eNewsletter – December 2025

Giving to the Bursary Fund

The words of a Middle Fifth bursary award holder remind us of the importance of a good education. As we reach a time of year that often encourages reflection, we invite our wonderful alumni community to think back on your own years at Exeter School – your classmates, teachers, opportunities outside the classroom and all those experiences which have shaped who you are today. With all this in mind, we hope you will consider donating to the Exeter School bursary fund. Your gift will give a young person the chance to flourish and enjoy an education that would not otherwise be available to them.

Did you know… Exeter School is a registered charity? Leaving just £1,000 in your Will could save £400 in inheritance tax. Even a 1% gift means your loved ones still receive 99% or more. It’s a small gesture that can make a big difference. If you can help change a child’s future by supporting the bursary fund, please click on the button below. Thank you.

Further information

It’s electrifying!

The senior school production of Grease has been an absolute triumph this term; with a matter of months to manifest a full production, the dedication of the pupils making up two casts and all those that support the play is mind boggling. Head of Drama, James Brough, shared his thoughts with us. “They were a fantastic cast and crew to work with – they always are at Exeter School, but this group worked particularly well together and entered the rehearsal space every day with a smile on their faces. It was also great to sell out all four performances – it is always a great atmosphere for the cast and crew to have a full house. Seeing people who have never been on stage before grow in confidence and discover a new found love of drama always feels like a win, and to also see established performers and pupils of the school integrate and embrace the new pupils so warmly is fantastic.”

View pictures here

Exonian Lecture

Tickets are now available for next year’s Exonian Lecture, to be held at Exeter School on Friday 6 February 2026 from 6-8.30pm. We are delighted to welcome Alex Leger (1958-1966), long-serving Blue Peter producer, director and cameraman, as our speaker. The lecture will take place in the Main Hall at 6pm, followed by a short Q&A session and a drinks reception. Tickets are priced at £5, with all proceeds supporting the School’s bursary appeal. We look forward to welcoming you to what promises to be a fascinating evening.

Book your tickets

House of Commons Dinner

We’re pleased to invite alumni to a special black-tie dinner at the House of Commons on Saturday 7 March 2026, from 7-10.30pm. Held in the Members’ and Strangers’ Dining Room, this is a rare opportunity to dine in a historic setting alongside fellow alumni. Tickets are priced at £112, with a subsidised rate of £74 for alumni under 30.

Click here to book

Remembering Poland’s history

Pupils from Middle Fifth and Upper Fifth recently travelled to Kraków for the school’s Poland Character Trip. The visit began with a tour of Kraków’s Jewish Quarter and a visit to the Galicia Gallery, where students had the opportunity to hear firsthand from a Holocaust survivor and learn about Jewish life in pre-war Poland. The group then spent a solemn and reflective morning at the sites of the former Auschwitz‑Birkenau Memorial and Museum, before exploring Kraków’s historic centre, including a visit to St. Mary’s Basilica, Kraków.

On day three, students descended into the Wieliczka Salt Mine – home to one of the largest underground chapels in the world – and toured Wawel Castle, learning more about Poland’s rich history. The visit concluded with some time to explore the city centre before returning home. The trip offered pupils a meaningful opportunity to deepen their understanding of European history and reflect on the legacy of the Holocaust.

More info

Futures Conference

Do you work in one of the following roles? Are you free to spend the afternoon of Tuesday 3 March at school? Would you be happy to share your expertise with our pupils? If so, please do get in touch below.

Sports scientist | actor | film director | producer | intelligence | diplomacy | international relations | linguistics | set designer | costume designer | fashion designer | aerospace engineer 

At the Lower Sixth Futures Conference each pupil has the opportunity to meet three different alumni, hear about their career paths and ask questions about their role or sector. You would lead three 25 minute sessions, opening with a brief talk about your education and career, before some time for questions.

Email Alice here

Junior School hockey success

Exeter Junior School’s U11 girls’ hockey team have been enjoying a fantastic run. At the IAPS regional tournament at Millfield, they were unstoppable – winning every match and not conceding a single goal, finishing with a confident 2-0 victory over the hosts in the final. Their superb form continued at Haileybury, where they secured a remarkable third place at the IAPS National Finals.

Confused… not in the slightest

Steve Dukes (1992-1997) who has the huge role of CEO at Confused.com recently visited the school to talk in a senior school assembly and share his experiences of leading a large, digital business and the importance of learning. Steve confessed that he wasn’t interested in learning at school, but in his working life he has taken a different approach, “learning fast and acting on it” and has perfected asking questions, whether they be “stupid, difficult or new.”

More on this story here

Archive exhibition

Head of Art and Design, Jen Brewer, and current Upper Sixth pupil Lily, who works diligently as our Library and Archive Prefect, recently collaborated to bring art scholars together to create an archive exhibition. Jen explains how this came about and how much the exhibition was enjoyed by visitors, “the scholars visited the archive, where they photographed an artefact that resonated with them personally. They then created a response to their chosen piece in a medium of their choice. The resulting works showcased an impressive range of creativity. The exhibition was a resounding success, attracting parents and visitors with an interest in the archive. It was a wonderful evening filled with engaging conversations and inspiring creativity.”

Battlefields trip

Lower Fifth pupils visited Belgium and northern France on the annual Battlefields Trip, exploring key sites of the First World War. Starting at Essex Farm Cemetery and continuing through locations around Ypres and the Somme, pupils gained a powerful sense of the scale and impact of the conflict. At Thiepval and Vimy Ridge, they located the names of Old Exonians Robert E. Paramore (1906–1914) and Laurence C. D. Eliot (1904–1906), laying crosses in their memory. They also visited the grave of Old Exonian Lieutenant Richard Kellock Stirling (1902–1911) at Sanctuary Wood Cemetery, marking the moment with a reading of Vera Brittain’s ‘Perhaps’.

Read more

Identifying alumni

In this new feature we are seeking your help! Asking… are you able to identify anyone in this photo? We know it’s the 2nd XI hockey team in 1982, but can’t place every person. Should you see someone you recognise, and remember their full name, please do let us know who you’ve spotted!

I know who that is

Alumni seeking alumni

The Alumni and Development office is here to help OEs stay in touch, and sometimes we’re asked to seek out a particular member of the alumni community. Please don’t hesitate to email us if you’re trying to find someone you once knew.

Finding alumni

The 1633 needs you!

In the past, the Old Exonian magazine featured short updates from alumni about where life had taken them since their school days. We would love to continue this format in The 1633, but we need your help! So whether it’s a big achievement or a small milestone, please share your news with us. Send your updates to communications and alumni officer, Ali McGeown.

Get in touch with Ali

Stay in the loop!

Follow Exeter School’s alumni Instagram to catch all the latest updates, stories and celebrations from the alumni community.

Click to follow @exeterschool_alumni

Update your details

We are always keen to stay in touch with Exonians and hear what you are up to. Having accurate professional details is also enormously helpful for our volunteering programme. Please click the button below to update your details and we can always be reached on alumni@exeterschool.org.uk or 01392 307080.

Click here to update your details