Thursday 23rd June was a bittersweet day here at Etone College. It saw the last day of the KS4 journey for our Year 11 pupils.
Starting back in September 2017 our cohort began their journey with us at Etone. Fresh faced and full of wonder for what secondary school had to offer they relished every minute of the day. So what was it like five years ago for our Year 11’s:
- We were busy celebrating the Queens Saphire Jubilee (Déjà vu anyone?)
- Teresa May had been Prime Minister for 1 year
- Ed Sheeran with “Shape of You” became the biggest selling single of the year
- Jamie Oliver enjoyed success with his best selling book 5 Ingredients: Quick and Easy Food
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi was the biggest movie of the year
- A litre of petrol cost £1.14 (Could we get a time machine)
- Donald Trump is sworn in as President of the USA
- Portugal win the Eurovision Song Contest
Throughout that journey we have gone through some interesting times together. The United Kingdom leaving the European Union, the shock that was the series finale of Game of Thrones, England very nearly bringing it home…twice!
Events both good and not so, we tackled them together and seemed to be making a great way towards their final destination in KS4. Of course the big interruption, the pandemic. Throughout this difficult time for so many reasons, our pupils found themselves in the unprecedented position of remote learning. Not at all an easy task for anyone our pupils had to show the resilience and problem solving skills that every Etone Learner is, luckily, equipped for.
Despite having such a drastic impact on their journey they have showed determination as this year our Year 11’s completed their exams, the first series sat in three years. They have handled the situation they have found themselves in with a maturity and professionalism that really makes us proud of each and every one of them.
Thursday marked their final exam, Science and with the clocking ticking the last second away it was time for the celebration to begin. With plenty of sweets and fizzy drinks, awards, speeches and of course the traditional poem from the Heads of House we bid a fond farewell to our Year 11 Leavers of 2022. Of course there tears and shirt signing as the Year’s took a reflective look back over their time at Etone. It is with a heavy heart we say goodbye and good luck. We will see you for results day on 25th August 2022 and of course are looking forward to welcoming a large number of you back in September as we start your KS5 Journey together.
