All schools across our Trust have been working collaboratively to recognise and celebrate key dates in the PSHE calendar. These are in addition to other events that will also be taking place in our individual schools. We are very proud to share our Matrix Academy Trust Personal Development Calendar which gives details of the events where our schools have come together to produce a wide range of activities for our pupils. These events will be recognised through a combination of assemblies and form time activities as well as their importance being widely publicised through our social media platforms and in schools through displays, posters and TV screens. For some events, there will be additional activities planned such as competitions to engage our learners in the real meaning of these days.

There is a wide range of days recognised to acknowledge different faiths and groups as well as promote very important themes such as equality, diversity, wellbeing and British Values. This project epitomises the real spirit of collaboration in our school as well as our commitment to ensuring that our pupils have the knowledge and skills to not only keep themselves safe but be ready and able to make a valuable contribution to society.

This week, our two highest quizzing classes in Year 7 and Year 8 will become detectives in a puzzle packed 'whodunnit' mystery. Someone has stolen the 'Little People, Big Dreams' books from Etone's library but who could it be?

From searching for clues to solving them, pupils will work through gradually eliminating the suspects. They are racing against the clock and each other to see who can solve the mystery first.

On Thursday, 13th March 2025, a group of 14 enthusiastic students from Year 7 to Year 11 had the fantastic opportunity to attend the world-renowned Yonex All England Badminton Championships at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham. This exciting trip allowed our students to witness world-class badminton up close, giving them an unforgettable experience and inspiring them to develop their skills in the sport.

The main aim of the trip was to provide our students with a deeper appreciation of badminton while promoting the sport within Etone College. Watching elite players compete at the highest level showcased the speed, precision, and strategy required in professional badminton. Seeing the dedication and skill of these athletes was a real eye-opener for our students and will hopefully encourage more participation in badminton at school.

We were proud to take the following students to experience this thrilling event: Ava Kirk (7D2), Oscar Kirk (8D1), Diya Patel (10P2), Oscar Knight (8D2), Layla Bidwell (10C1), Tavia Watson Kershaw (10P1), Laike Shema-Hans (10G2), Connor Starkey (9G2), Leo Starkey (10G2), Hebe Ng (10P1), Jason Chiu (10P1), Marcus Cheng (10C1), Hang Lau (10C1), Hayden Ng (9G2), and Charlie Chedgzoy (10P1).

The trip kicked off early in the morning as we made our way to Birmingham. As soon as we entered the arena, the energy was electric! From lightning-fast singles matches to intense doubles showdowns, every match had the crowd on the edge of their seats. Our students had the chance to observe the players' techniques, footwork, and tactics, gaining valuable insights into how they can improve their own game.

The event wasn’t just about watching the matches—it was about being inspired. Seeing professional athletes in action reinforced the importance of perseverance, discipline, and teamwork, qualities that extend beyond sport and into everyday life.

This trip is just one of the many ways Etone College is encouraging students to engage in sports and extracurricular activities. We hope that the experience will ignite a passion for badminton and lead to greater participation in both school and local community events. Who knows? Maybe one of our own students will compete in this championship one day!

A big well done to all the students who attended and represented Etone College so well. Your enthusiasm and interest in the sport made the day even more special. We’re already looking forward to next year’s event! Let’s keep the badminton spirit alive and continue to grow the sport at Etone College!

Keep practicing, keep playing, and most importantly—keep having fun!

Check out the activities we are hosting in support of Autism Awareness Month.

At 6pm on Tuesday, 6th May 2025, Etone Exceeding Excellence will be welcoming a face-to-face lecture by Information Scientists, Dr Anna Noel-Storr and Dr Sus Wisneiwski focused on their work for the health-based charity, Cochrane. Dr Noel-Storr and Dr Wisneiwski will be delivering an interactive session (mobile phones will be required) about how they utilise global communities, and AI through the Cochrane Crowd platform to broaden access to evidence based medicine, enabling the best decisions about health to be made. In the context that over 4,000 scientific papers are published weekly, the Drs will explain how the tools of Information Science can help us to keep up.  Parents and pupils are invited to attend.  In addition to our EEE pupils, those with an interest in future careers of medicine, research, and information science would benefit from this lecture.

Our Year 10 students recently took part in an exciting virtual careers workshop with professionals from DELL Technologies. Hosted over Microsoft Teams, the session gave students a unique opportunity to engage directly with DELL employees and gain valuable insights into careers in the tech industry.

The workshop was an informal Q&A format, where students were encouraged to ask questions about career pathways, roles within DELL, and the skills and qualifications needed to succeed in the world of technology. The DELL team shared their personal journeys, discussed the importance of digital skills, and offered advice on how students can start preparing for future careers now.

The session was both inspiring and informative, helping students broaden their understanding of opportunities in tech and giving them a real-world perspective on what it’s like to work in a global tech company.