Old Princethorpians

Do you remember Mr Taylor and the portacabins? It probably made Geography lessons hard to forget! Unbelievably, Mike Taylor has spent an incredible 42 years teaching at Princethorpe - those portacabin classrooms obviously didn't put him off!

You might remember Father Teddy O'Brien if you were at Princethorpe during the 70s and 80s and Mr Kerrigan if you enjoyed English, and who can forget Mrs Taylor’s Latin lessons.

As longstanding members of staff and true Princethorpe Legends, we wondered what they remember most about the school, the staff and of course their pupils! So we asked them and you can watch and listen to their thoughts here:

Mike Taylor

Fr Teddy O'Brien

Chris Kerrigan

Rachel Taylor

Hearing their stories has been a welcome reminder about what makes Princethorpe the special place it is. Staff and pupils weave the fabric of our school and shape the experience for us all. A melting pot of unique perspectives, distinct personalities and individuals from all backgrounds make up our much-loved school.

Diversity amongst our pupils brings an important richness to the experience for all both inside and outside the classroom and as we become a more diverse society than ever before, it’s crucial our Princethorpe community does too. It’s how we set firm foundations for a society that embraces and celebrates differences amongst us – values we hold high.

But not every young person’s background makes a Princethorpe education possible. It’s one of the reasons we’ve asked for your help funding bursary places recently.

As you’re reading this, our Admissions Team is receiving registrations and bursary applications for 2024 entry. At the end of November, parents will anxiously await news, desperately hoping they won’t have to take away their child’s dream of becoming a Princethorpian. Regrettably, we can’t offer every deserving young person a place with a bursary.

But thanks to our alumni, some of your former classmates and former parents, we’re halfway towards being able to offer one more young person a place at Princethorpe through a bursary. And we’re optimistic we can make it happen for someone hoping to join us next year. Will you help us? If you think you can then please email Development Director, Steve Kowal, on makingadifference@princethorpe.co.uk.

On Saturday 11 March, the College welcomed donors to our Science+ Campaign into school for a special early preview of the new Science Centre. The event was a great success, with attendees coming away impressed and excited about the future of science education at Princethorpe College.

The Science Centre is an ambitious project that aims to provide pupils with state-of-the-art facilities for science learning. The new building will feature advanced laboratories and cutting-edge technology that will bring science to life for pupils of all ages.

During the event, donors were given a tour of the building site and shown the progress that has been made so far.

Many of the attendees were amazed by the scope and ambition of the project and shared their enthusiasm and pleasure at the prospect of seeing the Science Centre completed. Some even expressed a desire to donate further to the project, recognising the important role that science education plays in our society.

Steve Kowal, Development Director commented “The event was a great success, and we are grateful to all our donors for their support in making the new Science Centre a reality. We look forward to seeing the project continue to take shape and to welcoming pupils into the new facilities.”

If you would like to know more about how you can support the Science+ Campaign or the work of the Foundation, please contact our Development Director at stevekowal@princethorpe.co.uk.

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.