We are delighted to share the news that Jim Lowe (Class of 2014) and his partner Evie Offen have welcomed a new daughter to the world. Scarlett Frances Lowe was born on 12 March 2023 and weighed in at 7lb 14oz.
What fantastic news and many congratulations from us all.
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Hollie Harrison attended Princethorpe from 2002-2009. Shortly after leaving she started playing rugby, which is where she met her wife, Sian.
After three years of marriage they decided to try and add a new member to the family. After IVF treatment and a smooth pregnancy, Rocky arrived on Thursday 16 March.
Hollie comments, "We’re both delighted to have him here and love seeing his smile grow as the weeks go by!"
We congratulate Sophia Farran neé Phelps (Class of 2012), her husband Dan and her first son Harvey, on the safe arrival of their second son Marcus.
Sophie told us:
'We couldn’t have been more pleased to welcome our son Marcus James on April 3rd. He’s happy and healthy and has been a lovely addition to our family.'
Many congratulations to Jacob Stone (Class of 2012) who welcomed a daughter to the world back at the start of the year. Jacob told us:
‘We’re delighted to announce the birth of Martha Pramodini Stone, who was born on 18 January 2023 weighing 7lb 13oz. Despite a tricky labour, both mum and baby are doing really well and we’re very blessed to have Martha in our lives.’
Oscar David Maxwell made a rather exciting and early appearance in London on 3 March 2023 at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington. He arrived 17 days early, stealing the limelight on his uncle’s (Alex Milnes - Old Princethorpian) Wedding Day! The entire family were in London ready to celebrate however Oscar had other ideas, as my waters broke at 11:11pm in the hotel! After driving around, it was third time lucky, and we found St Mary's (after two other attempts at different hospitals) he arrived safely at 5.59am in the birthing centre weighing a healthy 6lbs 9ozs.
I was due to give birth in Northampton so there was a moment of disbelief and panic, however it all worked out perfectly; I had the most amazing water birth and was looked after by some incredible midwives. I stayed overnight and we received the most wonderful care.
Oscar is my first baby, and I am completely in love. Motherhood is an absolute joy, and I can’t believe he is mine! We enjoy popping into Born to Perform and seeing all the students, Oscar is very loved already. I feel so lucky to have him, he is my greatest achievement!
What an exciting birth story from Clemmie Milnes (Class of 2008) we were very glad to hear it all turned out alright!
Andrew Colby, fondly known by many as Happy, was unique, warm, passionate and hilariously funny – especially when given a microphone – whether that be on the radio or getting involved with a bit of karaoke.
He was much loved and will always be remembered by many who he encountered throughout his life journey, starting at Sherbourne Fields School, then Princethorpe College from 1978 to 1982, where he completed his O and A-levels. Perhaps his natural ability with numbers and statistics, remembering football and cricket scores or percentage swings in general elections led him to a long career in banking. For over 30 years Andrew made friends of his colleagues and was every customer’s favourite, a chatty and singing bank clerk!
His love of music and talking to people led him to join the hospital radio community where he volunteered and fundraised firstly for Radio Warneford at Warwick Hospital and then Coventry Hospital Radio.
Andrew had a strong faith and was an active member of St Thomas More Catholic Church where he had many friends across the generations. He had a strong affiliation with Lourdes and travelled there with various groups on numerous occasions, making special memories for him and others.
On the 8th April 2023, Andrew folded up his earthly tent and willingly accepted the Lord's invitation and calling to rise with him on Easter Saturday and be reunited with those who have passed before us.
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We have just heard that a former Crackley Hall staff member, Breeda Higgins, who was much-loved by many, has sadly passed away. Breeda who worked for Sister Philomena when she was the Headteacher at St Jospeh's Convent School is remembered fondly by several of our longer-serving colleagues.
Current teacher, Carrie Holmes, remembers her well and writes:
'Breeda Higgins was a member of the St Joseph’s and then Crackley Hall administration team for many, many years. It was her smiling face and gentle manner which greeted us all on the way in every morning. She quietly ran the office with meticulous pride and tip top organisational skills. The school rang with her happy laughter and kindness which pervaded through the corridors
On my first visit with my then 8-year-old child, Breeda greeted us at the door with a beautiful Irish lilt and a smile. We wanted to sign up immediately as her warmth and friendliness touched everyone who came through the door. In later years, she continued working as a receptionist and administrator gradually stepping back and then retiring. We were all devastated to see her leave.
I will always remember her, as will my family, as someone who made the most phenomenal Irish coffees at the school Christmas (and Summer) Fayres and someone whose warm and gentle manner was the bedrock of our school.
Rest in Peace lovely lady. You will be sadly missed.'
Our thoughts and prayers are with Breeda's family during this difficult time and we pray for the repose of her soul.
Fr Mike Serrage took final profession into the Society of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart [MSC] on 18 September 1993 and was ordained a Catholic priest on 2 July 1994. But his association with the MSCs can be traced back to his parish in Tamworth, entrusted to the MSCs by the Archdiocese of Birmingham, where he had lived with his family in his formative years. After his ordination his first appointment was to Princethorpe College as Chaplain and he also assisted with boarding duties. Whatever memories former students might have of Fr Mike as a Boarding Master, they no doubt will also include his faithful companion Bertie the dog. Many a homesick boarder was entrusted to bring the dog for a walk and ‘lights-out’ duties were always a breeze if accompanied by Bertie who received an endless supply or treats from students.
As Superior of the MSC community Fr Mike was always attentive to the needs of his confreres. Feast days and birthdays were celebrated with good food and wine. Should there be a crisis in the catering department with a member of staff off ill, Mike was not averse to donning an apron and assisting. His gifts and talents in catering came to the fore when one December the College was cut off by snow drifts making the roads impassable and to add to the excitement there was an electricity outage. Undeterred, resident community, staff and students were fed thanks to Mike’s cooking skills and as the College gas supply was unaffected, villagers joined us in the evening to be fed, watered and entertained.
However, Mike’s real calling was to be exercised in the ministry of spirituality and accompanying people in their search for God and meaning in their lives. On leaving Princethorpe in 2001 he went to Ireland and devoted the rest of his life to this ministry in the MSC retreat house in Waterford and later conducting retreats to religious and lay people. On receiving formal qualifications in counselling he spent many years lecturing on the MA course in Applied Spirituality both at Dublin City University and the Waterford Institute of Technology.
Fr Mike’s natural leadership capacity was identified very early on in his ministry and he was elected as Superior in all the houses was resident in. He was also elected to the MSC leadership team on two occasions. However, in more recent years health issues beset him, culminating in the recent bypass heart surgery. It was after complications after this surgical procedure that Fr Mike died on Saturday 25 March, the Feast of the Annunciation.
With his passing the MSC congregation have lost a priest, friend and an able servant of God. To his family, friends and his former students and all who enjoyed his wit and companionship we extend our sincerest sympathies. May he rest in peace.
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We were saddened to hear of the passing of St Mary's Old Girl, Helen Cubitt.
Helen Mary Patricia Cubitt, who attended St Mary's from 1954-62, died suddenly on the Thursday 16 March, from heart failure. She is survived by her husband David Parnaby, her sons Gavin and Fergus, and daughter Antonia (and son-in-law Philip).
Helen had remained in touch with a number of Princethorpians throughout her life, they had formed part of a great host of family and friends, stretching over much of the world.
We extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends.
