Dear Parents,
Thank you very much for your continued strong support. Please visit our website at www.exeterschool.org.uk for regular news.
ACADEMIC
Following the Intermediate Maths Challenge earlier this year, four pupils in the M5 and L5 qualified to take part in some further rounds. Joseph Allen received a merit in the Hamilton paper for his score of 15/60. Will Bell gained a score of 69/135 in the Pink Kangaroo competition. Tom Grant received a merit in the Grey Kangaroo for coming in the top 25% with a score of 101/135.
Mr Armstrong took our 4th Form team of Fleur Elkerton, James Krafft, Beth Jennings and Seb Wright to the Salters’ Company Chemistry competition at the University of Plymouth. In a strong field of 18 teams our team was placed first in the afternoon competition, University Challenge.
Michael Walker and William Hamlyn both achieved Silver awards in the Chemistry Olympiad, which was sat in February. Jake Ayres, Ben Glover and Matthew Allen all achieved Bronze awards and the following gained Commendations: Katie Clark, Andrew Clay, Daniel Betney, Charlie Booth, Fiona Mabin, Brittany Harris, John Baldock and Alex Helliar.
In the National Biology Challenge 2010, Gold awards went to Will Bell, Lewis Molyneux, Alex Porter and David Salmon; Silver awards to Craig Harris, Henry Hoult, Matt Lines, Tommy Lyon-Smith, Ollie Palmer, Will Sanderson, Felix Stephenson and Harry Vercoe: Bronze winners were Abbey Gibbins, Patrick Mabin, Helena Marshall, Alastair Nowill, Lucian Smith, Luke Stitson and Ben Stokes. Highly Commended were: Georgia Deane, Alex Eggleton, Holly Fathi, Rebecca Glover, Ethan Hodge, Nat Newman, Anna Newman and William Wells. Commended were: Harry Bedford, Eleanor Dawson, Miles Harris, Ed Howard, Luke Pearce, Tim Ridgway and Simeon Seward.
Ollie Stephenson has attended this year's University of Cambridge Physics Summer School.
Michael Haughton has attended the University College, Oxford Engineering Workshop.
Our L6 SciCast team of Ollie Coates, Michael Haughton, Kirsten Berggren, Hannah Reddaway, Chris Furby and Jamie Hignett has been nominated for a national award for Technical and Artistic Achievement for their film on fluorescence.
The L6 returned to school to undertake their Special Programme, which included an introduction to universities and the UCAS process, with a keynote address by Professor Janice Kay, the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Exeter University, a carousel of interview practice and inter-personal and ICT presentation skills, an Ethics Conference, under the heading Determined to be free, a Healthy Living Conference and culminated with the Business Game, conceived by Mr Walker and Mr Davidson. The central task involved finding an innovative redevelopment solution for the empty Drake’s Island in Plymouth Sound.
The school’s Carnegie Medal Shadowing Group, led by Mrs Taylor and Miss Hartill, met to hear the result of the judging of the prestigious annual award for an outstanding book for children and young people. Mrs Taylor writes “The winning title was The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, and although it wasn’t our group’s first choice, it was a close runner up so we were happy with the judges’ decision! Congratulations to Kate Ledgard and Sebastian Wright for reading all eight shortlisted titles in the allotted time. Well done also to George Dee Shapland, Harriet Johns, Nancy Reed, Charlotte Rupp and Holly Stapley for their enthusiastic participation”.
ARTS
Art
The following awards have been made for next year: Sixth Form Art Scholarship - Jo McGarry-Hunt, Sixth Form Art Exhibitions - Aja Garrod-Prance, Felix McCabe.
Art Gallery: Tuesday 20 April saw the opening of an exhibition featuring the photography of Mr Scott. Pete has taken some outstanding shots on his many canoeing expeditions and this exhibition will showcase the last trip to Ladakh. On Thursday 10 June Miss Doyle’s retrospective exhibition opened.
Jamie Hignett’s work was selected for the Royal Academy A level online exhibition: about 100 pieces have been short-listed out of 1300 entries.
Drama
The U6 Theatre Studies set performed their A2 scripted pieces, including excerpts from The Plough and the Stars, The Glass Menagerie, and Private Lives, and their devised pieces to appreciative audiences in the Drama Studio.
The AS Theatre Studies scripted and devised pieces featured an extract from Twelfth Night and two short plays written by the groups inspired by the work of Brecht and Stanislawski. A good audience much enjoyed the quality and professionalism of the evening’s theatre.
The GCSE Theatre Studies performances drew a capacity crowd and the standard of individual performances was exceptionally high: there were exhilarating performances of The Importance of being Ernest by Oscar Wilde, Molière’s Tartuffe and Ionesco’s absurdist tour-de-force The Bald Primadonna, along with a tender and moving performance from a contemporary drama, Kindertransport.
Ben Broughton has been selected to attend a National Youth Theatre summer course in London in August.
Music
We had another encouraging set of Associated Board music results in April. 23 pupils achieved a pass, 15 achieved a merit and the following pupils were awarded a distinction: Matthew Clarke, Hugh Collins, Jonathan Schranz for both Singing and Trumpet, Charlotte Stacey and from the Junior School Annabel Ling and Georgia Ling for both Piano and Violin. The results have also been published for the Associated Board of Music exams taken in May, with a number of pupils doing exceptionally well. Fionn and Hannah Connolly (Grade 8 violin), Eleanor Partridge (Grade 8 Flute) and Oliver Stephenson (Grade 7 cello) were all awarded Distinctions.
Mr Tamblyn writes: “The Middle School Concert was our opportunity to show off some of the rising stars in the school, ensembles, composers and soloists alike. Jazz Band 2’s dedication and loyalty to director Mr Painter were clear in the swinging East Side Drive and the famous theme from Mission Impossible, by Lalo Schifrin. It was very reassuring to hear soloists Jessica Honey, Matthew Hills and Michael Brailey playing with such confidence. Mr Moore has expanded his Brass Ensemble to include a wide age range. The larger “Maxi” band was both technically assured and entertaining with their Dambusters March and In the Hall of the Mountain King. The “Mini” senior band played A Taste of Tango, an amusing arrangement of Beethoven, with their customary panache and brilliance. Mr Crossen’s samba band, kicked off the second half with an exciting Samba de Carnival. The first soloists were string players. Annabel Ling and Alice Greenwood played Rodney-Bennett’s Buskin’ and Squire’s Dance Rustique, and Hannah and Fionn Connolly wowed the crowd with an assured rendition of the first movement of Bach’s famous Double Violin Concerto. Charlotte and Laura Stacey sang a glorious Laudamus Te from Vivaldi’s Gloria, and Eleanor Partridge played Fauré’s sultry Morceau de Concours. Jonathan Schranz rounded off the section with a confident and bright performance from the Hansen Sonate. Several soloists performed their own GCSE compositions. Bethany Cowling (violin), Holly Griffin (saxophone) and Matthew Clarke (clarinet) premiered their mature and confident originals Un Bel Giorno, Saxophone Sonatina and Twilight, and Helen Smith’s composition The Moonlight was performed by Will Sarjeant. The concert was framed by two orchestras performing music from film scores with film clips projected behind the groups. Mrs Mitchell’s Junior Orchestra was amazing, playing Pirates of the Caribbean while Johnny Depp swashbuckled all over the screen to open the concert. Mr Moore’s Concert Orchestra played a terrific performance of Korngold’s Robin Hood and his Merry Men, before they rounded off the concert with a blaze of latino glory in the piece, Fiesta Tropicale.”
Thomas Boother will be playing with the Hatherleigh Silver Band, representing the South West, at the 2010 National Brass Band Finals in Harrogate in late September.
Hannah and Fionn Connolly have been selected to join the Royal Academy of Music Saturday school: this confirms their significant musical promise.
The school’s annual WaterAid concert took place at St David’s Church. Mr Tamblyn writes: “The Chamber Choir, positioned at the high altar, performed 6 works impeccably, heightened by the acoustic in the church. During the first set of pieces by Weelkes, Byrd and Victoria you could have heard a pin drop, and the modern set included an electrifying performance of MacMillan’s The Gallant Weaver, Hugh Collins' solo in RVW’s The Turtle Dove and a crisp performance of Tippett’s Nobody Knows. The Symphony Orchestra opened the proceedings with a well executed Crown Imperial and a dazzling Jupiter. Jazz Band 1 opened the second half with a roaring Sing, Sing, Sing, and accompanied a sultry Alice Tolson’s Cry me a River. Three compositions were featured: GCSE pieces by Bethany Cowling and Matthew Clarke and a premiere of Bethany Partridge’s Lifecycle, which she performed on ‘Cello. Smaller groups included the senior Saxophone Quartet and String Quartet, playing a swinging Party and the tango Oblivion respectively, Swunk were well received at this, a traditionally “classical” concert, playing arrangements of Sting’s Fragile and Berg’s Friday Night at the Cadillac Club. Maxi Brass Ensemble played 2 numbers, demonstrating that the quality of performance pervades deep into the middle and lower school: there was even a Junior School pupil, Ross Davidson. The Chamber Orchestra rounded off the concert with the last movement of Mozart’s Symphony no. 25 and, bringing the house down, Anderson’s Plink, Plank, Plunk.
Mr Tamblyn took Swunk and the Brass Ensemble to play at the St Michael’s School, Heavitree fete on 25 June.
Michael Brailey, with the Kagemusha Taiko drummers, and Cathryn and Marcus Buechel with the Devon Youth Wind Orchestra, will play in the next round of this year's Music for Youth championships at Birmingham on 9 July.
The annual Jazz Evening took place on June 26, at which Swunk and the Senior Jazz Band entertained with their great professionalism and customary aplomb. Many thanks to Mr Bowen, Mr Painter and guest pianist Mr Tamblyn.
The musical year concluded with a wonderful evening at Crediton Parish Church on 3 July at which a range of our soloists and ensembles performed with precision and subtlety.
VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL AND EDUCATIONAL EXCURSIONS
Mr Boddington welcomed Dr Charlie Gibson (OE) to the Medical Society; he was the team doctor on last summer’s school kayaking trip to Ladakh and spoke about expedition medicine.
Mrs Sail hosted an evening Geography lecture, entitled The Taj Mahal on Your Doorstep: World Heritage in Your Community. The lecturer was Dr Anjana Ford, the World Heritage Site Education Coordinator for the Jurassic Coast. The lecture was the result of a collaboration between the Exeter School Geography Department, the Geographical Association and the Royal Geographical Society.
Professor Allan Chapman, Fellow of Wadham College, Oxford, gave a lecture about Darwin in the Andrews Hall on 6 May. Nearly 100 parents and pupils heard a fascinating lecture on the real story behind Darwin’s Origin of Species and the facts and myths surrounding the 1860 Oxford debate over its contents.
The English department took a group to see A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Tobacco Factory in Bristol, a GCSE group to see the set text Journey’s End in Bracknell, a M5 group to see Macbeth at The Globe and a L6 group to see As You Like It at the Old Vic.
Mr Willson led the Middle School ski trip to Alpe d’Huez from 26 March-3 April. Mr Mason led the Sixth Form Ski Trip to Serre Chevalier in the Southern French Alps from 3-10 April.
Ms Knight led our German exchange group, from 6-13 April, accompanied by Miss Trica. Ms Knight writes: “11 pupils from the M5 and U5 spent a week in Hildesheim. They were met at Hannover airport by their exchange partners and families. The pupils went to school with their partners and took part in lessons – English being the easiest lesson of the day. The German partners took us on a tour of Hildesheim and organised a welcome party on Thursday. We had a day trip to Braunschweig; the highlight for many was the Schloßarkaden. The weekend was spent with the families and included outings to the Heidepark, the Autostadt, the Zoo, the Harz Mountains, the Wasserparadies and the Phänomusuem. On the Monday a group visited the Checkpoint Charlie Museum, the Reichstag and had a walking tour of Berlin, which included the Holocaust memorial, Bebelplatz, the Berlin Wall, Unter den Linden, Friedrichstraße and Potsdamer Platz”.
Mrs Sail took a dozen L5 geographers to a Gifted and Talented conference for pupils from across the city at Exeter University. The theme was Antarctica: exploitation or conservation?
Our termly Field Day featured the biennial CCF Inspection, and Duke of Edinburgh practice expeditions, as well as a range of trips. The 3rd Form went to Grimspound on Dartmoor, led by Mrs Cloke, the 4th form to the Eden Project, led by Mr Chitnavis, and the L5 split into three groups: Mr Willson led a walking trip on Dartmoor, Mr Boddington took a trip to London, which included visits to the London Eye and Natural History Museum, and Mr Walker led a visit to Cardiff, where they visited Cardiff Castle and took a waterbus around the bay. Mr Hunt’s Community Service group visited Buckfast Abbey and the Dartington Cider Press Centre with local senior citizens. Others went along to Oak House residential home, where they completed useful tasks. Mr Tamblyn took some of our musicians to work with primary school pupils at St Michael’s, Heavitree.
Mr Walker took a group of Lower Sixth Economists to Exeter University to a special taster event intended to give a flavour of how university-level Economics is taught.
On June 28 we held a Science Day for visiting Year 5 pupils from local primary schools. Many thanks to Mr Ricketts, Mr Bone and Mr Boddington.
Mr Moon welcomed Mr Nick Comer-Calder to the DT department to discuss Industrial Design issues with the M5 pupils.
SPORT
Athletics
In the Exeter Schools Athletics trials this year the school had great success, with 20 athletes achieving a top 3 finish and so making selection for the Exeter and District team to face East Devon. On the evening of the event the athletes once again performed well and 11 made selection for the Devon Championships at Exeter Arena where they achieved the best results we have seen in recent years. Harry Thomas – 1st in 100m, 2nd in 200m, Rory McKenna – 2nd in 80m Hurdles, Tom Poustie – 3rd in 400m, Josh Hemming – 2nd in High Jump. Inter Boys: Harry Vercoe – 5th in 80m Hurdles, Chris Needs – 3rd in Javelin, Richard Keay – 2nd in Shot. Junior Girls: Lizzie Godwin – 2nd in Discus, 3rd in Javelin, Katie Taverner – 2nd in 100m. Inter Girls: Helen Smith – 3rd in 1500m, Natalie Filor – 5th in High Jump. Those selected will go through to the West of England Championship.
There was a good turn-out from parents and a great atmosphere at the 3rd Form House sports event. The event was won by Acland. The female athletes of the day were Lauren Thomas and Ellen McArthur and the male athlete of the day was Thomas Williamson-Cary. The Victrix Ludorum was Katie Olding and the Victor Ludorum was Luke Crocker.
The 4th Form House sports event was won by Townsend. The female athlete of the day was Sarah Hardie and the male athlete of the day was shared between Charlie Holmes and Dan Thorne. The Victrix Ludorum was Lizzie Godwin and the Victor Ludorum was Daniel MacLaurin.
The L5 Form House sports event was won by Acland. The female athlete of the day was Tara Davidson and the male athlete of the day was Harry Thorne. The Victrix Ludorum was Katie Taverner and the Victor Ludorum was Harry Thomas.
The M5 Form House sports event was won by Acland, with Harry Vercoe as Victor Ludorum and Natalie Filor as Victrix Ludorum. Georgia Reece was the female athlete of the day and Harry Bedford was the male athlete of the day.
The school had a number of competitors from the 3rd-M5 forms in the Exeter inter-schools athletics finals at the Exeter Arena. Our Year group teams performed very well, many achieving a top three finish. Our Year 7 girls won the Division 2 Trophy.
Elizabeth Godwin is representing the South-West at the National Prep Schools’ Athletics Championships in Birmingham on 5 July and Devon at the English Schools’ Athletics Championships on 8 July.
Canoeing
U6 Kayaking Awards 2010: These were awarded in recognition of the high levels of kayaking skill that pupils have achieved whilst at Exeter School and for their enthusiasm and commitment to the Canoe Club, some of them over many years, having joined the club 7 years ago in the 3rd form and in recognition of the invaluable contribution that they have made, passing on their skills and enthusiasm to the younger members. The awards went to: Miles Ashton, Larry Panter, Alex Partridge, Harry Reece, Chris Ripper and Jonny Watson.
2 & 3 Star courses: 40 to 50 pupils have been on the water kayaking every Monday after school. Seven 6th Form pupils who recently qualified as BCU Level 1 coaches have been teaching the younger pupils, passing on both their skills and their enthusiasm under the supervision of Mr Scott and the Haven Banks staff.
Cricket
|
P |
W |
L |
D | |
|
1st XI |
11 |
3 |
8 |
|
|
2nd XI |
5 |
3 |
2 |
|
|
U15A |
8 |
5 |
4 |
|
|
U15B |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
|
U14A |
11 |
9 |
2 |
|
|
U14B |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
U13A |
16 |
15 |
1 |
|
|
U13B |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
U12A |
10 |
10 |
|
|
|
U12B |
4 |
3 |
1 |
Mr Fawkes writes: “Cricket at Exeter School is becoming a real force to be reckoned with in the younger age groups. The win percentage for all teams stands at 70% with a more impressive 86% from the U14 to U12 age groups. Once again there has been an extremely successful campaign in the Devon County Cup with the U15s reaching the semi-final and narrowly losing to Torquay Boys’ Grammar School and all other age groups currently making further progress towards the finals. The U12, U13 and U14 age groups are undefeated in their Saturday block fixtures against local independent schools. A special mention must go to the U13 team who, after winning the Devon County Cup last year, qualified for the National Cup this year. The team, captained by Marcus Hoddinott, successfully won its first two rounds but was defeated in a very close encounter against Portsmouth Grammar School to decide who would go forward to the semi-finals. The 1st XI have had two very convincing wins against Shebbear College and Kelly College and in the latter set an impressive target of 220, with players from the U13 and U14 age groups helping to guide the team to victory. The number of cricketers playing in all age groups is very healthy and this has meant that many players had an opportunity to represent the school at either A or B team level. The season finished with the U13 and U12 teams both winning their County Cups”.
Sam Boddington, Marcus Hoddinott, Daniel MacLaurin, Dan Thorne and Tor Ziegler-Evans were selected to play for East Devon U13s.
Equestrianism
Young equestrians Sophie and Anna Johannson represented Exeter School at the 19th Mini and Junior Inter-Schools One Day Event Team Championships at Stonar School. Anna was placed 8th and Sophie was placed 4th.
Fencing
Tom Hall performed well again in the Public Schools’ Fencing Championships: he was placed 48th in the Senior Epée and finished 8th in the Senior Foil.
Golf
Mr Wilcock took our team to the annual OE golf match at Downes GC, organised by Mr Hook; the OEs won narrowly by 1.5 Stableford points. Mr Jago presented the trophy to Mr Dixie.Our team was: Harrison Thorne, Paddy Shaw, Alex Helliar, Henry Parkin and Cameron Thorne. The School Championship took place at the Golf and Country Club on 1 July. Harrison Thorne retained the school trophy, with a round of +7, playing two shots over his handicap of 5. The Handicap section was won by Josh Hanna of the 3rd form, scoring 44 points off his 36 handicap.
Hockey
Tom Poustie played for the UK Lions hockey team in Glasgow. Will Marsh has been selected for the team recently also. The following boys played as members of the ISCA HC U13 Devon team at the National U13 Boys’ Festival of Hockey in Nottingham in late June: Paddy Poustie, Luke Crocker, Will Marsh and Matt Marsh, finishing in 3rd place.
Elizabeth Godwin played in the SW Underwater Hockey team that became U13 national champions.
Karate
Theo Martin achieved his Kenpo karate junior black belt in April and has progressed to senior yellow belt; he should gain his orange belt in October.
Rounders
|
P |
W |
D |
L | |
|
1st |
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
2nd |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
U16 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
U15A |
4 |
3 |
|
1 |
|
U15B |
4 |
2 |
|
2 |
|
U14A |
5 |
4 |
|
1 |
|
U14B |
6 |
4 |
|
2 |
|
U14C |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
U13A |
10 |
8 |
|
2 |
|
U13B |
8 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|
U13C |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
U12A |
7 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
|
U12B |
4 |
2 |
|
2 |
In the JET National Rounders Competition the U13A team beat Mount House Tavistock 17-9 in the first round with 5½ rounders from Annabelle Clay. In the second round, the team lost to Millfield. The U12A team competed in the Millfield Invitation Tournament where they played well but lost to strong opposition and finished 5th.
Rugby
Will Taverner represented the South and South-West U16 squad v Ireland. Paddy Shaw played in the victorious Devon Cup Exeter Chiefs Colts team v Ivybridge at Sandy Park. Will Taverner and Alec Wheatley played in the Saracens U16 Landscape League winning side this season.
Shooting
Mike Snell was selected to represent Great Britain Juniors in the European internationals in Dortmund, shooting for the 50m prone team. He shot two perfect cards and the team set a new record. Mr Donne and the school shooting team travelled to South Wales to win the Mere Cup (the South and West regional full-bore target rifle match) for the fourth time in a row. This was a long range full-bore shoot at 300, and twice at 500 yards, in teams of eight. The weather was cold and windy, the worst shooting conditions in recent memory. Mike Snell finished 2nd and Dave Rowell 3rd in the individual competition. The team also retained the prestigious national Assegai trophy.
Swimming
There was a mixed U13 and U15 Boys and Girls gala v Wellington on Thursday 24 June. All events were closely contested, with excellent performances from, U15 Hope MacLeod, Tilly Gilbert and Max Laszlo, U13 Dominic Gaywood, Katie Olding, Jake Petersen and Joseph Broughton.
Boys’ Tennis
P W L 7 4 3 2 2 3 1 2 3 3 5 4 1
Seniors
2nd
U16
U15
U13
Girls’ Tennis
It has been a very successful summer term, especially for our younger age groups. Our 1st 1V played Maynard in the first round of the Aberdare Cup and we lost by 1 match to 5 but it was close with several tie breaks. Alice Tolson and Georgia Reece won their doubles and Annabelle Clay must be commended for playing so well against the Maynard Head Girl, five years her senior! The U13 and U15 girls performed very well in the AEGON League. The U15 team beat Blundell’s 4-2, lost to Stoodley Knowle and had a walkover against Newton Abbott. They have qualified for the Devon semi-finals as runners up of their league. The U13 team have won all 3 matches, beating Blundell’s 4-2, West Buckland 5-1 and Stoodley Knowle 5 -1. Both the U15 and the U13 teams have won their semi-final rounds and have now qualified for the Devon finals of the Division 2 League.
CCF
CCF adventure training took place in the Lake District, staying in youth hostels and also wild camping, from 27 March-4 April. Dr Chapman writes: “There were nineteen pupils, accompanied by Dr Chapman, Mr Harris, Mrs Clark and Mr Shorthouse as well as the usual civilian instructors. The weather turned out to be rather challenging and the programme and associated route cards were frequently revised. They had two expeds, the first an overnight wild camp and the trip culminated in a three-day exped where they were operating more independently. Interspersed with this was a programme of navigation training and climbing on an indoor wall”.
The CCF biennial inspection took place on Thursday 29 April in various venues, led by Inspecting Officer Brigadier Steve Hodder OE. He visited the RAF section, who were climbing and shooting at CTC RM Lympstone, the RN section, who were sailing off Exmouth and the Army section, who ran a series of stands and manoeuvres on Woodbury Common, concluding in a tri-service formal parade which he addressed. There was also an RN section DoE Bronze expedition based at Bicton overnight and Mr Porter took some RAF cadets to fly at Colerne. The inspection report was most positive.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD
The two DoE practice expeditions went well: Dr Houghton writes about the Gold expedition: “34 members of the L6, in 5 groups, successfully completed their Gold Practice Expedition by doing a complete North to South traverse of Dartmoor, with three nights of wild camping, from Wednesday 28 April to Saturday 1 May. The groups organised their own transport to Okehampton after school on Wednesday and walked in about 5 km to various points on the Moor for their first night’s camp. Three days of further walking took them to the finish on Saturday afternoon in Ivybridge, walking between 50 and 60 km altogether. The persistently wet weather made three consecutive nights of wild camping very challenging indeed for some, and many useful lessons were learnt.”
On Field Day, 4 teams of Middle 5th pupils embarked on the practice Silver D of E expedition. The aim was to almost circumnavigate Exeter either anti clockwise from Clyst St Mary round to Kenn or vice versa. The weather was mixed with prolonged periods of heavy rain but the groups remained cheerful. The navigation was good and the route cards were accurate with very good timings for the checkpoints. The groups camped for one night in the Teign Valley and for the other in Upton Pyne. The final day brought spells of torrential rain but all groups finished before 5.00pm. The Silver qualifying expedition ran from Lynton to Dulverton or Winsford. Mrs Metcalf writes: “27 pupils from the Middle 5th were involved in the D of E Silver qualifying expedition over the weekend of 22-24 May. The difficult expedition was made even harder by the hot weather. The routes were varied with an arduous first day along the coast from Lynton to Porlock before heading inland to a high level route over Dunkery Beacon. The third day saw 25 pupils finish in either Winsford or Dulverton. Considering the conditions and difficult terrain, this was a very real achievement.
TEN TORS
Mr Lines and his large staff and parental team were based at Runnage Farm near Postbridge, with over 60 pupils involved in the school’s Ten Tors 1633 Challenge in late April. This went very well, in pretty warm weather followed by a rainy Sunday morning. Congratulations to Mr Lines, the walkers and our staff training team for then negotiating the Ten Tors Challenge, which took place on Dartmoor. The teams were as follows:
35 miles: Joe Allen*, Becky Glover, Alex Gwillim, Patrick Mabin, Luke Pearce and Henry Thompson, Abbie Hitt, Matt Lines, Felicity Lock*, Georgia Reece, David Salmon and Luke Stitson, Hugh Clark*, Freddie Eggleton, Shaun Mort, Nat Newman, Adam Rouse and Lucian Smith
45 miles: James Hawkins, Henry Holmes, Josh Jenner, Ben Lock*, Ollie Stephenson and Tom Tresidder
55 miles: Matt Allen, Annabel Clark*, Alex Helliar, Adam Jackson, Ollie Jenner and Chris Ripper
*team leader
Other pupils walking on the day included Henry Edwards, Alastair Hardie and Harry Vercoe, who joined the St Wilfrid’s team, Elias Crang (L6: 55-miler with Chulmleigh Youth Association) Rory MacLeod (L6: 45-miler with scouts), Patrick Baker (M5: 35-miler with the ACF) and Chris Malone (L5: 35-miler with Ipplepen Scouts). At a ceremony in Okehampton Camp on Saturday evening, Mr Harris was awarded three commemorative medals to recognise his 10, 15 and 20 years of service in support of Ten Tors. It was a truly successful campaign to mark the 50th anniversary of the event, run by OE Brigadier Steve Hodder, and much credit is due to all who made it happen.
Eight L6 CCF cadets led by Mr Keyes, Mr Moon and Mrs Murrin assisted with the Jubilee Challenge, an event for disabled young people, which took place alongside the main event on Saturday.
HOUSE TOURNAMENT
The final of the House Challenge quiz saw Raleigh beat Daw 540-410. The final of the Junior House Challenge took place in the Andrews Hall and Townsend beat Drake by 420 points to 160.
The House Dance competition was terrific fun and a great triumph for Miss Jakes, who conceived and coordinated another vibrant event involving nine teams of dancers from the 3rd-M5 forms. A packed Assembly Hall watched the competition, which was judged by an expert panel of assessors, and was won by Goff.
DEBATING
The school’s mock election debate took place in the Andrews Hall on Wednesday 28 April.
ESPA
The committee has recently contributed generously towards the new Climbing Wall and is sharing the cost of a trailer to support our Outdoor Pursuits programme. It held a very pleasant Pimms Evening for parents at the cricket pavilion on 2 July.
CHARITIES
Mr Willson’s South Africa tour charity marathon attracted about 200 runners to the school. The teams ran the equivalent of 30 marathons between them and should raise in excess of £10,000 for South African charities and Help for Heroes.
On 1 May, 4th formers Tom Blackshaw, Sam Boddington, Marcus Colville and Tom Stokes undertook The Exmoor Challenge: a 16-mile precursor to Ten Tors for under 14s, in aid of leukaemia research.
The Haiti Day Shelterbox Earthquake Appeal Day eventually raised over £2000 from Junior and Senior School activities and the school will seek to continue this link with the Cornwall-based charity for the future. The main thrust of the planned fund-raising for the spring term was for three local charities: CLIC, Hospiscare and FORCE. The summer term effort seeks to support two overseas community projects: Romilly Forshall Fund, Kenya and Mr Scott’s Canoe Club continued involvement with the Drukpa Trust Community in Ladakh.
STAFFING
I am most grateful to the following members of the teaching staff who are leaving the Senior School at the end of the Summer Term 2010 for all that they have done for the school.
Retirements
Mr Scott (Teacher of Physics, Head of Electronics and Former Head of Sixth Form and Master i/c kayaking), after 24 years
Ms Doyle (Art Teacher and Drama Make-up expert), after 24 years
Mr Fryer (IT Teacher, former Head of German and teacher of Electronics), after 36 years, to retire from teaching but to join the administrative staff on a part-time basis in order to continue to run GCSE examinations, to look after the web site and other support tasks.
Ms Mann (Biology Technician) after 21 years.
Departures to other posts
Ms Knight (Head of German and Teacher of French), after 12 years, to teach French and German at Churcher’s College.
Miss Jakes (English Teacher, Dance Specialist and Play Director) after 3 years, to undertake a postgraduate course at the Laban Institute of Dance.
Mr Hunt (Geography Teacher and Head of Critical Thinking and Teacher i/c Community Service), after 22 years
We say farewell to a number of colleagues who have neen here for less time: Miss Seward (English department), after 8 Months (Maternity cover for Mrs Daybell). Mr Marshall (Modern Languages department), after 8 months (Maternity cover for Mrs Wilson). Mrs Kennedy (French Assistante), after 2 years, part-time. Mrs Waters (Science Department), after 1 year, part-time. Mrs Errasti (Modern Languages department), after 2 years, part-time. Mrs Tamblyn (Science Department), after 1 year, part-time. Miss Barnard (Chaplaincy Assistant) after 1 year and Miss Gould-Smith OE (Junior School Teaching Assistant) after 1 year.
New appointments to the teaching staff with effect from September 2010:
Mr Latimer as Head of Modern Languages. He is Head of Modern Languages at Kelly College.
Mr Dobson to teach English from September 2010. He has recently returned from Argentina, where he was Head of English at St George’s College.
Mr Schramm to teach Physics and Electronics. He is Head of Physics at Wellington College.
Mr Corke to teach Geography. He is currently taking his PGCE at Exeter.
Mr Frampton as full-time Art teacher.
Mrs Smith as Art Assistant, part-time.
Mr Jones as full-time PE and Games teacher.
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST
The annual matches took place against the Old Exonian teams. The girls won the morning netball match 17-13; in the afternoon a mixed OE team, led by Sarah Williams and Signe Hulbert, beat our girls 5-2 and our boys beat the OE men 4-3. On Sunday 27 June, the schools senior teams played against the Old Exonians in their summer fixtures: many thanks to Mr Lowles for running the tennis (which we won) and to Mr Fawkes and Mr Ashman for hosting the cricket (which the school also won, by 8 wickets).
The South Africa tour sporting dinner was well attended and much enjoyed by about 200 diners. Mr Willson masterminded a great evening which raised over £7,000.
The annual Founders’ Day service in Exeter Cathedral went very well, in lovely weather. We pretty much filled the cathedral, with about 1,000 people, including the whole school, the staff, some Governors and a number of parents. Our preacher, the Bishop of Crediton, Bob Evens, spoke thoughtfully about each individual’s worth and gave a balanced address about our history and the opportunities on offer to the young, which appealed to the wide age range of the congregation. He urged us to “put out into the deep” in search of happiness and new horizons. Mr Allan officiated and there was excellent music from the Chamber Choir and Junior Singers and Junior and Middle School Choirs.
The annual L6 Higher Education Forum took place in the main hall. The L6 and their parents heard very useful presentations from Mrs Judy Mead (careers advice) and Ms Liz Murphy (admissions procedures) of Exeter University, Mr Doug Jennings of Bristol University (student finance and bursaries) and Mr Chitnavis (what the school UCAS service offers) about the university application process.
The annual Design Technology exhibition showcased work from GCSE, AS and A2 pupils. Parents, pupils, staff and Governors who attended were fascinated by the range of techniques employed and the ambitious designs realised. Mike Snell’s designer Rifle Stock and Butt, Kat Bush’s Vanity Mirror, Lawrence Panter’s motorised go-kart and Jake Stuart’s canoe were particular talking points.
Harry Ody and Lizzie Walker won Outstanding Student awards from the Young Enterprise organisation for their work in this year’s Exeter School company.
It has been a busy summer term for Lifesaving with three groups training and a total of 48 passes of the two awards, Life Support 1 and the Bronze Medallion Water test. Twelve M5th from the RN section CCF trained on Fridays under the direction of WO Smith assisted by U6 Brittany Harris. Sixteen L6th trained throughout the summer term instructed by Mr Davidson and WO Smith, assisted by Miss Trica. Twenty members of the teaching and administrative staff were trained by Mr Davidson assisted by Mr Wybrow.
Summer Expeditions: Some of the L5 returned on Tuesday from an enjoyable Geography trip to Chamonix. The RN Summer Camp is being held at Stoke Gabriel on the River Dart from July 9 -16. The Army are going to RAF St Mawgan from July 11 until July 16 and the RAF have already attended an exciting week at RAF Coningsby. The U6 have now completed their Gold DoE Expedition to Morocco and on their return the L6 will fly out to undertake their expedition. A group of pupils will go to the National Schools’ meeting at Bisley for the first week of the holidays. The co-educational South Africa Rugby and Hockey tour takes place from July 11 until July 30. Best wishes to Alice Brookes, Olivia Jones and Lizzie Walker (L6) who depart shortly on BSES expeditions.
The Famous (formerly Pinder and Tuckwell) are offering 10% off all school wear purchases over £95 until July 31.
GCSE, AS & A LEVEL RESULTS
The A level results are published at school on 19 August and the GCSEs on 24 August. All stamped-addressed envelopes left with my secretary will be posted on the day the results arrive. If you would like results emailed, please leave your address with my secretary. AS level results will also be available for the L6 on 19 August but not until 10.15am. I am most grateful to our examination officers, Mr Beckwith, Mr Fryer and Mrs Chamberlain for their outstanding work in the administration of the examination system.
NEXT TERM
All new pupils will report on Tuesday 31 August: Sixth Formers at 9.00am, younger pupils at 10.00am. In addition, some ex-Middle and Lower Fifth pupils will be re-taking certain exams. On Wednesday 1 September all ex-Upper Fifth pupils now entering the Lower Sixth attend from 9.00am – 12 noon. The U6 arrangements for 1 September appear in a separate letter. The start for the whole school is 8.40am on Thursday 2 September. Normal lessons will be under way after break, following form meetings and assembly. M5 must come equipped for Games.
The Guest of Honour at Speech Day, which takes place on Thursday 16 September at 5.30 p.m., will be Sir Andrew Motion, who was the Poet Laureate between 1999 and 2009.
It has been a most successful year for the school. May I wish you and your families a restful and enjoyable summer holiday?
With best wishes,
Bob Griffin
