The Old Princethorpians hosted a lovely evening for longstanding Biology and Science teacher and Head of Lower School Sean Philpott on Tuesday 14 June.
The event was a special 'Farewell and Celebration' for Sean, who retired at the end of last term, after 33 amazing years on the teaching staff, and four as a pupil himself.
Amongst a gathering of OPs, former and current staff the Headmaster and Alex Darkes spoke eloquently and amusingly on Sean's contribution to the College. Messages for Sean from OPs from around the globe were read out and Sean responded in his own inimitable style to the delight of all present.
"Fr Teddy, Headmasters past and present, OP staff, present colleagues and OPs going back to the dawn of creation…"Click here to read the rest of Sean's speech.
Comments Peter Rollason, Chairman of the OPs, "Sean is a true Princethorpe institution and it was an absolute pleasure to host this event for him. We hope that with more time on his hands, we will see him at more OP events in the future!"
Happily for Princethorpe Sean just can't keep away and he is back teaching RS to some of the new Year 7s this term.
Below are some of the many comments received from old friends and past pupils who Sean has influenced over the years:
Chris Patterson wrote...Good afternoon from Bahrain in the Middle East. I was a contemporary of Sean's at Princethorpe, in that we did A Levels together - I was a full-time boarder, and Sean a day-boy. Its hard to believe its so long since I left Princethorpe after 4 years in 1972, and in the intervening years I have spent a lot of my working life overseas, particularly the Middle East. I was to retire myself this year, but couldn't face giving up! Please pass my best wishes onto Sean, and had I been home in Stratford-on-Avon I would have been delighted to attend.
Tim Doyle wrote... Thanks for the email and photo of Sean Philpott – I cannot attend the celebratory evening as I am a little far away, but would be happy if you pass on my best wishes to him. I am pretty sure that Sean was our form teacher in both of our first years – his as a new teacher, and me as a first year student. Sean taught me biology for several years at Princethorpe, including through the sixth form, and I went onto a career in biochemistry and biomedical research, which now finds me at Stanford University, California.
Steve Doherty (Deputy Head Boy, 1986/7) wrote... If this is received in time, please send my regards and best wishes to Mr Philpott - who may remember me from my time at Princethorpe (1981 - 87). I am now living in North Wales and unable to be with you on Tuesday - but would like to wish him good luck for his retirement.
Joe Clune wrote...I have just got round to reading the last newsletter and saw the photo of Mr Philpott (even now I struggle to call teachers by first names!). A highly influential man on my life, especially as I went on to get a Biological Science degree from Leicester. I have then pursued a career in the Pharmaceutical industry and now I am the UK marketing Manager for the oncology drug at AstraZeneca.
If you are able to pass on my best wishes to him I would be very grateful. It would be great to hear from him, should he remember me!