Each year Etone takes the time to collect donations form across our community to support people in need around the local area in support of various charity initiatives. Christmas time is an important season for our college with celebration and a chance to reflect on the year. However, for many this time of year can be particularly difficult. Recently our Community Champions were busy finding out some starling statistics including:

• 1 in 5 children in the UK will not receive Christmas presents

• Over 1 million children will go without a warm meal at Christmas time

• 27% of families have admitted to not being able to afford to feed their family

However, perhaps the most poignant is that there will be more than 6 million tonnes food of waste this Christmas.

With such a stark experience up and down the country our community has overwhelmed us with the sheer amount of food and toys that have been donated for our Toy Drive and Foodbank appeals.

To start with on Monday our Community Champions showcased the caring and supportive nature of Etone with the delivery of 23 boxes of food including; 100 mince pies, 150 tins of food, selection boxes and even tubs of Christmas sweets. These are always greatly received but perhaps more this year than most and the volunteers at the Nuneaton Foodbank were once again thrilled to see our collections for the cause.

However, this year there was a particularly impressive haul with our Toy Drive in support of the Salvation Army. With games, dolls, cuddly toys and some truly special gifts the donation centre staff were over the moon with the opportunity to provide even more gifts to people across the town and surrounding areas. It will surely have a big impact and make someone’s Christmas very special.

We of course have a big thank you to all of our staff and pupils and their families who have supported our initiative and wish you all a very merry Christmas.

Etone WBA 4 V 1 Stratford Town 

A quick fixture turn around presented Etone WBA with the chance to get back to winning ways after a couple of weeks off and some poor results of late. The game started slowly with a couple of half chances but when Atkins rounded 2 defenders and finished at the near post to make it 1-0. Shortly after he doubled the home sides lead from a flick on from Heaths near post corner. A few subs at half time against a Stratford team who was tiring helped, Super sub Clarke scoring just 45 seconds into the second half beating 2 players down the left wing and slotting into the bottom right corner. A few chances came and went during the last half hour but Evan’s got on the score sheet with a finish across the goalkeeper after a mistake by the Stratford defenders. A late consolation goal for Stratford came from an error whilst trying to play out from the back but couldn’t hide what was a comfortable 4-1 win. 

Atkins ⚽️⚽️
Evans ⚽️
Clarke ⚽️

Fifteen HPA year 8 students enjoyed a second day at Coventry University. After starting the day with an introduction to HE, they completed subject masterclasses in Media and Music as well as experiencing the university courtroom and seeing a puppetry demonstration…

On Thursday a group of our pupils returned to Coventry University to continue their enrichment program. Upon our arrival we were warmly greeted by our hosts for the day as our pups had the chance to explore all Uni life us to offer.

First up on the tour the pupils got the chance to delve into the media department. With use of the university’s first class resources, there was chance for pupils to produce and present their very own news program. As the pupils got into the full spirit, the first impressive edition of Etone News was in the making.

However, the experience didn’t stop there as next up was the mock court. After the initial excitement of venue our pupils were able to take part in a mini mock trial and consider the potential opportunities at the universities school of law. Despite a close shave the judge agreed to release Mrs Leftwich-Lloyd, providing good behaviour.

As our pupils neared the end of their time they had the chance to enter the music studio and use industry level equipment. Our pupils were able to practice their skills, play with the full range of wonderful buttons on the sound board and generally consider their next steps.

On Tuesday our CCF Pupils celebrated the festive season with a trip to the bowling alley.

Across the year our pupils have done a tremendous job of showcasing both the Etone Values and that of the Combined Cadet Force through their actions and community initiatives.

Highlights for 2023 include:

– Cadets getting the chance to fly Top Gun style in jet fighters
– Raising over £300 for charities including the British Legion
– Taking our cadets to their Summer Camp 2023
– Our cadets being the pride of Etone at three different remembrance parades

With all of the above it was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and our pupils did just that. With strikes, splits and even a turkey (not the Christmas Day one!)

Our cadets had a fantastic time and we have to say a big thank you to all of our officers who have supported the CCF across the year. Well done!

15 year 8 students were invited to attend Coventry university to get an insight into the function of a university and to see what it is like to be a student there. This included a university admissions based factual task that gave an insight into the numbers of applicants that the university receives, a campus tour where students were able to see a Harrier Jump Jet that the engineering students were working on, and a photography task that allowed our students to explore a university building. This was a great day for all that attended with some saying “they weren’t thinking about university before but now really want to go”. Students have been invited to return in the couple of weeks that follow to gain further insight into what opportunities university can hold.

On Thursday 30th November, Etone College once again hosted the Historical Association’s ‘Great Debate’ competition. Entrants from right across the Midlands attended, including our very own Year 13 students. Each student was required to make a five minute speech for the question “Which historical place or person from your local area deserves greater recognition?” followed by two questions from the judging panel. We were particularly proud of our student entries, who spoke about the significance of two local historical figures from Warwick and Leamington respectively. It was a great night all round for our student orators, who demonstrated key employability skills – particularly effective communication, and later organisation when answering questions from the judges. The winner of the regional heat will now go on to the next round, the national semi-finals. Well done and thank you to everyone involved.

This week we are proud to announce our termly Attendance Competition – 12 Days of Attendance.

Whilst our pupils do see the intrinsic value of education we like to reward pupils and especially during this busy period. To that end we have our 12 days where each day the correlating number of pupils will be given the opportunity to win the prizes below leading up to the final day.

Additionally for any pupils who attend ALL days between now and Christmas will enter into a draw for a special prize.

On Thursday 23rd November, musicians and dancers students from Etone College travelled to Turves Green to take parts in the annual Matrix Trust Dance and Performing Arts show case. 

As well as performing our own pieces, the Etone choir with our version of The Four Chord Song and our dancers with their choreography to On The Floor, our students had the opportunity to watch Music, Drama and Dance performances from all the schools across our trust. It was a great opportunity for our students to be inspired by each other and certainly left the teachers with lots of ideas for future shows! Well done all!

On Sunday 3^rd December, musicians from Etone College performed at the St Nicolas day fair at St Nicolas Church. Our students performed on both stages including some solo pieces, the choir and our Y11 rock band, The Mulwoods, who all performed a selection of festive pieces ranging from the traditional 16^th century piece Gaudete to Howard Blake’s the Snowman.

The event was opened by St Nicolas himself abseiling down the church tower as the Salvation Army brass band performed for everyone. Our students were also able to watch performances from the local community including the choirs from Milby Primary School and St Nicolas CofE Academy, as well as supporting local charities via the selection of stalls from local businesses. We also got to meet with St Nicolas himself who, in keeping with the story, gave all the children (and one music teacher) gold coins as well as dancing to our performances!

Thank you very much to St Nicolas and Reverend Chris Routledge for inviting us!

All photographs by C Grimbley, Y11.