The Flagpole

Well done to those who met the first deadline and submitted their eDofE programme planners by Tuesday 15 December.  Please check to see if your selections have been approved and whether any further information is required.  You can now start logging your hours.  

As a reminder to Gold and Silver participants, the expedition training takes place in January: 

Gold – Friday 29 January 4.30pm - 9.00pm and Saturday 30 January 2021 9.00am - 1.00pm

Silver - Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 January 2021 9.00am - 4.00pm 

For those still finalising their activities, please see below a summary of the necessary steps. 

Additional guidance has been emailed directly home, please could participants spend some time reading through this information with their parents. 

1. Login to eDofE website and update personal details – DofE will then send your Participant Handbook directly to you.
2. Set the timescales for your award (for example at Bronze - physical 6, volunteering 3 and skill 3 months).
3. Complete the ‘programme planners’ for physical, volunteering and skill sections. This includes:    

• selecting the activity
• inputting start dates
• setting a goal to achieve
• recording your assessor details

Submit your ‘programme planners’ online to your DofE Leader for approval. Once approved you can start your award. 

In addition to the email sent to pupils and parents, resources can be found on MySchoolPortal

Will Bower
Head of Outdoor Education – DofE Manager

Tuition for the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) examinations is an integral part of the performing arts offering at Princethorpe College. Lessons have continued in school this term, albeit following new procedures to ensure safe social distancing.

In mid-November, 54 pupils took LAMDA examinations over a period of three days and the College was delighted that LAMDA were able to send two experienced examiners to the school, so that pupils could experience the traditional face to face assessment, so important for the performing arts disciplines.

Peripatetic LAMDA Teacher, Kathy Buckingham-Underhill, said, “The examiners commented on the varied selection of exams being taken by our pupils, from Grade 2 up to Grade 8, in subjects as diverse as Speaking in Public, Acting and Miming. We wanted to celebrate their hard work so we have put together a short film that includes a selection of the more accessible pieces of performance.”

We do hope you enjoy it. You can watch the film here. 

The Lent term calendar will be arriving on your doorsteps next week but for those families who would like to get ahead of their planning please click here for co-curricular activities for Lent 2021. Please do check it closely as there are some changes with regards to nights for certain sports, changes of age groups for clubs like The Fashion Academy and some great new additions like Ancient Greek for Year 8.  

Predicting where sports will be within their National Governing Body guidelines in January, post the opening of Christmas bubbles, is incredibly challenging so we have made the decision that there will be no fixtures against opposing schools in January. When we return to fixtures, we are hoping to play Saturday fixtures first so that we can manage the logistics and procedures in line with Government guidance. There will also be no internal sport on Saturday the 9, 16 and 23 January due to the College hosting Year 6 Taster Days and Entrance Exams; however, the incredibly popular sports festivals will return on 30 January and 6 February - more information to come out in the New Year. 

From all the staff who run the co-curricular activities at the College, we wish all the pupils and their families the very best for the festive season and we look forward to seeing them fit and well in the New Year.  

Neil McCollin
Assistant Head - Co-Curricular

Bronze 

Well done to all who have completed their award so far; certificates will be distributed in year group assemblies next term.

For the remainder of participants, please prioritise this over the Christmas holiday by uploading your physical, volunteering and skills section assessor reports. 

For help please refer to the DofE temporary Changes Update, eDofE Completion Guide and the Electronic Assessor Report Guide.

DofE Completion Drop-In Sessions will continue to be held in the New Year.  Please see the names on the pupil briefing and meet Mr Robertson on Friday at 12.15pm in LG01.  These meetings are compulsory so a register will be taken.   

Silver and Gold

Well done to those who have managed to complete their physical volunteering and skills sections; excellent work. Further information regarding qualifying expeditions will be sent out in due course.  

For help please refer to the DofE temporary Changes Update, eDofE Completion Guide and the Electronic Assessor Report Guide.

DofE Completion Drop-In Sessions continue on a Tuesday, with the names on the pupil briefing.  Please meet Mr Bower at 12.15pm in S40 on Upper Pugin.  These meetings are compulsory, so a register will be taken.   

Will Bower
Head of Outdoor Education – DofE Manager