Old Princethorpians

On Saturday 10 February, the College was delighted to welcome back Old Princethorpian and professional actor, Emilio Doorgasingh (1983), to officially open The Clarkson Theatre. 

The theatre underwent a dramatic transformation last summer, with new retractable seating and state of the art lighting and audio visual equipment. The refurbishment has provided the College with the perfect opportunity to recognise the contribution made by former Headmaster Fr Bill Clarkson MSC, by naming it after him.

Comments Ed Hester, "Fr Bill Clarkson had such a huge impact on Princethorpe College in the early days and was so respected and loved by the pupils and staff in his care. We wanted to take this opportunity to remember him for posterity in the daily life of the school."

The opening ceremony coincided with the last night of the College's production of Arabian Nights, and Emilio, who has a string of TV, Theatre and Film credits to his name, generously took time before the show to talk to the young cast and answer questions about his life as an actor. Questions ranged from how to combat nerves, the best ways to get into acting and what was it like appearing in A Game of Thrones!

Prior to the opening ceremony and Emilio's speech, invited guests gathered for an informal Eastern-style reception. Those present included former staff Fr Teddy O'Brien MSC, Lou and Barbara Skiffington, Peter Jewel and OP contemporary Alex Johnson. We were also delighted to welcome those who had been involved in the refurbishment, parent David Lomas, architect Tony Pugh, Foundation staff Eddie Tolcher and Alex Darkes, along with Heads of Drama, Aileen Cefaiello and Vicky Roberts and some of the cast.

Emilio spoke eloquently about his time at the College and how the teachers had inspired his love of the theatre and set him off on his career. He also spoke movingly about Fr Clarkson and how his wise counsel helped him through his teenage years.

Ed Hester continued, "Our thanks go to Emilio for making this such a special evening for the cast and all concerned with the production and refurbishment of the theatre."

After the event Emilio managed to catch up with his former Economics and Business teacher, Peter Grffin.

Commenting on his visit, Emilio said, “It was fantastic to be back at Princethorpe 35 years after leaving, to reopen a theatre I had played in all those years ago, when Fr Clarkson was headmaster. A place that had originally been the gym where I did P.E. To see pupils that same age perform a show I have since done professionally; watched by teachers who taught me there and then. How magical!"

Emilio now lives in London and is currently rehearsing for the part of Leonato, Hero's father, for the soon to open Shakespeare's Globe production of Much Ado About Nothing.

If you would like to listen to Emilio's speech about his time at Princethorpe and his memories of Fr Clarkson please click here.

If you would like to see Emilio in action visit http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on-2018/much-ado-about-nothing for ticket information.

At the Annual Prize Giving Ceremony on Friday 3 November 2017, the Old Princethorpians launched a new scheme ‘OP Friendly Faces’. It is hoped the scheme will benefit many young OPs as they leave the College and move on to university.

OP Friendly Faces will aim to link past pupils established in their second or third year at university with first year OP students. Providing a friendly, familiar face to meet up with over a coffee (compliments of the OPs!) or having someone to call in your new uni town or city, will, we hope, make for a smoother experience in those first few weeks away from home and help establish a support network of OPs in universities across the country.

We are very pleased to confirm that an inaugural OP Friendly Faces connection has been a success with Lottie Morton who is studying English at Leeds University offering help and guidance to Year 13 student Imogen Butler who also plans to study there in September. Great news!

A big thank you and shout out to young OPs Lauren Whitfield, Charlie Rooney, Megan Lewis, Alana Eckland, Laura Humphries, Alice Kenward, Krysia Spanczak, Antoinette Cassidy, Saffy Baker, Jack Dennis and Izzy Snead who have also signed up to the scheme so far.

If you would like to play a part in our Friendly Faces initiative then please do pop an email to oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk – we would love to hear from you!

Princethorpe College is delighted to be hosting a Development Reunion Dinner for Old Princethorpians on Saturday 14 April 2018 at The Hong Kong Club, 1 Jackson Road, Central, Hong Kong.
Almost 50 guests have already showed an interest in attending and the Development Office would be delighted to hear from anyone else based in Hong Kong, China or elsewhere in the Far East who would like to attend the dinner. The invitation only event will consist of a drinks reception followed by a formal dinner and will be hosted by Headmaster, Ed Hester, former teacher and Director of Boarding, Fr Teddy O’Brien MSC (1970 – 1981), Rachel Hadley-Leonard, Development Director and Melanie Butler, Old Princethorpians' Secretary.

The group hope to meet with as many OPs to share news first-hand about, not only how Princethorpe is flourishing as it enters its sixth decade and its plans for the future, but also how philanthropic work is changing the lives of less fortunate children through the new Princethorpe Bursary Initiative. It is also hoped that this will also be a wonderful opportunity for old friends and new to get together, reminisce and hear about how the College has changed over the years.

This is the first official visit to Hong Kong from a current Princethorpe Headmaster, former Headmaster Fr Dan O’Connor MSC visited with Fr Teddy in summer 2013. That informal visit was orchestrated by a group of Old Princethorpians who had boarded at the College and this latest visit has been greatly facilitated by OP Alan Young, who left Princethorpe in 1981.

If you would be interested in attending the dinner please email Loretta Curtis (Development Office Assistant) on lorettacurtis@princethorpe.co.uk as soon as possible for further details and a formal invitation.

OP Chairman Peter Rollason and OP Chris Davies recently gamely took up the challenge to represent the Old Princethorpians at a national competition held at Middlesex University, Peter takes up the story.

I first met Chris Davies at the age of 19, in 1977, when I joined Leamington and Warwick Rotaract Club. It was many years later that we realised we had both been to Princethorpe and had missed each other by a year. Chris was one of the original intake from St Bede’s and moved across when St Bede’s became the junior school. He did not attend the Sixth Form. When we met he was working as surveyor in the estates department at the brewers Mitchell & Butlers who, according to their advertising slogan brewed beer for 'the men of the Midlands' as I recall it.  He went on to become a senior property advisor with Barclays Bank and, before he retired, he oversaw the move of the head office in the City of London to the Docklands for the Bank.
 
It is only recently that I realised that Chris played real tennis. We have played against each other in the Thames Valley League; I playing for Leamington and he for the Oratory (he also plays at Radley) and we entered a handicapped doubles tournament at Leamington Real Tennis Club last year.
 
We decided, last year, to enter the Cattermull Cup but he couldn’t make the dates. This year we managed to synchronise diaries and entered to represent Princethorpe College in what is a handicapped doubles alumni event. The tournament apparently came out of the more serious Henry Leaf Cup which is played off scratch for very serious real tennis players but again is based on the alumni system; this was traditionally played on the same weekend as a handicapped tournament that ran alongside. Paul Cattermull (who we met and who is a charming man) won the handicapped tournament one year and was somewhat disheartened to learn that he didn't receive a cup and, as a joke, had a trophy made bearing his name. The organisers of the Henry Leaf tournament later approached him to see if they could use his trophy for the handicapped competition! The Cattermull cup was therefore born and, since, has achieved a life of its own being held on a different weekend.
 
The venue was Middlesex University at Hendon and they have a superb very modern real tennis court. A slightly alarming feature is that it has underfloor central heating, a facility that would serve many other real tennis courts well (they tend to be perishingly cold!)
 
We were in some trepidation when we saw the other entrants from very illustrious and long-established public schools. We were also somewhat concerned to note that we were very high handicappers but, thankfully, all the high handicaps were put in the same group to start with.
 
Our first game was a disaster and we lost 6-1 to Clifton College; however, we beat Shrewsbury 6-5 and Marlborough 6-4 to progress as runners up of the group to the knock-out stages. In the knock-out stage held on Sunday 21 January we came across Charterhouse. On the previous day a good lunch and two glasses of wine improved my volleying no end and I was confident that this is what turned our chances round after the rather bad defeat against Clifton.
 
The same tactics unfortunately didn’t bear fruit and a vastly experienced and low handicapped Charterhouse prevailed in the end. We were quite pleased to get to 4-all but we just couldn’t press home the advantage given to us by our handicap to progress further.
 
I am pleased to say we were welcomed and, despite our fears that we might be treated like scumbag college in the Young Ones entering University Challenge, everyone made us feel very welcome and there was at least one other school that entered for the first time this year.
 
Chris and I are keen to enter again when we hope to progress a little further in the tournament.

The College's Careers Fair 2018 will provide a ‘one stop careers shop’ thanks in large part to the support of the Old Princethorpian network.

The event which is scheduled for Saturday 17 March is looking to be even bigger and better than before.  Princethorpe parent, Mr James Hutcheson, Managing Director Finance & Administration of Aldi UK, has kindly agreed to be the keynote speaker and a host of careers and professions will be represented.

Comments Head of Careers, Jacqui Quinney, "We have had a great response from Old Princethorpians, who alongside our parents are forming the backbone to the Fair.  We have some speakers from 2016 who have kindly agreed to speak again and a number of new speakers helping us for the first time.”

Some of the many OPs involved include Rory Aitkenhead who will speak on Architecture and Laura Brazier who is talking about the food industry, she works for Modelez International.  Lucy Coulson a Barrister is joining us as is Aaron Fermahan from Wright Hassall, they will both be presenting on Law.  Third year medical student Maddie Wigmore-Sykes is speaking about her career in Healthcare whilst Jacob Mitchell will talk on Scientific Engineering and Tom Cross on TV, Radio and Media. OP Chairman Peter Rollason will be representing the Law Society in the Exhibition part of the Fair.

There will also be over a dozen universities exhibiting plus a number of gap year companies all who will be providing ideas and advice.

Headmaster, Ed Hester comments, "We are really indebted to all the OPs who have volunteered their time and energy to make the Careers Fair a success for our current Year 10 to Sixth Form pupils and their parents."

If you would be interesting in helping with future Careers events, please email melaniebutler@princethorpe.co.uk.

Another exceptional year of achievement, progress, creativity and contribution was celebrated at Princethorpe College’s prestigious annual Prize Giving Ceremony held at The Butterworth Hall, Warwick University Arts Centre last Friday 3 November.

This year the College was delighted to welcome a very special guest of honour, Old Princethorpian Jide Olanrewaju who was returning to the College for the very first time, accompanied by his family, to present the Biodun Olanrewaju Memorial Prize, which commemorates his father.

Before the ceremony the Old Princethorpians Committee hosted a special pre-prize-giving drinks reception for the returning Upper Sixth and their parents, providing a welcome opportunity for last year’s cohort to get together and catch up on their news since the summer.

New Chair of Trustees, Mrs Liz Griffin, opened the proceedings, warmly welcoming parents, friends of the College and Princethorpians old and new to the occasion.

In his formal address the Headmaster, Ed Hester, gave thanks to all those who make Princethorpe the special place it is - the Trustees, the MSCs, the staff, the senior team, the parents and most importantly the pupils. His warm words paid tribute to all that is done in support of the College, the kindness, the compassion and the values that underpin the success stories of so many of our pupils and not just those who received prizes on the evening. He reminded us all that a Princethorpe education can literally change the course of a young person’s life.

Mr Hester congratulated last year’s Year 11 and Upper Sixth on their examination results and reflected that the value added scores of this year’s A-level candidates were the best ever in the College’s history.

The atmosphere all evening was joyful and celebratory and there were superb musical interludes from the Year 7 Chorus, College Orchestra and College Jazz Band whose pieces, 'Lovely Day', 'We Are Family' and 'Aint No Mountain High Enough' fittingly emphasised the spirit of the occasion.

And then it was time for the presentation of the House Prizes for Progress and Achievement, the GCSE and A-level Examination Certificates and a myriad of trophies, cups and shields. Watching the stream of young people coming across the stage and shaking Mr Hester’s hand was truly inspiring and humbling. The talent in evidence, the grit and determination, the passion, enthusiasm and commitment were all applauded and honoured.

Some of the young people took to the Butterworth Hall stage with confidence, others more self-consciously, some made us laugh, some brought a tear to our eye as we listened to, Director of Studies, Michael Reddish’s poetic citations.

The poignancy of the occasion was perhaps best shown by the presentation of the Biodun Olanrewaju Memorial Prize. In making the presentation Jide talked about his family’s time here at the school, about the unstintinting care and support the College provided and how the family had set up the prize in memory of his late father who died tragically and who embodied the spirit and values of Princethorpe. The award which includes a £1,000 cash prize was this year presented to Lower Sixth Former James Fletcher.

And finally it was time for the main award, The Princethorpe Shield, the oldest and most prestigious College award presented annually to the student who is seen to embody the spirit and ethos of the College in many facets of their school life. It was a very popular decision, and with much hand shaking, back clapping and cheering Marcio Zheng was welcomed to the stage to receive the Shield.

Then to close the proceedings Head Girl, Miriam Issacs, and Head Boy, Tim Duffy, gave an eloquent vote of thanks before the evening finally came to an inspiring end with enthusiastic singing of the College Hymn, ‘Here I Am Lord’ by the assembled throng.

Princethorpe College Development Office are delighted to report that, in the 18 months since it was established, our incredibly generous regular givers have already raised £11,000 towards our Bursary Fund – a fantastic and much appreciated amount.

However, there is still work to be done. We believe that every child with the potential and passion to benefit from a Princethorpe education should be given the opportunity to learn, grow and develop here. In September 2017 the ‘donate three coffees a month’ campaign was launched with the concept of giving £12 per month to Princethorpe College’s Bursary Fund – the equivalent cost of three cups of coffee. If 84 families were able to do so, this would cover the cost of one child’s education through Princethorpe.

If you think you would be able to help us raise even more – our target is to fully fund at least 10 deserving children – please click the to our Virgin Money Giving page where it is easy to find out more and set up your donation online: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charities/princethorpe

We are immensely grateful for every gift, of any size. Thank you.

Two Princethorpians have just received offers for Oxford University. Nick Bonsall who completed his studies at the College last July, and is currently on a gap year, has received an unconditional offer to read English at St Anne’s College. Whilst Upper Sixth Academic Prefect, James Fletcher, has a conditional offer to read Law at Trinity College. Both students were surprised and delighted with the news which they received last week.

Following a rigorous application process, English scholar Nick explained, “I knew that already having good A-level grades put me in a strong position but I also knew that Oxford University would want more. The interview itself was challenging, but the support of Mr Kerrigan, my English teacher, was invaluable in preparing me for it. I am very grateful to him for all the time he dedicated to me and the support he continues to give others.”

James Fletcher shared a similar story about his application to Trinity College, “In the interview I had to think on my feet. Every statement I made was argued against, it was clear they wanted to know my opinions. My practice interviews with Director of Studies, Dr Reddish, proved very helpful.” He continued, “A place at Oxford is now within my reach, I am thrilled to have been given such a prestigious opportunity.”

Princethorpe College Head of Sixth Form, Ben Collie commented, “Applying to Oxford is, in itself, an extremely rigorous and character-testing experience and it seems to get tougher every year. Over their time at Princethorpe, Nick and James 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.”

Recent leavers are reminded that they still have the chance to complete their Duke of Edinburgh Awards.  Students will have invested significant time on the physical, skill and volunteering sections and shown strength and perseverance in completing their expeditions.  Often it is just a matter of completing the paperwork or for the Gold Award undertaking the extra element the residential.

Head of Outdoor Education, Will Bower has prepared a handy guide for completing your edofe submission attached here.

For those who have yet to complete their Gold residential useful information and links are also attached below:

Choosing A Residential

Residential Checklist

Residential Participant Form

https://www.dofe.org/opportunity-finder/opportunity-for-dofe-participant/

https://volunteer.yha.org.uk/vk/volunteers/my_opportunities_events.htm?eventname=DofEGoldResidentials

If you have questions or need any further help then please email willbower@princethorpe.co.uk.

We encourage you to take the time to finish your Award and finalise your submissions, the Duke of Edinburgh Awards are well recognised and will always be an achievement you can be proud of.

Latest school performance tables issued by the government confirm the substantial level of academic progress Princethorpe students make in Sixth Form.

Princethorpe is the top performing school in the local area and the only school to score ‘Well above average’ for Progress in A-level performance in 2017. The tables place Princethorpe in the top 5% of all schools or colleges in England.

Comments Ed Hester, Headmaster, “These progress measures indicate the “value-added” by the school, looking at where the young people started and where they end up. Princethorpe is not, and never will be, an academic hothouse, but these results reflect the tremendous progress our students make. This, combined with the array of co-curricular, careers and enrichment opportunities puts them in the best possible position to realise their future plans."

For GCSE the data analysed by the Government includes the new-style GCSEs in Maths and English, which Princethorpe pupils did not take in 2017, so the College’s results for IGCSE are not published in the tables.

To see the results click on this link https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/

The College's 50th Anniversary, which took place during the academic year 2016-2017, was celebrated in style with a number of key events, from our launch tour and dinner at the House of Commons in May 2016 to our final event - the Golden Jubilee Ball in July 2017. The events were aimed at the wider school community including pupils, parents, staff and former parents, staff and of course Old Princethorpians.

To celebrate the year we have produced a 60-page souvenir review of all the activities and events in words and pictures. An electronic version with pages that can be moved through and a contents list from which you can jump to the different sections is available to view here.

Copies have been distributed to staff and via pupils to current parents. Should you wish to receive a hard copy of the publication please email goldenjubilee@princethorpe.co.uk with your name and address.

The College was delighted to welcome Old Princethorpian, Maya Vohrah, back to school on the first day of the Lent Term. Maya spoke to pupils from across the College (with the exception of Year 11 who were sitting their mock examinations) in a series of Epiphany services in the Chapel.

Maya left Princethorpe in July 2014 and is now in her third year at university studying for a degree in Disaster Management. She is currently undertaking a nine-month internship with Team Rubicon UK at Chilmark, Salisbury, an organisation that unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams in the UK and around the world. Back in September Maya was deployed to the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma.

In her five talks to pupils Maya spoke about her experiences and involvement in building a new school in the Caribbean. She spoke about using gifts and talents for the benefit of others and emphasised the importance of ‘soft skills’ such as adaptability, co-operation, teamwork, problem solving and pointed out the myriad of opportunities that are available at Princethorpe for pupils to develop these.

The Epiphany services offered College pupils the opportunity to reflect on the coming term and to appreciate that an epiphany may be a discovery about themselves such as a gift or a talent. Whilst leading the services Father Alan Whelan MSC encouraged pupils to “discover the extraordinary in the ordinary” and to look at developing their own talents.

Our thanks go to Maya for taking the time to come into school and for undertaking such a marathon morning of motivational mentoring.

The Development Office were delighted to host Trustees, former and current parents, staff and friends of the college in the Sixth Form dining room for a festive cheese and wine reception just before Christmas. The evening was to say a heartfelt ‘thank-you’ to all our donors and supporters who have helped our work over the last year.

We were fortunate to be able to have on offer our famous Princethorpe Blue cheese truckles, along with Crackley Hall and Crescent cheeses, supplied by our dear friend and OP Melvin Glynn of Windyridge Cheese.

Ed Hester talked to our guests about the work of the Development office and how the 50 + 10 Bursary Fund has already begun to impact on the lives of pupils at the school. He also spoke about our current initiative, aimed at regular giving, which encourages supporters to forgo three cups of coffee a month and donate £12 to the Bursary Fund, and our delight that this campaign is gaining traction.

Ed thanked the guests for their time, donations and support for the initiative and talked about our ambitious plans for the future for both bursaries and the new Science building.

It was lovely to see friendly and familiar faces from across the generations, coming together to support the College. We look forward to working with the wider Princethorpe community in the coming months and years, to enable us to offer more bursaries to deserving pupils and support our school development plans.

Interviews are often seen as daunting and stressful, so in a bid to better equip our Upper Sixth Formers for the challenge, the Princethorpe Careers Team organised a mock Interview Day on Thursday 12 October. Designed to perfect their interview technique, sharpen their communication skills, presentational qualities and their ability to respond to feedback, each of our Sixth Form students took part in a thirty-minute mock interview with a professional whose field of expertise matched their future study and career interests.

Some 31 professionals from backgrounds such as: Law, Medicine, Television, Engineering, Architecture, Accountancy and Business kindly volunteered their time. Some were Old Princethorpians, some past or present parents, but all had responded to a request to support our pupils, in this, the most critical year of their school career.

In readiness for their one-to-one interviews pupils had submitted their curriculum vitae or personal statement to be scrutinised beforehand. Exactly like in a real interview these documents formed the basis of questions that were discussed. At the end of their interview our professionals provided valuable feedback with constructive suggestions for improvement.

Head of Careers, Jacqui Quinney, commented, “Our students were encouraged to prepare well for these interviews. Our aim was to provide them with a head start in developing their interview technique. It was an extremely important day for them all as they face the looming reality of university and workplace interviews. The skills practised today will benefit all of our students and we are immensely grateful to the parents and Old Princethorpians who have given up their time to take part in the day.”

Crackley Hall School in Kenilworth has received the highest possible ratings across all criteria from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) following an inspection in October 2017. The report, available on the ISI website, consists of two sections, a focused compliance inspection, encompassing statutory standards, and an educational quality inspection evaluating pupils’ achievement, including their academic and personal development.

Headmaster, Robert Duigan, commented “We are thrilled with the report which is a real vote of confidence for everything we do at Crackley Hall. I am delighted that the hard work of pupils, teachers, support staff, parents and the wider school community has been so resoundingly acknowledged and the positive impact that a Crackley education has on our children’s lives has been recognised.”

Mr Duigan continued, “Being rated as ‘excellent’ in terms of both pupil achievement and personal development shows we are a leading prep school and demonstrates the incredible talent, commitment and professionalism of our staff and the outstanding attitude and approach of our pupils.”

During the inspection, the ISI inspectors observed that, ‘Pupils’ attitudes to learning are exceptionally positive. They are enthusiastic, curious and very supportive of each other’. The report also commented that, ‘Pupils from the Nursery onwards make excellent progress’, and ‘Pupils achieve excellent results’ in entrance exams for senior schools and ‘a high proportion gain scholarships for academic success, music, drama and sport’.

The contribution of a wide range of curricular and extra-curricular provision was also recognised with the inspectors impressed that, ‘Pupils achieve at a high level in sport, music, drama and art as a result of making the most of the very rich range of opportunities available to them.’

Pupils’ personal development was also judged as ‘excellent’ with inspectors recognising that ‘From an early age, pupils demonstrate a strong sense of right and wrong’. They judged that, ’The pupils’ social skills are exceptionally strong’, ‘behaviour in the school is exemplary’ and ‘At all levels they display genuine care and concern for each other’.

The ISI Inspectors also noted that, ‘As pupils leave the school, they are well-prepared for the next stage of their education and ready to take on their future challenges as capable, resilient and confident young people’.

Mr Duigan concludes, “At Crackley Hall we are committed to providing our pupils with an outstanding all-round education, instilling in our children life-long learning skills in addition to offering them excellent academic, sporting and creative opportunities. I am very proud that ISI Inspectors have so comprehensively recognised what we do.”

The ISI is the Government-approved body responsible for the inspection of independent schools and they consider every aspect of the provision. A copy of the full report is available from the ISI and the school websites.

Our 2017-18 calendar of OP Events includes details of OP and College Events that all Old Princethorpians, past parents and staff are welcome to attend.

The next event is the Leamington Pub Meet which takes place on Friday 2 March at The Star and Garter, it is closely followed by the College's bi-annual Careers Fair.  Our London meet takes place in May and our Summer Supper returns after missing a year for the Golden Jubilee Ball.  The year finishes with the Summer Fête and Motoring Festival.

Building on our celebratory Golden Jubilee year we remain keen to reconnect with as many OPs and Friends of the College as possible. Do encourage those you know to register on the Old Princethorpians section of the website to keep in touch with and receive information on the latest news and events.

Click here to download the calendar or visit the Old Prinethorpians section of the College website.

Friday 2 March 2018 from 6.30pm

The OPs annual Leamington Pub Meet takes place at the Star and Garter pub on Warwick Street (just along from the Fire Station).

We will be occupying the upstairs private Function Room, with easy access to the bar downstairs and its own outside balcony area for those who would like a breath of fresh air. 

The OPs Commitee will be laying on a delicious hot and cold buffet, do let us know by emailing  oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk if you are able to attend so we can cater for you.

Partners and friends are most welcome!

Crackley Hall and Little Crackers Open Morning

Saturday 10 March 2018 - 10.30am to 12.30pm

Crackley Hall, Princethorpe's junior school and nursery in Kenilworth, is holding an Open Morning on Saturday 10 March from 10.30am to 12.30pm.  This is an opportunity for parents and children to visit the school and nursery.  Visitors will have a chance to tour the school, see the facilities and meet pupils and staff including the Headmaster, Mr Duigan. There will be performances and activities showcasing the school.

Crackley Hall School Open Evening

Tuesday 8 May 2018 - 5.00pm to 7.30pm

Another chance to look around the school and nursery and meet staff and pupils.

All are welcome to both events and there is no need to book. Light refreshments will be available.

If you can't make the Open Morning or Open Evening but would like to look around, please call our Admissions and Marketing Secretary, Mrs Jenny Vaughan on 01926 514444 and come on a day to suit you, we welcome visitors on most days.

For more information please see the school website or the Admissions Update, the next edition of which will be available in early March.

Tuesday 20 March 2018 10.30am - 12.30pm

We are pleased to announce a new Open Event date for your diaries.  On Tuesday 20 March the College will be open to visitors from 10.30am - 12.30pm.  This is a chance to look around the school on a normal working day, with pupils from Years 7 and 8 acting as tour guides. 

Please help spread the word, everyone is most welcome.

For further information please contact our Registrar, Mrs Vanessa Rooney on 01926 634201 or email admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

Our next Open Event after the March Open Morning will be our Open Evening on Wednesday 6 June 2018 from 6.00pm - 8.30pm.

We look forward to seeing you.

Wednesday 21 March 2018 - 7.30pm

Sixth Form Lecture Theatre

Followed by wine and light refreshments in the Atrium

Vincent Van Gogh created dozens of memorable images of women during his brief painting career: peasant women in the fields; the prostitute with whom he lived for a while; café owners; his postman-friend’s wife rocking a cradle in Arles; the wife of a warder in the St Remy asylum where he lived for a year, and finally, Doctor Gachet’s daughter in Auvers-sur-Oise where he committed suicide in July 1890.

This slide-illustrated talk will examine these striking, colourful and unconventional images of the women he knew and it will also focus on the most important woman in his life and art… someone he met only three times. It is to this little-known woman that all who love Van Gogh are immeasurably indebted. All will be revealed!

Tickets may also be purchased at the door, (adults £5.00, children free) but advance notice helps catering, please. Princethorpe, Crackley Hall and Crescent School pupils free of charge. Please complete the booking form here. We are happy to receive provisional bookings by e-mail, please, to alexdarkes@princethorpe.co.uk. 

Crescent School Open Morning

Saturday 24 March 2018 - 9.30am to 12.30pm

The Crescent School, Princethorpe's junior school in Rugby, is opening its doors to prospective and current parents and children for a Spring Open Morning on Saturday 24 March 2018 from 9.30am to 12.00pm. 

As part of the Open Morning there will be a very special performance by Reception to Year 2 pupils, along with children from Nature Trails Nursery, of The Bee Musical.  With a fabulous script and nine terrific songs to get you buzzing and bee-bopping, you just won’t bee-lieve how good this delightful and educational musical is!

This promises to be fantastic entertainment for visitors of all ages, and will really showcase the talents, confidence and stage presence of the school's youngest pupils. The show commences at 10.00am and we would urge visitors to arrive early to get a good seat!

After the half-hour performance there will be a short presentation about the Crescent and our ambitions for the school as part of the Princethorpe Foundation, and the chance to meet new Headmaster, Joe Thackway. There will also be short Q&A sessions with Alan Webb, Assistant Head - 
Head of Pre-Prep and Headmaster Joe Thackway about entry to Reception and Year 3. 

Elsewhere on site there will be plenty to see and do, including guided tours by the older pupils, sporting displays, instrumental performances, plus the opportunity to visit classrooms and chat informally to current parents and staff from Nature Trails, the Crescent and Princethorpe College. Light refreshments will be available. There is no need to book.

Crescent School Open Evening

Thursday 10 May 2018 - 5.00pm - 7.30pm

The school will also be holding an Open Evening in May where parents will be able to tour the school and speak to the Headmaster.

There is no need to book for either event and light refreshments will be available.

If you can't make the Open Morning or Open Evening but would like to look around, please call our Registrar, Mrs Helen Morley on 01788 523851 and come on a day to suit you, we welcome visitors on most days.

For more information please see the Prospective Parents section on the school website or our Admissions Update, the next edition of which will be available in early March.

Saturday 31 March 2018 - kick off at 2.30pm at Kenilworth Rugby Club, Glasshouse Lane, CV8 2AJ

The Old Princethorpians versus Kenilworth Babas match in memory of Alex Wallis, which was postponed around Christmas due to unplayable pitches, has been rescheduled to Easter Saturday 31 March.

The Old Princethorpians will be pitted once again against old rivals the Kenilworth Babas for a match in honour of OP Alex Wallis. If you are home for the holidays, there’s always a great atmosphere in this competitive fixture and it’s a chance to get off the sofa and work off all the easter eggs and hot cross buns!

OPs Chairman Peter Rollason will be leading the charge. If you are interested in playing please email oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk or message Harry O'Brien on Facebook by Friday 16 March. All welcome, please lend your support both on and off the pitch!! The bar will be open after the match for further celebrations!

Princethorpe Headmaster Ed Hester and his family (all OPs or Princethorpe teachers) will be winging their way 'down under' over the Easter holidays and as part of their visit are organising an OPs Meet in Melbourne on the evening of Friday 6 April.

The event, is open to any Australia-based OPs or OPs in the area at the time and will take place at the Riverland Bar, a relaxed waterfront venue on Federation Wharf (under Princes Bridge). The evening will kick off around 6.30pm and a light buffet will be provided.

Our last Australian meet this time last year when Peter and Liz Griffin visited Sydney and it was lovely to catch up with some of our furthest flung past pupils, so if you are in or can be in the vicinity in April, Ed, Tracy, James, Lizzie and Katherine would love to see you.

For more information and directions to the venue click on the link below.

http://www.riverlandbar.com/

If you are interested in attending please email oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk, so we can know to expect you and cater accordingly.

Wednesday 16 May 2018 - 7.30pm

Sixth Form Lecture Theatre

Followed by wine and light refreshments in the Atrium

From 8 March until 9 September 2018, the first solo exhibition of Picasso’s work at Tate Modern, London, will be held. Entitled The EY Exhibition Picasso 1932-Love, Fame, Tragedy, it will focus on one year in the prolific artist’s life when he was passionately absorbed in his love for Marie-Thérèse Walter, his young mistress, also an inspirational muse. Picasso created dozens of images of her blond, sensual beauty in different media during a time often called his ‘year of wonders’ when the artist was at the height of his powers.

For the first time since they were created over just five days, Nude, Green Leaves and Bust, Nude in a Black Armchair and The Mirror will be shown together with around a hundred other sensational works.

This slide-illustrated talk will examine Picasso’s relationship with Marie-Thérèse, its impact on his long-suffering wife, Olga, and its tragic outcome.

Tickets may also be purchased at the door; but advance notice helps catering, please. Princethorpe, Crackley Hall and Crescent School pupils free of charge. Please complete the booking form here. We are happy to receive provisional bookings by e-mail, please, to alexdarkes@princethorpe.co.uk.

The College is looking forward to welcoming back the Sudden Impulse Theatre Company in June for two outdoor performances of William Shakespeare's play, The Comedy of Errors.

The Comedy of Errors is believed to be one of Shakespeare's earlier written plays; a true farce ahead of its time. The story involves two sets of twins, separated at birth, being thrown together in a tale of mistaken identity.

The performances are open to the public and will take place on the Sixth Form Lawn as follows:

Friday 8 June - 6.30pm to 10.00pm

Saturday 9 June - 3.30pm to 7.00pm

The PTA will operate a bar, bring a picnic, settle down in your camping chair and enjoy some perfect summer entertainment.

Tickets will be available soon from www.suddenimpulse.co.uk and will be priced at £12 or £10 for concessions. 

Saturday 9 June 2018

Both Princethorpe College and Crackley Hall School will be out in force at the Kenilworth Show on Saturday 9 June 2018.

A great day out for all the family, there is so much to see and do. Returning for 2018 will be the infamous Bolddog Lings, The Sheep Show, Grand Parade of Livestock plus the Countryside Arena and displays of farm machinery to name just a few of the exciting activities that visitors can enjoy.

There will also be over 100 trade stands from arts and crafts, jewellery, homewares, through to artisan breads and pies in the indoor trade marquee (where you can also find us!), with clothing stalls, garden furniture, plants and local club stands outside.

Visitors to the show can come and find out about our upcoming open events, admissions for September 2019 and beyond, and we would love to say hello to any former St Joseph School pupils and Old Princethorpians!

Tickets are just £10 and under 16s go free! For more information about the event and to buy tickets, please visit: www.kenilworthshow.co.uk

We hope to see you there.

Thursday 21 June 2018 6.00pm - 8.00pm and Sunday 24 June 2.00pm - 4.30pm

A celebration of our pupils' GCSE, AS and A2 Art, Photography and Design work will take place in the College's Sixth Form Centre on Thursday 21 June from 6.00pm to 8.30pm and on Sunday 24 June from 2.00pm to 4.30pm.

A range of design technology projects, from resistant materials through to textiles, will be showcased alongside stunning art and photography work that the College is renowned for.

Comments, Paul Hubball, Head of Art, "This is a great opportunity to share our students' fantastic creativity with a wider audience and to welcome more art and design lovers to Princethorpe."
Added Head of Design Technology, Paul Scopes, "We look forward to welcoming all the exam students and their families from across Design, Art and Photography to enjoy the fruit of their labours."

All are welcome. On Thursday evening admission is free, on the Sunday admission will be £2 per car including entry to the College's Summer Fete and Motoring Festival.

The Princethorpe PTA Summer Fete 
Sunday 24 June from 2.00pm to 4.30pm

The event is held in the Orchard with lots of entertainment for both children and adults. There will be many and varied attractions including a ‘real-ale’ tent, a Dog Show and plenty of summjer fete stalls, activities and competitions.

Please keep an eye on the PTA section of the Princethorpe Website for updates and for more details of what’s on offer, including the chance to register your interest in helping on the day. 

22nd Annual Motoring Festival
Sunday 24 June from 2.00pm to 4.30pm 

The 22nd Annual Motoring Festival is open to anyone keen to bring any sort of classic, vintage, veteran or interesting vehicle along for the afternoon. There will be rally plaques for all pre-booked vehicles and awards for self-judged competitions.

The Festival is preceded by an informal morning road run of about 30 miles through the Warwickshire countryside. Vehicles taking part in the run need to arrive at Princethorpe for 11.00am. There is no charge for classic vehicles entering the festival or taking part in the road run.
Barbecued food is available for a nominal charge on return to Princethorpe at lunchtime, or feel free to bring a picnic.

On-line registration for the 2018 event will open shortly and will be available from the Events section of the Princethorpe Website.

Tuesday 3 July 2018 at 7.30pm in the Chapel

Followed by refreshments in the Atrium

Once again, Tim Campain, Director of Music at Warwick Road United Reformed Church, Coventry, will play a wide variety of pieces from various genres on the renowned Princethorpe Binns’ organ of 1901.

Tickets may also be purchased at the door; but advance notice helps catering, please. Princethorpe, Crackley Hall and Crescent School pupils free of charge. Please complete the booking form here. We are happy to receive provisional bookings by e-mail, please, to alexdarkes@princethorpe.co.uk.

Saturday 22 September 2018 - from 11.00am

The College always enjoys hosting OP reunions and events and no more so than the reunions for the old girls of St Mary's Priory, who were at school here before Princethorpe College came into being. The ladies are now fondly referred to as Very Special Old Princethorpians or VSOPs. 

These events have recently taken to occuring every two years and this September we are looking forward to welcoming the group back to the College again on Saturday 22 September 2018.

Comments Alex Darkes, "This will be an informal get-together, when there will be plenty of time for the St Mary's girls to chat, reminisce and to look around. We suggest arrival from 11.00am with coffee and a chance to catch up with friends. After a buffet lunch, there will be tours of the building ending in the Chapel with the St Mary's school song, followed by afternoon tea. We will also have items from the archive availabel to view."

If you are interested in attending or know someone who would like to please get in touch with Loretta Curtis on 01926 634200 extension 326, by post at the College or by email to lorettacurtis@princethorpe.co.uk.

Background:
Having recently completed my Masters in International Technology Management at the University of Warwick, I am now a Business and Technology Consultant for TATA Consultancy Services, part of the TATA group, whilst also exploring PHD options. I live in Leamington Spa and really enjoy travelling the world.

Age:
24

When was I at Princethorpe:
I joined the college in 2004 and completed Upper Sixth there, leaving the college as a student in 2011. I also then undertook summer work within the Princethorpe estates department between 2011-2016 to support my university studies.

What was the school like in my day:
Princethorpe was a very welcoming and warm place to be with a range of encouraging and inspiring teachers, an excellent group of peers and lots of opportunity for learning. The Chapel was known to get a little chilly on a winter morning though.

How did Princethorpe affect the person I am today:
Princethorpe gave me an excellent group of friends for life and made me into a confident, well rounded individual, with a range of qualifications.

What advice would I give to my teenage self:
I’d probably advise myself not to rush to get older.

Who or what has been the greatest influence on my life:
I would have to say my family and friends are the biggest influence on my life, but I can also push myself quite hard at times.

What keeps me awake at night:
I am a very deep sleeper so it’s unusual for me to stay awake. Although the occasional party has been known to affect me getting my eight hours in.

What has been my proudest moment/greatest achievement so far:
I would say academically, achieving a first degree and completing my masters. Non-academically however, undoubtedly when I discovered a never before seen Whale Shark on a diving trip in the Indian Ocean, which the wildlife people have now named after me.

What is my biggest indulgence:
Taking a year out between my BSc and MSc to travel the world was quite indulgent.

If I had one last meal, what would it be:
Homemade Pancakes, Chilli Squid, Spaghetti and Millionaire Shortbread. Or a Nandos.

What is my favourite TV show and why:
Regrettably, I’d have to say The Great British Bake Off. I know nothing about baking and this programme surrounds a topic of which I have very little knowledge and as such, is an excellent way to unwind. I do love a cake too…

If I could be anywhere right now, where would it be and who with:
I’d probably be at the top of a very steep ski slope, with Rory Rooney and Charlie Carmichael.

My Lasting memories of Princethorpe:
One quite naughty memory really would be when I was 13 years old and a group of us accidentally set off the fire alarm and the fire brigade showed up. I remember running up and down the Sixth Form corridor on results day, celebrating my grades like I’d just won the Champions League. Also the recent 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee Ball was a night to remember!

Am I in touch with any other old Princethorpians, if so whom:
I am very lucky and proud to have maintained very close friendships with a range of old Princethorpians, both staff and student alike. Rory Rooney remains to be my best friend of 12 years now and we spent 2015/16 travelling Australia together. I would say I remain very close to over 30+ old Princethorpians and keep in contact with most of my further peers through social media.

Is there anyone I would like to track down:
James Clive-Smith and Jacob Mitchell.

Congratulations to Peter Scarisbrick Miller and Phillippa Watkins who are set to marry at Princethorpe this summer. Phillipa takes up the story.

We both attended Princethorpe College, Pete from 1999-2005 and Pippa from 2005-2009, we met through a mutual friend in 2008 and have been together ever since. Although there is only one year that we overlapped, there is one full school photo with both of us in it. It’s crazy to think that when that photograph was taken neither of us had any idea we would be getting married 13 years later!

Since leaving Princethorpe; Pete graduated from Coventry University with an MDes (Hons) in Industrial Product Design and Pippa graduated from the University of Lincoln with a BA (Hons) and Masters in Architecture.

We though that having our wedding ceremony at ‘Our Lady of the Angels’ at Princethorpe College would be a fitting tribute to the time where out paths first crossed. We will be getting married in June and following the ceremony we will be heading over to Dodford Manor to continue the celebrations. We are now regulars in the Princethorpe congregation and are thoroughly enjoying spending some time back at school. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Father Teddy for his time, support and guidance with our marriage preparations.

Currently we are living in Warwickshire, in a bungalow which we have just renovated and extended. Pippa is still working to become a Chartered Architect and Pete is the director of a company currently working in partnership with Jaguar Design.

You may remember we shared engagement congratulations to Ruth Dyke and Simon Magill in the Trinity 2017 edition of the Old Princethorpians' newsletter. We were delighted to hear from Ruth earlier this year and she takes up her wedding news below.

We got married on 28 May 2017 at Cotswold House in Chipping Campden. We had a beautiful ceremony followed by a reception in the grounds of the hotel, luckily the sun was shining all day! 

Simon and I originally met back in 2003 in Leamington Spa when I was 16 but lost touch. We met again through mutual friends of Princethorpe in 2010 due to his sporting connections to the College and we've been together ever since. 

Simon is a financial advisor and I am a food buyer at Daylesford Organic Farm. We're looking forward to our first wedding anniversary as we're due to welcome a little girl just a few weeks before!

Many congratulations again to Ruth and Simon - we can't wait to hear news of your new arrival! 

Congratulations go to OP Tom Mylott on his engagement news! Tom who left Princethorpe in 2007, recently started his own company and is a licensed Business Parter with Purplebricks. His wife-to-be Vicki Tattersall is a manager at Jaguar Land Rover. He continues his update below.

I attended Princethorpe between 2002 and 2007, and it's not just Princethorpe’s ethos and core values that helped shape my future, but also a school trip!

In 2007 I went on the rugby and hockey tour to South Africa. The culture and scenery were spectacular and I knew that one day I would return. It was during a returning trip here last November, while watching the sunset over Table Mountain, that Vicki agreed to be my wife.

Now back in the UK, we have since set our wedding date for November 2019, when we will be tying the knot in front of our friends and family at a rustic barn in the Cotswolds.

Lovely to hear that Princethorpe helped play a part in Tom’s engagement plans – we wish you all the best with your upcoming wedding plans!

We received some lovely news in January from OP John Naylor that he and his wife Tricia welcomed an early Christmas present back in December.

Ralph Diego Naylor was born on 20 December 2017 weighing 8lbs 3oz. John comments, "It was the perfect Christmas present and George (now 22 months old) seems a very proud brother... so far!"

John left Princethorpe in 2001 and now works as a Stockbroker and his wife Tricia is a Digital Content Creator.

Congratulations John, Tricia and George! 

OP Tommy Ames (who left Princethorpe in 2005) and his wife Maria welcomed a lovely early Valentine's gift on Tuesday 13 February 2018. 

At 10.06am, Archie Thomas Ames, weighing 8lbs 11oz was born to Tommy and Maria. Mummy and baby are doing well and Tommy comments, "we are both madly in love with Archie!". 

Congratulations to you both!  

It was with enormous sadness that we learned of the death of Fr John Mannion, in Galway, on Sunday 3 September 2017.

John Mannion arrived at Princethorpe in the early 1970s as a teacher and a newly-ordained MSC priest. He was a natural academic, a scholarly scientist and had keen senses of vocation and justice. There was little doubt that he had chosen to be ordained in order to make the world a better place and he was a great champion of those who were less fortunate.

He resonated immediately with the Sixth Form: possibly because they were nearer his own age, but also because the work included a good dose of academic rigour and he gave his lessons in the way of a university lecturer, which gave his students the taste of fast note-taking and the need to become independent learners. And yet for all his learned style and seriousness, he always had a twinkle in his eye and was happy to help anyone who didn’t understand or found the going tough. He also had an excellent sense of humour.

John left Princethorpe, as we did, in 1975. His first posting was to a comprehensive school in a deprived area of Liverpool, where he found the experience very hard. Many of the pupils didn't want to be at school and were very challenging. He then travelled to South America, possibly Nicaragua, to work with the local communities. John also visited Texas regularly, where he lived and worked for some time. He visited prisoners on death row and was very much against the death penalty, quoting the commandment, Thou shalt not kill. He returned to Ireland and eventually retired, but still said Mass daily for the nuns at a local convent.

John broke off his connections with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in the 1980s, but latterly, in ill health, he was back in touch with members of his ordination year, and at his funeral members of the MSC Galway community were in attendance. John was last at Princethorpe for the Old Princethorpians’ summer supper in June 2015, marking 40 years since leaving and he kept in close touch with the Year of 1975, many of whom he had taught Biology.

Martin Holland OP (1968-75) writes: I met up again with John 30 years after we left Princethorpe. In June 2013 John spent a week with me at my house in the Swiss Alps. He had been a little unwell and I invited him out for some mountain air. I had some maintenance to do and the idea was that John would take it easy and rest in the sunshine whilst I worked, but he would have none of it and insisted on helping me with my DIY. When he arrived I noticed that his arms were virtually covered in blue and red marks which were one of the symptoms of his condition. By the end of the week his arms were virtually clear, so I think the mountain air and sunshine did the trick. During our week together we had lots of time to chat and I asked about his life after he left Princethorpe.

John was extremely kind and caring. He was never afraid to challenge the establishment, whether it was to save prisoners on death row or in deed to challenge things he disagreed with in the Church or in central government.

Alex Darkes OP (1968-75)

Picture shows John Mannion helping Martin Holland in Switzerland in 2013.

Old Princethorpians were sad to hear of the death of former Princethorpe College teacher and Fr Tom Hewitt MSC after a short illness. He was 71.

Born in Rugby, Fr Tom was inspired by the values of his family, a strong faith, a firm belief in all that is good in the English tradition, and a special love for the game that is named after his home town – as well the sport of cricket.

Having completed his secondary studies at Rugby School, he went to St Andrews University where he obtained an honours degree in Mathematics. After graduation he worked as a Maths and Physics teacher at Princethorpe. It was here that he heard the call to religious life and priesthood.

He entered the novitiate in 1970 in Moyne Park, Co. Galway, Ireland, and went on to study theology at Milltown Park, Dublin, where he acquired a Licentiate in Theology. During this time, he developed a love for long walks and bird watching. For Fr Tom holidays consisted of two weeks walking in the Highlands of Scotland regardless of the weather.

After Ordination Fr Tom returned to teaching at Princethorpe College then after two years he moved to a pastoral ministry in St Albans where he served for six years. He then volunteered for the MSC Missions and was appointed to South Africa where he ministered for ten years. 

In 1994 Fr Tom returned to England and after a short rest he took up parish ministry in St John the Baptist Parish in Tamworth. Despite a busy life in Tamworth, Fr Tom's love of learning continued, he studied for a second degree in English Literature with the Open University and later graduated with an MA from Heathrop College.

Fellow priest, Fr Charles Sweeney said, “Fr Tom strived to bring the presence of Christ to all, and through his gentle personality and caring ways he showed the loving and forgiving Christ that enabled the sick to come into a deeper relationship with the Lord.  We will all miss him, and his wonderful outlook on life.”

Just two days before his death, Fr Tom issued the following message, “Dear Friends, I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the magnificent support you have shown me over the past six weeks; God has shown his love for me through you all.”

While many people will remember the gentle ways of Fr Tom, his love of sport was well-known and he could easily get carried away when his beloved England were involved, either in rugby or cricket. One Saturday afternoon Fr Tom was celebrating 5.00pm Mass at a convent and on the same evening England were playing Wales in the Six Nations rugby.

Fr Tom kept the Mass short and then asked the Sisters if he could watch the second half of the game in their community room. They agreed, and even took him supper on a tray. Unfortunately, when England scored an unexpected try, Fr Tom forgot about the tray of food and coffee on his lap and leapt up to celebrate - scattering food and drink everywhere!

The first to admit that he was not a practical man, he had a keen sense of humour and was always able to laugh at himself, telling many stories against himself and how he got things wrong.

Fr Sweeney added, “The expression of appreciation and thanks that have poured in since his death bear testimony to the great work that he has done in the parish. His smile, attention and care for each individual, his support for families in bereavement and for the sick and dying were for Fr Tom a powerful expression of God’s love and he will be remembered for his care in their time of need.”

Having been here six months already, it is very satisfying to see that some of the main projects that I have started since joining the Foundation are beginning to come together. These will make the archives at the college easier to search and use for everyone.

One of the key areas that both myself and Nick Baker before me identified was the need to tackle the organisation of the photos relating to Princethorpe College. We have roughly 5,000 photos stored in our strongroom but the way that they were stored made it very difficult to know what we actually had. Many of them were stored in unlabelled envelopes in mixed boxes with no reference to what they were about. Looking for a specific photograph showing a member of staff or pupil was very much like searching for a needle in a haystack. With the help of a very dedicated sixth form student, Charlotte Ecclestone, we are now at a point where the photographs have been roughly sorted into archival boxes based on their subject. They will need another sort through to put them in to a rough date order and weed out any duplicates before they are catalogued and look more like the ‘after’ photo than the ‘before’ but it won’t be long before I am calling on Old Princethorpians to lend me their knowledge about people and events to catalogue the photos fully. What is funny is that because the same faces and names come up regularly in the photos, I have started to feel like I actually know some of the staff members that left long before I started here.

Talking about cataloguing leads nicely on to the second big project that is steaming ahead; the purchase of a new cataloguing system. Having looked at a number of different options, we are in the final stages of agreeing the purchase of one and the most exciting thing is that it will include a public searchable catalogue, replacing the PDF versions that are online currently, and we will be able to provide access to items within our collection that has been digitised, including old magazines so that you can take a trip down memory lane yourself. I look forward to being able to share the link to the website as soon as it is available.

Finally, all of the material donated by Crescent since it joined the Foundation in 2016 has been accessioned so we know exactly what we have. After a recent meeting with Joe Thackway, the headteacher at Crescent, I was delighted to be able to add their Admission Registers to the collection. The registers start in 1948, when the school admitted its first pupil, and carry on until 2017, when the decision was made to store the information in a purely digital format. Admission Registers are a fantastic source of information about past pupils, which are used regularly by both myself and the Development Office when we receive enquiries about pupils as they contain information such as dates of birth, as well as the dates an individual pupil joined and left the school.

We are always looking for new material to add to the archive, so if you come across any material from your days here at the college that you no longer want, please don’t hesitate to get in touch as we would be delighted to have it.

Janette Ratcliffe
Foundation Archivist

The recent performances of ‘Arabian Nights’ got Archivist Janette Ratcliffe thinking about sharing some of the beautiful programmes we have in our collection from the St Mary’s Priory days in the Old Princethorpian. We hold more than 100 programmes dating from the 1850s to the 1950s, each one beautifully designed and illustrated by one of the pupils at the time. There were two plays performed by the girls each year, with the main one being performed at the start of February for the Reverend Mother’s Feast Day. It was a day of celebration in which all usual routines were broken with and the girls were even given permission by the Reverend Mother to talk in their Dorms at night!

The early plays were performed in French as a mark of respect for the Reverend Mother of the Priory and the programmes front cover reflects this as you can see in the front cover of the play ‘Sainte Elisabeth’. Later plays were performed in English and the programme design itself was much more varied. I have shared two of my favourites here. On the cover of one, the well-known nursery rhyme ‘What are little girls made of?’ seems to have taken a slightly sinister turn as the angels try to put the little girl in a pie. The other programme shows a small mouse blowing bubbles and if you look carefully, you can spot the words ‘Votes for Women’ inside them. With the centenary of women over 30-years-old getting the right to vote, it is interesting to see the influence of events in the wider world on the work of the girls here at the Priory.

I was one of fourteen boys of all ages who were founder pupils at St Bede's back in September 1957.

The first headmaster was Fr. O’Leary who taught the older boys, of which I was one. Then there was Fr Sheahan, who taught the boys between ages 7 and 11, although he was replaced that Christmas by Fr. Ryan, and Mrs Mcarthy who taught the infants.  The school had previously been used as a Dr Barnardo's home so it was very easily adapted to a boys school.  I was a pupil there for three years.

I am missing from the school’s opening photograph because I had been selected to go to the main house in Dublin, they thought that I might have a vocation. They should have sent my Mother; she was the one with a vocation!

I was quickly rejected and sent back to finish my studies at St Bedes. I had left the school by the time that the move to Princethorpe College was set in motion.  I knew Princethorpe very well as I was an altar boy at St Austin’s in Kenilworth and Cannon Swift used to send us lads to all of the convents in the area and we served their Mass and usually got fed in return.

I also helped with the moving of all the desks and other furniture from St Bede's to Princethorpe, as I had the necessary licence to drive the large van we hired for the occasion. For several years I played tennis at Princethorpe partnering Fr. Liam O’Callaghan against Fr. Jim Ryan and Fr. Jim McManus, they were both dreadful losers but even worse winners.

I trained as an Industrial Archaeologist and later specialised in the WWII German fortifications in Europe. Almost twenty year ago I moved to Normandy to be near the Bunkers.  I have two history websites that make interesting reading if you would like to take a look: www.atlantikwall.org.uk and www.normandy1944.org.uk.

We spotted on the OPs Facebook account - www.facebook.com/old.princethorpians - that OP Luke Tillman is spending a year at Harvard University. He takes up his story below. 

I joined Princethorpe in 2007 at the tender age of 11, entering form 7AD with the great Mr Darkes as my form tutor. I was immediately welcomed into the great community the school has to offer and quickly felt that I was joining much more than just a college. Princethorpe inspired me to work hard at my academics and aspire to achieve in whatever field I followed. I will always be grateful for their nurturing support and guidance.

After life at Princethorpe I attended King Edward VI Grammar school (KES) in Stratford Upon Avon. My new school brought with it new challenges and new aspirations but it could never replicate the welcoming community that Princethorpe so naturally provides. It was here, however, that my desire to study in the medical field was first realised. I elected to study A-levels in Biology, Chemistry and Geography and I’m happy to admit that I applied for Medicine with no success.

In 2014 I left KES to begin studying for my Bachelor’s degree in Medical Science at Exeter University. For the first time I felt exposed to new cutting edge science that has the potential to impact healthcare. Since my first year of A-level study I was certain that this was the field for me – I wanted to place my impact on the world no matter how big or small. It is also at Exeter that I discovered the opportunity to study at Harvard.

As part of my degree programme, students may elect to extend their degree by an additional year by conducting research. Many choose to remain in the UK but I must admit, there was something quite exciting about going to the US. I applied to Harvard in September 2016 and was elated to be accepted into the Wessling-Resnick Lab at the University’s School of Public Health. I am now conducting research into the effects of dietary metals such as Manganese, which in excess can cause Parkinsons-like symptoms and has been heavily linked to Alzheimer’s disease. I hope to publish my work before I leave this June.

I continue to aspire to study medicine and hope to apply to Medical School when I return to the UK. As I mentioned earlier I had previously tried and failed at this endeavour but I was taught never to give up on your dreams, a lesson I owe greatly to the wonderful deputy head during my time at Princethorpe – Mrs Sue Millest.

I ultimately want to thank Princethorpe for all that they did for me, they brought the best out of me and helped me achieve. I will always be proud to be an Old Princethorpian.

Thank you to Luke for taking the time to share his update - it is great to hear what you have been up to and lovely to know that you still think fondly of Princethorpe! 

We were very pleased to hear news that OP Ollie Dunster-Sigtermans (pictured left in the group photo) graduated from Leeds College of Music in July 2017 with a 2:1 in Popular Music. Ollie, who joined Princethorpe in 2007 and left after completing his A-levels in 2014, elected to specialise his degree in composition and performance.

Ollie remains in Leeds working as a freelance musician, playing in a variety of bands across the region. You can check out two of the bands he currently plays in below. 

Near Blackout - a 5-piece hard rock band: www.facebook.com/nearblackout

Under The Covers - an acoustic duo covers band: https://encoremusicians.com/Under-The-Covers-1

Congratulations Ollie and good luck with your music endeavours!

Laura Brazier joined Princethorpe College in 2007 and left after completing her A-levels in 2014. At first, Laura wasn't convinced about going to university and thought she would prefer to head straight into the world of work. However, still valuing the importance of having a degree, she looked at options where she could have the best of both worlds! 

In 2015, Laura started at Mondelez on their School Leaver Apprenticeship Program which involved her working full time and completing a Business Management degree at Aston University (which the company paid for!). Mondelez International is a global snacking company that own brands including: Cadbury, Maynards Bassets, Toblerone, Belvita, Oreo, Ritz, Barny, Green & Blacks, Trebor, Milkado, Trident, Milka and Terry's Chocolate. 

Since Laura joined the program, she has held roles in sales support, logistics and operations, and warehouse management. She is now Sales National Account Manager for Bargain Booze. She's also had the opportunity to travel round the country thanks to the variety of roles and organisations that form part of the Mondelez group. 

Laura feels that some of the key benefits of her apprenticeship program has been the encouragement she has received from all of her managers and mentors, and the company's flexibility, which has enabled her to try out various areas of the business. 

In November 2016, OP George Wright followed his roots back to Princethorpe and joined the Foundation’s Estates Team as a Grounds Supervisor at the College.

Originally starting at Princethorpe as a pupil in 2003, George left in 2008 and went on to study a National Diploma in Countryside Management, enjoying a good stint of travelling in between work and studies.

Travelling is something that George is particularly fond of and it is his wanderlust that has seen him wave farewell to Princethorpe once more and hop across the pond to America for three months. His travels will start in the city of Poughkeepsie, New York State, where he will be working on an organic farm “WWOOF-ing”!

WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) is a worldwide movement linking volunteers with organic farmers and growers to promote cultural and educational experiences based on trust and non-monetary exchange, thereby helping to build a sustainable, global community. George will be helping his host with general farm tasks and building a greenhouse for her in return for food and lodgings.

After his WWOOF-ing venture, he plans to hire a car and head west across America to see friends he made on his previous travels in Tennessee, Oklahoma and LA.

George comments, “It’s been a pleasure working with such a lovely social community at Princethorpe and I’ll miss everyone but I’m looking forward to new adventures.”

Good luck George - we can't wait to hear all about your experiences on your return! 

After leaving Princethorpe College in 2010 Megan Godden spent five years at Southampton University where she studied medicine. During her training she had many different and interesting opportunities including the chance to work on a research project examining the links between obesity and vitamin D deficiency and leading teaching sessions for new parents on paediatric basic life support. She also spent an eye-opening eight weeks in Zanzibar, on her elective, working in the Mnazi Mmoja hospital in their paediatric department. Megan commented, “That made me realise just how lucky we are to have the NHS!”

Her first job as a doctor was in Shrewsbury and Telford and it was there she was first properly exposed to Obstetrics and Gynaecology and where she fell completely in love with the specialty. She continued her training in the West Midlands, gaining experience in different specialisms including Accident and Emergency, Neurosurgery, Stroke Medicine and Psychiatry.

Megan has now started a specialty programme for Obstetrics and Gynaecology and will spend the next seven years being trained to perform surgery including caesarean sections and hysterectomies and gaining experience in subjects such as the menopause, labour ward, fertility and ultrasound scanning.

Megan explained, “I am thoroughly enjoying this specialty; it is exciting, fast paced and rewarding - although it certainly has its emotional demands!”

Thanks for the update Megan – we hope you help bring a few more Princethorpians into the world!

We were also delighted to hear that Megan has recently got engaged to Jordy Stevens and we offer our congratulations to them both.

Tom Nightingale was a pupil at Princethorpe College between September 1999 and July 2006. He remembers his time at the College fondly especially his fantastic teachers who inspired and motivated him to pursue his studies in Physiology, a specialism that has led him down a fulfilling and rewarding career path. They included Gwilym Price who encouraged his sporting endeavours and Chris McCullough who fuelled his interest in the human body.

Tom was awarded a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in Exercise Physiology by the University of Bath in 2016. His research had studied the role physical activity plays in improving health in persons with a spinal cord injury (SCI).

In April 2017 he took a postdoctoral research fellow position at Virginia Commonwealth University and worked at the Hunter Holmes McGuire Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Richmond, USA.  Then in November 2017 he took a further postdoctoral research position working for the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.   His work, at a globally recognised centre for excellence in SCI research, now includes projects looking at cerebral blood flow, cognition and epidural stimulation in persons with SCI.

Thanks for getting in touch Tom it was great to hear about your amazing work and to know that your teachers provided such inspiration.  

Leaving Princethorpe in 2012 after completing her A-levels, OP Loren Ingles officially graduated as a Norland Nanny in January 2018. She takes up her story below.

After a year of working with children, I decided to apply to Norland College where I started the 4-year training course in 2013. Within my 3 years at university, I was required to complete a BA (Hons) Degree in Early Years Learning and Development and the Norland Diploma which equips you with high standard practical skills such as Self Defence, Skid Pan Driving, Sleep Training and Behaviour Management.

On top of this, I was also required to undergo a variety of placements every other 6 weeks, these included work at Special Educational Needs schools, working with quadruplets, on paediatric wards, new-born experience and many more.

I graduated with a 2:1 in my degree at the end of 2016, taking me into my fourth year of training. This involved completing 12 months working with a family, providing high quality care and support relevant to each child’s development. I graduated with my Diploma in January 2018 and I am now officially a Norland Nanny.

I am currently working for a private family in Fulham, London and plan to one day open my own childcare setting. At Norland, our motto is ‘Love Never Faileth’ and I am truly grateful to Princethorpe for instilling in me those very same principals.

Congratulations Loren – we wish you every success with your future endeavours!

OPs Charlotte Fung and Ayoola Oguntuase were both international students who attended Princethorpe. Charlotte joined Year 9 in 2010 whilst Ayoola came to Princethorpe three years later joining the Sixth Form.

Charlotte comes from Hong Kong whilst Ayoola is from Nigeria, so whilst studying at the College both students were hosted by a local family with strong Princethorpe connections.  Mike and Liz Young, who live in Cubbington, and whose daughter Becky was also a pupil at Princethorpe College back in the 1990s, looked after Charlotte and Ayoola during their Princethorpe years.

Charlotte and Ayoola recently came back to the area to meet their host family for lunch and to catch up on all the news.  Mike and Liz were delighted to hear that both former pupils are doing very well.  Charlotte is studying Global Business at the City University of Hong Kong.  She is currently looking for work experience in Germany.  Ayoola is at Bristol University studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

Old Princethorpian, ex record executive and digital artist Marc Marot has forged a creative partnership with oil painter artist Scarlett Raven. Their innovative augmented artworks in The Danger Tree Exhibition have been applauded for their haunting portrayal of World War One. The exhibition features performances of some of the worlds most influential war poetry by actors such as Sean Bean, Christopher Ecclestone, Gemma Arterton and Vicky McClure.  It’s current (fifth) iteration is on show at Manchester Central Library until the end of March and moves on to Belfast’s Titanic Museum, San Francisco’s ‘Art of the impossible’ exhibition and finally London at the end of the year.

Marc was MD at Island Records from 1989 to 2000 when he left and formed his own management company.  His partnership with Scarlett Raven began when she approached him to be her manager in 2014.  Having seen the potential of augmented technology Marc pitched Scarlett the idea of using Blippar’s augmented app with her paintings. The app lets users look at real-world objects enhanced with text and digital graphics through their smartphone camera, making real-world images into digital experiences.

With Scarlett creating the artworks and Marc orchestrating the digital animation, the duo conceived The Danger Tree. Their work commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the end of the Battle of the Somme and sees Scarlett’s poignant paintings slowly stripped away to reveal the creative journey beneath.

Marc has been quoted as saying ’We don’t hold an exhibition we hold a visual experience.’

The exhibition at Manchester Central Library in St. Peter’s Square, Manchester runs until Saturday 31 March. For more information please click here.