On Wednesday 1^st December we were delighted to welcome the Speakers Trust at Etone as they delivered their Climate for Change program to a group of our year 10 pupils. The program is geared towards developing the public speaking, communication and listening skills of young people and empowering them to speak on a number of topics close to their heart.

Across the day pupils were given the chance to look at some of the worlds greatest speakers from Winston Churchill to Greta Thunberg, consider the key principles of delivering a strong speech such as using research and evidence to back up points and the strategies we can all use to tackle nerves and get our points across confidently. The pupils have really enjoyed the event with Declan saying “I feel that I have so much more confidence now in giving a speech. It has really helped me and I think it will be good for all of my subjects, especially MFL, English and Enterprise where I have to talk and give presentations.”

As the result of the day a number of our pupils have been entered into the national 'Race to Zero' competition for an opportunity to present their speech at a COP26 affiliated event in the new year. We wish them the best of luck and again offer our thanks to Speakers Trust for a really good event. We look forward to hosting more.

More on the race to Zero competition here: https://bit.ly/3xILYZb

This week (15^th November) marks Anti-Bullying Week.

Across this terms in lessons, assemblies and form time our pupils have been taking part in activities considering how we can support society to rid itself of those who bully and how we can be supportive and caring for those who find themselves victims. This year the theme of the week is ‘One Kind Word’ and with the link to World Kindness Day our pupils have done a great job of promoting and the cause and being positive role models for the rest of Nuneaton.

On Monday 15^th November the whole school took part in Odd Socks Day, with the underlying value that it doesn’t matter how we may stand out – We are all equal, regardless of circumstance.

Although a serious message our pupils and staff had lots of fun showing off their trendy, stylish and in some cases despairing toe-ware. So in light of this we wish you a Happy Anti-Bullying Week from all of us at Etone.

Model
Etone College’s summer school ran from 9am- 3pm on Monday 9th  August through to Friday 13th  August 2021.

Invites were non-selective and all year 6 students attending Etone College in September 2021 were invited with parents opting in. 52 pupils chose to attend. Each pupil attended three daily sessions, each 1 hour and 45 minutes in length, covering a breadth of subjects and this included team building activities. They had a scheduled lunch slot of 30 mins between 12.45 and 1.15pm and a break from 11.15 – 11.30 am each day.

Subjects
Pupils attended sessions in:

• History
• Geography
• Physical education
• Numeracy
• Science
• Literacy
• ICT
• Team building with our CCF
• Food Technology

Aims of the Etone College summer school

1. Allow pupil to familiarize themselves with the school before starting in September
2. Support academic progress within subjects with pre-teaching of skills required in September.
3. Allow pupils to interact with students from other primary feeder schools to build friendships and build confidence for their first day in September.

Click here to read more.

Click here for FAQ’s: https://bit.ly/3yYdFNw

Send interest to: mthomason@matrixacademytrust.co.uk

Each year our Houses work hard to raise money for various good causes such as; Comic Relief, Macmillan’s Coffee Morning and Children in Need. In addition to this each House selects a charity/ good cause in the local area where fundraising events across the year help raise both funds and the profile of these organisations. We would like to take this time to introduce you to our House charities for the next academic year.

Centaur House - George Elliot Diabetes Support Group

Formed in 1996 the GEDSG aim to deliver support for people with diabetes and their families through a full range of activities and provision. The group also carries out some really important fundraising work and it is our pleasure to be able to add to this by naming them the Centaur House Charity for 2021/2022.

At Etone we pride ourselves in supporting each other no matter the situation and this is something that is mirrored by the GEDSG. In Centaur particularly we strongly promote the values of aiding your peers no matter what and offering a helping hand wherever you can. Therefor it is fitting that group receive our support for the next academic year.

Dragon House have chosen Guy's Gift as our house charity

Guy’s Gift delivers bereavement support for children and young people throughout Coventry and Warwickshire. Our early intervention service is open to 5- to 25-year-olds and tackles a range of emotional concerns, preventing them from escalating and helping individuals to achieve their potential and continue their lives in a meaningful way.

Dragon have selected this charity in solidarity with all of our pupils that have suffered bereavement, especially given the current climate.  Something that is close to our hearts.

Griffin House Charity - Doorway

Doorway is an independent charity based in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, working with young people aged 16 – 25 years who are homeless or threatened with homelessness. Their short-term aim is to help young people solve the immediate crisis of “no home, no money”.

Their long-term aim is to improve life chances through learning to live independently and accessing training, education and employment.

We have selected Doorway as Griffin’s charity as it’s local to Nuneaton and has supported some of our students in the past through difficult personal circumstances.

Our House Motto is Aspiration, Determination and Success and we recognise that sometimes we need to support others in order for them to achieve this. Therefore Doorway is exactly the kind of charity we feel we should support.

Phoenix: Mary Ann Evans Hospice - Charity

MAEH strive to enhance the quality of life of people who have a life limiting illness, by offering physical, emotional, social and spirtual support to them, their families and those caring for them.

Mary Ann Evans Hospice ethos supports that of Phoenix house. Our motto, ‘Never less than our best’ can be seen in the work carried out by this charity. They provide the best end of life care they possibly can to help make a person with a life limiting illness, as comfortable as possible. This in turn, can provide them and their families, some additional time to make some ever lasting memories.

This term group of year 8 pupils attended a Citizenship Course that was delivered by Targeted Youth Support and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service week beginning 28th June. They took part in drills, basic first aid courses and developed their team work and leadership skills.  

As a result all received their ASDAN qualification which is really valuable in the workplace.  Whilst we were thrilled with the outcomes we are even more proud with the feedback the Fire and Rescue Service gave our pupils. The course leader stated “what an absolute pleasure it was to work with the students, and that they were perfectly behaved the whole week. They were excellent representatives of your school, and it was noted by the management of the Fire Service how involved they were with all activities and a pleasure to work with.”

Friday saw their passing out parade attended by Councillor Piers Daniell and Phillip Seccombe, who is Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner.  The new Chief Fire Officer observed their passing out parade and awarded them their ASDAN certificates. We are so proud of our pupils and cannot wait to send another cohort next year!

J. Frearson is an avid Golfer. He recently won the Robert Rock Golf Tour U14 Net competition. He will be taking part in the Club Championships this weekend – 26^th June. We are wishing him luck with this tournament and will let you all know how he gets on!

Q1. How long have you been playing golf for?

A1. I have been playing properly for about 4 years, but been hitting golf balls since the age of 2

Q2. How did you get into playing golf?

A2. I got into playing golf as my Dad, Nan and Grandad play

Q3. How often do you practice over a week?

A3. As much as i can, about 5 days a week, i would normally go up the golf club after school and practice for 4 until 7:30

Q4. What would a normal practice session look like?

A4. First of all i practice my putting for an hour, then my chipping and then go on the range and hit shots, or i will just go on the course and play a round

Q5. Why do you enjoy golf so much?

A5. I like the competitive side of it and playing in all the competitions, you have to think about every single shot, you get to meet lots of different people and i get to do lots of travelling

Q6. What level do you play at?

A6. I represent Nuneaton Golf Club and i also play for Warwickshire at county level, i am currently in the Warwickshire Under 14 team (im the youngest in the team). Individually i play on a National Golf Tour called the Robert Rock Junior Golf Tour where i play all over the country

Q7. What’s your handicap?

A7. My Current handicap is 22 but i am looking to reduce this over the summer, i am targeting to get down to single figures by the end of the year

Q8. What’s your greatest moment so far from playing golf?

A8. When i went to play a tour event at Southport Old Links (Liverpool) and won, there was over 100 Juniors playing in this event

Q9. What was your worst moment and What made you continue after this moment? 

A9. I was playing in a competition at South Staffordshire Golf Club, i started really badly and was way over my handicap, I didn’t want to let myself down so i had to really focus on my game and concentrate, in the end I bought my score back and ended up winning the competition

Q10. What advice would you give your peers about how to get involved in golf? 

A10. Get in touch with the local golf club Nuneaton Golf Club as they do Junior Coaching every Saturday, this would help you get started and then possibly join as a member

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