Princethorpe was delighted when OP John Dawkins (1991 to 1998), agreed to return in December to his 'old stomping ground', in his words, to support our current pupils in two very different ways.

Firstly, John talked to the A-level Business Studies students, sharing his experience and insights into the Music industry, which is the focus of the Case Study provided by their exam board.

John is one of the founders of the music management company, Various Artists Management, which has offices in London, LA and Sydney, and he has managed some of the biggest names in the industry, including Charli XCX, Spice Girl Melanie C, and Bedford-born Tom Grennan. He was able to offer a unique insight into how record deals are made, considerations relating to live performances and strategies for artist promotion and management. He also kindly offered advice for working in business in general and generously engaged in a Q&A with the enthralled students.

John particularly encouraged the students to believe in themselves and to learn how to work with different personalities. He attributed his confidence and self belief to his education at Princethorpe, and advised that these two elements together have been crucial to his successes. John openly shared that he would never have imagined when he was a pupil that he'd be enjoying the career he has now, as he was not academic when at Princethorpe. Back then he excelled at Sport and was pursuing a career in football, but following a stint playing for Coventry he moved on to complete a degree in Sport Science and Media at St Mary’s, Twickenham. He then worked as a bartender in Camden, where he would encounter artists and bands who were looking to pursue a music career, and before long he found himself helping artists to establish themselves and discovered both a love and aptitude for this kind of work.

John's story entertained and inspired the students, and with some key questions from Business Studies teacher, Laura Wilford, they were able to draw links between his insights and the case study to which they will now turn their attention.

John's generosity did not stop there though. After a quick refreshment, John shifted gear to become the Special Guest Judge for the annual hotly-contested House Singing Competition, which take places on Princethorpe's 'College Feast Day'.

The House Singing Competition is a fun-filled but highly competitive event, so the House Activities Co-ordinator, Meg O'Gorman, was delighted when John agreed to be Guest Judge, as his impressive experience working in the Music industry gave gravitas to his judgements and added to the sense of occasion.

John introduced himself to the assembled throng of singers, publicly greeted his former school mate and current member of staff, Tom Gleghorn, and respectfully acknowledged his former Headmaster, Father Alan Whelan MSC. John shared that the school has grown significantly since his time, but that it instilled in him a sense of self-belief and confidence that he could see is still a valued aim of a Princethorpe education today. He encouraged the pupils to do their best, with added motivation offered to his own former House, Benet, jokingly charging them to 'not let me down'. At the close of the competition (the Senior session won by the delighted More House and the Junior by the elated Fisher House), Deputy Head (Pastoral) Beth Sharpe presented John with a Benet House badge to thank him for his time and generous support of our students. He was shown the appreciation of the whole student body, not only by their applause but also by the excited throngs of students who accosted him as he exited the Sports Hall, asking for extra insights into working with the likes of KSI and Central Cee!

We are deeply grateful to John for giving his time so generously and wish him and his family a very Merry Christmas.