Old Princethorpians

Our handy pocket sized OPs calendar contains all the events that are happening this year.

All those connected with the wider Princethorpe community, including past pupils, former parents and members of staff of Princethorope College, Crackley Hall and St Joseph's and the Crescent School are most welcome to attend our events.

Our popular local and London meets return, this spring we have a meet in Rugby, upstairs at Inside the 22 on Friday 6 March, then there is an early summer gathering in London's Covent Garden in a private room at French restaurant, Balthazar on Friday 15 May.

The OPs' Summer Supper Reunion takes place on Friday 26 June 2020, this time celebrating the leavers of 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000 and 2010, although leavers of other years are also most welcome.

All OPs, past parents and staff are welcome to participate in any or all of the events. 

Click here to download the calendar or visit the events on Princethorpe Connect to register for upcoming events. 

Friday 28 February - 7.30pm to 10.00pm

The PTA Pub Quiz takes place on Friday 28 February and Old Princethorpians are invited to come and test their general knowledge. Tickets for the quiz, including a fish and chip supper followed by an infamous Princethorpe Cookie, are £8.00 per head.  The PTA will be running a paying bar on the night and the quiz will be hosted by our very own quizmaster, Ed Hester.

It will be an enjoyable evening for all and a great opportunity to test your wits against current Princethorpe parents.

You are welcome to put together your own team, six people maximum, but this is not essential as they can be created on the night. To reserve tickets please click on the link here and complete the form and then return it by email to pta@princethorpe.co.uk by Monday 24 February.  This will help us to plan our catering. 

Whilst tickets must be reserved in advance for catering purposes, payment can be made on the night or by sending cash or cheques (payable to Princethorpe College PTA) into school for the attention of Anne O'Rourke, PTA Treasurer.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Friday 6 March - 6.30pm to 10.30pm 

The OPs annual Local Meet takes place on Friday 6 March 2020. This year we will be meeting upstairs at Inside The 22, on Lawrence Sheriff Street, Rugby, CV22 5EJ.  

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

Partners and friends are most welcome. We look forward to seeing you there!

Crackley Hall and Little Crackers Open Morning

Saturday 7 March 2020 - 10.30am to 12.30pm

Crackley Hall, Princethorpe's junior school and nursery in Kenilworth, is holding an Open Morning on Saturday 7 March from 10.30am to 12.30pm.  This is an opportunity for parents and children to visit the school and nursery at the weekend.  Visitors will have a chance to tour the school, see the facilities and meet pupils and staff including the Headmaster, Rob Duigan. There will be performances and activities showcasing the school.

Crackley Hall School Open Evening

Tuesday 12 May 2020 - 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 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 school's  Admissions Update, the next edition of which will be available in late February.

Tuesday 17 March 2020 - 10.30am - 12.30pm

The College will be holding an Open Morning on Tuesday 17 March from 10.30am - 12.30pm.  

All are welcome to visit the College to look around the school on a normal working day. Year 8 and 9 pupils will act as tour guides and light refreshments will be available. 

Wednesday 3 June 2020 - 6.30pm - 8.30pm 

The College's annual Summer Open Evening will take place on Wednesday 3 June from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.  This is an informal opportunity to look around the school and to meet members of staff and pupils. There will be activities in each department for children to participate in, and the Headmaster will also address visitors in the Chapel during the evening. Light refreshments will be available.

Please do spread the word amongst friends and family, all are very welcome! 

Crackley Hall, formerly St Joseph's Convent School, the Foundation's junior school in Kenilworth is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2020.

On Thursday 19 March 2020 at 9.00am the whole school will join together for a St Joseph’s Day Mass at Crackley Hall to be celebrated by Fr Kevin Hooper. Light refreshments will be served afterwards in the hall.

On Saturday 21 March 2020 we will be holding an Open House from 10.00am -1.00pm at school, past pupils and former members of staff are invited to look around the school, watch performances by current pupils, catch up with old friends and to reminisce. Light refreshments will be served throughout the event.

To sign up for either or both of these events please visit Princethorpe Connect and go to events.

Crescent School Open Morning

Saturday 21 March 2020 - 09.30am 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 21 March 2020 from 9.30am to 12.00pm. 

As part of the Open Morning there will be a very special performance by our younger pupils of The Selfish Ladybird.  

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 the chance to meet Headmaster, Joe Thackway.

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. Light refreshments will be available. There is no need to book.

Crescent School Open Evening

Tuesday 5 May 2020 - 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.

The school has recently announced plans to add a second Reception class for September 2020 due to high demand, spaces in other years are limited.

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 school website or our Admissions Update, the next edition of which will be available in March.

Friday 15 May - from 6.30pm

For our next Old Princethorpians' London Meet we will be gathering in London's Covent Garden in a private room at French restaurant, Balthazar on Friday 15 May.

Partners and friends are welcome. If you would like to attend please RSVP with the number in your party and any special dietary requirements via Princethorpe Connect, email oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk or call Melanie Butler on 01926 634284 by Friday 1 May.

Tuesday 12 May 2020 - 7.30pm

The last in our series of lectures on Dante will take place on Tuesday 12 May.

The talk will take commence at 7.30pm in the Sixth Form Lecture Theatre and will be followed by wine and light refreshments in The Atrium.

Further details will be published in our next newsletter but we are happy to receive provisional bookings by e-mail please, at alexdarkes@princethorpe.co.uk

Friday 26 June 2020 - 6.00pm optional tour, 7.00pm drinks reception, 7.30pm supper

OPs who left the College in 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000 and 2010 (or those who were in the same year groups) are cordially invited back to the OPs annual Summer Supper on Friday 26 June to celebrate their respective 50th, 40th, 30th, 20th and 10th anniversaries of leaving.

Comments OPs Secretary, Melanie Butler, "We know many OPs are keener to come to these events if they can be sure of seeing some familiar faces.  By focusing on these year groups we hope to get a critical mass of attendees, although OPs from other years will of course be welcome too!"

The Summer Supper is an established event in the OPs calendar, attracting a large number of OPs, former and current members of staff. The supper is preceded by an optional tour and drinks in the Quad. Every year the OPs recognise long-standing members of staff and say farewell to any staff leaving the College.

Numbers are limited to around 100 guests, so if you would like to attend please go to Princethorpe Connect or email oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk by Friday 12 June to reserve your place.

Saturday 5 September 2020 - 10.45pm to 5.00pm

We are gearing up for the 10th annual Old Princethorpians vs College Sports Day (and 12th John Shinkwin Trophy Match) on Saturday 5 September. 

We are planning to repeat last year's successful format with a relaxing day that mixes sporting matches with music, a BBQ and a bar.

As in previous years points will be accumulated throughout the day, with the Alex Wallis Memorial Shield being awarded to the victors at the end of the day.

Format of day:

10.45am to 12.00pm Football OPs vs Staff

12.00pm to 1.00pm Hockey Princethorpe College 1st XI Girls vs OPs XI (x 2)

1.15pm to 2.15pm Hockey Princethorpe College 1st XI Boys vs OPs XI (x 2)

1.30pm to 2.30pm Netball Princethorpe College 1st VII Girls vs OPs VII and vs Old Coventrians (x 3)

2.30pm to 3.45pm Rugby - John Shinkwin Trophy - Princethorpe College 1st XV Boys vs OPs XV (leavers of 2017 and 2016)

3.45pm - After Match Awards

3.45pm to 5.00pm Rugby - OPs XV vs Old Coventrians

We are keen to get as many OPs from across the generations participating. If you are interested in playing in any of the sports please contact Neil McCollin, Director of Sport as soon as possible.