Senior Reflections Week 9 November 2025
Dear parents,
It has been another jam-packed week here at school. Alongside the ongoing efforts we see every day in the classroom, the school site has been alive with a remarkable mix of art, music, sport and other co-curricular activities. It’s these kinds of events which help us maintain our distinctive energy during these colder winter months. What makes our community special is not simply the breadth of opportunities on offer, but the way pupils throw themselves into them, it’s fantastic to see them supporting one another, discovering new interests, and taking real pride in their accomplishments.
Last weekend a group of senior pupils travelled to Poland for what was, by all accounts, a trip to Kraków and Auschwitz that left a lasting impression. The trip involved some decidedly antisocial hours, departing at midnight on Thursday and returning in the early hours of Monday morning after a last-minute diversion to Birmingham rather than Bristol! Despite this unexpected detour, the pupils I have spoken with describe their experience as profound. My sincere thanks to Miss Rose and the team for organising the trip so thoughtfully and handling the unexpected travel change with such calm efficiency.
Sunday saw the first Ten Tors training session of the year on Dartmoor. Pupils enjoyed good training weather as they got to grips with navigation, camp craft and the realities of the moor. Thank you to Mr Hall and the whole team for setting them off so positively.
As part of our PSHE curriculum, we again welcomed an external team to deliver anti-racism workshops for pupils in Fourth Form (Year 8) and Lower Fifth (Year 9). Following last year’s successful pilot, these sessions prompted thoughtful discussion around unconscious bias, inclusive language and what it means to challenge discrimination in everyday contexts.
Music has been very much in the foreground this week. Tuesday’s chamber concert in the chapel was a real treat, a phenomenal display of talent across voice, strings, brass, wind and more, with performances ranging from the delicate to the dazzling. It was wonderful to see pupils who first came to us through the ESSIS programme, supported by the superb mentorship of our senior musicians, now performing so confidently as part of groups or ensembles. Hot on its heels, Wednesday’s informal piano concert showcased pupils from both the junior and senior schools, all of whom demonstrated extraordinary poise and musicality as they tinkled the ivories with confidence and flair. Next week brings the singers’ turn in our next informal concert. And of course, Grease rehearsals continue with great enthusiasm. Tickets are selling quickly (Friday is a sell-out), do make sure you secure yours here.
Today brings further excitement. After a wonderful art scholars’ exhibition earlier in the week, our Lower Sixth (Year 12) artists are taking part in the RIBA Cityscape Design competition, we wish them the very best. Good luck also to all pupils undertaking their LAMDA examinations.
This evening, we have two cheerful social events to look forward to. With a karaoke evening in the sixth form and our annual junior school disco. The only real dilemma is which one I should attend first!
Our sports programme continues apace. This weekend we face Plymouth College and Shebbear, following a week of strong performances across the board. A particular highlight was the U16 netball squad, who finished runners-up in the county round of the national competition and now progress to the regional finals in January. Huge congratulations to the girls, and thanks to Miss Johnson and our coaching team. It was also wonderful to see Ollie Batson (OE) make his full team debut for the Exeter Chiefs. Once an Exonian, always an Exonian.
On Saturday, the junior school will host our Inspiring Minds event, giving families from our local community the opportunity to explore a range of hands-on activities in science and the arts, as well as enjoy a session in the pool. It’s a wonderful chance for children to experience the curiosity-driven learning that lies at the heart of our ethos.
Looking slightly ahead, next week I am very much looking forward to meeting and speaking with the young people who have applied for a sports scholarship, both from Exeter School and from other local primary and secondary schools. And our senior linguists will attend a special lecture at the University of Exeter, “Languages in a Global World”. A fantastic opportunity to broaden their understanding of how languages shape international culture, communication and careers.
Ça a l’air vraiment intéressant. Auf Wiedersehen für diese Woche.
(And yes, I may have had a little help with that last bit!)
