Old Princethorpians

We have great pleasure in unveiling the OPs' events calendar for 2023 - 2024.

This year's calendar features all our regular favourites including the upcoming OPs Pre-Drinks aimed at the leavers of 2023 and their parents At Prize Giving on Friday 24 November.

Our spring meet returns to Leamington this time at The Fox and Vivian on Friday 8 March and the annual Summer Supper Reunion takes place at the College on Friday 28 June, celebrating the leavers of 1974, 1984, 1994, 2004 and 2014, although leavers of other years are also most welcome.

Don't forget our Bluebells and Brunch, the perfect opportunity to walk round the iconic Mile Walk after enjoying a tasty spread.

All OPs, past parents and staff are welcome to participate in any or all of the events. Visit Princethorpe Connect, our online alumni community, to register and book on events.

We're looking forward to another fabulous year.

Friday 13 October 2023 - 7.00pm to 10.00pm

We are thrilled to extend a warm invitation to you for an evening that promises to be both enlightening and entertaining. Former pupil Marc Marot will be making a special return to Princethorpe to deliver a keynote address about his illustrious career in the Music and Art Industries. This is a free to attend event and supper will be provided.

Marc embarked on his professional journey in 1982, taking on the role of 'Professional Manager' at the UK Independent music publisher, Eaton Music Ltd. In this capacity, he collaborated with renowned film composers like George Fenton, Carl Davis, and Henry Mancini, as well as iconic pop groups such as Status Quo.

In 1984, he assumed the position of Managing Director at Blue Mountain Music, where he had the privilege of working closely with the legendary U2 and their reggae music catalogue.

Among Marc's impressive portfolio of music publishing signings are notable names like Massive Attack, De La Soul, Julia Fordham, and Shakespeare's Sister.

His career continued to ascend as he took on various roles within Island Records, eventually becoming the Managing Director in 1990, making him the youngest MD in the UK music industry at that time.

During his tenure as MD at Island Records, Marc's leadership played a pivotal role in nurturing and developing a roster of exceptional artists, including:

• Pulp
• PJ Harvey
• The Stereo MCs
• P.M. Dawn
• The Cranberries
• Elbow
• Chaka Demus and Pliers
• NWA
• The Orb
• Ice Cube
• Talvin Singh
• Tricky
• Nine Inch Nails

His contributions led to Island artists winning the prestigious Mercury Music Record of the Year award three times and achieving ten short-listed albums. Remarkably, artists signed during this period went on to claim 25% of all the prizes awarded in the competition's 20-year history.

Marc also played a pivotal role in guiding U2's career during the 1990s, from the release of Achtung Baby to just prior to the launch of All You Can't Leave Behind, resulting in nearly 60 million album sales.

In 1998, he introduced Bono to the concept of Third World debt relief through his involvement in the 'Jubilee 2000' campaign. Marc oversaw the 'drop the debt' initiative within the music industry, earning gratitude from Bono, who acknowledged his efforts on the MTV awards stage and at the UN council chamber in New York.

To this day, the acts he discovered or managed have amassed an impressive record, achieving 38 Top 10 singles, including an astounding 18 #1 singles on the UK charts.

This is a free to attend event and supper will be provided. You can register and find out more here.

Wednesday 18 October 2023 - 6.30pm to 9.00pm

The College is holding a Sixth Form Open Evening on Wednesday 18 October 2023 from 6.30pm to 9.00pm. 

The evening will focus on the key events and dates in the Sixth Form application process, specific A-level and BTEC subject information with advice provided by the Heads of Departments and general information on the Sixth Form experience at Princethorpe.

It will include brief talks from Headmaster, Grove du Toit, Ben Collie, Head of Sixth Form, Michael Spencer, Deputy Head - Academic and some current members of the Sixth Form in the Clarkson Theatre.

External candidates are very welcome at the event, so please do help spread the word. External candidates should register via this link and if they have any questions should contact the Admissions Team via email at admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

Tuesday 31 October 2023 - 7.30pm

Those who love a murder mystery and are interested in Princethorpe related history, may like to attend Stoneleigh History Society's Talk, The Kilsby Tunnel Murder Mystery 1906, on Tuesday 31 October.

Returning to school at Princethorpe, St Mary's Priory pupil, Lillie Roachaid, the young daughter of a French aristocrat is found dead in Kilsby Tunnel. Is it suicide, a terrible accident, or the work of the Railway Ripper?

The talk takes place in Stoneleigh Village Hall and will be given by Paul Waddoups. Non-members £3, to include refreshments.

For more information visit Stoneleigh History Society

Friday 24 November 2023 - 6.00pm to 6.45pm (Pre-Drinks) and 7.00pm to 9.00pm Prize Giving Ceremony

This year's Prize Giving will be held on Friday 24 November in the Butterworth Hall at Warwick Arts Centre, beginning at 7.00pm.

Traditionally, the vast majority of last year’s Upper Sixth return to collect their A-level examination certificates.  Most will have embarked on their first year at university, apprenticeship, employment or gap year and this is an opportunity for the Class of 2023 to catch up. Invitations will be posted out to the families of Upper Sixth leavers shortly along with instructions on how to RSVP.

The OPs Committee hosts a special Drinks Reception before the ceremony for the Upper Sixth leavers, their parents and other invited guests. This is a very popular occasion and we have a limited number of seats available for any other OPs who would like to join us for the Pre-Drinks at 6.00pm and later for the ceremony itself.

All of last year's Upper Sixth and their parents will shortly receive their invitations with instructions of how to book their tickets. 

There are a small number of places available for OPs from other years, so if you would like to attend please register on Princethorpe Connect by Friday 10 November please.

Sunday 10 December 2023 - 2.00pm to 4.30pm

The College's annual PTA Christmas Fair will take place a little later than normal this year, on Sunday 10 December from 2.00pm to 4.30pm.

As well as the 'must visit' Old Princethorpians stand, there will be an array of stalls full of present ideas, games and activities, festive music and refreshments plus, of course, Santa in his grotto!

We can't promise snow, but there will be lots of Christmas bargains.

This is a lovely opportunity to visit the College at a weekend and all the family are very welcome to come along.

Sunday 24 December 2023 - 5.00pm and 9.00pm

Fr Teddy O’Brien MSC would like to invite all Old Princethorpians to either of the celebrations of Mass on Christmas Eve, Sunday 24 December 2023, in the College Chapel.

The first Mass, the Family Mass, will be at 5.00pm, and is specifically for families with children. The Mass will include the story of the birth of baby Jesus with simple readings so that the little ones are home in bed ready for Father Christmas to come!

The main Mass will be celebrated at 9.00pm, please note there is no midnight Mass. This celebration will offer Old Princethorpians the chance to get together in familiar surroundings; it is a great opportunity to return to the College.

There are a number of opportunities to visit Crackley Hall and Little Crackers Nursery during the course of the year. We encourage prospective parents and pupils to visit us both formally and informally to get a true flavour of the school.

Most of our pupils enter at Nursery, Reception or at Junior 3, though pupils are welcome at any age, dependent on a place being available.

Those already attending Little Crackers in the pre-school year, and siblings, are given priority for places in Reception, along with any external candidates with a strong interest in a place in Reception or Junior 3 they are able to apply and take advantage of our early bird application process. The deadline for early bird applications this year is Friday 20 October 2023. Please return your completed Registration Form with the accompanying fee of £50 (non-returnable) by this date.

Applications for places in the current Reception to Junior 6 will be treated on an individual basis as places are limited. In years where there is no place available we operate waiting groups. 

Crackley Hall School And Little Crackers Open Morning

Saturday 9 March 2024 - 10.30am to 12.30pm

Crackley Hall School and Little Crackers Nursery, will hold an Open Morning on Saturday 9 March. Come and find out why Crackley Hall School has been judged 'Excellent' in all areas by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. It's a great opportunity for prospective families considering Crackley Hall School for 2024 entry or beyond to come and have a look around and get a feel for the school. There will also be opportunities to speak to pupils, key members of staff and to meet Mr Duigan, Headmaster.

For more information please see our latest Admissions Update.

There are a number of opportunities to visit Crescent School during the course of the year. We encourage prospective parents and pupils to visit us both formally and informally to get a true flavour of the school.

Most of our pupils enter at Reception and at Year 3, though pupils are welcome at any age, dependent on a place being available. The school is proving popular so parents are being encouraged to apply early for places in Reception in 2024. Siblings of Crescent pupils, and any external candidates with a strong interest in a place in Reception or Year 3, in September 2024 should apply and take advantage of our early bird application process. The early bird deadline is Friday 20 October 2023. Please return your completed Registration Form with the accompanying fee of £50 (non-returnable) by this date.

We are currently operating waiting groups in most other years and applications for places in the current Reception to Year 6 are treated on an individual basis.

Crescent School Open Morning

Saturday 16 March 2024 - 10.00am to 12.00pm

Crescent School, Princethorpe's junior school in Bilton, Rugby, will hold an Open Morning on Saturday 16 March. Come and find out why Crescent School has been judged 'Excellent' in all areas by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. It's a great opportunity for prospective families considering Crescent School for 2024 entry or beyond to come and have a look around and get a feel for the school. There will also be opportunities to speak to pupils, key members of staff and to meet Mr Thackway, Headmaster.

For more information please see our Admissions Update.

Thursday 18 April 2024 - 10.30am - 12.30pm 

The College's Spring Open Morning will give prospective families a chance to visit the school on a normal working day, with Year 8 and 9 pupils acting as tour guides. Light refreshments will be available.

Please do put the date in your diary and spread the word amongst friends and family, all are very welcome!