Old Princethorpians

The College's roundhouse, with its tarpaulined roof and bricked up windows, long a bit of an eyesore at the top of the drive, has undergone an amazing revival.

Work began several months ago to restore the building to its former glory and is now near completion. The building now boasts a new slate roof and eyecatching panoramic windows around its circumference, internally the space is now flooded with light and the decorative pillars have been sympathetically restored.

Comments, Alex Darkes, "We are tremendously pleased at how well the restoration has gone. The shape of the building lends itself to gatherings and events and as such the intention is to use it as an extension of the Music Department. We hope to unveil it in all its splendour later this term."

A bumper number of candidates sat the College's entrance examinations over two busy sessions at the end of January. 

Comments, Alex Darkes, Assistant Head - Marketing and Operations, "We played host to over 230 prospective pupils across four year groups, a similar level to last year's record year. 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 2012."

Those interested in a place at the College in September 2013 can download our flyer below which includes key open events and admissions dates, like the forthcoming Open Evening on Wednesday 13 June from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

J1479 PC Mailer Feb 12 Web.pdf

Just before Christmas Princethorpe welcomed a small party from Warwick Ladies Bowling Club to its Chapel for a 'private' concert and talk on the history of the Chapel.

The lady organiser was none other than Mary Wheildon, sister of OP, John Wheildon and herself a past pupil of St Mary's Priory. An impromptu visit to the College earlier in the year with fellow past pupil Maria Cecilia Cordoba from Columbia had inspired the visit.

Mary, now the Captain of the Bowling Club, was keen to share the delights of the Chapel with her group, which also included fellow past pupils, Jane Harrison and Marianne Horne. OP Sean Philpott gave the ladies an illuminating talk on the Chapel including the relevance of all its angels and music teacher Adrian Moore played the magnificent Binns organ beautifully, including some well-loved carols in his extensive repertoire.

With coffee and festive mince pies to round off the visit, the ladies were all set for their Christmas lunch at the Red Lion in Hunningham.

Click here to download a copy of the latest Our Lady of the Angels Chapel booklet by Dr Simon Peaple.

Old Princethorpian, Rob Mackenzie was the deserving recipient of the Old Princethorpians Cup at the College’s annual Prize Giving Ceremony held at Warwick University’s Butterworth Hall on Friday 4 November. Rob received the award for his ‘notable contribution to the Dramatic Arts and Entertainment’, having been a stalwart of the backstage, lighting and sound team for many College productions and events.

Mrs Margaret Robinson, Head of Sixth Form who read the citation commented,” I think a great many of us, staff and students alike, owe Rob a tremendous debt of gratitude for his tremendous service to so very many social, cultural and dramatic events over the years.  Rob was our maestro of the lighting and overseer of sound technology and he was utterly reliable and competent in these roles.”

Justin King, Chief Executive of J Sainsbury plc, who was the guest speaker at the event, presented Rob with his prize on behalf of the Old Princethorpians.

Seventeen-year old Rob from Dunchurch, Rugby, left the College in July 2011, and is now studying Sports Science at Moulton College, as well as busily preparing for the Cycling Road Season in which he competes at national level.

Commenting on how things have changed for him since leaving Princethorpe Rob said, "I had a great six years at Princethorpe, it's a hard place to leave. But in order for me to make a big push in my development,  it was a step that had to be taken."

"Having the extra time is allowing me to make further steps in my cycling training, I have had a good winter of preparation, 2012 is going to be a big year for me and I can't wait for the races to start." 

We wish him all the very best for the future.

As part of the OPs ongoing Skills Bank initiative a number of past pupils gave of their time in November to put current Sixth Formers through their paces on an Interview Skills Day.

The day organised by Mrs Margaret Robinson, Head of Sixth Form and Careers, brought some 20 OPs, current and past parents from a wide range of professions together with the Upper Sixth to give them a taste of what to expect from some of the tricky interviews that lie before them.

Every Sixth Form pupil prepared their personal statement beforehand and where possible was matched up with a professional closely linked to their intended career choice. This statement was used as a prompt to pose challenging questions to the pupil about their plans for the future. Each interview lasted approximately 20 minutes allowing enough time for pupils to practice honing their communication and interviewing techniques. Full written feedback was given to each pupil indicating what they did well and what could be developed in time for those all important and fast approaching university interviews.

Head of Sixth Form Mrs Margaret Robinson commented, "Our Sixth Formers take these mock events very seriously. It provides them with a vital chance to practise selling themselves. This is a skill that for some individuals doesn’t come naturally. Fortunately our interviewers were very impressed with the calibre and conduct of their interviewees."

One OP who gave of his time was Ade Fashade, who comments,"The interview skills day went really well. I enjoyed doing it and I was very impressed with the students I spoke with, which included the Head Girl. It was my first time back since 1985, a year after I left!"

"One thing that struck me was the consistent answer I got from the students about what they will miss about Princethorpe when they leave. They all said the community and family environment. I believe they all have very bright futures.  

"During our break, I got a tour of the old school. It has changed a lot since I left! Also, it all looks quite small to me now, unlike when I was there when it all looks quite huge! I must say I was very impressed with the modern 6th Form wing - a far cry from when we had just the common room as the main luxury for the Sixth Form!  I really enjoyed the day and it was a privilege to help."

Our thanks go to Ade and fellow OPs Jean-Pierre Parsons and Toby Goddard (pictured interviewing Sixth Former, Josie Higman) for their help on the day.

More OPs are set to get involved in the next careers related initiative at the College, an inaugural Careers Fair which is due to take place on Saturday 28 April. 

We've had reunions in many a glamorous location -  Leamington, London and even Hong Kong, and OPs are now looking to gauge interest in an American Reunion.

We realise its a 'big country' so may have to start with a 'west coast' or 'east coast' reunion.

If you are based in the USA and would be interested in meeting up with some fellow stateside OPs then let us know by emailing Old Princethorpians.

Facebook fans out there may have spotted that the Princethorpe College group has drastically dwindled in numbers recently from over 900 to 9!

This is something to do with how Facebook manages groups now, so we are looking to create a new Princethorpe College page and will keep you all posted as to when it goes live. In the meantime you can rejoin the group if you would like.

Elsewhere on the electronic communications front Princethorpe's Assistant Head and OP, Alex Darkes has recently ventured into the wonderful world of social networking.

Not of the Facebook generation, Alex has dipped his toe in with the slightly more business orientated LinkedIn, with some quite surprising and pleasing results.

Alex comments, "My first contacts were with Kevin Elvin and Tony Johnson, both of whom were in my form and both of whom are doing very well indeed, I'm proud to say.  I've had some really nice conversations with them and others now and it has given me a fascinating insight into their lives and also the value of this new media."

Look Alex up on LinkedIn, he'd love to hear from you!

The Old Princethorpians are adding to their range of corporate merchandise with a new Tower inspired pin badge. The 2cm high badge in nickel with recessed metal detail is based on the Tower logo. 

Priced at £8 including postage and packing (UK only, other destinations please enquire), it is hoped that the badge will appeal to both male and female OPs.

Stocks should be available by April, to pre-order your pin please use the attached order form.

Steve White, OP and long standing Head of Physics, has announced that he is set to retire at the end of this academic year after an astounding 30 years on the Princethorpe staff and seven as a pupil.

Steve was a pupil at Princethorpe from 1970 to 1977 and started working at the College in September 1982.

"I have had a great time at the College, but really want to leave while I am able to enjoy a hopefully long, active and healthy retirement. First stop I'll be heading for some hills, as walking and travellling are my absolute love."

As a 'Farewell and Celebration' of Steve's time at Princethorpe, he is to be our 'guest of honour' at the Open Supper Meeting on Tuesday 19 June, 7.00pm for 7.30pm in the College's Sixth Form Centre.

Former pupils and members of staff are invited to come along to help give Steve a send off to remember, please RSVP to Old Princethorpians by Friday 1 June so we can cater for you. There is no charge for this event.