Exciting things are coming:

£1 Book Day vouchers for every pupil

Footy & Booky quiz

The Big Book Quiz

Escape Room

Make a mini book challenge

The Great (mini) Book Hunt (Sixth form)

Trip to Nuneaton Library – after school

This January, Mr Bonner delivered the World Braille Day assembly to Year 7 pupils at Etone College. World Braille Day is all about recognising the importance of Braille and promoting the rights, inclusion, and independence of people who are blind or visually impaired. In the assembly, Mr Bonner spoke about the story of Louis Braille, a blind French educator who developed the Braille system in the early 19th century, so people who are blind or visually impaired could read and write through touch. Louis Braille's invention went on to transform education, independence, and communication for millions of people around the world. Mr Bonner gave the example of David Blunkett, a former Cabinet Minister in the UK government, who became one of the most influential blind people in British history. David Blunkett used Braille throughout his work in government, during his time as Education Secretary 1997-2001, and Home Secretary 2001-2004. David Blunkett famously said of Braille "[it] has been a method of ensuring that I can work on equal terms, using my own initiative and doing it in my own way". 

World Braille Day matters because it helps to raise awareness of accessibility, inclusion, and equal rights for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Look out for the activities going on this week to raise awareness.

-Starter tasks in your subjects – All week

-Mindful  colouring and puzzles available at break and lunch times – All week

-Form time activities including mindfulness practice.

-Brew Monday – T04 Afterschool  - Monday 9^th February

-Boys Mental Health Stand – Hall at Break – Thursday 12^th Feb

-Just Dance – Hall at Break -  Monday 9^th and Friday 13^th Feb

-Walk and Talk  form time – All years

• Monday - Year 10

• Tuesday – Year 11

• Wednesday – Year 9

• Thursday – Year 7 Tennis courts & Year 8 Astro

• Friday – Reserve day in case of poor weather.

January can be a difficult month, with the days still short and dark and the poor weather starting to feel like they will never end… The focus for Brew Monday this month has been on the ‘Take notice’ element of our ‘Top Tips’. We took the time to focus on what we are feeling grateful for. What started as several small trees was quickly merged to become one large group effort and with Esma leading the charge we soon had a tree that was overflowing with different things we wanted to show gratitude for.

January has also seen the launch of a new January idea from the Wellbeing Ambassadors and following the success of ‘Thank a Community Carer’ in July last year, the Wellbeing Ambassadors wanted to do more for our local community carers and we launched ‘Lighting up Blue Monday’. This involved collecting any leftover Christmas treats, we have been delighted by the response and our Wellbeing Ambassadors are excited to be going out to deliver these.

On Tuesday 10th February we are celebrating Safer Internet Day, an initiative established by the UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC) to highlight the importance ofstaying safe online and raising awareness of the measures we can take to support our community online.

This year the theme of the day is ‘Smart tech, safe choices – Exploring the safe and responsible use of AI’ following the rapid rise in the use of this technology. In support of this pupils will attend an assembly next week highlighting some of the ways we can make use of the internet in a safe and effective way. In addition all pupils will have the opportunity to take part in a Safer Internet Quiz prize draw where the winners of each year will receive technology based prizes.

Across the week all Computing and Information Technology lessons will also include the theme of Safe Internet Usage. In key stage 3 pupils will have the chance to explore how the internet forms and important part of our daily routines and consider some of the dangers form letting our ‘e-guard’ down. In key stage 4, pupils will be looking at the modern technologies and how AI is further improving safety features for internet usage. In key stage 5 pupils will consider the importance of Cyber Security and the most recent threats to internet security.

To compliment the week we would like to take this opportunity to remind you of both the support we provide as a school and that of external agencies;

Etone College E-Safety: https://www.etonecollege.co.uk/e-safety/

A first stop to find out useful links, details of our curriculum and our commitment to E-Safety across our school and for our pupils.

Safer Internet Centre UK: https://saferinternet.org.uk/

The home of Safer Internet Day and location of expert advice and details of support networks for those who are struggling with safe internet usage.

Internet Matters: https://www.internetmatters.org/

The Government backed agency that looks to provide children and families with all the require to ensure a safe digital world for them and their futures.

We are so excited for our performance of our brand new production “Seven Ages of Man”. As rehearsals are stepping up we are eager to remind you of the upcoming event and the amazing performances our talented cast are putting in. If you would like to attend please see our poster for details.

Tickets for our performances can be purchased through the Matrix Academy App/ ParentPay and all enquiries should come direct to the school. We hope you will be there for a truly enjoyable evening.

Our Anti-Bullying Ambassadors have been busy making a positive difference across the school. They are currently planning a range of engaging anti-bullying activities to share with form groups, helping to spark important conversations and promote kindness and respect. The team is also working creatively on new anti-bullying pledges that everyone in our community can stand behind. Ambassadors are proudly wearing their new black anti-bullying lanyards, showing their commitment and leadership. Excitement is building as they prepare for the upcoming Diana Award Anti-Bullying Training Day, where they will develop even more skills to support others and champion a safe, inclusive school for all

On January 20th and January 21st Year 7 enjoyed an enterprise day sponsored by M & G.

They used maths skills to organise a teen concert event. This involved surveys for market research, data handling skills, budgeting, stage design and pitching to raise capital.

Pupils worked in small groups and were able to delegate and plan and work collaboratively. Pupils reported back that they really enjoyed the experience and learned many new skills, with some considering event organisation a possible future career. Our pupils were fantastic and the feedback from the event organisers was amazing.