The Flagpole

House Bake Off is always a popular competition and what a tantalising display of creative cakes the entries made when they were all lined up in the Food and Nutrition Room. The ‘Environment’ theme had produced an incredible array of ‘green’ themed bakes with brilliant bugs, fabulous flowers, plastic planets, edible earths and of course reduce, reuse and recycle messages in every shape and form.

The excitement was palatable as pupils and staff crowded in for the lunchtime viewing with everyone marking their favourites with a sticker.  This year’s judges took their time considering the presentation, taste and relevance to the theme.  Miss Verleure, Miss Law, Mr Turns, Ms Lewis and Ms Scott had all volunteered for the arduous job of judging all the entries.

House Activities Co-ordinator, Katharine Darwood-Bredin commented, “Our House bakers are just incredible, the effort and creativity put into making these cakes was amazing.  House Bake Off is always a super competition. Well done to everyone who took part.”

The results were:

First Place: Jasmin Rose and Leah Burford – Vegetable Patch Cake
Second Place: Kaena Wasley – Plastic Bottle Cake
Third Place: Ruby Harris – Melting Ice-Cream Cap Cake
Pupils’ Choice Award: Bertie Critchley – Mushroom And Bugs Cake

The final overall house placings were:

1st Benet
2nd More
3rd Fisher
4th Austin 

All entries to the competition were awarded house-points.

Many congratulations to Foundation Director of Sport, Neil McCollin who has been appointed to the role of Acting Assistant Head (Co-Curricular) for the College from September.  Neil takes over from Greg Hunter who is moving to a Deputy Headship at King's Canterbury.

Neil has worked at Princethorpe since 2000 in a range of PE and Games roles before promotion to Director of Sport in 2006 and with the expansion of the Foundation he took on the Foundation Director of Sport role in 2013. Alongside his teaching commitments he has been an OCR examiner and practical moderator and is currently the Midlands ISA Regional Sports Representative, more recently he has also become Assistant Educational Visits Co-ordinator.

Neil will retain his Foundation Director of Sport role alongside his new wider co-curricular remit.

Ed Hester commented, "I am delighted to appoint Neil to this position and wish him well in his new role; with his extensive experience and leadership skills he is well placed to take on this new challenge."

Comments Neil, "I am incredibly excited to be able to take my experiences in the sporting arena and apply them to the full range of co-curricular activities on offer, especially Music and the Performing Arts. I know the impact that success, and celebrating it accordingly, in activities outside of the curriculum can have on the confidence, self-esteem and resilience of our young people and I look forward to developing this crucial aspect of Princethorpe still further."

An intrepid band of Princethorpe College staff, parents, Old Princethorpians and even our Chair of Trustees bravely took on an epic challenge over the May half term holiday when they cycled between the French towns of Saumur and Amboise in support of the College's chosen charity, Mary's Meals.

This was the second time the College has undertaken a cycling pilgrimage, the first one being during the College's Golden Jubilee Year, two years ago.

The 22 cyclists and their supporters travelled to France by coach and cycled the 110 miles over two days, with a rest day in between in the beautiful chateau town of Azay-le-Rideau. Over the course of the challenge the cyclists encountered monsoon like rain, punctures, chain breaks and their fair share of drama and injury.

They travelled along country roads and canal paths, through lush meadows and poppy fields, beside the beautiful Loire and up steep hills in order to complete the challenge. 

Comments, Headmaster, Ed Hester, who led the trip, “110 miles in two days is no mean feat and all the pilgrims deserve to be congratulated. Once again there was a fantastic sense of camaraderie, which really epitomised Princethorpe’s spirit of family. We were received most warmly by the French people on our route, who were fascinated by the challenge.”

Thanks go in particular to our wonderful coach driver, Keith Price from Catteralls, the route master general, Peter Griffin and French liaisons, Andy Compton, Alison Gallagher and Miriam Isaacs.

The cyclists have already raised over £1,500 towards the £2,000 target they set themselves in aid of their chosen charity, Mary’s Meals, amazingly enough to feed 144 children at Makalunga Primary School in Malawi for a year.

If you would like to support them please go to their fundraising page here.

Generous Princethorpe pupils have donated their hair to help children and young people living with cancer. 

The three Princethorpe princesses decided to give up their lovely long locks after hearing about the work of the charity. Together over the past year they have donated over 30 inches of hair.

Pictured from left to right, Year 7 Alice Minshull, her sister Molly who is in Year 10 and Year 9 Lara Tripp-Smith have all donated their hair to the Little Princess Trust, a charity that provides real hair wigs for young people who have lost their own hair through treatment for cancer or other illnesses.

The girls recognised that the loss of hair has a huge impact on a young person's confidence, and that the Little Princess wigs help lessen the impact of treatment.  They are encouraging everyone to donate, as it is easy, anyone can do it and it makes such a difference. They all agreed it doesn’t really take that long for your hair to grow again.

Head of Benet House, Lisa Challinor, said, “I am humbled by the girls’ kind gesture, what a wonderful selfless act. They set an example to us all just quietly getting on and helping others.  I am very proud of them all.”

Well done girls you set an example for us all.

More information on the work of the Little Princess Trust and on how to donate can be found on their website here. 

Just before half term the Old Princethorpians held their annual London Meet, this year at the Bulldog Bar in The Clarence on London's Whitehall.

The evening was hosted by members of the OP Committee including the Headmaster, Ed Hester, Assistant Head, Alex Darkes and Foundation Bursar Eddie Tolcher.

It was lovely to see some of our London stalwarts along with some new faces catching up with each other and the latest Princethorpe news. It was particularly good to welcome Former Director of Boarding, Fr Teddy O'Brien, MSC.

Our next OPs event is the Summer Supper on Friday 28 June. Aimed at the leavers of 1969, 1979, 1989, 1999 and 2009, we have had a lot of interest so please do get in touch with Melanie Butler, the Old Princethorpians Secretary, if you would like to join us for what is always a lovely convivial evening.

Back before Easter 12 Year 10 pupils took part in a workshop titled Maths And Beyond organised by the University of Warwick.  Focusing on engaging and practical applications of Maths the workshop offered the Year 10 pupils the opportunity to appreciate how Maths could apply in the real world.  The day was all about inspiring pupils to continue with their study of Maths at A-level and beyond.

Year 10 pupil, Isabel Nelson summarised the day:

We headed to the Mathematics Institute at the University of Warwick, where we were split into two groups.  After a welcome by the organiser, we paired off with another school.  Our group – group C – began with a session called ‘Introduction to Game Theory’, it started with mind games that we had to try to win and then looked in depth at logical ways you could win every time. It included solutions to commonly known problems such as the Prisoner’s Dilemma.

Our next workshop was on the topic of SynBio: an introduction and ethical discussion on synthetic biology. It considered the futuristic idea of modifying and tampering with DNA in animals and plants to help with real life situations. This could include anything from bringing back the woolly mammoth to creating glow-in-the-dark plants to replace streetlights. We had some interesting ethical discussions.

Our final workshop took place after lunch and was on Japanese grid puzzles and we spent the session learning how to solve a nonogram – similar to Sudoku but more time consuming and puzzling!

Princethorpe’s second group took part in a workshop called ‘Magical Maths’ and learnt magic tricks that use complex Maths. This included a ‘mind reading’ trick, Carys Burchell had to think of one of the shapes shown on the board and say it out loud. A video then played, giving the same shape that she had chosen. Carys was successful with this magical mind reading trick several times. The group learnt three more Maths-involved magic tricks in an interesting session.

Overall, the whole day was a fun and interactive experience that we all thoroughly enjoyed.

Invited guests from nine local care homes and elderly members of the local parish, were welcomed into the College for a special summer tea party on Thursday 6 June. The annual community event was this year themed to mark the 75th anniversary since D-Day.  The airy atrium of the College’s Sixth Form Centre was decorated in patriotic red, white and blue and playing in the background was a medley of wartime music.

Sixth Formers served their guests a delightful selection of sandwiches, sausage rolls and tasty cakes accompanied by a choice of drinks.  Everyone enjoyed the chance to linger over lunch and to chat to the younger generation.  All around was the sound of friendly chatter and the clink of china cups.  It was a lovely opportunity to share stories, find out about school life, enjoy a change of scenery and savour some top class refreshments.

The event is a great example of Princethorpe’s ‘spirit of family’ and is one of a series of community events the College’s Sixth Formers support.

Our thanks go to Mrs McKenzie for organising the party; the new prefect body and Sixth Form volunteers for generously hosting our guests, Will Puchy for organising the wartime medley and to our fantastic catering team for the fabulous spread of food.

On Wednesday 5 June Princethorpe welcomed prospective parents and pupils into school for the College’s flagship Summer Open Evening.

Bathed in sunshine the school and grounds looked their best and everywhere was a hive of activity.  Departments had prepared informative displays and had plenty of exemplar work on show, staff and current pupils were on hand to take questions and talk with parents and of course there were plenty of fun subject-related activities for younger (and older) visitors to enjoy.  Rewards were on offer for all those who ‘had a go’ with stickers to collect and a choice of Princethorpe prizes for the children to collect on their way home. 

Outside many chose to try their hand at archery, explore the outdoor classroom, watch the tennis display or visit the Catteralls school bus.  In the Sports Centre the climbing wall was a popular attraction, as was the bustling Limes atrium with its da Vinci display and refreshments. Elsewhere the classrooms were abuzz with parents and children exploring subjects such as IT, Maths, English and Languages.

Music entertained our visitors in the Chapel and the PALs drama rehearsals attracted audiences to the Clarkson theatre.  Through the length and breadth of the school, visitors were invited to attempt a dissection in Biology, to taste mini pizzas in Food and Nutrition, to watch explosive Chemistry experiments or to delve into the archives in the Library. 

Ed Hester, Headmaster, welcomed parents with an inspiring address, talking about the school, its plans for the future and the ‘Spirit of Family’ ethos that allows Princethorpe to help every child to succeed.

Some 140 families attended the evening, many completely new to the school.  For all it was a great chance to soak up the special Princethorpe atmosphere and to get a flavour of day-to-day life.  The sun shone brightly all evening and everywhere enthusiastic staff and pupils extolled the virtues of Princethorpe’s tailored individual approach.

A huge thank you to all the staff, pupils, prefects and parents who helped on the evening and to those involved in the preparations.  The school looked amazing and the feedback from our visitors as they left was very positive.

Over the Bank Holiday weekend, Saturday 25 to Sunday 26 May, Princethorpe College played host to the 2019 National Inter-Schools Two-Day Event.

Run in conjunction with Stoneleigh Riding Club some 240 competitors took part in the two-day competition, the only ‘long format’ event open to schools and riding clubs in the UK.  It included dressage and show-jumping on the Saturday and roads and tracks, steeplechase and cross-country on the Sunday.

This was the fifth year running the College has hosted the event on the Princethorpe estate and the course looked magnificent against the backdrop of the Princethorpe Tower.  Returning for a second year and causing much excitement was the challenging permanent cross-country water jump generously built by one of the event’s main sponsors, The Wigley Group.  As well as being a fantastic enhancement to the course, the deep pools within the water jump are also used by pupils year round supporting environmental and wildlife curriculum studies.

The competition takes a huge amount of organisation, so our thanks go to the school staff and Stoneleigh Riding Club who, together with an army of volunteers, ensured the event was such a success.

Princethorpe’s riders rode superbly and the school was incredibly proud to see them taking part.  Representing the College for the first time, Year 7 pupil Harriet Boyd took part in the 80cm competition on her horse Ollie, finishing in fourth place. Harriet also picked up best Warwickshire school competitor.  Year 9s Lottie Paybody and Libby Chapman finished 2nd and 12th in their classes respectively and earned themselves a fourth place in the schools 90cm team competition.  Lottie Paybody also won best Warwickshire school individual in the 90cm section 7 class. Year 10 Robyn Field rode her horse Two Tone Tilly in the 100cm class and collected the best Warwickshire school individual award.  Year 10 Lucy Watts rode in the 100cm class on her horse Barralands Boy but unfortunately, this year did not finish the cross-country course.

Assistant Head, Alex Darkes, Princethorpe’s equestrian event organiser, said, “The College was delighted to welcome school and riding club competitors to the Princethorpe estate for this year’s two-day event.  It was great to see such a strong presence of school participants, many of whom had travelled long distances to take part in the competition. The water jump was an exciting attraction in the cross-country course and we enjoyed seeing competitors tackle it enthusiastically.  Our thanks go to members of Stoneleigh Riding Club, the events key sponsors The Wigley Group and Howkins & Harrison, our Catering, Grounds and Estates Teams and all the volunteers, without whom we would have been unable to stage such a busy event.”

There will be more equestrian action taking place at Princethorpe shortly - the Inter-Schools’ Dressage Competition is scheduled for Saturday 29 June and spectators are most welcome.

St Anne’s church sits on a large fortified Iron Age settlement dating back to approximately 700BC known as the Wappenbury camp, the river Leam forming part of its defences.

An early Catholic directory mentions a Catholic Mission at Wappenbury in 1734 and therefore this implies that there was Catholic activity in the 1600s.

The first Diocesan records of the Mission start in 1744 with a record of baptisms. The priest at this time and recorded at Wappenbury was Fr W Walmsley OSF, 1744-1768.

The small chapel built by Lord Clifford is reliably assumed to be the current Sanctuary. The new chapel was built and completed in 1849 extending from the north side of the old Clifford chapel and opened by Bishop Nicholas Wiseman and dedicated to the Mother of Our Lady, St Anne. The church was the first Catholic parish church to be built in the diocese since the reformation.

The incumbent priest of St Anne’s would offer Mass for the nuns at St Mary’s Priory, which is now Princethorpe College.

St Anne’s was completely renovated and refurbished between January and September 2014. The re-dedication of St Anne’s took place on Saturday 18 June 2016. 

The church will be open from Friday 13 September to Sunday 22 September from 9.00am - 5.00pm. Refreshments will be served on Saturday 21 September between 10.00am and 12noon and on Sunday 22 September between 10.00am and 1.00pm.

For further information about the parish of St Anne's please click here

We would be delighted to see you!

Saturday 8 June 2019

Both Princethorpe College and Crackley Hall School will be out in force at the Kenilworth Show on Saturday 8 June 2019.

A great day out for all the family, there is so much to see and do! Featuring Paul Hannam Quad Bike Stunt Display, The Sheep Show, Grand Parade of Livestock plus the Countryside Arena and displays of farm machinery to name just a few of the exciting activities that visitors can enjoy.

There will also be over 100 trade stands from arts and crafts, jewellery, homewares, through to artisan breads and pies in the indoor trade marquee (where you can also find us!), with clothing stalls, garden furniture, plants and local club stands outside.

Visitors to the show can come and find out about our upcoming open events, admissions for September 2020 and beyond, and we would love to say hello to any former St Joseph School pupils and Old Princethorpians!

Tickets are just £15 at the gate (£12.50 in advance), and under 16s go free! For more information about the event and to buy tickets, please visit: www.kenilworthshow.co.uk

We hope to see you there.

Saturday 8 June - 3.30pm to 7.00pm

The College is looking forward to welcoming back the Sudden Impulse Theatre Company in June for an outdoor performance of William Shakespeare's play, The Taming of the Shrew.

A father has no problem finding a suitor for his youngest daughter, Bianca, in fact there are three of them fighting for her affections. First he must find a husband for his eldest daughter Katherina, a fierce, wild shrew who strikes fear and terror into most men. The three love rivals join forces to find a man who can tackle Katherina and clear the path to their love. Along comes Petruchio who is looking for a wealthy wife, and claims to be able to tame any woman. Of course it is not that easy in this hilarious Shakespeare comedy.

The performance is open to the public and will take place on the Sixth Form Lawn from 3.30pm to 7.00pm

So bring a picnic and, if last year’s performances are anything to go by, enjoy some perfect summer entertainment.

Tickets are available now from the link here, or at the door on the day and are priced at £12 or £10 for concessions.

Tuesday 11 June 2019 - 6.00pm

The Drama Department invite you to The Idiot's Guide to Haunting at 6.00pm-7.30pm in the Clarkson theatre on Tuesday 11 June. 

This a short Key Stage 3 performance adapted and directed by our Performance Arts Leaders Fern Boston and Jennifer Brown.

There are no tickets required for this event but if you could please advise of your attendance here so we can cater for refreshments we would be most grateful.

Aileen Cefaliello and Vicky Roberts
Joint Heads of Drama

Wednesday 12 June 2019 - 7.30pm

Our book for May was A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult.  This is a surprisingly topical book in view of what is happening in America at present and deals with the issue of abortion from many different angles.  There were rather mixed reviews from Princethorpe readers and some found limitations in the quality of the writing, but it certainly generated some interesting discussion. All agreed the book offers an unbiased and balanced exploration of a highly emotive topic within the confines of a gripping narrative with some surprising twists and turns. 

As ever, we have something very different for next time – a crime novel.  We are reading City of Sinners by A A Dhand which has been well reviewed and comes recommended by those who have tried it.  We’ll be meeting at 7.30pm in the library on Wednesday 12 June.  We hope this book might have broad appeal so please join us if you have an interest in crime fiction. We are a welcoming group and are always keen to hear of other readers’ interests and enthusiasms.

Chris Kerrigan
Head of English

Thursday 20 June from 6.00pm to 8.30pm and Sunday 23 June from 2.00pm to 4.30pm

A celebration of our pupils GCSE and A-level Art, Photography and Design work will take place in the College's Sixth Form Centre on Thursday 20 June from 6.00pm to 8.30pm and on Sunday 23 June from 2.00pm to 4.30pm.

A range of design and technology projects, from resistant materials to textiles, will be showcased alongside the stunning art and photography work the College is renowned for.

Comments, Paul Hubball, Head of Art, "This is a great opportunity to share our pupils' fantastic creativity with a wider audience and to welcome more art and design lovers to Princethorpe."

Added Head of Design and Technology, Paul Scopes, "We look forward to welcoming all the exam pupils and their families from across Design, Art and Photography to enjoy the fruit of their labours."

All are welcome. On Thursday evening admission is free, on the Sunday admission will be £2 per car including entry to the College's Summer Fete and Motoring Festival. Light refreshments will be served.

Friday 21 June 2019

(11.15am in the Chapel\12.30pm buffet lunch on the Sixth Form Centre lawn)

There are still a small number of replies outstanding for this event and to enable us to finalise seating and catering arrangements, should you wish to attend and are yet to reply, please can you rsvp no later than Tuesday 11 June.

Please click here to RSVP  

The car parking for this event will be in the Orchard. 

Staff will be on hand to direct traffic on the day and access to the Chapel will be via the external door; please kindly walk across the North car park to the Sixth Form Centre and continue through the glass link.

Pupils must arrive in school at the normal time on this day ie 8.40am and will be free to leave school, after the buffet lunch, from 2.00pm.

Carmel Hopkins
PA to the Headmaster

Sunday 23 June 2019 from 2.00pm to 4.30pm

The Princethorpe College PTA Summer Fête and Annual Motoring Festival is fast approaching – we look forward to seeing you all on Sunday 23 June, from 2.00pm – 4.30pm.

As we’ve mentioned in the the previous Flagpole, there’s something for everyone with loads of stalls, fun and games including Zorbs, live music, BBQ food and refreshments etc.  We have over 30 stalls selling local wares, our usual raffle, tombola, book stall and bar!  We also have our very popular ‘Pre-loved Uniform Stall’.  Entry is only £2 per car so please do come along and support us. Raffle tickets have been sent out this week, please return any sold tickets to us at the Student Hub as soon as you can.

We need volunteers to help run the event and would be grateful for any help you could offer.  Please follow the link here and add your name to the volunteer list, we’d really appreciate it.  

We would also be very grateful for any book and bottle donations (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), which can be dropped off at the Student Hub.  If you have any old uniform that we could sell on, even if it’s initialled, then please also bring these into the Student Hub  – all donations are very much appreciated and should be sent in by the morning of Friday, 21 June.

Many thanks
Princethorpe PTA 

Tuesday 25 June 2019 at 7.00pm (rsvp by Friday 7 June)

Thank you to the many parents who have already replied to the Headmaster's invitation to this event. If you are yet to reply, please use the link below to let us know whether or not you will be attending.

Please click here to RSVP. 

An extract from the letter can be found below.

Carmel Hopkins
PA to the Headmaster

Extract from the letter posted to all Upper Sixth parents and students:

You are warmly invited to the Upper Sixth Thanksgiving Eucharist and Buffet Supper on Tuesday 25 June 2019. 

The evening starts at 7.00pm with a celebration Eucharist in the College Chapel, after which we shall all adjourn to the Sixth Form Centre for a buffet supper. The dress code is smart jacket and tie for men and equivalent for ladies. This will, I’m sure, be a very enjoyable and beautiful occasion; it is a celebration of all that this Upper Sixth group and their parents have contributed to the Princethorpe community over the years. I very much hope you will all be able to come.

To enable seating and catering arrangements, I would be very grateful if you would rsvp by Friday 7 June using the link which will be sent to you shortly by email, indicating whether or not you will be able to join us for this evening and how many people will be in your party.

Friday 28 June 2019 - 6.00pm optional tour, 7.00pm drinks reception, 7.30pm supper

OPs who left the College in 1969, 1979, 1989, 1999 and 2009 (or those who were in the same year groups) are cordially invited back to the OPs annual Summer Supper on Friday 28 June to celebrate their respective 50th, 40th, 30th, 20th and 10th anniversaries of leaving.

Comments OPs Secretary, Melanie Butler, "We know many OPs are keener to come to these events if they can be sure of seeing some familiar faces.  By focusing on these year groups we hope to get a critical mass of attendees, although OPs from other years will of course be welcome too!"

The Summer Supper is an established event in the OPs calendar, attracting a large number of OPs, former and current members of staff. The supper is preceded by an optional tour and drinks in the Quad. Every year the OPs recognise long-standing members of staff and say farewell to any staff leaving the College.

Numbers are limited to around 100 guests, so if you would like to attend please email oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk, message Old Princethorpians on Facebook or call Melanie Butler on 01926 634284 by Friday 14 June to reserve your place.

On Tuesday 2 July 2019 at 7.30pm in the Chapel Tim Campain will play a wide variety of pieces from various genres. This year promises a special programme to mark twenty-five years of the popular Hugh Page Memorial Organ Recitals.

The renowned Princethorpe Binns’ organ of 1901 was built by James J Binns, Bramley Organ Works, Leeds. It was restored by Hugh Page in 1984.

From our archives we have a fascinating insight into the numerous letters that were written between Peter Paul Pugin and Sister Procurator of the Priory regarding the organ and the delay in placing the organ. An extract from one of the letters:

March 30th 1901 

...."it is all nonsense Binns saying the organ would be finished long ago if he had has a design for case. I sent him the design for case with full working drawings which he never acknowledged. He could have worked on it at once. The console is quite a separate affair. When I see Binns I will give him a bit of my mind. I was not at all extravagant in the design for the case and a tracing of it is now enclosed which you will kindly return after M Prioress has seen it. I will send on details of console as soon as I can!"

Please click here for a booking form. 

Tickets - £5.00 for each of the events including refreshments. All Foundation pupils free of charge.

The main image shows the original position of the organ console - it was moved to the gallery in approximately 1908 to make way for a statue of St Peter. This statue was taken by the nums to Fernham when they left St Mary's Priory 1965. 

Fr Teddy O'Brien MSC and the parishioners of St Anne's R C Church, Wappenbury, invite you to celebrate the summer holiday Sunday Masses at 8.30am and 10.15am in St Anne's from Sunday 28 July to Sunday 1 September inclusive.

Please note there will be no 10.15am Mass on Sundays during this period in Princethorpe College chapel.

For further information about the parish of St Anne's please click here

Sunday 22 September 2019 2.00pm - 4.00pm

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

From 1833 until 1966, St Mary's Priory was home to a congregation of Benedictine nuns who ran a boarding school for girls. This community sold the priory in 1966 and a new school was established by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, who had previously run a boys' school in Leamington Spa. Princethorpe College is now a fully co-educational Catholic independent day school.

Our archive team will be conducting free tours of the College on Sunday 9 September from 2.00pm - 4.00pm. Areas open include Pugin’s magnificent chapel, the cloisters, nuns’ cells, library (former church) and roundhouse.

No booking is required; just turn up and join the next available tour. Entrance is via the glazed link off the North Car Park.

Admission is free and there is complimentary tea and coffee available. We would be delighted to see you!

Thursday 13 June 2019

The Year 10 Parents’ Evening takes place on Thursday 13 June from 6.00pm to 8.30pm in the Sixth Form Centre.

We will 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.

Please make sure to arrive by 7.30pm at the latest. Parents arriving later than that may not be able to see all the relevant teachers before the event closes at 8.30pm.

Here is some additional information that you may find helpful:

• Parking will be available on the school playground.
• Please enter the Sixth Form Centre building through the Sixth Form entrance only.
• Please ensure you sign in and collect your name badge from the reception desk before entering the Sixth Form Centre.
• 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 – please do organise a further meeting if you feel you need a longer discussion.
• Plan strategically – decide which teachers you really need or want to see and target them first. We suggest you have 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

Monday 17 June - 6.00pm to 8.30pm

Parents have been sent by email a link to book electronically, a slot with their child’s tutor for an Academic Review Meeting. If parents have not already booked a meeting slot, the link will remain open until 09.00am on Monday 17 June. Parents will also be able to attend a series of workshops on how best to support their child whilst at Princethorpe. Light refreshments will be available.

Dr Michael Reddish
Deputy Head - Academic

Reports for Year 9 and Lower Sixth will be posted out on Friday 21 June 2019.  They will also be available to view on the Parent Portal.

Dr Michael Reddish
Deputy Head - Academic
 

Pupils and parents in year 8 and 9 are reminded that the following textbooks need to be returned to their teacher by Friday, 21 June 2019:

Year 8 - 'Smart Science' textbook

Year 9 - CGP revision guide

If a textbook has been lost a charge will be made for this book. 

Emma Cooper
Head of Science

Pupils and parents are reminded that the Textbook Return Forms, which are available to download here are due to be completed and returned by Wednesday 26 June 2019.

Books should be handed to a member of staff from the relevant department with staff signing the form to confirm receipt of the correct number of books.

If a textbook has been lost, ‘LOST’ should be entered in the staff signature column on the Return Form and a charge will be made for this book. When all subjects are complete, pupils should take the form to their Head of House to sign off. Any incomplete or unreturned forms will result a charge for unreturned books.

Wednesday 19 June 2019 from 9.30am - 4.00pm

This is a free workshop aimed at developing your understanding of ADHD and providing everyday advice to further support your child.

The day will cover the following topics:

• An overview of ADHD, autism and associated conditions
• Managing stress for you and your child
• Practical strategies for you to implement
• Understanding child and adolescent anxiety

For more information and to book tickets please click here.

Lorna Prestage
Learning Support

There is a huge amount of lost property at the Student Hub (drinks containers/glasses/jewellery/winter coats etc.) the majority is un-named.  Please ask your child to pop along to the Student Hub and have a look, even if they are adamant that they haven’t lost anything.  All unclaimed (un-named) items will be donated to charity at the end of the term.

Mrs Beth Sharpe
Deputy Head - Pastoral

21 - 22 June 2019 

The Autism Show is the national event for people with autism, for parents and families of people with autism as well as professionals – including families who want to find out more before diagnosis who will have lots of questions.

It is a reasonably priced and dynamic event and this year conveniently it is local to us. There is a wide programme of seminars in three theatres that you can book including lots of talks by people with autism themselves that are often hugely inspiring.

For further information or to book tickets please click here.

Lorna Prestage
Learning Support

Monday 1 July, 6.00pm - 8.00pm

All Lower Sixth students and their families are invited to join the Sixth Form team for a summer BBQ. A time to be able to socialise, relax, have some fun and raise money for Mary's Meals.

The BBQ will be held outside the Sixth Form Centre from 6pm to 8pm and tickets will cost £12 per parent/Lower Sixth student and £6 for children under twelve, children under 5 go free. The cost of the ticket will include food, a drink on arrival (prosecco for the adults, a soft drink for everyone else), live music, ice cream and games. There will be a paying bar available too.

We hope you will be able to join us for our parent/student summer social. Please click here to book your place as soon as possible.

Ben Collie
Head of Sixth Form

Students and parents are reminded that the Textbook Return Forms, which are available to download here, are due to be completed and returned by Friday 21 June 2019.

Books should be handed to a member of staff from the relevant department with staff signing the form to confirm receipt of the correct number of books.

If a textbook has been lost, ‘LOST’ should be entered in the staff signature column on the Return Form and a charge will be made for this book. When all subjects are complete, students should take the form to the Head of Sixth Form to sign off. Any incomplete or unreturned forms will result a charge for unreturned books.

This event will take place on Tuesday 18 June from 6.00pm until 8.00pm. It will follow on from the Year 10 Taster Day and is for pupils and parents to attend together. It will start at 6.00pm, following on from the barbeque, and finish at approximately 8.00pm.

There will be a carousel of four sessions, and you will be given personalised timetables for the evening upon your arrival.

1. Why go to university, Loughborough University

2. Degree apprenticeships, Warwick University

3. Tips on researching career and university opportunities, Jacqui Quinney, Head of Careers

4. Q&A with Ben Collie, Head of Sixth Form (an opportunity to ask questions about any aspect of Sixth Form, careers or what happens after GCSEs).

Jacqui Quinney
Head of Careers

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

A gentle reminder that the South Africa Tour parents' meeting is on:-

Wednesday 19 June - 6.00 pm - 7.00 pm in the Sixth Form Centre Atrium.

It is expected that a representative parent attends and pupils are also welcome.

If you are not able to attend, please can you kindly let me know prior to the evening by emailing me at neilmccollin@princethorpe.co.uk

We are delighted to have a signed England football shirt for auction, which has been kindly donated as a fundraiser for this year's Sports Tour to South Africa, departing in less than 5 weeks' time. 

If you would like to own your piece of sporting history, signed after England's 5 - 0 victory over Croatia in the Euro 2020 qualifier in March, please email Mr McCollin with your secret bid. The lucky winner will be contacted on Friday 28 June 2019. 

Thursday 12 September 2019
Sixth Form Centre Dining Room - 7.00pm

The PTA extend a warm welcome to all, and hope you will to join us for cheese and wine at the PTA AGM.

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

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

Our main aim is to provide the ‘extras’ for the school which are very much appreciated by pupils and staff alike; we support events such as Activities Week and one of our largest donations recently has been to improve the area of the school known as Switzerland.

If you have any queries please contact us on pta@princethorpe.co.uk. 

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

Princethorpe PTA

This summer, students have the opportunity to represent Princethorpe College in orienteering events around Warwickshire. Below is a list of events taking place in the second half of the Trinity term:

• Brueton Park, Solihull - Wednesday 12 June from 6.00pm 
• Hartshill Hayes Country Park, Nuneaton - Wednesday 19 July from 6.00pm
• Coundon Hall Park, Coventry - Wednesday 3 July from 6.00pm

There is no obligation to take part in all of the events. Simply choose any you are able to make. I hope this will be an exciting opportunity for pupils to get outside and try something different this summer. If you would like more information, please email adamrickart@princethorpe.co.uk.

Adam Rickart
Head of Psychology

I would like to take this opportunity to remind you 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 Trinity 2019 Termly Calendar which you will have received by post over Easter. Alternatively, click here to view an electronic version. 

Greg Hunter
Assistant Head - Co-Curricular

Unfortunately there are no available places on the ski trip next Easter. Pupils who are already on the waiting list will be contacted as soon as a place becomes available.

Information regarding the trip has been emailed to all parents of pupils who have been offered a place. Please could the behaviour contract form be signed and returned to me as soon as possible.

I will be in touch shortly with confirmed dates of the parents meetings and practice ski trips. For further information or if you have any questions please contact me at catherinewarne@princethorpe.co.uk.

Catherine Warne
Trip Co-ordinator

As we are now in the summer term, we are looking forward to the Year 8 trip to the WW1 Battlefields. The expected departure time is 7.00am on 27 June 2019, returning at 8.00pm on 1 July 2019. Please note that the meet time for pupils will be 6.45am on 27 June.

In preparation for this, I would like to remind you of the Parents' Information Evening at 6.00pm on Wednesday 12 June. This meeting will be an opportunity for me to give you some more detailed information on the trip itself, the itinerary, accommodation, food and what the pupils need to bring with them. It will also be an opportunity for you to ask me some questions about the trip.

Between now and the 12 June, we need to confirm some information to the travel company. To do this, we would need a photograph or a scan of your child’s passport and EHIC card. This can be emailed directly to laurenprydderch@princethorpe.co.uk. If your child does not yet have an EHIC card, an application can be made online here.

Please note that the trip is covered by the school’s travel insurance policy.

Peter Bucknall 
Head of History

Please see here for the planned school trips in the coming years. This document will be updated each term, but it should allow you to make an informed decision when deciding on trips for your child to attend.  For any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Greg Hunter
Assistant Head - Co-curricular

If your child has lost a pair of glasses we may have them at the Student Hub.  Please see the photo of the glasses that we currently have waiting to be reclaimed.

To help us return glasses or any other item of property back to its rightful owner can we please ask that you put the name of the child on them.

If one of the pairs of glasses belongs to your child please email us at lostproperty@princethorpe.co.uk to reclaim.

All lost property will be given to charity if it is not reclaimed by the end of the Summer term.  Please feel free to come along to Student Hub from 3.30pm every weekday, if you think that an item that is lost may be with us.

Nicola Browne
Foundation Shop Manager

The Estates team welcomes Paul Higgins who will work alongside Michael Small, Head of Estates, as the new Facilities Manager.

After graduating from Doncaster College with a HND in Graphic Design and Advertising, Paul carved out a career in the print industry, culminating in him running his own Graphic Design and Print Management company for 12 years. During this time Paul also diversified by taking a keen interest in property, renovating and developing a number of properties both in the UK and abroad. It was this genuine interest in the fabric of buildings that prompted Paul to have a change of career in 2016, becoming the Maintenance Manager for the 4 star Fawsley Hall Hotel and Spa, set in the beautiful Northamptonshire countryside.

In his spare time Paul is heavily involved in motor racing. This is where he met his wife of 15 years, and with the addition of their two young daughters, is a hobby they continue to enjoy on a weekend as a family travelling all over the UK to participate.

Please see below a list of current vacancies available across the Foundation:

• Reprographics Assistant
• Marketing and Communications Co-ordinator
• Summer Estates Assistants
• Traffic Co-ordinator

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

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

Parents may recall paying a deposit when their son or daughter first started at the College. We will write to the parents of pupils in the Upper Sixth regarding instructions for the return of deposits this term and return them in the summer holiday. We will write to parents of Year 11 pupils who do not return to the Sixth Form in early September. Deposits will be returned at the end of September/start of October.

Eddie Tolcher
Foundation Bursar

The bus companies are aware that external examinations are underway and how important it is to run to time and to let us know of any problems as soon as they can. Whilst punctuality is generally very good we also know that traffic problems can occur at any time causing unavoidable delays. Information known to the school is published on PrincethorpeCol when received.

In the event of a bus arriving late during external exams then we ensure that pupils taking exams leave the bus before anyone else. Candidates should not worry if the bus runs late. The Examinations Officer is alerted to the expected late arrival of any bus and will arrange for a member of the team to collect candidates from  the student hub.

The procedure for candidates to follow has been highlighted in a recent assembly and is:

• Register at student hub and tell the member of staff they should be in an exam
• Hand over their mobile phone and any other electronic devices to staff at the student hub
• Wait to be escorted to the exam room
• Stay calm!

Candidates will always be allowed their allocated time to complete their exam and then the exam board is notified of late arrivals.              

Eddie Tolcher 
Foundation Bursar

We are really fortunate to have two well stocked Libraries and we would like your help to keep it that way.

We are having a book amnesty and hope that you can dig out any long forgotten Library books that have not been returned, and let us have them back, with no questions asked.

We are particularly keen to have any A-level books returned.

You can place returned items into the labelled box positioned outside of the main Library or they can be handed directly to the Librarians Mrs Scott or Mrs O’Connor.

Thank you for your support with this.

Mrs Scott
College Librarian

Please remind your son/daughter to return their locker key to Ms Satchwell before they finish their exams otherwise there will be a £5 charge.  Also can they ensure that the locker is completely emptied.

Mrs Beth Sharpe
Deputy Head - Pastoral

Our catering team's new menus for this term can be found below, with a range of with a range of healthy meal options served in both the Refectory and Sixth Form Dining Room on a three-week rotation:

Trinity Term - Week 1 

Trinity Term - Week 2

Trinity Term - Week 3

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

Maureen Kennedy
Catering Manager