The Flagpole

Many of you will be familiar with the term IQ (Intelligence Quotient – a way of trying to measure one’s intellectual capacity) and some will have heard of EQ (Emotional Quotient) – a way of talking about emotional intelligence. In this letter I want to talk about DQ (Digital Quotient) and how we are looking to improve the “Digital Intelligence” of our pupils. 

As part of our DQ planning, we have been developing our strategies to support all members of the Princethorpe Community in becoming good Digital Citizens by helping pupils, parents and staff to use digital technology and media in a safe, responsible and effective way. 

Digital Citizenship covers a wide range of areas which are neatly summarized by the DQ Institute. The specific area I want to focus on in this letter is the use of mobile phones and Screen Time Management (STM) as we believe that many of our pupils struggle to manage their mobile phones, screen time, multitasking, engagement in online games and social media with the necessary self-control. 

Over recent years there has been a huge culture shift regarding mobile phones, particularly smart phones.  Whilst their utility and versatility are undeniable, our experience is that they have also had quite a negative impact upon the school community. Our concerns can be summarized as follows: 

• For some members of our community there is an apparent dependency on mobile phones, which can affect manners and social interaction.
• There has been a dramatic increase in unkindness associated with inappropriate use of mobile phones.
• We are very mindful of the inherent health and safety issues: not only that of walking around whilst preoccupied but also the much debated longer term impact on health, particularly surrounding the negative impact of excessive screen time on sleep.
• Finally, there is considerable peer pressure for boys and girls to have the latest phones and to subscribe to numerous social media platforms, all of which come with potential costs and risks, and we hope to help mitigate those burdens and enable us all to better manage those risks. 

Whilst offering potentially hugely exciting educational benefits, digital technology presents many challenges for teachers and parents. Consequently, we are reviewing our mobile phone policy to address the above concerns.  We also want to work with and support parents as we know it can be difficult to monitor children’s use of digital technology and agree (and adhere) to sensible restrictions and guidelines on the appropriate use of digital technology at home. 

Before making any policy changes I would like to get some feedback from parents. I am therefore inviting parents to share any thoughts, ideas or concerns you have by completing a brief questionnaire which can be accessed here. I would be grateful if you can complete it by Friday 17 December. For parents who are interested, I can recommend looking at the Parentzone website which has a number of good articles, guidance and advice for parents and school in relation to Digital Citizenship and on-line safety.

Yours sincerely 

Ed Hester
Headmaster

This year's winning College Christmas Card design is by Year 7 Art Scholar Katie Richards. Her jolly design features four skating nuns, mid-snowball fight and proudly wearing matching mittens and scarves in Princethorpe’s House colours - a lovely way to marry Princethorpe’s early history and a core element of Princethorpe life today.

Head of Art, Paul Hubball, commented, “It’s great to see our Art Scholars getting involved and producing such lovely work for the competition. Katie’s design was a clear winner as so much is going on in the design, however, she has managed to keep all the elements working together. It promotes the House system, the ‘fun’ element of school life and acknowledges Princethorpe’s history. Such a high standrard from a Year 7 pupil, well done Katie!”

There was an exceptionally strong field of entries this year so our congratulations also go to our Runners Up:

Year 7 Pupils – Oliver Clarke, Charlie Ferguson and William Harrison
Year 8 Pupils – Lucia Bell and Lily Murley
Year 10 Pupil – Sophie Cheshire

Well done to all!

Thunder the reindeer was the hit attraction at this year’s Princethorpe PTA Christmas Fayre, as the College welcomed hundreds of visitors to the school to mark the start of the run up to the Christmas celebrations.

Tinsel, baubles, mulled wine and festive cheer were in abundance, along with an excellent array of stalls selling artisan products and gifts for the organised and discerning Christmas shopper. To add to the seasonal excitement there were plenty of activities for all ages to participate in, including the ever popular ‘water to wine’ stall and bottle tombola and a children’s Christmas craft room. Of course there was also the chance to meet Father Christmas himself in his glittering sleigh. Ably supported by his elves, he delighted children of all ages and found out what was at the top of many a Christmas list.

A feast for the senses, the crowds also enjoyed musical entertainment in the shape of the performances by youngsters from the Bilton Silver Band, who entertained with a range of festive tunes to get everyone in the mood.

As the good-humoured queues attested, the Beer and Bratwurst and Mulled Wine stalls were very popular, as were the sumptuous cakes and warming hot drinks which were all on sale in the Sixth Form Dining Room.  A perfect place to pause before taking the opportunity to pop outside to pet the fabulous Thunder himself.

Our huge thanks go out to the many helpers, supporters and workers who made the Fayre such a success.  It is the one of the PTA’s main fundraising events and they are delighted to report that this year the Fayre and Christmas raffle have raised a record amount of over £5,000.

A very merry Christmas to one and all!

Following the success of the 2016 Green Team calendar, we are delighted that our pupils have been busy exploring our local environment once again and have produced yet another fantastic Princethorpe Countryside Photography Calendar.  

Stewart Dear, Geography Teacher and Green Team Leader comments, “The photographs in this year’s calendar are amazing. It is a true celebration of our wonderful surroundings and a reminder of just how lucky we are to have our historic school embedded in such beautiful countryside.”

The calendar showcases the photography skills of pupils throughout the school from Year 8 to Upper Sixth, capturing a range of seasons and environments and will be a handy addition for any kitchen or office as it also includes the Foundation’s term dates.

The 2018 Green Team Calendar is just £5 and there are a limited number available so make sure you grab yours before the end of term. To purchase a copy, please contact Stewart Dear – stewartdear@princethorpe.co.uk and calendars can be collected from the Student Hub or Reception and purchased directly through the School Shop.

On Friday 24 November there wasn’t a spare seat in the house for one of the highlights of the College calendar - the annual House Talent Show. Always hotly contested it was a fun filled evening full of all sorts of entertaining and amusing acts as the best the Houses had to offer took turns to perform. 

A huge thank you goes to all of the acts who performed and to the technical team who so ably assisted, your hard work, dedication and sheer talent are what makes this event so enjoyable. Thanks also to this year’s judging panel, the very cool Old Princethorpians, Tom Barnes, Andrew Partridge and Joe Rees who joined us for the evening and had the incredibly challenging task of picking the eventual winners.

The show opened with a dynamic line dance number from Benet Steps and the audience were quickly to their feet.  What followed included daring gymnastics, slick dance routines, stunning instrumental and vocal solos, fantastic duets, brilliant bands, amusing monologues and even a surprise performance of Ol’ Man River by Headmaster, Mr Hester.  We giggled at Mrs Rose’s Bear Necessities costume, were amused by the House Captains’ slick footwork in their High School Musical piece, and were entertained by the rugby team’s enthusiastic rendition of Grease Lightning.

The talent was high and the competition tough but after watching all of the performances, and deliberating long and hard, the judges finally announced the winners. In third place for More was talented trumpet player Ben Murray with his Star Wars interpretation of the Cantina Song.  Then, unable to separate them, second place was jointly awarded to tumbling gymnast Ollie Pendleton (Austin) and enthusiastic cheerleader and dancer Freya O’Mahony (Fisher).  Finally, and to much applause, the winners were announced, they were Upper Sixth Formers, Luke Baldock (Benet) and Sam Bromage-Eccles (Austin) whose piano and dance romantic piece Nuvole Bianche had mesmerised judges and audience alike; they were very popular and worthy winners.

As well as being a great night out the event was also about fundraising for the House Charity, which for 2017-2018 is Headway - the brain injury association.  The evening’s ticket and refreshment sales raised over £500, an excellent boost to the year’s fundraising.

Our thanks to all of the performers on the night including: Benet Steps, Bowen Kent and Greg Burford, Abbie Baker, Amber Cowie, Mr Higgins, Lunar Eclipse: Ruby Harris, Molly Harper and Amelie Friess, Jack Bromage-Eccles, Ben Murray, Charlotte Khan, Carys Burchell and Mrs Rose, Corin Alford, House Captains, Ollie Pendelton, Lily-Anne Brown and Annabel Koster, Compere Surprise: Miriam Isaacs and Sara Moore, Charlotte Fitzpatrick, Roualeyn Alford, Luke Baldock and Sam Bromage-Eccles, Mary Lomas and Caitlin Mason, Freya O’Mahony, William Puchy and the Rugby Team.

It has been a busy term for Netball and Princethorpe College Head of Girls’ Games, Mrs Debs Brookes, has a lot to smile about with ten Princethorpe netballers scoring representative honours this season. She says, “Things are looking very strong this season. Commitment is strong across the year groups, the practice courts are full after school and we have ten girls who have been selected for representative honours. I am delighted that their dedication and hard work is being rewarded.”

Lucy Gribben, Nell Johnston, Lucia McCosker-New, Anneliesa Douglas and Darcey Heritage were selected into their age groups for the Warwickshire netball squads. For Gribben and Johnston this is their second year representing a County, whilst Heritage, McCosker-New, Johnston and Douglas have the honour of being selected underage. Chosen from a pool of several hundred girls, from some twenty plus schools across the county, the Princethorpe contingent will join either the Development or Progression squads playing against other counties across the country.

Four girls have also been selected for the Wasps U17 Development Hubs that target the most talented 13-18 year olds across the area. Emelia Tubb, Maddy Glasspool, Anneliesa Douglas, and Anna Wells will have an exceptionally busy netball season that includes playing against some of the best in the country. Tubb and Douglas are playing in the Rugby Hub whilst Wells and Glasspool are in the Coventry Hub.

Continues, Debs Brookes, “The College was asked to nominate its very best pupils for the tough selection process and we are delighted that these girls have been chosen, it is an honour which they should be rightly proud of. Their National Performance League training will take place alongside their local club and Princethorpe College training and fixtures.”

The four younger girls join Molly Geehan and Georgie Peake who continue to play in the Wasps U19 National Performance League.

Netball is an exacting sport; demanding an instinctive feel for the ball, hawk like precision and the capacity to make lightning decisions. The sport is growing in popularity with more people playing than ever before.

All of these girls are dedicated to their sport, they work hard year in year out and they fully embody the College’s ‘do your best’ ethos. With such depth of talent across the year groups we look forward to hearing news about their impact on the game in College fixtures.

Pictured left to right: Emelia Tubb, Maddy Glasspool, Anneliesa Douglas, Nell Johnston, Lucy Gribben and Darcey Heritage.

And also pictured (scroll through the View Gallery) are: left to right Molly Geehan, Georgie Peake and Anna Wells.

So many of our pupils commit in the most extraordinary ways both in and outside of College. There are those who rise at the crack of dawn to train. There are those who spend hours in rehearsal rooms. There are those who are always ready to go the extra mile to support and help. Then there are those who simply batten down and pull out all the stops to surpass what they thought themselves capable of in the classroom. And that’s what the Celebration Achievers’ Lunch aims to recognise.

This term 42 pupils from across all year groups were nominated by members of staff and invited to the College Roundhouse by Assistant Head (Co-Curricular), Mr Greg Hunter, for a celebration lunch.

These pupils had all risen to the challenge of the College’s ethos. They have done their best in so many different ways. They have excelled in sport, performed to audiences, completed charity runs, gone over and above for their tutor groups and shown diligence, improvement and commitment to their studies.

Mr Hunter congratulated each of them and thanked them for the many ways that they enrich College life.

Congratulations go to all of the following pupils:

From Year 7: Grace Bartlett, Darcey Heritage, Grace Isaacs, Chloe O'Carroll-Bailey and Natasha Thomas

From Year 8: Harry King, Mia Lambeth, Evie Phillips, Jamie Smith, Olivia Underhill and Madeleine Wilde

From Year 9: Owen Armstrong, Mackenzie Brown, Gregory Burford, Rory Draper, George Dunkley, Alfie Kay, Caitlin Mason, Emily Scrivens and Freddy Swift

From Year 10: Hannah Bryer, Sophie Cheshire, Arran Knight, Abigail O'Carroll-Bailey, Rowan Tankard and Hannah Webber

From Year 11: Patricia Anttila, William Basford, Danielle O'Brien, Patrick Parfitt and Louis Price

From Lower Sixth: Anna Wells

From Upper Sixth: Max Brindley, Imogen Butler, Sol Elliott, Anna Harper-Lawrence, Thomas Hennegan, Miriam Isaacs, Faye Lewis, Kate MacIntyre, Jasmine Thearia and Emilli Thornton

This year the Christmas tree in the Chapel has been lovingly decorated with over 1,000 special stars, hand-cut and hung by the Year 7 Chaplaincy Team and each holding the name of a special someone.

The message of Christmas is one of love and this year the Christmas tree in the College Chapel symbolically represents that message. The many stars on the tree are a testament to the presence of love in the world – and the way in which, individually, all our lives have been enriched by love.

All members of the College community were invited to write the names of those who have a special place in their hearts on a star and the team have carefully hung each star individually on the tree.

Our thanks go to Year 7 pupils Lauren Bach, Amelie Hancock, Julia Loftus and Erika Zanyi, who have been busy since October preparing the stars, for all of their sterling work.

Wednesday 13 December 2017 at 7.30pm

At our last meeting we discussed Holding by Graham Norton.  We all agreed that this book was a pleasant surprise.  The narrative is relatively undemanding but it evokes small town Irish life very compellingly.  On one level it is a murder mystery, but it explores the lives of the characters with some sensitivity and achieves pathos at times.  We all found it a rewarding read and would recommend it to others.

Our next meeting will be in the library at 7.30pm on Wednesday 13 December.  We will be discussing The Loney by Andrew Michael Hurley, a first novel which has had superbly positive reviews, “A masterful excursion in terror”.  As such, it will be something new for us. Please come along whether or not you have read this book.  We always welcome new faces and are keen to hear of others’ reading interests, and we guarantee you a warm welcome.

Chris Kerrigan
Head of English 

Monday 18 December at 7.00pm

Parents and friends of the College are invited to a special Carol Service in the College Chapel on Monday 18 December at 7.00pm. Our apologies that this was eronously stated as the 11 December in previous newsletters. 

The service will follow the traditional form, with the College Choir leading our singing. Seasonal refreshments will be offered after the service in the Sixth Form Centre.

Due to the popularity of this event, seats must be reserved in advance. You will understand that the Chapel can only hold a finite number of people and for health and safety reasons we need to limit numbers. Seats are available on a first come first served basis.  Please click here to reserve places. Please reply by Wednesday 13 December 2017.

Mary Benham
Chaplaincy Co-ordinator

Parents, pupils and staff would be very welcome at the December, Christmas and New Year Masses in the College Chapel and at St Anne’s Wappenbury, CV33 9DW

Details are as follows:

Sunday 24 December:

• St Anne’s, Wappenbury 9.00am
  Please note this is the only Mass on the morning of the 24 December - there will be no 10.15am Mass in the College Chapel.
• Our Lady of the Angels, Princethorpe College 5.00pm Family Mass for Christmas
• Our Lady of the Angels, Princethorpe College 10.00pm First Mass of Christmas. Please note there will be no Midnight Mass.

Monday 25 December:

• St Anne’s, Wappenbury 9.00am Mass
• St Anne’s, Wappenbury 10.30am Mass

Sunday 31 December:

• St Anne’s, Wappenbury 8.30am Mass
• St Anne’s, Wappenbury 10.15am Mass

Please note there will be no Mass on Sunday 31 December in the College Chapel. 

Fr Teddy O'Brien MSC

Tuesday 16 January - 10.00am to 3.00pm

Crackley Hall, Princethorpe's junior school and nursery in Kenilworth, is opening its doors for an Open Day on Tuesday 16 January from 10.00am to 3.00pm.

This is an opportunity to look around the school and to meet staff and pupils on a normal working day. All are welcome, no need to book.

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

For more information visit http://www.crackleyhall.co.uk/

Wednesday 17 January - 10.00am to 3.00pm

The Crescent School, the Foundation's junior school for 4 to 11 year olds in Bilton, Rugby, is opening its doors for an Open Day on Wednesday 17 January from 10.00am to 3.00pm.

This is an opportunity to meet the Crescent's new headmaster, Joe Thackway, see its new facilities, look around the school and to meet staff and pupils on a normal working day. All are welcome, no need to book.

If you can't make the Open Day but would like to visit the school, please call our Registrar, Mrs Helen Morley on 01788 521595 and come on a day to suit you, we welcome visitors on most days.

For more information visit http://www.crescentschool.co.uk/

Saturday 27 January - 9.00am to 4.30pm

If you have a Year 5 child who loves to sing then they would be very welcome at our Choral Fun Day on Saturday 27 January. This day of free musical activities, will include singing tuition, a musical treasure hunt and will end with a gala performance. Refreshments and lunch will be included.

The day is aimed at pupils currently in Year 5. For more information and to book your place please contact Mrs Helen Morgan on 01926 634262 or email helenmorgan@princethorpe.co.uk by Monday 15 January. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Gil Cowlishaw
Director of Music

Sunday 25 March 2018  

The date is set for the 24/7 and Coventry Way challenges in support of Mary's Meals.  A number of students and staff will be taking on the ‘Full 40’ mile circular route around Coventry and others will be joining at Ryton to walk the remainder of the route – 24 miles, with a target time of under eight hours.

These walks are a major challenge for all taking part but they could not be for a more worthy cause. Mary’s Meals was founded back in 2002 with a small project to feed 200 children in a school in Malawi.  Mary's Meals is proud to have now served it's billionth meal in India and, for the first time, has begun feeding children in Ethiopia - the fifteenth county to receive Mary's Meals. 

Why not support our intrepid walkers by sponsoring one or more children?  You can make a donation via the on-line page, simply click here to make your pledge.  Don't forget, if you make your donation before 31 December then it will have twice the impact.

We’ve already raised nearly £1000 this academic year. Princethorpe College aim to raise enough money to feed six hundred and thirty-six children for a whole school year at Makalanga Primary School in Malawi - £8,841 in total.

Between now and 31 December 2017 Mary’s Meals are running a Double The Love campaign and will match donations up to a total of £1.9million. Simply click here to Double the Love

This simple initiative has helped children all over the world receive a daily meal in school and since 2007 Princethorpe College has been a part of that, raising in excess of £60,000.

The average cost of a daily meal is £13.90.  Mary’s Meals is still expanding its work, seeking to provide every hungry child with a daily meal in their place of education. The charity now provides a daily meal to 1,230,171 children.

Thank you for your support.

Rod Isaacs
Assistant Head of Sixth Form

Reports for Year 9 will be posted out on Tuesday 19 December 2017. They will also be available to view on the Pupil and Parent Portals.

Digby Carrington-Howell
Deputy Head (Staffing and Assessment)

Reports for Year 11 will be posted out on Friday 15 December 2017. They will also be available to view on the Pupil and Parent Portals.

Digby Carrington-Howell
Deputy Head (Staffing and Assessment)

On Tuesday 28 November, we welcomed Rebecca Ayres from Warwick University to talk to Upper Sixth Form parents about student finance. She gave a very informative and useful talk about all aspects of the finance available to students going off to university and recent changes to repayment terms announced by the government. Parents had lots of questions and Rebecca was able to answer each of these in detail. We will be welcoming Rebecca back to talk to Lower Sixth Form parents in the spring.

In the meantime a copy of Rebecca's presentation is available to view by clicking here.

Jacqui Quinney
Head of Careers and UCAS Co-ordinator

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:

• A Career as a Doctor - Medical Insight Course
• Gap 360 Limited
• Nottingham Trent University - Experience Sport Science
• University of London Taster Courses
• School Leaver Opportunities in Tax and Accountancy
• Medic Mentor National Healthcare Weekend
• Capgemini - Degree Apprenticeships for Students that aren’t sure about University
• Work Experience Programmes with PwC

Jacqui Quinney
Head of Careers and UCAS Co-ordinator

Monday 5 February to Wednesday 7 February 2018

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust are running a three day course for Sixth Form students to help them to decide if medicine is for them and to improve any application they make. 

Click here for details.

Jacqui Quinney
Head of Careers and UCAS Co-ordinator

Gap 360 Ltd is one of the leading Gap Year organisations in the UK. 

Travel Grant
They have got three travel grants to be won for £3,000, £1,500, and £750, which can be put over 35 pre-set itineraries or towards a custom built itinerary featuring Thailand! You can be away for any length of time, from two weeks to two years!

The aim of the grant is to encourage and inspire students to explore the world and expand their own personal horizons, as well as helping others see the many positives of travelling for future life and employment.  Click here for more information.

Should I go travelling?
A free guidebook, created by Gap 360's Director of Operations and drawing on her own experience travelling and working in the gap year industry, has been created especially for Sixth Formers and aims to help students decide whether travelling is right for them.  Please click here to download the guidebook.  Hard copies are available from the Sixth Form Resource Centre.

Nottingham Trent University are holding an Experience Sport Science Day on Wednesday 23 January 2018 at their Clifton Campus, 10.30am to 2pm.

The taster day will give students an insight into Psychology, Nutrition and Biomechanics.

To book a place on this taster day please email martin.bancroft@ntu.ac.uk.

Not sure what University life will be like? Why not try one of the University of London's one-day courses for sixth formers?

The Taster Course Programme provides Year 12 Sixth Form students with a taste of what life at a university in London is like. Through your chosen taster course you will experience the different teaching methods used by university academics and gain an insight into the additional facilities available, whilst meeting students from across the UK.

All of their taster courses are free to attend and you can choose a course from a variety of subjects taking place at the numerous participating universities. Courses range from voice and drama, to medicine and nursing, to computing and business.

The taster courses take place at various times throughout the year but mainly between February and July. The courses run from half-a-day to a week and are non-residential. All courses are free of charge, students are responsible for their own travel and food expenses

The courses offer you an insight into study at university and the opportunity of attending a course that you may be interested in but are not sure about at this stage. The experience will also enable you to check out the non-teaching facilities provided by the university. You will get the chance to meet with other students on the taster course and undergraduate students studying at the university.

Applications to the 2018 taster courses open 11.00am on Thursday 4 January 2018. You do not need to rush to apply as soon as applications open as they are giving everyone until 11.00am on Wednesday 10 January 2018 to initially apply.

Please click here to learn more and to search for courses.

If you are in Upper Sixth and currently deciding what your next step is after you finish your studies in the summer then Smith & Williamson's Apprenticeship programme may be for you. It will allow you to earn a full-time salary, whilst being supported towards a professional qualification and gaining hands on experience in a job.

Smith & Williamson offer an unbeatable breadth of services - a unique combination of financial services, private banking and investment management which, in turn, means a greater choice of opportunities for school leavers joining them.

If you’re looking for an opportunity where you will be doing real work, for real clients with real responsibility from an early stage, look no further. They offer apprenticeships in the following areas:

• Audit
• Private Client Tax
• Business Tax

You would work towards obtaining a recognised professional qualification; the Certificate of Finance and Business (CFAB), Associate Accounts Technician (AAT) or Associate Tax Technician (ATT). Smith & Williamson will provide full support throughout your studies, including ongoing in-house training, appraisals and mentoring.

Upon successful completion of the CFAB, AAT or ATT qualification and positive performance appraisals, you would have the opportunity to qualify as a Chartered Accountant (ACA), Certified Accountant (ACCA) or Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA).  For more information please click here.

24-25 March 2018

The National Healthcare Weekend on 24 and 25 March 2018 is taking place in London, Cardiff and Birmingham.

Over two hundred healthcare professionals form across the UK will be volunteering to present and network with students who are interested in:

• Medicine
• Veterinary Medicine
• Dentistry
• 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.

Times have changed. University is no longer the only credible option for students wanting to have meaningful and exciting careers.

Capgemini writes, "Did you know that Degree Apprentices are not liable for a single cost relating to tuition fees? And in fact, upon completion of their free degree, they will also be earning more than those who join the company as a graduate fresh from university. This is just one of a wealth of benefits to choosing the Degree Apprenticeship route.

Capgemini is known as one of the world’s largest tech companies, helping our clients to transform their businesses through ingenious technology solutions. We deliver exciting and innovative client projects across multiple industries all over the UK using cutting edge technology in an entrepreneurial and supportive environment.

Importantly, we feel the importance of having a community of likeminded people who share ideas, work collaboratively and all strive to achieve our common goals. Our Digital & Technology Solutions Degree Apprentices start their journey together, on an eight-week residential training course at Aston University where they develop their skills in order to deliver to our clients. Our Chartered Manager Degree Apprentices will have an extended induction joining live projects to start their journey as a consultant.

What are the key benefits of a Degree Apprenticeship?

• Apprentices have a full-time permanent role from day one, and a competitive starting annual salary
• They study part-time for a degree through Aston University – whilst being able to put new skills into practice in their day to day role
• They will be in a supportive environment, with flexibility such as study leave to help them out
• Did we mention it’s 100% free? We’re sponsoring all of the costs of their degree – They will get the best of both worlds – with all the benefits of a job with a prestigious company and those of being a student at one of the best universities in the UK.

What’s the catch you ask? Well actually there isn’t one… our apprentices don’t need to be a techie, but we do ask that they are as passionate as we are about the ways tech can be applied in the real world.

Feel free to reach out to us if you have any further questions."

Please click here for further information.

Are you thinking about your next steps once you leave school or college? Do you have an interest in business and finance or technology? Do you want to work with some of the most successful companies and high profile organisations in the world? PwC has two exciting work experience programmes which will help you find out more about them and, more importantly, more about yourself and where your career interests lie. Spend a week with them during your summer holidays and get paid while you build on your employability skills and start to shape your future.

Business Insight Week

If you have a keen interest in business or finance, their Business Insight Week will put you through your paces, with guidance and support every step of the way to explore the work they do and the opportunities theye can offer you. You’ll spend time with teams working on live projects and buddying up with a member of the PwC team just a little older than you. You'll get a unique insight into how the world of business works and what it’s like to start your career with PwC. They'll spend time helping you identify the employability skills you already have and how you can develop these further to give you the best possible start to a career in business. They'll top it all off by sharing your experiences with other students on the programme and celebrating a fantastic week. You can choose to spend the week in one of their offices UK-wide.

Big Data Summer Camp

PwC's Big Data Summer Camp will give you the opportunity to learn from some of their experts in this field who’ll give you an insight into how the skills you’re developing are being implemented to help their clients use their data to gain a competitive edge. Big Data represents a fundamental shift in business decision-making. PwC's clients are used to analysing internal data like sales figures, staff levels and stock counts. Now, they’re increasingly under pressure to analyse external data to understand customer sentiment through social media, competitor performance in local and global markets, and the supply chain risks and opportunities. This programme will take place in Belfast, Leeds or Birmingham.

Who are PwC?

PwC are of the world's leading professional services organisations. Their purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems for their clients. They tackle lots of different issues for loads of different organisations, entrepreneurs and private businesses. They help with big deals and big changes to their structures and businesses. They advise them on tax. They make sure they’re getting the most out of their IT. They help them plan ahead to manage risk, make sure they’re sustainable, and profitable.

For both programmes, you'll need to be:

• Currently in Year 12 and studying for A-levels or equivalent.
• Interested in taking your first steps towards a career in business, finance or technology.
• Available for a week during your summer holidays on either 6 August or 20 August 2018
• You’ll need to be on course for a 96 UCAS tariff at A-level (excluding General Studies)
• You’ll need to have achieved a GCSE grade C in Maths and English
• Committed to your career ambitions and able to explain to PwC why you want to complete the programme.

Click here to find out more.

Work Experience Placements at Princethorpe College, as part of our Careers programme, take 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.

Work Experience takes place after the GCSE examinations, generally starting from the last week of June, at any time that is convenient during the holidays, for a minimum of one week. It is perfectly feasible for pupils to undertake more than one placement if desired. It is usual for pupils to find a placement through family/friends contacts at this stage.

So that I can complete the necessary paperwork, possible references and so on, I'd be grateful if you could you let me know the company name and contact details, for the placement(s) you have arranged either by return of the slip attached to the letter sent to you in June, or by email to me miketaylor@princethorpe.co.uk. 

If you need a hard copy of the original letter, please could you ask your son or daughter to ask me for one at school.

Mike Taylor
Work Experience Co-ordinator

With the help of Mrs Mary Benham, the Chaplaincy Co-ordinator, the Chaplaincy Prefects, and other pupils the College were able to send off 46 boxes to the local co-ordinator, Mrs Pam Hopwood.

The donations were added to 2014 shoe boxes from around the Rugby area. A grand total of 8854 boxes have been despatched from the base in Evesham to children in great need in an area of Romania.

Each child will receive a box stuffed with a small toy, some sweets, a hat and gloves together with lots of little treats to open on Christmas Day. 

Please watch the Teams4U video (use the web address below) and see how delighted the children are to receive such a small gift but something that means so much to them.

https://vimeo.com/73896379

Perhaps next year Princethorpe College can send even more boxes to help the appeal.

A big thank you to all the pupils who gave donations for the boxes.

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

Just a quick reminder that Snowunion orders must be submitted by this Sunday to guarantee Christmas delivery.

Lockwoods Ski Shop in Leamington have kindly offered all students on the trip a 10% discount, valid until until 28 March 2018, on all products. To take advantage of this offer, please print this voucher and show it at the till.

The second parents meeting is on Thursday 1 March 2018 at 6.00pm-7.00pm in the Theatre.

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

Catherine Warne
Trip Co-ordinator

In light of the recent inclement weather predictions for the region this weekend, we wanted to remind parents of the College’s Bad Weather procedure.

The general overarching principle is that the College will be open unless otherwise notified. We are well-equipped at Princethorpe to deal with snow, with a plough and gritter on site, and our bus services are as equally well-prepared to maintain services as normal.

As heavy snowfall is expected on Sunday, we will monitor the situation over the course of the day and provide an update on the school website late Sunday afternoon.

Communicating with parents

Information to parents would be notified through the following means:

• iSAMS: parents will receive a message on their mobile phone. This is the easiest and most direct method to inform parents of any changes to the normal routine.
• Information will be put on the school website.
• Local radio stations (Heart FM/Free Radio/BBC Coventry and Warwickshire) will be notified.
• If possible the school’s answerphone message will be updated to reflect the situation.
• It is recommended bus users should follow @PCBuses on Twitter as this account will be used to notify Princethorpe bus users about important route information or changes to services. 

Eddie Tolcher
Foundation Bursar

Required for September 2018 a dynamic, innovative and well-qualified graduate to lead Mathematics in this flourishing school.

Candidates should have strong leadership and management skills, be visionary in their approach, have a proven track record of success in the classroom and be effective team players. An enthusiasm to become involved with the co-curricular life of the school is essential.

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 11 December 2017, at 9.00am and interviews are likely to be held on Thursday 14 December at Princethorpe.

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