Old Princethorpians

Our 2017-18 calendar of OP Events includes details of OP and College Events that all Old Princethorpians, past parents and staff are welcome to attend.

The next event is the Leamington Pub Meet which takes place on Friday 2 March at The Star and Garter, it is closely followed by the College's bi-annual Careers Fair.  Our London meet takes place in May and our Summer Supper returns after missing a year for the Golden Jubilee Ball.  The year finishes with the Summer Fête and Motoring Festival.

Building on our celebratory Golden Jubilee year we remain keen to reconnect with as many OPs and Friends of the College as possible. Do encourage those you know to register on the Old Princethorpians section of the website to keep in touch with and receive information on the latest news and events.

Click here to download the calendar or visit the Old Prinethorpians section of the College website.

Friday 2 March 2018 from 6.30pm

The OPs annual Leamington Pub Meet takes place at the Star and Garter pub on Warwick Street (just along from the Fire Station).

We will be occupying the upstairs private Function Room, with easy access to the bar downstairs and its own outside balcony area for those who would like a breath of fresh air. 

The OPs Commitee will be laying on a delicious hot and cold buffet, do let us know by emailing  oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk if you are able to attend so we can cater for you.

Partners and friends are most welcome!

Crackley Hall and Little Crackers Open Morning

Saturday 10 March 2018 - 10.30am to 12.30pm

Crackley Hall, Princethorpe's junior school and nursery in Kenilworth, is holding an Open Morning on Saturday 10 March from 10.30am to 12.30pm.  This is an opportunity for parents and children to visit the school and nursery.  Visitors will have a chance to tour the school, see the facilities and meet pupils and staff including the Headmaster, Mr Duigan. There will be performances and activities showcasing the school.

Crackley Hall School Open Evening

Tuesday 8 May 2018 - 5.00pm to 7.30pm

Another chance to look around the school and nursery and meet staff and pupils.

All are welcome to both events and there is no need to book. Light refreshments will be available.

If you can't make the Open Morning or Open Evening but would like to look around, please call our Admissions and Marketing Secretary, Mrs Jenny Vaughan on 01926 514444 and come on a day to suit you, we welcome visitors on most days.

For more information please see the school website or the Admissions Update, the next edition of which will be available in early March.

Tuesday 20 March 2018 10.30am - 12.30pm

We are pleased to announce a new Open Event date for your diaries.  On Tuesday 20 March the College will be open to visitors from 10.30am - 12.30pm.  This is a chance to look around the school on a normal working day, with pupils from Years 7 and 8 acting as tour guides. 

Please help spread the word, everyone is most welcome.

For further information please contact our Registrar, Mrs Vanessa Rooney on 01926 634201 or email admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

Our next Open Event after the March Open Morning will be our Open Evening on Wednesday 6 June 2018 from 6.00pm - 8.30pm.

We look forward to seeing you.

Wednesday 21 March 2018 - 7.30pm

Sixth Form Lecture Theatre

Followed by wine and light refreshments in the Atrium

Vincent Van Gogh created dozens of memorable images of women during his brief painting career: peasant women in the fields; the prostitute with whom he lived for a while; café owners; his postman-friend’s wife rocking a cradle in Arles; the wife of a warder in the St Remy asylum where he lived for a year, and finally, Doctor Gachet’s daughter in Auvers-sur-Oise where he committed suicide in July 1890.

This slide-illustrated talk will examine these striking, colourful and unconventional images of the women he knew and it will also focus on the most important woman in his life and art… someone he met only three times. It is to this little-known woman that all who love Van Gogh are immeasurably indebted. All will be revealed!

Tickets may also be purchased at the door, (adults £5.00, children free) but advance notice helps catering, please. Princethorpe, Crackley Hall and Crescent School pupils free of charge. Please complete the booking form here. We are happy to receive provisional bookings by e-mail, please, to alexdarkes@princethorpe.co.uk. 

Crescent School Open Morning

Saturday 24 March 2018 - 9.30am to 12.30pm

The Crescent School, Princethorpe's junior school in Rugby, is opening its doors to prospective and current parents and children for a Spring Open Morning on Saturday 24 March 2018 from 9.30am to 12.00pm. 

As part of the Open Morning there will be a very special performance by Reception to Year 2 pupils, along with children from Nature Trails Nursery, of The Bee Musical.  With a fabulous script and nine terrific songs to get you buzzing and bee-bopping, you just won’t bee-lieve how good this delightful and educational musical is!

This promises to be fantastic entertainment for visitors of all ages, and will really showcase the talents, confidence and stage presence of the school's youngest pupils. The show commences at 10.00am and we would urge visitors to arrive early to get a good seat!

After the half-hour performance there will be a short presentation about the Crescent and our ambitions for the school as part of the Princethorpe Foundation, and the chance to meet new Headmaster, Joe Thackway. There will also be short Q&A sessions with Alan Webb, Assistant Head - 
Head of Pre-Prep and Headmaster Joe Thackway about entry to Reception and Year 3. 

Elsewhere on site there will be plenty to see and do, including guided tours by the older pupils, sporting displays, instrumental performances, plus the opportunity to visit classrooms and chat informally to current parents and staff from Nature Trails, the Crescent and Princethorpe College. Light refreshments will be available. There is no need to book.

Crescent School Open Evening

Thursday 10 May 2018 - 5.00pm - 7.30pm

The school will also be holding an Open Evening in May where parents will be able to tour the school and speak to the Headmaster.

There is no need to book for either event and light refreshments will be available.

If you can't make the Open Morning or Open Evening but would like to look around, please call our Registrar, Mrs Helen Morley on 01788 523851 and come on a day to suit you, we welcome visitors on most days.

For more information please see the Prospective Parents section on the school website or our Admissions Update, the next edition of which will be available in early March.

Saturday 31 March 2018 - kick off at 2.30pm at Kenilworth Rugby Club, Glasshouse Lane, CV8 2AJ

The Old Princethorpians versus Kenilworth Babas match in memory of Alex Wallis, which was postponed around Christmas due to unplayable pitches, has been rescheduled to Easter Saturday 31 March.

The Old Princethorpians will be pitted once again against old rivals the Kenilworth Babas for a match in honour of OP Alex Wallis. If you are home for the holidays, there’s always a great atmosphere in this competitive fixture and it’s a chance to get off the sofa and work off all the easter eggs and hot cross buns!

OPs Chairman Peter Rollason will be leading the charge. If you are interested in playing please email oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk or message Harry O'Brien on Facebook by Friday 16 March. All welcome, please lend your support both on and off the pitch!! The bar will be open after the match for further celebrations!

Princethorpe Headmaster Ed Hester and his family (all OPs or Princethorpe teachers) will be winging their way 'down under' over the Easter holidays and as part of their visit are organising an OPs Meet in Melbourne on the evening of Friday 6 April.

The event, is open to any Australia-based OPs or OPs in the area at the time and will take place at the Riverland Bar, a relaxed waterfront venue on Federation Wharf (under Princes Bridge). The evening will kick off around 6.30pm and a light buffet will be provided.

Our last Australian meet this time last year when Peter and Liz Griffin visited Sydney and it was lovely to catch up with some of our furthest flung past pupils, so if you are in or can be in the vicinity in April, Ed, Tracy, James, Lizzie and Katherine would love to see you.

For more information and directions to the venue click on the link below.

http://www.riverlandbar.com/

If you are interested in attending please email oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk, so we can know to expect you and cater accordingly.

Wednesday 16 May 2018 - 7.30pm

Sixth Form Lecture Theatre

Followed by wine and light refreshments in the Atrium

From 8 March until 9 September 2018, the first solo exhibition of Picasso’s work at Tate Modern, London, will be held. Entitled The EY Exhibition Picasso 1932-Love, Fame, Tragedy, it will focus on one year in the prolific artist’s life when he was passionately absorbed in his love for Marie-Thérèse Walter, his young mistress, also an inspirational muse. Picasso created dozens of images of her blond, sensual beauty in different media during a time often called his ‘year of wonders’ when the artist was at the height of his powers.

For the first time since they were created over just five days, Nude, Green Leaves and Bust, Nude in a Black Armchair and The Mirror will be shown together with around a hundred other sensational works.

This slide-illustrated talk will examine Picasso’s relationship with Marie-Thérèse, its impact on his long-suffering wife, Olga, and its tragic outcome.

Tickets may also be purchased at the door; but advance notice helps catering, please. Princethorpe, Crackley Hall and Crescent School pupils free of charge. Please complete the booking form here. We are happy to receive provisional bookings by e-mail, please, to alexdarkes@princethorpe.co.uk.

The College is looking forward to welcoming back the Sudden Impulse Theatre Company in June for two outdoor performances of William Shakespeare's play, The Comedy of Errors.

The Comedy of Errors is believed to be one of Shakespeare's earlier written plays; a true farce ahead of its time. The story involves two sets of twins, separated at birth, being thrown together in a tale of mistaken identity.

The performances are open to the public and will take place on the Sixth Form Lawn as follows:

Friday 8 June - 6.30pm to 10.00pm

Saturday 9 June - 3.30pm to 7.00pm

The PTA will operate a bar, bring a picnic, settle down in your camping chair and enjoy some perfect summer entertainment.

Tickets will be available soon from www.suddenimpulse.co.uk and will be priced at £12 or £10 for concessions. 

Saturday 9 June 2018

Both Princethorpe College and Crackley Hall School will be out in force at the Kenilworth Show on Saturday 9 June 2018.

A great day out for all the family, there is so much to see and do. Returning for 2018 will be the infamous Bolddog Lings, The Sheep Show, Grand Parade of Livestock plus the Countryside Arena and displays of farm machinery to name just a few of the exciting activities that visitors can enjoy.

There will also be over 100 trade stands from arts and crafts, jewellery, homewares, through to artisan breads and pies in the indoor trade marquee (where you can also find us!), with clothing stalls, garden furniture, plants and local club stands outside.

Visitors to the show can come and find out about our upcoming open events, admissions for September 2019 and beyond, and we would love to say hello to any former St Joseph School pupils and Old Princethorpians!

Tickets are just £10 and under 16s go free! For more information about the event and to buy tickets, please visit: www.kenilworthshow.co.uk

We hope to see you there.

Thursday 21 June 2018 6.00pm - 8.00pm and Sunday 24 June 2.00pm - 4.30pm

A celebration of our pupils' GCSE, AS and A2 Art, Photography and Design work will take place in the College's Sixth Form Centre on Thursday 21 June from 6.00pm to 8.30pm and on Sunday 24 June from 2.00pm to 4.30pm.

A range of design technology projects, from resistant materials through to textiles, will be showcased alongside stunning art and photography work that the College is renowned for.

Comments, Paul Hubball, Head of Art, "This is a great opportunity to share our students' fantastic creativity with a wider audience and to welcome more art and design lovers to Princethorpe."
Added Head of Design Technology, Paul Scopes, "We look forward to welcoming all the exam students and their families from across Design, Art and Photography to enjoy the fruit of their labours."

All are welcome. On Thursday evening admission is free, on the Sunday admission will be £2 per car including entry to the College's Summer Fete and Motoring Festival.

The Princethorpe PTA Summer Fete 
Sunday 24 June from 2.00pm to 4.30pm

The event is held in the Orchard with lots of entertainment for both children and adults. There will be many and varied attractions including a ‘real-ale’ tent, a Dog Show and plenty of summjer fete stalls, activities and competitions.

Please keep an eye on the PTA section of the Princethorpe Website for updates and for more details of what’s on offer, including the chance to register your interest in helping on the day. 

22nd Annual Motoring Festival
Sunday 24 June from 2.00pm to 4.30pm 

The 22nd Annual Motoring Festival is open to anyone keen to bring any sort of classic, vintage, veteran or interesting vehicle along for the afternoon. There will be rally plaques for all pre-booked vehicles and awards for self-judged competitions.

The Festival is preceded by an informal morning road run of about 30 miles through the Warwickshire countryside. Vehicles taking part in the run need to arrive at Princethorpe for 11.00am. There is no charge for classic vehicles entering the festival or taking part in the road run.
Barbecued food is available for a nominal charge on return to Princethorpe at lunchtime, or feel free to bring a picnic.

On-line registration for the 2018 event will open shortly and will be available from the Events section of the Princethorpe Website.

Tuesday 3 July 2018 at 7.30pm in the Chapel

Followed by refreshments in the Atrium

Once again, Tim Campain, Director of Music at Warwick Road United Reformed Church, Coventry, will play a wide variety of pieces from various genres on the renowned Princethorpe Binns’ organ of 1901.

Tickets may also be purchased at the door; but advance notice helps catering, please. Princethorpe, Crackley Hall and Crescent School pupils free of charge. Please complete the booking form here. We are happy to receive provisional bookings by e-mail, please, to alexdarkes@princethorpe.co.uk.

Saturday 22 September 2018 - from 11.00am

The College always enjoys hosting OP reunions and events and no more so than the reunions for the old girls of St Mary's Priory, who were at school here before Princethorpe College came into being. The ladies are now fondly referred to as Very Special Old Princethorpians or VSOPs. 

These events have recently taken to occuring every two years and this September we are looking forward to welcoming the group back to the College again on Saturday 22 September 2018.

Comments Alex Darkes, "This will be an informal get-together, when there will be plenty of time for the St Mary's girls to chat, reminisce and to look around. We suggest arrival from 11.00am with coffee and a chance to catch up with friends. After a buffet lunch, there will be tours of the building ending in the Chapel with the St Mary's school song, followed by afternoon tea. We will also have items from the archive availabel to view."

If you are interested in attending or know someone who would like to please get in touch with Loretta Curtis on 01926 634200 extension 326, by post at the College or by email to lorettacurtis@princethorpe.co.uk.