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.

On Monday 20^th November, thirty Etone students from Years 8-10 attended a School Trip to the UK Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London. The trip included a tour of Parliament and a workshop on the legislative process, based at Parliament’s Education Centre. Students went on a guided tour of Parliament, starting in Westminster Hall, the oldest part of Parliament, where King Charles I was put on trial and sentenced to death in 1649. The students then walked through to the Members’ Lobby, which contains the statues of former UK Prime Ministers, including Winston Churchill, Clement Attlee, Margaret Thatcher and David Lloyd George. From the Members’ Lobby, students were taken to the House of Commons’ division lobbies, where MPs vote ‘aye’ or ‘no’ on Parliamentary bills. From these lobbies, students entered the House of Commons chamber, which was rebuilt following a bomb attack during the Second World War, with its iconic green leather benches. It was whilst in the House of Commons chamber that students learned from our tour guides that there are only 427 seats for the 650 MPs, and that Winston Churchill had insisted that the Commons chamber be rebuilt with the same confrontational character, with the government benches and opposition benches directly facing each other. Students also went through the iconic Central Lobby, which contains the statues of numerous English and Scottish Kings and Queens all the way from King Edward I. Unfortunately we couldn’t pay a visit to the House of Lords Chamber, as it was being readied for the formal introduction of the Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton, our new Foreign Secretary and former Prime Minister. 

Following the tour, students returned to the Education Centre and participated in a workshop focusing on Parliament’s legislative process. Students split into two groups – government and opposition – and elected leaders: a Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition. Students chose to debate a new bill on the issue of banning petrol and diesel vehicles, with the government in support. Following a lively debate, the students voted in favour of the bill, on the condition that people be encouraged to give up their petrol and diesel cars with financial incentives. 

Before returning home to Nuneaton, the students took a quick walk down Parliament Street and Whitehall to see the Cenotaph, the entrance to Downing Street and Horse Guards Parade. 

As we come to the end of November and Men’s Mental Health Month, The Mental Health Team were raising awareness at breaktime with all the students about Boys Mental Health. Lots of students came to the Hall and sports centre at breaktime to find out more about supporting their mental health. Staff were on hand to talk to the students and make them aware of who they can talk to and where they can get support from in School. A high number of boys can find it difficult to talk about their emotions and feelings, today we showed pupils the support that they have open to them and that everyone is here to listen.

On Wednesday our EPQ pupils took a visit to the Nuneaton Library as they looked to explore the resources on offer to support their research.

You might be aware that libraries lend books, however what our students found was a wonder to behold. Right on our own doorstep is a world of opportunities as students had the chance to use the excellent facilities including the 3D printer.

So impressed our students were, that they have all signed up as members and are on their first step to being Library Legends. We can’t wait for our next trip.

On Friday 15th December we are delighted to once again be supporting Save the Children as part of our community outreach initiative.

Over the past two years our pupils and families have done amazing things to raise funds for local causes and national charities, edging ever closer to our £10,000 target.

We are therefore delighted to announce that Friday 15th December marks our traditional Christmas Jumper Day. As part of this event pupils are invited to donate £1 and wear a Christmas jumper instead of their blazer. All of the money raised will go towards Save the Children, looking to support individuals in real need.

Last year we raised over £300 and we are hoping for a similar amount again.

We encourage all appropriate Christmas jumpers and can’t wait to see what festive cheer you have in store. Mr Bowley already has his prepped to go!

Please remember that it is uniform as usual and where there are infringements these will be treated as usual.

Every year, the Salvation Army organise a toy drive within Nuneaton community to collect and distribute presents for disadvantaged children, to help them celebrate Christmas. All donations are gratefully received and ensure Christmas joy is spread to those who are experiencing hardship. Children aged between 0 to 16 years of age are supported in this toy drive.

Etone College are actively participating in this by challenging forms to co-ordinate and donate as much as they can. There is no expectation to buy new goods, although this is welcome. Still boxed and packaged toys, nearly new books and boxed toiletry gifts are being donated by both students and staff to support the Salvation Army and to show students what a difference they can make to the community by engaging in active citizenship. All unwanted gifts are in perfect condition to become the perfect present for a child or teenager in our community. 

All form members and form representatives will be given house points for donations and organisation of donations. House point records will be made by form tutors and Heads of House and the winning form in each year group will win a class prize. Most importantly, our toy drive will show how positive an Etone Learner is in engaging with active citizenship via teamwork, communication, organisation, initiative and showing how caring and supportive they can be. Donations need to be taken to the stage on Thursday 14 th and Friday 15th December to ensure they are taken to the Salvation Army.

This term Etone College students have really shown Active Citizenship and highlighted the Etone Values with; raising money for Children in Need, and celebrating remembrance. However, it hasn’t stopped there. Each year we collect food on behalf of a local food bank to provide some basic essentials and festive treats to those around Nuneaton who are in need of a little Christmas spirit.

It is at this time of year that we are incredibly thankful for what we have and spend time considering those in less fortunate positions. So we are asking for donations to the Nuneaton Foodbank, which do a fantastic job of serving the community and making sure the food and items get to the people who need it most.

If you are able to take part please bring your food in on Thursday 14th and Friday 15th December and give it in at reception. The list of accepted items are on our poster. Our fantastic Charity Committee will be taking the food on Monday 12th December to the Foodbank to do the handover.

Thank you to all of our amazing Etone pupils, parents and staff in advance.

As you are aware we have been working hard to raise funds for various charitable initiatives. 

However you may have not yet seen the latest edition of the Nuneaton News where we are once again featured. Check it out below.