The Chronicle

Earlier this week the Princethorpe Foundation issued its response to new data legislation (GDPR), which comes into force today, Friday 25 May 2018.

Over the last year we have been working hard to keep abreast of directives from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and their guidance concerning data processing. We have also sought advice from professional industry bodies, our school solicitors and external consultants.

Having undertaken a thorough review and audit of the data we hold and the way in which we process it, the Princethorpe Foundation believes that all of the data held relating to our community can be lawfully processed under three bases, namely Legal Obligation, Contractual and/or Legitimate Interests. This is due to the nature of the existing relationships we already have with our community which includes prospective, current and former pupils, prospective, current and former parents, prospective, current and former staff and Friends of the Foundation.

Please be assured that we will treat your data with the utmost integrity, respect and confidentiality. Your personal data will be stored and used in accordance with our updated Privacy Notices in line with the new regulation and our communications with you will be conducted in the least intrusive way possible and only in ways that you would reasonably expect. You can opt out of receiving non-legal or non-contractual communications at any time by contacting us by email, telephone or by letter.

To see the full response, view the updated Privacy Notices and how to contact us, click on this link.

Our Stars of the Week this week are:

Junior 6 have enjoyed a spectacular six days away in Normandy this week.  Their packed itinerary has included a range of cultural, historical and more leisurely sights as well as the chance to put into practise their language skills!

A full report will be included in the next Chronicle but for now here are a few photos from their 'Tour De France'.

Last Thursday 17 May Crackley Hall’s Chamber Choir had the honour of performing in front of an audience of headteachers from across the country at the Independent Schools Association annual conference.  The conference was taking place close to the school at the Chesford Grange Hotel, which is situated on the outskirts of Kenilworth.

27 children from the choir, which includes Junior 5 and 6 pupils, participated in an evening service that was held at the end of the first day of the conference.  They performed two pieces -  ‘Angus Dei’ by Bob Chilcott and ‘For the Beauty of the Earth’ by John Rutter.

The children were complimented on their performance by a number of the headteachers at the service, who were clearly delighted to hear such uplifting singing.   Alex Gear, ISA Chair and Head of Oakhyrst Grange School, gathered the children around him at the end to talk to them about their performance and to thank them, he said, “Thank you for coming to sing to us this evening, that was beautifully sung and simply wonderful to listen to.  It really was some of the best singing I have ever heard.”

Director of Music at Crackley Hall, Susan Olden, who accompanied the children and played the music for the service, was delighted and commented, “The children work very hard rehearsing week in week out, so it is really pleasing to come and perform in front of such a prestigious audience and to get such positive feedback.”

Little Crackers Nursery in Kenilworth is one of only 40 pre-schools in Warwickshire to be awarded a WIncKS Kite-Mark.  The Warwickshire Inclusion Kite-Marking Scheme celebrates Little Crackers’ excellent pre-school provision and also recognises the high standard of inclusive care provided by the nursery.

Through the Kite-Mark Scheme the County Council recognises pre-schools that deliver excellent and effective inclusion for children in their early years.  The Kite-Mark scheme celebrates good practice and aims to raise the profile of pre-schools that can offer high-quality support.

Little Crackers Nursery, part of Crackley Hall School, was the only pre-school in Kenilworth to receive the Kite-Mark.  Last Friday 18 May, Early Years Foundation Stage Teacher, Lisa O’Carroll Bailey, attended an award ceremony at The Shire Hall in Warwick where she was presented with a beautifully framed WIncKS certificate.

Lisa commented, “We are all thrilled to be the first setting in Kenilworth to earn this award.  It recognises how inclusive our ethos here at Little Crackers is and our team’s daily commitment to the highest levels of care.”

This year the Independent Schools Association (ISA) U11 Kwik Cricket Tournament coincided with our Junior 6s annual trip to France, so on Monday 21 May it was a team of nine Junior 5s that set out for Moddershall Cricket Club in Staffordshire to represent Crackley Hall in this Year 6 tournament.

Playing were 14 teams from across the Midlands and so for the first round the schools were split into four pools.  Crackley found themselves pitted against Edenhurst Prep School, Highclare School and Tettenhall College. 

Under the watchful eye of their coaches the boys worked hard at their game, listening carefully to instructions and feedback and putting the advice to good use as the matches progressed. 

Playing in the team were Bobby Chapman, Alistair Darnell (Vice-Captain), Wilf Grindal, Sam James, Toby Lucas, Seamus Meakins-Owens, Ben Moore, Seb Owen (Captain) and Charlie Wilcox.

The boys lost their first match, but from there on in they went from strength to strength.  Seamus Meakins-Owens made some precision catches out in the field and Seb Owen took some fantastic wickets with his accurate bowling.  Wilf Grindal’s batting and Alistair Darnell’s decision making also won Crackley important runs and that all helped to drive up the scores and ensured the boys played an improving all round game.  At the end of the group stage Crackley had qualified for the play offs for 5th/6th position.

Keen to make their mark against the older teams the boys then upped their game and claimed good wins against both Grantham Prep School and Birchfield School to finish in a very respectable overall fifth position.

Team Coach, Steve Vaughan, commented, “I was very proud of the boys for maintaining their effort and concentration over the course of a very long hot day. They built on each match, learning lessons well and by the end they were playing as a formidable team of cricketers.”

Prior to setting off on their end of term trip to France our J6s embarked on the creation of land art pieces inspired by artists including Michael Grab and Andy Goldsworthy. Their eventual artwork or habitat was informed by their understanding of both artists' works, namely the balance of stones and the use of natural materials and settings.

Mrs Clark was particularly impressed with the work of Harriet Boyd and Evie Berger who created the picture in a frame, and Ben Rose, who was obviously inspired by the work of Goldsworthy, and also to Finlay Byrne's group who made a palatial residence for their creature!

Junior 2 left no stone unturned as they explored our local medieval fortress, Kenilworth Castle, this week.  They enjoyed a trip to the English Heritage castle on Thursday 24 May to round off their topic in History this term. The children have been busy studying castles in the classroom and have even built and fired their own catapult.

Their trip included a guided tour of the castle buildings including the Keep and the Great Hall, they got the chance to climb the towers and visit Leicester’s Gatehouse. The children clambered up the battlements, explored the ruins and re-enacted a pageant before settling down to enjoy a picnic in the beautiful castle grounds.

They learnt all about life in a castle and about the visit of Queen Elizabeth I. Mrs Hardwick, Junior 2H teacher, said, “We have so enjoyed studying castles and this was such an incredible way to bring it all to life.”

The Princethorpe Foundation is pleased to announce that it has appointed two new trustees.  Elizabeth Kenward and Mike Fletcher have joined the Governing Body and will work with fellow Trustees to oversee the overall management and strategic direction of the Foundation.

Mrs Elizabeth Kenward BA, PGCE, CTC brings a wealth of educational experience having worked in Catholic secondary education for 37 years, including 15 as a Deputy Head. 

Mrs Kenward, commented, “My two children left Princethorpe in 2017 after seven happy years at the college, both progressing to university to study their chosen courses. They benefited greatly from the opportunities the school provided to travel widely and play sport, leaving with many happy memories.”  She continued, “I was honoured to be asked to join the Princethorpe Foundation Trustees, which will enable me to continue my links with the College and my involvement in Catholic education, both of which I value greatly.”

Mr Mike Fletcher BSc (Hons) is an Old Princethorpian, who attended the College from 1977 to 1982.  Mr Fletcher has recently retired from his role as Vice President at a global IT company, where he worked for over 30 years in a number of technical, operational, managerial and business development roles.  Mr Fletcher has two children that currently attend the College.

Mr Fletcher, remarked, “I particularly appreciate the environment that Princethorpe provides, academic challenge is complemented by sound ethical values and the opportunity to experience a wide range of extra-curricular activities that enrich the lives of pupils for years to come.”

Eddie Tolcher, Foundation Bursar and Clerk to the Trustees said, “Both our new Trustees bring valuable experience to the Foundation’s Governing Body.  Their support and advice will be much appreciated and we are delighted to welcome them to the Board of Trustees.