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Staff Book Club

Etone College promote reading for all and as part of this commitment, we have a Staff Book Club.  This has two elements:

  1.  Reading for Pleasure - each half term, staff collaborate to recommend a book.  A copy of the book is raffled so that one lucky staff member receives a free copy.  A Microsoft Team enables discussion (without spoilers) whilst reading, and at the end of each staff term there is an opportunity for a face-to-face meet-up to discuss the book. We also run a staff book swap where staff can bring in books that they have read which are then available for other staff to lan.
  2. As part of our trust wide commitment to CPD, we recommend a pedagogical read each term linked to whole school priorities.  A copy of this book is raffled to staff, alongside a copy being purchased for our growing staff library.  Specific  parts of the chosen book will be referenced in CPD, and - when appropriate - extracts may be given to the whole staff as pre-reading.

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Leading Research, Leading Learning

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.

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Time to Talk

On Tuesday afternoon, our staff filled out the venue of our latest Time to Talk event.

A key opportunity for staff from across the school; English to PE, teachers to care takers, to gather and enjoy some cakes and a drink whilst catching up.

Like all workplaces, the school is a busy place and it’s important we find time to talk to each other, friends old and new and set an example to pupils. It is ok to take a time out to catch up and chat to peers.

As always the event was well attended and was an opportunity for each faculty, team and role type to come and share anecdotes, reflect on the term and of course take part in the crafting activities.

This week it was ‘wet clay’ modelling with staff members able to create some delicate designs and relieve a little of the daily tension that is naturally built up.

A big thank you to all for supporting the event!

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Staff Book Club

At Etone as part of our commitment to staff wellbeing, we have a Staff Book Club.  We suggest questions for our fiction book of the term, and our pedagogy selection links to whole school priorities.  As part of this, we gift a copy of each book to staff chosen at random.  This month Mr Botham is the luck recipient of 'The Heaven and earth Grocery Store', and Mr Bonner won a copy of Jamie Clarke's 'Teaching One Pagers'.  A massive well done to both.


Spring 2025

Our World Book Day 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!

This term’s books were: ‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse’ by Charlie Mackesy, a book of hope in uncertain times and ‘Power Up Your Pedagogy, The Illustrated Handbook of Teaching’ by Bruce Robertson.

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Staff Bookclub

At Etone College, we are committed to promoting staff wellbeing. This week we saw another successful Time to Talk event where our teaching staff came together to enjoy a drink, cake and a catch up after work as part of our wellbeing initiatives.  We were also delighted to continue with our staff book club as part of World Book Day.  Both reading for pleasure and professional development are key and we were delighted to provide a lucky winner with a copy of The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse this week.

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Terrific Teachmeets

At Etone we are dedicated to high quality professional development for all of our staff like most schools. However, our dual focus on wellbeing is what enables us to stand out and ensure we are a supportive and progressive environment in the education sector. 

One of the corner stones of our CPD provision is the Christmas Teachmeet. The session features a unique blend of pedagodgy and wellbeing to provide staff a chance to share best practice and reflect on some of the high points across the year. 

This year the focus was on reading with staff sharing some expert strategies to support the culture and use of reading in lessons. With some amazing ideas on offer, we know all staff will be trailing these in the new year.

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ECT Celebration Event

Tuesday, 9th July saw our ECT End of Year Qualification Celebration Event. We have had an amazing community of 19 ECTs this year who have built a wonderful rapport with each other and have taken part in a range of social events each half term. This afternoon saw the culmination of all of their hard work.

ECTs and their mentors had a wonderful time searching for miniature ducks; competing in ‘The Great ECT+ Quiz’ and receiving their awards and pin badges.  A huge table of food and drink, laughs, stories and a reveal of achievements and secrets were enjoyed by all present. Prizes for the winners were eagerly selected and coveted.

We are absolutely delighted to share that two Etone ECTs, T Monro and W Kitching won Certificates of Excellence, and E Greenhalgh won a Bronze Certificate from Pearson’s Teaching Awards, 2024 a huge National recognition of their contributions to education.  We are certain that we have more awards to look forward to in the years to come.

At Etone, we are immensely proud of all of ECTs and this afternoon really recognised their huge efforts and engagement in their induction into the teaching profession. We know these first years pave the way into incredibly successful careers for all.

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Time to Talk

On Tuesday our staff were invited to join our next instalment of Time to Talk. As a school we recognise the importance of wellbeing not just for our pupils, but our staff as well and encourage them to join us for a cuppa and a biscuit. Each time we are impressed with the turn out and this time was no different. As a special treat Miss Fernandas offered us the chance to create out own imprints, making many of us feel like world class artists. It is these kinds of events and the values held by our staff which makes the Etone Community what it is. A big thank you to all staff who supported through attending and especially to Miss Stafford and the team for organising.

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The Great Etone Bake Off

On Tuesday our ECT’s had their termly social. This time the event: The Great Etone Bake Off. With an hour on the clock and a basic recipe our ECTs showed their Teamwork skills as they raced to create the best cup cakes within the limit.

At Etone we really value our staff and non more so than our early career teachers. With a full program of events and benefits to support staff wellbeing, the ECT social is an important one. Whilst it is always important to realise the need for pedagogical developments, having the time to try new skills and mix with peers is a valued opportunity at Etone.

Whilst the creations were equally brilliant we of course have a winner, in the best looking category Miss Hylands Cherry on Top cakes took 1st Place. However for the taste it was Mr Daniels, Mr Logan and Mr Monro who won with their creations.

It was a big success well enjoyed by all.

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Christmas Teachmeet

This week our Teaching and Learning team were very excited to be hosting the annual Christmas Teachmeet. The brainchild of the brilliant Miss Stafford, the session is a unique experience where festive fun meets pedagogical techniques. Each year there is a slightly different take as our teachers explore some of the latest strategies, whilst enjoying the chance to celebrate a long Autum term.

This year our event started with a Christmas Research: Swap Shop. Here each teacher was tasked with sharing a piece of research that has informed the development of their practice. During a 5 minute slot they would have a chance to explain the research and how it has supported them, before listening to that of their colleagues. During the aspect of the event there were over 80 different pieces of research used which has informed the practice of our teachers across this term. This underlines the importance that Etone places on the value of using the most up to date and robust research to inform our learning environments.

After this our staff were eager to find out the winners of the Etone Admin Awards 2023. Where our support staff shared their thanks to our teachers for their efforts across this year as well as our Heads of House Awards for Form Tutor’s of the Year. We would like to celebrate and congratulate the efforts of Mrs Beasley (Centaur), Miss Lower (Dragon), Miss Bryant (Griffin), Mr Key (Phoenix).

With that it was time for our ECT staff members to thank the rest of the staff for their support this term as they shared their top teaching tip, before feeling the pride as we watched the Yearly Review of our achievements at Etone over 2023.

Finally our staff were able to enjoy some Christmas Merriment with the traditional sing along of the 12 Days of Etone, complete with Three French Books, Two Mini Whiteboard and Lots of Employability. Before ending with Mr Astall’s second rendition of Celebrity Look-A-Likes. Although we will save those for another time.

Striking the balance between providing the best education possible, whilst looking after the wellbeing and workload of staff is something that we are committed to at Etone and it was lovely to be able to host this event. We hope all our staff enjoyed it and look forward to hosting again, same time next year.

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Secondary School
Leicester Road
Nuneaton
Warwickshire
CV11 6AA

T: 024 76 757300
postbox@etonecollege.co.uk

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