Junior Reflections Week 11 November 2024

Dear parents,

November is coming to a close and I have to admit that I am very much looking forward to decorating my house on Sunday as the festive period begins to get into full flow. More and more lights are appearing on my journey to work, and it is certainly beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Theme of the week

‘Differences’ was the theme for the week and the pupils showed their knowledge of how important it is to celebrate our differences; we are all different and must appreciate our uniqueness. We talked about different families and when we looked at what makes a family, the one common factor was LOVE and that it doesn’t matter what our family consists of: one dog, two siblings, one tarantula, mum and dad, two mums, two dads – the list could go on, but we all agree that in our families we all feel loved and what a lovely feeling that is.

Comets club

Tuesday saw 20 pupils in Upper Two head to the senior school for this week’s Comets club as they became detectives of the past. Led by Miss Harris, Head of History, the pupils were asked to think about qualities that make a good monarch and the differences between primary and secondary sources. The group then had to apply their skills to investigate the question: Does Henry VIII deserve the title, ‘the greatest king in English history’? Well done to the pupils for their excellent discussions and answers.

Junior school open morning

On Thursday, our Upper Two pupils truly shone with a fantastic group of volunteers stepping up to guide prospective parents around the school during our open morning event. As always, our visitors were thoroughly impressed by our stunning school site and facilities (a big thank you to the estates team). Most importantly, they were struck by how articulate and enthusiastic our pupils were in showcasing the school and all that they do. I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating—our pupils make me an incredibly proud head, and I hope you, as parents, feel equally proud.

Sporting success

Our U11 girls braved the weather last Friday and my word I am so pleased they did; they participated in the Devon Hockey Festival at Blundell’s and won the tournament on goal difference. Mrs Wopshott and Mr Dutch were hugely impressed with their sportsmanship and are looking forward to taking the girls to the West of England finals next term. The U11 boys football team had a fantastic day at the EFL Kids Cup, hosted at Exeter City FC’s training ground. After 11 matches, the team have qualified for the local area finals this January—congratulations to the team!

As we head into the last couple of weeks of the Autumn term, I thought it would be useful to remind you of the up-and-coming events, which you can find below.

Wishing you a warm weekend.

Mrs Saskia van Schalkwyk

Key dates

Sunday 1 December – Advent service in the school chapel, 5pm. All welcome

Wednesday 4 December – Light Up a Life – Junior Choir, 6.30pm, Exeter Cathedral

Thursday 5 December – all year groups out on their history trips – no activities/clubs

Tuesday 10 December – School Carol concert, 2.15pm in the main hall

Wednesday 11 December – Christmas jumper/hat day

Wednesday 18 December – last day of term pick-up is at 12pm

Playground people of the week

Joshua D U1R

Jessie C L2P

Finn H L2M

Amelie P L2M

Junior School News

Junior Sport News

WaterAid Concert

Our annual Charity Christmas Concert, this year in aid of WaterAid, takes place on Tuesday 3 December 2024 at 7.30pm in St Michael’s and All Angels’ Church, Heavitree.

Click here to book tickets for the concert

Christmas Concert

Senior School Christmas Concert on Thursday 17 December 2024 at 7.30pm in the main school hall.

Click here to book tickets for the concert

Do you have a story or pupil achievement to share with our community?

If you have a couple of lines of information and a photograph that you and your child are happy to be shared we will try to post these at relevant times through the year.
Email our communications team
We love the positive message that Betsy in Upper Two has to share in her uplifting poem inspired by National Freedom Day!

We love the positive message that Betsy in Upper Two has to share in her uplifting poem inspired by National Freedom Day! ...

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Congratulations to our team of sixth form pupils who travelled to Rugby School on Saturday to compete in the 10th Chemistry Race. The competition was held simultaneously at Rugby School, Cambridge University and Pardubice University in Czechia.

Exeter School’s team, The EXEss Reagents, gave an impressive performance and came 5th overall behind teams including the National Mathematics and Science College and Eton College!

 #exeterschools #schoolofgreatcharacter #independentschoolsuk #chemistryrace #sixthform

Congratulations to our team of sixth form pupils who travelled to Rugby School on Saturday to compete in the 10th Chemistry Race. The competition was held simultaneously at Rugby School, Cambridge University and Pardubice University in Czechia.

Exeter School’s team, The EXEss Reagents, gave an impressive performance and came 5th overall behind teams including the National Mathematics and Science College and Eton College!

#exeterschools #schoolofgreatcharacter #independentschoolsuk #chemistryrace #sixthform
...

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We can't wait to welcome families of pupils holding offers of places for our senior school in September 2025 to our offer holders' tea on Friday afternoon!

A great way to meet new classmates before your child starts their Exonian journey!

We can`t wait to welcome families of pupils holding offers of places for our senior school in September 2025 to our offer holders` tea on Friday afternoon!

A great way to meet new classmates before your child starts their Exonian journey!
...

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Today is the start of @_place2be's Children's Mental Health Week and this year’s theme is ‘Know Yourself, Grow Yourself' which encourages self-discovery and growth. One in five children will face mental health challenges throughout their childhood so we’re encouraging our pupils to express their emotions to help them become more in touch with their feelings.

#exeterschools #schoolofgreatcharacter #childrensmentalhealthweek #CMHW2025 #knowyourselfgrowyourself #aspireandflourish

Today is the start of @_place2be`s Children`s Mental Health Week and this year’s theme is ‘Know Yourself, Grow Yourself` which encourages self-discovery and growth. One in five children will face mental health challenges throughout their childhood so we’re encouraging our pupils to express their emotions to help them become more in touch with their feelings.

#exeterschools #schoolofgreatcharacter #childrensmentalhealthweek #CMHW2025 #knowyourselfgrowyourself #aspireandflourish
...

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Bookings are open for our eagerly anticipated athletic development conference hosted here in partnership with @areteperform_hq, sponsored by @performbetteruk  and @vald_performance 

Take a look at the programme of events and secure your place now to come along and collaborate with Tom Farrow, Ian Taplin, Isaac Hopkins and David Gibson!

Book using the link in bio.

 #exeterschools #schoolofgreatcharacter #sportsperformance #athleticdevelopment #evolutionofsports #schoolsconference

Bookings are open for our eagerly anticipated athletic development conference hosted here in partnership with @areteperform_hq, sponsored by @performbetteruk and @vald_performance

Take a look at the programme of events and secure your place now to come along and collaborate with Tom Farrow, Ian Taplin, Isaac Hopkins and David Gibson!

Book using the link in bio.

#exeterschools #schoolofgreatcharacter #sportsperformance #athleticdevelopment #evolutionofsports #schoolsconference
...

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Wilfred in Upper Sixth led a donations drive of menstrual products, during the autumn term, to provide sanitary products to women experiencing homelessness in Exeter. He is pictured here delivering the donations to the #BraveSpaces team, a project run by @colabexeter.

We're really proud of Wilfred's efforts and for acting with great kindness and integrity to support those less fortunate in the city!

📸: @colabexeter 

 #schoolofgreatcharacter #kindnessandintegrity #communitysupprt #homelessnessawareness #endperiodpoverty

Wilfred in Upper Sixth led a donations drive of menstrual products, during the autumn term, to provide sanitary products to women experiencing homelessness in Exeter. He is pictured here delivering the donations to the #BraveSpaces team, a project run by @colabexeter.

We`re really proud of Wilfred`s efforts and for acting with great kindness and integrity to support those less fortunate in the city!

📸: @colabexeter

#schoolofgreatcharacter #kindnessandintegrity #communitysupprt #homelessnessawareness #endperiodpoverty
...

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Informal String Concert - 20 Nov 2024

Informal Piano Concert - 13 Nov 2024

Iceland trip - Oct 2024

U15 XI hockey vs Mt Kelly - 16 Nov 24

1st XI hockey vs Mt Kelly - 15 Nov 2024

U13A, U13B, U12A, U12B rugby vs Wellington School - 16 Nov 2024

Colour Run - Nov 2024

Exonians in Bath - Nov 2024

Comets Club make fireworks

U1 Farmwise trip 2024

Exonian Lecture

Captain Elizabeth Godwin (2004-2013) – Life Guards Squadron- will share her experiences and give a first-hand insight into her career to date. She will explore nationally significant events as well as her day-to-day responsibilities as the leader of Sqn 2iC, which include running the Life Guards squadron of 60 soldiers and 100 Military Working Horses.

Friday 7 February, 6-8pm Exeter School main hall.

Click here to book tickets