Through these themes, we hope to spark positive conversations and memories amongst the OP community, with the idea coming from an Old Princethorpian in the first place - OP Committee member, Nigel Bromley.

Nigel, who serves on the committee as the Communications lead, comments, "The idea was inspired by A History of the World in 100 Objects, a collaboration between BBC Radio 4 and the British Museum. We know there are loads of places, things and people strongly associated with the College. By focusing on 60 things and 60 people through regular posts on our social media platforms throughout the Jubilee Year, we hope to stimulate those conversations and get more OPs engaging with us on our socials and making their own suggestions for content."

Princethorpe In 60

Princethorpe in 60 will be featuring the buildings, landscapes, artwork, publications and other memorabilia that have all in their own way contributed to the Princethorpe we know and love. First up were five special places that have featured in the life and history of the school.

Princethorpe's Tower stands 130ft high in the Warwickshire countryside and can be seen from miles around; it features in the school's crest and is the present-day Foundation's logo. Climbing the nearly 200 steps of the winding spiral staircase is now a well-known rite of passage for new pupils and staff at the school.

The Refectory is the main dining hall here at Princethorpe College. It dates from the time when the College was St Mary's Priory and has always been a place where pupils have taken their meals (originally in silence). The honours boards around its walls are a testament to the many pupils who have eaten at its tables across the years.

The Quad began its life as the cloister garden for the Benedictine nuns. Today, the Quad is a beautifully and traditionally landscaped garden, a peaceful haven at the centre of the school.

The Study Hall was once part of the old chapel at St Mary's Priory , which was deconsecrated and divided into two floors in 1968. The upper section became the Study Hall and many of you will no doubt remember doing your entrance exams and prep time there, or events such as the music performance, cinema nights and even the occasional disco! In 2001-02, extensive redevelopment work was carried out on the Study Hall to convert it to the current Library.

The Boarding Rooms, many of which were originally the Benedictine Nuns cells, were a home from home for our boarders. In summer 1999, the upper boarding corridor (now Upper Pugin) received a colourful makeover to create 'a new comfortable and homely wing for our girl boarders'. With their distinctive name plaques above the doors dating back to the Priory, the rooms are now home to some of our senior leaders and administrative support teams.

60 Princethorpe People

Our sincerest thanks go to these five OPs who are featured in the first 60 Princethorpe People post:

Charlie Crowley - Class of 1967

I had gone to St Bede's aged 10 and then transitioned to Princethorpe in 1966. I was in the Lower Sixth in my last year at St Bedes. Paddy Clarkson and Hugh O'Shea were the last Upper Sixth at St Bede's. Stephen Clarkson and I became the Upper Sixth at Princethorpe. Richard Lawlor and Jim Griffin were the Lower Sixth. Days at Princethorpe were happy days. Most enjoyable was the sport, whether football, rugby, cricket or athletics. Numbers were small so you got into any team going! So many memories...

After Princethorpe, I studied Chemistry and Biochemistry at UCL, eventually migrating into IT in the mid 1970s. I worked in a variety of IT roles in London until retirement. Shortly after retirement, Sekeeta (my wife) and I went to live in Baltimore, West Cork, Ireland, an area my parents had left in 1940 to come to England. We are still living there happily today.

Toni Reszka - Class of 1970

My school years at St Bede’s and Princethorpe College remain some of the most formative of my life. The buildings and surroundings were beautiful, but it was the culture - a sincere commitment to nurturing each student and enabling a passion for learning - that truly shaped me. Whenever I visit the school, talking to students and teaching staff it is very evident to see that the same ethos is very much present as ever. Looking back, I could never have guessed that a subject I greatly enjoyed - Euclidean Geometry taught by Fr. Dan O’Connor - would become the bedrock of my entire career in industrial automation. The school set me on a path I didn’t recognise at the time yet presented me with a very satisfying and rewarding career. I remain deeply grateful. Seeing how the College has evolved and grown in recent times, with modern facilities far beyond anything we could have imagined all those years back in the late 1960s, is remarkable.

Jerry Peacock - Class of 1971

On leaving the safe and caring environment that was Princethorpe, I Joined the Metropolitan Police Force, enjoying a diverse and fascinating 31-year journey which culminated in my final years at New Scotland Yard. Subsequently, for several years I worked for four laboratories conducting Drug and Alcohol Testing in the workplace and in the sporting arena. Since then, full retirement beckoned and I am very involved with my local church but also still playing a lot of sport.

Jean-Pierre Parsons - Class of 1974

I attended Princethorpe College as a full-time border from 1967 to 1974. After graduating with a degree in Law I joined the NHS. My last position was as a Chief Executive of a Trust in Staffordshire. During my early retirement, I served as a Trustee of the Board of Governors at Princethorpe; it was wonderful to see how the school had progressed and was reshaping itself to face the challenges of our ever changing society. I was also a Trustee of our local Hospice for 13 years, the last three as Chair of the Board. I am now fully retired and live in Scotland.

Ian Brown - Class of 1976

I had a very happy time at Princethorpe. The education and encouragement that I received has helped me throughout my life and career, and the focus on the strengths of the individual was of great benefit in preparation for life ahead. I have spent much of my working life at a Warwickshire-based construction machinery manufacturer. My time with the company has included positions as Sales Director and Managing Director before becoming Deputy Chairman in 2019. It is a pleasure to reflect on my school days and to see that the family ethos continues, and will doubtless benefit all those who are fortunate enough to attend Princethorpe.

We hope these places and people evoke your own warm memories of your time at Princethorpe College. What are your lasting memories? Who do you remember and what stories can you share? Help us build the Princethorpe story by sending your memories and photos to archives@princethorpe.co.uk

Look out our for our #PrincethorpeIn60 and #60PrincethorpePeople posts on the OPs social media channels, and be sure to comment, like and share:

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