The holiday season can be a wonderful time to relax, spend time with loved ones, and enjoy a break from routine. However, it can also bring challenges, including feelings of loneliness, financial pressures, increased stress, or concerns about personal safety and wellbeing.

Whether you are spending the holidays with family and friends or on your own, it is important to take care of yourself and know where to turn if you need information, advice, or support.

Some simple ways to stay safe and well over the holiday period include:

• Staying connected with family, friends, neighbours, or colleagues.
• Looking after your physical and mental wellbeing by maintaining healthy routines where possible.
• Planning ahead if you are travelling or attending social events.
• Being mindful of online safety and protecting personal information when shopping or communicating online.
• Seeking support early if you are struggling with your mental health, finances, housing, or personal circumstances.
• Checking in on others who may be feeling isolated or vulnerable during the holiday period.

Remember, support is available throughout the holidays. If you need advice, guidance, or someone to talk to, help is only a phone call or click away.

Please take a look at some of these useful websites for information, support and guidance, if required over the holidays.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger or requires urgent assistance, always contact the emergency services without delay.

We are so excited that tickets have gone on sale for our drama club's performance of their devised piece, 'Hope' at The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry on Friday, 3^rd July - Marooned - Belgrade Theatre  Working in partnership with the theatre has been an incredibly enriching experience for Etone pupils through which not only have they developed performance skills, their sense of theatre and creativity, but they have also developed teambuilding, perseverance and resilience.  We are incredibly proud of all that they have achieved.

On Tuesday, 9^th June, Etone Exceeding Excellence pupils walked to Chilvers Coton Heritage Centre where they took part in two local history sessions.  In their social history session delivered in the parlour, volunteer, John showed pupils a chair which belonged to the chairman of the workhouse which used to stand on College Street, also explaining that the street took its name from the Victorian euphemism for the workhouse, 'The College for the Poor'.  John gave pupils a wealth of information about Victorian life and the origins of the heritage centre building and the Newdegate family. 

Volunteer, Rob introduced Etone pupils to the Victorian school room complete with rules, punishments and rewards.  No-one liked the look of the cane, strap, and dunce's hat through many excelled at writing with a dip pen.  Rob explained how dip pens were adopted because quills needed to be trimmed so regularly (and the origins of the term 'pen knife' as it was the knife used to sharpen the pen).

We would like to thank John and Rob for their time, enthusiasm and for sharing their knowledge with our pupils so freely.  We will be returning soon.

This month marks Pride month, a month dedicated to celebrating diversity and showing our support to the LGBT+ community. This week our catering team have been doing us proud, with their very special Pride Cupcakes. Colourful and tasty they’re are the perfect treat at the end of the rainbow.

Each day the cupcakes have sold out proving to be a very popular dessert indeed. A big thank you to Mr Thornley-Yates and the team for the sensational snacks!

Year 8 pupils had a fantastic cultural opportunity to visit the birthplace of the Bard himself as part of their Shakespeare unit on Romeo and Juliet this term.

Their tour started with a treasure hunt following local historical landmarks which led them to Shakespeare’s grave.  As part of their treasure hunt they also explored Shakespeare’s birthplace and his home with wife Anne Hathaway.  Pupils were amazed at the conditions in which the Shakespeare’s lived – particularly the small living space and the use of a rope ladder to reach the upper floors.

Their visit was enriched with an opportunity to experience the cultural diversity of Stratford-upon-Avon itself by spending some time exploring the parks and gardens around the river.  Some were even brave enough to try out the rides at the fair.

The visit finished exploring natural wonders within the butterfly farm and even having the opportunity to pick up some exotic creatures and have beautiful and giant butterflies landing on them.

Pupils had a fantastic experience which they now bring back into the classroom to enhance their contextual knowledge and understanding of Shakespeare.

Have you ever wondered how detectives solve crimes? Are you fascinated by forensic science, criminal investigations, and the stories behind famous cases?

Join our Year 10 Criminology Club and explore the world of crime scene analysis, forensic evidence, criminal psychology, and documentary case studies. It's a great opportunity to meet like-minded students, develop critical thinking skills, and uncover the science behind solving mysteries.

🕵️‍♂️ When: Friday break times
📍 Where: T0-6

Whether you're a true crime enthusiast, a future detective, or simply curious about how crimes are investigated, we'd love to see you there!

Come along, ask questions, and start thinking like an investigator. 🔍

We are excited to be hosting our next gardening event with the Gardening Club  on 11^th June. This time we have some amazing donations from various sources of bulbs, equipment and materials that will allow us to make our green areas around the school look amazing.

The club work hard to ensure we have a beautiful environment within the school grounds; from litter picking to stunning flora the work they do is both transformative and showcases all of our Etone Values with particular focus on Showing Integrity by caring for the environment.

The next event will take place on 11^th June at 3:15pm and will be led by Mrs Foxon-Ind. If you would like to attend please sign up with your tutor.

Today our Year 9 Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award pupils have set off on their expedition section of the award.

The Duke of Edinburgh awards was founded in 1956 by Prince Philip largely designed, by John Hunt, who had led the first successful ascent of Mount Everest in 1953. The awards is an opportunity for young people across the country to take part in outdoor challenges, develop skills and become supportive citizens through voluntary work.

Our Year 9 cohort are at the beginning of this journey with future opportunities for Duke of Edinburgh Silver and Gold to follow. Whilst only at the start, the enthusiasm is strong and it has been a pleasure to see them prepare for this next adventure. Coupled with volunteer and skills work the awards help to build both confidence and mirror the values of an Etone Learner.

Whilst for many this is the first foray into an expedition, the kit, the knowledge and the preparation is something to behold. Best of luck and keep posted for updates.