What an extraordinary day for Etone College on Thursday. The whole school came out on force to support Papyrus and their Houses in the Big Rowing Challenge 2026.
Every year the school takes on a rowing challenge which is set to put the Houses to the test to seek ultimate glory. This year Phoenix was hopeful to regain their title, however the other Houses were adamant not going to let it be an easy challenge to win. The event was started with House representatives taking on their respective rowers with Mr Watts for Centaur, Mrs Haywood for Dragon, Mr Botham for Griffin and Mr Key for Phoenix. Following this it was the pupils turn and rotating in five-minute slots, they did their absolute best to complete the biggest distances possible. Early on Phoenix took initial lead as it looked like history was set to repeat itself.
However, following the changeover to Period 1 and 2 and the introduction of our KS4 pupils Dragon and Centaur mounted a valiant comeback with Griffin managing to take the lead into break. At this point we had a lovely visit form Nuneaton’s recently elected mayor and mayoress the Worshipful Mayor Colin Cape and Mrs Julie Cape. Having the opportunity to visit the school for the first time in an official capacity there was an opportunity for them to meet with pupils and staff and share their story and congratulations for the pupils. In recent years, the school has had close ties to the Mayors Offices in Nuneaton and Bedworth and this initial event ensure there will be no difference. So much was the community spirit infections that the Mayor himself dusted of his rowing skills in a mighty effort to give Dragon a much-needed boost.
In addition to meeting the Mayor we were delighted to welcome Jodie Gosling MP for Nuneaton back to the school in what is now a regular visit to the school. Similarly Jodie was impressed by the community spirit of the pupils and staff and the sheer passion shown by all involved.
As the day drew to a finish the final time slot allowed for pupils and staff to come together in the closing moments of the race, with Griffin and Phoenix swapping the leads and Centaur and Dragon jostling for third place it was all at play. But as the final whistle blew the standings were concrete with the total distances of the Houses standing at:
55,972 meters (36 miles) - Griffin
55,522 meters (35.5 miles) - Phoenix
54,272 meters (33.7 miles) - Centaur
54,172 meters (33.6 miles) – Dragon
Meaning the winners of the 2026 Challenge are Griffin, making both Mrs Bryant and Mr Botham very proud.
In total the school travelled 219,938 meters (137 miles) which is the equivalent of going from Etone College to Portman Road Stadium in Ipswich. A distance that many Coventry fans will be making for any away matches with Ipswich Town in the Premier League next year. The distance for Griffin is the equivalent of going from Etone to Nottingham Castle, which considering the theme of the day was to raise money for charity fit’s well with the legend of Nottingham and Robin Hood.
In total we are nearing the £1,000 mark for money raise towards Papyrus this year and we would be very appreciative of any additional donations made to the cause: https://www.justgiving.com/page/etone-college-10?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL
Many thanks for all who supported us in the event.
