The Flagpole

Monday 10 February 2020 - 7.00pm to 8.30pm

Our world depends on Science, Technology (including Computing), Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) and Princethorpe College is committed to helping our pupils have the aspiration, knowledge and skills to thrive, with more progressing into STEAM-related careers.

We are pleased to announce that our STEAM Presentation Evening on Monday 10 February is now fully booked.

We are still looking for STEAM Ambassadors though and if any parents have expertise in this area and would like to consider becoming a STEAM Ambassador for Princethorpe, please do email Helen Pascoe-Williams, our da Vinci Project Co-ordinator at helenpascoe-williams@princethorpe.co.uk.  An Ambassador would be someone willing for us to call on to represent the world of STEAM if ever we were looking for a guest speaker or for advice from an expert in the field to support the college’s STEAM initiatives going forward.  We are keen for you to help ignite an interest in STEAM subjects, to help our students explore STEAM subjects in innovative and inventive ways outside the curriculum, and to provide a platform to extend our pupils’ learning.

We are also very pleased to be hosting a lecture on Exo-planets by Dr Dimitri Veras on the 11 March.  Further details are available in the article below.

Wednesday 12 February 2020 at 7.30pm

It must be said that our last read was a bit of a disappointment.  The concept behind Mark Haddon’s The Porpoise seemed intriguing, but we struggled to find characters to connect with and the links between the present and the mythical world didn’t seem to lead anywhere.  We will be meeting in February on Wednesday 12 February in the library at 7.30pm. 

For this occasion we aim to read Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout.  I must say I absolutely loved this book and I hope you do too.  If you enjoy this author, you might also like to try her latest which is Olive, Again.  She writes very poignantly about the small tragedies of everyday life – yet there is a warmth and humour about her writing too.  Please join us whether or not you have read these books.  We enjoy recommendations from new members and you can be sure of a warm welcome.

Chris Kerrigan
Head of English

Tuesday 18 February 2020

Venue - Princethorpe College, Sixth Form Centre, Rugby CV23 9PX

Why are there so few women artists before the 20th century? Were they less talented, less inspired, less able than men? The background to this fascinating subject will be explored by looking at the policies of the teaching academies in the 18th century and at the women who succeeded despite the obstacles. Artists will include Artemisia Gentileschi, Angelica Kauffman, Vigée LeBrun and nearer our own time, Berthe Morisot, Gwen John, Georgia O’Keeffe and Paula Rego. The discussion suggests how recent sexual equality and equal opportunities may have enabled women to achieve artistic recognition.

We welcome back Vivien Heffernan who spoke memorably at our 2019 Princethorpe lecture on Breughel to Hockney. She is a former Teacher and Head of Art, and has worked at Essex and Cambridge Universities, as well as other colleges and adult education organisations. She is a long-standing lecturer with the Open University on art history courses ranging from the early Renaissance to the 20th century. 

Timetable: 10.00am Coffee; 10.30am Talk; 12.00pm Close

Cost: Includes tea/biscuits on arrival, £16 per AFW member/£19 per non-Member

Contact: Susan Yeomans, 07831 513039, 7 Mallory Drive, Warwick CV34 4UD

Email: sue@artfriendswarks.uk

Payment dated 25 January 2020 Cheque – payable to Art Friends Warwickshire

Online - Lloyds Ac 36633668 Sort Code 309090 Art Friends Warwickshire Reference: Women

Friday 28 February - 7.30pm to 10.00pm

Tickets for the quiz, including a fish and chip supper followed by an infamous Princethorpe Cookie, are £8.00 per head.  The PTA will be running a paying bar on the night and the quiz will be hosted by our very own quizmaster, Ed Hester.

It will be an enjoyable evening for all and a great opportunity to test your wits and to meet more Princethorpe parents.

You are welcome to put together your own team, 6 people maximum, but this is not essential as they can be created on the night.   

To purchase/reserve tickets please click here to complete the form and return to the Student Hub for the attention of Anne O’Rourke, PTA Treasurer, via your child, by Monday 24 February in order to enable us to plan our catering.  

Whilst tickets must be reserved in advance for catering purposes, payment can be made on the night or by sending cash or cheques (payable to Princethorpe College PTA) into school for the attention of Anne O'Rourke, PTA Treasurer.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Tuesday 3 March 2020 - 6.00pm

We warmly welcome you to an informal evening of scripted and devised work from KS4 and KS5 Drama and Theatre Studies pupils.

Our Year 11s are busy in the throes of preparing their two extracts for their GCSE exam the week after and Year 10 and Lower Sixth will be presenting their original devised pieces.

Please come and support them as they would love to hear your feedback.

Please note that this evening is recommended for 14+ as there are themes and language of strong content.

Tickets are not required for this event, but to help us cater efficiently please reserve places by clicking here no later than Thursday 27 February.

Aileen Cefaleillo and Vicky Roberts
Joint Heads of Drama

Friday 6 March 2020 - 6.30pm to 10.30pm

The OPs annual Pub Meet will take place at Inside the 22, on Lawrence Sheriff Street in Rugby.

The OPs Commitee will be laying on a delicious, complimentary hot and cold buffet and welcome drink, so do let us know if you can join us by visiting Princethorpe Connect or email us at oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk. 

Partners and friends are most welcome. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Spring Open Morning
Saturday 7 March 2020 - 10.30am to 12.30pm

Crackley Hall and Little Crackers, Princethorpe's junior school and nursery in Kenilworth, is opening its doors for a Spring Open Morning on Saturday 7 March from 10.30am to 12.30pm. 

This is a great chance to look around the school and nursery at the weekend and to chat to staff and pupils. Junior 5 and 6 pupils will act as tour guides and there will be music and sport activities on display. Light refreshments will be available.

Registrations are now being taken for Nursery and Reception. Limited places are available in other Year groups. The nursery is open 51 weeks a year and is carefully structured for two-year olds, three-year olds and pre-school.

All are welcome to look round the school, and to meet staff and pupils. No need to book.

Please email Mrs Jenny Vaughan, Admissions Secretary at jennyvaughan@crackleyhall.co.uk or call her on 01926 514410 for more information on the Open Morning and admissions process.

For more information visit www.crackleyhall.co.uk.

Wednesday 11 March 7.00pm - 8.30pm

Princethorpe College is pleased to be hosting a lecture on Exo-planets by Dr Dimitri Veras in the Clarkson theatre.  Please click here if you would like to attend.

The field of exo-planetary science is now a quarter of a century old, and its prominence was heightened last year with the awarding of the Nobel Prize in Physics to two pioneers in this subject. In this talk, Dr Veras will provide an overview of the mounting discoveries of these exo-planets, their smaller cousins exo-asteroids and exo-comets, and the theories which explain their formation, evolution and fate. He will highlight noteworthy exo-planets which, for example, may harbour life or are in the process of breaking up and will conclude by detailing how both the UK and West Midlands will provide significant contributions to this field in the upcoming decades.

Dr Dimitri Veras

Dimitri Veras is an Astrophysicist in the Department of Physics at the University of Warwick who researches the contents of exo-planetary systems in a wide variety of contexts, across both time and space. He has published academic articles about forming, destroying and evolving exo-planets, exo-asteroids, exo-moons and exo-comets while they interact with their parent star or stars. His most significant current research focus is on the future and fate of exo-asteroids, exo-comets, exo-moons and exo-planets: how they traverse the violent giant branch stellar evolution phases and “pollute” their host stars after they become “white dwarfs”.

Thursday 12 March 2020 - 12.15pm

On behalf of Benet House, it is my pleasure to invite you to our House Eucharist, which takes place on Thursday 12 March 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 Tuesday 10 March 2020.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Ms Lisa Challinor
Head of House – Benet

Friday 13 March 2020 

Mental health awareness has never been greater, and as a society, we are beginning to feel more confident in seeking help when we’re struggling in our lives. However while around 25% of the population will experience mental health issues at some point, studies have shown that autistic people are three times more likely to be affected, with stress, anxiety and depression common place.

Growing up is hard enough if you’re neurotypical but for autistic children, the school years, adolescence and the transition into adulthood is a particularly vulnerable time. Their communication and social interaction difficulties, can both contribute to, and cloak, a decline in mental health.

This learning day will equip parents, family carers and professionals with the tools to maintain good mental health in autistic children and young adults. Plus the knowledge to recognise and deal with any difficulties as soon as they arise.  We would encourage parents of children with ASD and anyone else who is interested to attend.  There are reduced tickets available for parents/families.

Click here for further information and to book tickets.

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.

Tuesday 17 March 2020 - 10.30am to 12.30pm

The College will be holding a Spring Open Morning on Tuesday 17 March from 10.30am to 12.30pm. All are welcome to visit the College and younger visitors are encouraged to participate in the many fun subject related activities around the various departments.

The Headmaster will address visitors during the morning and refreshments will be available.

As usual we'll be looking for help from pupils to help around school, talking to visitors and taking part in activities around the various departments.

For more information on admissions and entry to the College please visit our website or speak to the Admissions Team on 01926 634201/634262.

Saturday 21 March 2020 - 9.30am to 1.00pm

Plans for the College’s Careers Fair on Saturday 21 March are well underway. The bi-annual event is open to Year 10 to Sixth Form pupils and their parents. It provides a ‘one stop careers shop’ with a wide range of speakers and organisations on hand to offer advice and guidance.

The Careers Fair will run from 9.30am to 1.00pm and, as well as a keynote presentation, attendees will be able to attend up to three workshops depending on their personal interests and visit an exhibition zone, with stalls from many well-known companies, charities, institutions, universities and gap year organisations.

Head of Careers, Jacqui Quinney comments, “Do put Saturday 21 March in your diary, registrations will open in mid February and there will be plenty to interest and inform our pupils and their parents."