OP Updates

Luke Ventures To Harvard To Finish His Medical Science Research

We spotted on the OPs Facebook account - www.facebook.com/old.princethorpians - that OP Luke Tillman is spending a year at Harvard University. He takes up his story below. 

I joined Princethorpe in 2007 at the tender age of 11, entering form 7AD with the great Mr Darkes as my form tutor. I was immediately welcomed into the great community the school has to offer and quickly felt that I was joining much more than just a college. Princethorpe inspired me to work hard at my academics and aspire to achieve in whatever field I followed. I will always be grateful for their nurturing support and guidance.

After life at Princethorpe I attended King Edward VI Grammar school (KES) in Stratford Upon Avon. My new school brought with it new challenges and new aspirations but it could never replicate the welcoming community that Princethorpe so naturally provides. It was here, however, that my desire to study in the medical field was first realised. I elected to study A-levels in Biology, Chemistry and Geography and I’m happy to admit that I applied for Medicine with no success.

In 2014 I left KES to begin studying for my Bachelor’s degree in Medical Science at Exeter University. For the first time I felt exposed to new cutting edge science that has the potential to impact healthcare. Since my first year of A-level study I was certain that this was the field for me – I wanted to place my impact on the world no matter how big or small. It is also at Exeter that I discovered the opportunity to study at Harvard.

As part of my degree programme, students may elect to extend their degree by an additional year by conducting research. Many choose to remain in the UK but I must admit, there was something quite exciting about going to the US. I applied to Harvard in September 2016 and was elated to be accepted into the Wessling-Resnick Lab at the University’s School of Public Health. I am now conducting research into the effects of dietary metals such as Manganese, which in excess can cause Parkinsons-like symptoms and has been heavily linked to Alzheimer’s disease. I hope to publish my work before I leave this June.

I continue to aspire to study medicine and hope to apply to Medical School when I return to the UK. As I mentioned earlier I had previously tried and failed at this endeavour but I was taught never to give up on your dreams, a lesson I owe greatly to the wonderful deputy head during my time at Princethorpe – Mrs Sue Millest.

I ultimately want to thank Princethorpe for all that they did for me, they brought the best out of me and helped me achieve. I will always be proud to be an Old Princethorpian.

Thank you to Luke for taking the time to share his update - it is great to hear what you have been up to and lovely to know that you still think fondly of Princethorpe! 

Ollie Sets His Sights On The Music Industry

We were very pleased to hear news that OP Ollie Dunster-Sigtermans (pictured left in the group photo) graduated from Leeds College of Music in July 2017 with a 2:1 in Popular Music. Ollie, who joined Princethorpe in 2007 and left after completing his A-levels in 2014, elected to specialise his degree in composition and performance.

Ollie remains in Leeds working as a freelance musician, playing in a variety of bands across the region. You can check out two of the bands he currently plays in below. 

Near Blackout - a 5-piece hard rock band: www.facebook.com/nearblackout

Under The Covers - an acoustic duo covers band: https://encoremusicians.com/Under-The-Covers-1

Congratulations Ollie and good luck with your music endeavours!

Laura Gets The Best Of Both Worlds With Mondelez Apprenticeship

Laura Brazier joined Princethorpe College in 2007 and left after completing her A-levels in 2014. At first, Laura wasn't convinced about going to university and thought she would prefer to head straight into the world of work. However, still valuing the importance of having a degree, she looked at options where she could have the best of both worlds! 

In 2015, Laura started at Mondelez on their School Leaver Apprenticeship Program which involved her working full time and completing a Business Management degree at Aston University (which the company paid for!). Mondelez International is a global snacking company that own brands including: Cadbury, Maynards Bassets, Toblerone, Belvita, Oreo, Ritz, Barny, Green & Blacks, Trebor, Milkado, Trident, Milka and Terry's Chocolate. 

Since Laura joined the program, she has held roles in sales support, logistics and operations, and warehouse management. She is now Sales National Account Manager for Bargain Booze. She's also had the opportunity to travel round the country thanks to the variety of roles and organisations that form part of the Mondelez group. 

Laura feels that some of the key benefits of her apprenticeship program has been the encouragement she has received from all of her managers and mentors, and the company's flexibility, which has enabled her to try out various areas of the business. 

George's Wanderlust Sees Him Fly West To America

In November 2016, OP George Wright followed his roots back to Princethorpe and joined the Foundation’s Estates Team as a Grounds Supervisor at the College.

Originally starting at Princethorpe as a pupil in 2003, George left in 2008 and went on to study a National Diploma in Countryside Management, enjoying a good stint of travelling in between work and studies.

Travelling is something that George is particularly fond of and it is his wanderlust that has seen him wave farewell to Princethorpe once more and hop across the pond to America for three months. His travels will start in the city of Poughkeepsie, New York State, where he will be working on an organic farm “WWOOF-ing”!

WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) is a worldwide movement linking volunteers with organic farmers and growers to promote cultural and educational experiences based on trust and non-monetary exchange, thereby helping to build a sustainable, global community. George will be helping his host with general farm tasks and building a greenhouse for her in return for food and lodgings.

After his WWOOF-ing venture, he plans to hire a car and head west across America to see friends he made on his previous travels in Tennessee, Oklahoma and LA.

George comments, “It’s been a pleasure working with such a lovely social community at Princethorpe and I’ll miss everyone but I’m looking forward to new adventures.”

Good luck George - we can't wait to hear all about your experiences on your return! 

Megan Godden Has Chosen To Specialise In Obstetrics And Gynaecology

After leaving Princethorpe College in 2010 Megan Godden spent five years at Southampton University where she studied medicine. During her training she had many different and interesting opportunities including the chance to work on a research project examining the links between obesity and vitamin D deficiency and leading teaching sessions for new parents on paediatric basic life support. She also spent an eye-opening eight weeks in Zanzibar, on her elective, working in the Mnazi Mmoja hospital in their paediatric department. Megan commented, “That made me realise just how lucky we are to have the NHS!”

Her first job as a doctor was in Shrewsbury and Telford and it was there she was first properly exposed to Obstetrics and Gynaecology and where she fell completely in love with the specialty. She continued her training in the West Midlands, gaining experience in different specialisms including Accident and Emergency, Neurosurgery, Stroke Medicine and Psychiatry.

Megan has now started a specialty programme for Obstetrics and Gynaecology and will spend the next seven years being trained to perform surgery including caesarean sections and hysterectomies and gaining experience in subjects such as the menopause, labour ward, fertility and ultrasound scanning.

Megan explained, “I am thoroughly enjoying this specialty; it is exciting, fast paced and rewarding - although it certainly has its emotional demands!”

Thanks for the update Megan – we hope you help bring a few more Princethorpians into the world!

We were also delighted to hear that Megan has recently got engaged to Jordy Stevens and we offer our congratulations to them both.

Tom Nightingale Thanks Teachers Who Inspired His Fulfilling Career

Tom Nightingale was a pupil at Princethorpe College between September 1999 and July 2006. He remembers his time at the College fondly especially his fantastic teachers who inspired and motivated him to pursue his studies in Physiology, a specialism that has led him down a fulfilling and rewarding career path. They included Gwilym Price who encouraged his sporting endeavours and Chris McCullough who fuelled his interest in the human body.

Tom was awarded a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in Exercise Physiology by the University of Bath in 2016. His research had studied the role physical activity plays in improving health in persons with a spinal cord injury (SCI).

In April 2017 he took a postdoctoral research fellow position at Virginia Commonwealth University and worked at the Hunter Holmes McGuire Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Richmond, USA.  Then in November 2017 he took a further postdoctoral research position working for the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.   His work, at a globally recognised centre for excellence in SCI research, now includes projects looking at cerebral blood flow, cognition and epidural stimulation in persons with SCI.

Thanks for getting in touch Tom it was great to hear about your amazing work and to know that your teachers provided such inspiration.  

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OP Loren Joins Norland’s Coveted Ranks

Leaving Princethorpe in 2012 after completing her A-levels, OP Loren Ingles officially graduated as a Norland Nanny in January 2018. She takes up her story below.

After a year of working with children, I decided to apply to Norland College where I started the 4-year training course in 2013. Within my 3 years at university, I was required to complete a BA (Hons) Degree in Early Years Learning and Development and the Norland Diploma which equips you with high standard practical skills such as Self Defence, Skid Pan Driving, Sleep Training and Behaviour Management.

On top of this, I was also required to undergo a variety of placements every other 6 weeks, these included work at Special Educational Needs schools, working with quadruplets, on paediatric wards, new-born experience and many more.

I graduated with a 2:1 in my degree at the end of 2016, taking me into my fourth year of training. This involved completing 12 months working with a family, providing high quality care and support relevant to each child’s development. I graduated with my Diploma in January 2018 and I am now officially a Norland Nanny.

I am currently working for a private family in Fulham, London and plan to one day open my own childcare setting. At Norland, our motto is ‘Love Never Faileth’ and I am truly grateful to Princethorpe for instilling in me those very same principals.

Congratulations Loren – we wish you every success with your future endeavours!

International OPs Charlotte And Ayoola Return To Cubbington To Visit Their Host Family

OPs Charlotte Fung and Ayoola Oguntuase were both international students who attended Princethorpe. Charlotte joined Year 9 in 2010 whilst Ayoola came to Princethorpe three years later joining the Sixth Form.

Charlotte comes from Hong Kong whilst Ayoola is from Nigeria, so whilst studying at the College both students were hosted by a local family with strong Princethorpe connections.  Mike and Liz Young, who live in Cubbington, and whose daughter Becky was also a pupil at Princethorpe College back in the 1990s, looked after Charlotte and Ayoola during their Princethorpe years.

Charlotte and Ayoola recently came back to the area to meet their host family for lunch and to catch up on all the news.  Mike and Liz were delighted to hear that both former pupils are doing very well.  Charlotte is studying Global Business at the City University of Hong Kong.  She is currently looking for work experience in Germany.  Ayoola is at Bristol University studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

Augmented Artworks Applauded For Haunting Portrayal

Old Princethorpian, ex record executive and digital artist Marc Marot has forged a creative partnership with oil painter artist Scarlett Raven. Their innovative augmented artworks in The Danger Tree Exhibition have been applauded for their haunting portrayal of World War One. The exhibition features performances of some of the worlds most influential war poetry by actors such as Sean Bean, Christopher Ecclestone, Gemma Arterton and Vicky McClure.  It’s current (fifth) iteration is on show at Manchester Central Library until the end of March and moves on to Belfast’s Titanic Museum, San Francisco’s ‘Art of the impossible’ exhibition and finally London at the end of the year.

Marc was MD at Island Records from 1989 to 2000 when he left and formed his own management company.  His partnership with Scarlett Raven began when she approached him to be her manager in 2014.  Having seen the potential of augmented technology Marc pitched Scarlett the idea of using Blippar’s augmented app with her paintings. The app lets users look at real-world objects enhanced with text and digital graphics through their smartphone camera, making real-world images into digital experiences.

With Scarlett creating the artworks and Marc orchestrating the digital animation, the duo conceived The Danger Tree. Their work commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the end of the Battle of the Somme and sees Scarlett’s poignant paintings slowly stripped away to reveal the creative journey beneath.

Marc has been quoted as saying ’We don’t hold an exhibition we hold a visual experience.’

The exhibition at Manchester Central Library in St. Peter’s Square, Manchester runs until Saturday 31 March. For more information please click here.

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