This evening we are delighted to celebrate the achievements, progress and success of the Class of 2020 at our Virtual Prize Giving Ceremony, which will take place via the wonders of Zoom.

As we head towards December, our thoughts will naturally turn towards Christmas. Sadly, this year we are unable to host our traditional PTA Christmas Fair, but instead all parents and our wider Princethorpe community are invited to join us on Monday 14 December for the Parents’ Carol Service, which will undoubtedly bring much festive cheer.

Watch out for the next edition of the Flagpole on Friday 4 December.

Click here to email The Flagpole.

Preview

News

Just Two Weeks To Go Until The Registration Deadline For This Year’s Entrance Examinations

The countdown to the College's Entrance Exams for admission in September 2021 is well underway and our friendly Admissions Team are busy accepting registrations and dealing with enquiries from prospective parents. There are just two weeks now until Friday 4 December the deadline day for registrations for the College’s Entrance Examinations that will take place on Saturday 23 January 2021, government guidelines permitting.

This week the Headmaster and Admissions team hosted a Virtual Admissions Q&A for prospective parents. The event was well attended and ran through the admissions process for entry to the College before taking questions from parents on a host of different topics including the curriculum and class sizes, the plans for Entrance Examinations Day and the Admissions Panel process.

Registrar, Vanessa Rooney, comments, “Our Virtual Admissions Q&A gave prospective parents the opportunity to find out more about the admissions process and I am sure it will have answered a lot of parents’ questions but if there are any remaining points that parents need clarification on then please do just contact the team.”

If you missed the Virtual Admissions Q&A then do contact us as we can send you a link to a recording of the event.

For more information on entry to the College please visit the Admissions pages on our website www.princethorpe.co.uk/admissions or email the Admissions Team at admissions@princethorpe.co.uk or call on 01926 634201/262/297.

College Artists Recognised In Prestigious ISA Regional Art Competition

Recent Upper Sixth leavers, Dominic Turner-Burr and Sebastian Lloyd-Thomas have been awarded prizes in the Independent Schools’ Association’s prestigious Midlands Regional Art Competition.

Dominic’s winning work, titled Fighting Back, was part of his A-level portfolio. It took first place in the Key Stage 5 Photography category. His striking image explores the challenge of managing the negativity that people experience in their daily lives. It depicts how using numbers and codes helps people to identify and label different coping strategies.

Sebastian’s stunning painting, Interpreting The Signs took second place in the Key Stage 5 3D Class. Sebastian investigated ‘Vanitas’, still-life paintings including symbolic objects designed to remind the viewer of their mortality. Building on his studies his work comments on the world in the wake of COVID.

Princethorpe College Head of Art, Paul Hubball, applauded the prize winners, “These results reflect the depth of talent we have within our school. This year we were limited to only one entry per category, so we were especially pleased that two of the four works we submitted have received a prize.”

Dominic’s work now goes forward to the ISA National Art Competition, the judging for which takes place in February.

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Princethorpe Pupils Rise To The Senior Mathematics Challenge

At the beginning of November pupils from Princethorpe College took part in the 2020 UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Senior Challenge, a prestigious national problem-solving competition that recognises the best young mathematicians in the country. The Challenge involves answering multiple choice questions and is sat under normal school exam conditions. The papers are then sent away to be marked by UKMT and the best pupils in the country are awarded Bronze, Silver or Gold Certificates.

The competition is aimed at students in the Sixth Form and Princethorpe selected 18 able mathematicians from both Lower and Upper Sixth to participate in this year’s Challenge. It is a demanding exercise designed to stretch and test pupils’ mathematical skills, so the College is delighted that Princethorpe’s mathematicians achieved exceptional results.

Many congratulations go to Upper Sixth Former, Lauren Mason, who was awarded a Gold certificate, and took the award for best performing student in school, and to Lower Sixth Former, Ben Scares, who was awarded a Silver certificate, and took the award for best performing student in the Lower Sixth. Lauren performed so well that she has also qualified for the follow-on round, the British Mathematical Olympiad.

Congratulations also to:

Silver certificate winners: Rowan Tankard, Zack Ahmed, Ciaran Smith and Pablo Scopes.

Bronze certificate winners: Anthony Convey, Joshua Rawlings, Daisy Walker, Jack Fletcher, Caitlin Mason and Thomas Cleaver-Cavalier.

Well done all and many thanks to all the pupils who took part, we hope you enjoyed the challenge.

Theo Scoutas
Post 16 Mathematics Co-ordinator

 

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Two Talented Hockey Players Trial For England U16 Hockey Teams

Princethorpe College Year 10 pupil, James Robinson, and Year 11 pupil, Lara Tripp-Smith, trialled for the England U16 Hockey Teams over half term.

This year England Hockey invited nominations from school, club and performance centres for the England age group trials and the two pupils were nominated to take part.  

Both joined 25 talented young hockey players from across the North and Midlands in the selection process for the England U16 boys and girls teams at the Lilleshall National Sports Centre in Shropshire.

Over three days coaches drawn from England U16 and Regional Performance Centres observed the players, looking at technical, tactical, physical and mental development qualities, considering their current performance and future potential.

James said, "It was an amazing experience to trial with such talented hockey players. I was really pushed to perform at my best. I received a lot of support from my school coaches, Mr Whitehead and Miss Mack, and also from Rugby and East Warwickshire Hockey Club who helped me to prepare."

Lara added, "The trial was a fantastic opportunity, sadly an injury limited my ability to perform but I have been offered the chance to retrial at the next selection event."

Congratulations to James and Lara, we are very proud of you both, it must have been a great experience.

Year 7 Orla Wins This Year’s Amazing House Talent Show

Much anticipated and always hotly-contested, the House Talent Show did not disappoint providing a sensational evening’s entertainment for its audience in lockdown at home. Held this year on Friday 6 November, the socially distanced virtual show was watched by its largest audience ever as 541 members of the College community tuned in to view the pre-recorded show.

The 40-minute event was hosted by Jess Newborough, House Activities Leader, and included nine acts of talented, inspirational and brave pupils ranging from Year 7 up to Upper Sixth. All the acts had been given just one chance for their performance to be videoed so that the experience was as 'live' as possible.

For the first time the audience, and not the judges, decided the winner with 292 votes cast when the voting closed. The results were announced live in Tutor Time on Tuesday 10 November when a very excited Mrs Newborough visited the winners' classrooms to reveal the results.

In first place, for More, with 31% of the votes, was Year 7 Orla Fleming for her sensational performance of Abba’s much-loved hit Mamma Mia. Second, for Austin, with 16% of the vote was Year 7 Grace McCollin for her technically stunning gymnastics beam routine and in third place with 12% of the vote was Benet’s answer to the Back Street Boys, Jackson Roderick, André Onyekwe and Ignacy Librowski, who performed Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber’s hit I Don’t Care.

We were super impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment to their House of all our performers who included: Abbie O’Carroll-Bailey, Elsa Isaacs, Georgia McCallum, Alice Minshull, Liv Underhill, Chloe Potts, Louise Gambling and Delilah Teeton.

A huge well done to all and thanks to everyone who worked so hard to put together this year’s spectacular House Talent Show.

 

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Princethorpe College Observes Remembrance Day

On Wednesday 11 November, just before 11.00am, the College community silently reflected on the bravery and the selfless sacrifice made by so many of our country's service men and women.

This year’s Remembrance service was virtual, with pupils remaining in their Tutor group classrooms but our community still paused to pay their respects.

Deputy Head Pastoral, Beth Sharpe began by reading a short poem by Marian Allen from Scars Upon My Heart before Father Alan Whelan MSC said a prayer. Head of Physics, Dan Lee and Chemistry Teacher, Emilie Onyekwe solemnly read the list of the Princethorpe fallen, before Year 7 Henry Corbin confidently sounded the melancholic notes of the Last Post.

The two-minute silence offered all a time for reflection, a shared moment to remember those that shall not grow old, who have given their lives for the peace and freedom we enjoy today.

Members of the Sixth Form recited For The Fallen and then performed the hymn Abide With Me. A wreath was then hung at the Pupils’ Entrance by Head Boy, Jack Neale, and Year 9, Tom Bucknall.

The Headmaster, Ed Hester then spoke to the school community before saying a final prayer for peace.

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Princethorpe Reconnects With Old Friends In Hong Kong And The Far East

On Tuesday 17 November the Old Princethorpians Association hosted a virtual reunion for former pupils from Hong Kong and the Far East. Joined by Princethorpe College Headmaster Ed Hester, former Headmaster Father Alan Whelan MSC, former Director of Boarders Father Teddy O’Brien MSC, former Director of Boarders and long-serving and much loved teacher Sean Philpott and lifelong Princethorpian and teacher Alex Darkes – the virtual reunion included Mass from the Princethorpe Chapel, a virtual tour of the school, a Quiz and a delve into the Princethorpe archives.

The evening began with a welcome from the Headmaster and from Alan Young, who heads up Old Princethorpians in Hong Kong. We were joined on the call by OPs from Hong Kong, mainland China, Singapore, Cambodia and Australia, as well as the staff team dialling in from a drizzly and overcast Princethorpe College.

Alex Darkes’ Princethorpe Quiz proved a hilarious highlight – with the unofficial prize being announced as an all-expenses paid afternoon tea courtesy of and in the company of Sean Philpott (presumably post-COVID restrictions!).

Old Princethorpians excitedly shared their news and caught up – with many telling of their lifelong and lasting friendships from their time at Princethorpe.

Melanie Butler, Old Princethorpians’ Secretary said, “The reunion was a wonderful chance to catch up with our friends from Hong Kong and the Far East again. The warmth of feeling towards their former teachers and the school, after all these years is testament to the experiences and friendships they made here. It was a pleasure for us to organise and the many messages of appreciation and thanks we’ve received from the attendees have been a real delight. On the back of this success we are now planning a similar virtual event in the spring for our OPs in the USA, so watch this space.”

Here are just some of the comments received:

“Thank you all for a treasurable evening. It never ceases to amaze me that much of the school grounds remain so familiar after all these years. Thanks for bringing this nostalgia to life for us.”

“Many thanks for hosting today’s virtual reunion. I look forward to visiting Princethorpe when I am next in the UK.”

“Thanks to Alex for the virtual tour, especially the store room in the Tower, it brought back many memories of the band practices we had there!”

“What a lovely catch up, thanks to all you guys who organised it. The Princethorpe spirit at its best!”

“Thank you everyone, wonderful chatting on zoom with you all, it certainly brings back some fond memories. Never thought I would attend Mass at Princethorpe again!”

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Poppies Symbolise College’s Reflections On Remembrance

During November, the College has been reflecting on the theme of Remembrance. The month is the last in the Church’s calendar and commemorates all those who have departed from life. It begins with the Feast of All Saints, a tribute to the saints, and is followed by the Feast of All Souls, when we pray for those who have died, particularly our loved ones.

In Tutor groups pupils have considered the theme of Remembrance, the legacies of war and why we commemorate today those who fought and served in the World Wars, and in recent conflicts, and the sacrifices they made, and all pupils participated in the Virtual Remembrance Service.

Then the Junior Chaplaincy Prefects cut out over 1,000 poppies, enough for every member of the school community. Form Tutors shared the poppies with their Tutor groups and encouraged pupils to record their remembrances. They wrote down the name(s) of a special person or people in their lives whom they wish to remember, or wish to say thank you to, personalising the poppies with their dedications and messages. The poppies have been assembled into a prominent and impressive display in the glazed link to the Sixth Form Centre.

The poppy is our society’s symbol of collective remembrance and the symbol of all our hopes for a peaceful future. The display provides our community with a powerful focus for prayer during this contemplative month of November. It is especially poignant in this difficult year.

Lower Sixth Practise Essential Interview Technique

To better equip our Lower Sixth Formers for the challenge of interviews, the College’s Sixth Form team organised a mock Interview Day. It took place on Tuesday 10 November and was the perfect opportunity for the students to perfect technique, sharpen communication skills, presentational qualities and their ability to respond to feedback.

This year, for the first time, the Interview Day took place virtually and 124 Lower Sixth students prepared for and participated in a twenty-minute interview. Each interview was conducted by one of 22 professionals, many with senior management experience, who had kindly volunteered their time.

In readiness for their one-to-one interviews, pupils had submitted their curriculum vitae to be scrutinised beforehand. Exactly like in a real interview these documents formed the basis of questions that were discussed. At the end of their interview our professionals provided valuable feedback with constructive suggestions for improvement.

There was some fantastic feedback from the interviewers, including, “I was really impressed by the maturity of the students. They were all very positive in their attitude and a delight to work with”, “All of the students were delightful and a credit to themselves and the school” and “What an enjoyable morning I had with some clearly talented Princethorpe students.”

Head of Careers, Jacqui Quinney, commented, “Our Lower Sixth were encouraged to prepare well for these interviews. Our aim was to provide them with a head start in developing their interview technique. It was an extremely important day for them all as they face the looming reality of university, apprenticeship and workplace interviews. The skills practised today will benefit all of our students and we are immensely grateful to the professionals who have given up their time to take part in the day.”

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Princethorpe Joins The Vespa Academy

Exciting news for our exam classes in Years 11, Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth, is that Princethorpe has joined a new venture called ‘The VESPA Academy’.

This will build on our work using the ideas of Martin Griffin and Steve Oakes and their publications of ‘The GCSE Mindset’ and ‘The A-level Mindset’. Our pupils have been using the concepts of VESPA via their Learning Skills sessions with tutors, but now they will have the opportunity to create bespoke activities for themselves to support their study skills using the online package.

The five key principles of VESPA are: Vision, Effort, Systems, Practice and Attitude. Ensuring our pupils secure these principles for their studies are our main focus. The Vespa Academy was launched to Year 11, Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth on the 19 November 2020 and they will be supported by their tutors on their journey of activities which will support their study and revision skills. 

For more information on 'The VESPA Academy please click here.

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

Looking For Christmas Gift Ideas

If you are on the hunt for presents, we have a wonderful range of Princethorpian merchandise available from our online shop: https://connect.princethorpe.co.uk/shop

Our Old Princethorpian range includes ties and cufflinks, pin badges, scarves and some very snazzy socks.

On sale also are our new Fine Art Prints of The Soaring Redbrick Tower in A2 and A3 size and as a greetings card.

Copies of A Spirit of Family, the first fifty years of Princethorpe College, by Alex Darkes and Nick Baker are also still available.

To ensure UK orders can arrive in time for Christmas, orders and payment will need to be received by 12 noon on Monday 14 December 2020 please.

Purchases can be made easily via our online shop https://connect.princethorpe.co.uk/shop

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Events

Calendar Of Events

The school is running a reduced calendar of events as we work within the requirements of social distancing restrictions. Events for the Michaelmas 2020 Term can be found on the College website or on My School Portal.

A summary of upcoming events can also be found below:

  • Virtual Prize Giving - Friday 20 November
  • GCSE Virtual Revision Session for Parents - Monday 23 November 2019 - 6.00pm to 7.30pm
  • Year 7 Virtual Parents’ Evening - Tuesday 24 November 2020 - 6.00pm to 8.30pm
  • Lower Sixth Virtual Parents’ Evening - Thursday 3 December 2020 - 6.00pm to 8.30pm
  • Deadline For Registration For Entrance Examinations - Friday 4 December
  • College Feast Day - Tuesday 8 December
  • Parents' Carol Service - Monday 14 December - 7.00pm
  • Last day of the Michaelmas Term, Christmas Jumper Day, Christmas Dinner - Tuesday 15 December

Virtual Prize Giving Ceremony 2020

Friday 20 November - 6.30pm to 8.00pm

Although sadly due to current restrictions, we are not able to proceed with our Prize Giving Ceremony in its traditional format, we are looking forward to welcoming the majority of our Upper Sixth leavers and their parents to a Virtual Prize Giving Ceremony tonight (Friday 20 November) from 7.00pm to 8.00pm. The ceremony will be preceded by a Virtual OPs Drinks Reception from 6.30pm to 7.00pm.

The ceremony will follow a similar format to normal with the presentation of A-level subject and other prizes and will culminate with the revealing of the coveted Princethorpe Shield winner. A souvenir Prize Giving booklet is available to view here.

If you would like to join the online event, please use the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83447612502?pwd=K0JpMWFVMjlxbE1yRVA4a2NIWWdrZz09

This should be sufficient, but if you are having difficulties you can also use the following Meeting ID and Passcode to access the event.

Meeting ID: 834 4761 2502

Passcode: 221296

Make sure your camera is on and please select full screen to enable you to see everyone.

Dress code

The dress code for the event is smart or dress to impress.

During the Ceremony

During the OPs Drinks Reception please use Gallery View to see all the attendees. We may also use Breakout Rooms to create smaller groups during the Drinks Reception.

During the Prize Giving Ceremony please change to Speaker View, this will enable you to see the Headmaster and Prize Winners as they are announced.

The view option is usually found in the top right hand corner of the screen.

Everyone will be muted during the Prize Giving Ceremony, until the final College Hymn, when you will be unmuted and encouraged to sing along, the words will be on screen and are also at the back of the booklet.

The other categories of prizes and awards for other years normally presented at Prize Giving will be awarded in a school ceremony later this term.

 

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Year 11 GCSE Revision Evening For Parents And Pupils - Reminder

Monday 23 November 2020 – 6.00pm To 7.30pm

As part of our VESPA strategy, Princethorpe College will be holding a virtual, interactive GCSE revision evening, on Monday 23 November between 6.00pm and 7.30pm, for the parents and pupils in Year 11.

It will be hosted by Martin Griffin who has worked with more than sixty schools to develop effective character education systems using the VESPA model. During the session, Martin will explore the key principles of having a positive and proactive learning mindset and share tools and strategies for effective coaching and intervention with parents and equip parents and pupils with practical ideas and strategies to support their children throughout their GCSE courses. We do hope that Year 11 parents and pupils will be able to join us for what promises to be a very useful and informative evening.

We look forward to you joining this event. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at lizpyne@princethorpe.co.uk

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

Parents' Carol Service

Monday 14 December - from 7.00pm

Parents and friends of the College are invited to a special Virtual Carol Service in the College Chapel on Monday 14 December at 7.00pm.

As we will be unable to gather together in person, we are producing a pre-recorded video for our Parents' Carol Service. The festive service will follow the traditional format, including readings and hymns retelling the Christmas story.

We very much hope you will join us for this celebration of the season.

A link to the video will be shared with parents on Monday 14 December. 

 

 

 

Parents' Reading Group - Reminder

The Parents' Reading Group has been running for many years now. A group of parents get together once a month to discuss a book we have all previously agreed on. It's an opportunity for readers to share their reading interests with others and to pick up suggestions to broaden their own reading. We are very eclectic in our tastes and completely unpretentious. We'd welcome newcomers and can guarantee all a warm and friendly welcome when we are once again able to meet.

As circumstances will not permit us to meet at present many of us have kept in touch about books via email.  Please let me know if you’d like to be on the reading group emailing list (chriskerrigan@princethorpe.co.uk) and I’ll add you to it. We look forward to welcoming a few new faces when permitted to meet, but until then we’ll continue to share reading suggestions via email.

Chris Kerrigan
Head of English

Academic

Year 11 GCSE Revision Evening For Parents And Pupils - Reminder

Monday 23 November 2020 – 6.00pm To 7.30pm

As part of our VESPA strategy, Princethorpe College will be holding a virtual, interactive GCSE revision evening, on Monday 23 November between 6.00pm and 7.30pm, for the parents and pupils in Year 11.

It will be hosted by Martin Griffin who has worked with more than sixty schools to develop effective character education systems using the VESPA model. During the session, Martin will explore the key principles of having a positive and proactive learning mindset and share tools and strategies for effective coaching and intervention with parents and equip parents and pupils with practical ideas and strategies to support their children throughout their GCSE courses. We do hope that Year 11 parents and pupils will be able to join us for what promises to be a very useful and informative evening.

We look forward to you joining this event. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at lizpyne@princethorpe.co.uk

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

Ten Essential Revision Tips

So now we are moving towards the mock exams for Year 11 and Upper Sixth (from 5 January 2021), it’s time to focus on the best way to revise. Your youngster will be getting lots of advice from their subject teachers, but support at home is crucial for confident learners.

1. Start revising early

i.e. weeks or months, not days before the exam. 

2. Plan your revision using a timetable

Planning out your revision means you can spend more time revising and less time worrying you've forgotten something. Use a revision timetable. Your tutor can help you with this.  

3. Set up a nice, tidy study space

You'll need somewhere with good lighting, your pens close by, your phone out of sight and your TV unplugged.

4. Vary your revision with different activities

Try a variety of different revision techniques — answering practice exam questions, writing down notes from memory, creating mind maps or revision cards, watching appropriate clips on Youtube or use revision sites such as Seneca.

5. Set aside time to do fun things

Don't totally stop yourself from having fun. This'll help you stay motivated, relax, and allow you to keep up with your favourite hobbies. 

6. Keep your phone and other distractions away

Phones are great, but they're a one-stop shop for procrastination. Heed our warnings and stick it in a drawer while you're revising.  

7. Don't just read your notes

You have to write information down. This is really basic "how to revise" stuff.

8. Take your revision wherever you go

If you find books aren't quite portable enough, lots of revision guides and textbooks with handy online editions — great for revising on the go!  

9. Sleep and eat properly

Sleep is more important than you'd imagine — it helps your brain store all the juicy information you've learned throughout the day. Drinking plenty of water and eating healthy foods will also boost your concentration throughout the day.

10. On exam day, make sure you arrive in plenty of time

Nothing adds extra pressure to exam day like the fear of being late. Just make sure you set off at a little earlier than usual. While you wait, if people around you seem stressed about the exam, try to relax and not let their worries affect you.

Years 7 And 10 Progress Reports

Progress Reports for Years 7 and 10 will be published on Friday 27 November 2020 and will be available to view on My School Portal.  

Dr Michael Reddish
Deputy Head - Academic 

Lower Sixth Parents’ Evening

Thursday 3 December 2020 - 6.00pm to 8.30pm

The Lower Sixth Parents’ Evening will take place on Thursday 3 December 2020 from 6.00pm to 8.30pm. It will be hosted virtually through of a series of Microsoft Teams meetings with your child's teachers. Meetings will be booked online in five-minute slots. Further details will follow on how to book the appointments.

Please be aware that for subjects where teachers teach more than one set, teachers may be in contact with you via email before the Parents’ Evening to update you as to your child's progress as there will be more pupils than available meetings.

You can find a list of your child's teachers under Teacher Contacts on MySchoolPortal.

Dr Michael Reddish
Deputy Head - Academic

Year 11 Academic Review Meetings - A Guide For Parents - Reminder

To support the progress of our Year 11, we will be offering Microsoft Teams meetings with your child’s tutor to discuss progress and future targets. The meetings will follow a very similar format to what would normally occur at our Academic Review Evenings on site.

Between Monday 2 November and Friday 4 December 2020, tutors will be in touch (by email) to make a convenient time for the meeting. During the meeting tutors will have information to share about current progress for your child.  It will be an opportunity for you to discuss all subjects and overall study skills. Importantly, targets will be made for further improvement and for the mock exams and therefore it is expected that pupils will also attend the meeting.

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

Years 8 Progress Reports

Progress Reports for Year 8 will be published on Friday 4 December 2020 and will be available to view on My School Portal.  

Dr Michael Reddish
Deputy Head - Academic 

Examinations And Assessments

Exams Summer 2021

We expect to have the final timetable for the 2021 summer exam season in the next few days and will publish it in the next edition of The Flagpole.

Individual pupil timetables will be available in the new year after entries have been made to the exam boards.

Results days will be Tuesday 24 August for A-levels and Friday 27 August for GCSEs.

Calendar Michaelmas Second Half Term 2020

20 November - Year 7 Progress Reports published
27 November - Year 10 Progress Reports published
4 December - Year 8 Progress Reports published

Subject Specifications

Pupils wishing to buy revision booklets or revise online may need to know the exam board and exact exam specification for each subject they are studying.

The A-level subject specifications for next summer (2021) are available to view here.

Subject specifications for Lower School for next summer (2021), including GCSEs, are available here.

Shellagh Dodds
Examination and Assessment Manager

 

Pastoral

Flu Vaccinations For Year 7 Pupils - Friday 4 December 2020

All Year 7 pupils are being offered the flu vaccine on Friday 4 December. The Community Immunisation Team will be in school to administer the vaccinations. Appointment times will be given to pupils via the pupil briefing.

If you have not received an electronic link to the information pack and consent form, please contact pcmatrons@princethorpe.co.uk.

Please note the link to the consent form expires on 24 November, so please complete prior to this. Completed forms are submitted directly to the Immunisation Team and their contact number is in the information pack for any queries.

Year 8 and 9 Human Papilloma vaccinations

These are scheduled for the Trinity Term 2021 and further information will be sent out nearer the time.

Year 9 Tetanus/Diptheria/Polio vaccinations

These are scheduled for February 2021 and further information will be sent out early in the Lent Term.

Paula Greig
Senior Matron

Universities and Careers

Online Work Experience And Career Days For Students

CareerDays.co.uk is for any student aged 14 to 17 who wants to experience different careers or gain work experience in their chosen field. From medicine, law, performing arts, psychology, business or becoming a vet, they have a 1-day online event for you, designed to give an insight into life in your chosen field.

You'll spend half of the day with experts, gaining first hand knowledge of what life is really like in that career through a live online session with hundreds of other students from around the world. You will meet university admissions tutors who will give you an insight into life as a student, guide you through the application process and teach you how to secure a place to study at university.

After a break for lunch, the second part of the day is practical, so you'll get some work experience which will stand you in good stead should you choose to pursue it in the future. They will then provide a personalised certificate for you to include in your applications.

The cost is £59 for a one day course. If you are interested you can find out more information here.

Guidance On Gaining Relevant Experience To Study Medicine In The Time Of Covid-19

It is a difficult time to try and gain relevant experience in healthcare. The NHS is focusing on dealing with the pandemic, outreach programmes have been put on hold, and most paid employment opportunities have been stopped too.

In these circumstances, first time applicants to medicine will all be in the same situation. All medical schools are aware that the opportunities open to young people have been affected and will take this into account.

As a consequence, medical schools are now adapting their expectations to the situation applicants find themselves in.

Find out more here.

Charity

Cash4Coins - Reminder

Maybe you were lucky enough to get away over the half term break and now there are a few old coins or notes lurking in 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. 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 amount last year.

Many thanks

Rod Isaacs
Assistant Head of Sixth Form

Sport

South Africa 2021 - Christmas Wreath Fundraising Evening - Postponed

Many apologies, but due to the latest Covid-19 related guidance, we have decided to cancel the ‘take home DIY boxes’. 

We have booked a date for next year and will publish the details again nearer the time.

 

Co-Curricular

Duke Of Edinburgh's Award - New Starters 2020-21

Following the meetings held over the last couple of weeks, where enrolment packs were distributed, please could all new Bronze, Silver and Gold participants complete the steps listed below by Tuesday 15 December 2020. Additional guidance has been emailed directly home, please could participants spend some time reading through this information with their parents. 

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

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

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

 

Will Bower
Head of Outdoor Education – DofE Manager

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Duke Of Edinburgh's Award - 2019-20 - Complete Your Award

Bronze 

Well done to all who have completed their award so far, over half of you have now signed everything off in full.

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

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

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

Silver and Gold

Well done to those who completed their practice expedition over half term; more information to following in due course regarding the qualifying trips. In the meantime, please continue to sign off your physical, volunteering and skills sections.

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

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

Will Bower
Head of Outdoor Education – DofE Manager

Housekeeping

Privacy Notices

The Foundation has updated its Privacy Notices including those for Parents and Pupils. Please ensure that you familiarise yourself with these by clicking on the following link: Privacy Notice.

Term Dates 2020-21 And 2021-22

Please find below the Term Dates for 2020-21 and 2021-22.

2020-21 (two page document) - updated 20 November

2021-22 (two page document) 

 

 

 

Employment Opportunities

Please see below our current vacancies:

  • Graduate Sports Coach

Full details and how to apply will be 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.