News

OP News

OP Sports Teams Enjoy Much Success At Sports Day

It was lovely to see so many familiar faces at the OPs vs College Sports Day, held this year on Saturday 1 September, and to welcome Harbury RFC to the College for the first time for the final match of the day against the OPs XV.

Held in glorious sunshine, it was clear that everybody had a lot of fun.

In the OPs v College 1st XV match the OP's were clearly physically stronger, they had obviously spent the summer 'bulking up', and their greater strength proved to be their trump card.  As is usual in this fixture, the College team paid their elders far too much respect which the OP side capitalised upon.

In the OPs V Harbury match, through various reasons of injury and absence it was a very much depleted OP side, they stayed in the game to the last quarter when, a slightly more well drilled Harbury side eased ahead to a comfortable victory.  OP stalwart, Peter Rollason, commented "Yours truly was extremely disappointed not to be able to play due to a hip injury, my only contribution was a rather mediocre dropkick to kick-off the match wearing a Harbury sock, an OP sock, Harbury shorts and and an OP shirt!"

Huge congratulations to all our OP players who enjoyed much success across the afternoon.  The results of the matches were as follows:

Football – OPs 6 v 1 Staff
Netball – OPs 11 v 4 College 2nd VII
Netball – OPs 9 v 4 College 1st VII
Boys’ Hockey – OPs 3 v 3 College 1st XI
Girls’ Hockey – OPs 7 v 1 College 1st XI
Rugby – OPs 31 v 12 College 1st XV
Rugby – OPs 19 v 36 Harbury RFC

Thanks to all the players, supporters, organisers and caterers for making the day such a lovely relaxed affair.

We hope you enjoy the photographs!

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Hong Kong Update - Chairman For OPs Hong Kong and Asia Chapter Appointed

Following the successful trip to visit the Old Princethorpians in Hong Kong at Easter last year we are delighted to announce that Alan Young (1978 - 1981), has kindly agreed to become the Old Princethorpians Chairman For the Hong Kong and Asia Chapter of the Association.

Alan's new role, a first outside the UK, is in recognition of the stirling work he has done on behalf of the Old Princethorpians and the kindness and immense fondness he has shown for the College over the years.

We are hopeful that Alan will form a committee in Hong Kong, alongside longstanding friends and OPs Nelson Ngai, Vitus Leung and Heman Lam, plus some OPs from other generations.

Alan wll be the principle contact for OPs in Hong Kong and Asia, encouraging connections between OPs, contributions to our newsletter and to reach out and engage with any OPs that we have lost touch with or who are not yet involved in the association. 

Comments Alan, "I am honoured to be given this new role, Princethorpe holds a very special place in my heart. We have been holding informal gatherings about twice a year since returning to Hong Kong in the early 80s, By having a Princethorpe endorsed OP Chapter over here, I am sure we should be able to gather more OPs from across the generations for future gathering and functions as these will then be "legal!"

Alan can be contacted via Facebook or by emailing oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk.

 

Twenty Year Reunion Weekend For Leavers Of 1998

Old Princethorpian Ciaran Convey (1981- 1998), pictured, is masterminding a twenty year reunion weekend for the the leavers of '98, or those who were in this year group who perhaps left before the end of Sixth Form.

The reunion is set to take place in the Leamington area towards over the weekend 23/24 November and Ciaran has set up a Facebook group that already has nearly 60 members.

If you are interested in finding out more, you can ask to be added to the group by clicking here or email oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk and we will put you in touch with Ciaran.

 

Successful Start For OP Friendly Faces

The Old Princethorpians' new initiative, OP Friendly Faces, has had a successful start as the College's Upper Sixth Leavers have been heading off to university over the last few weeks.

OP Friendly Faces aims to link past pupils established at university with first year OP students. Providing a friendly, familiar face to meet up with over a coffee (compliments of the OPs) or having someone to call in their new uni town or city, will, we hope, make for a smoother experience in those first few weeks away from home and help establish a support network of OPs in universities across the country.

This year's Upper Sixth leavers received information on the scheme at their Leavers Eucharist and more information on A-level Results Day, and work has been done behind the scenes putting those who wanted to take part in touch with their OP Friendly Face.

Comments OPs Secretary, Melanie Butler, "We are delighted to have already matched up a number of OPs around the country. Meet ups have already taken place in Manchester, Leeds and Nottingham and for two of our students who are starting at Oxford. We have OP Friendly Faces in around 30 university towns and cities and there is still time for people to get involved."

New Oxford Languages graduate Rhiannon Edwards, took time to meet up with first year Oxford undergraduates Nick Bonsall and James Fletcher in Leamington, before they set off for uni.  Comments James Fletcher, "The Friendly Faces meet up was really helpful, we spoke about many aspects of university life at Oxford from Fresher’s Week, to workload and extra-curricular. It was reassuring to be able to hear from someone in person that, whilst it’s certainly tough, it is manageable and you can still enjoy the social side of university. The meet up really helped to settle my nerves before going off to Oxford this week."

Rhiannon added, "We had a great chat, I really enjoyed it and wish them both all the best at Oxford."

Second year Leeds English student, Lotti Morton met up this week with first year English student, Imo Butler, she comments, "We chatted about nice hidden places to visit in the city, the changes that come along with settling into such a different lifestyle and how our course develops through the year! We told each other about our flats and I shared my first year experiences which were hopefully quite reassuring!"

Imo agreed, "It was really nice to talk to someone, who has just gone through what I am experiencing and we are hoping to meet up again soon!"

If you are interested in OP Friendly Faces (either as a Friendly Face or a new undergraduate) please email oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk.
 

 

 

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Matt To Offer Tour Of Princethorpe To Fellow Leavers of 2002

Old Princethorpian Matt Parsons, now a member of the teaching staff at the College, is to offer a short tour of the school to other leavers of 2002 on the morning of Saturday 17 November.

Comments Matt, "I have been meeting up more frequently with friends from my year group over the last few years and there is definitely an appetite to see how school is looking and to see some of the improvements that have been made. I thought it would be nice to invite some friends back for a look around and open that out to others who might like to join us for a bit of a get together."

Those interested who left in 2002 or were in that cohort, should email oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk and we will put you in touch with Matt.

The tour lasting approximately an hour will start at 11.00am, meeting in the playground, and will take in the Chapel, Music Department, Library, Theatre and the new Sixth Form Centre and Limes Building.

Light refreshments will be served at the end.

 

Calling All OPs Now Stateside

Following the success of the Hong Kong Old Princethorpian Reunion in April, we would love to reach out to our Princethorpe network across the pond! We know that we have at least fifty Old Princethorpians working or living out in the USA, but we suspect there may be many more and we would love to hear from you!

Many of our OPs are based on the East coast, but we imagine we may have Princethorpians dotted around the whole of North America! If you might be interested in a reunion in Spring 2019, if you just want to say hello, or if you know of family or friends living or working in the States, please do get in touch by emailing oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk.

Sun Shines For OPs Summer Supper

This year's Old Princethorpians' Summer Supper lived up to its name as the College basked in balmy summer sunshine on Friday 22 June.

The popular event made a come-back this year, after last year's Golden Jubilee festivities, and was aimed specifically at the leavers of 1968, 1978, 1988, 1998 and 2008, celebrating their respective 50th, 40th, 30th, 20th and 10th anniversaries.

The Old Princethorpians had reached out to those OPs on its database by email, post and via Facebook and had a very positive response especially from the leavers of 2008, with nearly 30 from that year's Upper Sixth attending.  There were also a small number of leavers from 1978 and 1988, plus other years represented. The 90 or so guests also included the OPs Committee, former staff, staff who have worked at the College since 2006 and staff who are leaving at the end of this academic year.

After an optional tour of school, ably-led by Alex Darkes and Eddie Tolcher, the guests gathered in the Quad for drinks, before moving to the Main Dining Room for a delicious hog roast and salads followed by summery desserts.

Following a very convivial meal, Headmaster, Ed Hester and OPs Chairman, Peter Rollason addressed the throng and gifts were given out to long serving staff and staff who were leaving. As the evening drew to a happy close, an unexpected fire alarm, saw the party move outside before everyone made their way home or to continue with the revelling.

Commented OPs Chairman, Peter Rollason, "A good time certainly seemed to be had by all. It was particularly pleasing to see such a large number of leavers from 2008 celebrating their tenth anniversary with us and to hear how well they are doing."

Malachy O'Keeffe, Former Head Boy of 2008, added, "It was such a lovely evening and great to see so many old faces, both from my year group and the teaching staff. We are already talking about how much we are looking forward to doing it again in the future."

Next year's OPs Summer Supper will take place on Friday 28 June 2019 when we will be celebrating the leavers of 1969, 1979, 1989, 1999 and 2009. If you would like to come along please email oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk. Leavers of other years and partners are most welcome too.

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OPs Enjoy Pub Meet At Ye Olde Mitre

We had a cracking evening at Ye Olde Mitre on Friday 18 May at the OPs London Pub Meet. A tremendous number of Old Princethorpians from across the generations managed to find their way to this quirky, historic venue and up the steep stairs into the cosy Bishop's Lounge.

It was particularly nice to see some newcomers to OP events including Emilio Doorgasingh, Corin Johnson, Charlie Emerton, Simon Fisher, Maddie Sykes and Andrew Bunt and to wish many happy returns to birthday boy, Harry Robinson. London stalwarts, Daniel Bevan, Joel Gleghorn, Aaron Jaffer, Chris Santamarina, Michael Nagaur, Jeremy Peacock, James Simpson, Carmen Simpson and Ian Rudolph joined in the fun with the Princethorpe contingent led by OPs Chairman, Peter Rollason, Alex Darkes, Eddie Tolcher, Loretta Curtis, Rachel Hadley-Leonard, Harriet Brember and Melanie Butler.

One of the loveliest things to see was how well all the Old Princethorpians got along together, regardless of whether they had been at Princethorpe in the 60s or had only left three years ago! Roll on the next OPs event, our Summer Supper on Friday 22 June, celebrating the leavers with an 8 in their leaving year. Leavers from other years are most welcome too.

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OP Mark Hartley Gives College Cycling Club His Tips For Essential Bike Maintenance

OP Mark Hartley, owner of the Warwick bike shop Velo Esprit, and his technician Jason Mountford returned to Princethorpe on Friday 15 June to give the College’s cycling club a practical demonstration on how to maintain their brakes, tyres, chains and gears. It was a useful lesson for Princethorpe’s cycling enthusiasts on the essentials of bike maintenance.

Over the summer holidays, Princethorpe College’s Cycling Club undertook the 202-mile Coast-to-Coast Challenge that runs from the bottom to the top of Wales. It is an infamous route, known as the Lon Las Cymru, and one that really tests a cyclist’s mettle.

On the seven-day trip, eleven pupils and four staff pedalled from Chepstow Castle in the south, up through the Gospel Pass and Hay-on-Wye, into the Black and the Cambrian Mountains, then up into Snowdonia, passing through Machynlleth, Dolgellau and on past Harlech and Criccieth Castles to finish at one of the loveliest towns in North Wales, Caernarfon. Along the way, Princethorpe’s tourers cycled up through the highest pass in Wales, undertook one of the steepest ascents in the National Cycle Network and enjoyed some of Wales’ most picturesque views.

Friday evening’s cycling club is a regular in the College’s extra-curricular programme that welcomes over twenty keen cyclists each week, pupils work towards Bikeability awards, that teach cycle road craft, route planning and develop confidence on a range of roads.

Cycling Club Co-ordinator and tour leader Will Bower commented, “Mark’s visit gave us all an insight into the technicalities of the bike as a machine. We knew what emergency repair kits to carry with us and felt much better equipped to deal with a puncture, a chain breaking or a brake losing friction.’

Huge thanks to Mark and Jason for their support and advice that helped make Princethorpe’s 2018 Cycling Challenge a super summer adventure.

 

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College Welcomes Back OPs To Support Princethorpe’s Primary School Challenge

Princethorpe College’s annual Primary School Challenge took place on Wednesday 13 June. Over 120 pupils from Rugby-based The Revel Church of England Primary School, English Martyrs Roman Catholic Primary School and for the first time St Lawrence Church of England Primary School from Napton, near Southam, came to the College to participate in a day of team building challenges and a track and field athletics competition.

The day started with a series of team building exercises that required the children to temper their excitement and work effectively together, communicating and problem solving. Each team took part in ten activities that included co-ordination challenges such as plank walking, communication and trust tasks like the blind-folded obstacle course, puzzle problems including the bucket lift and the rope tangle and many more. It was fantastic to see so much enthusiasm and enjoyment as the groups faced and overcame each task.

Following a pit-stop for a Princethorpe cookie, the children then took to the College’s playing fields for the track and athletics competition. They participated in a range of events, including both the long and the high jump and sprint and endurance races on the track.

The event also gave the College the opportunity to welcome back some recent Old Princethorpians who kindly gave up their time now they are back home from university to help organise and facilitate the day. Our thanks go to Nick Bond, Evie Bonsall, Bethan Ellis, Lauren Hall, Peter Hitchman, Mollie Hughes, Zoe Hyland, Harry Jones, Meg Lewis, Hannah Malam, Charlotte Plant, Olivia Pope, Gemma Rees, Annie Salter and Jo Stanley who together with Teaching Assistants Nick Bonsall, Sophie Rejali and Taylor Vaughan and PE staff Hannah Carminati and Emma Nobes helped facilitate the event. They very much enjoyed catching up with each other, as well as with their former teachers, and that all added to the carnival atmosphere of the event, which is now a firm favourite on the Princethorpe calendar.

OP Merchandise - The Perfect Christmas Gift!

Stuck for Christmas present ideas for the OPs in your life? Look no further as items from the OP range of merchandise make the ideal gift for Christmas, birthdays or anniveraries!

Popular items include:

  • Socks with the distinctive Tower design on dark blue background with thin diagonal stripe - priced £8.50 + postage
  • A university style scarf (in 100% wool with navy blue, red and gold stripes) - priced  £30 + postage
  • T-bar cufflinks with a gold Tower design - priced £25 + postage
  • The Old Princethorpian tie. A classic 100% silk tie with a repetitive gold Tower design and thin red diagonal stripes on a dark blue background - priced £18 + postage and packing.
  • Tower pin badge. The 2cm high badge in nickel with recessed metal detail is based on the Tower logo - priced £10 + postage

Stocks are available now, to order any item please click on the attached Old Princethorpians Merchandise Order Form or email Old Princethorpians.

College News

Princethorpe College - What's It All About? The Big Reveal

"Princethorpe College - What's It All About?" That’s the question followers of the College on social media saw in early September.  The cryptic message along with a teaser video and photographs was repeatedly posed in a countdown to the big reveal on Friday 14 September at 4.00pm when the new College film was premiered.

The film, produced by the Foundation Marketing Team and award-winning Affixxius Films, was shot over the Lent and Trinity Terms and aims to communicate the all-embracing nature of Princethorpe, the wealth of opportunities on offer and the individuals who make up our community. It also celebrates the College's beautiful setting.

The launch coincided with the big push for College admissions in 2019 in the lead up to the entrance exams in November.

Thanks to all the pupils and staff who helped and took part in the film - what stars you are!

Roll out the red carpet, grab your popcorn, sit back and view the film here. We'd love you to like and share it on social media, hope you enjoy it! #princethorpeandme

Science At The Forefront Of Princethorpe’s Vision For The Future

Princethorpe is putting Science at the forefront of its vision for the future, with the announcement of plans for a new state-of-the-art Science building. Planning has been submitted this September for the two-storey, £8 million building, which will see Biology, Chemistry and Physics sited together in one dedicated location. It is hoped that construction will start on the project within the next three years.

This is the latest in a programme of capital investment in the infrastructure of the College, including recent projects such as the refurbishment of the Clarkson Theatre and the Roundhouse for the Performing Arts, the Limes Building for Modern Foreign Languages, English and ICT and restoration of the wooded lake area known as Switzerland for outdoor education.

At just over 1,600 sq metres, the building will provide contemporary, spacious and well-equipped accommodation for the three Sciences including ten new laboratories, preparation areas, staff bases and toilets.

Comments, Headmaster, Ed Hester, “In a demanding world, where scientific progress is essential across the spheres of discovery, development and innovation, we need to provide the very best facilities for teaching and learning to stimulate the intellect, ambition and creativity of our pupils. This tremendous new building will enable us to do just that.”

The main entrance of the new block will face the Lime Walk and the side of the building will abut the existing Limes Building at the top of the North Lawn. The two buildings will be connected on both floors creating free flow for pupils and staff between them. The area in front of the new building will be attractively landscaped with a central square feature.

The project will also enable the College to redevelop and cluster other departments, providing permanent homes for Economics, Business Studies, Geography and Classics and dedicated laboratory areas for Academic PE. Plans are also afoot to provide additional catering and seated dining facilities. This last major phase of the upgrading of the school’s accommodation will benefit all of the College’s 900 plus pupils.

The project has been designed in collaboration with Leamington-based AT Architects.

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Another Year Of Outstanding Results For Princethorpe’s A-level And GCSE Pupils

Princethorpe College is celebrating another year of excellent exam results.

This summer over a third (34%) of all A-level grades were A* or A and more than 80% of grades were C or better; at GCSE 43% of all entries were graded the coveted new 9, 8 or 7 grades (A* or A) and 39 pupils achieved eight or more 9, 8, 7 grades (A* or A).

Ed Hester, Headmaster, said, “Our students have worked so hard and we are incredibly proud of their achievements.”

A-level summary:

  • 107 candidates
  • 34% A* and A
  • 80% grade C or better

Amongst the seventeen high fliers who achieved three or more A* or A grades were Head Girl, Miriam Isaacs, Head Boy, Tim Duffy, Ed Williamson who received his results on his 18th birthday and the College’s highest achieving student James Fletcher who will now go on to read Law at Trinity College, Oxford.

Many Princethorpe pupils nailed the new 9 grade with the best individual results achieved by Caitlin McBride who achieved nine 9s, two A*s and an A grade and Sophie Mitchell who achieved nine 9s and two A* grades.  

Princethorpe pupils performed well in all the core GCSE subjects but the College is particularly delighted with its best ever English results with 64% of pupils achieving 9, 8 or 7 grades.  Given the rarity of the new 9 grade, and the new more demanding GCSE courses, Princethorpe’s pupils really excelled themselves: the College also had 11 pupils achieve a grade 9 in Art and its Scientists secured no less than 41 grade 9s.

GCSE summary:  

  • 154 candidates
  • two thirds of all grades 9-6 or A* to B
  • 92% of grades 9-4 or A* to C

Headmaster, Ed Hester, continued, “All credit goes to our pupils and staff for their commitment and hard work.  Our 2018 A-level and GCSE results are very strong indicators that the school’s academic achievements across the ability range continue to go from strength to strength."

Countdown To Entrance Exams For September 2019 Entry

With just five weeks to go now, the countdown to the College's Entrance Exams for admission in September 2019 is well underway. This year the exams for Year 7 to 10 entry will take place on Saturday 10 November from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

Our friendly Admissions Team has been kept busy over the summer and so far this term accepting registrations for the examinations from prospective parents. 

We need registrations as soon as possible now to enable the seeking of references from junior schools.

Comments Melanie Butler, Assistant Head, Marketing, Admissions and Communications, "Interest is at an all time high but parents and pupils do still have time to visit the College and prepare for the exams.  The results will then be out for the end of November, making for an exam-free Christmas holiday, which has got to be good news."

For more information on the admissions process click here to visit our Admissions Update newsletter.

If you have any queries relating to admissions please feel free to email the Registrars at admissions@princethorpe.co.uk or call them on 01926 634201.

College Hears That Camps International Esmeraldas Project Completed

This month Princethorpe College was delighted to hear that one of the Camps International projects supported by Princethorpe pupils back in July 2016 has now been completed.

The Year 11 and Lower Sixth pupils who travelled with, then Head of Biology, Faye Roberts worked on three projects that summer in Ecuadorian communities in Amazonia, Kurikatchi and in Esmeraldas.  In early 2016, the River Esmeraldas had burst its banks, destroying many local homes and badly damaging the only medical centre in the area, leaving the entire community of more than 5,000 people without access to medical facilities.

The government of Ecuador provided some labour and building materials, but much of the physical work to rebuild the medical centre was undertaken by volunteer groups organised by Camps International.  Princethorpe’s pupils were in right at the start helping to dig the foundations.  “It was tough manual labour, real back breaking work,” remembers Biology Teacher and Head of More House, Simon Robertson.

Two years later the medical centre is now complete and was officially opened with an inauguration ceremony led by Edison Molina, the President of the local community.  He said, “Without the help of Camps International this wouldn’t have been possible. Having the support of volunteers from a country as important as the United Kingdom is a source of pride for the community.”

Amy Lacey from Camps International added, “Our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in this project, especially the Camps International worldwide volunteers that worked so hard, digging, building, plastering, painting and constructing furniture for this essential community facility.”

The College was delighted to hear the news too – a real example of our College ethos at work. 

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Development News

Princethorpe Development Office – You Are Making A Difference!

Just over two years after establishing the Development Office, we are pleased to report that through the generosity of our Princethorpe community, we have already been able to benefit less fortunate pupils, and begin to look to the future of our fabulous new Science building. The Development Office has received over one hundred individual donations, and at least a quarter of these are regular, monthly donations. Two children now attend the College who would otherwise have been unable to benefit from all that Princethorpe has to offer.

We plan to continue the 50 + 10 Bursary Fund, through both regular giving and single gifts, but in addition, our efforts will soon be turning towards securing funding for our new science building. (See separate article).

The Science Campaign will be Princethorpe College’s first large-scale capital campaign. We believe our pupils deserve Science facilities which offer cutting edge, state-of-the-art technology which will inspire future generations of Princethorpe scientists, engineers, researchers, chemists, marine biologists and doctors.

Whilst the Foundation is committed to the build, we will be launching a fundraising programme in 2019, and all Princethorpians will have the opportunity to join our efforts, with some exciting, fun, and rewarding ways to get involved.

The Development Office welcomes support of any kind, and if you would like to know more about how to support us in the meantime, please click here. Our new online giving platform, Virgin Money Giving, is a quick, easy way to donate, however we would also love to speak with you about ways in which you can support us.

We are particularly interested in hearing from Princethorpians who have contacts in the scientific world and who may be interested in discussing fundraising, corporate involvement and developing our networks in this field. Please do get in touch with our Development Director, Rachel at rachelhadleyleonard@princethorpe.co.uk

We would like to thank all those who have supported us both financially and otherwise.

Cheungs Return To Princethorpe For Inspirational Visit

In other Hong Kong Development related news, we are delighted that Paul Cheung and his twin brother Peter, professors at Hong Kong University and Imperial College, London respectively, will be visiting the College on Saturday 10 November, to lead a special "3D Printing From Scratch Workshop and Engineering Session" with selected Year 11 pupils and Sixth Formers.

The Year 11 pupils, guided by the Cheungs and supported by Princethorpe staff, will be taught how to build three 3D printers, a passion of Paul Cheung's, which will then be donated to the College to help with teaching and learning.

Peter Cheung will also give a talk on Engineering at Imperial College to Sixth Form students during the afternoon.

Comments Ed Hester, "It is immensely generous of Paul and Peter to take the time to return to Princethorpe and work with our pupils in this way, inspire them about engineering careers and to donate the printers to the school. We are looking forward to seeing them both and returning the hospitality we received in Hong Kong".

The visit will be reported on in full in the next OP e-newsletter.

St Mary’s Priory Reunion for Very Special Old Princethorpians

On Saturday 22 September we were delighted to welcome to the College some ‘old girls’ from St Mary’s Priory, known to us as ‘Very Special Old Princethorpians (VSOPs).

The informal get-together, allowed for plenty of time to chat, reminisce and to look around the College and see how it has changed over the last sixty or seventy years.

The day started with coffee and pastries, and a chance to catch up with friends and make new acquaintances. Our archivist, Janette Ratcliffe had set up a fascinating display of memorabilia, stretching over many decades, and our VSOPs took great delight in browsing through old exercise books, photographs and ‘Peeps’ school magazines.

We were overwhelmed by the warmth shown towards the College, and it was lovely to spend time with our ‘old girls’, hearing memories of their school days here. For us, it was a further opportunity to cement friendships and to learn more about the history of the place which we all love so much.

After a delicious buffet lunch and a short welcome from our Headmaster, Ed Hester, we were able to offer our guests the chance to see the new Princethorpe College film, see here, to hear about exciting new developments at the College, and watch the Making a Difference Bursary Fund video which can be found here. If you would like to know any more about the 'Making a Difference' campaign, please click this link to our website.

Next, came a tour of the College taking in the original chapel, now a library, and ending in the church for a short service given by Father Teddy O’Brien, MSC. Following the service, our guests were treated to afternoon tea, and a final chance to look at the archives, speak with current members of staff and exchange farewells.

Many ladies expressed the wish to see the photographs that we took and these can be found by clicking here. We look forward to welcoming back the St Mary’s Priory girls in 2020 and a date will be published shortly.

Foundation News

Old Crescentians Celebrate School's 70th Anniversary

Many Old Princethorpians are also old pupils of the Foundation's junior school, the Crescent School.  This year the Crescent School is celebrating its 70th anniversary and on Saturday 29 September 2018 the school marked its platinum anniversary with a special double celebration.

In the afternoon past and present pupils, parents, staff and governors came together to mark the milestone at a community event at the school in Bilton, Rugby.  It was a very special occasion, enjoyed by everyone, that gave many the chance to reconnect and share fond memories.

In the evening the school hosted a Platinum Anniversary Dinner Dance at Princethorpe College.  It was a very convivial affair with some ninety guests associated with the Crescent treated to a delicious three-course meal, followed by speeches from past pupils from across the decades including combined OPs and OCs, Eddie Tolcher, Libby Williams and Laura Brazier, live music and dancing till midnight. It was a very successful day.

There are further events planned for this anniversary year.  They include an inaugural pub meet at the Merchant’s Inn in Rugby on Friday 23 November and a Carol Service on Monday 17 December in the Temple Speech Rooms at Rugby School, close to the Crescent’s first home at Horton Crescent.

Anyone who has a connection to the Crescent School who would like to share their memories and be kept up to date with news from the school can complete and return the form here or contact oldcrescentians@crescentschool.co.uk.

The school has set up a group on Facebook called ‘Old Crescentians’ and hopes that this will act as a means for past Crescent pupils to get in touch with each other, share memories and get news about their old school. The Facebook group can be found at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldcrescentians/

 

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Latest Edition Of The Pinnacle Published

Issue 24 of The Pinnacle, our school magazine that celebrates exceptional work from across the Foundation, was published at the end of the Trinty term.  Full to bursting with fabulous examples of pupils who are determined to go that extra mile in their everyday school life.

Editor and da Vinci Programme Co-ordinator, Helen Pascoe-Williams, said, “There are pages and pages of excellent work from across our expanding Foundation. It’s always a pleasure and a privilege to bring everything together in one place.”

The Pinnacle includes a double-sized Minnacle showcasing the impressive work produced by pupils at the Foundation Junior Schools’ Crackley Hall and Crescent.

You can view the latest edition here The Pinnacle and The Minnacle.

Princethorpe Cemetery War Memorial Restoration

The Princethorpe Cemetery war memorial is benefitting from a grant of £3,750 from the Grants for War Memorials scheme supported by the First World War Memorials Programme and Historic England.  The grant will enable the war memorial to be deconstructed, allow the corpus and plaque to be cleaned and preserved, provide a new oak cross and cover the re-instating of the surrounding mound, which signifies Calvary.

Work is already underway and will be completed by early November.  Old Princethorpians and villagers within the parish who have any contact with Princethorpe Cemetery are invited to attend the re-dedication ceremony at 11.00am following the 10.00am Mass in Our Lady of the Angels’ Chapel, Princethorpe College on Remembrance Sunday, 11 November 2018.

Frances Moreton, Director, War Memorials Trust said, “War memorials are a tangible connection to our shared past creating a link between the fallen and today. It is vital we ensure all our war memorials are in the best possible condition for their age and the charity is delighted to support this project. The centenary of World War 1 is a wonderful opportunity for local communities across the country to protect and conserve their war memorials. If anyone knows of any other war memorials in need of help please contact us.”

Fr Teddy O'Brien MSC added, “As Parish Priest responsible for the cemetery and the war memorial in it, I am delighted and grateful to receive this grant from the War Memorial Trust. This makes possible the restoration of the memorial in time for a re-dedication ceremony at 11.00am on 11 November 2018. This ceremony will mirror that which was composed for the dedication of the memorial in 1922 and will serve as a reminder of the values that underpinned the erection of the memorial in the first place.”

Foundation Schools: In The News

Click on the attachment below to download the latest ‘In the News’ posters featuring some of the Foundation's recent media coverage.

In the News

In the last few months we have had plenty of stories in the press including newspapers such as the Leamington Courier, Kenilworth News, Rugby Advertiser, Leamington Observer, Rugby and Lutterworth Observer and the Coventry and Warwickshire Telegraph. The Foundation has also been featured in Catholic Today and the Independent Schools’ magazine Attain.