Junior Reflections

Junior Reflections Week 16 2024

Dear parents,

It has been another busy week here in the junior school, where we kicked off the week with our theme of ‘making mistakes’. As always, the pupils were enthusiastic about sharing mistakes that they had made but, more importantly, how they dealt with them after. This is, for me, what builds our character; we all make mistakes, mine probably go into 10,000s, but we keep going and learn from them in order to make us a better person. I shared a few examples of my mistakes, and as I told the children, I could have been there all day. I also shared a short video of a few sports mistakes, which I hope the pupils can reflect on in their everyday lives.Β 

Youth Speaks FinalΒ 

On Wednesday, I was joined by Ms Simpson and Mr Brough as judges for the annual Upper Two Youth Speaks. As ever, the finalists were amazing, and all four groups offered thought-provoking and powerful speeches. It was a truly difficult decision, but congratulations to the winners, George, Angus, Greg, and Alex. Thank you to Ms Cox and Mr Evans for your valuable input in preparing all the Upper Twos for this wonderful event.Β 

Online safetyΒ 

Mrs Morgan has been reminding pupils from Upper School about the importance of staying safe online. The digital world that we live in is continually changing. Some of your children may have their own devices, and it is important that, as a school and parents, we remind them of how to behave, just like we would if they don’t follow the rules or expectations at school. But also, what to do if things go wrong… Please do keep an eye on what your children are up to, keep the lines of communication open, and, as we have told the children, many apps have age limits that are there for a reason: to keep them safe.Β 

Sea turtle talk with Jo EarlamΒ 

Upper One pupils had a visit from local author Jo Earlam this week as part of their geography and art learning. The children enjoyed Jo’s story of β€˜Tuamor the Turtle’ and learnt lots of fascinating facts about sea turtles and plastic pollution. The pupils are looking forward to developing their knowledge on this topic and making their clay sea turtle tiles during their art lessons.Β 

Family societyΒ 

I met with the family society on Wednesday to discuss future events, and there is one I would like to draw your attention to. The family society will be hosting a summer fete on Saturday June 15, so please pop the date in your diaries, and more details will be shared in due course. If you are interested in joining our family society, please send your details to jsreception@exeterschool.org.uk and we will pass them on. The more, the merrier, and events like these can only work with the support of the community.Β 

Coffee morningΒ 

Next Thursday we have our Lower Two and Upper Two coffee morning in the dining hall at 8.25am. I hope you can join us for a croissant, a cup of coffee, and a catch-up.

Have a lovely weekend.Β 

Playground people of the week

Florence F1H

Amelie U1R

Robyn U1R

Arthur L2P

Benjamin L2P

World Book Day

Mark your calendars, everyone! On Thursday, March 7, junior school will immerse in the enchanting world of literature for World Book Day. We are delighted to host author Sam Sedgman, who will conduct engaging workshops for each year group. We invite you to join the festivities by participating in our biennial tradition of dressing up as your favourite book character. We would like you to step into the shoes of any one of your most cherished book characters. Let’s make this World Book Day a memorable celebration of the magic found within the pages of a good book! Happy reading from Mrs Hardy.

U8s & U9s start their season against ECS

In a fantastic start to the 2024 sporting season, our U8 and U9 teams hosted Exeter Cathedral School for their first hockey and netball matches on Thursday. The afternoon was not about competition but about learning the game and developing key skills. The matches were marked by the enthusiasm and sportsmanship of both teams, creating a wonderful spirit of friendly competition. Here’s to a fantastic season ahead, filled with growth, teamwork, and, most importantly, fun for our children.

Swim Squads

Last week over 80 pupils from the junior school trialled for the swim squads- an impressive number which highlights the enthusiasm for swimming at Exeter School. The level of swimming was very impressive and it is clear that pupils have been working hard over the past few months to improve their skills. Th squads began their training this week and we wish them the best of luck for their galas and competitions this term. Well done to all who trialled and congratulations to those who made the squads.

 

Make Β£5 Grow: Upper Two’s Maths Project is launched!

Last week Upper Two pupils attended talks given Mr Mackintosh from the senior school and some Young Enterprise sixth form pupils, to launch this year’s independent maths project. Virgin Money have β€˜loaned’ our pupils Β£5 each which will be paid back at the end of the project. Each pupil will be receiving their Β£5 shortly, with the challenge to β€˜make it grow’.

This week we have been exploring how teamwork impacts the world of business and have started to consider how we can use our strengths, interests and hobbies to generate product ideas, playing close attention to the time of the year and our target market.

Pupils will be working in groups of between three to five pupils within their class, to design, make and sell their products and hopefully make a profit. The profit raised will be split between the school charities as chosen by our school council.Β  Mr Cunningham, Mrs Van and Ms Barnes are busy collecting initial ideas from the groups and are already very excited about what’s to come!

Junior School News

Junior Sport News

Today is Q&A's third birthday! 

Q&A stands for Queer community & Allies, and is a group that provides a weekly safe space for pupils to explore ideas, share experiences, and recommend things to read, watch or listen to, all refracted through an LGBT lens. 

The group was founded in the summer of 2021, when a newly appointed prefect offered to take responsibility for improving Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) across the school. In particular they were keen to begin an LGBTQ+ group for pupils, and asked for staff support. πŸ³οΈβ€πŸŒˆπŸ³οΈβ€βš§οΈ

Today is Q&A`s third birthday!

Q&A stands for Queer community & Allies, and is a group that provides a weekly safe space for pupils to explore ideas, share experiences, and recommend things to read, watch or listen to, all refracted through an LGBT lens.

The group was founded in the summer of 2021, when a newly appointed prefect offered to take responsibility for improving Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) across the school. In particular they were keen to begin an LGBTQ+ group for pupils, and asked for staff support. πŸ³οΈβ€πŸŒˆπŸ³οΈβ€βš§οΈ
...

The 1st XI girls’ hockey team popped along to watch @exeterunihockeyclub against @lborohockeywomens in the @bucssport yesterday. Great experience! πŸ‘πŸ» @exeterschooluk #girlssport #hockey #exeterschoolsport #thisgirlcan

The 1st XI girls’ hockey team popped along to watch @exeterunihockeyclub against @lborohockeywomens in the @bucssport yesterday. Great experience! πŸ‘πŸ» @exeterschooluk #girlssport #hockey #exeterschoolsport #thisgirlcan ...

As part of the junior school celebrations for National Poetry Day, the upper school took part in a Guinness World Records Official Attempt: World’s Largest Poetry Lesson this morning. The children had great fun and enjoyed voting on which lines to include in the poem. 
On Friday, the Form One classes will also be participating in an exciting online workshop with the poet Simon Mole. Everyone is very busy celebrating poetry in the junior school!

#exeterschools #schoolofgreatcharacter #nationalpoetryday #guinnessworldrecord #poetryworkshop #worldslargestpoetrylesson

As part of the junior school celebrations for National Poetry Day, the upper school took part in a Guinness World Records Official Attempt: World’s Largest Poetry Lesson this morning. The children had great fun and enjoyed voting on which lines to include in the poem.
On Friday, the Form One classes will also be participating in an exciting online workshop with the poet Simon Mole. Everyone is very busy celebrating poetry in the junior school!

#exeterschools #schoolofgreatcharacter #nationalpoetryday #guinnessworldrecord #poetryworkshop #worldslargestpoetrylesson
...

Join the head, former teacher Giles Trelawny and the alumni team - a great way to catch up with old friends and meet fellow Exonians who live, work or study in and around Bath. RSVP to our alumni team or send us a DM.

#exoniansinbath #brownsbrasserie #brownsbath #independentschoolsuk #oldexonians #alumnievent

Join the head, former teacher Giles Trelawny and the alumni team - a great way to catch up with old friends and meet fellow Exonians who live, work or study in and around Bath. RSVP to our alumni team or send us a DM.

#exoniansinbath #brownsbrasserie #brownsbath #independentschoolsuk #oldexonians #alumnievent
...

Superb performance from the @exeterschooluk U14s this morning! A great weekend of rugby! @nextgenxv #rugby #exeterschoolsport #team #mates #friendship

Superb performance from the @exeterschooluk U14s this morning! A great weekend of rugby! @nextgenxv #rugby #exeterschoolsport #team #mates #friendship ...

The 1st XI girls’ hockey team popped along to watch @exeterunihockeyclub against @lborohockeywomens in the @bucssport yesterday. Great experience! πŸ‘πŸ» @exeterschooluk #girlssport #hockey #exeterschoolsport #thisgirlcan

The 1st XI girls’ hockey team popped along to watch @exeterunihockeyclub against @lborohockeywomens in the @bucssport yesterday. Great experience! πŸ‘πŸ» @exeterschooluk #girlssport #hockey #exeterschoolsport #thisgirlcan ...

Superb performance from the @exeterschooluk U14s this morning! A great weekend of rugby! @nextgenxv #rugby #exeterschoolsport #team #mates #friendship

Superb performance from the @exeterschooluk U14s this morning! A great weekend of rugby! @nextgenxv #rugby #exeterschoolsport #team #mates #friendship ...

Great morning of rugby πŸ‰ against @westbucklandsport 

Well done to our U17s on their performance! πŸ™ŒπŸ» #exeterschoolsport #rugby #teamwork #endeavour

Great morning of rugby πŸ‰ against @westbucklandsport

Well done to our U17s on their performance! πŸ™ŒπŸ» #exeterschoolsport #rugby #teamwork #endeavour
...

Great to find out more about our talented female footballers and their achievements. Jess (U6) is in the @exetercitywomensfc 1st team squad, Sophie (M5) in the Exeter City U16 JPL, Faith & Anna U14 JPL and Astrid U13 GDC. What brilliant role models, can’t wait to hear more about their footballing achievements! @exeterschooluk #thisgirlcan #exeterschoolsport #girlsfootball #grecians

Great to find out more about our talented female footballers and their achievements. Jess (U6) is in the @exetercitywomensfc 1st team squad, Sophie (M5) in the Exeter City U16 JPL, Faith & Anna U14 JPL and Astrid U13 GDC. What brilliant role models, can’t wait to hear more about their footballing achievements! @exeterschooluk #thisgirlcan #exeterschoolsport #girlsfootball #grecians ...

Equestrian news - Lamorna (U5) recently represented Exeter School at a national showjumping qualifier at Moreton in Dorset, competing against teams and individuals from Millfield, Bryanston, Sidcot, Gillingham to mention but a few. She secured 1st place in the 90cm competition competing against over 50 other riders and a 3rd place in the 80 cm. She has qualified to represent the school at The National School’s Equestrian Championships in the Autumn. @exeterschooluk

Equestrian news - Lamorna (U5) recently represented Exeter School at a national showjumping qualifier at Moreton in Dorset, competing against teams and individuals from Millfield, Bryanston, Sidcot, Gillingham to mention but a few. She secured 1st place in the 90cm competition competing against over 50 other riders and a 3rd place in the 80 cm. She has qualified to represent the school at The National School’s Equestrian Championships in the Autumn. @exeterschooluk ...

Congratulations to 1st XV captain Ollie (U6) who has been invited to the England U18 training camp! πŸ™ŒπŸ» @nextgenxv @exeterschooluk @exeterchiefsacademy #exeterschoolsport #rugby #captain

Congratulations to 1st XV captain Ollie (U6) who has been invited to the England U18 training camp! πŸ™ŒπŸ» @nextgenxv @exeterschooluk @exeterchiefsacademy #exeterschoolsport #rugby #captain ...

Defeat against good opposition but a really promising start to the season and lots to be excited about. Well done to @exschsports 1st VII netball this afternoon. @nextgenxvnetball @exeterschooluk #netball #sistersinsport #schoolsport #thisgirlcan #exeterschoolsport

Defeat against good opposition but a really promising start to the season and lots to be excited about. Well done to @exschsports 1st VII netball this afternoon. @nextgenxvnetball @exeterschooluk #netball #sistersinsport #schoolsport #thisgirlcan #exeterschoolsport ...