Meet the OPs Committee
The Old Princethorpians Committee is going from strength to strength. The Committee has recently welcomed some new members and now numbers 20 with additional support from key Foundation staff.
The committee comprised of past pupils from across the decades and associated schools of the Foundation, former parents, form and current longstanding members of staff and representatives from the current Sixth Form student body.
Image Caption: OP Committee Meeting, 14 January 2025
Back Row (L-R): Alex Darkes, Peter Rollason, Steve Kowal, Tom Gleghorn, Grove du Toit, James Davies, Ed Hester, Nick Brosnan, Eddie Tolcher
Front Row (L-R): Nigel Bromley, Chris Cattle, Libby Williams, Lottie Jones, Laura Brazier, Toni Reszka, Caroline Spencer
The Committee meets three times a year and conducts its business over a very pleasant supper in the new Sixth Form Centre.
If you would be interested in attending a committee meeting or possibly joining the committee, please contact the OPs Secretary, Melanie Butler by emailing Old Princethorpians.
The Committee’s raison d’etre is as follows, to:
- Act as link between past and current pupils, their parents and former staff
- Keep in touch with past pupils and facilitate their friendships and networking opportunities
- Celebrate the achievements of alumni
- Involve alumni with the life of the College through events, communications, careers, philanthropy and fundraising
- Uphold the ethos of the school and promote its interests
The work of the OP Committee is underpinned and directed by these foundational pillars:
- Communications, Connectivity and Inclusivity
- Careers, Networking and Volunteering
- Engagement, Events and Hospitality
- Philanthropy and Development
- OP Leadership and Responsibilities
Toni Reszka
[ITEM_ROLE]
School Connection:
Pupil – St. Bede’s (1965 – 1966)
Pupil – Princethorpe College (1966 – 1970)
OP Committee Focus:
Careers, Networking and Volunteering
What are some of your favourite memories of your time at school?
Walking around the Mile Walk and Little Switzerland (it was accessible in those days – I even swam in it once!)
Were there any teachers or staff who had a significant impact on you?
Fr Boyle (English Literature): I’ve been a fan of William Shakespeare ever since.
Mrs De Vries (Geography): She made learning Geography not only interesting, but enjoyable.
Fr Dan O’Connor (Maths) Now where did that take me?
Fr Clarkson (Headmaster): Someone we all looked up to.
How did your time at the school influence your life and career?
I greatly enjoyed studying Euclidean Geometry as part of Maths. I found it fascinating trying to solve ever more complex theorems. This enthusiasm became a very valuable skill because, after a 5-year apprenticeship at GEC in Rugby, I succeeded in entering the world of CAD/CAM (very much an emerging technology at the time, to replace drawing boards and manual programming of machine tools). I worked for McDonnell Douglas Aerospace, an American company. My passion for Geometry at school became the bedrock of my entire career in Industrial Automation. My time at Princethorpe was truly ‘a foundation for life’.
What is your current occupation?
I just recently retired. I keep a part-time interest in professional consultancy work related to my career.
Are there any special achievements or milestones you’d like to share?
I became a highly regarded, professionally recognised expert of 3D CAD, which led to some amazing work assignments in countries all around the world. I have visited over 40 countries in total and 20 US states.
What hobbies or interests do you have outside of your professional life?
Golf, Walking Rugby, building Lego Technik models, travelling.
What motivated you to join the alumni committee?
I benefited hugely from my time at the College, and I therefore feel motivated to ‘give something back’ by helping pupils think about their future careers.
What are your future goals, personal or professional?
After a career spanning 54 years, I plan to take life a little easier but remain active in pursuits that I enjoy, which are both physically and mentally challenging. I am involved in a couple of part-time projects, helping start-up companies establish a market presence.
How do you hope to contribute to the school community through the alumni committee?
I will be an active participant with a focus on Careers, Networking and Volunteering.