Old Princethorpians

Click on the attachments below to download the latest In the News posters featuring some of the Foundation's most recent media coverage.

In The News 1

In The News 2

We're not going to say anything about the weather but...the OPs may be interested in purchasing one of the new style College golf umbrella which are now in stock. Costing £22 all proceeds will go towards the next major sports tour in 2015.

If you would like to purchase an umbrella please visit the school shop or contact Neil McCollin, Director of Sport via email at neilmccollin@princethorpe.co.uk. Please make cheques payable to Princethorpe College.

Peter Garman, made the long journey from New Zealand, with his wife Sanrda, to find out more about his mother's school days at The Priory in the 30s and 40s.

Born in 1929 in Coventry, Olga passed away in 2000. After his father's death in 2010 Peter found his mother's old school photographs and a 1951 diary with a reference to Mr and Mrs Baines, Priory Home Farm, Princethopre in his father's effects. These finds spurred him on to find out more about his mother's early life and he approached us to find out whether the school had any records relating to her.  Peter's email swung our Librarian, Celia Scott and her assistant, Karen O'Connor into action. The resourceful pair managed to find a 1st XI Hockey Colours shield dated 1936 which included the name of Olga Adams, plus copies of Peeps (the old school magazine) dating from 1902 – 1964.

Peter and Sandra visited in late November and spent a fascinating afternoon in the Library immersing themselves in Olga's school days and sharing information with Celia and Karen. We think it was a very fruitful trip for all concerned!

Princethorpe were delighted to play host to returning Old Girl Pat Monk and Peter Garman, son of Old Girl, Olga Kathleen Garman nee Adams, towards the end of 2013.

Former parent Gabrielle McBride made the introductions for Pat Monk, who returned to the school for the first time since 1941. Pat’s memories came flooding back once she started to tour the building and she had many happy memories of how she was looked after here.

OP Jordan King the talented young Warwickshire single-seater F3 racing star has been crowned Warwick District Sports Awards Senior Male Sportsperson of the Year. He won the award for his ‘impressive’ performance in 2013 that yielded the British F3 laurels, leading rookie honours and a top six championship finish in Europe and fastest lap in the prestigious Macau F3 Grand Prix.

Having clinched the Under-18 Male Sports Personality of the Year gong in 2010, King finished runner-up at senior level last year, beaten only by reigning World Superbike Champion Tom Sykes. The highly-rated young Stoneleigh single-seater ace earned his nomination this time around for his stellar achievements during what was a magnificent maiden season of Formula 3 competition.

King triumphed on four occasions as he followed in the wheeltracks of the likes of Ayrton Senna and Jackie Stewart in lifting the British Formula Three International Series trophy, and tallied a brace of hard-fought podiums and no fewer than 20 top ten finishes in the fiercely-contested FIA Formula 3 European Championship for good measure.

The British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) SuperStar and MSA Team UK member proved himself to be, moreover, nip-and-tuck in terms of outright pace with Carlin team-mate and new Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 recruit Daniil Kvyat, and he concluded the campaign by annexing a tremendous fifth position on his first visit to Macau’s notoriously punishing Guia street circuit.

King was subsequently selected as runner-up in the ‘Sportsman of the Year’ category at the inaugural Birmingham Sports Awards, and at the annual Warwick District Sports Awards – held at Leamington’s Royal Spa Centre and celebrating the indisputable crème de la crème of local talent – he went one better.

“I was shortlisted for the Autosport Awards National Driver of the Year accolade in December, but whereas there, I knew the strengths and weaknesses of the guys I was up against, at the Warwick District Sports Awards, it was a whole different ballgame – literally, in the case of some of the other contenders!” confessed the 19-year-old Hugo Boss brand ambassador, who is in the process of finalising his 2014 racing programme and currently enjoying a Team UK training camp in the French Alps.

“The evening really highlighted the incredible breadth of sporting pedigree and gifted athletes in Warwickshire and I was thrilled and really proud to win. It’s another trophy for the cabinet and a great addition to my CV.

“Local recognition like this really does mean a lot to me, and it’s always encouraging to get support from people in your home region and establish a positive relationship with them. I received a lot of nice messages on Twitter afterwards, which was a pleasant surprise – and next year, hopefully I can return and win the overall Sports Personality award as well!”

The former McLaren Autosport Award finalist’s success saw him defeat a number of rivals who had represented not only their county but indeed their country in international arenas, and he admitted that the event gave him a fascinating insight into different sporting disciplines. Warwick & Leamington Courier sports editor Paul Okey revealed that King was a deserving recipient.

“There were strong candidates in the senior male category, but the panel felt that because of his impressive performances on the global stage, Jordan was the obvious choice,” he explained.

“As he continues his rise through the ranks, we look forward to welcoming Jordan to many future sports awards – and, who knows, he might have a chance of winning the outright Sports Personality of the Year award in the future, too...”

You can keep up-to-date with Jordan’s latest career news and results at www.jordanking.co.uk and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/42jordanking.

Old Princethorpians Ben Warman and Lucy Powell returned to college to talk to Sixth Formers about their university experiences. Ben and Lucy left Princethorpe last summer and are now studying Sports Science at Leeds and Marketing at Nottingham Trent respectively.

They provided valuable tips on how to balance social and work life, why it is important to secure accommodation early, and how to survive Freshers Week. 

Nico Parfitt, 6SL

Old Princethorpian Rhiannon Edwards has been offered an unconditional offer to read Spanish at Exeter College, Oxford. Rhiannon, who achieved the best A-level grades in the summer of 2013, is completely “over the moon” with the news. Her flawless five A* grades in Spanish, English Literature, Philosphy and Ethics and her Extended Project as well her A grade in History have impressed the Oxford entrance panel enough for her to be offered this exciting new opportunity.

All those who taught Rhiannon will remember her for her total determination and focused application. Bright, quick to learn but also readily accepting of critical advice, Rhiannon powered from strength to strength across a wide range of subjects during her two years’ A-level study at Princethorpe. Ultimately it was her love of languages that won her over. Realising that her passion for Spanish was where her future lay she spent vacations in Spanish speaking countries expanding her cultural and social understanding whilst improving her linguistic skills.

Currently earning money to continue her love for South American travel, Rhiannon is looking forward to 2014. She has a trip planned to Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil undertaking various volunteer programmes. Never a young lady to rest on her laurels we wish Rhiannon all the very best for her future success.

Princethorpe College art student Matt Farr has won the National Independent Schools’ Association’s U16 Art Competition. The overall winner in the 2D class with a portrait of his grandfather, Mr Brian Suter, Matt took influence from another great portrait artist, Lucien Freud before embarking on his work. Painted over a twelve week period the talented sixteen year old used his favourite medium, acrylic paint on canvas to reveal the likeness of the man he has known all his life.

Speaking about the portrait, Matt commented,

“Freud is well known for adopting the mind set of those he paints. I wanted to use this idea with my Grandfather, to use the paint to express his character. This was part of my GCSE folder and whilst I was pleased with it at the time, I can now see its faults despite having been awarded this National prize.”

Coming from a family of prize winning artists, it is no surprise to hear Matt being self-critical. Older brother, Ben, a former Princethorpe Art Scholar is now studying Fine Art in London. He came second in the same competition three years ago. With dad Andy, also a full time artist, it is a talent that seems to be in the blood.

“I definitely want a career in Art,” admits Matt. “I used to spend time when I was little copying everything Ben did. Now I know it’s something that I love and want to pursue.”

Princethorpe College Art Master, Paul Hubball, described Matt’s A* work, “He is an exceptional painter and this work reflects the detail and time he has spent on capturing his Grandfather’s image. Now studying Art at AS level we are looking forward to seeing what he will produce this year.”

Image shows Matt Farr with his winning portrait.

A bumper number of candidates sat the College's entrance examinations on Saturday 18 January.

Comments, Alex Darkes, Assistant Head - Marketing and Operations, "We played host to some 220 prospective pupils across four year groups.  What's particularly lovely is the fact that we are seeing more and more OPs returning with their children to sit the exams. Feedback from parents and candidates alike has been very favourable indeed, which bodes very well for next September's intake."

"The marking machine swung into action, even before candidates had left the building and the Admissions Panel sat the following week to decide on the 130 or so boys and girls who will be joining us in September 2014."

Parents and children were notified of the results last Wednesday 5 February and have until Monday 3 March to accept their place.

Those interested in a place at the College in September 2015 can download our flyer below which includes key open events and admissions dates, like the forthcoming Open Evening on Wednesday 4 June from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

J1847 PC Flyer (Web).pdf

The College's Careers Fair 2014 is shaping up nicely thanks in large part to the support of the Old Princethorpian network.

The event which is scheduled for Saturday 29 March is looking to be even bigger and better than the inaugural event in 2012. Phil Popham, Group Marketing Director of Jaguar Landrover has agreed to be the keynote speaker and a host of careers and professions will be represented.

Comments organiser Melanie Butler, "Once again we have had a great response from the Old Princethorpians, who alongside our parents form the backbone of the event. We have some speakers from 2012 who have kindly agreed to speak again, such as OP Marc Marot, who works in the music industry and manages the career of among others Jessie J and PR and Marketing man, St John White.

"We're also delighted to have a number of new OPs on board including sisters Alex Johnson and Zara Healy who are going to speak on careers in writing and journalism and John Naylor an OP who is a stockbroker and investment manager."

This year there will also be a wider range of universities exhibiting including Southampton, Cardiff and Sheffield, plus a number of Gap Year companies to give ideas and advice.

Headmaster, Ed Hester comments, "We are really indebted to all the OPs who have volunteered their time and energy to making the Careers Fair a success for our current Year 10 to Sixth Form pupils and their parents."

There is still time to volunteer as a speaker or exhibitor at the Careers Fair. Information about the format of the day can be found on the Careers Fair page on the Princethorpe website or email melaniebutler@princethorpe.co.uk.

Princethorpe's new £4.5m classroom block sited on the side of the existing Sports Centre is progressing well inspite of the wet weather. Much of the structure is up to roof level now and the roof steels are starting to go into place, with the wooden roof trusses following a few days later.

The builders are focussed on getting the roof complete so that work can continue independent of the weather. This week the project team has been finalising internal doors, door furniture and colour ways. The raw materials for the windows and external doors have been sent to the manufacturers and the wooden and aluminium windows are now taking shape.

Over Easter we will be forming the doorways inside the sports hall to access the new building and also the sports storage.

Comments Assistant Head, Alex Darkes, "It’s exciting to see it all taking shape and we now have a very good idea of how the building will fit in with the local terrain. Wer'e hoping to have a 'topping out ceremony' for the new block around the middle of March, this will be a milestone in the project and a good indication that we are well on the way to completion."

A flurry of congratulations from OPs young and old followed the announcement that Princethorpe's former Director of Sport  Gwilym Price has been awarded an MBE for services to education and sport in the Queen's New Year's Honour List.

Facebook was awash with messages of thanks and support from former pupils who recognised what Gwil had done for them over the years, here are just a few of them:

Eddie Craig said: I have a lot of respect for Gwilym. He was my hero, whenever I represented the school at whatever sport I did it for him, fair play Mr Price you deserve all you get.

Anthony Ku said: Congrates Mr Price!! Its an honour to have been one of your students.

Tom Mylott said: Best school report I ever received came from Pricey. 'A' in rugby, the only one that really matters......Congrats Gwil!

Helen McAleese said: What an absolute legend! So thoroughly deserved! X

We're pleased to say that the hands on sports ambassador is still very much part of the Princethorpe family through his ISA Director of Sport role, which sees him at two major events at the College in March alone with a national cross country event on 1 March and Rugby 7s on the 15th!

Ever modest and humble Gwilym was at pains to say that Princethorpe was very much part of his MBE story, he commented, "If it hadn't been for the opportunities and support I had working at Princethorpe over the years, this would never have come about. It's been an absolute privilege to work with the children and staff at the College."

The invitation to accept the Queen’s honour was described as a “bolt out of the blue”. Having got used to the idea he joked with former colleagues, that he was looking forward to meeting the Queen when he collects his award and perhaps 'having a game of Scrabble'.

Appointed as Princethorpe Head of Sport in 1974, Gwil’s immediate aim was to place the College at the centre of the Independent Schools’ sporting map. His ‘think big’ attitude was welcomed by the Independent Schools’ Association as well as services to Warwickshire sport. Thousands of youngsters over the years have taken part in a wide range of sporting activities under Gwilym’s directorship. “It’s surprising how many past pupils stay in touch,” he adds, “and it’s that contact that lets you know that you have made a difference to young people’s lives.”

Having retired from Princethorpe in 2005 Gwil’s current position as ISA National Ambassador for Sport means that he is ever on the road, supporting regions around the country to set up new sporting events.

“It’s all about creating opportunity,” he says, “sport is about presenting the ordinary child with the opportunity to be extraordinary.” Being extraordinary is what Gwilym Price is all about; an unassuming man with an indefatigable passion for making a difference. We're delighted to see him recognised in this way, it's fantastically well desrved!

Image shows from left: Princethorpe College athletes who have excelled at Midlands and National Level  ISA Sport: Mollie Dibb (swimming and athletics), Ella Bromley (athletics and hockey), Adam Shaw (athletics and rugby), Annabelle Pask (athletics), Mr Neil McCollin present Princethorpe Director of Sport, Mr Gwilym Price MBE, Mr Ed Hester Headmaster of Princethorpe College, John Price (cricket), Lloyd Ellis (athletics), Jessica Marshall (equestrian).