Old Princethorpians

Glorious Warwickshire sunshine greeted us at The Windmill Village on Friday 8 April for The Princethorpe Open 2011, in aid of the College's forthcoming sports tour to South Africa.

The golfers: Nick Cahill, Sean Kerrigan, John Shinkwin and Teddy O'Brien representing the venerable Old Princethorpians. Teddy, a late stand in for our injured captain, Peter Rollason, who had been forced to withdraw due to a particularly aggressive blister on his big toe. God bless Fr Teddy for stepping in. He'll be the last person to let you down. He does funerals for a living.

Our ragtag four ball got off to a steady start with thirteen points off the first three holes. Particular credit goes to John Shinkwin, as slick as minestrone soup, as he steered his way to back-to-back pars and a bogie. From Lapland to Siberia that's good golf in anyone's language. 'El bandito' O'Brien, was also cruising around the course. In more ways than one. His buggy didn't seem to have any brakes.

By the turn we were not far from our target 40 points and there was only one man not pulling his weight. Cahill's tee shots were further right than Jean-Marie Le Pen at a Kentucky barn dance. Even Hypotenuse would have difficulty figuring the angles to the pin from his drives. Until, that is, the inspirational suggestion from playing partner Sean Kerrigan to ditch the driver in favour of a five wood off the tee. Cue an almost Lazarus-like comeback. Lazarus was a great man but he couldn't hit a five wood like Nick Cahill.

As we stormed on towards the clubhouse Sean Kerrigan showed us how it was done. He played like Robin Hood in the Nottingham Super League. Magnificent. I don't know what Kerrigan had for breakfast that day but he knocked the snap, crackle and pop out of the back nine.

All-in-all we scored a respectable 79 points. Sadly, not enough to beat a winning score of 90 by some embarrassingly young prodigies. But, just when you thought it was all over, Sean Kerrigan won three golf balls for his scores on the par threes.

Eat your heart out Harold Pinter. Drama with a capital D in Warwickshire.

With grateful thanks to the College for its sponsorship of the OP team.

Princethorpe is to move to six form entry this September for the first time in the College's 40 plus year history.

After a exceptional exam session in January, some 135 children have now accepted places for the next academic year, necessitating a move to six rather than five Year 7 forms.

Headmaster, Ed Hester, comments, “This is fantastic news for the College and testament to the dedication and hard work of all our staff. We all know that the economic climate is tough, but the College’s distinctive Catholic ethos and approach to pastoral care seems to set us apart and resonate with parents and pupils."

"Competition for places was high and we are excited to have such a fine and talented group of children joining us in September.”

From left to right image shows incoming Year 7 pupils Emma, Nat, Imogen, Aidan, Miriam and Luke with Ed Hester.

Old Princethorpians were out in force on Friday 4 March for the annual Leamington Pub Meet.

The Star and Garter, Warwick Street was the venue for a goodly gathering of some 25 past pupils and former members of staff including Colin Morgan and Ed MacFetridge.

As well as the OP stalwarts, new 'old' faces abounded in the shape of Phil Taylor, Andy McGrath, Matthew Atkins and Scott Geraghty.

The current staff including some OPs were also well represented by Ed Hester, Alex Darkes, Mike Taylor, Steve White, Simon Peaple, Sean Philpott and Peter Griffin

To coincide with Princethorpe’s Charity Day on Friday 20 May, the College welcomed Mr and Mrs Wallis and their daughter Ellie to formally open the refurbished fitness suite. The Wallis Fitness Suite has been dedicated to the memory of Old Princethorpian Alex Wallis who tragically died on New Year’s Eve 2010.

Headteacher, Ed Hester gave a brief speech outlining how appropriate it was to dedicate the newly equipped gym to the memory of Alex.

"Alex spent many hours in the gym working hard to improve his physique. He was a dedicated sportsman and would have loved to have seen the improved facilities we now have. This room will serve as a daily reminder to us all here at Princethorpe of Alex’s time with us."

Mrs Christine Wallis unveiled the glass plaque which reads simply 'The Alex Wallis Fitness Suite. In memory of Alex Wallis OP’. Mr David Wallis expressed his gratitude to everyone present.

Year 10 fitness students were quick off the mark to try out the new equipment which includes two new Concept rowers, a treadmill and weights rack.

A range of fund raising activities were coordinated throughout the day to raise money for Warwickshire’s Air Ambulance. The Air Ambulance was at the scene of Alex’s road traffic accident.

Guess the weight of the cake, cake sales, gerbil racing, welly wanging and a penalty shoot out against Lee Carsley (Coventry City Football Captain) were amongst the activities on offer.

The total raised by students during the day was a fantastic £2,500.

Image shows from left to right Mrs Christine Wallis, Neil McCollin, Ellie Wallis, Ed Hester and Mr David Wallis.

A week later on Saturday 14 May it was the turn of some 30 Old Girls to return to Princethorpe for the St Mary's Priory Reunion, with many travelling from far and wide for the day.

The ladies, many of whom were boarders, attended the school run by the nuns from the 1940s to the mid 60s before the MSCs took it over. Former teacher, the amazing Miss Peeke, now in her mid 90s, led the throng, who enjoyed a sociable lunch chatting over old times, photographs and memorabilia. A slightly more sedate tour took them to corners of the College dear to them, including the Chapel and former dormitories.

Local historian Len Bowers, also in his 90s, came along accompanied by his daughter Lena, to gather final bits of research for the book he is writing on the Priory.

The ladies very generously donated over £250 to the restoration of the Round House.

The Old Princethorpians annual Festival Day on Sunday 8 May was a real family affair. The turnout was stronger than ever with some 100+ attendees, including OPs ranging from those here at the College's early beginnings such as guest speaker Marc Marot, Ernest Springley and the Peacock brothers, to younger OPs who left a few years ago including Sarah Trussler, James Lakey, Michael Edwards and George Lucas.

Former staff John Miller and Robert Startin were welcome additions, as was Fr Teddy O'Brien who conducted the Mass.

It was lovely to see so many children enjoying the event including the five lovely Contreras girls, Verity Hull, Grace Marot, Sophie Glassborrow and Benedict and Francesca Symonds.

There were three OPs, Kevin Cahill, Luke Hedderwick and Mike Fletcher who came with their families including sons, Ciaran, William and James who are all starting in Year 7 next September, so we even had a future generation of OPs present!

Mass was followed by a lovely buffet lunch, tours round the College and even up the Tower, plus a Mile Walk Trail and archery to keep the younger visitors happy.

The collection at Mass in aid of the MSCs work in South Africa raised just over £200.

Next year's Festival Day looks set to be Sunday 13 May 2012.