Click on the attachment below to download the latest In the News posters featuring some of the Foundation's most recent media coverage.
A huge thank you to Ms Emma Litterick for all her hard work generating coverage for the Foundation.
There are a number of job vacancies on the Princethorpe website including:
Click here for more details.
Eleven year old Princethorpe College Art Scholar, Mary Lomas, is modestly contemplative of her first prize in the Independent Schools’ Association’s National Art Competition. Sitting in the College’s Art Studio where her grandparents were once teachers, she critically picks over her prize winning silk screen painting complaining that she could have made it so much better had she had more time. Her delicate ink work depicts two gorgeously coloured small birds resting on a summer branch; clearly the judges disagreed with Mary’s own views and considered her textile entry to be the pick of the crop.
At the top end of the College, experienced former A-level Student Matt Farr won the Key Stage 5 sketchbook category. His hard edged collection of drawings and work in progress used the title, ’Flaws, Perfection, Ideals or Compromises’ and reflected an influence of artists such as Egon Schiele and Marc Quinn. Praised for his brave technique and intensive research, Matt headed up the list of other Sixth Form prize winners including Paul Ruskin who came 2nd in the Key Stage 5 Drawing category and Samira Hassan who was Highly Commended for her KS5 Painting.
Princethorpe College Head of Art, Mr Paul Hubball, applauded the winners, ’It was refreshing to see a first place in the textiles category; Mary’s work is terrific. She has an eye for detail and the patience to execute a thoughtful composition. Our Key Stage 5 winners were each worthy recipients. With years of hard work behind them, they have produced some of the finest art in the College’s history.’
Princethorpe's environmental Green Team have taken a leaf out of the BBC's Countryfile book and launched the first ever Princethorpe Countryside Photography Calendar for 2016.
Priced at just £5 the limited edition high quality calendar is still available if you contact Old Princethorpians.
Featuring stunning photography taken by Princethorpe pupils from Year 8 to Sixth Form, the calendar includes the College's term dates and key events such as the PTA Summer Fete and Christmas Fair and Open Events, it also includes Golden Jubilee events as the College enters the 2016-17 celebratory year.
Comments Geography teacher and Green Team mentor Stewart Dear, "The calendar is a true celebration of our fantastic surroundings and a reminder of just how lucky we are to have our historic school embedded in such beautiful countryside."
In Father Alan Whelan’s opening prayer at Princethorpe's Prize Giving Ceremony in November he cited Binyon’s ‘For the Fallen’ and it was this theme of remembrance that tolled throughout the evening’s proceedings as we welcomed back former students, applauded the achievements of present pupils and cast our gaze towards the College’s forthcoming Golden Jubilee celebrations.
Headmaster, Mr Ed Hester’s address, highlighted the quality of academic, sporting, pastoral and charity based events of the former academic year; each bearing testament to the dedication and hard work of the College’s teaching staff. He praised the resilience of Princethorpe students whose efforts to pursue personal success in so many areas of school life had clearly paid off. As always, his advice was to make the most of every opportunity that a Princethorpe College education affords. This enduring wish was one picked up on by guest speaker, The Rt Hon Mark Pawsey MP. As a former Princethorpe parent, Mr Pawsey remarked on the continuing growth and reputation that the College maintains in the local and wider community. Anecdotally, he stressed the lasting importance of friendships made during school days, commenting that these relationships would be most likely the ones to endure life’s changes. As a professional whose present political career was not one that he initially embarked on, Mr Pawsey was able to give salient advice to listening students about the vitality of flexibility when considering future employment.
The Order of Proceedings was beautifully punctuated by the College Orchestra, Jazz Band and Year 7 Chorus. Upper Sixth vocal soloist, Matt MacLellan, certainly made his mark as a budding ‘Elbow’ front man; his pitch perfect rendition of ‘One Day Like This’ received huge applause. Year 8, Charlotte Fitzpatrick’s mature rendition of ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ showed us that this is a voice to watch out for in the future. Plus a special feature of the night was a performance by ‘The Lost Boys’, the Year 11 boy band who won the right to perform following their success at the College’s Talent Show. Lead singer, Charlie Blackwood, looked, as always, as if the Butterworth Hall stage was his home from home.
And then there was the presentation of Form Prizes, Examination Certificates and Prizes. Watching the stream of young people shaking Mr Pawsey’s hand was redolent of the front cover painting of this year’s Prize Giving Ceremony Programme. Painted by award winning former Upper Sixth artist, Matt Farr, the image entitled Control (Vulnerability) shows the fine line between these two extreme human conditions. Some students took to the Butterworth Hall stage with alacrity, others emanated self-consciousness, some made us laugh, some brought a tear to our eye as we listened to Head of Sixth Form, Mrs Margaret Robinson’s, poetic citations. The poignancy of the occasion was perhaps best shown at the disclosure of the final award; The Princethorpe Shield. With this prize comes an understanding that the beneficiary embodies the spirit and ethos of the College. It was a popular decision for there to be two recipients in 2015. Former Head Girl, Maddie Wigmore-Sykes, and former Head Boy, Simon Fisher, were cheered on stage as they magnanimously gripped the trophy and beamed into the audience.
As the College hymn was sung to mark the close of proceedings, a party atmosphere swept across the hall with friends, teachers and families visibly delighted to be reunited. In Binyon’s final words, ‘the stars that are starry…shall be bright…they remain.’ And so it was that another Prize Giving Ceremony came to its end, fittingly, to the sounds of echoing laughter.
To view the gallery please click here to go to the Princethorpe website.
Click on the attachment below to see the Prize Giving Programme.
Lester Gibson from the Princethorpe Estates Department, who is a life-long cricket enthusiast, was presented with a pewter tankard by Warwickshire Cricket League in recognition of his outstanding service as a cricket umpire in the county.
Lester has served throughout Warwickshire for over three decades and has very happy memories of time spent on the wicket. He recalls one Nuneaton-Exhall match in which the wicket keeper was excitedly jumping up and down shouting "How's that?" in the direction of the umpire. Lester coolly responded with “Not out”, much to the laughter of the gathered crowd!
Proudly displaying the tankard to his Princethorpe work colleagues Lester said “I used to be enthusiastic about football as well, but now somehow I feel I’ve grown up!”
After sixteen years of working at Princethorpe College Lester retired at Christmas. His cheery manner is missed by colleagues and pupils alike and we wish him all the very best for a happy and healthy retirement.
Staff and pupils at Crackley Hall, Princethorpe's Junior School and Nursery in Kenilworth, are getting very excited at the prospect of being able to take ownership of the new Gables building after February half term. Earlier this term they got a sneak preview of what is in store for them when tours were arranged of the £2m east end project, which will give the school a 240-seat multi-purpose hall, two classrooms, four specialist music teaching rooms and a large tutorial room.
Some thought it a bit like venturing into Narnia, as the cupboard obscuring the door to the building was moved to one side and visitors took a step into the unknown! Those on the tour were amazed by the size and beauty of the new hall which incorporates stained glass and a ceiling boss depicting the paschal lamb, which were formerly in place in the building demolished earlier in the year.
Junior 4 used the opportunity to have a look at all the electrical installation as they have been studying electricity in their science lessons. They were intelligent enough to point out that all the lights are wired in parallel so that if one light goes out - unlike Christmas tree lights - they don’t all go out!
Staff were also surprised by how generous the circulation areas are, both inside and outside the extension. Areas outside will provide cover for wet play and those inside can be utilised as break-out areas for extra teaching. Trendgrey of Southam, the main contractor, is already making good the external areas in preparation for slabbing and planting.
Head, Robert Duigan, comments: “I think that it is fair to say that the building is substantially complete, with the main hall and circulation areas being plastered and some rooms already being decorated. The scaffolding is now down and it is possible to get a real idea of how magnificent the finished building will look. Inside, floor and wall tiles are going on and engineers have nearly completed the lighting and heating.”
There will now be a final push to get the building finished, so the building can be occupied in time for next half term. A grand opening is scheduled for Thursday 17 March, when Mass will be celebrated in the hall by The Right Reverend William Kenney, Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham.
The new car park and playing area is already complete giving more space for games and extra parking during busy pick-up and drop off times during the day.
The outstanding contemporary design is the brainchild of Tony Pugh of local architects AT Architects in Leamington Spa. The scheme will provide the school with a much needed 240-seat multi-purpose hall, two classrooms, four specialist music teaching rooms and a large tutorial room. The hall will be fitted with sports equipment, a demountable stage and full lighting and sound facilities. Additionally, a large adjacent kitchen will have multiple cookers and hobs so that it can be used for children’s cookery activities, as well as refreshments for events. Accessible from the main circulation areas are toilets, lockers, additional IT distribution and an electronic display screen. The building uses the latest LED lighting and photovoltaic technology to contribute to its energy efficiency and to reduce the school’s carbon footprint.
So why The Gables? Until 2001, the second building at Crackley which was used for the senior school of St Joseph’s School was the house originally occupied by Sir Bernard Docker, the local automotive industrialist who was chairman of The Daimler Company. The house was called The Gables. The headmaster added: “The wing is very near to the site of the Docker’s house and we decided that by naming the new building after the old, gives us a strong link with our heritage and the local economy.”
Thanks to everyone for their support whilst the campus at Crackley is being improved.
The Old Princethorpians have been approached by a television production company, Wall to Wall Media, to share information with the membership about a new programme they are making. Wall to Wall Media make award-winning programmes such as Who Do You Think You Are (BBC One), Long Lost Family (ITV) and we are also well-known for living history formats such as Turn Back Time: The High Street (BBC One), Time Crashers (C4) and the recent BBC Two hit series Back In Time For Dinner.
The company has been commissioned by the BBC to produce a big new living history series on 19th century Victorian tenement communities. The programme will meticulously recreate a tenement environment and inhabit it with people who will live, work and survive 19th century conditions. Filming will take place this Spring and they are looking for families (children 10+), siblings and retired couples to take part.
By fully experiencing inner-city Victorian life, participants will have a unique opportunity to understand the challenges our forebears confronted and discover the jobs they had, the food they ate, the clothes they wore and how they socialised.
It will be a unique opportunity to experience our ancestors’ lives and a brilliant challenge for those looking for something different in 2016.
Full details can be found at http://www.walltowall.co.uk/casting/the-victorian-east-end-bbc_975.aspx
If any OPs get involved do let us know, we'd love to tune in and see how it goes!
A bumper number of candidates sat the College's entrance examinations on Saturday 16 January.
Comments, Alex Darkes, Assistant Head - Marketing and Operations, "We played host to some 250 prospective pupils across four year groups. What's particularly lovely is the fact that we are seeing more and more OPs returning with their children to sit the exams. Feedback from parents and candidates alike has been very favourable indeed, which bodes very well for next September's intake."
"The marking machine swung into action, even before candidates had left the building and the Admissions Panel sat the following week to decide on the 130 or so boys and girls who will be joining us in September 2016 - our Golden Jubilee year."
Parents and children were notified of the results on Wednesday 3 February and have until Monday 7 March to accept their place.
Those interested in a place at the College in September 2017 can download our flyer below which includes key open events and admissions dates, like the forthcoming Open Evening on Wednesday 8 June from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
The College's Careers Fair 2016 is shaping up nicely thanks in large part to the support of the Old Princethorpian network.
The event which is scheduled for Saturday 12 March is looking to be even bigger and better than the the last two events in 2012 and 2014. Princethorpe parent, Mrs Alexandra Fraser of media company 7Wonder, has kindly agreed to be the keynote speaker and a host of careers and professions will be represented.
Comments organiser Melanie Butler, "Once again we have had a great response from the Old Princethorpians, who alongside our parents form the backbone of the event. We have some speakers from 2012 and 2014 who have kindly agreed to speak again, such as OP Marc Marot, who works in the music industry and manages the career of among others Jessie J and of course OP Chairman, Peter Rollason who will be talking on High Street Law.
"We're also delighted to have a number of new OPs involved such as Felicity Hannah (nee King-Evans) who will speak on Journalism and Joel Gleghorn an OP who works in the City."
This year there will also be a wider range of universities exhibiting including Loughborough and Sydney, plus a number of Gap Year companies to give ideas and advice.
Headmaster, Ed Hester comments, "We are really indebted to all the OPs who have volunteered their time and energy to making the Careers Fair a success for our current Year 10 to Sixth Form pupils and their parents."
If you would like to help with future Careers Fairs please email melaniebutler@princethorpe.co.uk.
In addition work experience is a big part of our Careers programme, for Year 11 after their GCSE examinations, and for Sixth Form as well. If anyone feels that they can offer work experience to any of our students, or have contacts in the Princethorpe catchment area, then we would be very pleased to hear from you! Please email miketaylor@princethorpe.co.uk.
The Princethorpe Foundation has recently advertised for an experienced fund-raising professional to establish a new development function for the Foundation.
Reporting to the Assistant Head (Development), Alex Darkes, the person's overall responsibility will be to lead and manage a long-term development programme which will result in on going philanthropic income to support primarily bursaries, so that more children can benefit from a Princethorpe education.
Comments Alex Darkes, "We are looking for someone whose personal values are totally in tune with the strong Christian ethos of the Foundation. This person would work with me and Loretta Curtis, the Development Assistant to develop and deliver the strategy and manage key relationships."
The closing date for applications is Monday 22 February and more information about the role can be found on the Princethorpe website.
The Headmaster, Ed Hester, announced last weekend that Sue Millest, the College's much loved Pastoral Deputy Head, will be retiring at the end of this academic year so that she can spend more time with her family.
In his communication to parents and pupils Mr Hester said, "Sue has given nine years outstanding service to the College, leading the pastoral care team in supporting pupils, parents and staff. On behalf of the whole Princethorpe community I would like to thank her now for all her tremendous work and also on a personal level for all the support and friendship she has given me and my family."
He continued, "There will, I’m sure, be many opportunities next term for us to show our sincere appreciation to Sue for her dedication, professionalism and unstinting service.
We are already engaged in the process of finding a new Deputy who will be able to build upon the strong pastoral foundations which have been the cornerstone of the College throughout its existence. We will be interviewing shortly after Half Term and expect to be able to announce Sue’s successor before Easter."
The vacancy is advertised on the Princethorpe website.
Princethorpe's first lay Headmaster, John Shinkwin (1998- 2009), who went on to become the General Secretary of the Catholic Independent Schools Conference (CISC) is to retire from the role this September.
He will be succeeded by Raymond Friel who has been Headmaster at St Gregory’s Catholic College in Bath since 2004. Raymond has written a number of successful publications including "How to Survive Working in a Catholic School: A Guide for Teachers and Support Staff" with Sr Judith Russi, "How to Survive in Leadership in a Catholic School" and "The Revolution of Tenderness: Being a Catholic in Today’s Church".
John and his wife Maggie celebrated the news in October that their son Kevin has been appointed as a Conservative Peer to the House of Lords in recognition of his work in the voluntary sector.
We wish John and Maggie all the best for a happy retirement.
Plans for the College's Golden Jubilee celebrations are moving apace, with the focus now firmly on the flagship event 'Princefest', a fun-packed weekend of sport, music, food and friendship designed to kick-start the Jubilee year.
Comments, Headmaster, Ed Hester, "We would urge all Old Princethorpians and Friends of the College to keep these dates free. As well as the hugely popular OPs Sports events, on the Saturday we will have a line up of music to suit all tastes, including a mystery headline act, which will be revealed in due course!
The playground will be transformed into a funfair with rides, stalls and amusements, there'll be a wonderful selection of food from around the globe for visitors to enjoy and the evening will be rounded off with a grand firework display!"
Families will be able to camp on the Saturday night and on the Sunday, there will be a celebratory Mass in the Chapel, followed by lunch and tours of the school.
The sports fixtures will be extended so we have the capacity for more OPs to take part in the Hockey and Netball. As well as the John Shinkwin Trophy Rugby, which sees the College First XV playing the leavers of 2016 and 15, we will also be hosting the OPs vs Kenilworth Babas Alex Wallis Memorial Match later on the same afternoon. Those interested in playing should contact Director of Sport, Neil McCollin.
We are in the process of finalising music acts, food stalls and shopping stalls if any OPs are interested in getting involved, performing or having a stall, please email goldenjubilee@princethorpe.co.uk.
More detailed information, including ticket prices, will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
As many of you know, Alex Darkes and I are currently working on a book to mark this very special year. It will display photographs from every decade and we would very much like to include your memories of the place, be they about sporting fixtures, plays, lessons, boarding or even the school food!
If you are happy to share your experiences, we would be grateful if you could send us a couple of short paragraphs about your time at the school, together with a recent photograph of yourself. Due to the limited amount of space available, we cannot guarantee that every contribution will be included and some may have to be edited to make them fit. We will do our best to incorporate as many as we can.
Please send your contributions to us by the beginning of May. Your ‘pen portraits’ will add some real colour to the book and present a lasting record of ‘real life’ at Princethorpe.
Nick Baker - Archivist nickbaker@princethorpe.co.uk
House of Commons Tour and Dinner - Saturday 21 May 2016
Tickets have now been allocated for this sell-out event and successful applicants notified. There will be a good selection of OPs from across the generations present alongside current longstanding and former staff and current parents.
Those attending will receive a communication in March as to the menu for the evening and a guest list. Official invitations will be issued in May, with instructions as to the security arrangements and necessary ID to bring.
Old Princethorpians Sports Day (part of Princefest Weekend) - Saturday 3 September - 12.00pm to 6.00pm
All is set for the 6th annual Old Princethorpians' Sports Day (and 8th John Shinkwin Trophy Match) on Saturday 3 September. This year the OPs Sports Day forms a central part of the College’s Golden Jubilee Princefest celebrations over the weekend of Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 September 2016.
In addition to the established John Shinkwin Trophy Rugby Match between the current first XV and last year's first XV, the day includes Boys' Hockey and Girls' Hockey and Netball, with current teams and past pupils vying once again for the honour of claiming the Alex Wallis Memorial Shield.
Points will be accumulated throughout the day, with the shield being awarded to the victors on the Princefest main stage at 6.30pm.
This year’s events will see the College take on two OPs teams (one recent, one older leavers) in the Girls Hockey, Boys Hockey and Netball in a series of triangular matches, the traditional John Shinkwin Trophy Rugby Match between the current first XV and last year’s first XV, plus taking place on the Sports Day for the first time this year, the Alex Wallis Memorial Match between the Old Princethorpians and the Kenilworth Babas.
Format of day:
12.00pm to 1.00pm Hockey Princethorpe College 1st XI Girls vs OPs XI (x 2)
1.15pm to 2.15pm Hockey Princethorpe College 1st XI Boys vs OPs XI (x 2)
2.15pm to 3.15pm Netball Princethorpe College 1st VII Girls vs OPs VII (x 2)
3.15pm to 4.30pm Rugby - John Shinkwin Trophy - Princethorpe College 1st XV Boys vs OPs XV (leavers of 2016 and 2015)
4.45pm to 6.00pm Rugby - Alex Wallis Memorial - OPs vs Kenilworth Babas
6.30pm - After Match Awards on the Princefest Main Stage
We are keen to get as many OPs from across the generations participating. If you are interested in playing in any of the sports please contact Neil McCollin, Director of Sport as soon as possible.
Another match for your diary and which the OPs would appreciate your support at is as follows:
AROPS National Ladies Hockey Tournament - Sunday 11 September - at King Henry VIII School, Coventry - 10.30am to 4.30pm.
The OPs team will defending their title in this National Tournament.
Princefest Weekend - Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 September 2016
Princefest - a fun-packed weekend of sport, music, food, friendship and fireworks, will kick start the Jubilee year on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 September.
On the Saturday we will have the OP Sports Day, a stage with music throughout the day and into the evening with a mystery headline act, food and shopping stalls plus funfair rides (dodgems, big wheel, waltzer) and fireworks at the end! There will also be family camping on site. Sunday will be a more relaxed affair with a celebratory Mass, Brunch, tours of schools, talks on the College's history and time for old friends to catch up.
Golden Jubilee Ball - Saturday 1 July 2017
The Golden Jubilee Ball will take place in a beautiful marquee in the College grounds, this will be a black tie event, with a drinks reception and delicious three course meal, followed by music and dancing.
If you are interested in any of these events please email goldenjubilee@princethorpe.co.uk.
