As you know at Etone College we value education beyond anything else. Every pupil has the right to a high quality education that enables progress for all. As part of that the message and ethos we continue to share with pupils is the importance of attendance. When you consider the impact that poor attendance can have on a pupils learning it’s easy to see why being present each day is important. However, at Etone we go beyond this to install a real love of learning and intrinsic value that pupils themselves relate to their own learning.

On the final week of term 22^nd May – 26^th May our pupils took part in our ‘Attendance May-tters’ challenge to ensure their form achieved the highest attendance in their year group. Across the week the message of attendance was shared by Heads of House in assembly as they all had their sights set on the Attendance Trophy awarded at the end of term. For Centaur, currently in 4^th place they had a mini mountain to climb to overturn the lead that Dragon, Griffin and Phoenix have on them. With Phoenix still ruling the roost the aim was to increase their lead against an increasing Griffin, with Dragon hoping to leapfrog in the battle for first place.

As the penultimate challenge for attendance, our pupils played their role by attending each day and adding to the ‘jigsaw puzzle’ which is their attendance. Across the week our pupils attended 3% more than the final week of Summer 1 Half Term last year. This is really important as attending each day helps relieve stress of missing important information, access the full curriculum offering and develop Employability skills that will help pupils across their lives.

Overall, the week was a red win as Phoenix sweep the board with the highest attendance for each year (7-11) achieved by a Phoenix form. An amazing result for Mr Baggot who extends his lead on the overall competition and steers the House to their third consecutive attendance trophy – Can any of the Houses rally in the final Half Term? 

All of our winners will revive

National Mental Health Awareness Week which takes place between Monday 15th May and Sunday 21st May. This year the Mental Health Foundation have chosen anxiety as the Mental Health Awareness Week theme to kickstart a nationwide conversation, encouraging people to share their own experiences and any helpful ideas on how they manage anxiety.

As a school, to recognise Mental Health Awareness Week, pupils will be finding out about how to keep themselves mentally healthy during assemblies and form time in the week commencing 22nd May. We are also asking pupils to accessorise their uniform with something green in support of the week – pupils will be advised about what accessories are acceptable during form time. Pupils will also have the opportunity to attend a wellbeing drop in session on Monday 22nd May – Brew Monday – where they can join their peers and staff for a hot drink and a chat. Connecting with others is a very important part of our wellbeing. Pupils will be given time each day during form time to reflect on our Etone top tips for maintaining good mental health.

To support with the top tips, each pupil will have a booklet which has been designed by Mind to help pupils with learning about these top tips and how to use them effectively. There will be mindful and self-affirmation colouring available in the café during lunch times and Wellbeing Ambassadors will be handing out ‘top tip’ stickers to help open up the conversation around mental health.

In addition to this, there is an exciting art project for pupils to contribute to which is being organised by Ms Byrne. We will also be raising money for Mind, the Mental Health Charity. Members of Leadership will be collecting any contributions each morning in sealed buckets on the gate – we would be really grateful of any support that you can offer in terms of a contribution.

The money raised will support Mind to make sure nobody has to face a mental health problem alone. People need their support more than ever, and demand for their services is growing. Staff will also be making contributions and wearing green ribbons in support. We would be grateful if you would speak with your child about Mental Health Awareness Week and encourage your child to get involved as much as possible next week.

As a group of staff, we will be doing so and you can follow what we get up to on our Twitter next week and our website next week. You will also find a link to a parent workshop that gives helpful advice on how to support wellbeing. The Mental Health Foundation have looked at the evidence for what works to manage anxiety and brought together their top recommendations. A wealth of additional support materials for pupils and parents/carers alike, can be found on our website.

As you know at Etone College we value education beyond anything else. Every pupil has the right to a high quality education that enables progress for all. As part of that the message and ethos we continue to share with pupils is the importance of attendance. When you consider the impact that poor attendance can have on a pupils learning it’s easy to see why being present each day is important. However, at Etone we go beyond this to install a real love of learning and intrinsic value that pupils themselves relate to their own learning.

Whilst we are proud of the value our pupils hold, we also like to reward them with our attendance challenges. Monday 22^nd May brings the our next attendance challenge – Attendance May-tters. During the final week of term the challenge is for each form to achieve the highest average attendance across the school. So it is incredibly important in the build up to half term to make sure you are attending and brining glory upon your House. With Mr Baggot in first place with Phoenix; Griff, Dragon and Centaur really need to apply the pressure to turn the game around. 

The highest attending form in each year will receive a special reward and all pupils in those forms will be entered into a prize draw for an additional reward. 

Just a reminder that for all of our attendance and punctuality materials check out this link: https://www.etonecollege.co.uk/attendance/

On Tuesday 2nd May, 4 more lucky cadets had the opportunity to take part in flying an aircraft as part of their CCF Training. 

Taking place at an RAF base the pupils got the chance to experience what life as a pilot in the RAF might entail as they explored the hangar prior to take off. With them gearing up in full Top Gun gear it was time for the standard safety drill as they prepared for the flights of their lives.

Taking it in turn each cadet had the chance to fly in the two seater plane manned by thier very own seasoned RAF pilot. During the flight they all took control of the plane centre column to get the full flying experience. Following this there was arial acrobatics from loop-de-loop to barrel rolls and even a chance to experience zero gravity, going vertically up and straight back down.

All cadets landed back safely on terra firma with wide grins and exciting stories for their families. We are very proud of our cadets for showing courage and bravery and can’t wait for the next set of cadets to enjoy it.