We recently had the pleasure of awarding 27 pupils their Bronze reading badges, with them all having worked their way towards achieving 50 reading points. Well done to Evie, Ella, Arvind, Kai, Tegan-Mai, Huzaifa, Kc-Jane, Jessica, Hamza, Henry, Ava, Animah, Cara, Carlton, Denis, Emmie, Alexa, Shaylei, Delia, Eric, Joseph, Bethia, Eloise, Uzayr, Effie & Belle. Next stop Silver!
On Thursday 8C2 were rewarded for their fete as the highest attending form group for the last week of Summer Half Term 1. With an astonishing 100% attendance they ensured victory for their form as they added to their already impressive tally.
As you are aware, attendance is important to us at Etone and we are proud that ours remains above national in all areas. Something we have worked hard to support and ensure every child feels success in their time at school.
Miss Tucker and the class were able to enjoy marshmallow topped hot chocolate, pain-au-chocolat’s and to be congratulated for their efforts by Mr Smith. The pupils were very excited to receive their treats and felt proud to see their efforts rewarded. As a school we are very appreciative of the support parents and families give us in ensuring pupils attend school. There can be no better substitution for education than being in the school environment with the experts in the room teaching. We look forward to our final half-term filled with more rewards.
ANNOUNCING OUR FIRST EVER TRUST-WIDE SPORTS DAY 2025!
We are thrilled to announce a landmark moment in our trust’s calendar — the very first Trust-Wide Sports Day, bringing together more than 3,000 pupils from across Matrix schools.
Venue: The iconic Alexander Stadium, Birmingham – home of the 2022 Commonwealth Games
Date: Wednesday, 9th July 2025
This incredible event will be a full day of competition, celebration, and community spirit. As part of our Healthy Competitions Initiative, the day will showcase the power of sport in promoting teamwork, resilience, and ambition. Schools have now completed their in-school heats and successful participants will receive letters to notify them of their involvement as a participant. Additionally, this event provides a unique opportunity for pupils to showcase their talents in front of athletics club scouts, potentially opening doors for future athletic opportunities.
What to Expect:
Parents and carers of participants are warmly invited to attend and spectate this exciting event! With over 2,000 spectators expected, the day promises an electric atmosphere — and your support will make all the difference to our pupils. A full schedule of events is below so you can plan when to attend to cheer on your child. Spectators will be seated in the East Stand. Tickets are available via Eventbrite at £3 per person. All proceeds will be donated to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, our Trust charity for the year.
So you can plan when you would like to arrive and watch a particular event - a schedule of events will be confirmed on the trust website HERE closer to the event. Follow us on social media for the latest timings.
Book here: https://bit.ly/matsportsday
This is more than just a sports day — it’s a celebration of talent, teamwork, and trust unity. Whether you’re competing, performing, or cheering from the stands, get ready to be part of something unforgettable.
Let the countdown begin.
On Monday 2nd June our Year 10’s attend a special assembly to mark the beginning of their final year at Etone. As you will be aware this coincides with our pupils taking their GCSE examinations and with such an important terminal year in the near future, we do all we can as a school to support and prepare our pupils.
As part of this our pupils attend the Class of 26 launch assembly with Mr Bowley. The aim of the session was to share the theme behind ‘Class of 26’ and support our pupil sin the build up to the all important mock exam series in June.
What is ‘Class of 26’?
Class of 26 is a programme established to support the motivation of pupils within the school who will leave Etone in the summer of 2026 as Year 11 GCSE leavers. The aim is to provide pupils with all they require not only to succeed but to thrive in what can be a very stressful time for our pupils.
The programme begins in June as we say goodbye to the outgoing Year 11. Aligning with the launch of our Prefect recruitment process, pupils are invited to attend the assembly where key information is shared about the upcoming year. By sharing the step-by step focuses for the pupils this helps to reduce the anxiety of what is to come, launching alongside our Mock Exam assembly and Coping with Exam Stress assemblies and form time activities. This to support some impressive headlines including that our current Year 10 have the potential to be the highest attaining Year yet on record at Etone College.
Across the year our pupils will have the following opportunities:
The assembly is just the start of what will be a jam packed beginning of the end for our pupils. We look forward to the final chapter in our journey together…
Last half term, School Councillors met to discuss our Etone Learner Value for April-May 2025 - 'Trustworthy'. The Councillors considered what trustworthy means, and how pupils can show this value in the work that they do throughout School. Many Councillors spoke about the need to be reliable students - that to be trustworthy they needed to follow through with their commitments in the classroom and remember that we support others in a positive way.
Following the discussion, School Councillors prepared a PPT presentation to deliver on the Etone Value of Trustworthy, which they would all present to their respective tutor groups. The PPT referred to a role model who demonstrates the value of trustworthy - former Royal Marine and Special Forces soldier, Jason Fox. Jason in particular talks about how essential it is to trust your peers in difficult and challenging situations, remembering that we all make mistakes, but learn from them.
Well done to all those School Councillors who made their tutor time presentations, demonstrating their employability skills of communication and organisation.
As part of our diversity and Pride celebrations we are running our Pride Book Trail.
To celebrate Pride month, from Monday 2nd June come along to the Library to see our LGBTQ+ display. Find the answers to the clues for our LGBTQ+ trail within the recommended books.
Write your answer on the answer sheets that can be found in the Library.
On Monday 16th June our winner/runners up will be announced with books and chocolate on offer.
Come along and have a go.
Etone College promote reading for all and as part of this commitment, we have a Staff Book Club. This has two elements:
The EEF theme for the summer term is Literacy and we have been busy working away on some exciting things to share with you. A major partnership of this term has been with the fabulous staff at Etone College who have been very generous with their time and energies. Thank you!
In this edition, we have an amazing podcast interview with A Sandilands who was part of an EEF pilot strategy around Curriculum Comprehension Strategies (CCS) in Geography. Her podcast is inspirational; do have a listen here.
Staff at Etone College have also been working with us to offer a series of two twilight events focusing on 1) How to Create a Culture of Reading and 2) Embedding approaches across the school for reading and disciplinary literacy. These events are brought to you free so do make sure you sign up via our events page here.
J Stafford, a fantastic ELE and Deputy at Etone College also shares her evidence informed practice with us through two blogs which focus on Putting the Evidence to Work to Prepare Learners for Success. You can read blog 1 and blog 2 now.
And finally, we couldn't publish this edition without reference to the fabulous new Deployment of Teaching Assistants guidance report. This guidance report has already proven extremely popular with teaching assistants, teachers, schools, trusts and LAs alike. Read more in our new blog here. There are more items inspired by this report to come!
On Friday 23rd 8 Etone College staff joined with over 40 of our Matrix colleagues to take part in the Three Peaks Challenge. This gruelling challenge encompassesthe three highest peaks of Scotland, England and Wales, within an aimed 24 hour time limit including journey time.
The total walking distance is 23 miles (37km) and the total ascent is 3064 metres (10,052ft). The total driving distance is 462 miles. Whilst logistically it is a nightmare, the challenge itself is a test of personal strength, resilience and self-belief. To achieve these three mammoth mounds one after another, shows all of the values and skills required to be an Etone Learner.
With aim to raise over £20,000 as a team towards Birmingham Children’s Hospital, the Trust Charity of the Year. It was well worth the preperaiton and training, however when it came down to the event the sheer scale was daunting on our team. Our four drivers performed their duties excellently. Whilst not walking, their driving and support was what had made any of it possible. Keeping our spirits up when cheer was in short supply a massive shout out to Mr Gittings, Mrs Smith, Mr Sheikh and Mr Watts.
Ben Nevis – Elevation 1,345m, Distance 17km
Starting in the Scottish Highlands, our team set off at 6:45pm with a slight staggered start behind some of the other teams. Although not a race it was a proud moment to see our team push up the mountain in a very strong time. The climb itself was a real test as the challenge at point ranged from gentle paths to gruelling slates. As we summited the sun was shining on us and the views of Scotland were just stunning. However, with limited time to take it in we journeyed back to finish in a very strong position for the challenge:
UK Average time – 7-8 Hours
Etone Team time - 4 Hours, 57 Minutes
Scafell Pike – Elevation 978m, Distance 9.4km
As we entered Cumbria it was advancing on 8pm after some traffic concerns. With daylight fading fast we were determined to make it onto the mountain face before 8pm otherwise we may not have been able to continue safely. With a steeper incline, cooling temperatures and the heavens opening the climb became tougher and tougher still. With darkness descending about 1km before the summit there were more than mere thoughts of turning around. However, digging deeper we made it to the top with enough time for a quick picture and push back down. The descent became particularly troubling with the severity of the decline being further in question with the slippery terrain. Despite cold conditions we made it back with a time setting for us to really take on the last leg.
UK Average time – 5-6 Hours
Etone Team time - 3 Hours 5 Minuets
Snowden – Elevation 1,085m, Distance 13km
With the dawn breaking in the mini-bus it became clear that our 24 hour challenge was over. Due to traffic conditions and some mishaps along the way the elements out of our control had taken the wind out of our sails. However, with donations riding on this we dug even deeper and agreed to take on the Snowdon giant. What would have been a lovely Saturday walk at 6am was compounded with damp gear, tiring legs and aching bones. The combined age of our group being 216 across the 5 walkers it was a sheer sight to behold as we made it up to the top in record times. As a team we had been on this hard yet beautiful journey. Setting off on the final path with the rest of Team Matrix made it for an even more emotional journey. Finally coming down to cheers and triumphs form the minibus team, was something special.
UK Average time – 6-7 Hours
Etone Team time - 3 Hours 12 minutes
With fanfare, medals and even some tears the challenge was over. The teams had done it and we had smashed some personal records. A big thank you to the whole of the support team and Matrix team for the organising. It was something that we will never forget.
Of course, our fundraising journey continues. As does the challenges the doctors, nurses and midwives face at Birmingham Children Hospital. If you would like to donate please do so here: https://bit.ly/4dRj2U1
As you are aware we spend our time at Etone investing in research to join up with the leading institutes and put it into actions to ensure progress for all.
Just this month our staff have been involved in over four separate modules for the Staffordshire Research School in conjunction with the EEF. Within that over 6 different articles or events have taken place and we are proud to share feedback and the links form the Research Schools termly newsletter:
The EEF theme for the summer term is Literacy and we have been busy working away on some exciting things to share with you. A major partnership of this term has been with the fabulous staff at Etone College who have been very generous with their time and energies. Thank you!
In this edition, we have an amazing podcast interview with Miss Sandilands who was part of an EEF pilot strategy around Curriculum Comprehension Strategies (CCS) in Geography. Her podcast is inspirational; do have a listen here.
Staff at Etone College have also been working with us to offer a series of two twilight events focusing on 1) How to Create a Culture of Reading and 2) Embedding approaches across the school for reading and disciplinary literacy. These events are brought to you free so do make sure you sign up via our events page here.
Juliet Stafford, a fantastic ELE and Deputy at Etone College also shares her evidence informed practice with us through two blogs which focus on Putting the Evidence to Work to Prepare Learners for Success. You can read blog 1 and blog 2 now.
It is always important that we are up to date with our research, and being involved is a fantastic opportunity for our staff to be involved in the cutting edge developments within the sector. Furthermore it helps to improve the educational experience of our pupils which is a win all around.
Secondary School
Leicester Road
Nuneaton
Warwickshire
CV11 6AA
T: 024 76 757300
postbox@etonecollege.co.uk
SENDCo - Mrs K Smith
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 3:30 pm
(Equivalent to 39.5 hours)
