students in class
Junior Reflections

Junior Reflections Week 18 2024

Dear parents,

Graham Keene visit

February has arrived, as have the first lot of daffodils in my office. A lovely feeling of Spring is nearly here. I joined the Upper Two pupils first thing on Monday morning to listen to our very own local mountaineer, Graham Keene. The pupils were mesmerised by his account of climbing the seven highest mountains in each of the continents, and he encouraged the pupils to follow their dreams – anything is possible.

Future-ready learning

Mrs Morgan and I visited Wells Cathedral School on Tuesday as part of the District 4 heads termly meeting and a chance for our digital leads to meet up. The discussion topic was “Future-ready learning”, and we had a very interesting and informative presentation from Lex Lang on the integration of AI in education. It certainly gave us a lot to think about, not just as a teacher but also as a parent.

Comets club

This week, comets club headed to the senior school for “Combinatorics – The Art of Clever Counting”. Mr Bowler introduced compositions to the group, where the pupils were asked to break down whole numbers. The Upper Two children were brilliant at identifying patterns, and they got to see how creative mathematics can be! A huge thank you to Mr Bowler for inspiring our pupils.

Informal Brass Concert

I attended the Informal Brass Concert, and what a treat I had. I was blown away, excuse the pun, by the talent, and a special mention goes to our very own Nathaniel in Lower Two, who performed the James Bond theme tune on the French horn. It was a brilliant performance. I do enjoy the Informal Concerts, and it is lovely to see many of our old junior school pupils play as well.

Junior school council

On Thursday morning, the junior school council welcomed three of our senior school council members, Alex, Jasmine, and Tom, to our half term meeting. They talked about their roles and the brilliant changes they have helped to influence before taking questions from the pupils, such as changes to school uniforms and school lunches. Alex, Jasmine, and Tom shared words of wisdom and encouragement as well as fond memories of their time in the junior school before hearing feedback from each class on what has been enjoyed, what was not quite so good, any worries, and finally, suggestions for the school council to discuss at future meetings.

Coffee morning

It was lovely to see many of the lower school parents at our coffee morning on Wednesday; as always, it was a great start to my day and great to catch up. This evening sees our annual junior school quiz, which I am very much looking forward to, and tomorrow I will be welcoming many new families and their children to our assessment day.

I hope that you all have a lovely weekend, and I am sure I will see many of you this evening.

Playground people of the week

Archie F1C

LysanderΒ  U2T

George U2E

U11 Hockey – Devon Finals

The U11 boys hockey team travelled to Blundell’s on Wednesday for the Devon Hockey Tournament. They displayed some fantastic skills and scored some great goals during the tournament. Exeter School progressed through the group stages in top place and came up against West Buckland School in the semi-final, where the game went to penalty shuffles. Exeter School narrowly lost the shoot out and West Buckland School progressed to the final. Well done to all the pupils involved!

Informal Brass Concert

15 players from across the school took to the Music Hall stage on Wednesday in the Informal Brass Concert. Featuring nine trumpeters, three trombonists, a euphoniumist, a hornist and a tubist, and ranging in age from Nathaniel in Lower Two to Oscar in Upper Sixth, the event offered huge variety in the instrumental disciplines on show and the experience of the players. The choices of piece also offered something for every musical taste, with movements from concertos by Hummel and Haydn, pop favourite Angels, film/stage classics including Raiders March, the James Bond theme and Castle on a Cloud through to jazzy numbers such as Chattanooga Choo-Choo and Funk. You can access the audio recording here.

The next Informal Concert event will feature the guitarists, and is taking place on Wednesday 7 February at 4pm in the Music Hall. Parents, pupils, staff and families and all welcome to attend.

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 ...

U11 & U10 vs WB Hockey

Informal Brass Concert