Old Princethorpians

The generosity of Old Princethorpians can help change the course of lives, as OP Dr Jacob Stone, Class of 2012, explains.

"September, the start of the new school year. For some, it marks the beginning of a new chapter as a Princethorpian. I remember that first week well, do you? I was filled with excitement! But it was tinged with apprehension. My
background was a bit different to some of my classmates. I didn't live in a big house, enjoy holidays abroad or benefit from two working parents. And I worried I wouldn't fit in.
In fact, I was only able to join Princethorpe mainly thanks to a bursary funded by Old Princethorpians.

It turns out I needn't have worried. My classmates were welcoming and friendly, and I felt part of the Princethorpe family straightaway. One of my strongest memories is the sense of community at Princethorpe. Encouraging each other
and trying to bring out the best in everyone was part of our Christian ethos. We rooted for one another and celebrated others' achievements. It was a world away from my experience of school life so far. And alongside my family, friends and faith, it played a huge role in helping me on my path in life.

That's why I'm sharing my story with you today. The generosity of Old Princethorpians helped change the course of my life. And we have the chance to do the same for a young person with potential, hopes and dreams but whose
family doesn't have the means to give them an education they feel will afford them the most opportunities.

A Princethorpe education isn't the only option for an education that opens up possibilities for young people. But for some, like many of us, it's the one that will help them achieve their full potential.

A gift of £12 from each of us today will change an 11-year-old's life. You can make a donation here. Together, we can give them the opportunities I had through a fully-funded bursary.

Since first visiting Princethorpe, I had my heart set on joining, like all of us hoping for a bursary. However, I know now there were only limited resources available – and there still are. Looking back, I guess I was one of the fortunate ones.

I can still remember finding out I'd be a Princethorpian. A world of possibilities opened up for me that day. I realised my hopes and ambitions could become a reality, and they have. Today I'm a doctor, in part thanks to the opportunities
afforded to me via the bursary funded by those who went before us.

Few immediate family had been to university before me. And I'm the only doctor amongst us. In fact, Princethorpe influenced my career in medicine. It wasn't something I'd considered before joining – people at my previous school
simply didn't become doctors. When we stop and think about Princethorpe's impact on our lives, it's easy to see why parents and young people choose the school.

My mum became a single parent to three boys under the age of six. Money was tight. And time was even tighter with looking after us. Yet Mum sacrificed all she could to give us the best opportunities. But money to make sure our gifts and talents were nurtured with an education that brought out the best in us wasn't within her grasp. Thank goodness for the generosity of Old Princethorpians.

Like you, I keep in touch with Princethorpe. Partly because it's like an old friend and partly because my time there instilled a strong sense of Christian and community spirit. And I've never lost that desire to help bring out the best in others. I'm hoping you feel the same.

Because together, we can make sure a young person who would thrive on Princethorpe's ethos and education doesn't miss out on the same life-changing opportunities we enjoyed.
Please, will you join your fellow Princethorpians and give a gift of £12 today? You can find out more here.

Thank you for taking the time to hear from me today. I hope my words prompted happy memories and reminded you of simpler times when the world felt full of wonder and held
endless potential.

With best wishes,
Jacob

Dr Jacob Stone,
Old Princethorpian, Class of 2012

With the new school year now in full swing, members of the Princethorpe community have one last chance to leave their mark on the College's new Science Centre.

This incredible development, due to be ready for teaching in September 2023, will facilitate not only state of the art science education at Princethorpe but also the opportunity to redevelop the existing site for complete cross-curricular enhancement.

This last chance to contribute is available in several different ways:

• By having a name engraved on a wall brick to be displayed in the entrance lobby of the Science Centre (£100)
• By having a name engraved on a chemical element on our Periodic Table display in the Science Centre (£250). As the elements are given on a first come first basis please contact the Development Office to find out what is still available.
• By having a name engraved on a granite paver to be placed outside the entrance to the Science Centre (£500)
• By you or your company sponsoring a display panel featuring the picture and biography of a particular scientist, as well as your name, message and company logo (£1500)
• You could also choose to name a specific laboratory or piece of equipment (if you would like to discuss this further, please contact stevekowal@princethorpe.co.uk)

The closing date for donations will be Friday 14 October 2022. Don’t miss out on this final opportunity to ensure your chosen name or message is recorded in perpetuity in the future of the Princethorpe Foundation.

To participate, visit the school website here.

So many of our parents, staff and friends have done much already to support the Foundation and we are incredibly appreciative of this. It’s fantastic to see the Princethorpe community joining together to make the vision for Science a reality.

Donations can be paid over a period of months, please contact the Development Office for more information.

On Friday 20 May, the Development Team hosted a very successful second Hidden Princethorpe event. Organised especially for those who support the work of the Development Office, Hidden Princethorpe Two offered an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the College campus.

The College was especially delighted to welcome back as guest of honour, long-serving and much loved teacher, former Head of Junior School, Sean Philpott, who spoke to the attendees of his time at the College, from 1978 to 2012.

The event included the unique opportunity to climb the Princethorpe Tower and our visitors all enjoyed winding their way up the spiral stone staircase to take in the stunning views over the parapets at the top.

Their tour started in the Quad where, with photos of the past, the history of what was once St Mary’s Priory was recounted. Guests then went on down to Front of House to see the limit of the enclosed area and the visitor’s Guest House, before going back past the Round House and the Mortuary Chapel to G4 to hear an explanation of what an enclosed order was and what life was like behind the door with the grille. Then it was outside to the site of the old swimming pool, by the Orchard Wall, on into the Orchard itself to see the alcoves that statues once adorned and then up to the playing field above Switzerland where the girls used to play hockey. Next was Switzerland itself to see the pond, an oasis for wildlife, and to hear the history of its creation. Then on around the Mile Walk, the path of many a cross country run, before descending to view the ruins of the Gas Works and take a peek into the Nuns' cemetery.

After all that exploring, the evening was finished with a BBQ and plenty of convivial chat. Foundation Assistant Head, Alex Darkes, commented, “Our Hidden Princethorpe events are a unique opportunity to gain an insight into the history and inner workings of the College, and we were delighted that our latest guests were all fascinated by the evening’s tours, talks and anecdotes. We are very grateful for their continued support of the Development Office.”

For more information on the work of the Development Office, please email the team at makingadifference@princethorpe.co.uk.

AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon that lets customers enjoy the same wide selection of products, low prices, and convenient shopping features as on amazon.co.uk. The difference is that when you shop through the smile.amazon.co.uk web address, AmazonSmile donates 0.5% of the net purchase price (excluding VAT, returns and shipping fees) of eligible purchases to the charitable organisation selected by the customer.

So whenever you make an eligible purchase from Amazon via AmazonSmile, the charitable organisation benefits at no additional cost to you.

The Princethorpe Foundation is a charity and, within the Foundation the Development Office work to enable the provision of more bursaries to deserving pupils, to update our facilities and buildings, and to meet our strategic development plans. You can find out more about the work of the Development Office on our school website here. 

The Development Office is asking the Princethorpe community to consider choosing The Princethorpe Foundation as their nominated charity on AmazonSmile. 

How do I shop at AmazonSmile?

To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.co.uk from the web browser on your computer or mobile device.

Can I use my existing amazon.co.uk account on smile.amazon.co.uk?

Yes, you use the same account on amazon.co.uk and smile.amazon.co.uk. Your shopping cart, Wish List, wedding or baby registry, and other account settings are also the same. Simply visit smile.amazon.co.uk and log in to your usual Amazon account.

Which products on AmazonSmile are eligible for charitable donations?

Millions of products on AmazonSmile are eligible for donations to charities by Amazon. You will see eligible products marked 'Eligible for smile.amazon.co.uk' on their product detail pages. Recurring Subscribe-and-Save purchases and subscription renewals are not currently eligible.

How do I select to support the Princethorpe Foundation when shopping on AmazonSmile?

On your first visit to smile.amazon.co.uk you need to select a charitable organisation to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping, simply search for and select 'The Princethorpe Foundation'. Amazon will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.co.uk will result in a donation to support Development Office projects.

How will you use the donations you receive?

All donations received via smile.amazon.co.uk will go towards our Annual Fund. Each year, this fund supports the purchase of necessary academic and extracurricular equipment, ensures educational, enrichment and entertainment opportunities for students, and helps maintain the School’s academic and sporting facilities. Your Annual Fund contributions are at the heart of all that we do, and all that we give to our students.

To find out more about our Annual Fund please visit our website here.

The Annual Fund is the cornerstone of philanthropy at The Princethorpe Foundation and allows parents, supporters, and friends in the wider community to make a voluntary contribution to support the school. Those who give to this fund, including many members of staff, have the satisfaction of knowing that their donations have a significant impact. Such gifts touch the lives of every pupil in all our schools, every day of the year.

Each year, this fund supports the purchase of necessary academic and co-curricular equipment, ensures educational, enrichment and entertainment opportunities for pupils, and helps maintain the Schools’ academic and sporting facilities. The Annual Fund helps us to move forward with our plans to improve and develop the schools and the teaching and learning experiences that take place within them.

Gifts to this fund are unrestricted, allowing the Foundation’s leadership to determine where support is most needed, and can do the most good. The Annual Fund contributions are at the heart of all that we do, and all that we give to our pupils.

Every contribution is meaningful, regardless of amount and many of our supporters choose to make regular contributions, monthly or annually, big or small. These regular donations are helpful and popular as they provide critical and predictable support for the School, year on year, whilst also allowing donors to plan their giving. Those that give regularly, make a significant difference to our pupils' experiences.

Every year, parents, grandparents, Old Princethorpians, staff and friends of the Foundation donate to the Annual Fund. We invite you to help us by donating to the Annual Fund.

To find out more or make a donation visit the school website here.