Pupils, staff, trustees, parents and friends of Princethorpe College have been celebrating and giving thanks for Headmaster, Ed Hester's, thirteen-year tenure at the College.

Mr Hester’s role will be changing in January to that of Foundation Principal, responsible for the strategic vision and direction of the Princethorpe Foundation as a whole, and new Headmaster Grove du Toit will take over the day-to-day running of the College.

Over his time in office Mr Hester has driven many significant milestones and developments at the College and indeed the wider Foundation, which now comprises Crackley Hall School and Little Crackers Nursery in Kenilworth and Crescent School in Rugby. The school has grown from 762 pupils and five form entry in 2009 to six or seven form entry and around 930 pupils today, its optimum size.  Thanks to Mr Hester and the team he has built around him, the College has grown in credibility and stature over the last thirteen years and is now a ‘first choice’ school for many families. The Foundation has grown and developed too, and now numbers some 1,400 pupils aged 2 to 18 years.

At a surprise event for Mr Hester, invited guests took a look back at some of the highlights and developments of his headship including successful mergers with Abbotsford School and Crescent School, the College’s ethos and its links with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, excellent ISI Inspections, membership of the prestigious Headmasters and Headmistresses’ Conference, significant campus developments, the College’s Golden Jubilee celebrations and handling of the Covid pandemic.

The event also celebrated academic, pastoral and co-curricular success and achievements at the College and the central part Mr Hester has played in this over the years. From his enthusiastic involvement in many academic, musical, charity and house events from results day and jazz band to welly wanging and abseiling down the iconic Tower.

At the final assembly of term Mr Hester was presented with a cut glass tankard by the pupil body and a commemorative book signed by all the pupils. One last surprise was in store when the whole Princethorpe community launched into a rousing rendition of ABBA’s Dancing Queen, dedicated to the ‘Greatest Edmund we’ve ever seen!’ For once Mr Hester was lost for words!! 

Mr Hester commented, “I have been very touched by the kind words and thoughts expressed in the past few days. I have been incredibly fortunate to have been Head of Princethorpe College for the last 13 years – it has been a job I have loved. I have had one or two surprises over the years, but the whole school singing “Dancing Queen” is a memory I shall cherish. Thank you to all the staff and pupils for making my last day such a special one.”

We thank Mr Hester for his outstanding leadership, dedication and contribution to the success of the College and Foundation to date and wish him good luck in his new exciting role.