Junior Reflections Week 17 January 2026

Dear parents, 

What a windy and wet week it has been; I have to admit, I am slightly over this weather and am hoping that the sun is going to make an appearance soon… time to book that holiday! Thank you for ensuring that your children have their coats (named) – it really does make it so much easier and also keeps them warm and dry.

Tuesday was a day for ducks and canoes. I was due to visit Hazlegrove Prep School for the termly Head’s meeting but sadly I was unable to make it, so arrived in school later on in the day after navigating the roads and floods. I hope that you were all safe and that you have not experienced any flood damage. Ms Cox led a spooktacular Comets session on Tuesday, where U2 pupils ventured into some of the school’s most frightening corners to craft their own scary verses. Armed with torchlights, they cast eerie shadows and used them as inspiration to create similes and metaphors that transformed familiar objects into something far more mysterious in the dark.

We are having a clamp down on manners and respect this week as well, with quite a few items on the playground sadly being damaged due to misuse. In our assemblies and PSHE sessions, we often talk about manners and how being kind and respectful will get you far in life. They cost nothing, but oh my word, can they have the biggest impact on our school community. I am sure you will join me in reminding your children that being respectful, kind, and listening carefully are qualities that help us all thrive – both in school and beyond. When our pupils show these behaviours, not only does our environment feel happier and safer, but it also allows everyone the chance to learn, play, and enjoy their day without disruption.

Next Friday also sees our Exonian Lecture. We are delighted to welcome Alex Leger, the man behind Blue Peter, who has travelled the world meeting remarkable people, including members of the Kayapo tribe in Brazil. Alex will share stories from his time at Exeter School and explain how these experiences helped set him on a path towards an adventure-filled career. The lecture will take place from 6pm to 8.30pm. If you would like to attend, please complete this form.

Reports will be available on MSP on Monday 2 February at 4pm.

Tomorrow, we are welcoming nearly 100 pupils to school for our assessment day. It is set to be a busy morning, and so fingers crossed the weather holds so the pupils can have some fun out on the playground.

Finally, a reminder that tickets for the Choral Society concert are still on sale here.

Stay dry and warm this weekend 

Mrs Saskia van Schalkwyk

Playground person of the week

Huxley L2C

Henry L2C

Ruby U2E

Amelie U2C

Erin U2T

Parent quiz night

On Friday 27 February, the Family Society will be running a fun quiz night open to parents across the whole Exeter School community. Click the button below for more details on how to sign up.

The Family Society would also like to ask local businesses and individuals to donate gifts/prizes to go towards the raffle, to help make this a really special event. The support is very much appreciated and prizes can be dropped off at the bursary anytime between now and the 26 February.

Register here

Exonian Lecture

Only one week left to get your tickets for our Exonian Lecture. This year, hear from the man behind Blue Peter, Alex Leger, who has travelled the world meeting incredible people – including members of the Kayapo tribe in Brazil. Alex will share stories from his days here at Exeter School and explain how they set him on a path to an adventure-filled career. The lecture will take place on Friday 6 February at 6.00pm – 8.30pm.

Click here for tickets

Choral Society

Rehearsals are well under way, drawing together members from across the broader school community, with pupils, parents, staff and guests all involved.

They will be performing Fauré Requiem, Parry I was Glad and Handel’s Zadok the Priest featuring the Choral Society Chorus and Chamber Choir, supported by a full professional orchestra. The concert also includes our school Symphony Orchestra joining with the professionals for a feature instrumental piece. It promises to be a spectacular event, taking place on Wednesday 11 February.

Click to purchase your tickets

Family Society summer ball

The Family Society will be hosting a summer ball on Friday 5 June at Sandy Park.

“We are offering an early bird discount and tickets are limited, so book now to avoid disappointment!

Hope to see you there!

The Family Society

Book now

EdFest26

Each year, Exeter School hosts an education festival to promote learning and inspiration to all educators. This year’s event will explore the power of inspirational teachers to encourage aspiration in pupils. If you know any education professionals, you may wish to share the link below with them.

Find out more

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
If you're in Years 7-9 and fancy a bit of cooking on today's INSET day, or at least to start planning ahead for Thursday, the European Day of Languages, we have just the competition for you. 

Our Modern Foreign Languages department have some Amazon vouchers up for grabs for entries of cakes or dishes representing a country of your choice. Whether you're keen on a Galette des rois, Tarta de Santiago or a classic panettone, bring your entry to the MFL staff room by lunchtime this Thursday to be in with a chance of winning!

Poster designed by L6 pupil Anna ☺️

#galettedesrois #tartadesantiago #panettone #mfl #modernforeignlanguages #europeandayoflanguages #celebrationoflanguages #europeanculture #cookingcompetition #exeterschools #AmazonVouchers

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Happy National Scone day! How do you eat yours? Keep a keen eye on the video note for our preference although we've sandwiched it together in the visual so as not to offend anyone who opts for alternatives😆

At the end of 'The Butterfly Lion', Michael Morpurgo discovers he's been taking tea with a ghost. We tasked our junior school poets with a little extension project to write a poem about this. Here is the poem from Bella in Upper One (Year 4) which we love. 

#nationalsconeday #poetlaureate #exeterjuniorschool #devonscones #creamtea #devoncreamtea #butterflylion #michaelmorpurgo #nationalsconeday2026

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Like Delilah and Rosalila, Benjy is preparing for the trip of a lifetime following his A Levels and is off to Peru with @projecttrust. Here, we see how hearing from alumni helped him to make the decision about whether volunteering overseas was the right choice for him. Various futures events are run throughout sixth form life and before to prepare pupils for the real world. 

If you'd like to support Benjy raise the £6.5k he needs to get on his way, please go to his Just Giving link in the Linktree in our bio.

@exeterschool_alumni  thank you for the inspiration you give to current pupils.

🎵 Copyrighted music licensed from Lickd. https://lickd.co

High Heaven by Spencer Wilson, Jamie Elder, https://t.lickd.co/l/PXpo3X1PplE

#peru #volunteering #projecttrustperu @felix_in_cambodia #sixthformlife #ALevels #tipsfrompupils #independentschooluk #fundraising #welcomeandserve #educationforall #modernforeignlanguages #coeducationtothrive #realworldready

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Yesterday, we heard from Delilah in U6 who is off to Honduras in January and today is Rosalila in L6's turn. She'll be off to Peru for 8 months the year after next. Following her mother and her brothers' experiences with @projecttrust, she's excited about the experiences it will bring her to prepare for a course in human sciences/geography at uni later. 

We love the opportunities available for pupils out there, encouraging their younger peers to think big about the differences they can make in the world and will be bringing these to you over the coming months. 

Anyone wishing to support Rosalila's fundraising will be able to do so shortly through school newsletters. 

🎵 Copyrighted music licensed from Lickd. https://lickd.co

Gitano Rumbero by Miguel Moreno, https://t.lickd.co/l/7lY6vlBmYKM

@felix_in_cambodia #fundraising #honduras #peru #sixthformlife #ALevels #coeducationtothrive #RealWorldReady #futurepathways #charity #welcomeandserve

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Here is Delilah's story. She's right in the middle of A Level exams and getting in some fundraising for her next adventure.

We have many different pathways being followed when our Upper Sixth leave us to take their next steps into the world so we try to let them experience as many skills as possible for whatever they may do. 

We have a few pupils, following in the footsteps of some of our alumni, going off to various destinations to support @projecttrust. Project Trust's mission is to empower young people to develop their confidence, resilience, and leadership skills through long-term international volunteering experiences. By engaging in cross-cultural exchange, volunteers make a positive impact in host communities and return home as responsible, active global citizens.

We'll be bringing you a few pupils' upcoming trips over the next few days. Support Delilah via her Just Giving page - link in our Linktree in bio above

#futurepathways #projecttrusthonduras #hondurastravel #sixthformlife #ALevels #exeterschools #independentschoolsUK

🎵 Copyrighted music licensed from Lickd. https://lickd.co

Endlessly by Mike Lesirge, Guillaume Jambel, Campbell E Browning, Pablo Love, Edward Swinburne, Melvin E Brown, https://t.lickd.co/l/vlqR934WK9Z

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It's heating up all round but at Exeter School we ensure our pupils are Real-World Ready and take fire safety seriously. 

Our L6 RAF cadets got hands on last week in a fire extinguisher practical. Ensuring they do this safely and keep a level head and themselves safe if faced with the  real thing was all important.

#CadetsInSchools #welcomeandserve #firesafety #coeducationtothrive #exeterschools

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Informal Guitar Concert - 28 Jan 2026

Ireland Trip - Jan 2026

Informal Concert - 14 Jan 2026

Hockey U13A/B vs Blundell's School - 10 Jan 2026

Netball Tournament - Taunton School - Blundell's - 10 Jan 2026

Community Service Christmas Party - 18 Dec 2025