Every year, the Salvation Army organise a toy drive within Nuneaton community to collect and distribute presents for disadvantaged children, to help them celebrate Christmas. All donations are gratefully received and ensure Christmas joy is spread to those who are experiencing hardship. Children aged between 0 to 16 years of age are supported in this toy drive.

Etone College are actively participating in this by challenging forms to co-ordinate and donate as much as they can. There is no expectation to buy new goods, although this is welcome. Still boxed and packaged toys, nearly new books and boxed toiletry gifts are being donated by both students and staff to support the Salvation Army and to show students what a difference they can make to the community by engaging in active citizenship. All unwanted gifts are in perfect condition to become the perfect present for a child or teenager in our community. 

All form members and form representatives will be given house points for donations and organisation of donations. House point records will be made by form tutors and Heads of House and the winning form in each year group will win a class prize. Most importantly, our toy drive will show how positive an Etone Learner is in engaging with active citizenship via teamwork, communication, organisation, initiative and showing how caring and supportive they can be. Donations need to be given to Miss Elliott by the deadline of December 10^th to ensure they are taken to the Salvation Army.

On Friday 19^th November Etone pupils showed their support for the annual Children in Need fundraising drive to support disadvantaged young people both in the UK and abroad. Whilst we at Etone have always done our bit it has never been more important to support those who require our help than in a post Covid society. This year we celebrated the day with non-uniform and as a result we, as a school, raised £950. In PE lessons pupils were invited to wear their own clothes for their lesson and it was great to see a variety of sports tops from local teams to national champions. Unfortunately not everyone’s clubs in team is as desirable as we would like (no teams mentioned), however in the spirit of charity we realise that every team needs a fan sometimes.

Fundraising is an integral part of our ethos at Etone. Our Etone Values make up what it takes to be an Etone Learner and with two of the these being caring and supportive natures it is apt that this week all of  our pupils have done a tremendous job of showing these with; Children in Need, World Kindness Day and Anti Bullying Week.

On Wednesday 10^th November we held our first ever SEND coffee morning.  During this event we invited some of our pupils in KS3 and their parents to take part in some presentations from Coventry and DeMontfort University, local college groups such as North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College and local and national employers such as SCOPE who all shared the opportunities and paths open to our pupils in their future careers. There was also the chance for pupils and their families to discuss options with the presenters, introduce them to our wonderful Sixth Form and catch up over a cup of coffee and some cake.

We are especially proud to have been able to welcome back Richard Bishop who shared with us his inspirational journey since leaving Etone to becoming an entrepreneur, which was well received by all in attendance and really intrigued our pupils.  We are really looking forward to making this an annual event along with follow up sessions and events for students and parents in the future.

Thank you to all of the organisation, parents and pupils who attended and see you next year.

Last week our Theme the Week was ‘Remembrance Around the World’ and during assemblies, form time and Learning for Life lessons pupils had the opportunity to explore how different communities around the world pay their respects to those who have sacrificed for everyone else’s liberty.

At Etone pupils were able to understand how important remembering those who have fallen are when considering their fight to protect our own Fundamental British Values such as Democracy, Tolerance, Mutual Respect and again Liberty. Jake in year 7 felt very strongly about the duty we all have to keep the memory of those lost going “If they gave us their life to make sure we have a future, we defiantly should respect them and remember what they have done. We can’t take it for granted.” This was an excellent example, form many across the week, of our own Etone Values our pupils hold as an Etone Learner. 

For Remembrance Day this year we will, as a school be reflecting during the national 2 minutes of silence on Thursday 11^th November at 11:00am. The eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month when the Armistice was signed. Additionally our Cadet squadron will be representing the school by laying a wreath with other organisations in town.

This week at Etone sees the launch of Anti Bullying Week. In line with our Theme of the week our pupils will have the opportunity in assemblies, form time and Learning for Life lessons to explore how as a community we can protect against bullying and support those who find themselves victims. 

This year the theme for Anti Bullying is ‘One Kind Word’, which as a theme is very apt as we head into the season of goodwill. With that we are asking our pupils to be especially complimentary for the next fortnight and provide a kind word or compliment to friends, family and those people you may not usually speak to often. If we all get behind the campaign as a school, we can have a significant impact on our community and ensure that people do not suffer in silence.

In the lead up to Saturday 13^th November’s World Kindness Day. Following this we will be asking pupils to take part in random acts of kindness across the week be it; holding the door open for someone, making a gesture or spontaneous, reaching out to old friends or acquaintances and providing help to others. So whatever your act might be make sure you show off the values of the Etone Learner and support your peers.

Remember to Tweet your acts of kindness.