Junior Reflections Week 11 November 2024

Week 11 - 29 November 2024

Dear parents,

November is coming to a close and I have to admit that I am very much looking forward to decorating my house on Sunday as the festive period begins to get into full flow. More and more lights are appearing on my journey to work, and it is certainly beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Theme of the week

‘Differences’ was the theme for the week and the pupils showed their knowledge of how important it is to celebrate our differences; we are all different and must appreciate our uniqueness. We talked about different families and when we looked at what makes a family, the one common factor was LOVE and that it doesn’t matter what our family consists of: one dog, two siblings, one tarantula, mum and dad, two mums, two dads – the list could go on, but we all agree that in our families we all feel loved and what a lovely feeling that is.

Comets club

Tuesday saw 20 pupils in Upper Two head to the senior school for this week’s Comets club as they became detectives of the past. Led by Miss Harris, Head of History, the pupils were asked to think about qualities that make a good monarch and the differences between primary and secondary sources. The group then had to apply their skills to investigate the question: Does Henry VIII deserve the title, ‘the greatest king in English history’? Well done to the pupils for their excellent discussions and answers.

Junior school open morning

On Thursday, our Upper Two pupils truly shone with a fantastic group of volunteers stepping up to guide prospective parents around the school during our open morning event. As always, our visitors were thoroughly impressed by our stunning school site and facilities (a big thank you to the estates team). Most importantly, they were struck by how articulate and enthusiastic our pupils were in showcasing the school and all that they do. I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating—our pupils make me an incredibly proud head, and I hope you, as parents, feel equally proud.

Sporting success

Our U11 girls braved the weather last Friday and my word I am so pleased they did; they participated in the Devon Hockey Festival at Blundell’s and won the tournament on goal difference. Mrs Wopshott and Mr Dutch were hugely impressed with their sportsmanship and are looking forward to taking the girls to the West of England finals next term. The U11 boys football team had a fantastic day at the EFL Kids Cup, hosted at Exeter City FC’s training ground. After 11 matches, the team have qualified for the local area finals this January—congratulations to the team!

As we head into the last couple of weeks of the Autumn term, I thought it would be useful to remind you of the up-and-coming events, which you can find below.

Wishing you a warm weekend.

Mrs Saskia van Schalkwyk

Key dates

Sunday 1 December – Advent service in the school chapel, 5pm. All welcome

Wednesday 4 December – Light Up a Life – Junior Choir, 6.30pm, Exeter Cathedral

Thursday 5 December – all year groups out on their history trips – no activities/clubs

Tuesday 10 December – School Carol concert, 2.15pm in the main hall

Wednesday 11 December – Christmas jumper/hat day

Wednesday 18 December – last day of term pick-up is at 12pm

Playground people of the week

Joshua D U1R

Jessie C L2P

Finn H L2M

Amelie P L2M

WaterAid Concert

Our annual Charity Christmas Concert, this year in aid of WaterAid, takes place on Tuesday 3 December 2024 at 7.30pm in St Michael’s and All Angels’ Church, Heavitree.

Click here to book tickets for the concert

Christmas Concert

Senior School Christmas Concert on Thursday 17 December 2024 at 7.30pm in the main school hall.

Click here to book tickets for the concert

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
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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A fascinating set of MedEXE lunchtime talks today from some of our aspiring medics and vets in the Upper Sixth! 🩺🐾

Well done to Beth, Finlay, Marcus and Darina for speaking so well on their chosen topics 👏

#ExeterSchool #IndependentSchool #UpperSixth #AspireAndAchieve #MedEXE #Career #Inspiring #Pathway #Talk

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Cycling to school is a great way to start the day, and one of our pupils arrived with a very special companion! 🐶🚲

Helmet on and backpack packed, she rode in with a four-legged passenger tucked safely on her back, which brought a smile to everyone's face. Maybe this time the dog really did eat the homework! 😄📚

#ExeterSchool #CycleToSchool #FurryFriend #SmilesAllAround #IndependentSchool #DevonSchools

95 3
Gold for Samantha! 🥇

Huge congratulations to Exeter School gymnast Samantha, who competed at the Southwest Championships on Sunday, held at the Wiltshire School of Gymnastics!

Representing Exeter in the U12 Bronze Classic Challenge Floor event, Samantha went up against 19 gymnasts from across the region, including Bristol, Camborne, Peterborough, Barnstaple, Truro, Wiltshire, Swindon, Axminster and Paignton, and came away with 1st place on Floor! 🎉

A fantastic result reflecting all her hard work and dedication. 👏

#ExeterSchool #IndependentSchools #Gymnast #FirstPlace #SouthWestChampionships #HardWork #Dedication #Congratulations

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Informal String Concert - 20 Nov 2024

Informal Piano Concert - 13 Nov 2024

Iceland trip - Oct 2024

U15 XI hockey vs Mt Kelly - 16 Nov 24

1st XI hockey vs Mt Kelly - 15 Nov 2024

U13A, U13B, U12A, U12B rugby vs Wellington School - 16 Nov 2024

Colour Run - Nov 2024

Exonians in Bath - Nov 2024

Comets Club make fireworks

U1 Farmwise trip 2024

Follow Us

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
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
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
A fascinating set of MedEXE lunchtime talks today from some of our aspiring medics and vets in the Upper Sixth! 🩺🐾

Well done to Beth, Finlay, Marcus and Darina for speaking so well on their chosen topics 👏

#ExeterSchool #IndependentSchool #UpperSixth #AspireAndAchieve #MedEXE #Career #Inspiring #Pathway #Talk
SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING 5 NOVEMBER