On Tuesday 9^th July, the Etone Choir were invited by Armonico Consort to perform alongside them at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The Royal Albert Hall is one of the most famous concert halls in the world having hosted performances from famous musicians such as The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Adele, Beyoncé as well as the world famous Proms series – and now, the Etone Choir joins this legion of musical legends in performing at the venue!

The choir performed a wide range of pieces conducted by Christopher Monks, founder and artistic director of Armonico Consort, and accompanied by Warwickshire based orchestra, The Orchestra of the Swan. Strictly Come Dancing’s Karen Hauer performed several moving and elegant routines to the pieces performed. The choir were also delighted to be conducted in singing ‘Viva La Vida’ by Caius Lee, director of music at Worcester College, Oxford, who has visited us several times to coach us in singing.

Highlights of the programme included the dynamic ‘The Power in Me’, the moving ‘The Prayer’, the catchy ‘Baba Yetu’ and, of course, the powerhouse that is Carl Orff’s ‘Carmina Burana’, which includes the sky shaking ‘O Fortuna’ (most commonly recognisable to our students from its use in The X-Factor!). Students had been working since the Autumn term in order to sing the piece in the original Latin and medieval German which on the day they were able to sing from memory!

Well done all and thank you so much to Armonico Consort for inviting us to be part of such an incredible day.

Following a very successful skills project making keyrings, Year 7’s where challenged to design and make their own trophies based on a children’s Movie. I am so pleased with their products, they have definitely met the brief. The trophies are finished to a high standard and they all worked independently and applied their knowledge of materials and tools during the making process.

Well done Year 7!

On Thursday our careers ambassadors had a final celebration brunch.  As well as eating pastries, saying well done and making suggestions for next academic year students were awarded their certificates.   

Year 8 - Bronze

Year 9 - Silver

Year 10 - Gold

It was a sad Fairwell t the year 10 careers ambassadors who have completed the careers programme.  Many of them have now moved on to another role in school leadership and become prefects.  We wish them all the best in their new roles.  

Mrs Barlow wishes to say a big thank you to all of the ambassadors for their help this year and she is looking forward to continuing the programme next year and recruiting new year 8 students in September.   

On Thursday 11^th July, it was time for the House Boat Race. Introducing the annual event of the back off a very successful Rowing Challenge the other week, there was an opportunity for pupils to take part and show the pride in their Houses.

Set out as a timed race, to see who could row the furthest in 5 minute slots there were prizes on offer for each individual, Year and House as they battled it out for ultimate sporting glory. More important than the Euros, Football and Grand Prix combined the teams of 10 from each year and House rowed to glory.

Whilst the final results are yet to be announced all four teams put in a valid effort and showed the full range of Etone Values and Employability Skills. Tune in next week so we can share with you the House Champions!

On Monday there was a special assembly to announce the incoming Prefects for the 24/25 year. As we enter the summer, it was a lovely celebration of the dedication and hard work our pupil's put into everything they do. With Class of 25 this year is set to be the best yet. A big thanks to Team Prefects for all the support they were giving across this week with induction activities.

Tuesday evening heralded the induction evening for our incoming Year 6 and their parents. With the attendees clearly enthusiastic about the school and the message of partnership. With parents making perhaps the biggest investment in selecting their child's education, it resonates that working together and ensuring at all times a focus on our pupil's education and their end goals, we can develop our young people into the very best of Etone Learners.

There was also lots of success with our transition day as the Year 6 attended to get a taste of the life of an Etone Learner. With the eager looks to find out what the day had in store and meet key members of staff. The pupils enjoyed a full day of lessons, ice breakers and of course some delicious food. We cant wait to welcome you in September.

The Smestow Heads of House are inviting you to end the academic year in style at our "End of Year Summer Assembly" on Friday 19^th July! ☀️ 

Join us for an unforgettable celebration filled with singing and dancing performances, exciting competitions, awards and lots of summer themed fun! 

Don't miss out - see you there! 

After the close of the Football season our academy scholars are busy with building their knowledge of the game further and a cohort have completed their FA Refereeing qualification through Birmingham County, we were proud of being given the opportunity to run a course here at Etone College and the pupils thoroughly enjoyed it. The FA Referee Course is designed to equip new referees with the key skills and knowledge they will need to be able to referee grassroots football matches safely and effectively. The course comprises online learning on the Laws of the Game and face to face training, they also completed safeguarding training and are now ready to implement their new skills and qualification across grass roots football. Well done all.

Etone Football Education Academy in partnership with WBA Won the EFL title for the first time since their launch, having come runners up on the previous couple of seasons it was the Academies year to clinch the title and they did so in style losing only two games and achieving a +72 goal difference which is a fantastic achievement. As the academy has developed over the past few seasons the teams have won different cup competitions and AOC league titles but this seasons achievement is the biggest yet as they have beaten established academies from Aston Villa, Wolves and Nottingham Forrest to name a few to the title. Academy Director Mr Petch said ‘the cohort of lads involved have been brilliant, they work so hard and their dedication has been second to none which is both a credit to themselves as well as the academy, two special mentions have to go to the Academy captain Callum Brown who leads by example on a daily basis and J Atkins who was the leagues top scorer with 49 goals’

To top the achievement off the trophy was awarded to the academy during the EFL Championship playoff final at Wembley stadium in front of 80,000 people, a great experience for the lads.