Group of children in yellow reflective vests exploring a flower garden behind a wooden fence.

Pre-Prep Reflections 12 June 2026

Dear parents,

This week has brought us a few challenges: a prang to the minibus on the way back from swimming on Monday (everyone was fine and minimal damage to the bus), a short power cut on Wednesday (Mr Savage carried on teaching at the electric piano with his torch), a fire drill in the rain on Thursday (everyone evacuated calmly in 2 minutes 13 seconds, but the alarm in my office refused to turn off), and what has felt like a change in the weather every hour of every day! Despite these challenges, the children have carried on undeterred, taking everything in their stride.

Highlights of the week

Yesterday afternoon, Year 1 and Year 2 had their Forest School session over at the Exminster community garden and allotments, next to St Martin’s Church. They walked there and back, learnt about different plants, picked various fruits and vegetables, and took part in a range of practical gardening activities. Not to be outdone, the Nursery and Reception children came to school dressed in an array of fabulous costumes today for their careers afternoon; they took part in a special fashion show in the hall and Rose, an aspiring opera singer, performed for us!

Relationships and Health Education

Earlier in the week, I wrote to parents of Nursery, Reception and Year 1 children about an update to our relationships and health education policy, following new statutory guidance from the DfE which comes into effect in September. If you have any comments or questions about the policy, please do get in touch with me before the end of term. Parents of Year 2 children who are moving to the junior school will receive a similar update from Mrs Van soon with details of the changes being made there.

More baby news!

I am delighted to share the happy news that Mr and Mrs Titchin are expecting a baby. Many congratulations to them both. Baby Titchin is due in November and we are in the process of recruiting a teaching assistant to cover Mrs Titchin’s maternity leave next year on Mondays and Tuesdays in Year 1. I will update you on this shortly.

Next week

I am looking forward to meeting with the school council reps for the final time this year on Monday morning. Please note that Mrs Smyth will be teaching Reception class on Wednesday instead of Mrs Rickard.

Have a lovely weekend and enjoy the sunshine.

Mr Daniel Ayling

Diary Dates

24 June – Dr Rainbow visiting

25 June – Teddy Bears’ Picnic lunch

26 June – Whole school theatre trip

29 June – End of year reports issued

1 July – Transition afternoon

3 July 1.30pm – Sports Day

6 July – Year 2 trip to the National Marine Aquarium

6 July 3pm – Informal parent drop-in

7 July 2.30pm – Summer showcase

8 July – End of term at 3.30pm

Term dates for 2026-27 are available to download from the school website

Spotlight on Year 2

Year 2 continue to make us incredibly proud with their enthusiasm for learning and the excellent progress they are making. Having recently completed our end-of-year assessments, the children have demonstrated just how much hard work and enthusiasm they have put into their learning this year. The children have been busy carrying out their final leadership roles with great care and responsibility. They are also enjoying our sunflower growing competition and loved taking part in planting activities at Forest School last week, before visiting the local allotments in Exminster yesterday, where they had great fun learning about the plants and trying out various gardening techniques. In our wellbeing session, we created a Growing Kindness Tree, sharing ideas about how we can show our ‘kind kingfisher’ character virtue and help kindness flourish within our community. In mathematics, we have been developing our problem-solving skills and using efficient methods to tackle challenges. In history, we are enjoying learning about famous British monarchs, with Henry VIII proving to be a firm favourite so far! Our biodiversity topic in science has sparked lots of curiosity, especially following Mr Helm’s inspiring assembly on bees last week. The children were inspired to design their own bee-friendly habitats and showed great enthusiasm about caring for the natural world around them. The children have also produced some fantastic writing based on a dragon egg this week; their imaginations certainly ran wild, resulting in some wonderfully creative and exciting stories.

Miss Wheller, Mrs Titchin and Mrs Tyler

End of Year Events

Teddy Bears’ Picnic

Back by popular demand! All children are invited to bring in a teddy/soft toy for a special picnic lunch in the school grounds on Thursday 25 June. Please ensure that the teddy fits into your child’s bag. Picnic lunches will be provided. Let’s hope for some nice weather!

Whole school theatre trip

We are looking forward to taking the children to see The Gruffalo at the Northcott Theatre in Exeter on the afternoon of Friday 26 June. We will be leaving after lunch and should be back at school by the end of the day.

Transition afternoon

On Wednesday 1 July, all children will be moving up to their next classroom to spend the afternoon with their new teachers and teaching assistants. Any new children due to join the school in September are also invited to this event. At the end of the day, parents are welcome to come into the classrooms for an informal ‘meet the teacher’ session, where we will provide some further information about the year ahead. If you are unable to attend, please do not worry; we will ensure the information is sent home to you. Current Year 2 pupils who are going to Exeter School next year will be transported over to the junior school for the afternoon.

Sports Day

Our annual Sports Day will take place on the afternoon of Friday 3 July. This event is held outside on the grass from 1.30-3.30pm and all parents are welcome to attend. After school clubs will be running as normal for those who would like to stay on. Fingers crossed for good weather!

Parent drop-in

On Monday 6 July, we will be holding our final parent drop-in of the year from 3pm. All parents are welcome to come into your child’s classroom and look at a selection of their work from this year. You will then be able to take most of their books and folders home, so please bring a strong carrier bag that can hold heavy items. This is the same day as the Year 2 trip to National Marine Aquarium; the coach is due back between 3.00-3.30pm, but parents are still welcome to come in and look at your child’s work while you wait.

Summer showcase and prize giving

On Tuesday 7 July, all children will be taking part in our annual summer showcase in the hall, which parents are invited to attend. This starts at 2.30pm and will include performances from each class, soloists and whole school singing. We will also be presenting every child with a personalised certificate recognising their individual achievements this year, as well as saying farewell to our Year 2 pupils. This event is not to be missed! If there are any Year 2 pupils who have instrumental lessons and would like to perform, please email Mr Ayling by Friday 19 June.

Final day of term

On the last day of term, Wednesday 8 July, our drama club leader Ruth Lawrence will be running her usual end of year party for all children in the morning. In the afternoon, Mr Ben Stretton, who many of you will know as Finley and Sadie’s dad, has offered to run a storytelling session with Nursery and Reception, followed by a disco and games with Years 1 and 2! Families are then welcome to stay in the school grounds for a picnic and outdoor play from 3.30-4.30pm.

Please note that there will be no clubs in the final week of term (6-8 July) with the exception of drama club on Monday 6 July. However, Late Room will be running as normal until 5.30pm every evening.

Stars of the Week

Four children sit in a row, each holding Star of the Week certificates with yellow stars, in a library room with shelves and a large teddy bear nearby.

Nursery

Jack

For his amazing letter formation and always working really hard in everything he does. Well done! 

Mrs Dray

Reception

Tadhg

For his fantastic effort in the pool this week and amazing underwater swimming. Well done!

Mrs Rickard & Mrs Smyth

Year 1

Sophie

For her well planned and punctuated sentences in her creative writing, and for being kind and helpful with the younger children during playtimes. Well done!

Mr Lovett & Mrs Goodwill

Year 2

Ted

For showing fantastic enthusiasm for science and the natural world; he created an excellent bee-friendly environment and is always keen to share fascinating facts about minibeasts. Well done!

Miss Wheller

Head’s Star

Aurelia (Year 1)

For her outstanding effort this term, which has enabled her to make fantastic progress in all areas. Well done! 

Mr Ayling

Housepoint totals

Brixham (yellow): 164

Bideford (blue): 147

Devonport (red): 138

Bridgwater (green): 133

Schoolblazer

Summer uniform is now available to purchase from Schoolblazer. Please note, there will also be a free delivery period from 29 June – 12 July. More information on the shopping and ordering process is available via here.

Visit the Schoolblazer website

News

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Always time for a spot of den building! #ForestSchool 🏕️

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