Old Princethorpians

OPs who would like to get a flavour of what College life is like for our pupils today can download a copy of The Pinnacle. Issue 10 is out today Friday 5 October.

The Pinnacle showcases exceptional work by our pupils across the Foundation. This issue celebrates a wide range of academic and sporting achievements, plus a feature on the summer Camps International trip to Tanzania.

Click below if you would like to download a copy.

Updated Oct Pinnacle web friendly.pdf

Languages teacher Mrs Stella Keenan has raised over £250 for Cancer Charity Myeloma UK. She was inspired to run the recent Kenilworth Half Marathon in an effort to support her colleague Sarah Stewart who is receiving treatment for a rare form of cancer, myeloma.

Many OPs will know Sarah, Head of the Modern Languages Department, who has worked at the College since 1985. Sarah is responding well to treatment and remains in very close touch with Princethorpe.

Not only did the Stella complete the 13.1 miles in two hours, but she also inspired all the teachers in the Modern Languages department to hold a cake sale in order to raise further cash. Cakes were baked by many colleagues, which were then sold in the staff room during one of the pre-term training days.

Stella described her efforts, “Whilst the race was hard work it has been worth every second to try to do something practical to support Sarah. Myeloma is a lesser known cancer so I feel it is very important to raise awareness about this less publicised thread of the disease.”

OP Clem Clements' visit to the College's Summer Fete and Motoring Festival at the end of June paid dividends.

Arriving in his gyrocopter to the delight of the assembled crowds, Clem was himself delighted when he learnt that he had won the Best Commercial Vehicle category, voted for by the other Motoring Festival participants.

Image shows Clem receiving his prize from Alex Darkes, organiser of the Motoring Festival.

Towards the end of the summer holidays Princethorpe was transformed into a film set by the BBC who decided that the College was the perfect setting for some scenes from its new period crime drama 'Father Brown'.

During the filming which took place over a week in August, nuns walked the cloisters for the first time in nearly 50 years and some pupils even got the chance to be extras.

Comments Foundation Bursar, Eddie Tolcher, "We are looking at new ways to generate income for the College and this was a very exciting project to be involved in. Now the BBC know where we are hopefully we'll be considered for future filming opportunities."

The series, based on the G K Chesterton novels, will star Harry Potter and The Fast Show's Mark Williams as Father Brown investigating different crimes in the local area. With a kind heart, he seeks to forgive those who have done wrong while getting to the bottom of the mysteries.

We look forward to seeing the series on our screens in Spring 2013.

The College has just unveiled a new look website and advertising campaign for the new academic year.

The website, which has a fresher, more modern look and feel with eye-catching images, links into the College's systems to feature a real time calendar and staff information. Later in  October the site will also feature a new short film about the College and its ethos from the pupils' perspective.

Old Princethorpians can find information relevant to them on their own dedicated button at the bottom of the site, click here to link.

The new ad campaign, which is appearing currently at Leamington train station, on bus backs, bill boards and in local print media, asserts that contrary to popular belief, 'Great minds don't think alike'.

The eye catching graphic of a flip-top-headed youngster with lots of different feelings about what they want from school is accompanied by copy explaining how at Princethorpe we don't have a 'one size fits all' approach to education.  It goes on to explain how we help our pupils develop as individuals to become the best that they can be.

Comments, Alex Darkes, Assistant Head, Marketing and Operations, "We obviously hope the new website and ad campaign will grab people's attention. The ads are designed to make people smile, but we also want them to come away understanding what we are about and wanting to come and find out more."

Summer 2012 saw some very pleasing A-level and GCSE results for the College's pupils, these are very strong indicators that the school’s academic achievements across the ability range continue to go from strength to strength.

This summer at the top end a third of all A-level grades were A* or A and over 60% of grades were A*, A or B; our best A-level results in the College’s history by some margin. At GCSE almost two fifths of GCSE grades were A* or A.

A-level summary results:

• 87 candidates
• 28% A* & A
• 65% A* to B
• 87% A to C

Top performers included Megan O’Gorman with four A*s and an A, outgoing Head Girl, Ellie Eaton, with three A*s and Jack Collins also with three A*s.

GCSE summary results:

• 139 candidates
• almost 40% grades A* or A
• over 70% at grade B or better
• 15% of candidates achieved at least nine A* or A grades.

Headmaster, Ed Hester, said that he was delighted with the results and particularly pleased that pupils have achieved more grades at A* and A than ever before.

“These results are the best ever in the College’s history, with 65% of all grades at B or better. Whilst we are of course delighted with their academic achievements, these pupils have many other fine qualities: kindness, respect and a strong sense of right and wrong which will be as important for them - if not more - as they move on to the next phase of their education. This is a year group which has worked exceptionally hard and I am delighted pupils have been rewarded for their outstanding efforts,” he commented.

Image shows from left to right, Jack Collins, Lizzie Hester, Emilie Reszka, Ed Hester (Headmaster), Catherine Boraston and Daniel Leung.

It was great to see brother and sister Mikey and Hannah Logue back on site on Tuesday 11 September. They returned to pass on valuable advice about the travelling and volunteering work they had each undertaken since leaving Princethorpe.

Mikey, who left in 2010, began with his fascinating tales of travel abroad during his Gap year. His journeys took him across South East Asia and Australia. Mikey provided plenty of valuable tips to those Lower Sixth students who were already perhaps considering embarking on such an experience. He offered wise words when it came to deterring potential thieves explaining the importance of carrying a fake wallet and expired credit cards to throw at anyone who should cross your path. He advised on areas such as transport, communicating with the locals, vaccinations, security, visas and having the all-important escape route if things don’t go according to plan.

Mikey’s colourful talk sold the idea of Gap life to the 107 Lower Sixth students in the audience with his final words being “do things you would have never thought possible.”

Younger sister Hannah, who left Princethorpe in summer 2012, shared her experiences of volunteering work in Burkina Faso, Africa. Hannah’s delightful account of her time spent living within a Burkina Faso compound gave students an insight into the sort of work available in the third poorest country in the world. She talked through photographs of her working with orphans and nursery age children and explained how she helped to make a difference to their buildings by putting her artistic skills to good use with some painting work. Her attachment to the people and place was clear as she described how, through Red Cross funding, they were able to treat the children to a day out at a playground; something many of them had not previously experienced.

Hannah’s experiences contrasted with her brother’s offering our Lower Sixth students an insight into the ways in which life in and beyond Sixth Form can be enriched by having the drive and the desire to achieve something different.

Thanks to both of them for making the time to come back to College to share their experiences with us.

A beautiful sunny day brought many old faces back to the College on Saturday 1 September as we celebrated and remembered one of our Old Princethorpians Alex Wallis, who was tragically killed in a car crash on New Year's Eve 2010.

The first ever OPs Sports Day was a true sporting spectacle as the College played the Old Princethorpians at rugby, netball and boys and girls hockey with all the points being added together to produce a collective sporting score for the honour of raising the Alex Wallis Memorial Shield.

All games were closely contested with the Old Princethorpians teams including some fantastic players from the past years.

As the culmination of the day the John Shinkwin Trophy Rugby Match was contested for the fourth year with the Old Princethorpians looking to overturn last year's pasting.

The College had completed a solid pre-season with many new faces and started the game on the front foot as they controlled the early exchanges. The Old Boys featured many experienced players and some who are playing a good standard of university rugby.  

Soon the game started to change as Princethorpe tried to force the pass and began to put themselves under pressure. The deadlock was broken as Princethorpe were awarded a penalty which was converted by McCallum. This lead was short lived as the Old Princethorpians escaped the College's tackles for Joe Gravestock to crash over. Half Time 5-3.

The second half tested everyone’s fitness as holes started to appear in both teams' defences. Both sides continued to try and play rugby and the College should have converted an early chance with a try but again the pass didn’t go to hand. The final score was 11-3 to the Old Boys who regained the John Shinkwin Trophy deservedly and ended a fantastic day of sport and celebration.

The final overall result saw the Old Princethorpians win the Alex Wallis Memorial Shield 34-26, but sport was the real winner on the day and all involved certainly played in the true college spirit as we remembered ‘Wallis.’

Images show the OPs 1st XV and John Shinkwin presenting the Shinkwin Cup to Ben Warman and Richard Sidaway.

The date of next year's OPs Sports Day is Saturday 31 August 2013, contact jonfitt@princethorpe.co.uk if you would like to get involved.

Sunday 25 November 2.00pm to 4.30pm

The College's annual PTA Christmas Fair will take place on Sunday 25 November 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!

This is a good chance to see the College at a weekend and all the family are very welcome to come along!

Wednesday 14 November - 7.30pm to 9.30pm

Aimed at internal and external prospective Sixth Formers and their parents, this is an opportunity to get an insight into the Sixth Form experience at Princethorpe, to meet staff and members of the Sixth Form and to get specific A-level information and advice.

Individual taster days for prospective external Sixth Formers are available. For more information please contact the Registrar, Mrs Loretta Curtis on 01926 634201 or email lorettacurtis@princethorpe.co.uk.

Scholarships and bursaries are available.

Friday 9 November - Drinks Reception from 6.30pm, Prize Giving from 7.30pm

This year's Prize Giving will be held on Friday 9 November in the Butterworth Hall at Warwick Arts Centre beginning at 7.30pm.

Our guest of honour and speaker this year is the inspirational Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, OBE, Founder and CEO of Mary's Meals, a charity long-supported by Princethorpe, which aims to feed over 650,000 children in 16 countries across the world every day.

The OPs Committee traditionally hosts a special Drinks Reception before the ceremony for the U6 leavers and other invited guests. All OPs are cordially invited to join us for the Pre-Drinks and for the Prize Giving Ceremony.

RSVP with the number in your party, stating that you are an Old Princethorpian, to Carmelhopkins@princethorpe.co.uk by Friday 12 October please.

Old Princethorpians who are considering Princethorpe as a senior school option for their child are informed of the following events aimed at prospective pupils for September 2013.

Taster Days

Taster Days are now available for current Year 6 students (children born between 1 September 2001 and 31 August 2002), who are interested in admission to Princethorpe in September 2013.

The dates are as follows:

Tuesday 6 November and Monday 12 November

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.

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Entrance Examinations

Entrance Examinations for September 2013 entry for all age groups (except Sixth Form) will take place on Saturday 19 January 2013 from 9.00am to 3.00pm. All candidates must be registered at least a week before sitting the Entrance Examination.

To book your child's place on a Taster Day or for more information on the admissions process telephone the Admissions Registrar, Mrs Loretta Curtis on 01926 634201 or email lorettacurtis@princethorpe.co.uk.

Thursday 11 October - 10.00am to 3.00pm

Crackley Hall, Princethorpe's junior school and nursery in Kenilworth, is opening its doors for an open day on Thursday 11 October from 10.00am to 3.00pm.

Exciting building work to provide more classrooms, specialist teaching rooms for Art and Music, bettter IT, Science and Technology and improved sports changing rooms has been ongoing at Crackley over the summer. Visitors will be able to see progress made on the project which is due for completion soon.

Little Crackers is open for 48 weeks of the year and year round and term time places are now available.

All are welcome to look round the school and nursery, and to meet staff and pupils during a normal working day. No need to book.

For more information call 01926 514444 or visit www.crackleyhall.co.uk.

Sunday 7 October - 2.00pm to 5.00pm

The annual College Open Afternoon takes place this weekend on Sunday 7 October from 2.00pm to 5.00pm. 

All OPs and their families are most welcome to visit the College and younger visitors are encouraged to participate in the many fun subject-related activities around the various departments.

The Headmaster will address visitors during the afternoon and refreshments will be available.

Old Princethorpians 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 pub meets and pizza nights to the annual picnic.

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

J1627 PC OP Calendar card web.pdf

Age: 31 

I am originally from Coventry. My immediate family are all Princethorpians: My mum has recently retired from 30 years of being Director of Music; My dad taught the violin peripatetically and both my sister and I attended as students.

Currently I live in London. I work as a full time Mix Engineer, Music Programmer and Composer for Chris Egan Music, based at Abbey Road Studios.

When were you at Princethorpe:

I attended the college between 1995 and 1999 for my GCSEs and A-Levels, but since my mum had been Director of Music at the school since I was in nappies, I have spent most of my life there in one way or another. One of my earlier memories of the College was at the age of nine, being brought up from Our Lady’s Primary School down the road to play trumpet in the school production of Oklahoma.

What was the school like in your day?

A lot smaller. The encompassing grounds were the same size, but there were a lot less buildings and a lot less students. Everybody knew everyone else; it was like a big family.

How did Princethorpe affect the person you are today?

Fairly dramatically, I think. I had come from a state school in Coventry and it’s fair to say that I’d lost my way a little. Moving to Princethorpe was really a revelation in my life. The staff were so supportive and caring; it was an environment that really nurtured and encouraged. Hobbies and interests were met with facilities and development and everyone was always keen to help out and explain.

What advice would you give to your teenage self?

You don’t know best, listen to and learn from those who do.

School is easy compared to the rest of the world. Enjoy it!

Don’t be in such a rush to grow up.

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

My family has really been the most important factor in my life. Supportive through thick and thin, utterly mad and wonderful at the same time!

What keeps you awake at night? 

I’m generally unsettled by anything unknown. Whether it’s work-related or not, until I’m familiar with something new or different, I’ll be thinking about everything that can go wrong! But it does come in useful unravelling problems, so maybe it’s a good thing.

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

I can’t think of one specific thing out of so many amazing events, so I’m going to go with my work as a whole. I’m lucky enough to be based in the most famous recording studio in the world, writing, mixing and programming music for Film, TV and Theatre. I get to work with the best musicians in the country and listen to them performing my music. That’s always an amazing feeling.

What’s your biggest indulgence?

Gadgets! I’m a sucker for anything shiny and electronic. Especially if it has an apple on it!

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

At the moment, either an amazing Thai meal, or my Grandpa’s Under-Roast.

What is your favourite TV Show and why?

Currently, The Big Bang Theory. It’s really easy going humour and also quite informative!

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

I’ve been having fantasies recently about beaches, spas and infinity pools surrounded by palm trees! And as long as there’s great company and conversation with plenty of laughs, then anybody can come along!

Lasting memories of Princethorpe:

The big Theatre Show every Christmas; the Christmas Fair; Poetry Picnics in the woods; Choir Tours.

Are you in touch with any other Old Princethorpians?

Yes, I’m still in touch with my close friends from Princethorpe. 

Is there anyone you would like to track down?

Facebook has made finding old friends really easy!

OP Mark Woods (86 - 93) brought his wife Sarah and young sons, Stanley, five and Louis, two, back to the College in the summer for a special trip down memory lane.

Mark takes up the story...

From the moment I turned into the driveway on a sunny Sunday in August I knew this was going to be a very special day.

Over 25 years ago I was making this same journey as a school boy and now here I was coming back with my family to see my two sons baptised.

Our eldest, 5-year old Stanley, was fascinated by the 'gold' chapel and was chattering and pointing away as I told him that I'd often sat in the very spot he was now in when I was a boy listening to Father Whelan or Father Sweeney.

Father Teddie O'Brien led mass that day though, followed by an intimate ceremony to welcome our sons into the Catholic family and despite a good dousing with holy water both of the little ones enjoyed the whole experience immensely.

But the day was most special of all for me - back in a place I'd spent so much joyful time in to see the next generation keep the candle burning.

Congratulations to Graeme and Kerry Low on the birth of their second child, a son, Dexter Forrest, born on 4 September at 1.30am.

In his rush to join the world, Dexter, nearly made his arrival in the hospital car park. A healthy 7lb 5oz, he's a welcome addition to the Low family, joining big sister Darcy, age three-and-a-half.

Graeme was at Princethorpe, from 1987 to 1991 and is a Carbon Management Officer at Islington Council and his wife Kerry also has a Princethorpe connection, working in the school as our Careers Advisor.

We wish them all well!

9 November 1921 - 24 August 2012

The Princethorpe community was saddened to learn of the recent death, in his ninety-first year, of Father John Kevin Fleming MSC, who was Princethorpe’s first Headmaster from 1966 to 1969.

After ordination, Father Fleming went to the MSC mission in Papua New Guinea. On his return, he obtained his BA degree and the Higher Diploma in Education and was then appointed to the newly established St Bede’s School in Leamington Spa.  Within a year he was appointed headmaster of the school. He applied himself with great enthusiasm and dedication and was a man of the ‘strict observance’ so community life was adhered to with great fidelity to prayer.

Under Father Fleming’s leadership the school grew in numbers and flourished in reputation, so much so that despite the purchase of nearby buildings for classrooms, the school was forced to look further afield for bigger premises. Fortunately, a Benedictine Priory was for sale some seven miles outside of Leamington Spa and so Princethorpe College was founded.  Father Fleming was appointed superior of the community and the first headmaster of the school.

The establishment of this newly-founded school was a challenging task to undertake but he did so with his accustomed sense of purpose and vision, so that by the end of his term of office, the College was well and truly on its way to becoming the successful and popular school which it is today. 

On leaving Princethorpe, Father Fleming moved to Kirkby, Liverpool, where he continued in the ministry of education in St Kevin’s comprehensive school. He then moved back to Ireland to Coláiste an Croí Naofa Carraig na bhFear where he taught.

Following a further two years from 1973 to 1975, guiding and directing MSC students in Moyne Park, Co. Galway, Father Fleming again felt the call of his first love, the foreign missions. moving to Goodwood in South Africa, remaining there until 1981. On his return to Ireland he joined the community in Grace Dieu, Waterford, and in 1987 was appointed chaplain to the Little Sisters of the Poor in Waterford City and also spiritual director to the seminarians in St John’s seminary. He remained in Waterford until he retired to the MSC house in Western Road Cork in October 2003.

In all his ministries, be it the foreign missions, education, formation or chaplaincy, John Kevin gave of himself generously and selflessly in the service of God.

The Princethorpe community sends heartfelt condolences to Father John Kevin Fleming’s confreres. May he rest in peace. 

In the last issue of the Old Princethorpian we asked for some help tracking down Bruce West's friend, Patrick.

Information was sketchy to say the least, but the OPs network came up trumps with Leigh Middleton putting us right on Patrick's surname, not Hulligan but Mulligan and he even located him in London as the proprietor of the Narrow Boat pub, St Peter's Street, Islington.

Bruce was 'over the moon' according to daughter Kelly who kicked off the search and the pair are now back in touch. Thanks to Leigh for the great detective work!

Here Patrick tells us what he has been up to over the years.

Thank you for putting me back in touch with Bruce West, he and his family were extremely kind to me when I was a boarder. I was not a model student at Princethorpe hence I left when I was just 15 (pushed or jumped I'm not sure).

After 'O' and 'A' Levels I went to study Maths at Hull Uni but only for two years. I travelled for a couple of years and on my return worked various street markets in London. Then about 20 years ago I bought my first pub in North London with my uncle. Since then I have variously had up to four pubs and at this moment am just about to sell  the Narrow Boat to Youngs plc to leave me with two pubs.

I am married with a son aged 15 and daughter 19 and live in Sunningdale, Berks. In my spare time I am very keen dinghy sailor.

I left Princethorpe in 1994, and then enjoyed three years at Roehampton Institute in London (now University of Surrey although still feel uncomfortable claiming that I went to University!). I left with a degree in Business & Sports Studies that has enabled me to enjoy a career in sports marketing and management.

I started at IMG in their golf division, then moved on to World Sport Group in Hong Kong (Asian PGA Tour) and back to their London office (Ladies European Tour and 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup). I joined SCG, an athlete management agency that looked after the likes of Lawrence Dallaglio, Jonny Wilkinson and Martin Johnson as well as a host of other rugby players.

More recently, I’ve spent time in South Africa promoting the South African Open and for the last 3 years, I’ve been with a US agency called Jet Set Sports who were one of the London Olympic hospitality providers.

I still have the pleasure of working with Lawrence Dallaglio (we have a hospitality and events business at Twickenham called the Green Room). This year, I organised another big  charity cycle ride for him and Freddie Flintoff that saw them both (and me!) embark on a 2,000+ KM cycle from Olympia in Greece to Olympic Park in East London, raising over £2m along the way for Cancer Research and Great Ormond Street. Immediately and for a short time post cycle, I was back to my Princethorpe fighting weight, although six months later, I’m sorry to say that I’m back to my January pre training weight!

I have a lovely wife Sandra and two very active boys, and live in the shadows of Stamford Bridge in the heart of Chelsea, London.

I have to confess that I’ve lost contact with most of my contemporaries so if anyone’s out there who recognises me with no hair, I would be delighted to hear from you  richardrelton@greenroomsports.co.uk.

I am happily married to Lyn with a daughter, Grace, and we all reside in Wellesbourne with our scruffy dog. I work for Key Parker in Lutterworth, and waste my money on rubbish old British cars.

I was fortunate to attend Princethorpe from about 1980 until 1985/6 ish. Something like that. It was all a terribly long time ago really.  And that’s not a great deal of time when weighed against my 43 years.

I could probably work the percentage of time out if I’d paid more attention to Fr. O’Connor’s math’s lessons!

And yet such an influential time – one that has informed me ever since.

I was not a remarkable student in any particular area of school life. In many ways I felt like an observer as things unfolded around me.

At least this was what I thought, until I realized that Princethorpe guided me to find the things that I love in life. Art, language, people, and drama. All things that led to my career in design and advertising. A career that places ideas high on the agenda that requires you to think and to empathize and to understand people. All skills generously handed out by teachers back in the eighties. My favourites were Mr. Darkes (simplicity…itself) Mr. Wier, Mr. Skiffington (how do you spell his name?), Mrs. Carpenter and Fr. O’Connor who was as clever a Dumbledore himself !

So now my daughter is due to sit the entrance exam in January. How wonderful it would be if she could attend Princethorpe and discover what it is in life she loves. And perhaps I could encourage her to have the confidence to be more than just an observer.

After leaving Princethorpe in 1978 I went to the University of Kent in Canterbury to study Economics. I then took a complete diversion and took up a programming position with the Kwik Save group. I joined my current employer (Kuehne & Nagel Ltd) as a programmer in 1985 and have remained with them since.

I am now the Global Installation & Support Manager for finance systems. As we are a freight forwarding company we have offices all over the world and I have been fortunate enough to have visited the vast majority.

Privately I am married to Julie and we have three daughters Holly, Amy and Lucy, aged 21, 15 and 13 respectively. I am still close friends with Bruno Delieto from my school days and have had occasional contact with Mick Glynn.

I look back on the seven years at Princethorpe as amongst the happiest of my life.

OP Clem Clements made a trip to Ireland in the summer to see former teacher, Fr Dan O'Connor, Clem takes up the story.

Dan was on great form especially having had some heart bypasses. In between these heart bypasses he continued to play squash and told of one amusing occasion when he had just beaten a surgeon friend of his and was getting changed afterwards. The surgeon commented on the scars on his chest and was amazed that Dan had chosen to carry on playing squash after his surgery. I can also imagine it would have made the defeat an even more humbling experience.

Dan showed me around Blarney Castle and wasted no time in climbing to the top at age 70. He also treated me to a great meal at the Old Wool Mills next door.

Dan keeps himself busy and is running the bursary where he lives. He remembered all of our year (left 1975) and was still sharp as a button.

Anyone wishing to contact Fr O'Connor should email Old Princethorpians for details.

I have just completed my degree in Law LLB (hons) at the University of Nottingham and was awarded a 2.1 for my efforts. In addition to this I was awarded the MacGregor Prize by the Law School; a prize which is awarded to an upper second class student who has made an outstanding contribution to the life, work and well-being of the School of Law as well as to other areas of University life. I was also awarded the University of Nottingham Law Graduates Association Moot Prize for being the winner of the internal Moot competition.

This year I was elected Bar Society President; I spent the year increasing our links with the wider legal community.  Highlights from the year include an audience with Lord Phillips (Chief Justice of the Supreme Court), the first Mock Trial Competition at the University of Nottingham and an evening with Nicholas Green QC (Chairman of the Bar Council). I also collaborated with the Mooting Society to bring about the first annual Advocacy Conference and raised money to built a Mock Trial Court for future competitions. I was proud to see the Bar Society be awarded Gold Award Status by the Students Union as well as being given an Individual Award for Outstanding Contribution.

I have mentioned "Mooting" and "Moot" a couple of times already - it is essentially a debate on a point of law but with very strict rules and timings. I have been on the Mooting Society Committee twice since joining University, this year I declined to join the committee but ended up judging competitions and coaching the external team anyway. This year I have had great success in my personal Mooting life, I won the Internal Mooting Competition, beat Oxford University, won the Nottingham Varsity Moot and reached the Semi Finals of the UKLSA national competition. I have truly found my home in advocacy this year.

The University of Nottingham has enriched me with skills, knowledge and friends. Despite this big adventure, I must mention that two years ago I met my boyfriend Jonathan Williams whilst working at the College in the summer - it only goes to show that however far you go, home will always hold a special kind of magic....

So now I have graduated and it is time to look to the future. I am very excited to be going to Nottingham Trent University to undertake the BPTC (Bar Practitioners Training Course) and I am looking for a Pupillage for 2013 in order to qualify as a Barrister.