The Flagpole

Further to the Parent Questionnaire that we conducted in the Trinity Term, it was really encouraging to see that a good number of parents would like to be more involved in supporting the school across a number of areas. 

Specific areas where we would welcome help include:

• The Parent Teacher Association
• Careers-related activities: interviews, the Careers Fair (which will take place on Saturday 17 March 2018) and Work Experiences
• Co-curricular activities
• Parent focus groups

If you currently do help us in any way, or would like to think about offering your help in the future, I would be very grateful if you could fill in the brief on-line questionnaire which can be accessed here, by Friday 13 October please.

An enormous “thank you” to you all for your continued support of the College, it is hugely appreciated by both staff and the pupils.

E D Hester
Headmaster

Princethorpe College has presented a cheque to Warwickshire Young Carers for £5883.84, following a year of fundraising by pupils and staff at the school. The charity had been nominated by pupils as House charity for the school year 2016-17.

The Chief Executive of Warwickshire Young Carers, Deb Bignell, visited the school on Wednesday 20 September to receive the donation and she was presented with a cheque by Sixth Form Charity Prefects Ben Haden and Samantha Bromage-Eccles.

Deb Bignell was delighted and commented, “We will use this money to organise a residential activity week for 40 young carers. It will make a difference to their lives by allowing them to have a break and to have some fun. I know from feedback we have received before how much such an opportunity means to young carers and their families.”

Fundraising events held at the College over the year included a House Talent Show, a Bags2School collection (recycling unwanted clothes), teachers taking to the stocks, stalls at the Christmas and Summer Fairs, a carwash and lots and lots of cake sales.

House Activities Co-ordinator, Faye Roberts, said, ”The College has a strong ethos of kindness, every year we ask pupils to work together to fundraise for a charity they have chosen. There is always a lot of inter-house rivalry so the events we organise are a lot of fun and we know we are doing good too. This is a fantastic fundraising total; I am really proud of our pupils.”

The College has adopted Headway, the brain injury charity, as its chosen charity for 2017-18.

With just six weeks to go until the College's Entrance Exams for admission in September 2018, the deadline date for registrations, Friday 6 October, is fast approaching.

Registrations are flooding in post Open Afternoon and the Admissions Team is expecting more over the next week following the popular Year 6, 7 and 8 Taster Days.  Early registration is advised to enable the seeking of references from junior schools, which is a critical part of the admissions process. 

The exams for Year 7 to 10 entry will take place on Saturday 11 November from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

Open Morning on Thursday 2 November from 10.30am to 12.30pm, will give prospective pupils one last opportunity to look around the College before the exams and to quiz younger pupils who will be on hand to conduct tours for visitors.

For more information on the admissions process click here to visit the Admissions Update newsletter.

If you have any queries relating to admissions please feel free to email the Registrars at admissions@princethorpe.co.uk or call them on 01926 634201.

What was once prime time television, Ready Steady Cook, returned this week, as our latest inter-house College competition. On Tuesday 26 September teams of Sixth Formers from each House took part in a hotly contested cooking challenge, serving up two plates of food, a main and a dessert, in the Food Technology suite.

The students had just 25 minutes to produce their mouth-watering creations from a bag of mystery ingredients.

The kitchens were quickly a whir of activity with knives chopping, whisks beating and pans bubbling as the teams of three set to work. Onlookers encouraged from the side and House Activities Leader, Faye Roberts, called out regular time checks, as the time ticked quickly away.

Representing Austin were Abbie Baker, Luke Tallis and Alex Hutcheson. They put together a stir fry with noodles and a pastry cum marshmallow concoction. For Fisher it was Fennah Jones, Will Stone and Freya Barnett who rustled up stuffed peppers, pasta and pancakes with raspberries and chocolate sauce. Benet’s team were Head Girl Miriam Isaacs, Charlotte Martin and Bryn Lewis who cooked a Spanish omelette and pancakes with chocolate and raspberry sauce. Finally, for More it was Alex Tubb, Mark Hewlett and Haydn Connell whose nifty number included loaded nachos, wraps and more expertly flipped pancakes.

The judges assembled drawn by the lovely smells and took their places at the table. Under the watchful eyes of the competitors and their supporters they taste-tested the delicious assortment of dishes, deliberating long and hard before finally ordering the plates, à la ‘bake off’, in order of preference.

The final results were:

Mains: 1st Benet, 2nd Fisher, 3rd More, 4th Austin
Dessert: 1st Fisher, 2nd Benet, 3rd More and 4th Austin

Another marvellous House competition! Huge thanks to all of the competitors for their enthusiastic efforts, to Faye Roberts for providing the organisation and ingredients, to Charlotte Hetherington for keeping control in the kitchens and to our fearless judges Hattie Brember, Tom Knowles and Becky Underhill who dived into the dishes on offer.

Our Sixth Formers cooked up a storm – they certainly won’t be starving students when they go off to university.

The newly formed Development focus group was kindly hosted by Princethorpe parent Robert Lee at the stunning offices of Wright Hassall solicitors in Leamington Spa. The group, consisting of five current and former parents, generously give their time, guidance and advice to the Development team, giving valued feedback on latest projects such as the bursary campaign’s ‘Cut the Coffee’ regular giving initiative.

The group meets termly and is a very convivial, informal, and creative forum for discussion. The Development team values such donations of time and expertise greatly, and it is wonderful to have such a mix of skills around the table. The group, which represents a cross section of parents at the College, gives invaluable feedback and direction to all our fundraising work.

The Bursary campaign, launched in March, aims to transform the lives of children who would otherwise be unable to attend Princethorpe College. The Fund provides opportunities to those families whose circumstances prevent them from accessing the fantastic education, care and support that a Princethorpe education offers. The regular giving campaign, invites Princethorpe supporters, to sacrifice just three cups of coffee a month and join the growing number of families who give small, regular donations to benefit other children and transform lives. Further details can be found here.

A big thank you to those parents who are part of the focus group. If any parents, grandparents, or supporters of the College would like to know more about the group, please contact Rachel Hadley-Leonard, Director of Development, at rachelhadleyleonard@princethorpe.co.uk or by telephoning 01926 634265.

In mid-September 25 Upper Sixth students headed off for four days to a new destination for this year’s Biology Field Trip, the Isle of Wight. For once the weather outlook was promising with glorious sunshine forecast, rather than the rain and wind that has battered so many of our previous outings.

The group’s first stop off the ferry was to Monkey Haven, an Owl and Monkey rescue sanctuary, in Newport, where the students enjoyed learning about ex-situ conservation as well meeting the rascally meerkats.

Their next few days were spent at the Medina Valley Outdoor Education Centre where the students completed two of their required assessed Biology practicals, as well as getting useful hands on experience of real field work. Small mammal traps enabled them to sample the local population of shrews and they were thrown in at the deep end on the first night dissecting owl pellets for skull remains and other bones to identify what the owls had been eating – fascinating but rather smelly!

Practical work was completed on the salt marsh and rocky shores with plenty of time for rock pooling for crabs, starfish and the filter feeders sea squirts.

The return journey was broken up with an informative stop off at Southampton University’s Oceanography Centre. As well as a lecture on climate change and a tour of the laboratories and aquariums the students took a fascinating trip out on the University’s Research Vessel - Callista. Our students carried out five different experiments including tests for abiotic data, and they even deployed the trawler nets to find all sorts of interesting creatures. It was the highlight of the day.

Head of Biology, Faye Roberts, commented, “I was really proud of our students’ enthusiasm and willingness to get stuck into new challenges. They made the most of every experience, learnt a lot and hopefully had some fun too. The sunshine was a fantastic welcome bonus to a very successful trip.”

Huge congratulations go to Princethorpe Sixth Former Finn Nicholas who completed the inaugural Vélo Birmingham 100-mile cycling event on Sunday 24 September.

17-year-old Finn took to the course in aid of Cure Leukaemia and was joined by his dad, Mark, who was recently diagnosed with Leukaemia, plus a group of his dad’s friends and members of the charity from across the West Midlands.

The epic cycling challenge saw the team take on a very ‘tough and lumpy’ course with over 7000ft of climbing. Finn’s dad was particularly proud of him as he still took part in the ride even after playing a whole rugby match in the front row for Princethorpe the day before! Well done Finn!    

All money raised by Mark and Finn will help Cure Leukaemia support the £3.2million expansion of the Centre for Clinical Haematology (CCH) at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, which is leading the global fight against all forms of blood cancer.

If you would like to sponsor Finn and his dad Mark, please visit:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/finn-and-mark-nicholas-cure

Incredibly there are some 24 official languages and over 200 different spoken dialects in Europe alone. Back 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 the European Day of Languages, this year Tuesday 26 September, is just one of them. Set up by the Council of Europe in 2001, the day promotes the importance of language learning and the cultural diversity Europe provides.

Championed by our MFL team, pupils across the College were informed about the joys of learning another language; not just for the purpose of public examinations but for lifelong learning and inter-cultural understanding.

Even the College catering team, Holroyd Howe, got behind the theme of linguistic diversity with a cornucopia of European delights such as; stroganoff, arrabiata chicken and focaccia served in a European flag-decorated dining room.

Throughout the week all sorts of activities have been taking place. A design a t-shirt competition, trivia quizzes, European language film showings and the MFL photo booth have all run alongside the usual provision for Spanish, French and German lessons.

Mademoiselle Charlotte Verleure’s enthusiasm for languages is evident. “Through the lessons we teach and pupils’ day to day life they are encountering different European influences on a regular basis. I hope the events that have taken place this week have been enjoyable and will inspire everyone with the languages they learn.”

On Sunday 24 September Princethorpe opened its doors wide and gave a warm welcome to hundreds of prospective parents and pupils. With the College’s Entrance Examinations now taking place in November our Open Afternoon was much earlier in the academic calendar and we were delighted to be able to take advantage of the September sun.

All afternoon the school was at its sparkling best, a well organised hive of activity; departments had prepared informative displays, staff and present pupils were on hand to take questions and talk with parents and of course there were plenty of fun subject-related activities for younger (and older) visitors to enjoy. Rewards were on offer for all those who ‘had a go’ with stickers to collect and a choice of snazzy prizes for the children on their way home.

Outside many chose to try their hand at archery and to visit a new attraction, Switzerland, our ‘outdoor classroom’. In the Limes the climbing wall was as always a popular draw and the classrooms were abuzz with parents and children exploring IT, Maths, English and MFL.

Music echoed around the Roundhouse and mini drama sketches attracted audiences to the newly refurbished Theatre. Through the length and breadth of the school, visitors were invited to ‘have a go’ at dissection, control mini robots, taste test scones, watch some explosive experiments and explore mother boards.

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

Visitors were up on last year with nearly 200 families visiting the College, many completely new to the school. For all it was a great chance to soak up the special Princethorpe atmosphere and to get a flavour of day to day life.

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

On Monday 18 September the College was delighted to welcome back educational researcher, Martin Griffin, the CEO of Mindset Character Education.

Martin visited the College to talk with this year’s Sixth Form, Year 11 and Year 10 pupils. He spoke about the characteristics of a successful pupil and shared his wisdom on the different techniques and mindsets required to achieve top grades. He is more than equipped to give expert advice in this area, having spent many years in teaching, including as Deputy Head Teacher at the Blue Coat School in Oldham, and in roles as Head of Faculty and Head of Department. He has seen a lot of successful and not so successful pupils over the years, so his strategies are based on real pupil experience and his presentation was full of excellent practical advice.

For all of our pupils Martin’s advice was timely, informative and constructive but it was especially relevant for our Lower Sixth and Year 10s who are at the start of their examination courses.

Dr Michael Reddish, Director of Studies, said, “We are delighted that Martin has returned to present his A-level Mindset to our Sixth Form again, and especially pleased that this time he is also sharing his GCSE Mindset with Year 11 and Year 10 pupils. This is in response to the feedback we received from pupils and parents after his visit last year. His strategies have inspired much of our new study skills curriculum so staff will be following through on Martin’s visit today to reinforce his advice and techniques in the classroom and in exam preparation.”

He continued, “At Princethorpe we want our pupils to be the best they can be. We work hard to create a ‘can do’ environment and we know getting a ‘growth mindset’ as they focus on their studies will make a difference to their final grades.”

Click here for copies of Martin's presentations.

Wednesday 4 October 2017

In our September meeting we spent most of our time discussing Deborah Levy's "Hot Milk" which explores the very complex relationship between a mother and her daughter. All had found this an engaging read despite the many unanswered questions it left us with. We also spoke about Mark Lawson's "The Allegations" which bravely addresses the difficult issue of historical allegations for bullying and abuse.  This is difficult subject matter which Lawson manages to handle in a measured and good-humoured manner. 

We will be meeting again in the library at 7.30pm on Wednesday 4 October when we'll be discussing "A Rising Man" by Abir Mukherjee. This comes warmly recommended to us as something a little lighter than some of our recent reads. A murder mystery set just after the First World War in Calcutta, it is very evocative of time and place.  Please do join us whether or not you have had time to read this book. We always welcome new readers with different reading enthusiasms.

Chris Kerrigan
Head of English 

Thursday 5 October - 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 5 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.

If you can't make the Open Day but would like to look around the school, please call our Admissions Secretary, Mrs Angela Barnard on 01926 514444 and come on a day to suit you, we welcome visitors on most days.

For more information visit http://www.crackleyhall.co.uk/ or visit the Crackley Admissions Update, which was issued this week.

Friday 6 October - 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 6 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.

If you can't make the Open Day but would like to visit the school, please call our Registrar, Mrs Helen Morley on 01788 523851 and come on a day to suit you, we welcome visitors on most days.

For more information visit http://www.crescentschool.co.uk/ or visit the Crescent School Admissions Update, which was issued this week.

Wednesday 11 October - 6.30pm to 9.00pm

Year 11 pupils and their parents are warmly invited to the Sixth Form Open Evening on Wednesday 11 October 2017 from 6.30pm to 9.00pm.

The evening will focus on the key events and dates in the Sixth Form application process, specific A-level subject information and advice provided by the Heads of Departments and general information on the Sixth Form experience at Princethorpe.

The evening will include brief talks from Ed Hester, Ben Collie, Head of Sixth Form, the Assistant Heads, Rod Isaacs and Louise Harrison, and some current members of the Sixth Form. These sessions will run twice during the evening at 7.00pm and 8.00pm in our newly refurbished Theatre. In addition, there will be short presentations in each of the departments during the evening. 

External candidates are also very welcome at the event, so please help spread the word.

A letter containing further information has been posted to parents.

Thursday 12 October - 12.15pm

On behalf of Benet House, it is my pleasure to invite you to our first House Eucharist which takes place on Thursday 12 October in the College Chapel (please note the change from the published calendar date).

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 with Jennifer Vaughan by clicking here no later than Friday 29 September.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Ms Lisa Challinor
Head of House - Benet

Friday 3 November 2017

Plans are well advanced for our annual Prize Giving ceremony which will take place on Friday 3 November.  The venue is Warwick Arts Centre, University of Warwick, a magnificent location which accommodates up to 1,200.

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 House prizes for progress and achievement to pupils from last year's Years 7-10.  A number of other awards and prizes will be distributed including our most prestigious, The Princethorpe Shield.  The Year 7 Chorus will be singing, and the Jazz Band and Orchestra performing.  We hope all new pupils and parents will attend.

Attendance at Prize Giving is by invitation only with the venue able to accommodate all new pupils and their parents as well as the families of those receiving certificates and prizes. Invitations have been posted and a prompt reply would be appreciated via the electronic link that will be emailed out shortly.

Once numbers attending are known, we may be able to extend invitations to others who wish to join us but whose sons or daughters are not in one of the categories that automatically receive an invitation.  If you would like to attend but do not received a formal invitation, please email the Headmaster’s PA: carmelhopkins@princethorpe.co.uk before half term and we will do our best to squeeze you in.

Thursday 12 October 2017

The final deadline for entries for the majority of university admissions tests is Thursday 12 October. These are processed by the College. If your son or daughter needs to enter one of the tests, please make sure that they have notified their tutor and Mrs Dodds, our Examinations Officer, using the form attached here.

Ben Collie
Head of Sixth Form

Progress Reports for Lower and Upper Sixth will be published on Friday 6 October 2017 and will be available to view on the Pupil and Parent Portals.  

Digby Carrington-Howell
Deputy Head (Staffing and Assessment) 

Progress Reports for Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 will be published on Friday 13 October 2017 and will be available to view on the Pupil and Parent Portals.  

Digby Carrington-Howell
Deputy Head (Staffing and Assessment) 

On Friday 13 October we will have our first non-uniform day of the year. Pupils are asked to contribute a donation of £2 for the privilege of wearing their own clothes. Participation is not compulsory. However, if pupils do choose to wear non-uniform they are expected to donate.

Some simple guidelines for appropriate non-uniform attire are published in the pupil’s homework diaries – please ensure that these guidelines are followed.

The money raised will be divided between Breast Cancer Charities, CAFOD Harvest Appeal and Mary’s Meals.

Mary’s Meals is a global movement that sets up school feeding projects in some of the world’s poorest communities, where hunger and poverty prevent children from gaining an education. £13.90 is all it costs to feed a child for a whole school year. By providing a daily meal in a place of learning, Mary’s Meal’s meet the immediate needs of hungry children and encourage them to go to school to gain an education that can, in the future, be their ladder out of poverty.

CAFOD is working with Solidaridad CVX in El Salvidoro, providing training for farmers and reintroducing native seeds that were used generations ago. These seeds are strong and able to grow in the warm, rainy climate, ensuring that farmers are able to harvest crops, and with that, the surety that they will be able to provide for their families.

There are many items of lost property at the Student Hub. In particular, there are approximately 25 black sports fleeces.  

If your child has lost an item please either email Ms Satchwell, juliesatchwell@princethorpe.co.uk or call in at the Student Hub to retrieve it.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.  

Mrs Beth Sharpe
Deputy Head, Pastoral

Thursday 12 October 2017

We would like to invite parents and Old Princethorpians to take part in our annual Interview Skills Day for our Upper Sixth students on Thursday 12 October 2017 at Princethorpe College.

Our Sixth Form students are now considering their options of university, apprenticeships or other career paths and we know it is very likely that they will be interviewed for their chosen courses or careers in the near future. From September our students will be able to begin applications, and make important decisions, and we hope our practice interview day in October will help them in this.

Our parents and Old Princethorpians, with experience and expertise in so many areas, play an essential part in this process.

The day begins just after 9.00am, when our volunteer interviewers will gather in the Sixth Form atrium for a briefing about the interviews ahead. The interviews themselves usually last until lunchtime although some lucky volunteers do find they have interviews in the afternoon too! Lunch is a pleasant occasion, allowing us the opportunity to chat and reflect upon the morning's proceedings.

We are keen to hear from anyone who can offer expertise in a range of disciplines such as:

• Marketing/Management/Business
• Accountancy
• History
• Mechanical Engineering
• Music
• Biological Sciences
• Psychology
• Philosophy
• Medicine
• Physics
• English/Journalism
• Sports Science/PE
• Maths
• Speech Therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Classics
• Sociology
• ICT

or anyone who is experienced in coaching interview techniques. However, all offers of help are gratefully received for all or just part of the day.

If you think you might be able to help, please can you reply by clicking here and completing the short form.

I will, of course, let you know whether we would like your help as soon as I know which disciplines/areas of expertise are required. I will then get in touch with you with more detailed information nearer the time. Meanwhile, the attached PDF document here will give you an idea of the structure of the day.

Thanking you in advance.

The careers team are keen to involve parents as much as possible in assisting with the decisions your children will be making when choosing a career and their next step. As such, I will be passing on information that might be useful to you.

Please see the articles below for information regarding the following:

• QS World University Tour
• National Healthcare Careers Weekend

Jacqui Quinney
Head of Careers and UCAS Coordinator

Sunday 1 October 2017

The QS World University Tour is returning to London this Autumn, giving students a fantastic opportunity to meet face-to-face with admissions directors from over twenty of the world's top universities. 

The fair takes place in London on Sunday 1 October 2017 and will be held at Hilton London Metropole, W2 1JU from 2.00pm until 5.30pm.

There will be many leading universities in attendance - both from the UK and abroad – who will be looking to talk to students interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree.

The fair is best suited to year 12 and 13 students (or those that have recently finished) and is also open to parents who would like to learn more about the various options available to their children. To avoid queuing on the day, you can register online in advance here. Full details of all the universities exhibiting and the seminar timetable will be then be emailed to you closer to the event date.

Jacqui Quinney
Head of Careers and UCAS Coordinator

18-19 November 2017

The National Healthcare Weekend on 18 and 19 November is taking place in London, Cardiff, Birmingham, Nottingham and Lancaster.

Over 30 conferences on different specialties on the same day! Eight hundred healthcare professionals from across the United Kingdom will be volunteering to present and network pupils who are interested in:

• Medicine
• Veterinary Medicine
• Nursing & Midwifery
• Dentistry
• Pharmacy
• Biomedical Sciences
• Psychology

These conferences provide a valuable opportunity for pupils to network with a variety of healthcare professions, learn about work experience opportunities and how to make a successful application.

Registration is £25 for pupils on the Saturday conferences and there is an optional UCAS lecture available on Sunday for each specialty.  Please note that these events are likely to fill up quickly!

Pupils can register on the Medic Mentor website and find out more about events here.

All proceeds from the weekend will be used to support UK's healthcare students with scholarships, elective bursaries, free training and educational initiatives.

Tuesday 10 October 2017

This fun celebration of porridge – the best food in the world – takes place as a fundraiser for Mary’s Meals, the charity that feeds the world's poorest children in their place of education every day. They now feed 1,230,171 children throughout the world. The average cost of feeding a child for a year is £13.90.

Parents and pupils are invited to sponsor a child for a year. To help with your fundraising we would be delighted to supply a T-shirt and/or Big Blue Mary's Meals Collection Mug, into which people can put their spare coins over the course of a month or year and then send into school. When it is full so we can pass the money onto Mary’s Meals. If you would like a T-shirt (sizes S/M/L/XL) or mug to help with your fundraising please click here to request which item you would like.

On World Porridge Day, before school and at break time, the dining rooms will be serving delicious homemade porridge  - £1 for a standard bowl with brown sugar and £2 for the deluxe version with a range of exotic toppings. All proceeds will go to Mary’s Meals.   

During the lunch break, we shall hold our 8th Annual William Wallace Welly Wanging Competition and find out if anyone can beat former Sports Captain Alastair Jenkinson’s amazing throw of 35 metres (2013) or even Mr Parsons impressive 32 metres (2016). All years are welcome to enter, competing for the honour of their house. The entry fee is 50p per person for three throws. Again, all proceeds will go to Mary’s Meals and there will be Highland Toffee for the winners and Welly Wanging certificates, based on the longest throw for boys and girls in each year group. 

If you wish to make an online donation the easiest way is to use the Mary's Meals donation page here. If you are sending in a cheque, please complete the Gift Aid form here and send in with your cheque.

Rod Isaacs
Assistant Head of Sixth Form

Friday 13 October 2017

This is the day when the Sixth Formers leave their ‘non-uniform day’ attire at home to become (not so?) pretty in pink in aid of Breast Cancer UK.

Events taking place are:

• Break and Lunch time: Cake sale in the Refectory (donations for a cake please)
• Lunch time: Fashion Show. Pay £0.50 to dress up a Sixth Form boy (clothes will be provided) and see him take to the catwalk.

Louise Harrison
Assistant Head of Sixth Form

This year the Chaplaincy is again supporting our 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.

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 decoration small decorative item, small saucepan
• T-towels (preferably quite decorative). plastic containers, washing line pegs
• Washing up cloths

All items may be left in the Chaplaincy G13 and the Chaplaincy Prefects will supervise the sorting and packing of the boxes.

Mary Benham
Chaplaincy Co-ordinator

Firstly, I should like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who have already supported me in raising an amazing £4200 for my Great Wall of China Trek in aid of Ovarian Cancer, which is unbelievable knowing my target was £2800!!  However Helen and I are now hoping to raise £5000 each,  making a total of £10,000 for Ovarian Cancer  which would be absolutely incredible knowing that Helen has survived Ovarian Cancer 10 years this year.

Secondly, for those of you that don’t know, on 14 October 2017 I will take part in a trek of the Great Wall of China in aid of Ovarian Cancer with my very dear friend Helen Hogg who survived ovarian cancer, please read her very moving blog below:-

"In October 2007, at the age of 47, I got the news that every women dreads, I had Ovarian Cancer.  A major operation and chemotherapy was my life for the next 8 months.

With my son just starting his first term away at university and my daughter only 14 years old I hoped and prayed to be given the chance for at least another 10 years to see them both settled.

When I was receiving my treatment I read an inspiring article about a group of women who walked the Great Wall of China in aid of Ovarian Cancer and I remember thinking if I do make it through this I want to do something like that to give hope to other women who are in the same situation as me.

So in October 2017, 10 years on from my diagnosis, I will walk the Great Wall of China as part of the Ovarian Cancer Action Team along with my friend Julie Satchwell.

In the UK every 2 hours a woman dies from Ovarian Cancer.  Hopefully with further research, funded by fundraising challenges such as this, we can make sure that Ovarian Cancer is diagnosed early in women so they too can survive it."

Should you wish to help me push my target to £5,000 please visit my fundraising page https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/juliesatchwell 

I really can’t believe it’s nearly here now….

Have you been away for your summer holidays? Maybe you have some left over foreign currency? Maybe there are a few old coins or notes lurking in the back of a drawer, a pocket or a handbag? Why not round them up and put them to good use? All donations would be gratefully received and all money raised will support the work of Youth SVP in the UK of which our Youth SVP group is a part. Click here to discover what the SVP organisation is about and how your donation can help. 

The money can be current or out of date, British or foreign; anything is welcome! Click here and watch the video to see how cash4coins works. This is what you can donate:

• All foreign coins and banknotes
• Current UK coins and banknotes
• Any old British and Irish money
• Even obsolete currency! 

Please send in money in a strong envelope labelled ‘Rod Isaacs - cash4coins'. This can be handed in at the staff room or left in the collection box outside my office (Room F30).

Many thanks

Rod Isaacs
Assistant Head of Sixth Form

Our U13 Girls’ Hockey Team were celebrating last weekend following a fine win at the invitational Bedford Modern School Hockey Tournament on Saturday 23 September.

There were eight teams competing in total and our U13A side were undefeated throughout the tournament. They won on shuffles in the final against Winchester House, with Jasmin Rose saving all three to clinch their victory!

There was also success for our U12A team who made their debut as an U13B side and beat a Stamford B team to secure an excellent win a year young, taking 7th place overall.  

Every single girl was brilliant and there was lots of great parental support too.

Chris McCullough

Our Primary School programme of activities kicked off early this year with the 14th Junior Schools Sports Festival taking place in only the third week of term. Spread over two nights, local schools were invited to participate in hockey and football tournaments on the College’s excellent all weather pitch facilities. In total over 80 children took part representing five different local primary schools and it was lovely to see so many parents turning up to support.

The junior hockey tournament took place on Monday 18 September and playing were teams from Crackley Hall, The Croft, Our Lady’s and The Revel. For the girls who had played hockey before, this tournament was an exciting occasion to put their skills into practise in a competitive environment, whilst those who were new to the game were treated to a hockey skills masterclass by some of Princethorpe’s top hockey coaches and first team hockey players.

The tournament was hard fought, with the newly learnt skills helping to build the flow of play. All the teams took turns playing each other and the games were close. Final standings at the end of the tournament were 1st The Revel, 2nd Crackley Hall, 3rd The Croft and 4th Our Lady’s.

Mrs Brookes, Princethorpe’s Head of Girls’ Games enjoyed seeing the talent on display, “It was lovely to see the girls having so much fun; it is great to see so many junior girls playing this fantastic sport.”

The junior football tournament took place later the same week on Friday 22 September. Five local primary schools took part; The Revel, The Crescent, Crackley Hall, The Croft and Our Lady’s. Taking a similar format to the girls’ hockey tournament the boys played a round robin of games on two pitches. The coaches gave good side line support shouting advice to their players who enthusiastically committed to games of nine minutes each way. Matches were fast paced and the teams focused. The ball was moved skilfully up and down the pitch and there were some excellent shots at goal.

The final results were declared as 1st The Revel, 2nd The Croft, 3rd Crescent, 4th Our Lady’s and 5th Crackley Hall.

Princethorpe College’s Primary School Liaison Teacher, Mr Cyp Vella, said “All the children deserve huge congratulations for their energy and enthusiasm – there was a lot of talent on display and it was wonderful to see the children competing so proudly for their schools.”

Our thanks go to all of the staff and pupils involved in the organising and running of the two tournaments in our fantastic festival of sport.

Huge congratulations to Princethorpe College Year 11 pupil, Will Basford, who represented Europe in the inaugural International Federation of Pickleball’s Bainbridge Cup, which took place in Madrid from 15-17 September. Like the Ryder Cup for golf, the Bainbridge Cup pits the best of Europe against the best of the United States in the growing sport of Pickleball.

Pickleball is a racquet sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis and is currently one of the fastest growing racquet sports in the world. Devised in the sixties in the United States part of its appeal is that it is easy to play and a sport for everyone.

Fifteen-year-old Will says, “I like that you need a mix of skills to play Pickleball, it is very easy to learn, fast-paced and great fun.”

Whilst in Madrid Will also took part in the Spanish Open playing in the Men’s U30 Doubles with his partner Ben Stuchbury, who attends Lawrence Sheriff School. The boys played brilliantly and were delighted to finish in an amazing second place, taking home the silver medal.

Will continues, “I was so proud to represent my country and Europe. Taking part in an international competition was very special. The atmosphere was electric and we were very happy to come second and win the silver medal. We have made lots of friends from around the world and are hoping to make it to further tournaments later in the year.”

A keen sportsman, Will has made great progress as he has only been playing Pickleball for a year. He began playing in Banbury but now plays twice a week in a new club in Rugby. He has previously only played in one tournament in the UK so his success is to be especially commended.

Well done Will, we are very proud of you.

If you would like to find out more about Pickleball visit http://pickleball.org.uk.

Pickleball can be played weekly on a Monday 7.00pm-9.00pm at the Queen's Jubilee Centre in Rugby.  Contact samgbasford@gmail.com for more information.

It has been fantastic to see so many have already signed up for the award this year.  Please be reminded that the enrolment deadline is Friday 13 October (Half Term).

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

Will Bower
Head of Outdoor Education

The Presentation

Information Booklet

Enrolement Form

If you wish to move on to the next level you must have finished your award by Friday 13 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

If you are having problems with any of these steps please come to the DofE Completion drop in sessions on a Tuesday lunchtime in LG01.

Will Bower
Head of Outdoor Education

We would love to hear from any parents or Old Princethorpians who could offer practical help in running an Enrichment class for the Lower Sixth during the Lent Term or Trinity Terms 2018. 

Anything from Public Speaking to a Running Group, Creative Design Courses to Pub Quizzes, in fact any skill or activity that might interest, inform or stretch the minds of young people!

If you have a hobby or a skill which you would like to share with a small group of Sixth Formers each Friday afternoon from 14:55 - 15:45, then we would be delighted to hear from you.

The Lent Term sessions begin on Friday 12 January and run until Friday 16 March 2018.  There would be nine weekly sessions in total (subject to course take up) with six in the first half term and three in the second half term. The Trinity Term sessions begin on 20 April and run until 29 June 2018 with five sessions in the first half term and three in the second half term.

Please complete the Parental Involvement survey here if you would like to offer your assistance, thank you.

Rod Isaacs
Assistant Head of Sixth Form

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

Greg Hunter
Assistant Head - Co-curricular

The ski trip to Val di Fiemme, Italy is for pupils currently in Years 8 and 10. It runs from Thursday 29 March to Thursday 5 April 2018 (over the Easter weekend) and costs £899. There are a small number of places still available, please email catherinewarne@princethorpe.co.uk if you are interested in further details.

Important dates for your diary:

Thursday 2 November 2017

First Parent meeting 6.00pm -7.00pm Sixth Form Atrium

Preliminary information with important forms that need to be completed and returned 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.

Thursday 4 January 2017

Ski Trip Practice 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. An Evolve consent form will be sent by email nearer the time for parents to add pupils onto the trip.

Thursday 1 March 2018

Second Parent Meeting 6.00pm - 7.00pm Sixth Form Atrium

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.

Wednesday 7 March 2018

Ski Trip Practice 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 15.45pm and returning at 20.30pm. Cost £32. Max number of students is 40. An Evolve consent form will be sent by email nearer the time for parents to add pupils onto the trip.

Thurs 29 March – Thurs 5 April 2018 (Over Easter Weekend)

Ski Trip to Val di Fiemme, Italy 

Departure and return times are still to be confirmed but it is likely to be late afternoon on both days.

A proof of the whole school photograph has been distributed to all pupils.  In addition, all Year 7 and any new pupils to the school have also received an individual photograph proof.  Details of how to place your order are in the proof pack.  The order deadlines are as follows:  

18 October - Whole School photo

15 October - Individual photos 

Thank you.

Mrs Sharpe
Deputy Head, Pastoral

We seek to appoint a well-qualified, dynamic and lively graduate to teach Economics to A-level and ideally Business Studies, working in a flourishing and successful department. The role is to cover a maternity leave, starting in October 2017, and can be offered on a full-time or part-time basis. Candidates should be able to demonstrate success in the classroom and be effective team players.

NQTs are also welcome to apply; the College has a comprehensive induction programme leading to full QTS status. Single accommodation may be available. Princethorpe has its own pay scale which is above national scales.

This is an excellent opportunity to join the fast growing Foundation that values its staff and offers a rewarding benefits package including discounted places for staff, a pension scheme, child care vouchers and a cycle to work scheme.

Application: To apply for this vacancy applicants must submit a Princethorpe College application form, together with a CV and covering letter detailing your personal qualities, experience and how you meet the person specification for the role. Applicants must ensure the application form is fully completed, including a detailed career history with specific dates.

Closing date: Monday 2 October 2017, at 9.00am, although candidates are advised to apply immediately. Interviews will be held at Princethorpe and may be prior to the closing date.

Further details and an application form are available from the College website www.princethorpe.co.uk/employment-opportunities

We seek to appoint a Science Technician to service Biology to A-Level and support the other Science disciplines (Chemistry and Physics) to KS4 and keep the laboratories, preparation rooms and storage areas clean, tidy and well organised. Basic numeracy and literacy skills, a flexible and collaborative approach, together with a willingness to undertake further studies would be strong recommendations. Experience of microbiology would be an advantage as would a proven aptitude for working in a technical support team or working in school science laboratories.

This is a permanent, term-time only role (36 weeks of the year), working from 9.00am to 4.30pm with half an hours’ unpaid lunch (35 hours per week) with occasional additional duties such as Open Days and Evenings.

The post ideally starts on 30 October 2017 but flexibility will be given for the right candidate.

This is an excellent opportunity to join the fast growing Foundation that values its staff and offers a rewarding benefits package including discounted places for staff, a pension scheme, child care vouchers and a cycle to work scheme.

Application: To apply for this vacancy applicants must submit a Princethorpe College application form, together with a CV and covering letter detailing your personal qualities, experience and how you meet the person specification for the role. Applicants must ensure the application form is fully completed, including a detailed career history with specific dates.

Closing date: Monday 9 October 2017, at 9.00am and interviews are likely to be held on Friday 13 October at Princethorpe.

Further details and an application form are available from the College website www.princethorpe.co.uk/employment-opportunities

During the forthcoming half term any items of sports kit can be brought into the school shop for initialling.

If you would like to take advantage of this free embroidery service, please drop your kit into the shop before 4.00pm on Friday 13 October 2017.  

All articles of clothing must be new or freshly laundered please.

Items will be ready for collection from the shop when school reopens on Monday 30 October 2017.

If you have any queries please contact Nicola Browne on 01926 634272 or email uniform@princethorpe.co.uk

Nicola Browne
Shop Manager