A rite of passage for all new Princethorpians is a climb to the top of Princethorpe’s iconic tower. With spectacular views across the Warwickshire countryside, it really rewards the winding nearly 200-step climb. It can be seen from miles around, is integral to the College’s identity and even features on the school crest. On Tuesday 31 January, in the bright winter sunshine, and as he marked the completion of his first month at Princethorpe, Mr du Toit made the climb to the top to take in the panoramic views. On the way up he discovered the secrets of the rooms in the Tower, including the bell room with nine old bells and the old water tanks for the Chapel’s organ. From the top he had a bird’s eye view of the whole College campus and of the progress of the College’s new state-of-the-art Science Centre.

The story sparked a lot of interest from OPs when we shared it on Facebook with a number of you recounting your climbs or regrets for never having ascended the Tower. From time to time we organise events or tours that include a trip up the Tower if that is something that interests you, please email oldprincethorpians@princethorpe.co.uk.