Pre-Prep Reflections Week 32 June 2024

Diary Dates

Thursday 13 June – Sweetie bags to be returned to school

Saturday 15 June 1.00-4.00pm – Family Society summer fete

Tuesday 18 June – House picnic lunches (bring a teddy to school)

Tuesday 25 June – Whole school and class photographs

Wednesday 26 June – Reception trip to Paignton Zoo

Wednesday 26 June – Year 2 trip to Wildwood

Friday 28 June 1.30-3.30pm – Sports Day

Wednesday 3 July – Year 1 fire station trip

Thursday 4 July – Transition afternoon

Saturday 6 July – Play Olympics at Exeter Junior School

Monday 8 July 3.00pm – Parent drop-in

Tuesday 9 July 2.30pm – Summer showcase

Wednesday 10 July – Summer term ends at 3.30pm

A list of term dates for the academic year 2024-25 is available on the school website.

Spotlight on Year 1

It was lovely to welcome the children back after half term and we have had a very busy week! In our English lessons, we have been using the book The Great Pet Sale by Mick Inkpen to develop our prediction, comprehension and recount skills. In mathematics this week, our focus has been on telling the time. The children enjoyed using demonstration clocks to show different times and we have been exploring time-related language and sorting events into chronological order. In science, we learnt about Mae Jemison, a doctor, teacher, inventor and astronaut. We learnt about her early life and that she was the first African-American woman in space. The children have all been very enthusiastic about our new history topic, The Great Fire of London, and we spent some time in our lesson comparing London past and present. Finally, we spent our PE lesson on Thursday practising skills for sports day. The children showed great team spirit and are looking forward to the real event on the afternoon of Friday 28 June.

Miss Lawrence, Mrs Thomas and Mrs Tyler

Pre-Prep leadership team

Further to my update before half term on staffing arrangements for next year, I am delighted to update you on some changes to the leadership team with effect from September 2024.

Ms Lizzie Richards will become Deputy Head at Exeter Pre-Prep School and will increase her time in school to four days (Monday-Thursday). Ms Richards has been our Head of Key Stage 1 for the past three years and this new title is a reflection of her wider responsibilities for the leadership of all academic matters across the school, including learning and teaching, curriculum, assessment and new staff induction. She will continue to teach Year 2 with Mrs Goodwill, as well as deputising for me, leading the school in my absence when I am away on inspections or at conferences, etc.

Miss Annabel Lawrence, who will return to school in September as Mrs Lawrence-Jones, will become Head of Pastoral Care from September, while continuing to teach Year 1. Miss Lawrence has been our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead for the past three years, as well as leading whole-school wellbeing and introducing our new house system. This new role will involve responsibility more broadly for pastoral matters (pupils’ physical and social welfare) as well as incorporating the role of special educational needs and disabilities co-ordinator (SENDCO).

As the Head, I will remain responsible for safeguarding, school ethos and character, staff development and all areas of compliance. Congratulations to both ladies who I know will do an excellent job. I am very much looking forward to working with them on further developing the strategic aims of our school.

Mr Ayling

House picnic lunches

We are looking forward to our teddy bear house picnics on Tuesday 18 June. Year 2 children will be travelling over to Exeter School to have a joint house picnic lunch with Form One, while the rest of the pre-prep children will remain in school for a house picnic in the grounds. We would like the children to bring a teddy into school on this day to join them at the picnic, if they would like to. Please ensure the teddy fits into your child’s bag. We hope it will be an enjoyable experience and a chance for the children to spend more time in their houses.

Miss Lawrence, House Leader

Summer Fete sweetie bags

The Exeter School summer fete, organised by the Family Society, is fast approaching! We would like to show our support by supplying a sweetie bag stall on the day. Each pre-prep child has been given a white paper bag today. Please could they decorate the bag at home however they wish – they can draw, paint, collage, be as creative as they like – as long as the bag remains intact. We would then like you to fill the decorated bag with wrapped sweets/confectionery (no nuts or chilled items, please).

Please could the bags be returned to school by next Thursday 13 June at the latest. The best designs will be awarded prizes in assembly on Friday 14 June and then all of the sweetie bags will be sold at the fete on Saturday 15 June. I spoke to the children in assembly about this today. So if you’re going shopping this weekend, remember to stock up on sweets! Apologies for the tight turnaround and many thanks in advance for your support.

Mr Ayling

Read more about the Summer Fete here

School and class photographs

We are pleased to confirm that we have booked Prêt-a-Portrait to take our whole school and class photographs this year, on Tuesday 25 June. Nursery children who do not usually attend on Tuesdays are welcome to come in for the photos if you would like them to. I am waiting to find out the timings and will share these with you as soon as possible. 

Mr Ayling

Ruffles update

I have had a few questions about Ruffles’ health recently and just wanted to give you an update. You may have noticed her wearing an inflatable collar this week. This is because she has been licking and irritating a paw that has become infected. She is on antibiotics and having the paw sterilised twice daily, so it should clear up soon. Over the past few months, you may have also noticed more orange/brown tear staining to the white fur around her eyes and mouth. This is due to a condition called Dry Eye, which causes her tear production to be thicker due to more mucus. This thicker fluid can’t always get through her tear ducts and instead comes over the eyelids and stains the fur. It is quite common in bichons and she is being treated with eye drops to help stimulate the tear production. She is not in any pain or discomfort, but it could take around six months before she is back to normal. Thank you for all the love and concern, and rest assured she is getting plenty of attention and affection from the children to keep her spirits up!

Mr Ayling