Old Princethorpians

Longstanding staff at Crescent School are looking forward to catching up with old pupils when the school celebrates its 75th Anniversary in June. Many of the school’s staff have worked at the Crescent for an awful long time, in fact when we totalled it up those pictured here have 265 years of service between them. With the lovely catering ladies leading the way having served school dinners for an amazing 82 years!

Can you name them all??

Many Princethorpe families have connections to Crescent School and will be familiar with these faces. All former pupils, staff and parents are invited to attend the school’s anniversary fête which takes place on Saturday 10 June from 12.00pm to 2.30pm. In addition to stalls, activities and a BBQ organised by the wonderful Friends of Crescent on the school field, all Old Crescentians will be able to tour the school, visit our archive room, help us identify past pupils, visit our 'memory booth' as well as catch up with fellow past pupils and former and longstanding members of staff.

Everyone is most welcome so please do come along. If you would like to attend, please sign up on Princethorpe Connect here: https://connect.princethorpe.co.uk/event/75th-anniversary-fete

The Foundation's Archivist, Catherine Lewis, visited Crescent School at the start of May to explore the school’s long history. Crescent is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and will be commemorating its founding on Saturday 10 June with a 75th Anniversary Summer Fête.

Catherine is creating a series of special displays for the fête, that will be on show on the day. Her archive room will have plenty of photos for old pupils to help identify, a special memory booth for Old Crescentians to share their own school memories and other fascinating memorabilia to explore. Old Crescentians can find out more about the 75th Anniversary Fete and register to attend here: https://connect.princethorpe.co.uk/event/75th-anniversary-fete

While at Crescent, Catherine spoke to Assistant Head Sarah Webb and took the opportunity to go down into the cellars to see what treasures she could uncover. She was particularly on the lookout for items of history to help her update A History Of Crescent. Produced for the 60th anniversary back in 2006, Catherine will be adding two new chapters to the booklet this year, focusing on 2007 to 2017 and then from 2017 to the present day. She is especially on the lookout for pre 2017 editions of the Circular or its predecessors but would love to hear from anyone who has anecdotes and memories they would be happy to share. Either come along to the fête to talk to her, or email her directly to at catherinelewis@princethorpe.co.uk

Our Year 6s have been enjoying their residential this week at Slapton Ley Field Centre in South Devon. It’s a rite of passage for our eldest children and one that they very much enjoy. Crescent’s pupils have been visiting Slapton Ley for many, many years – and in our hunt for material for the archive display at our upcoming 75th Anniversary Fête we have come across a few photos from the 2001 trip. The report in The Crescent Chronicle, the forerunner of the Courier, includes a write up on the trip. It tells of the joy of walking through 30cm deep mud in the Avon Estuary, shares news of James’ frequent dips in the icy Atlantic waters, tells of the discovery of lizards and even an adder at Prawle Point and delights in the huge portions of slap up food served at Slapton.

Did you go on that trip? Then why not come and read the full story yourself and explore all the other treasures in our archives.

All Old Crescentians are invited to come to our 75th Anniversary Fête on Saturday 10 June. Everyone is most welcome so please do spread the word and be sure to come along. If you would like to attend, please sign up on Princethorpe Connect here: https://connect.princethorpe.co.uk/event/75th-anniversary-fete

Father Kevin led a school mass in recognition of St Joseph's Day on Tuesday 21 March. Pupils from Key Stage 2 led the readings and bidding prayers, and the Chamber Choir, under the musical direction of Mrs Olden, concluded the mass with a beautiful, reflective and symbolic rendition of Corner of the Sky.

We were delighted to be able to welcome a small number of Old St Joseph Convent School pupils and Foundation Trustees to the mass. After the service our visitors then enjoyed scones and tea.