Junior Reflections Week 17 January 2025

Dear parents,

Drone Day

Monday morning brought a unique start to the week with Drone Day, an event that kicked off with great excitement. The day was a resounding success, featuring STEM workshops for Lower Two and Upper Two pupils. These workshops were organised by house groups, providing a wonderful opportunity for pupils to collaborate across different classes and year groups.

All pupils, including our younger learners in Form One and Upper One, attended a special assembly showcasing the drones in action. This assembly was a source of inspiration for our younger pupils, sparking excitement for their future opportunities to program drones. During the workshops, pupils successfully programmed drones using the Swift programming language, with up to 11 drones flying simultaneously in the Andrews Hall at various points!

For those who were inspired by the activities, the video games created during the sessions used MakeCode Arcade. Pupils can save and access these games using their school accounts. Additionally, Swift Playgrounds, a free iPad app for programming apps for iPads and iPhones, is now available on all Upper Two pupils’ school iPads.

Careers

Upper Two pupils were also joined by Mr. Stuart MacKintosh, Head of Economics in the senior school, who delivered an engaging talk on future career opportunities, entrepreneurship, and navigating a changing job market. The session sparked a flurry of creative ideas, and we’re excited to see the resulting projects take shape.

Thought provoking talks

On Wednesday, Upper Two enjoyed a fascinating maths talk by Zoe Griffiths from Think Maths. The session explored various mathematical problems, focusing on topology and the Möbius strip, and concluded with a spectacular smoke-ring finale. Comets Club was led by Rev Close where pupils discussed “What’s it like to be a vicar?” The pupils visited the chapel to discover the various duties of a vicar. The group stepped into the roles of a wedding party and learned about the key moments of a ceremony. A big thank you to Rev. Close for leading such an engaging and informative Comets session.

Open morning

We held our first informal open morning of the year where prospective families can see our school in action. As always, our Upper Two guides were outstanding, talking so positively about their school; we sometimes take for granted how lucky we are, here, at Exeter School. Often when writing about all the things the pupils have done I am amazed at how we fit it all in but we do! For me all the little extras are what makes this school so wonderful.

Sports fixtures

The lower school kicked off the fixture season on Thursday with a fantastic mini tournament of netball whilst the boys got stuck in playing hockey against ECS. A fun afternoon of sport which luckily was not stopped by the weather.

Wishing you a dry weekend.

Mrs Saskia van Schalkwyk

Reminder

If you need to make any changes to end-of-day pick-up arrangements or club attendance, please email jsreception@exeterschool.org.uk as the first point of contact. Form tutors may not see these updates promptly due to teaching commitments.

Exonian lecture

Captain Elizabeth Godwin – Life Guards Squadron

Captain Elizabeth Godwin was born in Devon and attended Exeter School from the age of 7 – 15. She graduated from King’s College London, qualifying as a Nurse in 2015. Whilst at university Captain Godwin commissioned into the Reserves and captained the 1st XI Hockey team.

Captain Godwin commissioned from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as the first female officer in the Life Guards, The Household Cavalry, since the regiment formed in 1661. She was also awarded the Sword of Honour as the best cadet in her intake.

Captain Godwin will share her experiences and give a first-hand insight into her career to date. She will explore nationally significant events as well as her day-to-day responsibilities as the leader of Sqn 2iC, which include running the Life Guards squadron of 60 soldiers and 100 Military Working Horses.

Friday 7 February, 6-8pm Exeter School main hall.

Click here to book tickets

Playground people of the week

Reuben S-R U1W

POSTPONED – ESFS pre-prep and junior school parents quiz

Exeter School Family Society’s quiz night for pre-prep and junior school parents, due to be held tonight, has now been postponed.

More information about a new date to follow.

Junior School News

Junior Sport News

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
Do you have an eye for marketing and keeping up with the latest social media trends?

We are hiring a 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁-𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿 to commence in July 2025. Applicants should have proven experience in digital marketing and be proficient in digital analysing platforms and analytical tools.

If you, or someone you know could be a great fit for this role, please visit the link in our bio to find out more. 👆

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We have an exciting opportunity for a part-time events officer to join our school from August 2025. ✨

If you have experience planning and delivering external-facing events and would be keen to find out more, please visit the link in our bio.👆

#jobvacancy #hiringalert #eventsofficer

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See the school in action at our whole school open morning on Tuesday 17 June from 9am.

You will be able to hear from our Head, Ms Simpson, and have the opportunity to visit the junior and/or senior schools.

To find out more information and to register, please visit the link in our bio. 
👆

#whatsonwednesday #exeterschools #schoolofgreatcharacter #openmorning #schoolopenevent #togetherwe

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Roman invaders in the junior school! Form One's much anticipated Roman Day included a visit from Gluteus Maximus to teach them how to be legionaries of the Roman Empire. 🏛️

Pupils learnt how to fight like a Roman soldier and took part in a whole day of themed activities; it will definitely be a day they remember for a long time to come.

#exeterschools #schoolofgreatcharacter #romanday #isca #romansoldier

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Lottie and Thea, in Middle Fifth, have been Exeter School pupils since Form One. 

Take a look at our YouTube channel (link in bio👆) to hear about their involvement in cricket, their recent tour to Sri Lanka as part of the Devon U15s, and their hopes for the future. We can't wait to follow their progress! 🤩

#exeterschools #schoolofgreatcharacter #crickettour @devonwomenofficial #srilanka #devoncricketsrilankatour #devoncricket #girlsinsport

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Junior school drone day 2025

Informal Percussion & Drums Concert - 22 January 2025

Swimming gala vs Exmouth College - 22 January 2025

U14 & U15 Hockey vs King's Bruton - 18 January 2025

1st VII, U15A & U14A Netball vs Mount Kelly - 18 January 2025

Netball tournaments - 11 Jan 2025

Exeter School 1st XI vs Blundell's School 1st XI - 11 January 2025

Young Changemakers Reindeer Run 2024

Open morning - Tuesday 17 June 9-10.45am

Come along to our last open morning of the year and see lessons in action, hear from our staff and take a tour with those who know Exeter School best – our pupil ambassadors.

Click here to register your place