The Flagpole

Princethorpe was delighted to welcome the High Sheriff of Warwickshire to the College on Friday 20 September to talk to Sixth Formers in their assembly.

The Sheriff, Simon Miesegaes, is the Queen’s representative in Warwickshire for all matters relating to the maintenance of law and order and works to support the Judiciary, the Emergency Services and voluntary organisations in the county.

In his address to the Sixth Form he highlighted how important it was for young people to ‘do their bit’ to become responsible citizens.  A philosophy that echoes the ethos of our school. He also encouraged the students to support crime prevention and to be the ‘unsung heroes’ of their local communities.

Headmaster, Ed Hester, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Simon to Princethorpe, his message of community and of ‘doing our bit’ is one that very much resonates with our school ethos and I am sure that our Sixth Formers will continue to take on this challenge.”

Throughout Europe, 800 million Europeans, of all ages, are encouraged to learn more languages. Incredibly, across the continent, there are some 24 official languages and over 200 different spoken dialects. Here in the UK four out of five adults regret not having learned another language, but that is something no Princethorpe pupil will ever be able to say!

At the College there are many opportunities to get excited about languages and celebrating European Day Of Languages is just one of them. Set up by the Council of Europe in 2001, Journée Européenne Des Langues promotes the importance of language learning and the cultural diversity that Europe provides.

Championed by the MFL and House teams, this year Princethorpe challenged pupils to take part in Miss Verleure's fun lunchtime language trivia quiz. Pupils gathered excitedly to answer a wide range of language based questions hoping to win points for their House and lots of lovely language related goodies.

Head of Modern Foreign Languages, Stella Keenan’s enthusiasm for languages was contagious as she rallied pupils to take part in the challenge, she said, “Through the lessons we teach and pupils’ day to day life they are encountering different European influences on a regular basis. Miss Verleure's quiz was all about having fun and I hope it helped inspire all our pupils with the languages they learn.”

On Wednesday 18 September Little Crackers Nursery invited Warwickshire Wildlife Trust into school to help celebrate the nursery’s exciting ‘back to nature’ makeover.     

Over the summer holidays Little Crackers Nursery, at Crackley Hall School, has been transformed with a new natural look in its spacious rooms that includes new furniture, flooring, decoration and a completely new indoor/outdoor Garden Room with a decked area, a sunken sand pit, a glazed roof and retractable folding doors that open up to the woods behind.

In the morning the nursery’s Parent and Toddler group, Stay ‘n’ Play, explored the new look accommodation and took part in wildlife themed activities in the bright rooms.  Outside they went into the school’s woods and joined in wildlife themed activities run by the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. The children really enjoyed searching for toy hedgehogs and making hedgehog homes.

In the afternoon the nursery children had their own party, with wildlife activities inside that included snail studies, bird watching and woodland craft before also joining Warwickshire Wildlife Trust outside for some wonderful Woodland Fairy Folk fun.

The summer makeover has also seen improvements to the front nursery playground and the nursery children are now enjoying regular visits to the newly opened woodland at the back of the main school.  The ‘back to nature’ summer makeover means that the children now enjoy outdoor learning experiences in three very different settings.

To celebrate the new look Little Crackers has adopted new animal names to reflect the ‘back to nature’ theme, with the Terrific Twos becoming Dormice, the Thrilling Threes changing to Hedgehogs and the Fabulous Fours transforming into Badgers.

Comments Susan Glen-Roots, Assistant Head – Early Years and Key Stage 1, “This is an exciting project which will transform our children’s experiences in nursery.  A more natural environment inside creates a sense of calm whilst stimulating interest and providing the children with a blank canvas in which to learn and develop. This, coupled with more opportunities to take their learning outdoors and explore the wonders of the natural world will reap fantastic rewards in terms of self-confidence, imagination and physical development.”

The Warwickshire Wildlife Trust had lots of fun with the youngsters helping them explore the natural surroundings and encouraging their interest in wildlife.  

The annual Headmaster’s Quiz took place on the evening of Friday 20 September in the Refectory, when parents new to the College got to enjoy a challenging mental workout, accompanied by a warming curry supper.

The event opened with the very testing question, ‘Which house is your child in?’ and, only when answered correctly, could parents then collect their supper from the kitchen and drinks from the PTA bar.

The questions were certainly varied, with rounds including Sport, History, Maths, Films and Celebrities, as well as some extra table challenges with dingbats and ‘guess who?’ photos to solve. With all important house points up for grabs each round was hotly contested, though everyone had lots of fun and laughter along the way.

Congratulations to the winning teams - 1st: 'Nearly As Good As Bolton Wanderers’ (Austin), 2nd: 'More Or Less' (More) and 3rd: 'Fantastic Fisher' (Fisher).

Running concurrently in the Sixth Form Centre the Year 7 Social, organised by Jessica Newborough, House Activities Leader, and the House Activities Co-ordinators, also proved very popular with our newest pupils, who all enjoyed the chance to mix with their new friends.

Many thanks go to the PTA for organising such a successful event, to our Holroyd Howe catering team for the super food, to all the College staff who assisted and to all the new parents for participating so enthusiastically.

35 Upper Sixth Formers visited Southampton University on Tuesday 17 September for this year’s Biology Field Trip.  The trip gave an insight into studying an undergraduate Science degree and the opportunity to gain field word experience.

The students took part in an Oceanography Discovery Day, a unique, hands on opportunity to go on board the University’s state of the art research vessel, Callista and participate in a series of experiments. The students took a fascinating trip out on Southampton Water, to collect their own data, using both new and historic sampling techniques. During the session they collected biological, physical, chemical and environmental data from five different experiments.

Back on dry land the students listened to lectures on waves and on unexplained phenomena and had a tour of the laboratories and aquariums.   It all made for a very informative day.

Biology teacher, Catherine Warne, commented, “It was a long day but our Sixth Formers made the most of every experience, they learnt a lot and had fun too. I was really proud of their enthusiasm and willingness to get stuck in. The weather was kind to us too, which was a fantastic welcome bonus to a very successful trip. It was excellent preparation for our next field trip in mid October when we will complete the essential core ecology practicals at Brandon Marsh.”

Princethorpe’s primary school’s sports programme kicked off early this year with a well-attended U10s football tournament in only the third week of term. Taking part were nine teams from local primary schools, who were all more than delighted to get out in the glorious autumn sunshine and enjoy the chance to play football on the College’s pristine, playing fields.

Princethorpe’s Primary School Sport Liaison Teacher, Hannah Carminati, masterminded the first event and had the teams straight out on to three pitches playing 12 minute, one-way matches. Split into two pools the teams started with a round-robin of games. Refereed by Princethorpe Sixth Form Sports Leaders, the mixed teams of girls and boys threw themselves into each game enjoying the opportunity to put their skills to the test in a competitive environment.

The coaches gave good side line support, shouting advice to their players whose enthusiasm was clear to see. Matches were fast paced and the teams focussed. The ball was moved skilfully up and down the pitch and there were plenty of shots at goal. At the end of the pool round the scores were added up and the teams then all finished with one final game playing their matching placing from the other pool.

Congratulations go to overall winners Cawston Grange Primary, who were delighted to go one better this year and take the title, and to St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School and Crackley Hall School who came second and third respectively.

Miss Carminati enjoyed seeing all the talent on display commenting, “We had lots of positive feedback and the event was a real success. It was lovely to see the children having so much fun; they all deserve huge congratulations for their energy and enthusiasm. It was fantastic to have nine teams participating and to see everyone with a smile on their face.”

Taking part in the tournament this year were teams from Crackley Hall School, Crescent School, The Croft Prep School, St John’s Priory School, Cawston Grange Primary School, Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School, St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School, The Revel Church of England Primary School and Claverdon Primary School.

Our thanks go to all of the staff and pupils involved in the organising and running of the tournament and to the many parents who turned up to support the children.

Over the summer holidays, Upper Sixth Former, Thomas Parker was selected to play for the IQ Representative Rugby team to play in the IRFU Interprovincial Festival in Ireland.

The IRFU run a talent identification program which aims to expand the player talent pool available to Irish provinces and representative sides. It complements the player development pathway that has been established within Ireland over the past few years by providing a route available to Irish qualified players living in the UK. In the 2018-2019 season, Tom attended a number of development days and matches to get himself into the position to be selected for the IQ Representative side this summer.

Tom's selection gave him the opportunity to play in fixtures against U18 teams from the Irish provinces of Munster, Leinster, Ulster and Connaught and as such was a fantastic opportunity to play rugby at a national level. Tom also had the opportunity to be considered for selection for the U18 Irish national team, and performed well in comparison to other front row players in his age group.

Head of Rugby, Pete Bucknall, commented, "Tom enjoyed the experience immensely and learned a lot, which is testament to all the hard work that he has put into his rugby over the last few years. We wish him all the best with the next stage in his rugby journey."

Tuesday 1 October 2019 - 10.00am to 3.00pm

Crackley Hall, Princethorpe's junior school and nursery in Kenilworth, is opening its doors for an Open Day on Tuesday 1 October 2019 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.

There are some places available across the school and they are recruiting for places in Reception 2020. Please speak to their Admissions Secretary, Mrs Jenny Vaughan for availability.

If you can't make the Open Day but would like to look around the school, please call their Admissions Secretary, Mrs Jenny Vaughan on 01926 514410 or email admissions@crackleyhall.co.uk and come on a day to suit you.

For more information visit www.crackleyhall.co.uk

Friday 4 October 2019

The College had a very successful Open Morning with some 120 prospective families enjoying a tour of the school's facilities. Our Year 8 and 9 pupils acted as tour guides and there was plenty of positive feedback on what a super job they did.

Parents now wishing to register for the upcoming Entrance Examinations are reminded that they should do so by the deadline of Friday 4 October to facilitate the gathering of references from junior schools.  The Registration Form is available here or from the Registrar, Mrs Vanessa Rooney on 01926 634201 or email admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

Entrance Examinations for Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 will take place on Saturday 9 November 2019 from 9.30am to 3.30pm. More information is available on our website, click here.

There is also plenty of helpful advice and information in the College's latest Admissions Newsletter which can be found here. 

Friday 4 October 2019 - 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 Friday 4 October 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.

They have a limited number of places available and are now accepting registrations for admission to Reception in September 2020.

If you can't make the Open Day but would like to visit the school, please call their Registrar, Mrs Helen Morley on 01788 521595 or email admissions@crescentschool.co.uk and come on a day to suit you.

For more information visit www.crescentschool.co.uk

Wednesday 9 October 2019 - 7.30pm

Our Parents’ Book Club got off to a great start this term and it was a pleasure to welcome new members.  We discussed Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood, an entirely different book from the dystopian fiction she is most well-known for, and Force of Nature by Jane Harper.  These are two very different books, of course.  Alias Grace can be a little difficult to get into, but is totally gripping once the voice of Grace emerges as we speculate to what extent she is guilty of the murder for which she has been incarcerated, in this imaginative reconstruction of the events surrounding a real nineteenth century case.  Force of Nature is a lighter read, a crime novel of a very different sort, engaging enough and with some depths which some readers were able to explore. 

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 9 October.  We will be discussing The Shepherd’s Hut by Tim Winton, the latest novel by an author we have enjoyed in the past.  We meet at 7.30pm in the library and would very much like to see some more new faces if you are able to join us.

Chris Kerrigan
Head of English

Thursday 10 October 2019 - 12.15pm

On behalf of Austin House, it is my pleasure to invite you to our House Eucharist which takes place on Thursday 10 October 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 here by no later than Wednesday 9 October 2019.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Mr Adam Rickart
Head of House – Austin

Saturday 12 October 2019 10.30am - 12.30pm

The OPs and Former Parents Brunch is back by popular demand this autumn.

The brunch is set to take place on Saturday 12 October 2019 from 10.30am to 12.30pm in the College's Main Dining Room. In addition to catching up over a leisurely complimentary brunch (served until 12.00 noon), visitors will be able watch some Rugby against RGS Worcester and Girls Hockey against KEHS, and take an optional tour of the school campus.

We are aware that a lot of former parents will have spent a considerable amount of time at Princethorpe over the years, supporting their children in many different ways and may be missing the involvement in school life. The Old Princethorpians' Association hope that this will be an opportunity for them to reconnect with both the College and each other in an informal, friendly environment.

If you would like to attend please register at Princethorpe Connect or RSVP with your name and/or the name of your child/children, the number in your party and any special dietary requirements to oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk or call Melanie Butler on 01926 634284 by Friday 4 October.

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please spread the word amongst OPs and former parents!! 

Monday 14 October 6.00pm

We are holding a special event on Monday 14 October at 6.00pm in the Sixth Form Lecture Theatre of Princethorpe College.

We are very pleased to welcome John Simpson to speak to our community. John is a speaker and author who has Asperger’s Syndrome. He will reflect on being a young person on the Autism Spectrum and will share his knowledge and understanding of the lives of others with an Autism Spectrum Condition.  He is an inspirational and at times entertaining speaker. We think it would be thought provoking for many in our community, not just young people who have an ASC.

John will be presenting to our staff earlier in the evening. We very much hope that you and your child will be able to join us for what promises to be a very useful and thought-provoking evening, please click here to confirm your attendance.

John will speak for approximately 60 minutes and light refreshments will be offered during the interval. 

Lorna Prestage - Coordinator of SEND/Learning Support
Dr Liz Pyne - Assistant Head (Teaching and Learning)

Who Was Dante Anyway?

In advance of the 700th anniversary in 2021 of Dante’s death in exile, this illustrated talk, by Margaret Louise O'Keeffe, which is the first of three lectures, will provide an introduction to Dante Alighieri, the greatest Italian writer of them all, an extraordinary personality who lived a remarkable life in particularly turbulent times.

Dante was a passionate human being who can inspire, entertain, educate and profoundly move us with the beauty of his language and imagery, the power of his imagination, the control of his material, the intensity of his emotions and the magnificent array of his characters and stories.

Active in the literary and political life of his beloved home city of Florence, Dante's heart was captured by Beatrice Portinari who died young in 1290. His enduring love for Beatrice became the bedrock of La Vita Nuova, (The New Life), and perhaps the main inspiration for his masterpiece La Commedia, (now known as The Divine Comedy).

The talk will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday 15 October 2019 in the Sixth Form Lecture Theatre followed by wine and light refreshments in The Atrium.

Tickets may also be purchased at the door; but advance notice helps catering, please. Princethorpe, Crackley Hall and Crescent School pupils free of charge. We are happy to receive provisional bookings by e-mail, please, at alexdarkes@princethorpe.co.uk

For a booking form please click here

The other illustrated talks will take place on Tuesday 21 January 2020 and Tuesday 12 May 2020 - please save the dates.

Friday 22 November 2019

Plans are well advanced for our annual Prize Giving ceremony which will take place on Friday 22 November.  This year the ceremony is returning to Warwick University Art Centre's Butterworth Hall, commencing at 7.30pm.

Traditionally, the vast majority of last year’s Upper Sixth return to collect their A-level examination certificates.  Most will have embarked on their first year at university, apprenticeship or employment and this is a good opportunity for them to catch up.

GCSE examination certificates will be presented to last year’s Year 11, as well as a number of other awards and prizes, including our most prestigious, The Princethorpe Shield.  The Year 7 Chorus will be singing, and the Jazz Band and Orchestra performing. 

Attendance at Prize Giving is by invitation only and invitations will be posted out shortly along with instructions on how to RSVP.

We are delighted to announce that Princethorpe College is now a member of NACE (the National Association for Able Children in Education), and this term, we begin working towards NACE accreditation. Gaining the NACE Challenge Award will provide recognition of our school-wide high-quality provision for more able learners within a context of challenge for all. 

National Association for Able Children in Education was founded in 1983 and is recognised both nationally and internationally as a leading charity in the field of education for able learners. Princethorpe College has a well-established focus on policy and practice in this area, and this means we are ready to audit our provision against the NACE framework and apply for formal accreditation through the NACE Challenge Award. We will use the framework to: identify our strengths and weaknesses and priorities for improvement; to create an action plan that will move the school forward towards higher quality provision; to consolidate our best practice and to further extend existing provision.

Engaging our parents in more able provision will be key over the coming months. The NACE audit that we will carry out will no doubt bring to light areas for improvement and as we compile our evidence, we will be asking for parents’ views and support on a range of more able-related questions.

With our bespoke da Vinci Programme, scholarship programme and tutor time curriculum, we support our very able children by focusing on the quality of teaching and learning in class, educational opportunities provided beyond the classroom, and attention to the social and emotional welfare of the child. For an insight into how you, as parents, can help and support your child as well, follow this link for the NACE Essential Guide for parents and carers of more able learners.

The period for requesting reviews of Summer 2019 examination scripts has now closed. We are still awaiting some outcomes from the exam boards and these will be sent to pupils as soon as we receive them.

Any outstanding scripts that have been requested for teaching and learning purposes will arrive in the next few weeks and will be sent to the pupil.

Key dates in the reporting and examinations cycle for this half term are shown below. Any students still wishing to enter for an Oxbridge Admissions Test should complete this form and return to me before the deadline of 11 October.

Calendar Michaelmas First Half Term 2019

1 Sep - Upper Sixth registration for BMAT and Oxbridge admission rest opens (university applications).

25 Sep - Deadline to request a copy of an exam scrip (exams summer 2019).

27 Sep - Upper Sixth registration for SMAT admissions test (standard fee) closes (university applications).

10 Oct - Year 11 and Lower Sixth deadline for entry for January IGCSE exams.

11 Oct - Upper Sixth registration for Oxbridge admissions test closes.

11 Oct - Upper Sixth registration for BMAT admissions test (higher fee) closes.

11 Oct - Year 11 full report issued.

30 Oct - Upper Sixth Oxbridge admissions tests.

Exams Timetables:

January 2020

Summer 2020 (provisional)

If you require further information, please contact me.

Shellagh Dodds
Examination and Assessment Manager

Reports for Year 11 will be posted out on Friday 11 October 2019. They will also be available to view on My School Portal.

Dr Michael Reddish
Deputy Head - Academic

Please remember that pupils must not arrive in school before 7.30am - this is for Health and Safety reasons.  Furthermore, Prep collection must be before 6.00pm.  If you collect your child from school after 6.00pm, there will a charge which will be added to your next invoice.  

Beth Sharpe
Deputy Head - Pastoral

Under our parking permit scheme, students from the Upper Sixth can gain agreement to drive into school. Parking on campus has been upgraded and expanded over the summer.

In order for a parking permit and a barrier access fob to be issued, students are asked to provide the following; a £30.00 administration fee, signed contract, a copy of their driving licence and current insurance policy together with consent from their parents and Head of Sixth Form.  These forms are available from the School Shop.

Written permission is required from both families, if lifts are being given.

Parking places are issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

The College is responsible for the safety of everyone on campus and parents are asked to ensure that students do not drive to or park at school until permission has been granted. Students parking without a permit will not be allowed to park until a valid permit is held.

Eddie Tolcher
Foundation Bursar

Year 7 Parents – A Request For Careers Help.

The Careers Department are always on the lookout for parents willing to help support our pupils and students in planning their next steps.

This help might be in the form of giving Careers talks/workshops in your field, offering work experience, helping with applications, conducting mock interviews or pupil and student mentoring.

If you are willing to help in any of these areas please send me an email at jacquiquinney@princethorpe.co.uk

Jacqui Quinney
Head of Careers

Princethorpe College will once again be supporting World Porridge Day in aid of the Scottish-based charity Mary’s Meals. The fundraising fun will be championed by Sixth Form students and Mr Isaacs, Assistant Head of Sixth Form, who will be organising a range of Scottish and porridge themed activities for pupils to get involved in.

At break-time instead of buying their usual mid-morning snack, pupils will be able to purchase a traditional Scottish breakfast, a pot of porridge, from the College refectory with brown sugar or luxurious toppings. (Our usual cashless catering arrangements apply). Then at lunchtime, for a cash donation of just 50p, the brave will be able participate in the William Wallace Welly Wanging Challenge. For the honour of their house (Benet won last year!) and mouthwatering fudge, they can attempt to break the College record which currently stands at a whopping 33m. Mr Haden came close last year with an amazing 32.5m!

All of the money raised on the day will be used to support our feeding programme at Makalanga Primary School in Malawi. Why not consider sponsoring a child for a year by donating £13.90 via our dedicated fundraising page here.

We have big blue coin collection mugs available for free – please contact Mr Isaacs at rodisaacs@princethorpe.co.uk if you would like one.

Friday 18 October 2019

This is the day when the Sixth Formers become (not so?) pretty in pink in aid of Breast Cancer UK.

Events taking place are:

· Cake sale in the Sixth Form Atrium during break and lunchtime
Please drop off any cake donations to Mr Vella’s office in the morning or bring in some change to sample the treats on offer.

· Fashion Show on the playground at lunchtime

The Sixth Formers will be showing off their fancy dress to the school – please bring some change for the charity bucket.

Fundraising is well underway for the College’s 2020 Malawi expedition.  Next summer pupils and staff will travel to Malawi in south-eastern Africa where the charity Mary’s Meals first began. There they will take part in a series of activities and challenges that include working with Classrooms For Malawi in a refurbishment project at Lauderdale School.

The expedition requires a serious amount of fundraising so staff and pupils are already hard at work.

A team of Princethorpe staff including Ben Collie, Cyp Vella, Rod Isaacs, Will Bower and outdoor instructor Paul Coombes will be running the Yorkshire Three Peaks on Monday 18 October.  If you would like to support them you can visit their justgiving page here.

Robyn Field is organising an evening of music on Saturday 23 November at Barby Village Hall.  Tickets are available from alexmfield@btinternet.com.

On Thursday 12 December the College is hosting a Christmas Wreath Making Workshop.  To book tickets please complete the form here, the profits from the evening will go towards the Malawi expedition.

On Saturday 14 March there will be an Irish Night and Ceilidh.  Please save the date, more details will be published shortly.

Please do support pupils and staff as they fundraise for this project.

Thursday 12 December 6.45pm

In support of the Malawi trip 2020 fundraising effort, Mrs Allen is organising a Christmas wreath making evening for Thursday 12 December in the Sixth Form Centre.   

It is open to all Princethorpe parents, staff and friends. In order to book your seat(s) please click here to complete the form and return to Mrs Allen, or email the information to anneallen@princethorpe.co.uk.

The Chaplaincy is again supporting our St Anne's Parish Shoe Box Appeal, to provide gifts for children who would not otherwise receive a Christmas present. This year the boxes are being distributed by Teams4U. 

Each shoebox will be given to a vulnerable child, or family, through schools, nurseries, hospitals and orphanages.

The aim of T4U is that each box is given in relationship with the local community as part of a long-term commitment to these children. This includes financing pre-school programmes to support their education and development.

We are encouraging everyone to bring one item to help fill the boxes.  We also need empty shoe boxes.

Children’s Shoe Boxes

What these children need most are educational and hygiene supplies, e.g.

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Hairbrush/comb
• Facecloth and soap
• Stationery/pens/pencils/paper

Please also include a few small gifts, e.g.

• A soft toy, ball, game, puzzle, stickers, balloons
• Gloves/hats/scarves

Homecare Family Shoe Boxes

• Cooking utensils (no knives), candles, hairbrush plastic utensils (plates, bowls, cutlery)
• Soap, small Christmas decorations, small decorative items, small saucepans
• T-towels (preferably quite decorative), plastic containers, washing line pegs
• Washing up cloths

All items may be left in G12a or at the Student Hub. The Chaplaincy Prefects will supervise the sorting and packing of the boxes between Monday 16 September and Wednesday 16 October 2019.

Mary Benham
Chaplaincy Co-ordinator

We are looking to see whether there is an opportunity to establish Girls' Rugby teams here at Princethorpe College. If you are in Years 7, 8, 9 or 10 and are are interested in trying rugby after school on Mondays between 4.00pm and 5.30pm, please email tamsinfrost@princethorpe.co.uk with your full name and year group to register your interest. If there are sufficient numbers to run teams in each age group then the sessions will go ahead on Mondays after half term (Monday 4 November to Monday 16 December).

If you are in Year 11 or Sixth Form and are interested in trying rugby, please email Tamsin and let us know. If there are sufficient numbers we will look to run an U18 session in the Lent Term.

Peter Bucknall
Head of Rugby

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

Our PE and Games Department have created a helpful new guide for pupils and parents ahead of the Michaelmas Term 2019 (click here), which includes further information about: 

• List of team coaches and how you may contact them
• Instructions on how to access the Princethorpe Sport app
• Information about fixtures, including selection and cancellations
• Sports kit expectations
• Postcodes for away fixtures (which can also be found in the Michaelmas Termly Calendar)

If you have any questions, please direct them to your son/daughter's team coach or email Mr Turns (Acting Head of Boys' Games) or Ms Law (Head of Girls' Games). 

Please note Year 10 will have Games during the afternoon on the first day of term and should bring their kit to school. 

Neil McCollin
Foundation Director of Sport 

Unfortunately, due to circumstance beyond our control, this fundraising event is no longer available to us, thank you.

Our friendly PTA here at Princethorpe College are keen to welcome new volunteers. There are a wide range of events and activities that are organised and run throughout the year that help raise important funds for the school.

The Christmas Fair is the biggest fundraiser in the school's calendar and this year it will be held on Sunday 1 December. It is a fabulous festive event that is a treat for the whole family and if you are able to come and help out at all we would be delighted to hear from you.

For more information about the PTA and getting involved in any aspect, please email pta@princethorpe.co.uk or fill in the form here to send the PTA your details.

Thank you.

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 lunchtime and after school. Whether it’s drama or archery, cooking or robotics we cater for a wide variety of interests. 

All co-curricular activites are listed at the front of the Michaelmas 2019 Termly Calendar which you will have received by post during the summer.  Alternatively, click here to view an electronic version. 

You are not required to pre-book however some activities and clubs operate on an invitation only basis. If you have any questions about an activity or club, please speak to the teacher in question listed.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our co-curricular programme. 

Neil McCollin
Acting Assistant Head - Co-Curricular

Well done to everyone who completed their expedition last year.  We have signed off your expedition section on the eDofE website.  If you wish to move on to the next level you must have finished your award by October half term.  The following steps are required:

• Log onto eDofE account
• Submit your signed Assessor Reports for the physical, skills and volunteering sections and upload onto your account
• Submit each section for approval

For a detailed list of instructions please refer to the eDofE Guide and FAQs. If you are having problems with any of these steps please come to the DofE Completion drop-in sessions on a Tuesday or Wednesday lunchtime in The Limes computer rooms.

Will Bower
Head of Outdoor Education

It has been brilliant to see so much interest in the scheme already this year. Please be reminded that the enrolment deadline is Friday 18 October (half term).

Thank you to parents who attended the information evening. Please see the attached expedition dates, presentation, information booklet and enrolment form. Pupils can also pick up a hard copy of these documents from the PE Office.

Will Bower

Head of Outdoor Education

Expedition Dates

Presentation Booklet

Information Booklet

Enrolment Form

30 September 2019 - 6.00pm in the Clarkson

The Sports department are holding an information evening for pupils and their parents interested in the 2019 South Coast Tour planned for October half term break. This evening aims to give pupils and parents an overview of the planned exchange, the nature of the experience, key dates and timings.

We look forward to seeing you on the 30 September but please do not hesitate to contact Hannah Carminati or Mr McCollin should you require any additional information in the meantime.

Thursday 10 October - 6.00pm in the Clarkson

There will be a Parents' Information Evening on Thursday 10 October from 6.00 -7.00pm in the Clarkson for those pupils attending the trip to Hopbel Hockey Club in Schijndel, South Holland. We encourage all parents to attend. At this meeting we will go through the final itinerary for the trip, check and update your child's medical information and answer any questions you may have. 

Please note you will also recieve an email from Tamsin Frost, Sports Administration Assistant, this week if we are missing any of the following paperwork from you: 

- A scanned copy of your child's passport and EHIC card;
- A signed pre-residential trip behaviour contract;
- A signed residential trip code of conduct.

Please return this paperwork to us as soon as possible. If you have any urgent questions, please don't hestate to contact me by email. 

Neil McCollin
Acting Assistant Head - Co-curricular

Due to unforeseen circumstances, two places have become available on the History trip to Berlin this October half term. Please see the original letter (attached) for further details but please note that alternative payment plans can be arranged given the short notice of these available places. The trip is open to all pupils in current Year 9 - Upper Sixth and doing GCSE or A-level History is not a requirement to be welcome on the trip itself.

To register your interest in one of the places or to ask any questions, please email peterbucknall@princethorpe.co.uk.

Peter Bucknall 
Head of History

Tuesday 31 March – Tuesday 7 April 2020

I hope that your son/daughter is looking forward to the ski trip to Austria next Easter. Although it may seem like it is a long way off at present, there are some important dates coming up that I would like to draw to your attention. Please do make a note of these dates in your diaries, the dates will also appear in the termly calendars;

Thursday 14 November 2019 - First Parent meeting 6.00pm -7.00pm Clarkson theatre

Preliminary information and important forms will be given out. A representative from ‘Snow Union’, a ski clothing and hire company will give a presentation on required ski kit. It is expected that a representative parent attends and pupils are also welcome.

Friday 20 December 2019 (During Christmas holiday) - Ski Trip Practice (1) to The Snowdome, Tamworth

This is a voluntary two hour lesson with qualified instructors based on pupil ability on indoor snow. Skis, poles and helmets will be provided. Ski gloves, ski socks and warm clothing are required, as well as a packed lunch. I would recommend that absolute beginners attend at least one ski practice session. We will travel by coach from Princethorpe, leaving at 9.00am and returning at 3.00pm. Cost £40. Max number of pupils is 72. An Evolve email with further details and a consent form will be sent nearer the time for parents to add pupils names onto the trip.

Wednesday 12 February 2020 - Ski Trip Practice (2) to Ackers Adventure, Birmingham

This is a voluntary two hour lesson with qualified instructors based on pupil ability on a dry ski slope. Skis and poles will be provided. Ski gloves, ski socks and warm waterproof clothing are required, as well as a packed tea. I would recommend that absolute beginners attend at least one practice session. We will travel by coach from Princethorpe, leaving at 3.45pm and returning at 8.30pm. Cost £35.  The maximum number of pupils is 40. An Evolve email with further details and a consent form will be sent nearer the time for parents to add pupil names onto the trip.

Thursday 27 February 2020 - Second Parent Meeting 6.00pm - 7.00pm Clarkson theatre

Final trip details will be provided including confirmed departure and return times. A representative from ‘IBT’, our tour company, will give a presentation and be on hand to answer questions. It is expected that a representative parent attends and pupils are also welcome.

Tuesday 31 March – Tuesday 7 April 2020  - Ski Trip to Obertauern, Austria

Departure and return times TBC (likely to be late afternoon on both days).

Please contact me regarding any queries at catherinewarne@princethorpe.co.uk.

Catherine Warne

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.

Neil McCollin
Acting Assistant Head - Co-curricular

Please find below our updated Term Dates and Key Dates document for 2019-20, along with the dates for 2020-2021.

2019-20 - updated (two-page document)

(Updated showing that the May bank holiday in 2020 has been moved from Monday 4 May to Friday 8 May to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day)

2020-21 - updated (two page document)

Please note that the end of the Michaelmas Term is Tuesday 15 December, not Wednesday 15 December as previously indicated.

Bus Services – first two weeks

The bus services have settled down and routes are running well, bar temporary traffic lights. Almost all bus passes have been issued and new pupils seem to be happily using the service. The new S12 service has proved so popular that we have moved to a double decker. We were surprised on the first day as 45 pupils were expected based on the communications from families but 66 pupils wanted to use the service so a second service was despatched.  

Bus Services - Twitter

Parents and pupils aged 13 and over are encouraged to sign up for our Twitter feed on the bus service using @PCBuses. We will use this to keep pupils and parents informed of anything that happens during the journeys to and from school.

Simply go to twitter.com/PCBuses. From here you can follow @PC Buses, if you have a twitter account, or if you do not regularly use twitter you can bookmark this link on your mobile or computer and check it whenever you need to.

Requests for additional stops

We have received quite a number of requests for additional stops which would involve almost 20 additional bus stops. All requests are reviewed and we consider the impact on those who use the bus of adding additional stops as it could mean earlier departure/arrival times for pupils on the service.

Unfortunately we cannot agree to all the requests, but where it is possible we will make changes and we will communicate this to parents. Our aim is to keep timetable changes to a bare minimum to avoid any confusion and disruption to the service from a new timetable. Major changes are unlikely until next September.

Temporary Road Closures

We keep an eye out for future road closures or upcoming road works and welcome any advance information from parents about such closures. We discuss them with the bus operators and communicate any changes necessary as soon as possible.

Bus Survey

We have been conducting bus surveys for the last few years. These provide us with accurate information on bus usage. We use this to improve our services when possible.

This year we are conducting two bus surveys; the first starts this evening and will run for two weeks.  The second survey will take place in the Lent term and drivers have been asked to record the number of pupils who get on/off at each stop.

If you have any queries please email the bus team buses@princethorpe.co.uk

Eddie Tolcher
Foundation Bursar

As we start the new academic year, our catering team are proud to introduce their new and improved menus. All the menus offer a selection of healthy meal options and have been endorsed by Holroyd Howe’s nutritionist.

All options will be served in both the Refectory and Sixth Form dining room on a three-week rotation. Each term the menus will be reviewed and updated. To see the Michaelmas term menus just use the link below:

Michaelmas Term Menu

Andrew Williams
General Manager

Please see below our current vacancy:

·         Foundation Data Manager

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

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