An amazing 81 entries from Etone College have been selected to be published in this year’s Young Writers ‘Through Their Eyes’ anthology! Well done to all those who entered.

Etone College Smash Expectations in RAF Mighty Minds Challenge

On February 10th 2020, Etone College was visited by the Royal Air Force to take part in a robotics challenge aimed to inspire the next generation of engineers and computer scientists. This challenge, RAF Mighty Minds, tested 60 hand-picked individuals from years 7 and 8 who were chosen based on their exceptional computer science skills demonstrated within lessons. They were briefed that due to the shortage of engineers and computer scientists, currently a problem in the UK; it is now up to them to figure out and fix some of the world’s leading issues. 

One current issue is surrounding Search and Rescue missions helping areas of the world hit by natural disasters and armed conflicts. Robotics are commonly used to inspect areas hazardous to humans such as poisonous gas or risk of explosion, or rescue civilians stuck in debris. The 60 students were placed into groups of 3 and had to program their very own robot, LEGO mindstorm, to complete many tasks simulating an area struck by a disaster such as: navigating a track from one end to the other, collect bricks (debris), rescue LEGO civilians – all in the name of teamwork and points!

The event itself was so positive in fact, the members representing the RAF praised the student’s for their ability to: think for themselves, work as a team, calculate a mathematical problem in their heads before programming it into their robots and maintaining respectful behaviour for the whole school day. However, the highlight of the event came at the every end. 1st place winners: Kwabena Kissi Baah, Jem Korzeniewski and Zakki Choonara achieved a score of around 150 points whilst 2nd place winners: Dylan Andrews, Sophie Naylor and Aman Isak achieved a score of around 130 point both “far outclassing” 4 other secondary schools within the West Midlands area who also took part in the RAF Mighty Minds; earning a place in the national robotics competition! 

Advice for all early years providers, schools and further education providers.

The government is closely monitoring the spread of the Coronavirus and is taking action at home and abroad.

The overall risk of Coronavirus to the UK remains moderate. However, we understand that people may be concerned where there are children, students or staff returning from or visiting China.

Public Health England and the Foreign Office have issued advice for anyone travelling to the area. This can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china

Advice for parents/guardians

You should not be unduly worried about the possibility of your children catching the Coronavirus.

There is no reason why your children should not continue to attend their early years, school or further education setting as normal.

We recognise that some families or children may be planning to travel to China during the forthcoming half-term period. If so, please refer to the FCO’s latest travel advice via the link above.

What action you can take?

A UK wide campaign has been launched to provide clear advice on how to slow the spread of Coronavirus.

Please help to support the campaign which promotes basic hygiene practices, such as regularly washing hands and always sneezing into a tissue, to stem the spread of viruses.

February is LGBT History Month! We want to use this month as an opportunity to celebrate the strength and spirit of the LGBT community. Over the coming weeks, we will be posting a variety of LGBT icons, animals and historic events over on our Twitter account as well as updating this page with our posts.

Brilliant to see our cadets in uniform for the first time. Thanks to all those who worked so hard make it happen. There was a buzz of excitement both within the cadets and around the school.

A massive well done to two of our pupils who have been raising money for our house charity @GeorgiesGift. The girls have been running a raffle in school.

We are happy to launch the brand new Etone College website. We hope this makes communication between school, parents and pupils easier and more effective.  Our website is updated on a weekly basis so please use this to stay up to date with everything going on around school. Our school letters will be uploaded onto the website so you can stay informed along with regular news and event details.

Along with the new website launch, you can continue to follow us on social media platforms where we really shout about the successes of everyday life at Etone, please take a few moments to follow us if you aren’t already.

• Twitter – @etonecollege