College Celebrates 30 Years Of Co-Education

While girls were welcomed into the Sixth Form from 1976, it was not until September 1995 that Years 7 to 11 were opened up to girls for the first time.

On Wednesday 29 April, pupils and staff attended a special lunchtime talk to mark this milestone in Princethorpe’s history. Headmaster Grove du Toit chaired a panel which included alumnae who were among the ‘pioneer’ girls to join the College in 1995/96, and staff who played a key role in the transition to co-ed.

As two of only fifty girls across the whole school in September 1995, alumnae Eleanor Haddon and Jenny Welch shared their memories of the close friendships that formed, and how the College’s welcoming ethos ensured they instantly felt part of the Princethorpe family. Father Alan Whelan, who was Headmaster at the time of transition, and Margaret-Louise O’Keeffe, who had responsibility for overseeing the move to co-ed in her role as Deputy Head, both gave fascinating insights into all the preparation that went on behind the scenes. Together with form tutor Alex Darkes, who forged strong links with local feeder schools in the leadup to co-education, they worked tirelessly to ensure the transition went smoothly for all pupils, staff and families.

Our audience thoroughly enjoyed hearing all the wonderful stories that were shared, and finished the day’s festivities with some celebratory doughnuts and brownies before heading back to lessons.