"September, the start of the new school year. For some, it marks the beginning of a new chapter as a Princethorpian. I remember that first week well, do you? I was filled with excitement! But it was tinged with apprehension. My background was a bit different to some of my classmates. I didn't live in a big house, enjoy holidays abroad or benefit from two working parents. And I worried I wouldn't fit in.
In fact, I was only able to join Princethorpe mainly thanks to a bursary funded by Old Princethorpians.

It turns out I needn't have worried. My classmates were welcoming and friendly, and I felt part of the Princethorpe family straightaway. One of my strongest memories is the sense of community at Princethorpe. Encouraging each other and trying to bring out the best in everyone was part of our Christian ethos. We rooted for one another and celebrated others' achievements. It was a world away from my experience of school life so far. And alongside my family, friends and faith, it played a huge role in helping me on my path in life.

That's why I'm sharing my story with you today. The generosity of Old Princethorpians helped change the course of my life. And we have the chance to do the same for a young person with potential, hopes and dreams but whose family doesn't have the means to give them an education they feel will afford them the most opportunities.

A Princethorpe education isn't the only option for an education that opens up possibilities for young people. But for some, like many of us, it's the one that will help them achieve their full potential.

A gift of £12 from each of us today will change an 11-year-old's life. You can make a donation here. Together, we can give them the opportunities I had through a fully-funded bursary.

Since first visiting Princethorpe, I had my heart set on joining, like all of us hoping for a bursary. However, I know now there were only limited resources available – and there still are. Looking back, I guess I was one of the fortunate ones.

I can still remember finding out I'd be a Princethorpian. A world of possibilities opened up for me that day. I realised my hopes and ambitions could become a reality, and they have. Today I'm a doctor, in part thanks to the opportunities afforded to me via the bursary funded by those who went before us.

Few immediate family had been to university before me. And I'm the only doctor amongst us. In fact, Princethorpe influenced my career in medicine. It wasn't something I'd considered before joining – people at my previous school simply didn't become doctors. When we stop and think about Princethorpe's impact on our lives, it's easy to see why parents and young people choose the school.

My mum became a single parent to three boys under the age of six. Money was tight. And time was even tighter with looking after us. Yet Mum sacrificed all she could to give us the best opportunities. But money to make sure our gifts and talents were nurtured with an education that brought out the best in us wasn't within her grasp. Thank goodness for the generosity of Old Princethorpians.

Like you, I keep in touch with Princethorpe. Partly because it's like an old friend and partly because my time there instilled a strong sense of Christian and community spirit. And I've never lost that desire to help bring out the best in others. I'm hoping you feel the same.

Because together, we can make sure a young person who would thrive on Princethorpe's ethos and education doesn't miss out on the same life-changing opportunities we enjoyed. 

Please, will you join your fellow Princethorpians and give a gift of £12 today? You can find out more here.

Thank you for taking the time to hear from me today. I hope my words prompted happy memories and reminded you of simpler times when the world felt full of wonder and held
endless potential.

With best wishes,
Jacob

Dr Jacob Stone,
Old Princethorpian, Class of 2012