Junior Reflections Week 1 September 2025

Week 1 - 12 September 2025

Dear parents,

A very warm (albeit wet) welcome back to the beginning of the Autumn term, it has been truly wonderful to welcome back old and new faces to our school community, and everyone is looking super smart as we start the new term, let’s hope it continues. Our first coffee morning for Lower School parents is on Monday 22 September down at the pavilion, 8:20 – 9:15am. I do hope many of you can join us; it is a great opportunity to have a cup of tea, croissant and to meet new people.

Buddies and lunch

It was truly heart-warming to see our new pupils meet their Upper Two buddies this week — a special reminder of how meaningful our buddy system is in helping children feel welcomed, supported, and connected as they settle into life in the junior school. There’s also been a real buzz around our new salad bar! I’ve loved hearing the children’s reactions: “This is so cool!”, “I wish I had this at home!” — who knows, maybe it’ll inspire a few more veggies at dinner time! A huge thank you to our catering team for the delicious and nutritious meals this week. As a parent myself, I can’t tell you how much I’ve appreciated not having to think about lunch — especially when mine never quite compares to what we have at school!

Reminders

Below are a couple of, I hope, useful reminders as I know that there is always a lot of information shared at the beginning of term:

  • All pupils may come in their PE kit on the day when they have PE (this is their PE top and blue shorts).
  • On Friday 26 September, there is no late room or clubs running as we have our Open Morning the following day, at which our upper school pupils will be helping with tours and classroom activities. Mr Wood will be sharing further details next week.
  • We are a nut free school so please can I ask all snacks are healthy and nut free.
  • Please remember to label all items as this will then ensure that any that find their way to the office can be returned to their owners and to ensure that pupils have the correct equipment in their pencil cases.
  • If you wish your child to walk home at the end of the day, please can I ask that you inform the office at jsreception@exeterschool.org.uk in order that we have permissions on record.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend.

Mrs Saskia van Schalkwyk

New school uniform

We have loved seeing so many pupils wearing our new uniform from Schoolblazer. There is a 20% discount on all blazers until 30 September 2025 so if you don’t have one yet, there is still time to order with the discount.

Click here to go to Schoolblazer’s website

 

Exonian Quiz

On Friday 3 October, the school is hosting the Exonian Quiz – written by longstanding teacher John Davidson and alumnus Steve Perring, and hosted by Mrs Sail and Mr Trelawny. Parents, alumni, teachers and Sixth Form pupils are all invited.

Further information can be found here. Book your place here. Hope to see you there!

 

Playground person of the week

Sybil (U2E)

Do you have a story or pupil achievement to share with our community?

If you have a couple of lines of information and a photograph that you and your child are happy to be shared we will try to post these at relevant times through the year.
Email our communications team
Huge congratulations to Isobel, who has been appointed as an HM Lord Lieutenant Cadet for Devon for 2026–27! 🎉

Dr Adrian Rainbow and Dr Smale were delighted to attend the awards ceremony to see Isobel receive this amazing honour.

Over the coming year, she will attend official ceremonies and accompany the Lord Lieutenant to events around the county.

Isobel was nominated for her outstanding work and mature approach within our Combined Cadet Force (CCF), and she will be an excellent representative for the CCF across Devon. 🎖️

Achievements like this never go unnoticed at Exeter School. They reflect real hard work and dedication, and we are so proud to celebrate our pupils. 👏

#ExeterSchool #IndependentSchool #Devon #CCF #Cadet #Achievement #HMLordLieutenantCadet #Success #Achievement #InspireAndChallenege

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Congratulations to Alex F (Upper Sixth), who has been awarded a Commendation in the @johnlockeinstitute Global Essay Prize in Economics, one of the world's most prestigious academic essay competitions.

The prize attracts more than 7,000 entries from over 100 countries, with submissions judged by a distinguished panel of senior academics led by the Institute's Chairman of Examiners. A Commendation places Alex's work within approximately the top 10% of entries worldwide.

Alex's essay explored the question: "Should we fear a cashless society?" She undertook extensive independent research, engaging with cutting-edge economic studies on declining cash usage and the growth of digital payment systems. Her essay demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of economic concepts and an impressive ability to evaluate contemporary research and apply it to a highly relevant policy debate.

This international recognition reflects Alex's intellectual curiosity, academic rigour and commitment to learning beyond the classroom. An outstanding accomplishment. Congratulations, Alex!

#ExeterSchool #JohnLockeInstitute #EssayPrize #Economics #SixthForm #AcademicExcellence #Devon #SupportForLifeBeyondSchool #RealWorldReady 

@talkeducation @goodschoolsguide @muddystilettosschools

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We are hiring! 🧪✨

Exeter School is looking for an inspirational Teacher of Chemistry to join our thriving department on a part-time, fixed-term basis (Monday, Thursday and Friday until 31 December 2026).

Teaching spans Year 6 at Exeter Junior School through to A Level, where chemistry is a very popular choice, with around 50 pupils across the Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth.

Newly qualified or experienced, we’d love to hear from you! 

📅 Closing date: 9am, Monday 19 October 2026 (we may close early if an appointment is made, so don’t wait!)

#ExeterSchool #IndependentSchool #Devon #JobAlert #ChemistryTeacher #Science #Education #Career

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We are delighted to congratulate William W, Tom S and Stefan A on their selection to the prestigious @royalyachtingassociation Youth Transition Squads. ⛵

William and Tom have secured places in the 29er Squad, while Stefan has earned his spot in the @ilca_uk Squad. This is a significant achievement. Their selection recognises the dedication, commitment and outstanding performance all three boys have shown in competitive sailing.

This milestone marks an exciting step in each of their sailing journeys. It also reflects the high level at which William, Tom and Stefan are already competing.

Congratulations! We are incredibly proud of you and look forward to following your progress on the water. 🌊

#ExeterSchool #IndependentSchool #Pupils #SeniorSchool #Yatching  #CompetitiveSailing #Achievemnt

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Dr Adrian Rainbow was delighted to meet with Liz Gregory, Head of The Maynard School, and to visit the school today. 🤝

Exeter is fortunate to have a strong community of independent schools, and it is great to share a sense of purpose around providing an outstanding education for young people in Exeter.

Thank you to Liz and The Maynard School for such a warm welcome. 😊

#ExeterSchool #IndependentSchool #HeadsOfSchool #DevonSchools #SchoolOfExcellence #Connections #Community #Education

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Class of '23 '24 and '25 leavers celebration - Sept 2025

Kenya 2025

GCSE results 2025

A Level results day - 14 August 2025

Junior school speech day - 7 July 2025

Senior school speech day - 27 June 2025

Senior school sports day 2025

Jazz Supper - 3 July 2025

U13A, U12A & U12B vs Wells Cathedral School - 21 June 2025

U15 girls vs Mt Kelly - 26 June 2025

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Huge congratulations to Isobel, who has been appointed as an HM Lord Lieutenant Cadet for Devon for 2026–27! 🎉

Dr Adrian Rainbow and Dr Smale were delighted to attend the awards ceremony to see Isobel receive this amazing honour.

Over the coming year, she will attend official ceremonies and accompany the Lord Lieutenant to events around the county.

Isobel was nominated for her outstanding work and mature approach within our Combined Cadet Force (CCF), and she will be an excellent representative for the CCF across Devon. 🎖️

Achievements like this never go unnoticed at Exeter School. They reflect real hard work and dedication, and we are so proud to celebrate our pupils. 👏

#ExeterSchool #IndependentSchool #Devon #CCF #Cadet #Achievement #HMLordLieutenantCadet #Success #Achievement #InspireAndChallenege
Congratulations to Alex F (Upper Sixth), who has been awarded a Commendation in the @johnlockeinstitute Global Essay Prize in Economics, one of the world's most prestigious academic essay competitions.

The prize attracts more than 7,000 entries from over 100 countries, with submissions judged by a distinguished panel of senior academics led by the Institute's Chairman of Examiners. A Commendation places Alex's work within approximately the top 10% of entries worldwide.

Alex's essay explored the question: "Should we fear a cashless society?" She undertook extensive independent research, engaging with cutting-edge economic studies on declining cash usage and the growth of digital payment systems. Her essay demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of economic concepts and an impressive ability to evaluate contemporary research and apply it to a highly relevant policy debate.

This international recognition reflects Alex's intellectual curiosity, academic rigour and commitment to learning beyond the classroom. An outstanding accomplishment. Congratulations, Alex!

#ExeterSchool #JohnLockeInstitute #EssayPrize #Economics #SixthForm #AcademicExcellence #Devon #SupportForLifeBeyondSchool #RealWorldReady 

@talkeducation @goodschoolsguide @muddystilettosschools
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