The Flagpole

Registrations for September 2018 entry to the College are at an all time high. Entrance Exams for Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 entry have moved to November and a publicity campaign to ensure awareness of the change has proven very effective.

Comments, Melanie Butler, Assistant Head, Marketing and Admissions, "We have had a huge response in terms of registrations by last Friday's deadline and are looking at our biggest ever entrance exam session. We are still accepting registrations but parents should be advised that the Saturday session is now full and we will be looking at an additional session on the Monday to accommodate everyone. It's very important to us that the children have a good experience on the day so we will have to manage numbers carefully.

Any outstanding registration forms should be submitted as soon as possible.

Those wishing to have one last look around are most welcome at Open Morning on Thursday 2 November from 10.30am to 12.30pm. It is as far as possible a normal working day, with pupils from Years 7 and 8 acting as tour guides.

For more information on admissions please contact the Registrar, Mrs Vanessa Rooney on 01926 634201 or email admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

Saturday 11 November - 9.30am to 3.30pm

Entrance Examinations for Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 take place on Saturday 11 November 2017 from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

Candidates are requested to report to the college between 9.00am and 9.30am; it is advisable that candidates should not arrive prior to 9.00am. Please enter the school via the Pupils’ Entrance in the playground. Candidates should wear their current school uniform and bring a pen, two pencils, eraser and ruler. Candidates for Years 9 and 10 (13+ and 14+) should bring a calculator, protractor and a relevant language dictionary. Candidates will have the opportunity to play outside at lunchtime, if the weather is kind to us. 

Candidates for Years 7, 8 and 9 are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new online test by visiting https://www.intuproject.org/CEMSelect/CSFamiliarisation.swf for a short demonstration. (If you experience difficulties opening this link please try Internet Explorer.)

The examinations will end at 3.30pm and parents are invited to tea with members of the Parent Teacher Association from 3.15pm onwards.

Those attending the additional Monday session will be advised of the timings and arrangements by the Registrars.

Good luck to all the candidates!

Princethorpe College pupils have once again supported World Porridge Day raising money for the Scottish charity Mary’s Meals. Championed by Sixth Form students and Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Mr Rod Isaacs, pupils have participated in a posse of Scottish and porridge themed fundraising fun, raising a total of £258.45 which this year will be used to support a feeding programme at Makalanga Primary School in Malawi.

For World Porridge Day Princethorpe pupils were invited to dig deep at break time and, instead of buying their usual mid-morning snack, purchase the traditional Scottish breakfast, a pot of porridge, from the College refectory.  In return for a small donation they could opt for either a simple plain porridge or a deluxe, extra special, with toppings of their choice.

The Scottish theme continued at lunchtime on the school fields where only the brave participated in the William Wallace Welly Wanging Challenge.  Pupils and staff payed for the privilege, the honour of their house and some delicious highland toffee, in an attempt to break the College record.   This year the winning throw came from Joe Connell whose Welly Wang reached a whopping 33m for More House (new record), Haydn Connell (also More) threw 31m.  Best in House for Fisher - Leo Race 28m, for Austen - Alex Hutcheson 27m and for Benet - Callum Cooke 26m. Best staff throw - Matt Parsons 30m.

Sixth Form Charity Prefect, Ben Haden, one of several Scottish Wild Men roaming the campus to chivvy fellow students into donating their pennies said, “For many children a simple bowl of vitamin enriched maize porridge, or likuni phala as it is commonly known in Malawi, will be their only meal of the day. Our day here at Princethorpe has involved much fun and laughter, yet beneath this we know that we are contributing towards changing people’s lives for the better. Princethorpe pupils have recognised the vital role that porridge plays in feeding projects that help to address the issue of child hunger across the globe.”

World Porridge Day, held annually on 10 October, is a fundraising event organised by Mary’s Meals in aid of starving children in the developing world. The charity provides daily meals in a place of learning, addressing both the immediate needs of hungry children whilst encouraging them to go to school where they can gain an education that, in the future, can help them out of poverty. Through their school feeding programmes in 14 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean they feed over 1.25 million children every year.  It costs just £13.90 to feed a child for a year.

Princethorpe College’s charity minded Sixth Formers blitzed the school day with an array of pink costumes as the College celebrated its annual ‘Pink Day’.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and, with one in eight women being diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lifetime, the Sixth Form ‘Wear it Pink’ to raise funds for the research programmes funded by Breast Cancer charities.

In true Princethorpe tradition, the Sixth Formers wholeheartedly embraced the theme, turning up dressed as pink pigs, fairies, cheerleaders and fluffy pink onesies galore. Every pupil in the school made a cash donation for the non-uniform day and the coffers were swelled by a break time cake sale. Pastel coloured cup-cakes and biscuits went down a treat, all in a bid to raise awareness of the women who suffer from this terrible disease.

Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Mrs Anne Allen, was delighted in the support students gave to the cause.

“We only have to make a suggestion and the Sixth Formers run with the idea, keen to make it as successful and enjoyable as possible.”

A special lunch time event caused much amusement amongst younger pupils as Sixth Form boys and girls dressed in pink attire and paraded down the cat walk.

“We are still counting but it looks likely that we will have raised well over £500 for the charity,” commented Mrs Allen. “For an end of half term fund raising effort, this reflects how brilliantly the College community comes together to support those in need.”

The inaugural performance in the College’s recently refurbished theatre was a moving performance of Diane Samuels' classic 1993 play, Kindertransport. The play movingly portrays the psychological scars left on some of the 10,000 unaccompanied Jewish children who were evacuated to England from Europe between December 1938 and the declaration of war against Germany.

The story starts in Hamburg where a mother selflessly prepares her daughter Eva for her escape.  Whilst in modern day England, another mother, the uptight, cleanliness fanatic Evelyn, is helping a daughter to leave home. When the latter discovers belongings revealing that Eva is Evelyn's secret past, she becomes upset and angry.

This painfully plausible story echoes Eva’s favourite fairy-tale about child stealing,The Rat-Catcher. The emotional legacy of the Kindertransport, mixed with the issue of inter-generational conflict provided a gripping mother and daughter story that held the audience enthralled as the play moved between past and present.

It was a fabulous and fitting production for the new theatre to open with, put together by Drama teacher, Alyson Goodey and a small cast of six pupils - Maymie Alford, Georgia McCallum and Abbie O’Carroll-Bailey from Year 10, Carys Burchell and Natasha Carter from Year 9 and Tom Lomas from Year 7.  

Alyson commented, “It has been a pleasure to work with such a dedicated cast and crew. Congratulations to them all on a great performance -  a stunning first for the new theatre!”

Head of Drama and Theatre Studies, Aileen Cefaliello, echoed her praise, “A big thank you to Alyson Goodey and her small yet mighty cast for their commitment in presenting this moving piece of Theatre.  The technical crew were professional to the fingertips too!”

Our Sixth Form Open Evening took place on the evening of Wednesday 11 October.  It was an ideal opportunity for Year 11 pupils to discover what Princethorpe’s Sixth Form has to offer. Over the course of the evening some 130 internal and external applicants and their parents toured the school, visiting the various A-level departments, meeting staff and current Sixth Formers and hearing more about subjects and exciting enrichment and co-curricular opportunities.

With some 26 different courses available there was plenty to choose from, including completely new subjects to consider such as Law and Psychology. The diversity of subject choices the College offers is a real strength when so many mainstream schools are restricting student choices these days.   

Headmaster, Ed Hester, Head of Sixth Form, Ben Collie and Sixth Formers Tom Warne and Aimee Sen-Gupta, gave a series of short overview presentations and it was great to see the new theatre packed to the gunnels with parents and prospective pupils.  Excellent academic results are of course a vital feature of any Sixth Form provision, but Mr Hester talked about the College’s family ethos, the focus on adding value for the individual, supporting students to achieve their personal best as well as the uniquely Princethorpe opportunities, such as the Princethorpe Diploma, that add so much value to students’ future university, apprenticeship or employment applications.

As always the evening was very busy with plenty of interest being shown across the subjects. Sixth Formers acted as tour guides for our external visitors and talked enthusiastically about their experiences.  External candidates have the opportunity to join us for Sixth Form Taster Days in either December or January. More information on these days is available from the Registrars.

Head of Sixth Form, Ben Collie reminded everybody, “The next stage is to decide on the subjects you might wish to study, as a rule of thumb focus on the subjects you enjoy and are doing well in.  Current Year 11s will be well supported throughout the process, which will pick up speed after the GCSE mocks in January.”

For anyone who was unable to make Wednesday's Sixth Form Open Evening, Information Packs available on the night will be sent home in the post. 

To view Wednesday's Sixth Form Open Evening Presention, please click here.

To download a copy of the 2018/19 Sixth Form Information Booklet, please click here. 

If pupils would like to make an appointment with the Careers Department, please contact Head of Careers, Jacqui Quinney at jacquiquinney@princethorpe.co.uk.

Visiting Roman Centurions invaded Princethorpe College on Tuesday 10 October armed with swords and scutums (shields) ready to do battle. It was Year 7 Roman Day, a day when every pupil in the year enjoys lessons full of tales of blood and gore, as they learn about the Roman invasion and settlement of Britain.

The Centurions’ passion and knowledge of the period was vividly dramatised as the two men, dressed in full legionnaire’s costume, brought to life the strategic tactics and organisation of the Roman fighting machine. With replica costumes and equipment based on real archaeological finds the sessions complimented the lessons Year 7 have been studying in History this half term.

Lucky class ‘volunteers’ dressed up in full body armour and attempted to carry a soldier’s kit, as Roman Tours expert, Centurion Ocratius Maximii, captivated the new recruits with graphic stories of life in the Roman Army and fascinating facts about all things Roman. Oliver Alford was just one of the lucky pupils who donned the Roman Tunica, Lorica (armour) and Galea (helmet) and then picked up his soldier’s kit and prepared to march. Oliver and his classmates were also treated to lessons in sword skills and battle tactics from the greatest army of the time.

Peter Bucknall, Head of History said, “The Year 7s have learnt all about the life of a soldier, his training and his clothing and armour, but they have also discovered lots of interesting background information about Roman times. The Centurions’ visit has left pupils buzzing with curiosity and keen to find out more, it was a fantastic day’s learning for all who took part.”

Click here to access the twenty sixth issue of the Old Princethorpian which came out last Friday 6 October.

This issue includes the latest Foundation and College news, reviews of the last events of the Golden Jubilee Year, plus plenty of news and updates from OPs across the decades.

If you are an OP or know an OP who would like to share their news or pictures with us for the next issue due out in the spring please email oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk by the beginning of February.

If you would like to be added to the distribution list please email Melanie Butler.

Princethorpe English Teacher, Jess Newborough and OP and Deputy ICT Manager, Becky Thornton will be taking to the stage in late November in the Sudden Impulse Theatre Company's production of The Accrington Pals at Nuneaton's Abbey Theatre.

The production, by Peter Whelan, is set in Accrington during 1914-16 and contrasts the experiences of the ‘Pals’, the local volunteer battalion, in the trenches, with the women they have left behind. It is an, at times funny, at times sad, portrayal of the challenges of the war years, of the womenfolk who held the fort, who flourished despite their anxiety and their troubles when terrible news inevitably comes home.

Jess will be playing Annie, wife to the very religious Arthur Boggis, mother to the rascal Reggie, a bit of a harridan, and often the butt of humour, but with glimpses of the warmer person she might have become. Whilst Becky plays May, a strong willed, independent woman whose second-cousin (and secret love) Tom, takes up the call for volunteers. Left at home to build up the business, she is torn between her new found opportunity and her desire to keep her cousin safe.

Becky says, “I am really excited to be back on stage; my days of treading the boards at Princethorpe seem a lifetime ago. It feels very a propos that my return to College life also marks my return to theatre!”

Jess comments, “The Accrington Pals is the fourth in the series of World War One centenary tribute plays Sudden Impulse Theatre Company has performed.  Last November I played Mrs Peaceful, in the Michael Morpurgo story Private Peaceful, performing in front of some 100 of our Year 7 pupils. I am delighted that this year we have an Old Princethorpian joining us on stage.”

Many will have enjoyed her performance of Hippolyta, the Amazon queen in the company’s outdoor summer performance of A Midsummer’s Night Dream which played here at Princethorpe College on the Sixth Form lawn back in June.  The College is hoping the company will stage further outdoor performances at Princethorpe next summer.

Formed in 2014 the theatre company has won awards, most recently at the 2017 Buxton Festival and is renowned for the high quality, professional drama it produces.

The Accrington Pals will run from Wednesday 22 to Saturday 25 November.  Tickets are priced: £12 Adult/£10 Concessions, and are available from 07899 406843 or online at www.suddenimpulse.co.uk.

When it comes to having fun and finding new things to do our Development Assistant and former Registrar, Loretta Curtis, together with her best friend Di Downes, one of our Exam Invigilators, certainly know how.

Last year, just for a lark, they filled in a form for the television programme Bargain Hunt never expecting much to come of the application. Well, several months later Loretta received a phone call from a researcher at the BBC offering Di and herself a telephone interview. Not only did they pass that first round but also were then invited to an audition at a hotel in Warwick.

A few days later Loretta and Di received emails to say that the producer of the programme would be delighted to offer them the opportunity to come and film the ‘buying’ stage of Bargain Hunt in Hungerford. Well, never being a pair to turn down a chance of some entertainment off they went to the town for the filming. Antiques expert, Richard Madley, was on hand to offer advice and a valuation of the items that Di and Loretta were considering. What a time they had meeting lots of the crew and not forgetting their opponents, Clint and Matthew, a great day was had by all the teams. A few weeks later it was the auction at Bigwoods Auction House in Stratford on Avon. Another brilliant day – food and refreshments provided and lots of conversation between all the teams that were in action for the programme.

Di and Loretta are not letting on whether they won or not, made any money or not, and they are yet to find out when their programme will be televised but safe to say these two never miss a chance for some fun!

Our Year 7 pupils returned happy, exhausted and muddy from their residential trip to the Pioneer Centre at Cleobury Mortimer in Shropshire over the weekend of 30 September to 2 October. They had all grown in confidence having approached new challenges with determination and enthusiasm and enjoyed a memorable three days of organised activities.

The College took over 120 pupils for a three-day programme that included caving, climbing, abseil and zip wire, the big bounce, raft building and initiative games. Pupils also participated in a challenging tropical reptile experience and got the chance to boogie the night away at a lively and noisy Saturday night disco.

It was non-stop fun as the Year 7s tested their nerves as they climbed the big wall, swooped down the zip wire and explored the depths of the caving systems with only a little light on their helmets to see by. They developed leadership and team building skills as they built a raft to sail on the pond, and despite the mud all jumped in for a splash around in the cold. And the very brave overcame their fears as they got ‘hands on’ with snakes and lizards.

Deputy Head – Pastoral, Beth Sharpe said, “This was a fantastic early opportunity for the Year 7 pupils to bond together as a year group. They had an amazing time and were really kind and supportive of one another. They showed resilience and initiative and I know they have come back into school with new friends and better able to work together as a team.”

The Pioneer Centre is a superb purpose built activity holiday centre situated in stunning countryside on the edge of the Wyre Forest. Our pupils were a credit to themselves and to the school, the Pioneer staff commented on how well behaved they had been.

Year 7 pupils Sam, Dina and Rahul from ACW commented, “It was great. The activities were all fun! We even had fire alarms that a mouse set off in the night!”

Well done Year 7 Pioneers it is great to see such a positive approach from you all and a big thank you to all of the staff and Sixth Formers who supported the weekend it was another unforgettable Princethorpe residential!

Thursday 2 November from 10.30am to 12.30pm

The College Open Morning will take place on Thursday 2 November from 10.30am to 12.30pm. This is a chance to look around the school on a normal working day, just prior to Entrance Examinations Day on Saturday 11 November 2017.

Those still wishing to register for Entrance Examinations should do so as soon as possible to facilitate the gathering of references from junior schools. Registration forms are available from the Registrar, Mrs Vanessa Rooney on 01926 634201 or email vanessarooney@princethorpe.co.uk.

Entrance Examinations for Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 take place on Saturday 11 November 2017 from 9.30am to 3.30pm, with an additional session on Monday 13 November due to demand. More information is available on our website, click here.

Friday 3 November 2017

Invitations have now been posted; thank you to everyone who has already replied. 

The RSVP date is Friday 13 October; if you have received an invitation and have not already responded, please reply by clicking on the link below:

Please click here to RSVP.

Tuesday 14 November 2017 at 7.30pm

Our October book A rising Man by Abir Mukherjee, was enjoyed by the group. This is a slow paced murder mystery which focuses a good deal on scene setting in Calcutta and is has a rather old-fashioned feel to it - but was nonetheless a very engaging read. It is easy to see the potential here for future books with the same characters and Mukherjee has already written a sequel which should be worth trying.

We meet again in the library at 7.30pm on Tuesday 14 November. Please note that as this is a Tuesday which is a change from our usual Wednesday slot. We will be discussing Holding by Graham Norton. This is his first novel and has had very good reviews. It is always a pleasure to see new faces, so please come along whether or not you have had time to read this book. We offer a warm welcome and are always interested in sampling different kinds of books so new recommendations for reading are always much appreciated.

Chris Kerrigan
Head of English 

Friday 24 November 7.00pm - 9.30pm

The House Talent Show is taking place after half term and is shaping up to be another fun and entertaining night.  Last year’s winner Roualeyn Alford from Fisher House set the bar incredibly high with his funny and skilful ventriloquism act, so we’re excited to see what hidden talents emerge this year too.

As well as a good night out all the proceeds from tickets and refreshments go towards our nominated House Charity for 2017-2018 ‘Headway’, who’s aim is to promote understanding of brain injury and provide information, support and services to survivors, their families and carers.

Soap opera fans: we are also very fortunate to have a fantastic sign from the iconic Albert Square, autographed on set personally by all of the current Eastenders cast.  This unique item has been organised by Elsie Kelley from Benet House, whose mother works on the Eastenders production. To add to our fundraising total we are putting the sign up for silent auction with the successful bid announced at the end of the show.  If you would like to make a bid, you can do so on the night, or if you can’t attend the talent show, bids can be made in advance by emailing aliciaogorman@princethorpe.co.uk with the following information;

• Parent Name
• Pupil name
• Pupil tutor group
• Contact number
• Amount Bid

Deadline for email bids is Wednesday 22 November. 

Talent Show tickets are £3.50 for adults and £2 for children. Pupils can purchase these from the biology office F6 at break or lunchtimes after half term. 

Monday 27 November - 7.00pm

The next Science matters lecture will be by David Towey who is Head of Nuclear Medicine Physics at Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust. More details of the subject matter will follow in future newsletters.

The lecture will be held in the Sixth Form Lecture Theatre and there will be refreshments and a chance to chat with David after the talk. All parents and pupils are welcome.

This is a free event but to help us cater efficiently please reserve places with Lisa Gardner by clicking here.

Gill Smith
Head of Science

Our Sixth Form Open Evening took place on the evening of Wednesday 11 October. It was an ideal opportunity for Year 11 pupils to discover what Princethorpe’s Sixth Form has to offer. Over the course of the evening some 130 internal and external applicants and their parents toured the school, visiting the various A-level departments, meeting staff and current Sixth Formers and hearing more about subjects and exciting enrichment and co-curricular opportunities.

For anyone who was unable to make Wednesday's Sixth Form Open Evening, Information Packs available on the night will be sent home in the post. 

To view Wednesday's Sixth Form Open Evening Presention, please click here.

To download a copy of the 2018/19 Sixth Form Information Booklet, please click here. 

If pupils would like to make an appointment with the Careers Department, please contact Head of Careers, Jacqui Quinney at jacquiquinney@princethorpe.co.uk.

Individual exam timetables will be provided to all exam candidates after our entries are finalised next February. In the meantime I have produced a Princethorpe whole season timetable for both Year 11 and Year 13 candidates, which can be downloaded by clicking on the links below.

• Year 11 Exam Timetable
• U6 Exam Timetable

For anyone looking to buy revision guides, the document below lists the exam specifications being followed by our students together with the exam board name.

•  Year 11 and U6 Subjects and Specifications 2017-18

Shellagh Dodds
Examinations Officer

Year 11 and Sixth Form expectations:

• Work priorities for each subject
• This is based on 2 hours work on each weekday of the half term
• Complete homework set
• Complete coursework set
• Complete any outstanding work
• Sort out your folders into good order
• Begin revision for Internal Assessments  (Sixth Form) or keep on top of revision for January mocks (Year 11)

You want to come back from half term refreshed but up to date. 

Good luck and enjoy the break.

Dr Michael Reddish
Assistant Head – Director of Studies

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) 

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

Digby Carrington-Howell
Deputy Head (Staffing and Assessment) 

During November, Remembrance Assemblies are held for each house. This year these assemblies will focus on remembering and how we make memories.

As well as commemorating all those who fought and served in the two World Wars and other conflicts, everyone is invited to write down the name(s) of a special person or people in their lives who they wish to remember particularly at this time.

These confidential cards are put in a basket on the main College Chapel altar where they are a focus for prayer during November.

Mary Benham
Chaplaincy Co-ordinator

Child safety online is at the forefront of every parent's mind.  I attach here a leaflet which may assist you in understanding the risks children may need to deal with and how this could affect them.  It also offers practical tips to help minimise the risks your child might face and the importance of continually talking to your child about the implications of social media.  I hope that you find it useful.  As always, if you have any concerns, please do contact me or your child's Head of House.

Mrs Beth Sharpe
Deputy Head, Pastoral

Just a gentle reminder that we have had a couple of cases of head lice at school, please check your children's hair and treat as necessary. We recommend that long hair is tied back to prevent them spreading so easily.

Many thanks

Paula Greig
Senior Matron

As I am sure that you are aware, Work Experience at Princethorpe College, as part of our Careers programme, takes place at the end of 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.

All Year 11 pupils are expected to undertake at least one week of work experience after their GCSE exams. This is normally done through their own contacts/family/friends although occasionally we are asked to assist and provide contact details especially if a pupil is finding difficulty obtaining a suitable placement. 

I am currently looking to find a placement in a sports-related capacity and I would be grateful to hear from you if you could help with this or any other placements for pupils in the future.

Many thanks for your support.

Mike Taylor
Work Experience Co-ordinator

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.

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:

• University of Leeds Computer Science partnership with PwC
• The University of Sheffield Combined Honours
• The University of Nottingham Criminology BA
• Gabbitas: Finance and Law Careers Programme 'In The City'
• New taster courses at King's College London

Jacqui Quinney
Head of Careers and UCAS Coordinator

A partnership between global firm PwC and the University of Leeds has created a new degree apprenticeship in Computer Science (Digital and Technology solutions). Read more

This exciting course is one of the only programmes that allows students to pursue three subjects and create their own degree.

Read here

The University of Nottingham is now offering a BA in Criminology with an optional year abroad. Read more

Gabbitas Education is offering a three-day interactive programme for Year 12 and 13 students. Taking place during October half term, it is supported by senior professionals from leading finance and law companies.

Read more

New university taster courses in Digital Culture, English and Comparative Literature, and Religion and Theology have been added to the programme of university taster courses taking place in 2017.

These new taster courses aimed at current Sixth Form students are taking place at King's College London and are all free to attend.

There are limited places available so please sign up now to your preferred taster courses by clicking on the relevant links above or click here to search the full list of taster courses available.

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

On Monday 9 October 120 runners from ten Warwickshire schools travelled to Princethorpe College to take part in the county qualifying round of the English Schools Athletics Association’s (ESAA) Cross Country Cup.

The visiting schools entered Junior (Year 7/8) and Intermediate (Year 9/10) Boys and Girls teams in two races of 60 runners each. The course led the runners out around the College grounds, with the Junior Boys and Girls running 2500m and the Inter Boys and Girls a full 4000m. The weather was fair for October which, for cross country, gave the competitors good running conditions.

Competing were: Princethorpe College, Kenilworth School, Alcester Grammar School, Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, Lawrence Sheriff School, Myton School, Southam College, King’s High School For Girls, The Kingsley School and Stratford Girls’ Grammar School.

The ESSA Cross Country Cup is a three round competition, a County qualification round, followed by a Regional Final and then the best teams go forward to a National Final. This event is all about the first four in each team over the line aiming to score the least possible points. The top teams with the lowest aggregate scores then go through to the next round.

The U13 Junior teams ran first and the Princethorpe Junior Girls ran a cracking race with five girls in the top 20. Evie Phillips ran powerfully to come home in 5th place closely followed by a determined Grace Darcy in 8th, Julia Loftus in 12th, Jess Evans in 14th and Vice Captain, Lucia Bell in 16th place. Points are accumulated by finish position so our fine Junior Girls finished on a total of 39, taking overall second place. Captain of the Junior Boys Toby Collett ran well to finish 11th with Ethan Fletcher crossing the line in 20th. The Junior Boys finished in sixth position.

Onto the Inter Boys and Girls competition where hopes were high with our own ‘Brownlee boys’ the Crowfoot twins now in Year 10 looking like strong contenders. The Inter Boys team ran an excellent race with the brothers pacing side by side to the finish. Captain Will Crowfoot came in 2nd, Tom Crowfoot in 3rd, George Dunkley in 17th and Archie Houghton in 20th. The Inter Girls team did equally as well with Vice Captain Molly Minshull leading the Princethorpe pack to finish in 2nd, Erin Darcy in 4th, Eve Howard in 5th and Anneliesa Douglas in 14th. Both the Boys and Girls Inter teams were placed first overall and qualified for the Regionals.

With strong depth and talent across the age ranges the Princethorpe College teams put in an excellent cross country performance and will now travel to the ESAA Regional Finals in Warrington, Cheshire on Saturday 11 November.

Head of Girls Games, Mrs Debs Brookes, was delighted saying, “Our runners showed what potential we have for the coming season. The Inter teams experience really paid off, I am very proud of their performance and delighted that they are so convincingly through to the Regional Finals.”

Also running for Princethorpe were Luna Casey, Mark Dunkley, Archie Hancock, Matilda Houghton, Hannah McBride, Grace McGrory, Molly McGrory, Edward Mitchell, Luke Palmer, Edward Sharpe, Archie Shields and Eden Volpe.

Thanks to all of the staff involved in hosting and organising this event.

Saturday 2 December and Sunday 3 December

If you are able to help with decorating the school, running a stall or serving refreshments we would really like to hear from you! This can be for anything from half an hour or more on Saturday 2 December in preparation for the Fair or on Sunday 3 December at the Fair itself. We would greatly appreciate your help!

We will be holding a Christmas Planning Meeting at 7.00pm Tuesday 24 October at the Three Horseshoes Pub in Princethorpe - this is an open invitation to all members of the Princethorpe College community so please come along and see what you can do to get involved.  If you cannot make the meeting you can contact us at pta@princethorpe.co.uk.

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

I would like to take this opportunity to remind you, particularly those new to Princethorpe College, about the wide variety of Co-curricular activities and clubs that are on offer during lunch time and after school.  Not only is it a good way to try new activities but it is also a great way to make new friends.

A list of all the Co-curricular activites can be found at the front of the Michaelmas 2017 Termly Calendar which you will have received by post during the summer.  Alternatively, click here to view an electronic version which can also be found on the Princethorpe College website in the section titled 'Outside Class'.

Greg Hunter
Assitant 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.

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

Required to work all year round, within our busy reception area, the successful candidate will have good organisational skills; will be articulate, friendly, professional and well presented.

The position involves a mixture of administrative support, reception duties, and liaising with pupils and parents; the post holder will need to balance general duties with providing comprehensive administrative support to members of senior management.

Interested candidates should ideally have experience in a similar position and will have excellent communication skills, good organisational skills, excellent customer service skills and the ability to work under pressure and to deadlines.  Strong IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Office, are essential.

This is a part-time, job share post – 2 days per week (15 hours per week) required to work all year round.

The working pattern is Thursday and Friday 8.00am – 4.30pm (with an hour for lunch).

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, 25 holiday per annum plus bank holidays (both pro-rata) to be taken during school holidays, 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 23 October 2017, at 9.00am and interviews are likely to be held on Tuesday 31 October at Princethorpe.

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

We seek to appoint an Admissions and Marketing Secretary, ideally starting by December 2017, to work as part of the team in our busy school office, providing the first and main point of contact for all prospective parents, working closely with the Headmaster in administering the admissions process of the Crackley Hall School and Little Crackers Nursery. The post holder will provide the Headmaster with regular and frequent reports for analysis purposes. In addition, the role will require some marketing and alumni relations activity working closely with the Foundation’s Marketing Team and a degree of general office support at busy times.

The successful candidate will have excellent inter-personal and communication skills, be capable of maintaining confidentiality and exercising tact; and have an understanding and sympathy with the ethos of the school. A high degree of fluency in both spoken and written English is essential.

Interested candidates must evidence a ‘can do’ attitude, good time management skills, and be able to work in an organised and methodical manner, to produce accurate and up-to-date records and reports as required. He or she needs to be self-motivated and able to identify work priorities and manage his or her own workload to meet deadlines.

This is a part time post, of 25 hours per week, Monday to Friday, typically 9.00am – 2.00pm, all year round and attracts 25 days’ holiday per annum plus bank holidays, to be mainly taken during school holidays, by agreement.

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 Crackley Hall 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: Tuesday 31 October, at 9.00am. Interviews are likely to be held shortly afterwards at Crackley Hall.

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

Required to start as soon as possible, an After School Assistant to work as part of a team to provide after school care for children on three evenings per week, term time only from 3.45pm until 6.00pm each day. The exact days will be open to some negotiation with the applicant. They will support the smooth running of After Care and undertake duties in supervising homework as required.

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 Foundation 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: Wednesday 1 November 2017, at 1.00pm, although candidates are advised to apply immediately as interviews may be held prior to the closing date and the closing date brought forward.

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

The Economics and Business Studies department is delighted to welcome Robert Bateman to Princethorpe as a Teacher of Economics to cover Lil Gane’s maternity leave. Although Bob retired in 2008 from teaching at Worksop College in Nottinghamshire, he has covered similar posts at Rugby School, Wellington College and Ampleforth.

A keen supporter of his local club Sheffield United, Bob also enjoys playing squash and tennis as well as restoring classic cars and motorbikes; he has even fitted in a ride along Route 66 and the Pacific Coast Highway in his retirement. He is married to Alison and they have two sons, James and Jonathan.

We would like to remind parents about parking at school when dropping off or collecting pupils.

All pupils arriving and leaving school at the normal time must be dropped off and picked up in the playground area adjacent to the pupils’ entrance and tennis courts. This is the only designated area for parents at the beginning and end of the school day.  Please do not drop off pupils at the end of the drive or in the bus bay. Furthermore, for the safety of all pupils, parents are asked not to drive through the North Car Park and drop off or pick up from the Sixth Form Centre. 

The playground is closed to traffic from 9.00am to 3.30pm. Parents arriving within this time period are asked to park in a visitor’s parking space and go to reception or the student hub.

Mrs Beth Sharpe
Deputy Head, Pastoral

We offer bus passes in several different options to allow pupils the most flexible options for travel to and from school.  

All information with regards to routes, booking forms and associated costs can be found in the Information Booklet for Parents and Pupils or on the Princethorpe website under 'Getting to School' https://www.princethorpe.co.uk/daily-life/getting-to-school

If you wish to apply for a bus pass then please complete the travel questionnaire which can be found via the attached link and return to Mrs Barbara Bromwich via email at buses@princethorpe.co.uk or post to Mrs Bromwich at Princethorpe College.

Bus passes should be shown for every journey, failure to produce a pass on five occasions will lead to a replacement pass being automatically issued at a cost of £5, which will be added to the school fee account.

If your preference is to purchase bus tickets (which must be purchased in advance of travel) then these can be purchased from the School Shop. Please contact Nicola Browne on either 01926 634272 or via email at nicolabrowne@princethorpe.co.uk to order tickets for collection by pupils during the school day.

For ease, tickets of 10 or more can be added to the school fee account.

An additional charge for travelling without a ticket will be applied as follows:

Eddie Tolcher
Foundation Bursar

Please click on the links below to access the Term Dates:

2017-18 (Two-page document)

2018-19

Please note that the school shop will be closed during the half term break.  If you have any uniform requests please email Nicola Browne to nicolabrowne@princethorpe.co.uk.  All requests will be dealt with when the shop reopens on Monday 30 October.

Nicola Browne
Shop Manager