Saltmine Theatre Company was excited to bring its latest production, Filters, to Etone college.  This gripping new show is designed specifically for Key Stage 3 & 4 students, offering a thought-provoking exploration of social media’s impact on young people today.

In Filters, the audience follows the lives of several teenagers as they navigate the complexities of online life. From the pressure to post the "perfect" picture, to the way social media can blur the line between reality and illusion, the play dives deep into how these platforms shape our self-image, relationships, and mental health.

Key Themes:

• Identity and Self-Image: The characters in Filters struggle with the expectations set by social media and how they feel they must present themselves. With the rise of photo filters, editing apps, and online personas, many young people face growing pressure to fit a mould that may not align with who they truly are.
• Peer Pressure and Comparison: Social media platforms often create a space for constant comparison, where the lives of others can appear perfect. This theme explores the damaging effects this can have on confidence and friendships.
• Mental Health Awareness: The play tackles how social media affects mental well-being, from cyberbullying to the loneliness that can arise despite being constantly connected. It encourages students to think critically about their own online habits and to recognise when they may be feeling overwhelmed.
• Finding Balance: Ultimately, Filters isn’t just about highlighting the challenges of social media; it also offers hope. The show promotes conversations about balance, self-worth, and the importance of disconnecting from the online world to maintain a healthy perspective.

Why Is This Important? In a world where young people spend a significant amount of time on social media, Filters is a timely and necessary conversation starter. The play opens the door to discussions on how social media influences young people’s views of themselves and others, and encourages students to think critically about their digital lives.

Holocaust Memorial Day is a national commemoration day in the United Kingdom dedicated to the remembrance of the Jews and others who suffered in the Holocaust, under Nazi persecution throughout the Second World War. It was first held in January 2001 and has been on the same date every year since – 27th January

At Etone College each year we commemorate this day and as a school have; been fortunate enough to be visited by Holocaust survivors, who bravely relived their stories for our benefit, created our memorial which all of our pupils have contributed towards and prior to the pandemic, supported our pupils in becoming Holocaust Ambassadors, travelling to a concentration camp to experience first hand the horrors of the time.

Last week, our pupils completed activities centred around those who experience the atrocities, reflecting on how this has changed the world and the importance of community values. Additionally pupils heard accounts of the stories and experiences those who lived through it suffered.

It is heartwarming to hear the thoughtful words of our pupils as they consider the horrendous conditions, heartbreaking stories of families broken up and the importance of spreading the word to ensure similar events never occur again.

Theme of the Week: Safer Internet

Just a reminder that Safer Internet day next week, is complimented by our Theme of the Week. Don’t forget to check out the top tips for keeping yourself and your families safe online!

Last week we celebrated our pupils' achievements through Progress Praise assemblies. All winners in each Year group were placed into a draw. The prizes were: 

1^st Prize – A £50 Amazon voucher for the pupil and a £50 Just Eat voucher so their family can have a celebratory meal. 

2^nd Prize -  A £50 Amazon voucher for the pupil and a £25 Just Eat voucher to contribute towards a celebratory meal. 

3^rd Prize – A £50 Amazon voucher for the pupil. 

Congratulations to all of our winners and to everyone who was in the draw.  

This week we have continued our reward trips and over 130 Year 8 & 9 pupils attended a free bowling and pizza trip as a reward for their outstanding behaviour and attendance between November and January. To qualify the pupils maintained attendance above 97% and a positive behaviour ratio of over 95%. Many of the pupils attending had 100% attendance and positive behaviour for this period. A huge well done to all pupils who met pelatinum criteria. 

We were recently extremely lucky to be visited by Dr Anjna Chouhan, editor of Shakespeare’s First Folio All The Plays – Children's Edition. She gave a fascinating talk to Year 11 about why she wanted to collate Shakespeare's plays and how she wanted to make Shakespeare more accessible to children; she also outlined her research processes. Our year 11 class were enthralled and asked her some brilliant questions.

Anjna also brought a very special item that will be on display in our Library until the end of February, Shakespeare’s First Folio Facsimile. The First Folio is the first published collection of Shakespeare's plays, produced seven years after his death, titled 'Mr. William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories & Tragedies'.  This edition grouped the plays into those categories—comedies, histories, and tragedies—for the first time.

This first folio facsimile has visited 26 libraries across Warwickshire. Etone College is the only School that has the privilege of hosting this in our library.  The word ‘folio’ comes from the Latin word folium, which means leaf or sheet. Only 235 copies of the First Folio have been found around the world!  Etone pupils are invited to come along, have a look at the folio and annotate any section of the folio which has meaning for them e.g. maybe the first Shakespeare play they read.

Dr Chouhan commented, “Thank you for your kind hospitality today. I enjoyed meeting you and hearing all about the work you do with library lessons at Etone College. I had a wonderful morning, and the students were a thorough pleasure to speak with.” 

Jacob (Danny) and Lillie (Sandy) lead the Etone cast of Grease for their 2025 production.  The 50 strong cast, band, and crew have been rehearsing since July to prepare to take to Etone’s stage!  This is – in fact - the second time that Grease has appeared on the stage at Etone, we wonder whether any of our audience members will remember (or have performed in) the 1998 production!

Etone students, from years 7 to 12 whether acting, singing, dancing, designing, playing in the band, editing sound and planning lighting, or stage managing are ready to showcase their talents and dedication to the creation of this large-scale school musical.  The cast will perform on Tuesday to Etonians of the future, currently in Year 6 at our feeder schools; and then to friends, family, and school supporters in public productions on Wednesday, 29^th, Thursday, 30^th, Friday, 31^st January.

Directors Mrs Leftwich-Lloyd and Miss Jellett said, “The cast have worked so hard, supporting each other throughout, it has been a privilege to watch the ensemble develop.  This production has been a complete team effort.”

Musical director, Mrs Kaye-Shepheard agreed, “It has been a real treat getting our students to learn to perform in the raw rock and roll style of some of the most influential musicians of the twentieth century and it has been brilliant to see and hear our students starting to get interested in the wonderful world of musical theatre.  Grease is very much, the way we are feeling!”

This production of 'Grease' is presented through special arrangement with and all authorised performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW).

Five Cadets from our CCF contingent joined our Air Training Corps colleagues to take part in their initial Blue Fieldcraft training. This was conducted at the local Signals unit barracks at Bramcote just outside Nuneaton. It was a full day of lessons where the cadets learnt how to operate “out in the field” This included everything from how to pack their equipment for the different states of readiness, how to maintain their kit and themselves, how to cook rations and even how to create a shelter out of a military poncho.

All cadets excelled themselves and at the end of a long day they were tested and all passed and gained their Blue Fieldcraft Qualification which will go on their cadet records and they will be awarded their certificates at the contingent parade tomorrow.