Dear Parents,
Thank you very much for your attendance at so many school events. The Spring Term calendar is enclosed with this mailing. Please also visit our new website at www.exeterschool.org.uk . I hope that you will enjoy the new format and features.
ACADEMIC
At A level in 2007, there was a pass rate of 100% in all subjects, for the fourth consecutive year. Most pupils, including our 12 successful Oxbridge candidates, comfortably met their university offers. 32 of our 98 pupils scored three or more A grades. The A-B pass rate was 78.2%. The average score per candidate of 373 points was good: the Western Morning News placed us "top of the West Country" for A + AS points scored by Year 13 pupils this summer. Ed Grieg-Gran was one of the top ten candidates in the Summer 2007 A level Edexcel Physics examination, of 5,626 entries. At GCSE there was a 97.6% A*-C pass rate, with 59.2% of grades at A* or A. 42 pupils scored 7 or more A*/A grades.
In the UKMT Senior Mathematics Challenge our pupils scored four Gold, twenty-two Silver and twenty-four Bronze awards. The top performer, Chris Rowell, has qualified for the British Mathematical Olympiad. His fellow Gold winners are Harriet Trayler-Clarke, Richard Hobson and Max Taylor. It was most impressive that 3rd former Morgan Rayner-Philipson attained a Bronze award.
A team of Harriet Trayler-Clarke, Tom Leger, Olivia Hampsher-Monk and Josh Johnson contested the local Senior Maths competition at Exeter College, finishing third in a field of twelve in early November.
At the local round of the Schools' Challenge quiz competition, the A team of Matt Goff, Henry Renninson, Michael Dawson and Lucy Harrison-Prentice lost to Devonport HS in the semi-final
On 14 November a team of Cathryn Buechel, Wilf Gilbert, Clemency Tilley, Michael Walker took part in the annual "Top of the Bench" Chemistry competition.
Lulu Chrupek has written one of the twelve winning short stories in the World Book Day Schools' Short Story Competition. There were over 3,000 entries.
Creative pieces by Emily Spanton-Coates, Robyn Lockyer, Chris Clay, Sam Russell, Sam Jellard, Emily Kirk, Alice Tolson, Thomas Pearson, Max Williams, Cameron Starling and Bryony Mann appear in a new anthology, entitled "Away With Words: Poems From The South".
The English department has welcomed two local poets, Luke Kennard and Dr Andy Brown, for readings and creative writing workshops in recent weeks.
OPTION CHOICES
The new Sixth Form and M5 option choices booklets, explaining AS and GCSE courses beginning in September 2008 are enclosed, for present U5 and L5 pupils respectively.
TRIAL AND MODULAR EXAMINATIONS
The trial examinations for U5 pupils begin on Thursday 3 January. Most U6 formers will be sitting AS and A2 modules. There will be no formal lessons for the U6 on 22 and 23 January, owing to the large number of modular examinations on those days.
ARTS
THE MAGIC FLUTE
The Magic Flute played to three enormously appreciative houses. The opera was an extraordinary success, in the real sense of the word. It is a huge undertaking to stage such a production, even for a professional company, and everyone marvelled at the talents and cohesion of the cast and orchestra and the creativity and skill of those who enabled them to excel. Director Mr Chrupek brought subtlety, delicacy and innovative technical insight to the staging and acting and Musical Director Dr Foxall conjured outstanding orchestral playing from both pupils and peripatetic musicians and some stunning singing from the cast. The orchestra was led by Mrs McLean. Mrs Chrupek was an energetic production manager and Mrs Giles' costumes (with which she was assisted by Mrs Grant) were spectacular. The sound and lighting crew of Felix Bush, Andrew and Tom Lines and Michael Snell, with Mr Fryer and Mr Lines, was professional. The numerous stage hands, led by Signe Hulbert and Ethan MacLeod, were highly effective. Principals Barnaby Bowles-Bray as Tamino and Harrie Dumenil as Pamina were able to thrive on the challenge of their singing roles, pitching their range of emotions just right. Richard Robbins was expertly cast as Papageno and brought lightness and wonderful comic timing to the part. Hannah Partridge, as The Queen of the Night, brought the house down each night when her arias allowed her to show her remarkable range and power. The three Ladies, Debbie Bazeley, Brittany Harris and Clare Rogers, combined beautifully with skill and strong stage presence. The three Boys, Eline and Rowena Caine and Grace Hardy, blended their voices in a melodic set of joyful appearances. Jack McFarlane-Shopes, as Sarastro, was majestic and suitably domineering. Nick Littler gave a well-judged performance as the sinister Monostatos and Lizzie Tolson brought poise and great humour to the role of Papagena.
DRAMA
We have recently enjoyed some excellent curricular drama, with splendid performances in the Drama Studio from the GCSE group on 7 December and the AS set on 17 December. Seb Sutcliffe starred in a local production of Godspell and has been involved in a staging of Under Milk Wood. Bevis Bowles-Bray, Penny Gunter, Ewan Harvey, Lilidh Matthews, Rob McLaverty and Ollie Shaw starred in the Leonard School of Dramatic Art's production of "The Ragged Child" at the Barnfield Theatre.
Hayley Wood was shortlisted in the last five of a national film script competition. The CUT-it-OUT campaign is aimed at reducing phone-based bullying among 13-17 year olds.
MUSIC
Mrs McLean and her South West Camerata, including Tom Colville, Hugh Collins, Bethany Partridge, Tom Tressider, Hannah Partridge, Sam Clarke, Katie Clarke and Richard Robbins recorded a musical called "The Day Will Come" for Radio Devon. They also performed during the recent Children In Need programme.
Hannah Connolly has auditioned successfully for both the National Children's Chamber Orchestra of Great Britain, and the National Children's Orchestra.
Hugo Marino, Francis Oliver, Harrison Holder, Alex Wesson, Matt Pauley and Helen Smith took part in a concert with the Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra, raising £400 for the Exeter Hearing Dogs for Deaf. They also performed in the Teignmouth Jazz Festival.
The informal piano concert on 14 November gave a performing opportunity to some 18 young players. There was a very high level, with particularly sparkling performances from John Baldock, Tom Leger, Hugh Collins, Johanna Stier and Richard Hills-Ingyon.
There were 23 items in a well-attended informal strings concert, with performances by pupils from Junior School to U6. The Junior Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Mr Gillett, was particularly impressive and there was much to admire elsewhere, including Bethany Partridge's fine performance of a difficult Brahms piece. Other very promising M5 formers included Alex Mabin and Artemis Crowley, who demonstrated fine tone and excellent tuning on the violin, and Tom Tresidder and Michael Dawson, who both played 'cello with great sensitivity
A packed cathedral thoroughly enjoyed the National Trust Christmas Concert. There were several congregational carols, led by the choirs. The Symphony Orchestra gave the premiere of Mr Painter's Christmas Prelude no 2 and the Middle School Choir was well disciplined and joyful. The Chamber Orchestra played sensitively to accompany delightful violin and oboe solos from Richard Hobson and Johanna Stier respectively. The Senior Choir gave a spirited rendition of Gaudete! and the Brass Ensemble offered a well-balanced version of Little Drummer Boy. Hannah Partridge reprised her memorable aria You will avenge me! accompanied by the Chamber Orchestra. The Chamber Choir sang five pieces with delicately-crafted and controlled elegance, notably Franz Gruber's Stille Nacht and Eric Whitacre's Lux Aurumque.
At the A level concert all eleven members of the U6 set played a solo. There were many delights, including a sensitive piano performance by Joe Watson of a Debussy prelude. Gaby Watson showed an impressive mastery of tone and tuning in a complex folk music arrangement. Richard Hills-Ingyon sang stylishly in a performance of a Purcell piece.
The Christmas Concert saw a huge turn-out, both in terms of performers and audience. Mrs Williams' Junior Orchestra and Middle School Choir entertained us with great confidence. Mr Bowen's Impro Group gave two well-timed pieces, with Joe Watson and Mike Vallance showing their instrumental dexterity and some inspired piano playing from Noah Mosley. Mr Painter's Jazz Band 2 gave a very upbeat rendition of Lady Marmalade and his Senior Jazz band played the reflective New York State of Mind. There were several strong solo items, from James Cole on the trumpet, John Baldock on piano and Johanna Stier on oboe. Mr Moore's Brass Ensemble played Echoes of Harlem, and Richard Robbins stole the show with two pieces from Spamalot, accompanied by Hannah Partridge and Nick Littler. Mr Sutton coaxed yet another delightful performance from the Vocal Ensemble and Dr Foxall played for the Vocal Quartet, who sang the full version of Bright Dawn is Heralding the Morning from The Magic Flute. The Concert Orchestra played Cole Porter classics and the Symphony Orchestra gave a beautiful performance of the Ennio Morricone theme from the film The Mission.
SPORT
CANOEING
The Canoe Club offered 3 Star and Intro to white water courses up to half-term. These were well-attended. The Peru 2007 premiere took place at Turf Locks on 29 September. There is a strong, keen group of 8 up-and-coming paddlers in the M5. They recently completed their first white water trip on the Middle Dart, at near-zero temperatures, showing lots of potential and promise!
CROSS COUNTRY
The school entered boys and girls teams in all age groups in the Exeter & District Cross Country event in early November. The top 16 finishers in each race were automatically selected to represent Exeter and District in a fixture against East Devon on Thursday 29 November. These included Edwin Cawthron, David Bird and Sam Freeman from the Senior boys' event, Michael Walker in the Year 7 boys' race, Sam Russell in the Junior boys' and Katie Taverner in the Year 7 girls' race. Edwin, David and Sam will run in the Devon Championships next month. Katie Taverner was also selected, finishing 8th in her race.
FOOTBALL
The 1st XI has played three matches to date, drawing 2-2 against a strong Clyst Vale side and beating Teignmouth Community College 3-2, and the staff XI 6-2.
BOYS' INDOOR HOCKEY
The U18s narrowly missed national qualification, losing out to Millfield in the semi final 2-4 in a pulsating game in which we played some very good hockey. The squad's achievement is remarkable because two key players received serious injuries in the weeks leading to the tournament. The U18 boys played a very competitive Devon Cup Match against King's Ottery who have a number of county players. We eventually drew 3-3 having been down 1-3 at half time and won through on penalty strokes. Congratulations to the U16 squad who finished as runners-up in the West of England finals at Wellington School in November and progress to the national finals in Aldersley, Wolverhampton next term.
Devon U17: Charles Oxenham, Sean Flynn, Chris Mason, Henry Parkin, Alex Helliar
West of England U15: Henry Parkin
Devon U15: Chris Furby, Jack Pritchard
Devon U14 Training Group: Richie Wilkinson, Henry Hoult, Mike Walker, Tom Poustie
GIRLS' HOCKEY
The term has been very successful for the girls. They have completed an extensive midweek programme, with most teams playing a fixture every week. We have extended the number of Saturday fixtures and played in all the National Schools' competitions, and Millfield Invitation Hockey tournaments. The U16 team will continue to play hockey in the spring in preparation for the 2008 summer tour to South Africa.
The U18 1st team has had one of its most successful seasons. They have beaten Kelly College, Wellington, Colyton, West Buckland, Plymouth College, and Wellsway School, Bristol. They are an extremely talented group, with Signe Hulbert, Lucy Rait, Izzy Smith and Emmie Giles playing at a high standard for Isca Dragons. In the National Schools' Competition, they beat Colyton and drew with The Maynard, then lost to Blundell's. The team has been ably captained by Lucy Rait. The U18 2nd team has had more fixtures this term. Captain Leela Arshi should be commended on her enthusiasm and organisation. The U18 indoor squad played some excellent hockey in the County round of the national competition, just failing to qualify for the regional finals. The U16 girls played in the National Schools' Competition. They beat Sidmouth and Uffculme in the first round and qualified for the County finals after beating King's, Ottery in the second round. At the County round, they drew with South Dartmoor, beat West Buckland and Colyton and lost to Torquay, so were placed second. On Sunday 9 December, the U16 girls' squad went to the West of England indoor finals at Cheltenham Ladies' College. The young team performed well but found the going tough, losing three matches and drawing one. The U15 girls have not found the season as successful, but have improved significantly. The U14 girls have won most games this term. They played in the first round of the National Schools' Competition and beat Exmouth 1-0 and the Maynard 3-0. The girls qualified for the area finals and lost 1-0 to Colyton and 2-1 to Blundell's. The U13 girls' A and B teams have played a variety of schools, including Colyton, Plymouth College, Uffculme, Queen's, Wellington and Stover. They are a talented group with much potential. They played in the Blundell's invitation tournament in September, drawing with Queen's and losing to Wellington, Mount House and King's Hall. The U12 girls have played A and B fixtures against Colyton, St Margarets, Uffculme, Stover and The Maynard. They played well at The Millfield Invitation Tournament, drawing with Millfield and beating Wellington. Many thanks to Mrs Marsh, Ms Gimber and Dr Page for their expert coaching.
| P |
W | L | D | |
| 1st XI | 15 | 8 | 4 | 3 |
| 2nd XI | 9 | 1 | 7 | 1 |
| U16 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| U15 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
| U14 | 14 | 8 | 5 | 1 |
| U13A | 15 | 8 | 6 | 1 |
| U13B | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| U12A | 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| U12B | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Devon County U19: Lucy Rait, Signe Hulbert
Devon County U17: Izzy Smith, Jocelyn Trayler-Clarke
Devon County U15: Hattie Helliar
Devon County U14: Joely Harris, Sophie Hines, Georgia Reece, Amelia Sydenham, Katie Taverner
Active Sport Coaching: Izzyy Gibber, Kitty Howard, Laura Stacey, Rebecca Glover, Georgia Reece, Freija Mendrik
HORSE RIDING
L6 equestrian Dominic Waldron won his intermediate section at Gatcombe Park. He also competed in the JRN Eventing Championships, representing the South-West at Weston Park, Shropshire. Artemis Crowley rode with her team in the PC National Novice Championships in Cheshire, in Showjumping and Eventing. She came 10th in that competition, but in the Eventing (dressage, showjumping and cross-country), the team came third and Artemis was placed second as an individual.
LIFESAVING
The school was awarded The Hutchings Cup as the school that trained the most lifesavers in Devon in 2006.
Chris Furby represented the South West in the National Life Saving finals at Sheffield in November.
NETBALL
Although the main netball term is the Spring Term, there have been a number of netball matches and tournaments. The U12 A and B teams have made a promising start. The A team won matches against Q.E., Crediton 8-5 and Isca U13 team 14-4 (Ashford's League), drew with St Margaret's but lost to Maynard 11-12 and also lost to West Buckland. The Under 12 B team won against Q.E.11-1 but lost to West Buckland and St. Margaret's. The U13 teams played against St Margaret's early in the term, the A team won but the B team lost. The U15 team played Isca in the Ashford's League and had a convincing win 23-3. The U18 1st team is athletic and includes 3 new L6 girls. The team lost narrowly to Q.E., St. Peters and Maynard. In the 1st round of the National Schools' Tournament, the team beat Okehampton but lost to Exeter College, Maynard and St Margaret's. The U16 team won their match against St Peter's 17-4 but lost to Q.E. and Maynard. In the 1st round of their National Schools Tournament, they beat St Luke's, but lost to West Exe and Okehampton. The U14 team played in their National Schools Tournament and won against St Margaret's and St Luke's, drew with West Exe but lost to St Peter's and Okehampton. The U15 team played St Margaret's recently and won 22-4.
RUGBY
Plenty of matches have been played on the site, in regular weekend block fixtures and the County Cup competitions. All the teams have worked hard with staff working tirelessly in Games and after school sessions. It has been unfortunate that injury and unavailability have led to some games being lost that should really have been won. The number of boys playing competitively in the younger age groups is pleasing, with A and B teams being fielded at U12 and U13 age groups. The season has finished with an overall win ratio of 48%. The Middle School teams have made good progress which augurs well for the future. The U14 team progressed furthest in cup competitions, reaching the area semi-final in the county cup before narrowly losing to Sidmouth. Next term we look forward to some 7s competitions; preparations will continue for the U18 summer tour to South Africa, led by Mr Mason, Mr Willson and Mr Daws.
|
P |
W |
D |
L | |
| 1st |
13 |
6 |
0 |
7 |
| 2nd |
14 |
8 |
0 |
6 |
| 16 |
12 |
7 |
0 |
5 |
| U15 |
13 |
2 |
0 |
11 |
| U14 |
15 |
9 |
1 |
5 |
| U13A |
11 |
4 |
0 |
7 |
| U13B |
7 |
3 |
0 |
4 |
| U12A |
7 |
6 |
0 |
1 |
| U12B |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
South West U18: James Harris
South West U16: Charlie Taverner
Devon U18: James Harris
Devon U16: Jamie Collett, Nick Leach, Patrick Shaw, Charlie Taverner
SQUASH
The U19, U17, U15 and U13 teams have all played matches during the term in either the National Schools' tournaments or the Devon Junior Leagues. The U19 side has made a good start in the national tournament, beating both Plymouth College and Truro College. This takes them into the knock out stages to play either Taunton School or Richard Huish College. In the U15 competition we have been eliminated after losing 3-2 to Millfield. In the Devon Junior Leagues the U17 team is still unbeaten. The U15 and U13s have also performed well in their respective leagues.
SWIMMING
The 12-hour Sponsored Swim was organized by Mr Moon in aid of The West of England School for Young People with little or no sight was a marathon effort! In total, 77,480 km were swum and over £500 was raised by the 28 swimmers. Helen Smith won a Gold, a Silver and two Bronze medals at the Exeter Sprint Meet on 23 September. She also came 4th in the 200 metres backstroke at the Irish National Age Group Championships in July. It is hoped to run an ASA Assistant Teachers' course in April, in conjunction with St Luke's. If anyone is interested in taking the course, please contact Mr Moon for more details. Students must be over 16.
TAEKWONDO
Julian Frazer has become the British Junior Heavyweight Taekwondo sparring champion.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
WWI BATTLEFIELDS TRIP
The L5 trip to the WW1 Battlefields, led by Mr Trelawny, was highly successful and enjoyable, in fine weather.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD SCHEME
The Duke of Edinburgh team had a successful weekend in early November for the Bronze qualifying expedition around Woodbury Common: they covered 30km in good but wintry conditions. Preparations will continue in the spring for the summer trip to Slovenia. Clare Rogers and Harriet Trayler-Clarke will receive their Gold awards in January.
CCF
Mrs Wilson and Mr Clark led a group of seven M5 RAF cadets on a successful Bronze D of E expedition to Woodbury Common and Bicton.
Mr Donne was awarded an HM Lord Lieutenant's Certificate for Meritorious Service in recognition of his fine work in the RAF section.
Mr Moon took 13 M5 Army cadets to the Army's Firepower Demonstration on Salisbury Plain.
On Sunday 18 November, Mr Bone took an RAF cadet team to the Ground Training Competition at RAF Innsworth. They distinguished themselves, coming second overall and qualifying for the national finals in March 2008. Andrew Melzer won the Aircraft Recognition task for the third successive year, with maximum points.
Harriet Trayler-Clarke has been awarded an RAF Powered Flying Scholarship and has been shortlisted for the national Sir John Thomson Memorial Sword for the best CCF (RAF) cadet in 2008.
CHAPEL
Chapel this term has been very encouraging. Guest speakers have included Derek Burnside, former chaplain, and Nathan Lechler. Numbers attending "Springboard" have been higher than ever before, with a new group emerging for M5 and U5 as well as the junior and senior groups. The Chapel Radio team, assisted by Mr Allan and Question Master Mr Hanson filmed "A Question of Sport" in the Andrews Hall on Wednesday lunchtime, with teams led by James Harris and Tony Rees. The school Carol Service, led by the Chaplain, took place on 17 December. Professor Tony Wragg of Exeter University gave the address.
ABBOTS' WAY WALK
The annual Abbots' Way walk between Buckfast Abbey and Tavistock College had a strong turn-out from our pupils, with 55 walkers, accompanied by 15 adults. All completed the course, in good weather, in excellent time.
Mr Moss-Gibbons and his team conducted a Ten Tors navigation training event on Woodbury Common in October: 45 M5 walkers took part.
BSES
Will Blackshaw and Josh Johnson have been accepted onto the 2008 BSES expedition to Ladakh in the Himalayas.
DEBATING SOCIETY
The Debating Society has met three times this term with audiences of over 50 on each occasion. The speakers have tackled a number of contentious matters with aplomb; this term, the focus has been on what it means to be British and immigration policies. Although Sixth Formers have been the main speakers, many other pupils, have taken the opportunity to speak 'from the floor'.
CHARITIES
The grand total for Mufti Day was £706.55. The U6 and L6 girls' rugby match raised £550 for the Body and Soul charity.
A group of pupils, including Barney Bowles-Bray, Felix Bush, Iona Cairns, Eline Caine, James Lapraik, Josh Howard and Ed Wilkinson, put on a concert to a large audience at The West of England School for Young People with Little or no Sight.
In recent weeks, a group of students from the Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education has visited on Friday afternoons to undertake Art and use the Fitness Suite.
FRIENDS OF EXETER SCHOOL
The FOES group, led by organizer Mrs Rutledge, staged the Parents' Pupils and Staff Orchestra in the Music School in early September, raising funds for the school music tour to Germany in 2008. The conductor and musical director of the enterprise was Mr Parham-Connolly
A well-attended FOES Christmas Fayre raised over £2,800. Many thanks to the Bursar, Mrs Aggett, Mrs Godwin and all the stall holders for their hard work.
OTHER INFORMATION
Our annual Speech Day was enjoyable on 20 September. The Dean of Exeter was our Guest of Honour.
The school is most grateful to Gilbert Stephens, solicitors for allowing their Southernhay premises to be used on three September Saturdays to host the Sixth Form interview scheme.
The Remembrance Service on 9 November was a fitting commemoration of the sacrifices made by those who lost their lives in conflict. Governor Dr Grossel's address explored a different kind of heroism and linked the occasion to the memory of Old Exonian and Christ Church, Oxford student, Andrea Angel.
TRIPS AND VISITS
The three major overseas expeditions in the Summer holiday were the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award expedition to the Sierra de Gredos in Spain, led by Mr Clark, Dr Houghton and Mr Mason, the adventure trip to Costa Rica, led by Mr Moon, Miss Pegg, Mr Daws and Mr Keyes and the Canoe Club's visit to Peru, led by Mr Scott. These were all extremely successful involving elements of arduous physical activity, leadership tasks and community projects and the school thoroughly enjoyed the post-trip presentations delivered by representatives of the Costa Rica and Peru expeditions in two Monday assemblies.
The A level English pupils visited Stratford-upon-Avon to see "Twelfth Night". A Sixth Form drama group saw an inspiring production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth on 7 November.
The Sixth Form Biologists enjoyed a visit to Plymouth University to see the electron microscopes there.
On the autumn Field Day, the CCF Army section was on manoeuvres on Woodbury Common and enjoyed some caving at Chudleigh. The Navy section went sailing and to the Mendip Outdoor Climbing Centre and the RAF section undertook a range of activities: caving, abseiling, flying and shooting. The Duke of Edinburgh M5 Bronze award group of 26 walked between Cofton and Kenn for their practice expedition, and the seniors went to the Water Mountain Experience at Kingsbridge. The Community Services group visited local senior citizens and assisted at The Montessori School. The 3rd Form visited Beer caves and then walked to Branscombe; the 4th Form went to Bath for a Classics day and half the L5 visited the Eden Project. Charlie Palmer and Lucy Rutledge took part in the Linguafest Modern Languages competition at Plymouth College: both were commended.
Mr Porter and Mrs Marsh took 31 M5 pupils to an Ethics conference at St Peter's HS on 16 October.
Mrs Wilson and her husband accompanied the M5 on a German exchange visit to Hildesheim, from 17 to 25 October.
STAFF NEWS
Mr Fenner leaves us after a very good term as PE and Games Assistant. He will be succeeded in January by Miss McLennan. I have appointed Mr Fawkes to succeed Mr Hanson as a teacher of PE and Games with effect from January 2008. Mr Hanson leaves us after three and a half years to take up a post at St Paul's School in London. He has given excellent service, especially in the coaching of rugby and cricket: he has been master-in-charge of cricket for several years and has achieved much success. We wish both departing colleagues the best for the future.
Mr Smith succeeded Mr Ranft as School Staff Instructor for the CCF from 1 September 2007.
Devon Music Service was awarded the National Music Council Jazz Diploma, in the National Music Council's annual awards. The award was for the programme managed by Mr Moore, with Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra.
I have appointed Mrs Whitton as a part-time teacher of Modern Languages, to provide maternity teaching cover for Mrs Wilson from the end of January.
Congratulations to Dr and Mrs Chapman on the birth of their daughter Harriet, and to Mr and Mrs Reynolds on the birth of their son Andrew.
MEDICAL
It is hoped that all asthmatic pupils carry their own inhaler, but in cases of emergency a Salbutamol inhaler is kept in the First Aid Room. Asthmatics are identified from their medical questionnaire. Please note that the spare inhaler is on a shared basis using a clean mouth piece.
CHORAL SOCIETY - 13 MARCH
Next spring's production features two great choral favourites. The Requiem by Fauré is one of the most sublimely beautiful of vocal creations. In Haydn's great Mass in Time of War the accent is on excitement, with blazing trumpets and massive choral effects. As always there will be professional soloists and orchestra. Rehearsals are on Tuesday afternoons from 4.00 to 5.00 p.m. beginning on the first Tuesday back, 8 January. We always have well over a hundred senior pupils involved in this annual choral event. Do please encourage your children (L5th to U6th) to join. Dr Foxall is understanding about modules and mock exams, but he would like to see all those who don't have an exam on the 8th at the first rehearsal. Parents who read music well and have choral experience are welcome to join. Copies of the music will be available at the first practice.
REGISTRATION
All pupils must sign the late book, if they miss registration, immediately they arrive in school. If your child is ill, please ring the school office on 01392 273679 on a daily basis.
UNIFORM
Pinder and Tuckwell are offering 20% off all schoolwear purchases made between Thursday 27 December and Saturday 29 December.
ISI INSPECTION 3-6 MARCH 2008
Thank you for the high level of response to the inspectors' questionnaires. We look forward to welcoming the visiting team next term.
May I wish you and your families a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas break and offer you my best wishes for a healthy and happy New Year?
Bob Griffin
19 December 2007
