Our Year 7 students recently took part in an exciting STEM Day challenge, delivered by members of the British Army, putting their creativity, teamwork and engineering skills to the test!

Working in teams of 5 or 6, students were challenged to build the tallest freestanding tower possible using giant Meccano-style construction sets. With just 45 minutes to plan, design and construct their towers, teams had to think carefully about how to make their structures both tall and stable.

The challenge encouraged students to put their problem-solving skills into action, experimenting with different designs, considering how to strengthen their structures and working together to overcome engineering difficulties along the way. They quickly discovered that building the tallest tower wasn't simply about using the most pieces – it was about understanding stability, balance and structural design!

Throughout the session, the Army instructors encouraged students to communicate effectively, share ideas and work collaboratively as a team. There was plenty of creativity, determination and friendly competition as each group worked towards achieving their goal.

The STEM Day was a fantastic opportunity for Year 7 to experience some of the challenges faced by engineers, while also developing valuable skills in communication, collaboration, resilience and problem-solving. It was also a great opportunity to learn from members of the Army and see how teamwork and practical problem-solving are important beyond the classroom.

A huge thank you to the Army for delivering such an engaging and enjoyable session, and well done to all our Year 7 students for their enthusiasm and fantastic teamwork!

Congratulations to all of our pupils who were awarded a £10 Amazon Voucher for consistently demonstrating the Courteous value during the first Autumn Term. Your positive attitude, good manners and respectful

behaviour have been noticed and appreciated by staff and fellow pupils alike. The vouchers were presented during assembly on Tuesday 10th November by Mrs Price, and we are incredibly proud of your achievement.

Well done to all of our worthy winners! 🎉👏

Winners:

Zak, Year 7

Leah, Year 8

Molly, Year 9

Imogen, Year 10

Mitchell, Year 11

As part of our English lessons marking Remembrance Day, students explored the powerful question: Is remembrance only about remembering the past, or can it help us shape the future? Using an extract from John McCrae's famous poem In Flanders Fields, pupils reflected on the importance of remembering historical events and the sacrifices made by others.

Students engaged in thoughtful discussion and written responses, considering why remembrance remains important today, what lessons can be learned from the past, and how remembering acts of courage and sacrifice can influence future generations. They also analysed the symbolism of the poppies and crosses featured in the poem and accompanying image, developing their inference and analytical skills while reflecting on themes of memory, respect, and responsibility.

This meaningful activity encouraged students to connect literature with history and to appreciate the continuing significance of Remembrance Day in modern society.

Over the past term, Miss Sandilands, Head of Sixth Form, and Mr Petch, Director of the Football Academy, have been delivering assemblies across our local feeder schools to showcase the exciting opportunities available at Etone College Sixth Form. Students have been introduced to our wide range of A Level and vocational courses, excellent careers and progression opportunities, enrichment activities, educational trips and fantastic facilities. The assemblies have provided students with valuable insight into sixth form life and the support available to help them achieve their future aspirations. Students also received flyers promoting our upcoming Sixth Form Open Evening on Thursday 19th November, from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. We look forward to welcoming prospective students and their families to explore our facilities, meet our staff and discover everything Etone College Sixth Form has to offer!

Every Thursday after school, Miss Potts welcomes pupils to Art Club, providing a fantastic opportunity for our budding artists to develop their creative talents, explore new techniques and produce some truly amazing pieces of artwork.

Most recently, pupils have been working on animal-inspired creations, demonstrating impressive attention to detail, imagination and artistic flair. The results are already looking brilliant, showcasing the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.

We are also delighted to be entering the local College Art Competition once again, giving pupils the exciting opportunity to showcase their talents beyond the classroom and celebrate their creativity.

Art Club is a fantastic example of our Etone Values, particularly Excellence and Ambition, as pupils challenge themselves to develop their skills and take pride in their achievements.

A huge well done to everyone involved, and thank you to Miss Potts for continuing to inspire our young artists!

This week the Year 11 Class of 2026, received their official invitations to attend the Etone College Sixth Form Open Evening on Thursday 19th November, marking an exciting milestone as they begin considering their next steps beyond GCSEs.

During the assembly led by Miss Sandilands, Head of Sixth Form, and Mr Petch, Director of the Football Academy, pupils were introduced to the fantastic opportunities available at Etone College Sixth Form, from a wide range of A Level and vocational qualifications to enrichment activities, leadership opportunities and exciting trips.

Pupils discovered more about our dedicated Sixth Form facilities, smaller class sizes and personalised support, alongside the impressive achievements of former students. In both 2025 and 2026, 100% of Etone Sixth Form leavers secured a positive destination, including universities such as Oxford, apprenticeships and employment for prestigious placements, demonstrating our commitment to ensuring Progress for All.

The assembly also highlighted opportunities to develop essential employability skills through Etone Elect, volunteering, enrichment and our Football Education Academy, alongside specialist careers guidance and university application support.

Our Open Evening will provide pupils and their families with the perfect opportunity to explore our facilities, meet staff, discover the courses on offer and begin planning their own exciting futures.

We look forward to welcoming the Class of 2026 and helping them take their next steps towards becoming the Etone Sixth Form Class of 2028!

The event was extremely well attended, bringing together representatives from the Armed Forces, veterans, local youth organisations and community groups, alongside councillors, the Mayor and the town’s MP. Together, they demonstrated the importance of remembrance, respect and community spirit.

Having dedicated time to practising and preparing for the occasion, our Etone cadets demonstrated commitment, discipline and professionalism as they marched alongside other organisations, representing both Etone College and the wider community with distinction.Taking part in such an important event provides our cadets with a valuable opportunity to demonstrate the Etone Values of Respect, Responsibility and Caring, while developing their leadership, teamwork and sense of service to others.

A special thank you must also go to Mr Hodgson, Mr O’Brien, Mrs Mills and Mr Randall for giving up their Sunday to attend the parade and support our cadets throughout the event. Their presence and encouragement helped ensure our pupils could take part in this important occasion.Above all, we want to recognise the outstanding contribution of our pupils. By giving up their Sunday morning to represent their school and support their town, our cadets demonstrated maturity, dedication and a genuine understanding of the importance of remembrance. Their conduct throughout the occasion was a credit to themselves, their families and Etone College.Events such as this highlight that being part of Etone CCF is about much more than wearing a uniform. It is about stepping forward, taking responsibility and making a meaningful contribution to the community. Our cadets have set a fantastic example of what it means to represent Etone, and we could not be prouder of them. Lest we forget.

Cadets from across Matrix Academy Trust came together at Bloxwich Academy for our annual Trust Remembrance Parade, an important occasion to remember and pay tribute to those who have served and sacrificed for our country.

A total of 113 cadets, including cadet staff, took part, making it a wonderful opportunity for members of our Cadet Forces from across all our schools to come together.

We were pleased to welcome Nicky Padmore, Chair of Bloxwich Royal British Legion (RBL), Dave Padmore, Standard Bearer and RBL member, Faye Wood, RBL member, and Dr Phil Bright, Trustee of Matrix Academy Trust.

Years 5 and 6 pupils from Bloxwich Academy Primary also attended and our secondary pupils contributed a number of readings, with Dr Phil Bright delivering the closing address.

Following the parade, the Bloxwich Academy catering team provided a fantastic lunch, giving cadets and staff the opportunity to sit together, enjoy some food and spend time as one Trust community.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the occasion so special. We are incredibly proud of our cadets and the respect, dedication and pride they demonstrated.

Lest we forget.

Etone College was delighted to welcome Jodie Gosling, Member of Parliament for Nuneaton, for an engaging and informative assembly with our Year 9 pupils. The visit provided a fantastic opportunity for pupils to develop their understanding of British democracy, the legal and parliamentary systems, and the important role elected representatives play in supporting their communities.

During the assembly, Jodie shared her personal journey into politics, explaining how her career had included working as a primary school teacher, nursery owner, forest school leader and local councillor before being elected to Parliament in 2024. Her experiences highlighted the importance of transferable employability skills, demonstrating how communication, leadership, resilience and adaptability can open doors to exciting and unexpected career opportunities.

Pupils explored how the UK's electoral system operates, including the First Past the Post system used across the country's 650 parliamentary constituencies. Using the 2024 General Election results for Nuneaton, Jodie explained how she secured 15,216 votes to become the constituency's MP. She also outlined how governments are formed and how MPs debate, scrutinise and vote on legislation.

A particular focus was the varied responsibilities of an MP, both in Westminster and within their constituency. Jodie shared examples of her recent work, including discussions about mental health provision, securing funding for local veterans and supporting community initiatives. Pupils also learned about her membership of the Education Select Committee, which examines education policy, questions government ministers and makes recommendations to improve opportunities for young people.

The assembly also introduced the Nuneaton Youth Parliament, an exciting opportunity for young people to represent their peers and contribute to local decision-making. With schools able to elect up to four delegates, this initiative encourages pupils to develop confidence, communication and leadership skills while making their voices heard.

The visit strongly supported our Etone Values, particularly Caring, through its emphasis on community service, and Integrity, through the importance of honesty, responsibility and public accountability. It also reinforced our commitment to developing essential employability skills, including critical thinking, active listening, problem-solving and effective communication.

The assembly concluded with an opportunity for pupils to ask questions, encouraging curiosity and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Jodie Gosling MP for taking the time to visit Etone College and inspire our pupils to consider how they can contribute positively to their communities and become active, informed citizens of the future.

Following an informative Year 9 assembly, Etone College was delighted to welcome Jodie Gosling MP for a further question-and-answer session with representatives from our Year 7–10 School Council and Sixth Form Law students.

The session provided pupils with a valuable opportunity to engage directly with their local Member of Parliament, exploring the challenges and opportunities facing Nuneaton, the importance of community representation and the realities of working in public office.

A key focus of the discussion was the ongoing regeneration of Nuneaton Town Centre. Jodie discussed the four phases of development and the wider ambition to create a more vibrant town centre, attracting businesses, investment and employment opportunities. Pupils learned about the Transforming Nuneaton programme, including developments such as Grayson Place, which incorporates a new hotel, leisure facilities and a Digital Skills and Innovation Centre, alongside plans for improved public spaces and community facilities.

The conversation highlighted how regeneration requires collaboration between local authorities, businesses and other stakeholders. Jodie explained the importance of meeting with representatives from across the town, listening to different perspectives and working collectively to address challenges and bring about meaningful change.

Transport and accessibility were also discussed, including Jodie's support for a free bus initiative aimed at improving access to employment and career opportunities. This encouraged pupils to consider how transport links can influence people's ability to access education, training and work, reinforcing the importance of removing barriers to opportunity.

Another important topic was support for armed forces veterans. Jodie discussed her involvement in a funding bid to strengthen local services, including support for Veterans Contact Point through the government's VALOUR programme. The initiative aims to improve access to essential services and opportunities for veterans, demonstrating the importance of recognising and supporting those who have served their country.

Pupils were also fascinated to hear about Jodie's personal experiences in Parliament, including meeting His Majesty King Charles III and the Prime Minister. These insights offered a unique perspective on the responsibilities, experiences and opportunities associated with representing the local community at a national level.

Throughout the session, our School Council representatives and Law students demonstrated important Etone Values, particularly Integrity and Caring, through their thoughtful questions, respectful engagement and interest in improving their community. The discussion also supported essential employability skills, including communication, active listening, critical thinking and leadership.

The visit reinforced the importance of Student Leadership and active citizenship, demonstrating that young people have an important role to play in shaping the future of their communities.

We would like to thank Jodie Gosling MP for generously giving her time to engage with our pupils and providing such an insightful opportunity to learn about local and national decision-making.