Old Princethorpians

The new College golf umbrella is now in stock. Costing £22 all proceeds will go towards the next major sports tour in 2015.

If you would like to purchase an umbrella please contact Director of Sport, Neil McCollin via email at neilmccollin@princethorpe.co.uk. Please make cheques payable to Princethorpe College.

For information on OPs Merchandise please click on this link, we have recently had a new delivery of cufflinks and are looking to produce a Tower inspired charm.

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.

In the News

If you'd like to see the sort of things our current pupils get up to then download the latest issue of the College magazine, The Pinnacle, which showcases examples of pupils' excellent work. 

This issue includes some amazing work in the fields of Art, English, Film and Sport and Extended Projects.

The Minnacle pages are equally impressive with tremendous work by Crackley Hall pupils from Reception to Junior 6.

Click below if you would like to download a copy of The Pinnacle and here if you would like to see The Minnacle.

Helen Pascoe-Williams
Co-ordinator of the da Vinci Programme

Pinnacle & Minnacle for web Nov 2014.pdf

Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond our control we have to postpone the OPs vs Old Ratcliffians Rugby Match which was planned for Sunday 1 March.

We are hoping to have a new date confirmed soon and will post this on Facebook as soon as possible.

Jon Fitt
Master of Rugby

For those of us brave enough to watch Channel 4’s weekly fly on the wall documentary, ‘24 Hours in A&E’, we are well versed in the daily struggles and challenges facing one of the country’s busiest Accident and Emergency Departments. With its ninety odd cameras capturing the highs and lows of hospital life, its popularity bears testament to the professionalism of those who work there.

For twenty one year old Old Princethorpian, Ashley Dodds, this is her current place of work. A trainee paramedic with regular night shifts of twelve hours, she describes it as “the best job in the world.” Just six months shy of qualification, Ashley took time out to visit Princethorpe Sixth Formers to talk to them about her career choice. Accompanied by fellow trainee Lauren Nixon, Ashley looked every bit the part kitted out in her regulation paramedic green uniform. “There’s a lot of good feeling towards paramedics”, she explained, “even when we attend serious crime incidents (Ashley recounted a gang fight resulting in one young man being stabbed in the head three times) the public know that we’re on their side. The uniform says a lot about who we are and what we do.”

Her current trainee regime is as rigorous as it can get with shift work accompanying qualified paramedics on the road. Her daily work diet may consist of RTA’s, violent assaults and less serious incidents. Tough examinations also call the girls into line to check their knowledge is up to speed. “It’s a hard course, there’s no getting away from it. But everything we do is practically relevant so it all slots into place.”

With St George’s Hospital, Tooting, the star player in the weekly documentary, Ashley reflects on the way that her role is presented in the media. “It’s a great show and brings home to viewers the relationship that the paramedics have with hospital staff. We hand over patients to the nurses on Accident and Emergency who take up the care. They are amazing.”

Perhaps not the most usual of career choices, a car accident at the age of eighteen planted the seed in Ashley’s mind that this may be an option for her. “I remember the air ambulance being called out to the accident and I’d never forgotten the help I was given. When I got my A-level results it all clicked into place and within a fortnight I was in London starting the course.”

Spending a Friday afternoon with Lower Sixth First Aiders, Ashley and Lauren were able to provide valuable answers to the many questions asked; perhaps planting in someone’s else’s mind a seed to pursue a similar career.

Old Princethorpians are getting more and more requests from younger OPs, often whilst at university, looking for advice and careers guidance including work experience and internships.

We currently have OPs interested in a banking internship, music industry, journalism/researcher, media, marketing and advertising.

With competition jobs and graduate training schemes getting ever tougher, contacts such as the OPs can provide are really invaluable in giving these young people a head start in their chosen careers.

If you can offer assistance in any way, whether looking at CVs, or offering work experience, interview practice etc please do get in touch.

The College will also be firming up plans for the Careers Fair 2016 which will take place next Spring, as ever the OPs presence is an invaluable contribution to the day.

As a benefit of the Headmaster's membership of HMC, the East India Club in St James's Square and the University Women's Club in London's Mayfair offer full membership to Princethorpe gentlemen and lady school leavers at a special rate.

Recent leavers Ben Warman and Dan Lane applied for membership of the East India Club last year and we hope more OPs will follow suit.

The J7 Scheme, as the East India Club offer is known, can be taken up within 18 months of leaving school, and provides membership for gentleman leavers to 31 December following their 25th birthday for the one off sum of £370. If you would like more information please call Sandra Prendiville, Membership Secretary at the East India Club on 020 7930 1000.

For more information on the East India Club please go to their website www.eastindiaclub.co.uk.

The University Womens' Club scheme, The Young Members’ Scheme, follows a similar format for lady leavers.

A female pupil of a GSA/HMC school who has been nominated by her Headmaster or Headmistress is welcome to apply as a Young Member on leaving school or for 18 months thereafter. The subscription is a single payment of £249, which provides membership up to the January following the member’s 25th birthday.

For more information on the University Women's Club please go to their website http://www.universitywomensclub.com/.

The OPs London Meeting on Friday 15 May is an ideal opportunity to see the University Women's Club for yourself, let us know if you would like to join us by emailing oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk.  All OPs welcome!

Much-loved Princethorpe Senior Matron, Maria Lawless, retired this January after over 40 years of loyal service to the College, its staff and pupils.

Ed Hester, the Headmaster spoke of the hundreds of children who had benefited from Maria's care since she joined the College in 1974, including his own children. He also commented on what a good friend Maria had been to the many staff at the College over the years.

Maria, who typically did not want a fuss, spoke warmly of her time at the College and gave thanks to the staff, pupils and in particular the MSCs who she said were instrumental in making Princethorpe the special place it was.

She said she would miss Princethorpe, but was looking forward to 'having a ball' in her retirement.

Plans are afoot for a farewell celebration for Maria once the weather improves, in the meantime we wish her a well-deserved and fun time in her retirement.

The leavers of 1975, who are a year that regularly meet up informally, have decided to return to the College to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their leaving.

The twenty strong group, including some partners, plan to attend the OPs Summer Supper on Friday 12 June and would like to see any other leavers from 1975 there.  The Supper is preceded by a tour, coincidentally conducted by fellow 1975 leaver and College stalwart, Alex Darkes.

Comments Martin Holland, "It would be great to see some of the other leavers of 1975 that we have perhaps lost touch with. Confirmations from our group so far include myself, Chris Evans, Mark Neal, Dominic Flynn, Clem Clements and Kevin Marchant who is coming all the way from Toronto!"

The Summer Supper is now an established event in the OPs calendar, attracting a large number of OPs, former and current members of staff. This year the OPs will say farewell to long-standing members of staff, Peter Griffin, former Head of Economics and Business Studies and Examinations Manager and Loretta Curtis, Registrar.

Numbers are limited to around 100 guests, so if you would like to attend please email oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk asap to reserve your place.

A bumper number of candidates sat the College's entrance examinations over two sessions in January.  The candidates sat English, Mathematics and a new online test for Verbal, Non Verbal and Numerical Reasoning.

Comments, Alex Darkes, Assistant Head - Marketing and Operations, "We played host to some 290 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 2015."

Parents and children were notified of the results last Wednesday 4 February and have until Wednesday 4 March to accept their place.

Those interested in a place at the College in September 2016 can visit the Admissions part of the website by clicking here and would be welcome at the forthcoming Open Evening on Wednesday 3 June from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

Two Princethorpe College Sixth Form Students have been awarded conditional offers at Cambridge University. Harry Tallis, 17, will be reading Engineering at Christ’s College and Hamish Ungless, 18, will read Classics at King’s College. Both students were surprised yet thrilled with the news received last weekend.

Following a rigorous application process, Classics scholar Hamish explained, “The interview was deliberately challenging. Every statement I made was argued against inviting me to think on my feet. We had been well prepared by Dr Peaple for the demands of the experience so I knew that it wasn’t going to be easy.”

Harry Tallis shared a similar story at Christ’s College, “I knew that I had no chance of getting the questions right that I was being asked! Practical problems were posed for example asking me to work out how high a hill would have to be to get a car to loop the loop at the bottom of it. They obviously wanted to see how my thinking would respond to complex problems.”

Both boys now have their finger firmly on the pulse of achieving their academic goals. Between them they are required to obtain the highest grades this summer in their chosen A-levels: Latin, German, History, Maths, Physics and Chemistry.

Hamish went on, “The offer of a place at Cambridge has given me even more of a focus. Nothing will stop me now that I’ve been given such a prestigious opportunity.” Each student has been requested to undertake additional studies to complement their chosen degree subjects; for Harry this entails regular Maths Step sessions at Warwick University and for Hamish a residential summer school brushing up his Classical Greek.

Princethorpe College Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Mr Rod Isaacs, commented, “Applying to Cambridge is, in itself, an extremely rigorous and character-testing experience and it seems to get tougher every year. Over their time at Princethorpe College, both Harry and Hamish have applied themselves both to academic studies and to developing themselves as confident and mature young people. They have earned this success and we are exceptionally proud of their achievement.”

Plans for Princethorpe's Golden Jubilee in the academic year 2016-2017 are taking shape.

The Golden Jubilee Comittee, comprising representatives from the OPs, current staff and pupils, is meeting on a monthly basis to progress plans for the celebratory year.

Plans for Princefest - a weekend of camping, music, fun and food over the August Bank Holiday weekend 2016  - are taking shape and we hope to reveal more details on the event including ticket prices soon.

A special limited edition 'golden' version of the OP tie is to be produced and will be available shortly for pre-order.

The distinctive jubilee logo  is already being used on College stationery and the Archive Team has begun work on a commemorative Jubilee book to celebrate the Princethorpe story and an exhibition to celebrate the year.

A new Golden Jubilee Celebrations section has been added to the website which will be the place to find out all the latest news and developments. http://www.princethorpe.co.uk/news/golden-jubilee-celebrations

If you are interested in contributing to the Jubilee year in any way or would like information on any of the planned events, please email Melanie Butler.

Princethorpe College’s Annual Prize Giving Ceremony once again welcomed hundreds of Princethorpians, old and new, to the delightful Butterworth Hall at Warwick University’s Arts Centre. This joyous occasion combines a reflective view of the previous academic year’s successes, along with an eager eye on events yet to come.

The Headmaster’s opening address was one that paid tribute to pivotal historical moments: the centenary of the Great War and the Fiftieth Anniversary of Martin Luther King’s Nobel Peace Award. Such apposite reminders of key past events supported an on-going theme of the evening; that of carpe diem. This year’s winner of the Princethorpe Shield, Tom Pilling, embodied this sentiment with Mr Hester describing him as a young man whose quest for knowledge and compassion for others would certainly see him make a difference to people’s lives.

Invited guest speaker, Mr Gwilym Price MBE and former Princethorpe Director of Sport for 31 years, iterated this plea especially to the Year 7’s in the audience.  He said, “You have forty one remaining half terms before you will be in the Sixth Form. Make use of every single one of them. Be proud of the privilege you have been given by coming to this tremendous school. I have no doubt that your character will develop as you take advantage of the many opportunities that Princethorpe offers.” Gwilym gave a brief and humorous account of his recent trip to Buckingham Palace where he was awarded his MBE by Prince William. “When the Prince asked me what I had done to deserve the award all I could think of to say was “I worked at Princethorpe College,” naturally he asked me for a prospectus and if I could have a quiet word with the headmaster about entry for young George!”

Quips aside, the underlying celebratory atmosphere of the evening was galvanised by recipients of public examination certificates joining prize winners up on the stage. With sparkling musical items punctuating the awards from the College orchestra, jazz band and Year 7 choir, it was left to a final, resounding chorus of the College hymn ‘I, The Lord of Sea and Sky’ to close proceedings for another year.

Wednesday 3 June 2015 - 6.30pm to 8.30pm

An Open Evening for prospective pupils and their parents will take place on Wednesday 3 June from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. This will be an informal opportunity to look around the school and to meet pupils and staff. Children can particpate in fun activities in the different departments and the Headmaster will make presentations during the evening.

Year 5 Taster Days
Taster Days will also be available for current Year 5 students (children born between 1 September 2004 and 31 August 2005), who are interested in admission to the College in September 2016. These days will involve a number of classroom sessions, a tour of the school, lunch and other activities. The days will run from 9.45am to 3.20pm. If you are interested in booking your child on a taster day or would like to find out more, please telephone the Registrars on 01926 634201 or email elainewarwick@princethorpe.co.uk.

Taster days for Year 6 children will be available in October and November.

Friday 15 May 2015 - 6.30pm

Following the success of our foray into London's 'clubland' last year with the East India Club meeting, the OPs London meeting will take place this year in the Library of the University Women's Club, 2 Audley Square, Mayfair, London, W1K 1DB on Friday 15 May.

A light buffet will be available. Please let us know if you would like to join us so we can cater for you, email oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk by Friday 1 May.

Click here for directions.

For more information

Friday 20 March 10.30am - Mass at St Francis of Assisi Church, Kenilworth
Saturday 21 March 10.00am to 1.00pm - Open House at Crackley Hall School

To celebrate the school's 70th anniversary in 2015, Crackley Hall are planning two events to which they would like to invite all past pupils and former staff.

On Friday 20 March 2015 at 10.30am the whole school will join together at Mass at St Francis Church in Kenilworth. Numbers will necessarily be limited on the day, so we would appreciate confirmation from you if you wish to attend. Tea and coffee will be served afterwards in the adjoining Parish Centre.

On Saturday 21 March 2015 we will be holding an Open House at Crackley Hall and would like to invite you to come and have a look around the school, catch up with old friends and to reminisce.

Mr Rob Duigan the Headmaster will address visitors and introduce the Crackley Hall choir shortly before 10,3oam, after which visitors will be free to explore the school and grounds. Light refreshments will be served throughout the morning in the hall.

If you would like to join us for either of these events or know someone else who would, please respond via email to: pastpupils@crackleyhall.co.uk. We will then contact you nearer the time with further details.

Thursday 19 March 2015 at 7.30pm

The Arts Society is delighted to welcome former deputy head Margaret-Louise O’Keeffe who will give another of her inspiring illustrated lectures entitled Vincent van Gogh: Letters to my Friends on Thursday 19 March 2015 at 7.30pm in the Sixth Form Lecture Theatre, followed by wine and light refreshments in The Atrium.

2015 marks the 125th anniversary of the death of Vincent van Gogh, an artist of genius barely known in his own lifetime but now immensely popular.  Reproductions of his work are best-sellers worldwide. This slide-illustrated talk will explore a particular aspect of his life: his great capacity for friendship. Friends included an innkeeper and a postman as well as artists, and of course, Theo, his best friend and younger brother. Vincent's letters reveal his feelings, struggles and abiding compassion for others. They also provide a crucial insight into his art.

This lecture is open to anyone who would like to attend; pupils studying art at GCSE and A-level are also warmly invited. Adults cost £5, including wine and refreshments; Princethorpe pupils are free of charge.

Please click here for a booking form. Tickets may also be purchased at the door; but advance notice helps catering, please.

Saturday 7 March - 10.30am to 12.30pm

Crackley Hall and Little Crackers, Princethorpe's junior school and nursery in Kenilworth, is opening its doors for a Spring Open Morning on Saturday 7 March from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

This is a great chance to look around the school and nursery at the weekend and to chat to staff and pupils. Junior 5 and 6 pupils will act as tour guides and there will be music and sport activities on display. Light refreshments will be available.

Registrations are now being taken for Nursery, Reception, Junior 1 and Junior 3, limited places are available in other year groups. The nursery is open 48 weeks a year and is carefully structured for two-year olds, three-year olds and pre-school.

Please email Mrs Angela Barnard, Admissions Secretary or call her on 01926 514410 for more information on this event and the admissions process.

All are welcome to look round the school, and to meet staff and pupils. No need to book.

For more information visit www.crackleyhall.co.uk.

Friday 6 March 2015 from 6.30pm

The next Old Princethorpians gathering is the Rugby Pub Meet on Friday 6 March 2015.

We will be meeting at The Merchants Inn, 5-7 Little Church Street, Rugby, CV21 3AN, which has proved to be a popular venue for the last two years. We meet in a room towards the back of the pub and there will be a light buffet available.  We've had quite a lot of interest in this event so we hope to see lots of OPs there!

Click here for directions.

Old Princethorpians, the College's thriving past pupils' association, has unveiled its events calendar for the forthcoming academic year.

All OPs, past parents and staff are welcome to participate in any, or all of, the events which range from the OPs Sports Day to pub meets and the annual picnic.

After the success of last year's meet at London's East India Club, this summer we will be meeting at the University Women's Club in the heart of Mayfair on Friday 15 May.

Click here to download the calendar or visit the Old Princethorpians section www.princethorpe.co.uk for more information on Old Princethorpians.

When were you at Princethorpe? 2001-2008

What was the school like in your day?

It was a very caring place to be, every teacher knew every student. There was a lot of emphasis on developing students as people as well as education which I really felt was the difference between Princethorpe and other schools.

How did Princethorpe affect the person you are today?.

I believe it made me into a very well rounded and happy individual, accepting all walks of life. My time there helped me to believe in myself and encourage me to follow my dreams.

What advice would you give to your teenage self?

I suppose just work a little harder at the subjects you disliked as well as those you enjoyed, As some of them may come in handy when you're older.

Who or what has been the greatest influence on your life?

I’d probably say my parents. My dad has created a very successful business from a relatively poor background as well as assisting family members in building theirs, while remaining humble and a great friend along the way. My mum has always encouraged me to follow my dreams and always given invaluable advice throughout my life.

What keeps you awake at night? 

Anything and everything, when I go to bed is when my mind is at it’s most active. This is the time a generally come up with my best ideas and designs. Over the years I have learnt to always keep a note pad on my bedside table to ensure the ideas are not lost by the morning.

What has been your proudest moment/greatest achievement so far?

While on work placement at University a number of my designs made it to manufacture and are on sale in the UK as we speak. But my proudest moment would have to be opening my own Positive Outlook store in Coventry, which so far has been a success and I am now looking to move to a unit 4 times the size in spring.

What’s your biggest indulgence?

Currently I would say coffee and cheese, I love a good cheese board!

If you had to have one last meal, what would it be? 

100% full English breakfast!

What is your favourite TV Show and why? 

‘George Clarkes Amazing Spaces’, I love turning old pallets into furniture and display units and every episode gives me new ideas and materials to consider.

If you could be anywhere right now, where would it be and who would be with you? 

California with my girlfriend and best friends.

Lasting memories of Princethorpe:

I am lucky that I am still very close with nearly all of my friends from Princethorpe so it never really feels like it ended. Also A-level English classes with Mr Kerrigan, love that guy!

Are you in touch with any other Old Princethorpians, if so whom? 

As I mentioned before I see a large group on a weekly basis and the rest probably monthly.

Is there anyone you would like to track down?

Not really, I would enjoy seeing all the teachers again though.­

Lauren Robinson sends us news of her forthcoming wedding to Matt Silley. Lauren, who attended Princethorpe between 1999 and 2005, will marry Matt at St Mary’s Church, Cubbington with a reception at Wetherle Manor, on Friday 17 April this year.

Lauren graduated from Sheffield University and worked in auditing at PWC where she met Matt, an actuary. She now works as a financial analyst for the Arcadia group. Lauren and Matt are looking forward to a lovely spring wedding (fingers crossed) followed by a three months honeymoon when they will be touring South East Asia, including Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. 

Old friends from Princethorpe attending the wedding are Sophie Hine , Charlotte and James Boswell and Cat Palmi, now Mrs Waring.

We wish them a fantastic future together!

Our special day took place on Saturday 29 November 2014, a beautifully snowy day at the very picturesque Vihula Manor, situated in the north east of Estonia. It was a truly international wedding, not only because of my nationality, and that of my gorgeous wife Elina (an Estonian-Russian), but also due to the makeup of our many guests. We were honoured to have guests attend from all over Estonia, as well as a large UK contingent (many of whom were associated with Princethorpe, of course!), France, and even Dubai!

We decided, due to our mixed heritage, to have a combination of customs. We had the usual cake, first dance ('Fly Me to the Moon') and throwing of Elina’s bouquet. But we also mixed in some Russian traditions, which included the baking of Karavai, a bread that is believed to bring good luck to the newlyweds, and also ‘the stealing of the bride’ (a custom in which the groom has to perform to ‘win’ his wife back). I decided to get everyone on their feet for a spot of the Conga! I’m pleased to say that this was enough to win Elina back!

It was a wonderful day and the new Mr and Mrs Corkhill are now very happily adjusting to married life, which started in the best possible way with us flying to Cancun, Mexico for our Honeymoon. We spent 10 wonderful days there (mainly on the beach!) and got very nicely tanned in the process. It was amazing!

We're really looking forward to visiting our family at Princethorpe very soon.

Congratulations to Kathleen (O'Keeffe) and Michael McCann on the birth of their first child, Malachy Patrick, who was born on 22 April 2014, which just happened to be the 30th birthday of his Uncle Seamus.

OPs Megan Price and Tom Redman announced their engagement at the end of September 2014 and are planning their wedding day at the College for Saturday 25 July 2015.

The happy couple were in the same Year Group and both left the College in 2008. We wish them well for the future and can't wait to see the photos of their big day!

Congratulations to Mark and Sarah Woods on the arrival of Nancy Lois born at 10.00pm on 27 January and weighing in at 7lbs 7oz.

Nancy is a little sister to Stanley, age 7, and Louis, age four.

2015 got off to a good start for Simon and Jessica Dring with the arrival of Bailey Mason Dring.

Bailey was born at 8.45am on Tuesday 6 January 2015 weighing 6lb 10oz.

Congratulations to all the family!

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Old Princethorpian, James Pope, who passed away in October 2014 after a battle with cancer, aged 44 years.

James was a pupil at Princethorpe from 1981 and was Head Boy in 1987-88.

Alex Darkes remembers James as 'as a very cheery soul who was able to get on with everyone, including his deputies, Steve Doherty and Tony Mogboh.'   

James went on to study Humanities at Glamorgan and was employed as Head of Student Services at Northampton University, a role that he was clearly very good at.

He was recognised by the University in 2009 for his exceptional contribution to the welfare of students. The university said James "epitomised all that the university strived to be: learner-centred, supportive and professional".

Charlie Beresford-Webb, a fellow OP, was a lifelong friend and continues his contact very strongly with the family. 

James leaves behind his wife, Becky and sons, Tom, age 14 and Dan, age 10.

Old Princethorpians were greatly saddened to hear of the death of Philip Dawtrey just before Christmas. Phil, along with his brother Richard, was a pupil at Princethorpe in the early 1970s. Phil was married to Gill and had two grown up children and lived near Yeovil.

Phil was born on a farm in Norfolk where his father was a farmer in the mid 1950s.  The family left that farm and went to Tanzania in 1960 to live. The boys went to school in Arusha near Mount Kilimanjaro  which was three days by bus on dirt roads from where they lived in the Southern Highlands near the boarder with Zambia.

Later the family moved to Zambia from where the boys came to school at Princethorpe, flying home at the end of most terms, often in the company of fellow pupils Jean-Pierre Parsons and Derek Kelly.

Phil was a proud member of the basketball team along with Chris Cox, Colin Waldron, Jeremy Peacock and John Wheildon. He was Vice House Captain 72/73 for Benet House.

When he left school he went to college in Stockport to study engineering and design. He worked for a number of companies prior to joining Stenna Lifts as a design engineer, coincidentally he designed a lift for Princethorpe which was fitted a year or so ago.

Fellow pupil, Jean-Pierre Parsons, commented on his old friend, “My recollection is that Philip was always a popular boy during his time at Princethorpe. He was a good ‘all rounder’, proficient at sport, a talented musician and an excellent artist.  Phil was always great company and had a good sense of fun.  No doubt all of his former school friends will be saddened by the news of his death.”

Our thoughts go out to Phil's brother, Richard, his wife, Gill, and all his family and friends.

Phil is pictured in 1973 wearing the No 7 vest in this basketball team picture.

We thought the OPs might enjoy reading Fr Clarkson's foreword from the College publication Princethorpe '76, ten years after the school moved to Princethorpe.

We think it makes for interesting reading and hope you do too!

Fr clarkson missive.docx

Since my arrival in August 2014, there has been a great deal of activity. I have purchased a large number of archive boxes and polyester pockets to house photographs and other documents. A unit has been fitted to make sure that the environmental conditions in the Archive Room are kept at the recommended levels. I have been working my way through the backlog of material, which ranges from school magazines to prospectuses, and am cataloguing these items onto the PastPerfect database. It is a fascinating collection because it covers the ‘lives’ of Princethorpe College, Crackley Hall School, St Bede’s College, St Mary’s Priory, St Joseph’s School and Abbotsford School.

With the Golden Jubilee celebrations coming up, much of my time will now be devoted to researching the history of the College, planning displays of material and helping with the publication of a new book. To that end, I have begun to catalogue and digitise the photographic collection kept in the Archive Room. There are approximately 5,000 prints which should keep me occupied for some time to come! We are fortunate to have a number of early postcards and one was sent during the First World War. Although it is difficult to decipher the name of the writer, it nevertheless tells us that 64 Belgian nuns found refuge at the Priory during the conflict.

The Archive continues to grow and is reliant upon donations. If you would like to give anything to the Archive, please get in touch. We are very happy to receive scans of items if you do not want to part with the originals. We do not just collect magazines and calendars, but also take clothing and other objects associated with the school. We are looking for your memories too and would welcome old stories!

To contact me please email nickbaker@princethorpe.co.uk.

Dr Nick Baker
Archivist 

The OPs had a nice message from former member of staff Moira Weir who, along with her husband Pat, is keen to get in touch with any of their past pupils:

Pat and I were at Princethorpe from 1975 until 2001; he was Head of English and I taught English and was Head of Sixth Form for the last 12 years of our time at the College.

I have been reading the Old Princethorpian since its inception and have so enjoyed discovering all the wonderful things now happening at College and the stories of so many of my pupils, whom I remember with so much affection.

I wanted to record this and, perhaps, waken equally fond memories in the hearts of our students so have written the attached.

The photo was taken on the occasion of our 40th wedding anniversary, so it's no wonder we look so jolly!

Best wishes to all who might remember us at Princethorpe.

If you'd like to get in touch with Pat and Moira email oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk and we will reconnect you!

Dear Old Princethorpians,

What a pleasure it is to read of your successes –and those of the College -in these pages and how devastating to learn of your tragedies. But, of course, I don’t see the skilled lawyers, actors, artists, doctors, policemen, scientists, charity workers and proud parents who appear here. No, to me you are truly forever young, caught in that wonderful, uncertain moment between teenage fears and adult passions, on the cusp of something terrifying and wonderful.

I often catch you in the wings of the theatre –Ian Lucas in shimmering silver as an irrepressible mirror in ‘Snow White’; Emilio Doorgasingh and Joe Ruddy as punks in bin bags; virtually the whole Sixth Form line-dancing in front of an audience of unsuspecting parents; Tommy Hilditch and Caspar Davis leading surely the rudest troupe of Rude Mechanicals out under the stars (and then taking off round Burnthurst Lane kitted out in embroidered priests’ vestments on two bikes); the inventiveness of Chris James  and Renaldo Merlo with the music for ‘A Tale of Two Cities’; Conrad Howard convincing us there really was a bright golden haze on the meadow. All the forgotten lines, wobbly sets, bonkers dancing, tantrums, tears and, above all, laughter – mostly that of my husband and Lou Skiffington, helpless in the wings - that went into College productions. 

To read more of Moira's message to Old Princethorpians click on the attachment below.

Old Princethorpians Moira Weir message.doc

OPs Kieren Larkin and Jose Ramon Quintanal Sasian have been in touch, both interested in hearing from fellow past pupils from their time at the College.

Kieren joined Princethorpe in its second year as a school having come from St Bede's in the mid 60s and was at the College up to the early 70s.

Jose Ramon Quintanal Sasian is interested in establishing contact with peers from the class of 76/77.

If you would like to get in touch with Kieren or Jose Ramon please email Old Princethorpians with your details.

Since the last edition of The Old Princethorpian in October, we've had a bumper number of OPs from across the decades either adding or updating their details on the database.

To check them out go to the OPs part of the website and register or logon if you have already registered.

http://www.princethorpe.co.uk/old-princethorpians

Matthew Cheshire - 1979 to 1985

Ivan Barry - 1981 to 1988

Meg O'Gorman - 2007 - 2012

John Walsh - 1967 to 1974

Tony O'Mara - 1967 to 1972

Adrian Roberts - 1989 to 1994

Martin Gallagher - 1981 to 1986

Rodger Gibbs - 1984 to 1989

Peter Wright - 1971 to 1976

David Gibson - 1988 to 1993

Peter Cox - 1979 to 1983

Christopher Santamarina - 1982 - 1987

Colin Taylor - 1979 to 1983

Welcome to them all!

My Story
I am an old Princethorpian that attended Princethorpe College (between 1986 and 1993) back in the good old days when the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart ruled the roost, when it was an all-boys school with boarders that needed exeats to go to Leamington Spa on a weekend. Those days are long gone now - actually over half a life time ago! When I attended, I saw school as a mechanism for getting the best grades I could. With maturity, I now realise I was given a fantastic opportunity by my parents that would shape my own principles and future aspirations. I guess my parents were putting an opportunity in front of me and waiting for me to take it!

I work for a small start-up, biotechnology company that is working on very exciting therapies that really improve vision. This year I am running the London Marathon for the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to help raise awareness for the blind and the visually impaired. I would like to make a small contribution to this cause and would appreciate any donations - no amount is too small!

Some Key Facts From The World Health Organisation (WHO)
Did you know the WHO estimates that there are 285 million people worldwide who are visually impaired and 39 million people who are blind. Yet, 80% of all visual impairment can be prevented or even cured!  So ...

How To Make A Donation
Please visit my Just Giving site - please see 

https://www.justgiving.com/christ-wright/ 

Congratulations to OP Jordan King who will graduate to the Formula 1-supporting GP2 Series this year, after agreeing terms to compete for multiple race and title-winning outfit Racing Engineering during the next phase of his burgeoning single-seater career.
 
King steps up to the grand prix feeder series from a successful sophomore FIA Formula 3 European Championship campaign, in which he wound up an excellent seventh overall amongst no fewer than 30 supremely high-calibre contenders, tallying seven podium finishes along the way.
 
The talented young Warwickshire ace subsequently found himself facing a choice between GP2 and Formula Renault 3.5 for 2015, and it was a standout performance at the end-of-season Abu Dhabi GP2 test that cemented his decision.
 
Over the course of 150 laps around the Yas Marina Circuit, King turned heads the entire length of the pit-lane by demonstrating scintillating raw speed, lapping consistently inside the top six in the 26-strong field and ending two of the sessions ensconced in second place on the timing screens. In so doing, he outpaced a whole host of infinitely more experienced rivals – some backed by F1 powerhouses Ferrari, Red Bull and Lotus.
 
Off the back of that scene-stealing effort, the 20-year-old FIA Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy member became a hot property indeed, and was in discussions with a handful of GP2 teams before signing for Racing Engineering.
 
The Spanish squad’s calibre in the fiercely-contested category speaks for itself, with two drivers’ crowns to its credit – in 2008 and 2013 – and a top four championship finish in the teams’ table for the last seven years straight.
 
Racing Engineering’s illustrious alumni include Justin Wilson, Franck Montagny and Lucas Di Grassi – all of whom went on to compete at the pinnacle of international motorsport in Formula 1 – and a certain Sebastian Vettel. Little wonder King is confident he is in safe hands.
 
“We talked to a few different teams, and it was a tough decision to make,” reflected the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) SuperStar, MSA Team UK protégé and former McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award finalist and British F3 Champion. “There were a lot of factors to take into consideration and I did a lot of research and thinking before reaching a conclusion.
 
“As a rookie entering a new championship, it’s very important to go with an established and experienced team – and Racing Engineering ticks all the boxes. They have a tremendous amount of knowledge and expertise and all the necessary resources at their disposal, and they understand how to get the best out of young drivers – which is just what I need at such a crucial stage of my career.
 
“They clearly have exceptional credentials and a winning pedigree. It’s an ultra-professional team whose sole focus is on GP2, whereas a lot of other teams compete in several different championships – and in my view, this single-minded approach can only be beneficial.
 
“Of course, the standard in GP2 is so high that all the teams on the grid do a fantastic job, but Racing Engineering has been a consistently strong force every year and I’m confident they will give me a good car weekend-in, weekend-out. When I visited the team’s workshop in Spain, I was very encouraged and reassured by what I discovered. They showed me some of the systems they have there, and it’s really a very impressive set-up. Everything looks to be in-place to attain results.
 
“GP2 definitely feels like the natural next step in my career. I came out of the test in Abu Dhabi with my head held high; the car really seemed to suit me and I clicked with it pretty much straightaway. I’ve learned and achieved everything I could have in the lower formulae and have developed as a driver along the way. Both physically and mentally, I feel very well-prepared for the challenges to come.
 
“It’s too early to set any expectations just yet – there’s plenty of hard work ahead and I’m well aware that I have a lot to take on-board – but we know what the goal is and I’m really excited about it all. I can’t wait to get going!”
 
“We are delighted that Jordan will be joining us in 2015,” echoed Racing Engineering President Alfonso de Orléans Borbon. “We have been following his career path for some time now, and what really convinced us was his professional approach to racing, both on and off the track. I have rarely seen a driver so determined and hard-working to make his dream to get to F1 come true.
 
“2015 will be Jordan’s rookie season in GP2, and though there are many things to learn before the first race in Bahrain, we have high hopes he will advance rapidly. We are sure it will be a pleasure to work with such a professional, mature and dedicated driver.”

Singer/songwriter Emily Wilson or eG as she is known, who left Princethorpe in 2008, is preparing for a busy summer in which she'll perform with her band at both Glastonbury and The Secret Garden Party.

After a series of successful gigs in 2014, eG has been offered a regular slot at London's Troubadour.

Her debut single, This Is My Life, proved to be a great success and her latest track, Wrong Way, is to be released soon. She's definitely one to watch on the music scene this year!

You can find out more by visiting Emily's Facebook page www.facebook.com/eGMusicOfficial

Congratulations to OP Guy Ratcliffe, who left in 2011, he has just learnt that he's been successful in the rigorous selection process for the Royal Millitary Academy Sandhurst.

The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Surrey is where all officers in the British Army are trained to take on the responsibilities of leading the soldiers under their command.

Guy comments, "The course at Sandhurst is 47 weeks long and "aims to turn young men and women into British army officers capable of leading individuals on operations", basically lots of running, lots of being wet, tired and cold, lots of ironing and lots of lectures."

As the final part of the selection process Guy attended a four-day assessment centre, which tested all aspects of a candidate's personal attributes - fitness, intellegence and written communication. As well as the ability to lead and work as part of a team through various obstacle based command tasks and leaderless tasks.

"As you might imagine with any four day job interview it was a very tense week, I cannot explain my relief upon finishing the closing race on the last day, but I can tell you it definitely worth the anxious sweat on opening the letter the next day. The next step for me now is a PCCBC (Pre-commissioning course briefing course) later this month and then the beginning of my commissioning course on Monday 4 May."

Being an army officer is something that's appealed to me from a very young age and as I got older that desire never really went away. Since uni I've been focusing on passing the selection board, but have also been working for Mr Friswell on his farm. Upon leaving Sandhurst and completing the course you are awarded with the Queen's Commission. I'm trying to go in as open-minded as possible but would at the moment like to be an infantry officer, possibly with the Mercian Regiment who were my sponsors through the selection process."

We wish Guy all the very best with his training!

Old Princethorpian and former A-level Theatre Studies student, Rob Mitchell who left in Summer 2011, made his big screen debut at the end of 2014.

Rob earned himself a role in Kajaki: The True Story, a British war movie which tells the story of a remarkable day in the Afghanistan Campaign.  The film had a Leicester Square premiere and was released in all VUE cinemas nationwide at the end of November.

Rob picks up the story, "It was my first job out of drama school, so I was over the moon. My character "Faz", a young sub-machine gunner was on his first tour of Afghanistan.

We had a boot camp with the army the week before we flew out to film. I quickly learned it's all about looking after your mate next to you in the field of battle, you would do anything for him. As a cast we all bonded amazingly well from that week. It was a pretty overwhelming experience, especially in 50 degree heat in Jordan for six weeks, I highly recommend suncream.

At points I had to pinch myself as my fellow cast were unbelievable but at the same time I was there to tell the story of these courageous, brave soldiers who found themselves trapped in a minefield with seemingly no way out.

The film is not really about war at all, it's about friendship (a lot of banter) more than anything and keeping your mates heads up in the most horrific of circumstances. Quite incredible when you remind yourself this was all true.

It was an honour to be a part of Kajaki and I'm very proud to hopefully have helped produce an on screen legacy for all our soldiers who fought in Afghanistan, wounded, or who made the ultimate sacrifice."

We wish Rob well for future film roles!

Jordan Griffith who left Princethorpe last summer has been accepted onto the Young Engineer for Britain Mentoring Scheme with his A-level Product Design Project, the Power House.

Jordan, who is currently reading Product Design at Cardiff University, has been assigned an engineering mentor who is assisting him with the further commercial development of his project. If Jordan is successful on the scheme he will go on to represent the UK at the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair to be held in Pittsburgh, USA in May 2015.

In the meantime he will also be competing in the National Finals of the YEB with his project in March 2015.

Jordan recently took time out of his studies to talk to Princethorpe's current Sixth Form design students about his degree course, we wish him well!

I have been a professional artist for about 14 years and have recently had two big breaks.

The Autry Masters exhibition is one of them...

http://theautry.org/masters-of-the-american-west/masters-of-the-american-west

The other is being invited into the Couer d'alene art auction....

http://www.cdaartauction.com/

These are good platforms which I hope will help put me on the world stage in art. 

I went to Princethorpe in the second grade in 1982 and left before the Sixth Form. Art lessons at school were with Mr and Mrs Skiffington and were always a fun time for me... Favourite lesson.

I've exhibited around the country for years at country fairs like the CLA game fair. I mainly painted wildlife and have collectors here in the UK.

Two years ago I was contacted by a gallery owner on Facebook after posting a photograph of my paintings onto a wildlife art group. That gallery owner, Joanne Watson Fine Art, deals in high end art and discussed the potential for her to represent me in the USA. She introduced me to Scott Usher of The Greenwich Workshop who now publish my work in print. 

http://www.greenwichworkshop.com/bye/letmeout.asp

Having initially started over there with wildlife paintings, I have just completed two cowboy paintings which seem to have made some important people sit up and take notice.

Click on the gallery attached to see some of John's wildlife work and the latest cowboy paintings. For more information visit www.johnbye.com

The College's Administration Team has welcomed Jennifer Vaughan as part-time Receptionist and Secretary. 

Not completely new to Princethorpe, Jenny is a past pupil who sat her A-levels at the College in 2002 before going on to obtain a degree in Creative Studies in English at Bath Spa University.

Jenny has worked in Coventry libraries since leaving university and now lives in Kenilworth with her husband and two sons.  A keen runner and cyclist “which I try to fit into my spare time when not ferrying the boys to their own sports clubs!”, Jenny is due to run the Warwick half marathon in March.

Of her return to Princethorpe, Jenny says, "It is a little strange to be sitting on the other side of the desk but it was also a lot like coming home!"

We wish Jenny well with her new role and hope she will get involved with upcoming OP initiatives.