Today in school we were delighted to host our “Pink to Think” Pop-Up Stand, a wellbeing initiative designed to promote positive mental health, self-esteem and healthy body image among our pupils.

The stand created a welcoming space where pupils could stop, talk, reflect and access supportive resources. It proved extremely popular, with many pupils engaging in thoughtful and mature discussions.

Positive Affirmations
Pupils were invited to read, select and reflect on positive affirmation statements to help build confidence, resilience and self-belief.

Pink to Think Booklet
Each booklet includes information and activities focused on:

• Positive mental health

• Building self-esteem

• Developing a positive body image

• Mental health top tips

• A personal self-care plan

• Reflection activities

These resources are designed to encourage pupils to think about how they care for their wellbeing and where they can seek support when needed.

International Women’s Day Focus
As part of our wider discussions, we also highlighted International Women’s Day. Pupils explored inspirational quotes from well-known celebrities as well as empowering messages from our own school staff, reinforcing positive role models and celebrating strength, individuality and achievement.

Important Conversations

Many pupils chose to discuss, body image and self-confidence, the impact of social media on girls, peer pressure and comparison and where to go for support. We were particularly encouraged by how open and reflective pupils were. They were also provided with clear signposting to support available both in school (pastoral team, trusted adults, wellbeing support) and outside school should they ever need additional help.

If you have any questions or would like further information about the resources shared, please do not hesitate to contact us.

For the first time on Friday 27^th February, a small group of students from Etone College auditioned for Warwickshire based choir AC Academy Scholars. Founder and Artistic Director of AC Academy Christopher Monks came in to listen to our students perform and to work with them in personalised singing sessions. The Etone Choir have previously worked alongside AC Academy Scholars and Armonico consort in performances at St Mary's in Warwick, Coventry Cathedral and at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Previous AC Academy Scholars have gone on to work for the RSC, win the BBC Young Chorister competition and be awarded Oxbridge Choral Scholarships.

We are very proud that our students have had the self belief to put themselves forward for such an opportunity. It takes a lot of preparation and practise to be ready to do an audition for a professional musician! Students will find out in a couple of weeks time if they have been successful in their auditions.

If any more of our students would like to find out more about this programme, there are more details here:

AC Academy Scholars - AC Academy

On Monday 23^rd February, the School Council met to discuss our Etone Learner Values - Caring, Courteous, Integrity, Supportive, Self-Belief and Trustworthy. The Councillors considered what the values meant to them, and examples they could give of these values being used by students at Etone. For the Etone Learner Value of Integrity for example, pupils said that this was "always doing the right thing, even under pressure", and that this could be demonstrated by standing up for others and learning from mistakes. School Councillors also discussed how we could promote these values further, alongside our achievement points, weekly Values certificates and LFL lessons. One suggestion was a student-made newsletter based around the values. 

On Friday 30th January, our NYP students visited Nuneaton Town Hall where they represented Etone College as part of the Nuneaton Youth Parliament. Here, students discussed the issue of safety within Nuneaton town centre and put forward their ideas of what would make them feel safer. Our NYP representatives are now preparing for their next meeting, which will focus on the use of social media for under 16's.

Options evening was another fantastic success for Etone on Thursday. Each time our teachers excel at sharing why pupils should take their subjects and make a difficult choice even harder. There is of course support and guidance to help this, however our staff do a great job of sharing where their subjects could potential take each pupil. It was great to see the event in full swing with standing room only in all of our rooms as parents arrived for the unique experience of subject sessions.

A big thankyou to all families who attended and our staff for taking the time to discuss future career options with our pupils. Another shout out to our Year 12 pupil helpers who did a fantastic job of supporting our staff and prefects across the evening.

Check out the pictures from our latest pop-up stall in support of LGBT+ Mental Health. Whilst mental health isn't discriminatory, we like to take the opportunity to raise awareness for all of our pupils and particularly take time to consider how this might affect people differently. Thank you to all who took part.