academic year but we are looking to raise £8,841 in total so as to feed every child in Makalanga school.

Between now and 1 March 2019 Mary's Meals are running a Double The Love campaign and will match donations up to a total of £1.9million. Simply click here to Double the Love.

This simple initiative has helped children all over the world receive a daily meal in school and since 2007 Princethorpe College has been a part of that, raising in excess of £90,000.

Thank you for your support.

Rod Isaacs
Assistant Head of Sixth Form

I would like to take this opportunity to remind you, particularly those new to Princethorpe College, about the wide variety of Co-curricular activities and clubs that are on offer during lunch time and after school.  Not only is it a good way to try new activities but it is also a great way to make new friends.

A list of all the Co-curricular activites can be found at the front of the Michaelmas 2018 Termly Calendar which you will have received by post during the summer.  Alternatively, click here to view an electronic version which can also be found on the Princethorpe College website in the section titled 'Outside Class'.

Greg Hunter
Assistant Head - Co-Curricular

I am delighted to announce that the DofE Certificate Presentation Evening will take place on Thursday 7 March 2019 from 6.30pm-8.30pm.  Our guest speaker will be adventurer Squash Falconer. 

Invitations will be sent out in the New Year to all who have completed everything on the eDofE website.  Those who attended the cycling and rock climbing trips in the summer will also be invited.

A number of those who took part in the scheme last year have yet to complete their award.  Please follow the instructions provided in this guide to complete your sections and guarantee your invite to this exciting event.

Will Bower
Head of Outdoor Education, DofE Manager

The much sought after Princethorpe DofE flasks are now on sale in the Uniform Shop for £12 each. Colours available are blue, red, black, khaki and pink. Pick one up in the New Year to keep you warm on those cold winter mornings! 

Will Bower
Head of Outdoor Education, DofE Manager

Just a quick reminder that all students must order the tour hoody from the snowunion website www.snowunion.co.uk This can be found on the ‘Hoodys’ page and there is no cost when you complete the order. The deadline for orders is 31 January 2019. Please order on the Snowunion website, see the attached flyer here for more information and how to order.

Lockwoods Ski Shop in Leamington have kindly offered all students on the trip a 10% discount, valid until until 28 March 2019, on all products. To take advantage of this offer, please print this voucher and show it at the till.

The second parents' meeting is on Wednesday 6 March 2019 at 6.00pm-7.00pm in the Clarkson theatre and I look forward to seeing you there.

The email consent form for the second practise trip to the Ackers Adventure dry ski slope on Wednesday 13 March has now been sent. Please give consent if you would like you son/daughter to join the trip as soon as possible, or email me if you have any problems.

Please contact me at catherinewarne@princethorpe.co.uk if you have any questions regarding the trip.

Catherine Warne

We are delighted to announce that 25 pupils have already signed up for this ground breaking trip in 2020 to one of poorest countries in the world, and where the charity Mary’s Meals first began. Known as the warm heart of Africa, Malawi is a landlocked country in south-eastern Africa. The Great Rift Valley runs through the country from north to south, and to the east of the valley lies Lake Malawi. 

This challenging trip will involve:

Two-day hike near Mount Mulanje
Five Days - Classroom Refurbishment/Build at Lauderdale School
Five Days – Teaching assistance/sports/drama activities at            Lauderdale School
Citizenship Education workshops on UN Global Goals
Two-day trip to Lake Malawi and half-day Safari
Half day trip to Mary’s Meals HQ and backpack distribution centre in Blantyre
Half day trip to Makalanga School, and the 600 children we currently sponsor
Experience a Sunday Church service – Malawian-style.

A siginificant part of the challenge is for our pupils to raise the funds in order to carry out the classroom refurbishment project at Lauderdale School. This will take several different forms over the next 18 months and we will be appealing for support from the wider Princethorpe community to help us achieve this ambitious aim. 

It is also not too late to join the trip, as there are a limited number of places still available. Why not rise to the challenge?!

Please email rodisaacs@princethorpe.co.uk to find out more.

Rod Isaacs
Assistant Head of Sixth Form

Required to start as soon as possible, an After School Assistant to work as part of a team to provide after school care for children, term time only from 3.30pm until 6.00pm each day. They will support the smooth running of After Care and undertake duties in supervising homework and activities as required. 

This is an excellent opportunity to join the fast growing Foundation that values its staff and offers a rewarding benefits package including discounted places for staff, a pension scheme, child care vouchers and a cycle to work scheme.

Application: To apply for this vacancy applicants must submit a Crackley Hall application form, together with a CV and covering letter detailing your personal qualities, experience and how you meet the person specification for the role. Applicants must ensure the application form is fully completed, including a detailed career history with specific dates.

Closing date: Thursday 10 January 2019, at 9.00am, although candidates are advised to apply immediately. Interviews are likely to be held on Monday 14 January 2019 at Crackley Hall.

Further details are available from the School website www.princethorpe.co.uk/employment-opportunities

The time of year leads us to remind parents of the College’s Bad Weather procedure.

The general overarching principle is that the College will be open unless otherwise notified. We are well-equipped at Princethorpe to deal with snow, with snow ploughs and gritter on site, and our bus services are as equally well-prepared to maintain services as normal.

We always monitor the weather and, in the event of a snowfall, will provide updates on the school website.  

Communicating with parents

Information to parents would be notified through the following means:

• iSAMS: parents will receive a message on their mobile phone. This is the easiest and most direct method to inform parents of any changes to the normal routine.
• Information will be put on the school website.
• Local radio stations (Heart FM/Free Radio/BBC Coventry and Warwickshire) will be notified.
• If possible the school’s answerphone message will be updated to reflect the situation.
• It is recommended bus users should follow @PCBuses on Twitter as this account will be used to notify Princethorpe bus users about important route information or changes to services. 

Eddie Tolcher
Foundation Bursar

Cyber-crime – please be vigilant

Parents are asked to be vigilant when reading emails relating to the payment of school fees and any other items to the Foundation.

We continue to receive reports regarding spam emails being sent to parents of independent schools asking them to pay future fees to a ‘new’ school bank account.

Please be advised there has been no change to the bank details of either Princethorpe College, Crackley Hall or Crescent and there is no intention to make any changes in the foreseeable future. Any electronic notification that appears to be from any of the Foundation schools changing these details may be fraudulent.

Our bank details are available on the Parent Bills, the Online Payment Portal and for Princethorpe in the Princethorpe College Information Booklet 2018 – 2019, and only those details should be used.

Please do not hesitate to contact me or my colleagues in the Bursary if you are have any doubts about the correct details or indeed if anything appears suspicious.

Eddie Tolcher
Foundation Bursar

Please click on the links below to access the Term Dates and Key Dates documents:

2018-19 (Two-page document)

2019-20 (Two-page document)

Please note the revised date for Prize Giving in the 2019-20 Key Dates section.

Please note that the School Shop will close from 4.30pm on Tuesday 18 December 2018 and reopen at the beginning of the Lent term on Monday 7 January 2019.

Shop opening hours during term time are Monday to Friday during the following times:
      For pupils - break and lunch break
      For parents - 3.30pm until 4.30pm 

Remember you can email orders for uniform and bus tickets to nicolabrowne@princethorpe.co.uk  or call direct on 01926 634272.

If your child would like to try on any uniform before purchasing, then please contact the school shop to give permission for them to do so. Items can be paid for in cash, by cheque, card or added to the school bill.

Nicola Browne
Shop Manager

Our catering team's new menus have proved popular this term, with a range of healthy meal options served in both the main dining room and Sixth Form on a three-week rotation. Each term the menus will be reviewed and updated. Our Lent Term Menu will be made available in the New Year. 

If you have any questions regarding the selection of food we have on offer here at Princethorpe College, especially if related to any allergies or specific food requirements, please feel free to email maureenkennedy@princethorpe.co.uk as we aim to cater for all needs.

Maureen Kennedy
Catering Manager