Welcome to the Year 9 Pathways 2025.  Your child will receive their pack including their booklet outlining each course from 10^th February.  Please read the booklet and make your choices on Matrix Academy Trust App from 28^th February.  Deadline for choices is Friday 7^th March.

There will be a parent information evening on Thursday 27^th February in school from 4.25pm.

Within the further education system in the UK two universities stand out as centres of excellence in academia and research. Oxford and Cambridge have a combined history of; over 1000 years of education, 55 Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom and has laid the foundations of some of the worlds leading experts in their area.

With the rich history it is clear to see why the universities are classed as competitive. On Tuesday 11^th February a group of Year 12 students journeyed to Cambridge to experience a taster event at Clare College. The aim of the event was to give them the opportunity to consider applying to the prestigious university and seeing what it had to offer them.

Upon arrival at Clare we joined with schools form the Coventry area and were met with Cambridge alumni who gave the students some interesting thoughts to consider on their journey around. Following a short introduction, the students were treated to a tour around the Clare campus (a micro campus within the University) as they explored the College’s library, chapel and dining rooms.

Following the tour the students attended a taster session in Social Science Medicine with Phd student Evelyn Hope. Evelyn discussed her subject in considerable detail and the links to the multitude of subject areas within the university. Starting her studies at St. Andrews for her undergraduate degree, her research took her to Baltimore to explore how social medicine impacted on the day to day life of individuals and the systemic disadvantages that are present within the class systems worldwide. A truly inspiring talk which led to both interest in the specific subject and the consideration of university life and studying.

Finally the day was complimented by a session supporting students in writing their personal statements with prestigious universities in mind. The day was well receive by all pupils who felt it had really enthused them as they start the journey of applying to University.

A group of professionals known as Proactive recently held a series of highly beneficial mock interviews and CV workshops for Year 11 and 12 students at Etone College. The event aimed to equip the students with essential skills for their future careers and university applications.

The Proactive group, which specialises in career development and employability skills, provided a hands-on learning experience designed to prepare young people for the competitive job market. Throughout the morning, students were given the opportunity to participate in mock interviews with industry experts, allowing them to gain valuable feedback on their interview techniques, presentation, and overall confidence.

In addition to the mock interviews, Proactive hosted a workshop focused on CV writing. The session provided students with practical advice on how to craft standout CVs, tailored to various job sectors and university applications.

Teachers at Etone College were also pleased with the success of the event. Mrs Barlow, Head of Careers, commented: "This has been a fantastic opportunity for our students. It’s so important that they understand what employers and universities are looking for, and the Proactive group has delivered a very insightful and engaging session. We hope to continue these collaborations to further support our students’ futures."

Proactive’s visit to Etone College is part of a wider initiative to engage with schools and colleges across the UK, helping young people gain essential employability skills. The group’s commitment to supporting the next generation of professionals is evident, and their recent workshop is expected to have a lasting impact on the students of Etone College.

As the job market continues to evolve, it is events like these that help young people bridge the gap between their education and their professional aspirations, giving them the confidence and skills needed to succeed in an increasingly competitive environment.

This week, schools across the country are taking part in an important initiative; Children's Mental Health Week which is a time dedicated to raising awareness about the mental health of children and young people. It’s also a week where we reflect on the struggles students may face and the support systems that can help them navigate those challenges.

Children’s Mental Health Week, launched by Place2Be, aims to shine a spotlight on the importance of children’s mental health and well-being. The theme for this year is “Know yourself, Grow yourself!” in partnership with Here4You, supported by The Walt Disney Company’s film Inside Out 2, Children’s Mental Health week encourages open conversations in classrooms and beyond, helping students understand that mental health is just as important as physical health. At Etone we are encouraging pupils to discover how getting to know who they are can help them build resilience, grow and develop. At school we have had “Brew Monday” where pupils can sit, chat, craft and play games and talk about their feelings and emotions, Year 9 have taken part in our walk and talk a mile, which took place during form times, there was a dedicated assembly, each subject area created a starter linked to mental health and Just Dance proved extremely popular again during Friday break time.

For Blue Monday, there was a positive pineapple hunt for year 7 and 8 where they looked for the pineapple pictures displayed around the school and then had to work out what the positive pineapple word was. For staff there was a positivity post-box and staff wore bright coloured socks or accessories. Our Well being ambassadors also lead a secret mission where they hid sweet treats around the school for staff and students to find. Etone are proud they turned “Blue Monday” in to a positive.

The efforts put into Children’s Mental Health Week and Blue Monday are essential, but the impact shouldn’t end there. As we move beyond this special week, it’s important to continue fostering an environment where mental health is part of the ongoing conversation, not just something we focus on in times of crisis. At Etone we integrate well-being programs into daily routines, provide regular check-ins for students, and offer resources for parents to support their children at home.

At the heart of these initiatives is the belief that every child deserves to feel heard, understood, and supported. By working together, we can make a lasting difference in the mental health of the next generation.

Let’s remember that mental health matters every day of the year and with the right support, every student has the potential to thrive!

This week we had our final reward trip of this series.  90 Year 7 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%. In total nearly half the year group met this standard and many of the pupils attending had 100% attendance and positive behaviour for this period. A huge well done to all pupils who met platinum criteria.

This week we have celebrated the resilience and commitment of every pupil and student who had 100% attendance for the autumn term. 

Each day a different house had Hot Chocolates, juices and Pain au Chocolate with Mr Smith. In total, over 240 pupils and students maintained 100% attendance for the term. A huge well done to those pupils and thank you to their parents and carers for supporting them to come in all day, every day even when they are not feeling at their best.  

(Please note that Centaur pupils who should have had their celebration on Friday 6^th February will now have their celebration on Thursday 13^th February) 

Recipe 1: The classic crepe for the traditionalists

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/classic-crepes

Recipe 2: For those who are bulking and want to maximise their protein

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/protein-pancakes-with-banana

Recipe 3: If you are after a healthy option and a bit more of a cooking challenge

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/banana-oat-pancakes

This week, schools across the country are taking part in an important initiative; Children's Mental Health Week which is a time dedicated to raising awareness about the mental health of children and young people. It’s also a week where we reflect on the struggles students may face and the support systems that can help them navigate those challenges.

Children’s Mental Health Week, launched by Place2Be, aims to shine a spotlight on the importance of children’s mental health and well-being. The theme for this year is “Know yourself, Grow yourself!” in partnership with Here4You, supported by The Walt Disney Company’s film Inside Out 2, Children’s Mental Health week encourages open conversations in classrooms and beyond, helping students understand that mental health is just as important as physical health. At Etone we are encouraging pupils to discover how getting to know who they are can help them build resilience, grow and develop. At school we have had “Brew Monday” where pupils can sit, chat, craft and play games and talk about their feelings and emotions, Year 9 have taken part in our walk and talk a mile, which took place during form times, there was a dedicated assembly, each subject area created a starter linked to mental health and Just Dance proved extremely popular again during Friday break time.

For Blue Monday, there was a positive pineapple hunt for year 7 and 8 where they looked for the pineapple pictures displayed around the school and then had to work out what the positive pineapple word was. For staff there was a positivity post-box and staff wore bright coloured socks or accessories. Our Well being ambassadors also lead a secret mission where they hid sweet treats around the school for staff and students to find. Etone are proud they turned “Blue Monday” in to a positive.

The efforts put into Children’s Mental Health Week and Blue Monday are essential, but the impact shouldn’t end there. As we move beyond this special week, it’s important to continue fostering an environment where mental health is part of the ongoing conversation, not just something we focus on in times of crisis. At Etone we integrate well-being programs into daily routines, provide regular check-ins for students, and offer resources for parents to support their children at home.

At the heart of these initiatives is the belief that every child deserves to feel heard, understood, and supported. By working together, we can make a lasting difference in the mental health of the next generation.

Let’s remember that mental health matters every day of the year and with the right support, every student has the potential to thrive!

Again, it has been another busy term here in Etone Library. A total of over 1,100 books have been loaned.  Some of most popular books have included, The Lottie Brooks series, Football Superstars, Little People, Big Dreams The Dork Diaries, and a new addition to our library, The Sad Ghost Club.

Read more

2025 was the year that Etone pupils united to perform one of the most famous musicals ever!  One high school summer romance, two ‘cool’ gangs, one car, all combined into a stunning performance by Etone pupils!  It was a long week for the cast, crew, and band of Grease starting bright and early in school on Sunday for a day long dress rehearsal, before performing a dress rehearsal to Year 6, followed by three public performances to cheers, applause, and congratulations from our school and local community.

Six months of musical and singing rehearsal, character interpretation, set design and building, prop collation, costume design, dance choreography, scene direction, and line learning came together into a phenomenal production.  We are so proud of the energy, passion, talent, determination, and team spirit which pupils demonstrated embracing core Etone values of being supportive and having self-belief.  combined to create a piece of theatre of which everyone involved can be truly proud.  The cast and crew became a family, and on the final night, emotions ran high. Tears and hugs filled the changing rooms as students realized the impact Grease had on them.

Pupils, parents and teachers are already asking when the next show will be, once again emphasizing the success of Grease and the thirst for more experiences like this. It highlights a lack of similar opportunities in the community and the undeniable impact this production has had on everyone involved.