The Flagpole

I'd like to take this opportunity to remind parents of Year 11 pupils that the deadline for internal Sixth Form Scholarship applications from both current Scholarship holders and new applicants is fast approaching on Monday 3 February 2020.

All of our Year 11s are able to apply for Sixth Form Scholarships - Academic, Art, Music, Drama and Sport. To do so they must complete a Sixth Form Scholarship Application Form and write a 'personal statement' outlining their achievements to date and why they feel they would make an excellent candidate for the scholarship (maximum 500 words).

Those pupils who currently have a scholarship, will normally retain their award for Sixth Form, but must also complete a Sixth Form Scholarship Application Form to re-apply for the scholarship.

The deadline for this application is Monday 3 February 2020. Applications should be marked for the attention of the Registrar, Mrs Vanessa Rooney.

Depending on the scholarship, prospective award holders may be interviewed and/or take part in a scholarship assessment in March.

Details of any awards will be confirmed when the Sixth Form Offer letters are sent out in writing during week commencing Monday 23 March 2020. Some awards may be dependent on final GCSE grades.

The criteria for each of the scholarships can be found on our website here. It is essential that pupils and parents look through this in detail before making an application. Sixth Form Application Forms for current award holders can be found here, and for new applicants can be found here.

We hope that this will be another motivational factor for our Year 11s as they focus on their studies and revision in the build up to the exam season.

Ed Hester
Headmaster

Plans for the College’s Careers Fair on Saturday 21 March are taking shape with the announcement that Dr Charlotte Cowie, Head of Medicine at the Football Association has kindly agreed to be the keynote speaker for the 2020 event.

Comments Head of Careers, Jacqui Quinney, "We are delighted to have Dr Cowie on board to open the event and set the tone for the day. She has forged an amazing career in elite and professional sport medicine spanning almost 30 years and covering many sports. She has attended three Olympic Games with Team GB and was the first female doctor to work in the English Football Leagues, before taking on her strategic role at the FA, her presentation promises to be one not to miss.”

The bi-annual event is open to Year 10 to Sixth Form pupils and their parents. It provides a ‘one stop careers shop’ with a wide range of speakers and organisations on hand to offer advice and guidance.

The Careers Fair will run from 10.00am to 1.00pm and, as well as the keynote speech, attendees will be able to attend up to three workshops depending on their personal interests and visit an exhibition zone, with stalls from many well-known companies, charities, institutions, universities and gap year organisations.

Mrs Quinney continues, “Registrations will open in February and there will be plenty to interest and inform our pupils and their parents."

Click here for more information on Dr Cowie.

Saturday 28 March 2020 - Arrive from 6.30pm - Walk from 9.00pm 
 
You can join hundreds of fundraisers supporting this amazing local charity in what Myton Hospice is describing as its biggest and best Glow fundraiser ever.  And if you sign up by Wednesday 5 February you will pay the early bird registration price of just £15 for adults and £10 for children to participate.  
 
Princethorpe is hosting this major fundraising event for the charity Myton Hospice on Saturday 28 March 2020 and we are asking our wonderful Princethorpe Community to get involved.  Glow For Myton - Around The World In 5km is a night walk that will wind its way through the beautiful grounds of the College campus, taking in the sights and sounds of some of the world’s best celebrations along the way. 
 
The walk will start and finish in the Orchard where there will be entertainment and food available. Following a Zumba warm up, the walkers will head off around the College grounds. There will be plenty of volunteer marshals to cheer them on and along the way will be exciting zones showcasing festivals and cultural celebrations from around the world including Oktoberfest, Chinese New Year, Full Moon Party and the Holi Colour Festival. The event isn’t timed, instead it is all about enjoying the experience and the sights and sounds laid on for the event. 
 
Comments Rebecca Richards, Myton’s Assistant Events Manager, “We are hoping to raise £60,000 from this event and are really looking forward to holding it at Princethorpe.” 
 
The event is sure to be great fun for a good cause so we are really hoping lots of families and friends of the Foundation will get involved. 
 
Glow For Myton - Around The World In 5km is open to all, and pupils, parents, staff, OPs, friends and neighbours are all encouraged to sign up for the event on the charity’s website here. 
 
Children of all ages are welcome but under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. After Wednesday 5 February the registration fee will increase to £20 for adults and £15 for children. 

Princethorpe College school heat winners, Year 8, Rosie Reeve, and Year 7, Francesca Kelly, took part in the Springboard Futurechef Local Finals on Monday 13 January. The competition was hosted by Caludon Castle School in Coventry and saw ten school heat qualifiers battling for a place in the Midlands Regional Final which will take place on Monday 10 February at Coventry College.

The competitors were challenged to cook a two-course meal, a main and a dessert, for two people in 90 minutes for a budget of up to £7, under the scrutiny of two professional chefs who were the judges for the competition.

Rosie’s menu featured a main course of her own home-reared lamb in a redcurrant and red wine jus served with fondant potatoes, accompanied by a rich chocolate tartlet with vanilla cream quenelle and sesame crisp. Whilst Francesca chose a menu of salmon and dill fish cakes with pea puree followed by a dessert of shortcake stack with raspberry and vanilla cream.

Both girls were nervous but had put a lot of effort into practising to prepare for the competition. They produced beautiful dishes against strong competition from their fellow finalists including older pupils from Year 10.  As a Year 7, Francesca was by far the youngest competitor taking part.

The organisers of the competition, Springboard, provide opportunities for young people aged 12-16 to explore food and develop their culinary skills.  Each year over 8,000 young chefs take part in their national competition.

Announcing the winners, the judges commented that they were impressed with the talent shown throughout the morning. They praised the contestants for the high standard of the dishes produced and agreed that the competitors had displayed good technique and execution.

Princethorpe’s Rosie cooked up a storm and was judged the overall winner.  She will now go forward to represent Coventry and Warwickshire at the Regional Final in Coventry next month.  Rosie was delighted to be presented with a certificate and a cookbook.

Rosie said, “The standard of the other competitors was amazing. I was so pleased to be given the opportunity to take part and never expected to win”.

Princethorpe’s Food and Nutrition Teacher, Jacqui Scott, commented, “I was extremely proud of both of our Princethorpe competitors who put a lot of time and effort into menu planning and practising. The food they produced was of the highest standard and was beautifully presented. Both meals could have been served at a restaurant table. They were calm and collected throughout the tense 90 minutes and the professional chefs gave very positive feedback saying it was a very difficult decision. It was such a great experience for our pupils and I am really delighted that we won the Local Final and that one of our Year 8 pupils has taken the title for the second year running.”

A Princethorpe College teacher is to claim international honours after being selected for the Scottish Hockey Senior Women’s Indoor Squad.

Rachael Mack will represent Scotland this weekend at the European Indoor Hockey Championships in Zagreb, Croatia where she will face elite players from countries including Wales, Poland, Russia, Turkey, Lithuania and Croatia.

Rachael, who plays for Leicester Hockey Club, came through a series of rigorous selection camps to seal her place in the squad and is delighted to have been selected for the Senior Women’s Indoor Squad.

She has worked at Princethorpe College since 2014, where she teaches English and Games and coaches the Girls 1st XI and the U15 Boys Hockey teams.

Rachael said, “It has been a dream for as long as I can remember to play for my country and I feel incredibly proud to have been selected to play in the European Championships.  I’m very grateful to everyone who has helped me get here and to my colleagues for their support whilst I am away.”

Princethorpe’s first Taste of Teaching event took place on Thursday 23 January.  Unprecedented interest saw the College welcoming 70 prospective applicants into the school, a reflection of the strength of the College’s reputation.

The visitors had the chance to take a tour of the College campus and facilities with Sixth Formers, meet with the Heads of Department and listen to a presentation from the Headmaster, Ed Hester.  There was also the chance to ask questions and to engage with existing staff and to get a feel for what makes Princethorpe such a special place to work.  

Feedback from the event was incredibly positive and we are looking forward to receiving applications for the opportunities currently on offer.

We will be holding our next Taste of Teaching event on Wednesday 4 March.  If you would like to find out more about current vacancies and future events please visit the school website here.

On Tuesday 14 January the U14 Boys Hockey Team travelled to Bablake School to play in the Warwickshire Schools’ County Championships.

Playing against teams from schools that included Rugby School, Warwick School, Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School and King Edward’s School Birmingham, the boys played a confident game, with plenty of excellent passing and accurate shooting.   

In the first-round group stage Princethorpe started steadily, holding Warwick to a 1-1 draw before securing a good 2-1 win against KES Birmingham.  That put them top of the group and qualified them for the semi-finals where in a tight match the boys slickly dispatched Bishop Vesey’s 1-0.

The final proved to be a tougher challenge and despite the team holding their own against Solihull they eventually went down 0-2 to finish County Championship runners-up overall.

Head of Outdoor Education and PE Teacher, Will Bower, commented, “Well done to the boys, this was a great finish for the team, and has qualified them for the Regional Finals.  We had some superb hockey played and James Hawkins was on fire with three shots on goal finding the back of the net.”

Playing for Princethorpe were: Will Antrobus, Thomas Becker, Jamie Carr, George Downey, William Elms, Radley Evans, James Hawkins, Tom Hollis, Harry Kelly, James Robinson, Rahul Samra, Luc Sen-Gupta, Jamie Smith and Akaash Verma.

The Warwickshire Schools County Cross Country Championships took place on Saturday 18 January 2020 at Kineton High School.  It was a bright but chilly morning for our 38 Princethorpe runners, who were drawn from Years 7 to 13. They were competing against some of the best runners in the County, from 29 Warwickshire schools.  All the early morning cross country training paid dividends with another excellent set of individual and team results for the College; team placings are based on the positions of the first four runners from a school.

The Minor Girls, Junior Girls A, Inter Boys and Senior Boys teams all placed first overall claiming the County Cross Country Championship titles.  The Junior Girls B and the Junior Boys teams also ran well to come third with the Minor Boys placing fifth.

The Minor Girls and Minor Boys ran 2.3km, the Junior Girls 3.25km, the Junior Boys and Inter Girls 3.85km and the Inter Boys 5.2km.

For the Minor Girls an excellent team effort saw Hannah Wildey come home first (7th), followed by Martina Grace (8th), Olivia Bacon (15th) and Pip Evans (22nd) to claim the County title.

In a superb run Year 8, Kate Pomerleau finished first overall in the Junior Girls race, with Grace Darcy hot on her heels (2nd), Ava Farren (4th) and Julia Loftus (11th) helping the Princethorpe A team take first place. Jess Evans (12th), Kaena Wasley (13th), Emma Sarkies (23rd) and Emma Dunkley (33rd) helped the Princethorpe B team to a pleasing third place.

A steady team performance allowed Toby Collett (18th), Ollie Bench (19th), Archie Hancock (20th) and Sam Allen (21st) to claim first place for the Inter Boys.

Whilst for the Senior Boys Tom Crowfoot finished third with brother Will Crowfoot just behind in fourth and Luke Palmer (9th), they also took the team title.

For the Minor Boys, Jesse Esler was first across the line (15th) followed by Jamie Capelett (18th) Andre Barnett (35th) and Sean Birtley(36th). 

Molly Minshull and Erin Darcy ran their nearly 4km course confidently to place (15th) and (18th) respectively for the Inter Girls.

Princethorpe’s runners’ excellent individual placings mean that many will now be considered for selection to represent the Midlands in the English Schools Athletics Association (ESAA) Cross Country Cup later this year.

Head of Outdoor Education and PE Teacher, Will Bower commented, "It was good to see the College so well represented at the County Championships.  Well done to all of our competitors, we saw some excellent personal performances in tough races. I am delighted with the overall team results, not least placing first in four of the age groups we entered."

Running for Princethorpe were: Hannah Wildey, Martina Grace, Olivia Bacon, Pip Evans, Anna Johnson, Kate Pomerleau, Grace Darcy, Ava Farren, Julia Loftus, Jess Evans, Kaena Wasley, Emma Sarkies, Emma Dunkley, Alex Bonsall, Rosie Reeve, Molly Minshull, Erin Darcy, Jesse Esler, Jamie Capelett, Andre Barnett, Sean Birtley, Ned Roach, Zac Johnson, Oscar Reynolds, Albert Jackson-Bettles, Timothe Peyret, Thomas Windley, Luc Sen-Gupta, Ed Twyman, Toby Collett, Ollie Bench, Archie Hancock, Sam Allen, Ben Scares, Dan Webb, Tom Crowfoot, Will Crowfoot and Luke Palmer.

The Year 11s Freshers’ Fair took place on Thursday 23 January and offered another opportunity for Year 11 to consider their A-level subject choices and explore life in the College’s popular Sixth Form.

Set out in the Sixth Form Centre Atrium were a host of subject stalls with vivid displays, models and informative handouts, all manned by enthusiastic Sixth Form Subject Ambassadors and teachers.  Pupils had the chance to wander freely, to visit the different stalls for the subjects they are considering studying and to ask any questions they might have.  There was also the opportunity to attend a talk on the new Business Studies BTEC qualification.

The Year 11s were also given the chance to visit the Sixth Form Resource Centre and Common Room to get a feel for some of the wider Sixth Form facilities.  Sixth Form pupils and staff gave presentations on what life was like in the Sixth Form including information on the many enrichment and leadership opportunities available and the different sorts of support.

Orchestrated by Head of Sixth Form, Ben Collie, the fair will have helped facilitate Year 11s decision making process.

Commented Ben Collie, “Some Year 11s already know what subjects they want to study at A-level but others are less sure.  The Freshers’ Fair was an opportunity for pupils to speak with students already studying the subjects, as well as a chance for them all to come into the Sixth Form Centre on a busy school day.”

On Wednesday 15 January 31 Sixth Form Art and Photography students visited the National Portrait Gallery in London.

Home to the largest collection of portraits in the world, the National Portrait Gallery provided the students with a unique opportunity to develop their ideas and inspirations as they start to prepare for their summer A-level examinations. With some 1,400 portraits on display, and exhibitions that included the Pre-Raphaelite Sisters and the Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize, there was no shortage of inspiration for the aspiring artists.

After the trip Upper Sixth Former Lillian Robinson, commented, “Our trip to the National Portrait Gallery was inspiring. The Taylor Wessing exhibition was particularly significant as it demonstrated how professional photography can be judged and compared.  The day developed my appreciation of photographic originality and supported me in my plans for my A-Level exam.”

Fellow Upper Sixth Former, Dominic Turner-Burr, added, “The highlight of the trip for me was seeing the new photo entries for the Taylor Wessing photo competition. I saw some amazing pieces of work from photographers like Enda Bowe and Jack Taylor Gotch. I also found the Pre-Raphaelite exhibition fascinating, in particular how meticulous the artists were in portraying the subjects.”

Head of Art, Paul Hubball added, “It was a great productive day out for the students, they enjoyed three uninterrupted hours in the gallery. The trip was stimulating and inspiring and really useful preparation for their A-level exam.”    

100 Year 9, Year 10, Year 11 and Lower Sixth Drama and Theatre Studies pupils enjoyed a trip to the Curve Theatre in Leicester on Tuesday 21 January to see Woman In Black.

Based on Susan Hill’s acclaimed ghost story this long running play tells of a lawyer obsessed with a curse that has been cast over his family by a ghost.

It proved to be a terrifying, spine-chilling evening out but provided invaluable support and preparation for the live theatre elements of pupils’ studies and for the creation of their own scripted and devising work.

Joint Head of Drama, Aileen Cefaliello, said “It was a night of chilling suspense and gothic haunting that will have helped pupils appreciate how sound, lighting and acting combine to create tension.”

It was an excellent performance, a really gripping evening but a very late night – there were more than a few bleary eyes in school next morning!

Some 70 young singers from local primary schools enjoyed a super day of singing when they joined Princethorpe's Director of Music, Gil Cowlishaw, Music Teacher, Alison Wakeley, Peripatetic Music Co-ordinator, Felicity Coulson, and members of the Princethorpe College Choir for a fabulous Choral Fun Day.

The Year 5 and 6 pupils tackled a variety of choral pieces from popular favourites such as Bruno Mars' Count on Me, traditional works such as Siyahamba and Canon, to the inspirational High Hopes by Panic at the Disco.

As well as rehearsing furiously, the visiting children took part in a musical team scavenger hunt and enjoyed lunch in the Refectory.

The day culminated in an impressive gala performance of their newly learnt pieces in front of an enthusiastic capacity audience of family and friends in the College's Clarkson theatre, followed by afternoon tea for all.

Commenting on the day, Gil Cowlishaw said, "We were really impressed by the children. They achieved such a lot in just a few hours, learning so many songs and then taking to the stage to perform in front of an audience is no mean feat, a huge well done to them all!”

And a special thank you to all of the fantastic Princethorpe pupils and staff who came along to support the Choral Fun Day.

A reminder that tickets for Crackley Hall's Diamond Anniversary Gala Ball on the evening of Saturday 21 March will go on sale today, Friday 24 January, at 5.00pm.

Tickets cost £40 a head and are limited; we are expecting them to be very popular, so please do book early to avoid disappointment.

Click here to visit the link to book tickets.

Our resident Archivist, Janette Ratcliffe, will be preparing a display of archive material for the Open House on Saturday 21 March, if you have any material that you would like to gift or loan to the archive, such as school magazines, programmes, photographs, school books or certificates, she would love you to get in touch at janetteratcliffe@princethorpe.co.uk

Thursday 6 February 2020 - 12.15pm

On behalf of Fisher House, it is my pleasure to invite you to our House Eucharist, which takes place on Thursday 6 February in the College Chapel.

The service will be a celebration of our House community and will begin at 12.15pm.  If you are able to join us, I would recommend you aim to arrive at midday to be seated in the Chapel before the arrival of the pupils.

There will be signage to indicate where to park on the day.

We would be delighted if you could also stay at College after the service to join us for lunch. So that we can cater efficiently, please reserve places by completing the form here no later than Wednesday 5 February 2020.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Louisa Fielding
Head of House – Fisher

Monday 10 February 2020 - 7.00pm to 8.30pm

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

All parents and pupils are cordially invited to our STEAM Presentation Evening on Monday 10 February, to promote the value of STEAM and to encourage and support our Lower Sixth students in their STEAM-related projects.

The evening will run from 7.00pm until 8.30pm in the Sixth Form Lecture Theatre with refreshments throughout the evening.  First, you are invited to watch three ten-minute presentations delivered by our Year 13 Extended Project students on STEAM-related projects that they have completed. Following this, you will have the chance to wander around the Atrium, where pupils in Year 12 will present their work in progress for their Extended Project and Design Technology investigations.

If any parents have expertise in this area and would like to consider becoming a STEAM Ambassador for Princethorpe, please do let us know on our online form below. We are keen for you to help ignite an interest in STEAM subjects, to help our students explore STEAM subjects in innovative and inventive ways outside the curriculum, and to provide a platform to extend our pupils’ learning.

All who attend this presentation evening, both parents and pupils, will play a crucial role in giving valuable feedback to the students to help them develop their work so that they may consider further study of STEAM subjects and progression into related careers, inspiring the next generation of STEAM professionals.

To assist with our planning and catering arrangements we would ask you to fill in the brief on-line form which can be accessed here.

Wednesday 12 February 2020 at 7.30pm

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

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

Chris Kerrigan
Head of English

Thursday 6 February - Saturday 8 February
Clarkson Theatre

It's a kinda magic!

Princethorpe College is gearing up for this year’s Musical Theatre Production, We Will Rock You School Edition.

Following on from last year’s fantastic production of Little Shop of Horrors, the worldwide smash hit musical by Queen and Ben Elton returns to Princethorpe College.

Featuring more than 20 hit Queen songs, We Will Rock You School Edition follows two revolutionaries as they try to save Rock in a post-apocalyptic world. Featuring the songs Another One Bites the Dust, Bohemian Rhapsody, Killer Queen, We Will Rock You, Somebody To Love, We Are The Champions, Don’t Stop Me Now and many more.

With an hilarious script, thrilling storyline and the Greatest Hits of Queen, this show is guaranteed to blow your mind! This musical phenomenon is not to be missed!

Tickets for the production are priced at £5.00 (adult) and £3 (U18).  Performaces will take place on Thursday 6 February, Friday 7 February, Saturday 8 February Matinee and Saturday 8 February.  Please click on the performance you would like to attend to book tickets.  Please note there are limited seats and tickets will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Friday 28 February - 7.30pm to 10.00pm

Save The Date

The PTA Parents' Pub Quiz takes place in the Sixth Form Centre on Friday 28 February.  Further information will be coming out shortly but please keep your diary free for what promises to be a enjoyable evening.

The Princethorpe PTA

Friday 6 March 2020 - 6.30pm to 10.30pm

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

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

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

Saturday 14 March - 7.30pm onwards

Don’t miss this fabulous night out in support of our Malawi 2020 project with an Irish dancing display, live Ceilidh band and auction. There will be a two course meal and drink included in the ticket price. Early bird tickets are still available for £25 per person or a table of ten for £220.

Amazing raffle with superb prizes and cash bar all evening. 

Please reserve tickets with Marion Mitchell at marionmitchell@princethorpe.co.uk

See our JustGiving page to find out more about the Classrooms for Malawi project at Lauderdale School here.

Tuesday 17 March 2020 -10.30am to 12.30pm

Our Spring Open Morning will take place on Tuesday 17 March, giving prospective families a chance to visit the school on a normal working day, with Year 7 and 8 pupils acting as tour guides. Light refreshments will be available.

All are welcome and there is no need to book. For further information, please contact our Registrar, Mrs Vanessa Rooney on 01926 634201 or at admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.  

Our next Open Event after the March Open Morning will be our Summer Open Evening on Wednesday 3 June 2020 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

Please do spread the word amongst family and friends.

Saturday 21 March 2020 - 9.30am to 1.00pm

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

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

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

Key dates in the reporting and examinations cycle for this half term are shown below.

Calendar Lent First Half Term 2020

24 January - Year 11 and Upper Sixth Mock Reports

31 January - Year 9 Progress Reports

3 February - London Institute of Banking & Finance exam results

7 February - Year 10 Full Reports

The Summer 2020 exam timetable is now confirmed and can be viewed by clicking on the link below. Entries for these exams will be finalised in February 2020. Upper Sixth entries will be checked with students on Thursday 30 January.  Year 11 entries will be checked the week commencing 3 February. 

Individual exam timetables will be issued the week commencing 10 February.  These will also be available to view on My School Portal.

After half term we will be looking at exam clashes and will contact pupils to make arrangements.

Summer 2020

Shellagh Dodds
Examinations and Assessment Manager

Year 11 and Upper Sixth Mock Exam Reports will be published to the parent portals today, Friday 24 January 2020.  Once published, you will receive an email notification advising that the reports are available to view on My School Portal.

For Year 11 parents, there will be an opportunity to discuss your child’s report at the forthcoming Year 11 Parents’ Evening on Monday 27 January 2020.

We look forward to seeing you then.

Dr Michael Reddish
Deputy Head - Academic

Monday 27 January 2020 - 6.00pm to 8.30pm

The Year 11 Parents’ Evening takes place on Monday, 27 January from 6.00pm to 8.30pm in the Sports Hall.  Do please bring your Year 11 son or daughter with you if at all possible – it is most beneficial if parent, pupil and teacher can all be present and be part of the conversation.

We will also provide two supervised areas where siblings can wait whilst you meet with the teaching staff. There will be a film screening in one room and for those looking for a quieter environment, a second area will be provided where they can relax.

Please make sure to arrive by 7.30pm at the latest. Parents arriving later than that may not be able to see all the relevant teachers before the event closes at 8.30pm.  Please leave the building by the main entrance to The Limes and sign out at the exit as you leave.

Here is some additional information that you may find helpful:

• Parking will be available on the school playground
• Please enter the Limes building through the main entrance only
• Please ensure you sign in and collect your name badge from the reception desk before entering the Sports Hall
• There is no appointment system. You should allow approximately five minutes per teacher – a timer will sound every five minutes to assist with keeping discussions within this timeframe.

We look forward to seeing you.

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

Progress Reports for Year 9 will be published on Friday 31 January 2020 and will be available to view on My School Portal.  

Dr Michael Reddish
Deputy Head - Academic 

The Year 9 Parents’ Evening takes place on Tuesday, 4 February 2020 from 6.00pm to 8.30pm in the Sports Hall. Do please bring your Year 9 son or daughter with you if at all possible – it is most beneficial if parent, child and teacher can all be present and be part of the conversation.

The evening will give you the most up-to-date insight into your child’s academic progress in readiness for the GCSE Options Evening on Thursday 13 February. Please take full advantange of the GCSE Options Evening to discuss possible GCSE options with departments so that you can spend time over half term finalising your choices. We will have an Academic Review Evening on Monday 2 March to give you a final opportunity to discuss your child’s GCSE option choices with your child’s tutor before submitting them online.

As you arrive at the Parents’ Evening you will be given the GCSE Options Booklet for 2020-21.  This will afford you the opportunity to digest the information and bring any queries you may have to the GCSE Options Evening on 13 February.  (Any copies not collected will be posted out on Wednesday 5 February).  A timeline for the process is outlined below:

4 February         Year 9 Parents’ Evening (at which you will receive a hard copy of the GCSE Options Booklet)

13 February       Year 9 GCSE Options Evening

14 February       You will receive an email with a link to the GCSE Options Survey

2 March              Year 9 Academic Review Evening

4 March              Deadline for completion of the GCSE Options Survey

Once the Option Blocks have been finalised we will contact you to let you know that your choices are successfully entered on to the system.

We will continue to offer the option of a two course supper to you and your family, at a cost of £2.00 per head and served across three sittings, 5.30pm to 6.00pm, 6.00pm to 6.30pm and 6.30pm to 7.00pm. Supper will be served in the Refectory.

We will also provide two supervised areas where siblings can wait whilst you meet with the teaching staff. There will be a film screening in one room and for those looking for a quieter environment, a second area will be provided where they can relax.

To help us with the smooth running of Parents’ Evening and so that we can cater efficiently we would be grateful if everyone who would like to book for supper could complete the RSVP form by here no later than 10.00am on Friday, 31 January.

Here is some additional information that you may find helpful:

• Parking will be available on the school playground
• Please enter the Limes building through the main entrance only
• Please ensure you sign in and collect your name badge from the reception desk before entering the Sports Hall
• There is no appointment system. You should allow approximately five minutes per teacher – a timer will sound every five minutes to assist with keeping discussions within this timeframe – please do organise a further meeting if you feel you need a longer discussion 
• Plan strategically – decide which teachers you really need or want to see and target them first. We suggest you have a list of your child’s teachers and subjects - can be found on MySchoolPortal
• On leaving the building please sign out at the reception desk

We look forward to seeing you.

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching & Learning

Reports for Year 10 will be posted out on Friday 7 February 2010. They will also be available to view on My School Portal.

Dr Michael Reddish
Deputy Head - Academic

Thursday 13 February 2020

On Thursday 13 February, the GCSE Options Information Evening is being held in the Sports Hall at 7.00pm. The evening comprises a series of short presentations on the options process followed by an opportunity for parents to meet with subject staff. Light refreshments will be available. The purpose of the GCSE Options Information Evening is to provide parents with sufficient information regarding the options process so that they can help their son or daughter decide their GCSE options.

Prior to this, the Year 9 Parents’ Evening will be held on Tuesday 4 February between 6.00pm and 8.30pm. The Parents’ Evening will enable you to discuss the progress of your son or daughter with subject staff.  This academic feedback can then prepare you to think about GCSE choices prior to the Information Evening taking place on 13 February.  

After half term, on Monday 2 March 2020, the Year 9 and 10 Academic Review Evening will then provide you the opportunity to meet with your child's tutor and discuss the next steps.

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

Always on the lookout for finding innovative ways in which the Library can be integral to teaching and learning at the College, I recently came across FOSIL (Framework of Skills for Inquiry Learning). This has been partially developed by the Head of Library and Archives at Oakham School in Rutland, and focusses on pupils finding out information for themselves, in response to a relevant subject inquiry which is embedded within a curriculum subject.  For more information click here.

Celia Scott
Librarian

The Immunisation team will be in school on Monday 16 March to offer all Year 9 pupils a booster of the Diptheria/Tetanus and Polio vaccine, this will complete the course they started as babies.

In addition the Meningitis ACWY vaccine will be offered.

As part of a national MMR (Measles, mumps, rubella) catch up programme Year 8 pupils who have not received the full course of MMR will be invited to receive the vaccine on this day. Information packs and consent forms will be sent home with pupils nearer the time.

Further changes to the UK routine Immunisation schedule mean that for the first time Year 8 boys as well as girls are now being invited to receive the HPV vaccine (Humanpapilloma Virus) – this will take place in school on the 15 and 16 June. Again further information and consent forms will be sent home nearer the time.

Further information can be found using the following links:

https://www.nhs.uk/news/pregnancy-and-child/mmr-catch-up-campaign-targets-a-million-children/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/hpv-human-papillomavirus-vaccine/

If you have any concerns or queries please contact Mrs Paula Greig Senior Matron at paulagreig@princethorpe.co.uk

Paula Greig
Senior Matron

Friday 14 February 2020 is a non-uniform day. Participation is not compulsory, but pupils are asked to contribute £2.00 if they choose to wear non-uniform clothes. The criteria for what is acceptable as non-uniform is clearly set out in the homework diary.

It is a Blue Day for our Sixth Formers who are supporting Prostate and Testicular Cancer Charities.

The College is also supporting Father Hudson’s Care and CAFOD.

Father Hudson’s Care is the Social Care Agency of the Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham. Their aim is to offer help and support to people in need and improve their quality of life. Each year, during Lent, Father Hudson’s care, run an appeal known as ‘The Good Shepherd Appeal’ to help raise vital money to support their work. All Catholic schools within the Archdiocese are invited to take part.

CAFOD, is the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development and we are supporting their Lenten appeal ‘Defend the Defenders’ helping families living in the Amazon Rain Forest where an area the size of a football pitch is destroyed every minute.

Mary Benham
Chaplaincy Co-ordinator

Sixth Form students, and their parents and guardians, are invited to join the Co-op at their Stratford office for the above event on Tuesday 4 February 2020.

This event is relevant for anyone interested in apprenticeships and/or a legal career. 

The schedule for the evening is as follows:

5.30pm to 5.45pm         Registration opens

5.45pm to 6.00pm         Welcome to the Co-op & legal                                                    services

6.00pm to 6.30pm         Legal apprenticeships at the Co-op

6.30pm to 6.45pm         Break

6.45pm to 7.00pm         Co-op colleague experience & live                                              interview

7.00pm to 7.15pm         Q&A session

7.15pm to 7.30pm         Finish & close

Please register for a free ticket here.

The University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust are holding a Midwifery Taster Day on the morning of Friday 14 February 2020. 

The day is aimed at 14-17 year olds, however students over 17 who are interested are also welcome to attend.

The day is mostly classroom based and will be run by a professional from the area to provide an insight into the role. There are a few places remaining. Please email Mr Collie if you would like to request permission to attend this event. 

This year, Work Experience Placements at Princethorpe College, as part of our Careers programme, will take place at the end of the summer term for both Year 10 and 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.

Many thanks to all Year 10 and 11 parents for helping your son/daughter to find a work placement, in anticipation and if you already have done so.  It can be done at any time after the last GCSE exams for Year 11 and the week beginning 29 June for Year 10. We normally expect at least one week, although historically we have had many undertake more than this, often in more than one placement. Such experience is invaluable for considering a future career path, getting used to the world of work, and for references.

So that we can action the necessary paperwork, including references, we would be grateful if you could complete the form that have already been sent out for both year groups.

Queries relating to work experience should be sent as follows:

Year 10 – Mrs Quinney at jacquiquinney@princethorpe.co.uk

Year 11 – Mr Taylor at miketaylor@princethorpe.co.uk

Have you been away over Christmas? 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 be split between UK projects of the SVP (St Vincent de Paul Society), including support for the homeless, elderly, handicapped and those coming out of prison and an overseas SVP project helping to fund secondary school education children - especially girls - in India. 'One to one befriending'  is at the heart of SVP work and the society made nearly half a million visits last year bringing financial support, material help and real friendship to those in need. 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. We already have 8kg, but we need more.

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’.

We raised a spectacular £231.85 last year.

Many thanks

Rod Isaacs
Assistant Head of Sixth Form

Sunday 8 March and Sunday 5 April 2020

This year we are going the extra mile for Mary’s Meals with two sponsored events. The 24 mile walk will take place on Sunday 8 March 2020 and the 40 mile walk takes place on Sunday 5 April. The 40 mile walk is with the official Coventry Way Association event featuring 250 competitors. Both challenges are in support of Makalanga School, in Malawi so that each of the 500 children can receive a daily meal in school.

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 and now feeds 1,101,206 children each day in 12 countries, across four continents.  

Why not support our intrepid walkers by sponsoring one or more children at a cost of only £13.90 for an entire year of school meals for one child.  You can make a donation via the on-line page, simply click here to make your pledge.  We are also looking for willing volunteers to help at the various checkpoints along the walk on Sunday 10 March, and will be in touch again soon to request your help.

We’ve already raised over £2,500 this academic year but we are looking to raise £8,841 in total so as to feed every child in Makalanga school.

Between now and 1 March 2020 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 £90,000.

Thank you for your support.

Rod Isaacs
Assistant Head of Sixth Form

We are in the throws of planning the return visit of our Dutch hosts from Hopbel Hockey Club last autumn. We are looking forward to reciprocating the fantastic experience which our pupils received during their visit. The return dates are from the evening of Saturday 25 April 2020 through to the morning of Wednesday 29 April 2020.

We are expecting girls and boys (mainly girls) of a variety of ages, between 12 and 15 and are asking for host families.  This may be of interest if your child would like to attend the Holland visit in October 2020, however this invitation is open to all families and we appreciate all help offered.  In order to host, we are looking for families who can offer accommodation for two (or more) Dutch visitors and are willing to entertain and involve them in your family life for the four nights. We will organise an itinerary of fixtures, activities during the school day and a BBQ for our guests with their host families on the final evening. We will let you know who the other host families are so that you can organise other events together if you wish. Transport to school will be through the normal way your child comes to school (we will supply the bus tickets for the Dutch visitors) but they will need to be picked up after fixtures each day from College.

Due to requisite safeguarding checks, all adults within the household must hold a DBS certificate sent for by the Princethorpe Foundation, even if they currently have a DBS certificate from another employer or have a DBS from the exchange last year. If they have subscribed to the DBS Update Service, please do let us know. To allow plenty of time for the DBS certificates to be received before the tour, we need to apply for them in February. Each adult over the age of 18, not in full time education, in the household will need to apply. Please complete this form indicating your availability to come in and apply, preferably during Half Term, 17 to 21 February 2020 or there are some appointments the week after, 24 to 28 February 2020. It should only take 15 minutes per person to apply for the DBS certificates. Please see the attached entitled Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for the documentation required. 

Once we have confirmed the host families we will liaise with families on further information, such as pets and bus routes so that we can appropriately match host families and Dutch visitors. 

Many thanks for your continued support of Princethorpe sport and we hope that you can continue this by hosting some Dutch guests in April. 

Neil McCollin
Foundation Director of Sport

Last Sunday 19 January, four Princethorpe College Year 11 pupils travelled up the M6 to Lymm RFC to play for Warwickshire in the freezing fog in their match against Cheshire. 

Charlie Bracken, Harry Horsley and Oscar Blunsom-Washbrook played for the 1st team and in a well fought match, where they gave their all, they were pleased to come away with a 22-17 win.  Ben Stitson played against Cheshire for the County 2nd team.  Fellow Year 11 Mason Winterburn was absent from the County line up this time recovering from an injury.

It really is fantastic to have so many pupils playing at County level.  Their experiences can only benefit the College’s squads.

Our PE and Games Department have created a helpful guide for pupils and parents for Lent Term 2020 (click here) which includes: 

• A list of team coaches and how you may contact them
• Instructions on how to access the Princethorpe Sport app
• Information about fixtures, including selection and cancellations
• Postcodes for away fixtures (which can also be found in the Lent Term calendar)

If you have any questions, please direct them to your son/daughter's team coach or email Mr Turns (Acting Head of Boys' Games) or Ms Law (Head of Girls' Games). 

Neil McCollin
Foundation Director of Sport 

24-25 January 2020 

The Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award training takes place tonight, 4.30pm - 9.00pm and Saturday 25 January, 9.00am - 1.00pm.  Students have been excused from their sports fixtures as this training takes precedence. We will meet in the Limes Atrium for registration. Please ask your child to bring a packed tea, pen, notepad and their DofE folder.  They may wear casual clothes. 

This mandatory training forms a vital part of the planning and preparation for the expedition section of the award.  As a final reminder, if they have not yet done so, please can every student complete the programme planners on the eDofE website detailing their choices for each section of the award.  I would also encourage them to research and organise the residential section.

Will Bower
Head of Outdoor Education, DofE Manager

25-26 January 2020

The Silver Duke of Edinburgh's Award training takes place on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 January, 9.00am - 4.00pm. Pupils have been excused from their sports fixtures as this training takes precedence.

We will meet in the Limes Atrium for registration.  Please arrive promptly so that we can divide the pupils up into expedition groups for the training.  Please ask your child to bring a packed lunch and some snacks plus a pen, note pad and their DofE folder. They may wear sensible casual clothes.  A coat and suitable outdoor footwear will also be useful.

This mandatory training forms a vital part of the planning and preparation for the expedition section of the award. 

As a final reminder, if they have not yet done so, please can every pupil complete the programme planners on the eDofE website detailing their choices for each section of the award.

Will Bower
Head of Outdoor Education, DofE Manager

The DofE Certificate Presentation Evening will take place on Tuesday 11 February 2020 from 6.30pm-8.30pm. The event will start with light refreshments in the Limes Atrium followed by the presentation in the Sports Hall. Our guest speaker is mountaineer Jon Gupta. 

Invitations have been sent out to all who have completed everything on the eDofE website.

A number of those who took part in the scheme last year have yet to complete their award.  Please follow the instructions provided in this guide to complete your sections and guarantee your invite to this exciting event.

Will Bower
Head of Outdoor Education

We are keen to acknowledge and celebrate pupils’ co-curricular achievements outside of school and would like to invite parents/carers to submit this information to us via My School Portal. 

If your son or daughter has won a competition, is performing in a show or competing at a high level with a sporting team outside of school, we would love to hear more.

Parents contacted us last term to let us know about County Hockey selection, swimming successes and pupils volunteering their time to raise money for local charities.  Do keep us updated so we might celebrate these achievements in school too! 

Please could you check again that passports have at least 6 months validity left on them from our day of departure (31 March) and EHIC cards will be valid for the duration of the trip. Please could you send me a photo of both as soon as possible.

Tour hoodys must be ordered from the snowunion website by 26 January 2020 (www.snowunion.co.uk).  They can be selected from the ‘Hoodys’ page and there is no cost when you complete the order.  A size guide is available.  The hoody will be initialled and sent into school shortly before our departure date.  Please see the attached flyer here for more information and how to order.

The Ackers practice trip, for those who have already consented, is on Wednesday 12 February 2020, 3.45pm-8.30pm. Pupils should bring warm waterproof winter clothing, ski gloves and ski socks. A packed tea and plenty to drink is also required (Please note that there are very limited refreshments available for purchase at the venue).

The second parents' meeting is on Thursday 27 February 2020 at 6.00pm-7.00pm in the Clarkson theatre. 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.

Lockwoods Ski Shop in Leamington have kindly offered all pupils on the trip a 10% discount, valid until 30 April 2020, on all products. To take advantage of this offer, please print this voucher and show it at the till or use the online voucher code.

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

Catherine Warne

The History department are delighted to be running an educational trip to Vietnam in October 2020. This trip will give pupils an opportunity to learn outside of the classroom in a fun and stimulating environment; this links well with the topics studied both at GCSE and A-level here at Princethorpe College in which the American war in Vietnam plays a prominent part.

Please see here for more information about the trip and associated costs. The trip is open to those pupils in Years 8 - Lower Sixth for the 2020/21 academic year and there are two places remaining.

To register your interest in this trip, please email Peter Bucknall, Head of History at peterbucknall@princethorpe.co.uk. Places will be allocated on a first-come-first-served-basis, subject to payment of deposit. 

Please see 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.

Neil McCollin
Assistant Head - Co-Curricular

Please see below our current vacancies:

• Head of Law - part-time
• Teacher of Art - part-time
• Teacher of Business Studies
• Teacher of Computer Science
• Teacher of Design and Technology
• Teacher of English
• Teacher of Mathematics
• Groundsman
• Head of Digital Learning and Teacher of Boys' Games – Crescent School

Full details  and how to apply are available via the following link: Join Us

Should you know anyone who might be interested in these posts, please do share this information with them.

Princethorpe College welcomes Louise to the IT department, as the Foundation Data Manager. With an English degree from the University of Birmingham and a postgraduate degree in Health Services Research from the University of Leicester, Louise has spent the majority of my career in information analysis and management roles within the NHS. She is relishing the challenge of her new role with the Foundation, having been away from work for a little while to concentrate on family life, welcoming surprise baby number three into her family! 

We are delighted to welcome Libby and Patrick, two new Teaching Assistants from Downlands School, Queensland, Australia for their gap year.  Libby is looking forward to working at Princethorpe for this calendar year, sharing the common ethos through her MSC education at Downlands College, which was founded by Fr Jules Chevalier in 1931. After this year, Libby will be returning to the warmer Australian weather to study Medicine at the University of Queensland.

Princethorpe College also welcomes Patrick  from Downlands College too. Patrick graduated from Downlands in 2019 where he was one of four College leaders. He will be present in classes around the college, assisting the teachers and aiding pupils and students with their work. He is particularly looking forward to supporting teachers and accompaning pupils on school excursions and tours. We wish Patrick and Libby the very best for this year and hope they get used to our cold weather here in England quickly.