Old Princethorpians

"What sort place is Crackley Hall School?" That’s the question that followers of the school’s social media were teased with in September.

The school repeatedly posed the cryptic question alongside a series of images of children at the school in the countdown to a big reveal on Friday 23 September, at 4.00pm, when the new Crackley Hall School film was premiered.

Comments, Headmaster, Rob Duigan, “Crackley Hall School has long been known as ‘the next best place to home’ by its pupils, but it is also a place to learn, grow and develop. As children progress through the school from nursery to Junior 6, we see their self-esteem and confidence grow as they discover at an early age where their talents and passions lie. By the time they reach Junior 6, children have built strong foundations, socially and academically and are well prepared for senior school life and beyond.”

Produced by the Foundation Marketing Team and award-winning Affixxius Films, the new school film was shot in the Trinity Term and captures glimpses of school life as staff support and guide the children on their individual journeys.

We had gasps of excitement in school in Celebration Assembly when we previewed the new school film. It was wonderful to see the children’s delight as they spotted each other in the film. There were a few tears in the eyes of the adults too.

With thanks to the staff and children who took part (they were all stars!) and the film crew for bringing what makes Crackley so special to life on the screen.

We hope you enjoy it! We'd love you to like and share it on social media too!

A Place To Change

Catherine Lewis joined the College in the Trinity Term as our new Archivist. She introduces herself here:

‘I started my career as a teacher in Southampton and was then appointed Head of History at Thornton College in Buckinghamshire where I spent many very happy years, under the Headship of Agnes Williams. Thornton College was founded by the Sisters of Jesus and Mary, who set up a school for girls after fleeing the French Revolution, so Princethorpe’s history is very close to my heart. Teaching was my passion but I wanted to have a more hands-on experience with history and so a career change took me to working in the Archives for the Rolls-Royce and Bentley Enthusiasts’ Club, whilst I completed an MA. This was a very interesting role that immersed me in the history of these iconic brands and I cared for their entire collection of build records dating from 1904 to 2002. To further my experience of working with all types of artefacts, I then moved to the National Trust, where I was lucky enough to work in the beautiful surroundings of Basildon Park, Charlecote Park and Baddesley Clinton. Each historic house had its own collection of unique and wonderful objects that gave me first-hand experience of working with items of national interest and importance, from taxidermy to weaponry to Victorian coaches!  I very much missed working with young people so becoming the Archivist for the Princethorpe Foundation has seemed like the perfect next step for me, and I have thoroughly enjoyed my first few months here. I can’t wait to get to know the pupils and share the history of the Princethorpe Foundation with them.’

Over the past eight years the Foundation Archives have grown substantially and Catherine’s immediate plans are to complete the catalogue to help her assimilate what is within the collection and also to make it more accessible to a wider audience. She also hopes to build on opportunities to integrate the Archives more fully into the curriculum.

Old Princethorpians, St Joseph’s Girls and Old Crescentians all have a major part to play in preserving the Foundation’s history. Catherine would be delighted to hear from anyone who wishes to donate material or who would like to learn more about the Archives. She looks forward to meeting OPs and in the future hopes to arrange archive-related events.

To contact Catherine, email catherinelewis@princethorpe.co.uk.

Crescent School, the Foundation's prep school in Bilton, Rugby, will be celebrating its 75th anniversary during 2023.

The school has some exciting plans under development to mark this wonderful milestone. Suggestions include inviting past pupils to visit the school as part of an extended Open Morning in March, organising a Summer Fete in June and maybe even repeating our very successful 70th birthday ball.

More details will be shared once the plans are agreed but if you are be interested in being kept up to date with our plans then do please join Princethorpe Connect.