The Flagpole

You will shortly receive a copy of the 2020 Lent Term calendar in the post; it shows another full and busy term ahead. One important event that I would like to draw to the attention of Year 10 to Sixth Form parents is our Careers Fair on Saturday 21 March from 9.30am to 1.00pm. This biennial event is a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to learn more about a wealth of careers and professions, as well as their university and apprenticeship options. Information about how to register for the Careers Fair and reserve a place in the workshops of choice will be available in the New Year.

In addition to the plethora of sporting fixtures, trips and co-curricular activities, we are also looking forward to our main school production, We Will Rock You, and the seventh 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 and all the pupils’ feedback and anonymised personal comments has been 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.

You will be aware that as a Catholic School, we were recently visited by school inspectors from the Birmingham Archdiocese. We have just received their report which rated the ‘Catholic Life of the School’ and ‘Pupils’ Achievements in Religious Studies’ as ‘Outstanding’. The inspectors spent two days in school, visited many Religious Studies lessons and tutor groups, interviewed various pupil and staff groups and went to our School Council. In all aspects they were incredibly impressed with our pupils and staff.

"All pupils’ behaviour is exemplary in every aspect; they show remarkable respect for one another, for staff, visitors and for themselves, are most courteous towards each other and towards adults and naturally help and support one another. They listen very well indeed, readily give thanks and express their appreciation for all that the school has to offer."

"Almost all pupils take full advantage of the opportunities that the school provides for their personal support and spiritual, moral and ethical development, which can clearly be seen in the remarkable warmth of the relationships between pupils and staff; the school is frequently described as ‘a family’ by pupils, staff and parents and this ethos is clearly lived out in all aspects of their daily life together."

A full copy of the report can be found on the College website in the About Us section or via the link here. If you have and comments or queries on any aspect of the report, please do contact me directly.

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

Alongside the calendar you will also receive a copy of The Tower Review 2018/19 which has just been published. The magazine is designed to be a souvenir keepsake which takes a celebratory look back at Princethorpe over the past academic year. It showcases term by term a whole host of activities, achievements and successes that our pupils from Year 7 to Upper Sixth were involved in, and includes highlights such as Prize Giving, the Duke of Edinburgh Award and House Activities such as Sports Day.

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.

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 

Princethorpe College’s plans for a new Science Centre have taken a major step forward with planning permission granted, the launch of a fundraising campaign and the unveiling of further campus wide benefits.

The state-of-the-art £8 million Science Centre, which will allow the College to redevelop and cluster several other departments, was granted planning permission in May this year.  The College has now revealed further plans for a new suite of Art studios, additional space for Maths and Technology, increased dining capacity and sporting facilities.

Comments, Headmaster, Ed Hester, “Princethorpe is situated at the heart of the UK’s automotive industry, where science and engineering meet art and design. We know that our pupils need the finest facilities to give them the best opportunities for their future and widening the scope of our Science Campaign to encompass all STEAM subjects enables us to provide these.”

The Science Centre is now entering the detailed ‘developed design’ stage with local RIBA members, AT Architects of Leamington, who designed The Limes 14-classroom wing in 2014. A cost plan will follow early in the new year, then a period of value engineering and technical design before a bill of quantities is prepared in the summer.

Mr Hester continues, “This is a large, complex and exciting project. The next six months will be critical as we prepare thoroughly for the tendering process in autumn 2020. If all goes to plan we should be appointing a main contractor this time next year, with construction starting early in 2021 and completion in summer 2022.”

A fundraising campaign has been launched to work hand in hand with the delivery of the project. The Science Plus Campaign outlines a menu of giving including engraved pavers and bricks, sponsorship of elements on a giant periodic table and personal and corporate naming opportunities.

Our Director of Development comments, “We’re determined to make sure that this project is funded and built as soon as possible. We hope that the many Friends of Princethorpe will be moved to support this project, as they have previous initiatives in the College’s history. Their support is vital in making our vision for Science Plus a reality.”

Those interested in supporting the Science Plus Campaign are invited to email makingadifference@princethorpe.co.uk or call 01926 634265 for a Science Campaign Plus brochure.

Pictured here alongside Mr Hester and Mr Lee are Head of Science, Emma Cooper, and some of the pupils who will reap the benefits of the new facilities at the College.

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics.

The latest edition of the College’s magazine, The Tower Review, has just been published.

It tells the story of the school year, term by term, reflecting on the whole host of activities, achievements and successes that pupils from Year 7 through to Upper Sixth took part in.  It includes highlights such as Prize Giving and the College production as well as reviews of sporting events, House competitions and school trips. 

2018/19 was an incredible year with many wonderful and memorable moments and we hope this annual souvenir review will be treasured by pupils and parents alike.

The magazine is being mailed to parents with the Lent Term calendar and the Leavers of 2019 will also be sent a hard copy in the post.

You can view a copy, on the school website here.

If you would like to receive a copy please email marketing@princethorpe.co.uk with your name and address.

Back in November pupils from Princethorpe College took part in the 2019 UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Senior Challenge, a prestigious national problem-solving competition that recognises the best young mathematicians in the country. The Challenge involves answering multiple choice questions and is sat under normal school exam conditions. The papers are then sent away to be marked by UKMT and the best pupils in the country are awarded Bronze, Silver or Gold Certificates.

The competition is primarily aimed at students in the Sixth Form but Princethorpe selected 38 able mathematicians from both Year 11 and Lower Sixth to participate in this year’s Challenge. It is a demanding exercise designed to stretch and test pupils’ mathematical skills, so the College is delighted that this year, Princethorpe’s mathematicians achieved exceptional results.

Congratulations to Lower Sixth Former, Jack Fletcher who was awarded a Gold certificate, and took the award for best performing student in school, and to Upper Sixth Former, Aidan O’Rourke, who was also awarded a Gold certificate.  Both boys performed so well that they have also qualified for the follow-on round, the Senior Kangaroo challenge.

Silver certificate: Samuel Whittaker, Matthew Walker, Henri Fuchss, Lauren Mason, Rowan Tankard, Joshua Tidd and Samuel Armstrong.

Bronze certificate: Ben Abrahamson, George Saunders, Alex Wright, Prajeet Prabakaran, Caitlin McBride, Alex Rejali, Thea Pepperell, Charlotte Fitzpatrick, Sophie Mitchell, Luke Palmer, Joseph Hurworth, Zack Ahmed, Jack Roberts and Robyn Field.

Well done all and many thanks to all the pupils who took part, we hope you enjoyed the challenge.

Theo Scoutas
Post 16 Mathematics Co-ordinator

Sixth Form A-level English Literature students and intrepid Year 11 pupils, who were looking for a taste of A-level English, took a trip to the Piccadilly Theatre in London’s West End on Tuesday 17 December to see Death of a Salesman. The production stars Wendell Pierce (of The Wire and Suits fame) and Olivier Award-winning actress, Sharon D Clarke, and has received five-star reviews.

English Teacher, Nicola Borman said, “It was an excellent production of one of the greatest plays of the twentieth century and illuminated an important exam text.  We had a really lovely evening but a very late night – so there were a few bleary eyes the next morning!”

Many thanks to the staff who supported the trip.

Lower Sixth Formers Luke Brotherton and Jack Neale have been appointed as Duke of Edinburgh Young Ambassadors. Both students are actively working towards their Gold Award and will now work alongside Princethorpe’s Duke of Edinburgh team promoting, guiding and mentoring pupils participating in the Awards scheme.

The boys were nominated for the new role by Head of Outdoor Education, Will Bower. He explains, “Luke and Jack are going to make great ambassadors, they are helpful and enthusiastic about outdoor education and with DofE Awards already under their belts they are superb role models for our younger pupils.”

The boys will undertake Ambassador training in January, but in recognition of their new role, on Tuesday 10 December, Mr Bower, presented them both with a Duke of Edinburgh tie. He continued, “We are delighted to have Luke and Jack on board.  They are some of the first pupil Ambassadors within the DofE Central Region and the very first Duke of Edinburgh Ambassadors here at Princethorpe College.”

Luke and Jack can’t wait to get started and Mr Bower has plenty lined up for them to do.  They will begin their new role by helping Year 9 pupils get started with their bronze awards, setting up their accounts and helping them plan their programmes.

Former Head of Chemistry, John Miller, visited the College on Tuesday 10 December with Estates Assistant, Gerry Lovely, to see how the restoration of the clock-tower was coming along.

The clock is a landmark at Princethorpe and has played an important role in the daily lives of all who have lived and worked here.  The current clock was purchased in 1861, it was last renovated in 1959 for the then Reverend Mother, Mary Augustine’s Golden Jubilee.   

John and Gerry kept the clocks working here at Princethorpe College for over 40 years.

John explained, “I first started at Princethorpe back in the 1970s. The clock needed regular winding so I was always climbing about the roof space.  Often, I would pop out of a door and surprise the boys, they wouldn’t know where I had come from.”

John and Gerry were both fascinated by the restoration process that includes both the stonework of the clock tower and the clock mechanisms.  Head of Estates, Michael Small, showed them the progress so far. New stonework has been arriving regularly and is carefully being installed.  A new auto winding mechanism has been fitted to the clock and the new clock faces have been freshly painted and are now back on site waiting to be re-fitted once the stonework is complete. John and Gerry gamely braved the weather and went up the scaffolding to look at the stonework restoration and they also went up the clock tower from the inside to look at the new auto winding mechanism. They both enjoyed seeing the improvements the work has made.

Cumbria Clocks, the clock restoration company have been amazed by the condition of the College clock.  They commented on John and Gerry’s workmanship and ingenuity, that had included using items such as a chair caster, to keep the clock working for all these years.

The stone work should be completed by February (weather dependant) and then the clock faces will be refitted, the scaffolding will come down and the clock will once again be a focal point for the whole community to all enjoy.

As the country went to the polls on Thursday 12 December, pupils at Princethorpe College were learning about the process of democracy by participating in a mock election.

Politics and History Teacher Abi Adams explains, “Democracy is an important British value, and we wanted to educate College pupils on how people participate in the democratic process.  Social media and 24-hour access to news has made politics far more accessible for young people and across the world younger generations are engaging with issues that directly affect them, so appreciating the democratic process is important.  The UK national election affects all of our pupils and their families and not just those studying politics.”

Deputy Head - Academic, Dr Michael Reddish, introduced the mock election to pupils in a whole school assembly, he talked about the choices the country would be making and the challenge of voting for a manifesto versus a party leader figurehead.

Party manifestos were summarised, put on display across the school and discussed in form time. Politics students organised hustings. Voting took place in secret on Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 December.  Each of the 49 Tutor Groups was an individual constituency reflecting the structure of the UK parliamentary system. Late on Tuesday afternoon Sixth Form Politics students counted the votes.

Turnout was fantastic with 92% of pupils engaging with the mock election and choosing to vote.  The results were announced in school on election day, and here at Princethorpe College the Conservative Party won taking a majority of 13 seats over the second placed Liberal Democrats.

Abi Adams continued, “We wanted to encourage and challenge our pupils to think for themselves and to move beyond preconceptions or prejudices and to consider the bigger picture. The mock election engaged young people with their democratic responsibilities and gave them an informed and unbiased introduction to the process of democracy. Some of our older Sixth Formers will be able to vote for the first time today and we hope this insight into the process has helped with their decision-making.”

Many thanks to the Sixth Formers and staff who helped to organise the mock election.

This year, Friday 6 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 celebrate the anniversary.  The ceremony began with the presentation of the House and Winter Sports prizes allowing the whole school to recognise pupil progress and achievement. 

Then Director of Ethos, Kieran McCullough, reflected on the reasons why we observe the Feast Day.  He spoke about being part of a worldwide community and introduced pupils to Downlands College in Queensland, another MSC founded school which shares the same spirit and ethos as the College.

Then it was time for what has become an important school tradition, the hotly-contested House Singing Competition.  

In turn the Houses rose to their feet to perform their pieces. First were Austin House with a rousing rendition of I Want You Back. Benet came next with a lively rendition of Can't Take My Eyes Off You. Fisher House confidently belted out Build Me Up Buttercup and finally More enthusiastically sang Sweet Caroline.

The competition was judged by D Day Darling, Emily Jane Brooks, who was very impressed with the standard and the passion of the pupils and staff. She commented, “I really enjoyed the performances, it was a very difficult decision to make but in the end I decided that the winner should be Fisher House.”

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."

Well done to all for their participation and enthusiasm.

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

A very successful Christmas wreath making evening certainly decked the doors with boughs of holly as parents and staff jumped at the chance to get arty and crafty on Thursday 12 December.  Places on the evening were snapped up like hot mince pies, and the participants armed with secateurs beavered away with twigs, foliage and prickly holly to produce some cracking Christmas door decorations.

Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Anne Allen, was delighted with the whole event saying, “It was a great, well-supported evening. The Sixth Form Atrium was filled with wonderful smells of orange, cinnamon and pine and the finished wreaths were just amazing. Huge thanks to everyone who came.  We made over £1,000 towards the 2020 Malawi expedition."

If you would like to support the Classrooms for Malawi project please visit their fundraising page where you can find out more and donate via the link here  

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

The College and Parish communities were invited to write the names of those who have touched their lives with love, and who have a special place in their hearts, on a star and each star has then individually been hung carefully on the tree.

The message of Christmas is one of love and the decorated Christmas tree in the College Chapel now 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, what Christmas is really all about.

Our thanks go to Year 8 pupils Isaac Kirby, Jemima Teeton and Thomas Bucknell for their help preparing and hanging the stars.

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

Stewart Dear, Geography Teacher comments, "The calendar is once again a true celebration of the wonderful scenery that we are so lucky to have on our doorstep here at Princethorpe College.  We have been overwhelmed by the beautiful images that our talented pupils and students have contributed this year and we hope you enjoy the calendar".

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 2020 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 (from Thursday 5 December) or contact Stewart Dear at stewartdear@princethorpe.co.uk. Alternatively copies of the calendar may be purchased on-line from Princethorpe Connect

Old Princethorpians, parents, pupils and staff would be made 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:

Sunday 22 December 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

Tuesday 24 December 2019:

• 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.

Wednesday 25 December 2019:

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

Sunday 29 December 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 5 January 2020:

• 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 12 January 2020:
Both Masses resume as normal:

• 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

The parishioners of St Anne's, Wappenbury look forward to celebrating this very special season with you - all are welcome.

Fr Teddy O'Brien MSC

Thursday 9 January at 12.10pm

After studying ‘The Mass’ during the Michaelmas Term, Year 7 will be experiencing the living reality of what this means in a special Mass on Thursday 9 January from 12.10pm until 1.05pm. 

Through preparation in their Religious Studies lessons, pupils will be taking an active part in this Mass, to which parents are also cordially invited.  Food will be provided afterwards for any parents who would like stay to lunch.  If you wish to attend, please could you follow the link here so that we can cater appropriately.

Cyprian Vella
Head of Religious Studies

Wednesday 14 January 2020 at 7.30pm

At our last meeting we discussed Circe by Madeline Miller and for once we were virtually unanimous in our enjoyment of this book, which throws a cool contemporary light on the well-worn myths and re-creates the mythical figures as complex and ambivalent individuals.  As one reader put it, 'Like opening a tin of Quality Street and finding it full of only the purple sweets!' 

We will be meeting again at 7.30pm in the library on Wednesday 14 January.  On this occasion we will be discussing Mark Haddon’s new book The Porpoise which has received wonderful reviews.  We do hope you’ll be able to join us as it would be good to welcome some new faces in the New Year.  For anyone looking to buy a Christmas themed book either for themselves or as a gift for a book-loving friend, we’d recommend Letters From Father Christmas by J R R Tolkien, which includes genuine letters he wrote to his children, or perhaps Skipping Christmas by John Grisham, which is a quick but engaging read.

Chris Kerrigan
Head of English

Thursday 16 January - 9.00am to 5.00pm

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

The Sixth Form Taster Day is an opportunity for a small group of prospective Sixth Formers to visit the College for a selection of A-level 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.

Thursday 23 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 23 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 23 January 2020 - 4.30pm to 6.00pm

If you or someone you know might be interested in finding out more about teaching at Princethorpe College why not come along to our A Taste of Teaching at Princethorpe event on Thursday 23 January 2020 from 4.30pm to 6.00pm.

You’ll get a tour of the College with some of our Sixth Formers, a chance to visit your subject area and meet the Head of Department, followed by a short presentation by the Headmaster and the opportunity to ask questions of our senior team. Light refreshments will be available.

What kind of teachers thrive at Princethorpe?

We are proud to have a diverse and talented teaching body with a wide range of skills and backgrounds. Colleagues have joined us from the state and independent sectors, as NQTs or RQTs, and sometimes from careers outside of teaching all together.

What unites them all is their kind, caring professionalism, their passion for their subjects, their drive for constant professional development and their commitment to our excellent co-curricular programme.

We have recently become a training school through the School Direct Scheme in partnership with the Lion Alliance and we actively encourage applications from those just entering the profession too.

What current vacancies are there?

We will be advertising vacancies in January for the following departments for September 2020: Art, Computer Science, Design and Technology, Economics and Business and English.

Candidates for other subject areas are welcome to attend the event, as are those interested in training to become a teacher at Princethorpe.

If you would like to attend the Taste of Teaching event please click here to book your place by Monday 20 January 2020. Further information on the event will be confirmed nearer the date.

Any other questions about recruitment should be directed to recruitment@princethorpe.co.uk or call 01926 634269.

Friday 24 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 Friday 24 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 6 February 2020 - 12.15pm

On behalf of Fisher House, it is my pleasure to invite you to our House Eucharist, which takes place on Thursday 6 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 5 February 2020.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Mrs Louisa Fielding
Head of House – Fisher

Saturday 8 February 2020 at 9.30am

The ADHD Foundation will be delivering a free workshop in Rugby next February.  The workshop aims to equip parents and carers with a toolkit of expert advice and support on child and adolescent mental health.

For further information or to book tickets please click here.

Lorna Prestage
Learning Support

Saturday 14 March - 7.30pm onwards

Don’t miss this fabulous night out in support of our Malawi 2020 project with an Irish dancing display, live Ceilidh band and auction. There will be a two course meal and drink included in the ticket price. Early bird tickets are still available for £25 per person or a table of ten for £220.

Amazing raffle with superb prizes and cash bar all evening. 

Please reserve tickets with Marion Mitchell at marionmitchell@princethorpe.co.uk

See our JustGiving page to find out more about the Classrooms for Malawi project at Lauderdale School here.

Friday 19 June and Monday 22 June 2020

We can now confirm that the Headmaster’s Thanksgiving Service and Buffet Lunch will be held on Friday 19 June 2020 and the Year 11 Prom will be held on Monday 22 June 2020 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 6 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 - Lower Sixth

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.

Sixth Form - Upper Sixth

1.  Students should be revising for their mocks beginning Monday 6 January. This should include revision work as indicated by subject teachers and areas of revision that pupils have identified for themselves.  Students should aim for at least four hours’ productive work per day.
2.  Students 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.

Wishing you all a happy and peaceful Christmas and a healthy and successful 2020.

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head – Teaching and Learning

This year we have introduced a further significant improvement to the assessment system at Princethorpe: the addition of a second set of formal mocks for our Upper Sixth students. This follows the successful introduction of additional mocks for our Year 11 pupils last year. The Year 11 mocks will continue in this model in the weeks commencing 6 January and 24 February.

As many of you may know, Upper Sixth students traditionally have mock exams after the Lent half-term. This year we will be building on that model by giving the students two mock weeks – firstly in the week commencing 6 January and then again in the week commencing 24 February. The first set of mocks will be over three days to best balance assessment time and curriculum coverage. The second set of mocks will be over seven days to allow for more papers and the most realistic examination experience.

This will give Year 11 pupils and Upper Sixth students two opportunities to really test themselves and learn from their successes and difficulties, supported by their teachers, before sitting the real exams in the summer. It will also allow us to spread out the exams a little more within the second 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

As Christmas is nearly here, the Year 11 pupils and Upper Sixth students will be preparing for their mock exams in January. Whilst this is a difficult time to revise, the rationale from educational researchers shows the immense benefits from mock exams.

Click here for five reasons why our youngsters should be grateful for mock exams; although they probably aren’t feeling that appreciative at the moment! 

Key dates in the reporting and examinations cycle for the first half of the Lent term are:

· 7  Jan – January public exam season begins; this includes IGCSE Maths for some candidates, BTEC L3 exams & L1 Latin. All pupils involved have been issued with their personal timetable

· 24 Jan – Mock exam reports published for Year 11 and Upper Sixth pupils

· 31 Jan – Progress Reports published for Year 9 pupils

· 7  Feb  – Full Report published for Year 10 pupils

External Examinations:

January 2020 - Results for these examinations will be published on Thursday 5 March 2020.

Summer 2020 - the exam timetable was amended by JCQ in November. If you downloaded the previous version please delete it and download the updated one which can be viewed by clicking here.

Please note the examination contingency day of Wednesday 24 June 2020. In the unlikely event that there is national disruption to a day of examinations causing a last-minute change to the timetable, all candidates must be available up to and including this date.

Entries for these examinations will be made in January 2020. As soon as pupils have checked and confirmed their entries, their individual exam timetable will be distributed.

Exam Subject Specifications and Awarding Bodies:

If you’re buying revision guides it’s important to choose the correct one for the specification being followed in school. The documents below show the exam board and specification code for each subject for GCSE and A-level.

NB: The exam details for GCSE PE are OCR J587, this has been updated on the GCSE document below.

GCSE

A-level

Shellagh Dodds
Examinations and Assessment Manager

Tuesday 14 January 2020 - 6.00pm to 8.30pm

The Lower Sixth Parents’ Evening takes place on Tuesday 14 January from 6.00pm to 8.30pm in the Sports Hall.

We will continue to offer the option of a two course supper for you and your family, at a cost of £2 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 Thursday 9 January 2020.

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.  Please leave the building by the main entrance to The Limes and sign out at the exit as you leave.

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.  

We look forward to seeing you.

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

Year 11 and Upper Sixth Mock Exam Reports will be published to the parent portals on Friday 24 January 2020.  Once published, you will receive an email notification advising that the reports are available to view on My School Portal.

For Year 11 parents, there will be an opportunity to discuss your child’s report at the forthcoming Year 11 Parents’ Evening on Monday 27 January 2020.

We look forward to seeing you then.

Dr Michael Reddish
Deputy Head - Academic

Monday 27 January 2020 - 6.00pm to 8.30pm

Parents are reminded that the Year 11 Parents’ Evening takes place on Monday 27 January from 6.00pm to 8.30pm in the Sports Hall. This is a crucial chance to discuss your son or daughter’s academic progress with their subject teachers after the mock exams.  

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

The Christmas break is upon us, and it may be time to think about catching up on some reading.  Relax, read and recharge over the break. Click here for a link to a collection of twelve recommended titles that will inspire, entertain and enthral as they appeal to pupils and adults of all ages.

Mostly published within the last twelve months, they are an opportunity to sample new authors, stories and genres. 

Celia Scott
Librarian

We currently have a terrific amount of both named/initialled sports kit and many other unnamed items in lost property.  Could you please reiterate to your child that they need to check the lost property box in the changing rooms and at the Student Hub daily if they have a missing item. 

As parents, we are only too aware of the cost of sending children into school with a winter coat or any non-school uniform item and hope that items will not be lost around school during the day.  To help us help you, can we please ask that you clearly name all items. We can then do our best to ensure that named items are returned to their owners.  

Many thanks for your help and if you need any further assistance please email lostproperty@princethorpe.co.uk

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 line with guidance from Department of Health if your son/daughter has any vomiting or diarrhoea please ensure they stay off school for 48 hours after the last episode

In addition, if your child is brought 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 the school nurses can see them for a health and safety assessment and can give any extra support required.

On behalf of myself and Mrs Sally Ritchie, School Nurse, we wish you all a very happy and healthy Christmas.

Paula Greig
School Matron

'Inspiring Minds' is an excellent opportunity for students thinking about university to learn more about the options available to them. Students will have the opportunity to experience their chosen subject at undergraduate level through a range of taster lectures and workshops, receive university application guidance and take a tour of our outstanding campus with current students.

Furthermore, attending these events can make a valuable addition to any personal statement, helping students to stand out as part of the university application process.

The next two events will take place in January 2020. The dates are as follows:

Sport – Wednesday 22 January 2020
Business & Economics – Wednesday 29 January 2020

The events are free of charge, but please note that spaces are limited and therefore early booking is recommended. Please click here for more information and to book.

This year, Work Experience Placements at Princethorpe College, as part of our Careers programme, will take place at the end of the summer term for both Year 10 and 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 10 and 11 parents for helping your son/daughter to find a work placement, in anticipation and if you already have done so.  It can be done at any time after the last GCSE exams for Year 11 and the week beginning 29 June for Year 10. 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 we can action the necessary paperwork, including references, we would be grateful if you could complete the form that have already been sent out for both year groups.

Queries relating to work experience should be sent as follows:

Year 10 – Mrs Quinney at jacquiquinney@princethorpe.co.uk

Year 11 – Mr Taylor at miketaylor@princethorpe.co.uk

Huge congratulations to Year 11 pupil, Robyn Field, who together with fellow Princethorpe pupils Mary Lomas, Greg Burford, Conor Fernandez and Elsie Kelley, raised over £3,000. The money will be shared between the College’s Classrooms For Malawi initiative and the Warwickshire and Coventry Youth Orchestra, for whom Robyn plays.

Robyn, with help from her family, organised a special evening of music at Barby Village Hall that took place on Saturday 23 November. The very successful event was a sell-out and a great night was had by all. Princethorpe’s pupils provided a host of entertainment as well as waiting on tables and selling raffle tickets on the night.  Local band, The Tunnellers, for whom Robyn sings and plays the electric violin, finished the night off with a double set.

The event has given a great boost to the College’s fundraising for the Malawi trip in July 2020, where pupils will take part in a series of activities and challenges that include working with Classrooms For Malawi in a refurbishment project at Lauderdale School.

There is plenty of other fundraising afoot for Malawi, Lower Sixth Former Lauren Mason’s stalls at the College Christmas Fair and Crackley Hall Winter Wonderland brought in £236.50 and Charlotte Fitzpatrick’s festive CDs are selling steadily. 

To find out more and donate to the project please visit the project's JustGiving fundraising page here.

Princethorpe’s Chaplaincy Team has again supported the St Anne's, Wappenbury, parish shoe box appeal, to provide gifts for children overseas who would not otherwise receive a Christmas present.

Ninety one boxes were assembled at the College and delivered to the local co-ordinator, Pam Hopwood, ready to bring happiness and joy at this special time of year. A total of 2,705 boxes were dispatched from Mr and Mrs Hopwood's property. They were packed full of little gifts but also included educational and hygiene essentials such as toothbrushes, hairbrushes, paper and pens, in fact every day items to us but of great value to those who receive the present.

A grand total 61,729 boxes, collected by voluteers from various areas of the country, will be distributed by Teams4U in two regions around the Danube Delta of Romania and Belarus this week. These will be given to a vulnerable child, or family, through schools, nurseries, hospitals and orphanages. T4U share the shoe boxes through relationships with local communities as part of a long-term commitment to their children. They also provide financing for pre-school programmes to support education and development.

Special thanks to the pupils of the College who took time to collect items for the boxes and pack them and Mary Benham, Chaplaincy Co-ordinator, for supporting the project.

Many thanks must also go to Princethorpe College Estates Department who supplied a van and a member of staff, who along with one of the parishioners, enabled the transport of the boxes to the central collection point. 

Images show some of the children who have received boxes and the conditions in which they live.
(attributed to Ziz)

Sunday 8 March and Sunday 5 April 2020

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 8 March 2020 and the 40 mile walk takes place on Sunday 5 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.

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 £2,500 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 2020 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

We would like to announce the further release of the senior sports kit, which has now been extended to Year 10. 

The kit is optional and consists of a hoodie, training top and socks for the boys and hoodie, polo top and senior socks for girls. 

All items are available from the School Shop from the beginning of the Lent Term.

If you would like your child to purchase kit please send them to the School Shop with written permission from yourselves to allow us to add the items to the school account.

Neil McCollin
Foundation Director of Sport

Many congratulations to Year 10 pupil, Ethan Brown, who was presented with the Junior Spirit Of Rowing Award by the Mayor of Leicester on Sunday 8 December.   Ethan rows for Leicester Rowing Club and he received the award in recognition of his overall contribution to rowing for the club, both for his commitment to the sport and for his role in supporting and mentoring fellow rowers. The award is presented to one junior rower a year and Ethan will have his name engraved on the plaque he is holding in the picture.

Ethan was surprised and delighted to receive the award, commenting, “It is an honour to be singled out and I am very proud to have been recognised in this way.” 

Director of Sport, Neil McCollin, added “What a tremendous effort, it is great that Ethan’s dedication, commitment and mentoring of others has been recognised and it is our pleasure to support Ethan in his training and development for his sport.”

Well done Ethan we are delighted for you.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our co-curricular activities. Next term's activities will be listed at the front of the Lent Term Calendar, which you will recieve by post shortly. 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 direct your child to speak to the teacher in question listed.

Neil McCollin
Assistant Head - Co-Curricular

Tuesday Art Club - 3.45pm

Please note that numbers for Tuesday's after school Art Club are limited to 18 and some pupils missed out this term.

Please register your interest by e-mail to paulhubball@princethorpe.co.uk and we will do our very best in the allocation of places. The club will be a painting project and any pupil who signs up will be expected to attend weekly from January to Easter.

Thank you for your attendance at the recent parents' meeting. Please could all outstanding forms be returned as soon as possible.

The Evolve consent email for the second practice ski trip to the Ackers was sent on 20 November. Please contact me if you would still like to sign your son or daughter up for this trip.

The deadline for Christmas orders from the Snowunion website (snowunion.co.uk) is 30 November. These orders will be delivered to school before the end of term. All other Snowunion orders, including the free Princethorpe College tour hoody should be ordered by 26 Jan 2020. 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 30 April 2020, on all products. To take advantage of this offer, please print this voucher and show it at the till or use the online voucher code.

The second parents' meeting is on Thursday 27 February 2020 at 6.00pm-7.00pm in the Clarkson theatre. 

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

Kind Regards

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
Assistant Head - Co-Curricular

Please note that the School Shop will close from 4.30pm on Wednesday 18 December 2019 and reopen at the beginning of the Lent term on Monday 6 January 2020.

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
Uniform and School 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. Please click here to view the Lent Term menus. 

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 andrewwilliams@princethorpe.co.uk as we aim to cater for all needs.

Andrew Williams
Catering Manager

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.

Please see below our current vacancies:

• Events and Estates Co-ordinator

Full details 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.

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 2019 – 2020, 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

As it is the time of year when there is the threat of snow, it might be helpful for everyone to be familiar with the arrangements should there be significant snowfall. Where possible and if it’s safe to do so, we always remain open, even if we have to end the school day earlier than usual.

Should there be bad weather overnight, we talk to the bus companies a little before 6.00am and they brief us about their ability to operate our services. The Headmaster then makes a decision about whether the school will open.

Information will be available via the channels detailed below:

• The home page of the website www.princethorpe.co.uk will normally be updated shortly after 6.00am.
• We will also post on the College Twitter page @PrincethorpeCol and Facebook Page www.facebook.com/PrincethorpeCollege shortly after 6.00am.
• If there is likely to be disruption we will send text messages to parents’ mobiles and the mobiles of pupils who use the buses, usually by 6.30am. Please note that we are not able to receive text replies on this service. 

If you want to look online at reliable weather forecasting, then www.weather.co.uk and www.metcheck.com are both sites which we use. In the case of flooding, then www.environment-agency.gov.uk is also useful. If you look under Flood and then use the river search word Leam, that will give you a good idea of the conditions around Princethorpe and the surrounding villages.

Should we have to close in the course of the day we will send text messages to let you know the  arrangements.  

In such circumstances we will publish regular updates on the website.

Where possible, we will make sure that our main number 01926 634200 is staffed or carries a recorded message.

Eddie Tolcher
Foundation Bursar