On Monday 10th March, 38 top-performing female athletes from Year 7 to Year 13 gathered for an inspiring Industry Spotlight Talk, featuring three outstanding rugby professionals: Vicki Cornborough, Emma Uren, and Lydia Thompson. The session provided valuable insights into the world of professional sports, resilience, and what it takes to succeed as a woman in the industry. 

The speakers emphasised how playing rugby has shaped them both personally and professionally. They highlighted the privilege of working in the sports industry, doing something they genuinely enjoy. They explained how Sport had taught invaluable life skills—handling emotions effectively, developing mental resilience, and learning to thrive under pressure.

The speakers acknowledged the challenges they faced early on, particularly in gaining respect in a traditionally male-dominated field. While the industry has evolved, there were times when having a female coach or leader was met with resistance. However, they celebrated the progress being made, noting the increasing number of women entering the sports industry. They expressed excitement about the growing presence of female athletes and the expansion of women's rugby, which continues to pave the way for future generations.

A key theme throughout the discussion was the importance of consistency, personal growth, and striving to be the best version of yourself. The speakers encouraged the young athletes to push themselves, maintain a strong mindset, and always give their best effort.

The event ended on a motivating note, with the speakers encouraging the athletes to set ambitious goals:
"Shoot for the moon, because even if you don't quite make it, you'll end up between the stars."

This session was a powerful reminder of the opportunities available in sport, the importance of perseverance, and the bright future ahead for women in sport.

In celebration of Women’s International Day, the Etone Girls' Football Academy in partnership with Vision Academy led a fantastic afternoon celebrating girls football. Pupils from Years 3, 4, 5, and 6 took part in a carousel of skill-based activities, showcasing their passion, teamwork, and growing confidence in the sport.

The fantastic leadership of the Girls’ Football Academy shone through as they guided younger pupils through engaging drills and exercises, creating an inclusive and empowering environment. Their dedication and enthusiasm not only developed football skills but also reinforced the importance of leadership, determination, and breaking barriers in sports.

This event was a brilliant way to celebrate Women’s International Day, promoting equality in football and encouraging more young girls to get involved in the game. A huge thank you to the Girls' Football Academy and Vision Academy for making this event such a memorable success.

Excellent attendance to school is essential for pupils to achieve. Missed days, means missed learning in the classroom and missed opportunities. Our next seasonal attendance challenge is 'EGGcellent Attendance Fortnight'. The challenge is to be in school, every day between Monday 31st  March and Thursday 10^th April. (Friday 11^th April is a Teacher Training Day) Pupils who maintain 100% Attendance during this fortnight will be in the draw for choc-tastic prizes. You do not want to miss out!

Last Saturday Etone college sent two teams to the Matrix Rast competition. The competition puts contingents from around trust head to head competing in several military skills tests.  

These tests include, first aid, RAF Knowledge, Aircraft recognition, Drill, Turnout, Command tasks and shooting. 

Both our teams were a mixture of our junior and Senior cadets so they could all gain valuable experience from the competition. 

The teams represented the school with pride. Several of the cadets gained a shooting badge from the shooting competition and our A team nearly won the drill competition.  

Although no trophies were won, but the experience that the cadets gained will put them into good sted for when we enter a team of our best cadets in one of the locally hosted competitions for schools from around the region. 

Our very own 2Lt Gittings was furnished with an award at the end of the day. He was presented with his Kings Coronation medal. 

Well-done Team Etone CCF! 

On Tuesday evening, Etone pupils assembled with their parents for an interactive session with conductor, musician and musicologist Prof Dr Barbara Rucha of Cologne-Wuppertal University. Alongside exploring why human make music and how we interact with it; Prof Rucha introduced pupils to a broad spectrum of music to listen to with 'an open heart and open ears'. 

Two Etone musicians, Timon and Dexter, shared their own music with Prof Rucha by playing live over zoom. 

As always, we are so very proud of the intelligent, reflective and thoughtful questions, ideas, and observations shared. And one of our Etone bands even secured a promise for a follow on Instagram!

Our WBD day began with the launch of Staff Book Club for this term, Miss Streza, Mr Monro, and Mrs Kaye-Shepheard all won books with Mrs Tucker, Miss Bali, and Mr Hope winning bookmarks and chocolate.  Massive well done!

Throughout the day, pupils followed a trail to collect key facts from dressed up staff, from The Hungry Caterpillar to Scooby Doo - Etone had it all!

We then dashed straight into 'Footy and Booky' - our team of 32 breezed their way through the two rounds of the National Quiz.  Their knowledge was fantastic and it was wonderful to see them so engaged.

The Big Book Quiz saw a momentous 95 pupils taking part.  Rounds included 'Book covers' 'Guess the Book' 'Which film?' and 'Reading Records'.  Pupils' guesses for the size of the smallest book in the world, the value of the most expensive, and how many words in the longest showed excellent logical thinking.  Well done to Centaur who took first 8C2 (Tegan, Lola, Jessica, and Evie) and second 7C2 (Erin, Freya, Effie, Blossom) place

At breaktime, Express block was buzzing, there were two rooms of 'Literary Escape Rooms' and the 'Create a Mini Book' competition in the library.  Massive well done to our winners (Eleanor and Eloise).

It was wonderful that our sixth form were involved too, undertaking 'The Big Mini Book Hunt'.  The winning student (AJ) found an amazing 107 miniature books in the building!  Well done to all who won prizes.

At the end of the day, pupils were invited to snuggle down with cakes and hot chocolate in the library to listen to Mrs Whitmore and Mrs Leftwich-Lloyd's favourite stories.  They listened with rapt attention to the openings of Northern Lights and The Silver Sword - we hope we have encouraged them to read the whole books.

We are incredibly proud to announce that Etone College is in the running for the Community School of the Year Award 2025 from the prestigious National Education Business Awards.

As you will be aware Etone prides itself as a valued member of our community. Whilst we are a centre of education, we also understand the importance of active citizenship and providing positivity to the local area. Over the past few years just some of our community programs have involved:

• Continuing our membership as Holocaust Ambassadors
• Achieving the International Language School Award
• Developing our careers program with community support on our Careers Day and Fair
• Engaging with local sport clubs
• Supporting our local primary schools in the education of their pupils
• Working with the Nuneaton Library to create links for pupils and their families
• Our Cadets have represented Etone and Nuneaton at remembrance day events
• Achieving a three year streak as league winners for our Etone Football Education Academy

Whilst these are just a few of our initiatives we are proud of all we do. However, perhaps our most impressive is the Community Champions that are at the forefront of how Etone College helps those around us. Since 2021 these pupils have supported a number of events and programs, ensuring successful food and toy bank drives each year, promoting important causes and organisations within the area and helping to support charity events that are on track to raise £15,000 within 4 years.

Of course to be nominated makes us proud, but to be shortlisted by the awards organisers is something that makes the experience truly special. Wish us luck as we attend the ceremony on June 12^th at the Leonardo Royal London St. Pauls hotel London.