Old Princethorpians

The latest issue (number 19) of The Pinnacle out this week showcases more of our pupils excellent work. 

This edition includes updates on our da Vinci programme and showcases flair across all subjects and year groups, from Shakespeare to robotics and from origami to essays on ‘what it means to be human’.

The design for our stunning front cover, War Games, has been executed by Upper Sixth Form Art student, Charlotte Cuningham.

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

Copies are being distributed to all pupils via their Form Tutors.

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

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

Pinnacle for web March 2016.pdf

Crackley Hall School welcomed the Right Reverend Robert Byrne, Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Birmingham to officially open their two million pound, state of the art, east end development. The superb new multi-purpose hall, additional classrooms, specialist music teaching rooms and gallery gained its name from a nod to the original house standing on the former site owned by Sir Bernard Docker of The Daimler Company.

With the new building sympathetically designed to incorporate stained glass windows and a ceiling boss from what used to be St Joseph’s Convent’s former Chapel, there are plenty of reminders for pupils and staff of the building’s heritage.

In the Celebration Mass, Bishop Robert Byrne welcomed invited guests and dignitaries including Kenilworth Mayor and Mayoress, Michael and Janice Coker, and former Head Teachers of Crackley Hall School, St Joseph’s and Abbotsford School. The words of the final Communion Reflection, read by pupils Dari Kotlarsky and Emily Hennegan, reflected the Bishop’s message that, “God is an architect. He is the cement that brings everything together - a joint to hold everyone firm.” And with those building metaphors aptly in place, along with the offering of symbolic Gifts brought to the altar including a brick and a student council badge, Bishop Byrne blessed the The Gables leaving pupils with the final thought that lifelong learning is something they should cherish.

Crackley Hall Head Master, Mr Rob Duigan, led the formal unveiling of a plaque by Bishop Robert Byrne with Councillor Coker making a vote of thanks, “Crackley Hall is a very important part of the town of Kenilworth, and it is wearing my formal badge of office that I would like to thank the school for all that it contributes. As a former parent of what was then St Joseph’s Convent, I am well aware of the special place that the school continues to have within the community.”

The day of celebration continued with a series of informal musical presentations as well as open house for parents to enjoy refreshments whilst looking around the new site.

Crackley Head Master, Mr Duigan went on, “This morning’s Mass was a tribute to the children who took part. The altar servers, the readers and the choir performed superbly. To see the space so full of life that a year ago was just a drawing on a page is such a joy. The Gables will provide a wonderful learning space for many generations to come.”

Old Princethorpians were an integral part of the success of this year's Careers Fair on Saturday 12 March, with many new and familiar faces sharing their knowledge and experience as either speakers or exhibitors. Feedback on the event has been extremely positive and we are immensely grateful to all of them for their input.

Keynote Speaker, Mrs Alexandra Fraser, Chief Creative at Media Production Company ‘7Wonder’, opened the careers fair with a thumping speech detailing how young people today can ‘have it all’. A capacity audience of eight hundred listened to Alex, a Princethorpe parent, as she outlined her media trajectory from the BBC Graduate Training Scheme, some thirty years ago, to becoming Chief Executive of Maverick TV responsible for programmes such as ‘How to Look Good Naked’ and ‘10 Years Younger’ to where she is today; a mother of three and Chief Creative at her new company ‘7Wonder’.

The tone of Alex’s inspiring introduction to this, the College’s third Careers Fair, was pretty straightforward; work hard, believe in what you do and be kind to those you meet along the way. Describing the ‘big-life changing moment‘ of leaving school as a ‘fantastic opportunity to throw yourself into something you love’, Alex reeled off a head spinning CV of the exotic places she’s visited whilst filming. The warmth felt for her profession was evident as was her pride in being able to successfully combine her number one priority, family, alongside rewarding deserving colleagues for their contributions to the companies she’s run.

Alex put paid to the well-worn aphorism, ‘you can’t have it all’ and reminded young people that ‘few of us want it all, whatever that means, but we should never stop trying to fulfil all our dreams’. She iterated that in the best circumstances, a well-chosen career was one that would become a loved, integral part of one’s life, not simply a means to raking in the cash. With her final salutation making a nod to the adage, ‘you get out of life what you put in to it’, Alex left the audience with a ‘talking heads’ video clip of bespoke careers advice from the likes of Radio DJ’s Annie Mac and Sara Cox, actor Lennie Henry, presenter Kate Humble and Dragon’s Den Theo Pahitis. A vote of thanks from Princethorpe Headmaster, Ed Hester, was delivered before pupils and parents attended the careers sessions they had signed up for.

Over forty speakers, including current and former parents and Old Princethorpians, gave of their time to present on a wide variety of careers and professions. From Accountancy and Law to Medicine and Childcare, individualised presentations gave listeners the chance to research jobs, listen to advice and ask questions.

The Sixth Form Centre morphed into a pop up Exhibition with representatives from organisations such as Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls Royce, Aldi and the Armed Forces. There were representatives on hand to give advice on gap years, general careers advice and medical school guidance. University representatives from many of the country’s leading centres of excellence were on hand to discuss entries, courses and career routes.

The diversity of speakers from Old Princethorpians to invited guests created a real networking buzz across the campus. It was lovely to see pupils clutching goodie bags and chatting excitedly about information they’d just discovered.

There’s no doubt that in an ever competitive market of employment and higher education, events such as the Careers Fair puts our students’ feet on the first rung of career possibilities. Headmaster, Ed Hester, left listeners with a sage anecdote citing Beatles’ Producer George Martin whose own career took flight after taking a chance on four young boys’ dreams to ‘have it all;’ “Take every opportunity,” he implored, “and never waste a moment to pursue the dream that you’ve worked hard for.”

Princethorpe College is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Michael Reddish as Head of Sixth Form with effect from September 2016. Michael Reddish will become a member of the Senior Management Team and the Foundation Executive Committee. He will be responsible for the pastoral and academic well-being of Sixth Formers and additionally will establish a new department offering Law as an A-level subject.

Michael is an inspiring, eloquent and exceptionally well-qualified teacher with outstanding academic credentials and is currently Head of Year 11, Head of Law and Head of Critical Thinking at Coventry’s King Henry VIII School, where he has been in post since 2007; he has also been the school’s Oxbridge co-ordinator. He is absolutely committed to the delivery of the highest possible standards of pupil guidance and will challenge Princethorpe students to be the best that they can be, helping them to lay down strong intellectual, spiritual and moral roots on which they can depend for life.

Headmaster, Ed Hester comments: “Michael Reddish joins Princethorpe at a very successful time when the foundation has a record roll, a rapidly rising academic profile and has invested over £7m in facilities during the past two years. Michael will build on the superb work achieved by the current post holder, Margaret Robinson, who retires in December after 27 years’ outstanding service.

In his early forties and married to Laura, who is an English teacher, they have two young children Thomas (3) and Isabel (5). Michael gained an LLB from Warwick where he was the top student in his year, followed by an LLM from Harvard in 1998 and a PhD, also from Warwick, where he was a British Academy Scholar. He is currently Principal Examiner in Law for the OCR examination board. He additionally gained a PGCHE in 2006 and was an Associate Professor at Warwick University Law School from 1998 to 2007. At King Henry VIII, Michael Reddish currently runs the Japanese Society, and the Law, Politics and Economics Society.

Originally from Matlock in Derbyshire, but now living in south Warwickshire, Michael Reddish was a Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation Special Scholar from 1995 to 1997 and lived in Tokyo. He enjoys keeping fit and active and has recently taken up road biking. He has a love for art and music, enjoys exploring new technology and is an enthusiastic follower of national and international current affairs. He also maintains an interest in Japanese culture and is a keen photographer.

In accepting his appointment, Michael Reddish said: “It is a great privilege to take on the role of Head of Sixth Form at Princethorpe College, especially at such an exciting time in its history. Princethorpe is a very special community and I am hugely looking forward to being part of the team and helping to prepare Princethorpe Sixth Formers for the next stages in their lives.

Princethorpe College is delighted to announce the appointment of Mrs Elizabeth (Beth) Sharpe as Deputy Head (Pastoral) with effect from September 2016. Beth Sharpe will become a member of the Senior Management Team and the Foundation Executive Committee. She will be responsible for leading the outstanding pastoral care of all pupils across the school and additionally will teach in the Technology Department.

Beth is fluent, adaptable, confident, inspiring and a multi-skilled teacher with a commitment and passion for the delivery of the highest possible standards of pupil care. Currently Senior Assistant Headteacher (Pastoral) at North Leamington School, where she has worked for the last twenty years, Beth Sharpe comes with a wealth of experience in providing an inclusive education, celebrating diversity, individuality, engaged learning, good health, safeguarding and emotional well–being. She also fully aligns with the unique ethos of the foundation, is approachable, thoughtful and has a fine sense of humour.

Headmaster, Ed Hester comments “Beth Sharpe joins Princethorpe at an exciting time when we have a record roll and full acknowledgement in our last ISI inspection of the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of our pupils as being a key strength of the school. Beth will build on the outstanding work achieved over the last nine years by the current post holder, Sue Millest who retires in July and indeed she comes from a very similar background. The main premise of our pastoral care is that every child really does matter; if children are happy, healthy and safe they are likely to learn in the most effective way.”

Married and in her mid-forties, with three school-age children, Beth Sharpe graduated from the University of North London in 1995, completing a PGCE in Design & Technology and PE & Games a year later. In 2014 she was awarded a Master’s degree from Wolverhampton in Special Educational Needs and Inclusion. At North Leamington, over the years, she has variously been a Head of Year, assumed leadership for safeguarding, driven the programme for newly qualified teachers and latterly been in charge of the school’s pastoral system and the recruitment of pupils, in addition to a wide variety of high-level operational responsibilities.

Originally from Belfast, Beth Sharpe is a keen walker and keep-fit fanatic. She has worked enthusiastically back-stage making the costumes for We will rock you and spare time is generally either spent at the touch lines of sporting activities or at the stables with her children.

In accepting her appointment, Beth Sharpe said “It is a huge privilege to be offered the opportunity to be the new Deputy Head (Pastoral) at Princethorpe College and I am excited to be part of a school which puts pastoral care at the heart of its overall vision. I look forward to playing my part in ensuring that Princethorpe continues to be a truly outstanding school, where every student is able to thrive as part of a happy, enriching and ambitious community.”

A brave band of OPs battled through snow flurries to make it to the OPs Leamington Pub Meet on Friday 4 March.

We were in the comfortable upstairs function room of the Royal Pug on Regent Street, a new but popular venue for the OPs. Everyone enjoyed catching up over a delicious buffet and the odd drink. As well as OPs from across the generations, including new attendees such as Ollie McGrath, Ian Brown, Jaspar Rose, Beth Plant and Lottie Jones, there were familiar faces including Peter Rollason and his wife Moira, Paul and Martin Gallagher and Paul's daughter Hannah, Kevin Cahill, Dave White, Paul McGrath, Jan Matthew and Mark Dudley.

There were representatives from amongst the staff and former staff too, including the Headmaster, Ed Hester, Tracey Hester, Alex Darkes, Eddie Tolcher, Steve White, Peter Griffin and Ed MacFetridge, who had recently celebrated his 60th birthday.

The next OPs Pub Meet is in London on Friday 10 June from 6.30pm at the Old Tea Warehouse, Aldgate, EC3A 5AY, interest is growing in this event and we hope to see lots of OPs there!

Old Princethorpians and Friends of Princethorpe are invited to pre-order a copy of the special Golden Jubilee Book - A Spirit of Family: a portrait of the first fifty years of Princethorpe College by Nick Baker and Alex Darkes.

To mark the College’s Golden Jubilee, Nick Baker (Foundation Archivist) and Alex Darkes (Assistant Head) have written a book charting the school’s history from 1966 to the present day. With over 200 photographs from the archive, many reproduced in full colour, this book looks at different aspects of College life: the environment; teaching and learning; music; liturgy; sport; drama; celebrations; beyond the classroom and Old Princethorpians.

There are also short introductions to the other institutions associated with Princethorpe, such as St Mary’s Priory, St Bede’s College, St Joseph’s Convent (now Crackley Hall), Feldon and Abbotsford schools.

Those pre-ordering copies of the book, will be able to have their name or that of a loved one added to a list of subscribers printed at the back.

Here's a sneak preview from the frontspiece:

It’s 1792 and the stormy political backdrop in France, against which church property has been nationalised and solemn vows ended, forces a group of Benedictine nuns to flee the country in search of asylum. Their planned destination is Flanders, but the journey is too risky and instead they cross the Channel and end up in Brighton. For the next forty years or so they stay briefly in various places including London, Norfolk, Yorkshire, Lancashire before finally settling in Princethorpe, where they construct St Mary’s Priory in 1832, which is the first post-reformation monastery to be built in England.

The nuns lead a contemplative life and run a small girls’ boarding school for over one-hundred-and-thirty years until dwindling vocations and falling pupil numbers force them to sell the priory and seek a smaller house in Oxfordshire. In the meantime, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart who opened a boys’ school in Leamington the 1950s, which they were now rapidly outgrowing, buy the priory from the Benedictines, opening Princethorpe College with under two hundred pupils in 1966, rising to nearly nine hundred in 2016.

This book tells the fascinating story of the school, its pupils, staff and friends during its first half century and is the first major work to emerge from Princethorpe since the History of the Benedictines of St Mary’s Priory published in 1930.

The book costs £20 per copy, which can be collected during Princefest or from the College or alternatively posted to you at the additional charge of £5.00 for postage and packing. To guarantee that your name is included, all orders must be received by Friday 8 July.

Please email nickbaker@princethorpe.co.uk to register your interest in the book.

Over the last twelve months or so we have increased the resource at Princethorpe to look after Old Princethorpians and friends of the school. Loretta Curtis, who stood down as registrar last summer has been working to establish a new contact database and this has entailed going back through all of the admissions registers back to 1966 and in many cases keying details into the new system. The database is now live and will help us to keep in touch with you. We are also delighted to announce the appointment of Mrs Rachel Hadley-Leonard as Foundation Development Director with effect from June 2016. This is a new post to lead the foundation’s fund-raising initiative making the Princethorpe and Crackley Hall experience more accessible to pupils from all backgrounds. Rachel will join the existing strong team responsible for marketing, admissions, alumni and feeder school liaison.

An inspiring, charismatic and energetic professional, with a distinguished track record of philanthropy in schools, Rachel was involved with assisting in setting up the development office in her current role. Coming initially from a teaching background, she trained in English and PE, assuming responsibility for Learning Support at Solihull School before going full-time into marketing, progressing up the ladder to Head of Marketing, with additional responsibility as Director of Development and Alumni Relations.

Ed Hester, commented “I am delighted that Rachel has accepted the post. We know that she will be very able in raising the profile of our fund-raising, enabling further bursary support for those children who will excel with a Princethorpe education, but whose families face real financial hardship, which would otherwise deny them such a life-changing opportunity. Ultimately, we are also keen to raise funds for capital projects which will enhance the facilities available to current and future pupils.”

Rachel Hadley-Leonard is married to teacher Nick, who is also Commanding Officer of the CCF at Solihull; they have two children Charlie (17) and Emma (15), and live only a short distance from Princethorpe. Rachel is a keen ski leader, passionate about literature – both reading and writing – and was one of the 2012 London Olympics volunteers at Eton Dorney. She is a Board Director of AMDIS, the association which represents admissions, marketing and development in independent schools and was made Chair in 2015.

In accepting the post Rachel said “I am delighted to be joining The Princethorpe Foundation. I care passionately about education and understand its major contribution to society; in particular, the importance of affording less fortunate children the opportunity to thrive in an excellent learning environment such as Princethorpe College and Crackley Hall. I have a genuine understanding of the independent sector, both as a professional within it and as a parent of two children attending an independent school. I also believe that the best education is one which strives to care for its pupils not just for those years spent at school, but also beyond, forming a lifelong relationship.”

This is all very timely as Old Princethorpians Secretary, Melanie Butler, has considerably raised the profile of OPs over the last decade and the committee has established a regular programme of events. With the College celebrating its Golden Jubilee in the year 2016-17 and more events added to the programme including Princefest over the weekend of 3 and 4 September 2016, we hope to be able to welcome a record number of past pupils, current pupils, families and friends.

Shortly, it will be possible to update your details online and also order tickets and other merchandise. We will be writing to you very soon to give you a logon and password.

Tickets for Princefest, the College's Golden Jubilee flagship event - a fun-packed weekend of sport, music, food and friendship designed to kick-start the year will go on sale on Saturday 14 May.

A range of tickets will be available for the event which will be held over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday 4 September. The tickets have been priced to be affordable and crucially include unlimited funfair rides on the Saturday, something we hope will have a wide appeal. Early bird discounted tickets will be available until midnight Sunday 19 June.

On the Saturday the playground will be transformed into a funfair with rides and amusements. Food, drink and shopping stalls will be sited on the Lime Walk and around the College grounds. There will be pop-up music during the day and the main festival stage will be in the Orchard for a packed afternoon and evening programme aimed at a wide range of musical tastes.

The OPs vs College sports fixtures will run from 12.00 noon to 6.00pm during the day. As well as Netball and Boys and Girls Hockey, there will be the John Shinkwin Trophy Rugby, which sees the College First XV playing the leavers of 2016 and 15, we will also be hosting the OPs vs Kenilworth Babas Alex Wallis Memorial Match later on the same afternoon.  Those interested in playing should contact Director of Sport, Neil McCollin.

The Saturday evening will culminate in a grand firework finale. Revellers wishing to continue the party in Leamington can take advantage of one way coach transport to Leamington at 11.00pm. This needs to be booked in advance with your tickets.

Overnight family camping will be available Saturday into Sunday, all camping tickets include breakfast on the Sunday morning from the tuck shop in the price.

Sunday will be a more relaxed affair with a celebratory Mass in the Chapel, followed by a delicious hog roast brunch, tours of the school and a chance to catch up with friends.

Tickets will be sent out by post in the form of wristbands in the middle of August.

In order to book tickets you need to be registered on the booking site which you will be able to access from a page on the College website, click here. We are using PayPal to enable online bookings, with either your PayPal account if you have one, or your credit or debit card, If using your credit or debit card you need to opt for 'Check out as a PayPal guest'.

Comments, Headmaster, Ed Hester, "The release of Princefest tickets is eagerly awaited and we would urge all OPs, former parents and friends of Princethorpe to join us for what promises to be an amazing weekend. The event is open to the wider Princethorpe community including friends and family, so please do spread the word!"

We are in the process of finalising music acts, food stalls and shopping stalls if any Old Princethorpians are interested in getting involved, performing or having a stall, please email goldenjubilee@princethorpe.co.uk.

Saturday 24 September 2016 - 12.00pm to 4.00pm

As part of the College's Golden Jubilee Celebrations plans are afoot for a special reunion for the past pupils of St Mary's Priory.

The last reunion took place in 2014 and was well received by a good number of the old girls. The next event will follow a similar format of a leisurely lunch followed by an informal tour of the College.

The Headmaster will be extending invitations to all those we are in contact with, if you know of anyone who would like to attend please email their details to oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk or call 01926 634284.

Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 September 2016

A fun-packed weekend of sport, music, food and friendship to take place in the College grounds, celebrating the College's Golden Jubilee.

Tickets will go on sale on Saturday 14 May, click here for more information

Legends Hockey Camps will be returning to Princethorpe this summer.  There will be 3 camps running on:

Camp 1 - Tuesday 26 July 2016 - Friday 29 July 2016

Camp 2 - Tuesday 2 August 2016 - Friday 5 August 2016

Camp 3 - Tuesday 9 August 2016 - Friday 12 August 2016

Please click here for details.

Sunday 26 June 2016

One of the highlights of the School Calendar is the Annual Motoring Festival, now in its twenty first year.

The Twenty First 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.  To view the 2016 Motoring Festival newsletter click here.

Barbecued food is available for a nominal charge on return to Princethorpe at lunchtime, or feel free to bring a picnic.

The Summer Fête takes place in the Orchard between 2.00pm and 4.30pm, unless the weather is inclement when we will retire indoors.  There will be lots of entertainment both for children and adults alike including a large inflatable slide for the kids, BBQ, refreshments, bar, pupils’ stalls, over 30 external stalls, a raffle and many, many more exciting things for all the family to enjoy.

To register a vehicle click here

A postal booking form is available by clicking here.

A Motor Club postal or e-mail booking form is available by clicking here.

Further details on the Motoring Festival from Alex Darkes on 01926 634207 or email alexdarkes@princethorpe.co.uk.

Friday 24 June 2016 - 6.00pm optional tour, 7.00pm drinks reception, 7.30pm supper

OPs who left the College in 1976, 1986, 1996 and 2006 (or those who were in the same year groups) are cordially invited back to the OPs annual Summer Supper on Friday 24 June to celebrate their respective 40th, 30th, 20th and 10th anniversaries of leaving.

This new approach comes on the heels of last year's successful reunion for the leavers of 1975.

Comments OPs Secretary, Melanie Butler, "We know many OPs would be keener to come to these events if they can be sure of seeing some familiar faces.  By focusing on these year groups we hope to get a critical mass of attendees, although OPs from other years will of course be welcome too!"

The Summer Supper is now an established event in the OPs calendar, attracting a large number of OPs, former and current members of staff. The three-course supper is preceded by an optional tour and drinks in the Quad. Every year the OPs recognise long-standing members of staff and say farewell to any staff leaving the College.

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

Thursday 23 June - 6.00pm to 8.30pm and Sunday 29 June - 2.00pm to 4.30pm

The Summer Art, Photography and Design Show 2016, a celebration of our students GCSE, AS and A2 Art, Photography and Design work will take place in the College's Sixth Form Centre on Thursday 23 June from 6.00pm to 8.30pm and on Sunday 29 June from 2.00pm to 4.30pm.

This year once again we will part of Warwickshire Open Studios and a range of design technology projects, from resistant materials to textiles, will be showcased alongside the stunning art and photography work 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."

All are welcome. If you would like to attend on Thursday evening please click here so we can cater for you. Drinks and nibbles will be available.

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.

Saturday 18 June - 9.00am to 1.00pm

This exciting morning will cover a wide range of diverse skills in an innovative, practical and enjoyable way. The children will be closely supervised in small groups as they work with different materials and machines in order to each create an exciting product which they have designed.

Pupils will have the opportunity to work in a number of different design areas, including textiles, electronics and resistant materials and it will give them a fascinating insight into the exciting world of design and technology.

There is no charge for this event and participants will be provided with all the materials required, as well as mid-morning refreshments. The day will commence at 9.00am and end at approximately 1pm.

Those interested should email Miss Helen Morgan on helenmorgan@princethorpe.co.uk or telephone 01926 634262, with their name, date of birth, school, postal and email addresses details by Monday 6 June. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Friday 10 June from 6.30pm

The OPs London meet will take place on Friday 10 June at a new location, The Old Tea Warehouse in the City, a venue that comes highly recommended by other alumni associations. 

We will be in one of the pubs function rooms and as usual with our pub meets delicious buffet food will be provided.

The address is The Old Tea Warehouse, Aldgate, EC3A 5AY, interest is growing in this event and we hope to see lots of OPs there!  Please click here for directions.

Wednesday 8 June - 6.30pm to 8.30pm

The College's annual Summer Open Evening will take place on Wednesday 8 June from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

This is an informal opportunity to look around the school and to meet members of staff and pupils.

There will be activities in each department for children to participate in, and the Headmaster will also address visitors in the Chapel during the evening.

Light refreshments will be available.  If you would like more information on the Admissions process please click here to see our latest Admissions Update.

Year 5 Taster Day

For current Year 5 pupils (children born between 1 September 2005 and 31 August 2006), who are interested in admission to the College in September 2016.

The date is follows:

Wednesday 25 May

This day will involve a number of classroom sessions, a tour of the school, lunch and other activities. The days will run from 9.30am to 3.00pm.

Year 6 Taster Days will be available in October and November.

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. To book your child's place telephone the Registrars on 01926 634262 or email helenmorgan@princethorpe.co.uk.

The Arts Society have three events taking place during this Trinity term.

The first, on Thursday 12 May, is entitled The Lindisfarne Gospels and other early books which will be presented by Dr Nick Baker, Archivist to The Princethorpe Foundation.  This lecture will be an introduction to a masterpiece that has come to symbolise the ‘Golden Age of Northumbria’.  As usual this will take place in the Sixth Form Lecture Theatre at 7.30pm and will be followed by wine and light refreshments in the Atrium.  For further details and booking form please click here.

Margaret-Louise O’Keeffe, former Deputy Head of the College will be presenting our second lecture on Thursday 16 June.  For those who were unable to attend Margaret-Louise’s lecture for the Warwickshire Art Fund in February this is an opportunity to come and hear, first-hand, about Gustave Caillebotte: The Forgotten Impressionist.  The lecture and refreshments afterwards will all take place in the Sixth Form Centre from 7.30pm. For further details and booking form please click here.

Our Trinity Term programme will be brought to a close with the twenty-second annual Hugh Page Memorial Organ Recital on Tuesday 5 July.  Tim Campain will play a wide variety of pieces from various genres on the renowned Princethorpe Binn’s organ of 1901.  This will take place in the College Chapel at 7.30pm and will be followed by refreshments in the Atrium.  For further details and booking form please click here.

We hope that you will be able to attend one, if not all, of the events and very much look forward to seeing you there.

12 May - 10.00am to 3.00pm

Crackley Hall and Little Crackers, Princethorpe's junior school and nursery in Kenilworth, is opening its doors for its final open day of this academic year on Thursday 12 May from 10.00am to 3.00pm.  The school's new £2m east-end development is now fully open and visitors will be able to see the new multi-purpose hall, peripatetic music rooms and classrooms in action.

This is a great chance to look around the school and nursery during a normal working day and to chat to staff and pupils. Light refreshments will be available.

The nursery is open 48 weeks a year and is carefully structured for two-year olds, three-year olds and pre-school.

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

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

For more information visit www.crackleyhall.co.uk or read the Crackley Admissions Update.

Age:  53

When were you at Princethorpe - years from and to?

I was in the Sixth Form at Princethorpe from 1978 - 1980.

Bit of background, where you live, what you do for a living

I live in Malham, near Skipton in the Yorkshire Dales with my husband Iain and two teenage children, Emily, aged 16 and George, aged 14.

We moved here from Warwickshire nine years ago and I still haven’t got used to the weather! I work for a charity, the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, as both Company Secretary and Rural Trainees co-ordinator, running a project which helps young people in rural areas find apprenticeships in the environmental sector.

It’s a great job working with fantastic people, and for a small charity we run a huge range of projects. My daily commute takes me over gorgeous countryside with views of Pendle, two of the Yorkshire three Peaks and the Lake District fells, and all that ever holds me up are the Highland cattle in the road.

What was the school like in your day?

It sounds as though the school has changed a lot. In my day it was a boys only boarding school, with only a minority of day pupils (of which I was one).

Many or most of the staff were priests or nuns, with Father Clarkson as Head. We were told that the Sixth Form was going co-educational, and that ‘several’ girls had shown an interest, however when it came to the first day of term I was the only one… I don’t believe I was actually the first, as I think there was another lone girl two years or so earlier, but I’m not sure how long she stayed.

How did Princethorpe affect the person you are today?

I can’t pretend it was an altogether great experience; I was a shy 16-year old, lacking in self-confidence, propelled into a world of teenage boys who can be incredibly cruel and insensitive, however overall I think it did me good. I developed a thicker skin. In particular I’m not sure I could have coped with my own teenage son without that experience! I did meet my first husband there, which obviously changed my life somewhat!

What advice would you give to your teenage self?

Lighten up, care less about what people say or think of you, work harder!

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

My dad. He came from an entirely different generation, having been born in 1908 (he was obviously a lot older than my mother) yet retained a really flexible and young attitude to life, accepted everyone for who or what they were, was interested in everyone and stayed calm at all times, even with two teenage daughters in the house!

What keeps you awake at night? 

Worrying about the effects of technology on my children.

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

Having two children who are starting to be reasonable human beings.

What’s your biggest indulgence?

Ski holidays. And whisky!

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

Anything vegetarian that wasn’t smothered in cheese or too hot and spicy. The Yorkshire Dales are beautiful, but possibly the least vegetarian friendly place in England, so I’ve forgotten what its like to have a choice! Italian/Mediterranean food for preference.

What is your favourite TV Show and why? 

Anything escapist with a great plot and slightly ridiculous, preferably crime!. I particularly enjoy Sherlock, Death in Paradise and Dr Who – the only three shows that are guaranteed to get our whole family sitting down together to watch. 

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

On the ski slopes in the French Alps – preferably alone but better say with my family in case they read this! Or maybe in a little beachside café somewhere beautiful and unspoiled – and warm.

Lasting memories of Princethorpe:

A great school production of Joseph (for which I refused – very wisely I think – to play the part of Potiphar’s wife!). Father O’Brien telling us we had to stay ‘3 feet apart’ at the school dances. Mr Rex teaching history and being wound up unmercifully by most boys, but seemingly unaware of it. Lazing under the trees pretending to study. Sister Alban, I believe it was, declaiming Chaucer’s Prologue in an ‘authentic’ Olde English accent – I still remember ‘Whan that Aprille with his shoures soote, hath perced the droughte of March to its roote’, and later inviting us to coffee and offering us a little whisky in it to celebrate something or other.

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

None apart from Peter Rollason, my former brother-in-law, who remains a good friend although I don’t see him or his family nearly often enough.

Is there anyone you would like to track down?

I have an appalling memory and can remember very few names from my time at Princethorpe – I sometimes wonder whether I’ve blocked the memories! Being the only girl it was quite difficult to make friends as anyone who did talk to me got ribbed for it, but there were a few brave souls! Julian, who’s surname I’ve forgotten, and a guy who lived in Burnthurst Lane – Tim? Wish I could remember! I do remember going to see Saturday Night Fever at the pictures in Leamington (when it was still the Regal) with a few of the day boys quite early on, with hindsight it was very nice of them to ask me along. It might be interesting to compare memories – maybe.

We have just received the sad news of the death of Sr Mary Placid OSB aged 88 years, on Monday 2nd May. Phyllis Hunt of Leamington Spa, was professed at Princethorpe as Sr Mary Placid on 12 November 1954 and spent her early religious life at Princethorpe, moving to the new priory at Fernham in 1966 and then to Boarbank Hall in Cumbria in 2003. She was one of the seven Benedictine nuns who returned to Princethorpe in 2001 for the centenary of the New Church, when a Mass was celebrated by the then Archbishop of Birmingham, Vincent Nicholls.

We send our condolences to all of the former Fernham community, old girls of St Mary’s Priory, the community at Boarbank Hall and especially to Sr Mary Lawrence OSB with whom she would have lived in community for nearly sixty years.

She was characterised by her gentle warmth and unshakeable faith. With family in Leamington Spa, she had revisited Princethorpe periodically and had always remained in touch, keenly interested to know how the school was progressing. May she rest in peace.

The funeral will take place this coming Monday 9 May at Boarbank Hall.

Alex Darkes

Many congratulations to Felicity Hannah and family on the safe arrival of a third son, Magnus, who was born at 10pm on Sunday 1 May weighing 8lbs 14oz.

Congratulations to OPs Grant Fellows and Rosannah Kettle, who met at Princethorpe and have recently tied the knot.

Comments Grant, "It was a wonderful day, the weather was with us and the sun was shining. We had a very relaxed ceremony with lots of laughter at beautiful Hampton In Arden church then continued in Hampton Manor. We couldn't have asked for a better day surrounded by friends and family."

The happy couple swiftly jetted off to Italy for three weeks for a tour starting in Lake Garda and onwards to Venice, Florence, Lucca, Rome and finally Sorrento.

We wish them both every happiness together!

John and Tricia Naylor are very excited to announce the arrival of George Máximo Naylor.

He was born on the 23rd April at Warwick Hospital, weighing a healthy 9 pounds.

We wish them all well with their new adventure!

Huge congratulations to James and Simone Ferris on the safe arrival of their daughter, Maisie Grace at 11.14am on 8th April, weighing 4 pounds 2 ounces.

Comments James, "Both Simone and I are loving being parents and particularly enjoying walks in the sunshine!"

When I crossed the familiar Princethorpe threshold last month, it had been almost 40 years since I had last done so.  OPs Secretary, Melanie, had kindly agreed to indulge my nostalgia during a rare visit to the UK from Nairobi where I now work for the British Council.  I was at Princethorpe between 1974 and 1977.  My Dad’s job had already taken me to eight different schools by the time I landed in Princethorpe as a second year full-boarder. I always felt I had vivid memories of the school and the people I shared it with – but I wasn’t prepared for just how familiar the place would feel and how much more would come back to me.

Any ex-boarder of my era will remember the splinters from the creaking floorboards in the second year dormitories (now the IT department); loading the dishwashing machines in the precious time after supper when it was your table’s turn on the rota; stealing up in among the organ pipes of the chapel, or even into the heating conduits below the floor, or, on special occasions, into the tower itself;  the nerves and frost on the rugby pitches during a Saturday morning home match; the acrobatics and injuries around the decidedly unheated swimming pool in the summer (you can still see its outline from the third floor, beside the orchard wall). 

Any school is of its time, and this is a gentler time than those days.  Being hit on the head by a board rubber if you were foolish enough to talk in history, and picking potatoes in the local fields if you were unfortunate enough to miss your holiday visit home, were part of the life.  But so was the staff’s unerring firm but fair guiding of the boys; so was the emotional literacy and thoughtfulness of approach encouraged by Father Clarkson in his teachers; so was the sense of family.

I’m grateful to Princethorpe for all of it, and gladdened by the way that it has flourished since then on those values.     

Many congratulations to OP Ashley Dodds, who has recently graduated with a Degree in Paramedic Science from St George’s, University of London.

Ashley is now employed by The London Ambulance Service where her induction programme included learning to drive ambulances on a blue light. She’s now based at London Waterloo working as a full-time paramedic and is continuing her studies.

Comments, Ashley, "The work is busy and varied and I am thoroughly enjoying it!"

Since finishing my A levels at Princethorpe I have had an exciting few years. I decided to have a gap year and work at the College as a gap student working closely with a variety of departments, particularly with the Sports staff. This allowed me to develop a real sense of school life from a teaching perspective, a career choice I had always been interested in pursuing. Since then, I have spent the last four years at the University of Southampton completing a Psychology degree, which allowed me to continue with a subject I developed a passion for during my A-level studies.

The focus of my degree was child development and I had many opportunities to work closely with schools to enrich and progress my understanding of educational psychology and working with children. On completion of my degree, and still very much enjoying living by the sea, I streamlined my career path and began a Primary PGCE with Maths Specialism. This has been a demanding year, however, the opportunities to work with so many different children and to share their learning has been very rewarding.

As I come towards the end of my PGCE year, I am very excited to be embarking on my new career as a primary school teacher. I will begin my journey as a year 6 teacher at Ratcliffe College in Leicestershire, from September. I feel privileged to have had the education and experiences I have, and hope to really inspire all the children I teach in the future.

Old Princethorpian Katie Young, who left in 2013, has recently won NHS Health Education England's Primary Care Apprentice of the Year Award 2016. 

The eighteen-year old, now a permanent member of staff at the Waterside Medical Centre in Leamington Spa, started her business administration apprenticeship at the practice in 2013 and has completed the advanced level 3 qualification.  She impressed the judges with her hard work and commitment to improving patient care with the team at Waterside.

Katie was presented with her award by Joanne Malin, the BBC news presenter, at a ceremony at the ICC.

She commented, "I am delighted to have won the award. I'm very grateful to the Waterside Medical Centre for the fantastic support they have given me throughout my apprenticeship and now as a permanent member of their team.

"I'd really recommend NHS apprenticeships to other young people who want to develop their skills and put them into practice in an interesting and challenging environment. It's a great way to prepare you for employment."

Katie is pictured with Waterside Practice Manager Tim Morris and colleague Jackie Griffith.

Nick Kamen, who left the College in is organising a Curry Night at Warwick Castle Balti starting at 7.00pm on Saturday 28 May.

OPs attending so far are Nick himself, Nic Rae, Allan Dowker and Martin Nwanga.

All are welcome! If you would like to join them for a catch up please email Nick.kamen01@vodafone.com asap so he can firm up numbers with the restaurant!

OP Alex Johnson has written a new play, Apprentices which will be performed for the first time at Coventry's Albany Theatre on Saturday 21st May.

Coincidentally, fellow OP, Ian Lucas is taking to the stage as the main character in the pla, following an open audition.

The story is outlined below:

The apprentices and engineers who fuelled Coventry’s remarkable growth to become the centre of car manufacturing and engineering nearly all set foot in the college at some point and passed through its auspicious doors and Art Deco marble foyer.

For some, the theatre behind that foyer might have been overlooked but for others, there was a moment either onstage or backstage when something changed...

Join us as we explore the remarkable story of the apprentices who dared to dream, downing their spanners and hammers to become the most magnificent chorus of the past eight decades of apprentices. Let them tell you how it was and how it is now. Their story is embellished by the ghost of the theatre and our ensemble of incredible modern-day apprentices and community cast.

Apprentices is part of Spon Spun Festival, celebrating story-telling and Spon End, a historic suburb, and a hidden gem in Coventry.

Show time:
Saturday 21st May at 7:30pm

Ticket Prices:
Adults: £9
Children, OAPs and Concessions: £6

Running time: 2 hours including a 20-minute interval.

For more information and tickets go to:
http://albanytheatre.co.uk/apprentices

I am currently in my last few weeks of a Primary PGCE at the University of Warwick. It has been a rollercoaster year with lots of new experiences and opportunities to learn from excellent teachers that I have been lucky enough to work alongside. I have felt myself grow as a teacher as a result of undertaking placements in a variety of schools - from a three-form entry city school to my current school, a vertically streamed rural school where I am teaching a class containing children from Year 4, 5 and 6. 

Last week I received my first job offer which I gladly accepted to begin a teaching post for the next commencing academic year. I will be based in an 'Outstanding' Coventry school with my own Year 3 class, a year group I have always wanted to teach. Although I know how tough my first year as a teacher will be, I am looking forward to finishing my PGCE and getting going on my teaching career!

Congratulation to 2015 leaver, Richard Hill who has just been offered an ARUP Higher Level Apprenticeship in Railway Design Engineering.

ARUP is a global design engineering company with offices in 40 countries throughout the world.  ARUP provides full engineering services from design through to construction. They have designed the Aquatic Centre in London for the 2012 Olympics, the Sydney Opera House in Australia and the St Mary Axe (The Gherkin) in London, to name but a few.  Richard will be based in the award winning eco-building in Solihull and he will benefit from being financed through college and potentially on to a degree. 

With over 100 plus applicants, Richard was shortlisted to go to their assessment centre for a day.  He was then lucky enough to secure one of two Apprenticeships when ARUP telephoned him the same evening to offer him the post.  Said a delighted Richard, "I was really excited when they telephoned me to offer me the post because on the assessment day I could feel myself having a successful start to my career there and I was very impressed with the company.  The people I met there were very enthusiastic about their roles and I was inspired by the overall ethos. This will be a full-time permanent post starting in September."

Richard continued, "I will always be grateful for the support and guidance I have received from staff at Princethorpe throughout my years there.  They have had a massive influence on me and this has provided a a very good foundation for my future."