Our OPs pocket calendar includes details of all this year's events.
Click here to download the calendar or visit the events page on Princethorpe Connect to register for upcoming events.
All our alumni, past parents and staff are welcome to participate in any or all of the events.
Tuesday 10 May 2022 - 5.00pm - 7.00pm
The Crescent School, Princethorpe's prep school in Rugby, is opening its doors to prospective parents and children for an Open Evening on Tuesday 10 May from 5.00pm to 7.00pm. This is an opportunity for prospective families to find out why Crescent School has been judged 'Excellent' in all areas by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. Visitors will be able to hear a presentation from Headmaster, Joe Thackway, tour the school with our pupil guides, see the facilities and meet staff.
We are now taking registrations for places in Reception and Year 3 starting in September 2023 and September 2024 but still have a few places available in Years 1 and 2 for entry this September 2022. In other year groups we have waiting groups, speak to our Registrar, Mrs Helen Morley on 01788 522851 or email admissions@crescentschool.co.uk for more information on availability.
To book your place at the Open Evening click here.
If you can't make the date but would like to look around, please call our Registrar, Mrs Helen Morley on 01788 523851 and come on a day to suit you, we welcome visitors for individual tours on most days.
For more information please click here or see our Admissions Update which was published last week.
Saturday 14 May - 10.30am to 12.30pm
Former parents, staff and OPs are invited to join us for Bluebells and Brunch on Saturday 14 May from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
After a full English Breakfast or something lighter you will be able to wander round the Mile Walk and visit the wildlife haven of Switzerland to enjoy the annual burst of bluebells that carpet the woodland floor.
We are delighted to be able to open our beautiful bluebell wood this spring and offer all OPs and the wider alumni community the chance to enjoy one of Princethorpe’s iconic sights.
In addition to the complimentary breakfast there will also be the chance to enjoy Saturday morning sports or take a tour of school.
Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. All are welcome, please do spread the word.
To join us please register on Princethorpe Connect here.
Tuesday 19 May 2022 - 5.00pm to 7.30pm
This is an opportunity for parents and children to visit the school and nursery. Visitors will have the chance to tour the school, see the facilities and meet pupils and staff including the Headmaster, Mr Duigan. All are welcome.
Years 5 and 6 are full and operating waiting groups for 2022 entry, limited spaces are available in other years including Reception for September 2022 entry. We are now taking registrations for Nursery and for Reception for September 2023 admissions.
The nursery is open 51 weeks a year providing carefully structured sessions for two-year olds, three-year olds and pre-school children.
Please book your place at the Open Evening here.
If you can't make the Open Evening but would like to look around, please call our Admissions Secretary, Mrs Jenny Vaughan on 01926 514444 and come on a day to suit you, we welcome visitors for individual tours on most days.
For more information please also see our Admissions Update which has just been published.
Wednesday 8 June 2022 - 6.30pm to 8.30pm
The College Summer Open Evening will be a great opportunity for prospective families for September 2023 entry, to look around the school and to meet members of staff and pupils.
There will be two opportunities to hear from Ed Hester, Headmaster, at 6.45pm or 7.30pm, allowing families to explore the College before and after. So families do not miss out, we are encouraging visitors to book their place and time slot for the talk.
Click here to book your place.
Our Year 5 Taster Days are now fully booked. However, prospective pupils who have yet to attend a Taster Day can register their interest in attending our Year 6 Taster Days in September. Click here to register your interest and be the first to book one of our Taster Days.
If you have any questions please contact the Admissions Team on 01926 643201/262 or 297 or email admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.
Thursday 23 June from 6.00pm to 8.30pm and Sunday 26 June from 2.00pm to 4.30pm
A celebration of our pupils' GCSE and A-level Art, Photography, Design and Textiles work will take place in the Chapel and cloister corridor on Thursday 23 June from 6.00pm to 8.30pm and on Sunday 26 June from 2.00pm to 4.30pm.
A range of design and technology projects, from resistant materials to textiles, will be showcased alongside the stunning art and photography work the College is renowned for.
Comments, Paul Hubball, Head of Art, "This is a great opportunity to share our pupils' fantastic creativity with a wider audience and to welcome more art and design lovers to Princethorpe."
All are welcome. On Thursday evening admission is free, on the Sunday admission will be £2 per car including entry to the College's Summer Fête and Motoring Festival. Light refreshments will be served in the Quad.
View Gallery
Friday 24 June 2022 - 6.00pm optional tour, 7.00pm drinks reception, 7.30pm supper
OPs who left the College in 1972, 1982, 1992, 2002 and 2012 (or those who were in the same year groups) are cordially invited back to the OPs annual Summer Supper on Friday 24 June to celebrate their respective 50th, 40th, 30th, 20th and 10th anniversaries of leaving.
Leavers of year groups ending in a 0 and 1, who missed out, and other year groups are also most welcome.
Comments OPs Secretary, Melanie Butler, "This event is proving very popular and we already have some 80 guests booked to attend. We know many OPs are keener to come to these events if they can be sure of seeing some familiar faces. By focusing on year groups ending in a 2, we hope to get a critical mass of attendees, although OPs from other years are of course welcome too!"
The Summer Supper is an established event in the OPs calendar, attracting a large number of OPs, former and current members of staff. The supper is preceded by an optional tour and drinks in the Quad. Every year the OPs recognise long-standing members of staff and say farewell to any staff leaving the College.
Numbers are limited to around 100 guests, so if you would like to attend please go to Princethorpe Connect by Friday 10 June to reserve your place.
View Gallery
Sunday 26 June - 2.00pm to 4.30pm
We are pleased to confirm that this year's PTA Summer Fête and Motoring Festival will take place on Sunday 26 June 2022 in the Orchard between 2.00pm and 4.30pm.
There will be plenty of entertainment for children and adults alike, countless fun, games and activities, BBQ, refreshments, bar, pupils’ stalls, over 30 external stalls, a raffle and many, many more exciting things for all the family to enjoy.
Please add the date to your calendar.
Sunday 26 June - 11.00am and 2.00pm to 4.30pm
One of the highlights of the School Calendar is the Annual Motoring Festival. The event which takes place alongside the College Summer Fête, is celebrating its Silver Jubilee as it reaches its twenty-fifth year.
The Motoring Festival is open to anyone keen to bring any sort of classic, vintage, veteran or interesting vehicle along for the afternoon. Invitations are extended to motoring clubs and it is anticipated that many OPs, parents, friends and supporters will bring along cars, motorbikes and commercials. There will be rally plaques for all pre-booked vehicles and awards for self-judged competitions.
There will also be the usual morning road run at 11.00am following a beautiful route of about
30 miles through local countryside. Vehicles taking part in the run need to arrive at Princethorpe for 11.00am. Food will be available for a nominal charge on return to Princethorpe at lunch-time, or feel free to bring a picnic
The revised arrangements for motoring clubs attending will stay in place for 2022, with a slightly earlier deadline this year for entries. The entry must be submitted on the Car Clubs’ Entry Form provided by Wednesday 1 June 2022 and emailed to alexdarkes@princethorpe.co.uk please.
It’s always a great event for diehard petrol heads and for families as well as there is plenty to keep all interested at the Summer Fête.
For more information or to register online please visit the school website.
Wednesday 29 June - 7.30pm
On Wednesday 29 June at 7.30pm in the Chapel, Tim Campain will play a wide variety of pieces from various genres.
The renowned Princethorpe Binns’ organ of 1901 was built by James J Binns, Bramley Organ Works, Leeds. It was restored by Hugh Page in 1984.
From our archives we have a fascinating insight into the numerous letters that were written between Peter Paul Pugin and Sister Procurator of the Priory regarding the organ and the delay in placing the organ. An extract from one of the letters:
March 30th 1901
...."it is all nonsense Binns saying the organ would be finished long ago if he had has a design for case. I sent him the design for case with full working drawings which he never acknowledged. He could have worked on it at once. The console is quite a separate affair. When I see Binns I will give him a bit of my mind. I was not at all extravagant in the design for the case and a tracing of it is now enclosed which you will kindly return after M Prioress has seen it. I will send on details of console as soon as I can!"
Please click here to reserve your place
Tickets - £5.00 including refreshments. All Foundation pupils free of charge.
The main image shows the original position of the organ console - it was moved to the gallery in approximately 1908 to make way for a statue of St Peter. This statue was taken by the nuns to Fernham when they left St Mary's Priory 1965.
Saturday 3 September 2022
We are gearing up for the 11th annual Old Princethorpians vs College Sports Day (and 13th John Shinkwin Trophy Match) on Saturday 3 September.
We are planning to repeat our previous format with a relaxing day that mixes sporting matches with music, a complimentary BBQ and ice cream van and a subsidised bar.
As before points will be accumulated throughout the day, with the Alex Wallis Memorial Shield being awarded to the victors at the end of the day.
Format of day:
10.45am to 12.00pm Football OPs vs Staff
12.00pm to 1.00pm Hockey Princethorpe College 1st XI Girls vs OPs XI (x 2)
1.15pm to 2.15pm Hockey Princethorpe College 1st XI Boys vs OPs XI (x 2)
1.30pm to 2.30pm Netball Princethorpe College 1st VII Girls vs OPs VII (x 2)
2.30pm to 3.45pm Rugby - John Shinkwin Trophy - Princethorpe College 1st XV Boys vs OPs XV (leavers of 2022 and 2021)
4.15pm - After Match Awards by the BBQ
We are keen to get as many OPs from across the generations participating. If you are interested in playing in any of the sports please complete the short online form here by Friday 26 August.
Sunday 18 September 2022 2.00pm - 4.30pm
Heritage Open Days, England’s biggest heritage and culture festival returns this September and Princethorpe College is once again taking part.
On Sunday 18 September you are invited to come and explore St Mary's Priory, one of the first Catholic buildings constructed in England after the reformation. Join us for a tour of this magnificent building and learn all about its history, including the amazing women that made it the place it is today.
From 1833 until 1966, St Mary's Priory was home to a congregation of Benedictine nuns who ran a boarding school for girls. This community sold the priory in 1966 and a new school was established by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, who had previously run a boys' school in Leamington Spa. Today Princethorpe College is now a fully co-educational Catholic independent day school.
Our archive team will be conducting free tours of the College on Sunday 18 September from 2.00pm - 4.30pm. Watch Princethorpe Connect and the College and OP Facebook pages for more information closer to the event date.
