Junior Reflections Week 2 September 2024

Week 2 - 13 September 2024

Dear parents,

Welcome back

Our first full week has been a busy one with the pupils beginning to get to grips with the new routines and expectations of the junior school together with all the clubs starting with a bang. The new pupils and staff have settled well and there are a lot of smiley faces around the site.

Coffee mornings

Over the course of this term, I would like to welcome each year group for a coffee, cake and catch up in order that we can welcome the new parents and meet form tutors. The first one will be for our lower school parents (Form One and Upper One) on Monday 23 September from 8:30am – 9:15am in the pavilion. I hope many of you will be able to join me after dropping off your children.

I am out of school for the latter half of next week at the annual Heads IAPS conference. I am looking forward to meeting other heads from our district and from afar and sharing ideas. If you have any urgent queries, please do contact the junior school reception in the first instance who will be able to direct your query/concern to the right member of staff.

Parent representatives

Every year I ask for volunteers to become our school form reps for the academic year. We are looking for one parent from each form. The reps would be in position for one academic year and would have the opportunity to meet with me once a term to discuss school items, and have a coffee and croissant. If you would be interested in volunteering, then please do contact me.

Click here to email

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank last year’s reps for giving up their time; I hope you found it as valuable as I did. Following on from this, the family society met this week to begin to look ahead at organising some wonderful events for our families at Exeter School. I know the pupils will be pleased to hear that the junior school Christmas disco is back in the calendar. If you would like to help in anyway, then please email jsreception@exeterschool.org.uk and we will pass on your details; everyone is welcome.

Introduction to buddies

On Wednesday, our buddies had a delightful introduction session. They exchanged questionnaires filled with interesting facts about themselves and by the end of the gathering everyone was well acquainted. It was heart warming to witness them heading off to playtime together after their discussions, sharing stories about their holidays and hobbies. Throughout the year, the buddies have a variety of fun events to look forward to, including joke sessions, buddy lunches, Christmas craft-making, and much more. The buddy system is so important for not just our new pupils but current ones as well. I know that the children in the senior school still talk about and remember their buddies from their time in the junior school. It is so lovely to see the older pupils helping and guiding our younger ones, with memories already being created.

Mobile phones

Please can I remind you that if you child is bringing a mobile phone to school, this must be handed in to the school office on arrival. It can then be picked up at the end of the school day.

Have a lovely weekend.

Music and Drama Lessons, Timetables and SOCS

We are pleased that the new timetables for around 50 LAMDA and over 500 music lessons are up and running. The individual teacher will have been in touch with parents about lessons over the last week. Looking ahead, lessons for exam pupils (Years 10, 11, 12 and 13) will be at a fixed time each week. All other lessons will be on a rota, although on the same day, and will change each week. The effect of having a one-to-one instrumental lesson, followed up by regular practice at home and participation in ensembles and performances has a dramatic and constructive effect on the pupils’ learning and progress in music, drama and all other subjects in school. This effect is nearly impossible to replicate with such efficiency in whole class lessons.

We are always delighted by how much trust the parent body places in the improvements and changes we make at school. There will be teething problems as we move to this improved system. Please bear with us. These positive changes to the music and drama department lesson timetables have the full support of the academic staff and provide an even better experience for the children. The instrumental and drama teachers will be following these new protocols, and we trust they will have your support in their timetabling decisions this year.

How pupils can get into SOCs

On a browser, go to https://www.socscms.com/login/111/pupil/
Use pupil’s school email address (i.e. john.smith@exeterschool.devon.sch.uk)
Click Activate Account or forgot password if Activate Account is not a given option
Look in school emails and click link to activate account in email from SOCs
Create a SOCS password, and make a note of this.
There are iPads in each music practice room where children can access SOCS as well.

Go back into https://www.socscms.com/login/111/pupil/ and login using email and password.
In timetable, you will see your music and/or LAMDA lesson listed

How parents see their child’s music/LAMDA lessons

Go into My School Portal

Select the relevant child, if you have more than one child at Exeter School

Click the Day planner at the top left of the screen.

Any music/LAMDA lessons entered on the system will be listed/viewed there.

Playground person of the week

With buddy programmes getting started and lots going on to help children settle, we haven’t chosen any specific children this week. We would like to congratulate all children for a great first full week.

Sports updates

With the sun shining today, it was a fabulous afternoon for games. We are looking forward to the junior school fixtures kicking off soon so keep those kits in good order and we’ll be bringing you news of the teams and the results as often as we can.

Exonian Quiz

Our annual Exonian quiz was won by a staff team last year and Mr Al Reynolds has informed us that they will be ready to defend their title! A massive thank you to Giles Trelawny and Helen Sail who are going to be our Quizmasters for the evening. The quiz is open to staff, students, parents and alumni – everyone is welcome so please spread the word. Further information and the booking form can be found here.

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
Congratulations to Alex F (Upper Sixth), who has been awarded a Commendation in the @johnlockeinstitute Global Essay Prize in Economics, one of the world's most prestigious academic essay competitions.

The prize attracts more than 7,000 entries from over 100 countries, with submissions judged by a distinguished panel of senior academics led by the Institute's Chairman of Examiners. A Commendation places Alex's work within approximately the top 10% of entries worldwide.

Alex's essay explored the question: "Should we fear a cashless society?" She undertook extensive independent research, engaging with cutting-edge economic studies on declining cash usage and the growth of digital payment systems. Her essay demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of economic concepts and an impressive ability to evaluate contemporary research and apply it to a highly relevant policy debate.

This international recognition reflects Alex's intellectual curiosity, academic rigour and commitment to learning beyond the classroom. An outstanding accomplishment. Congratulations, Alex!

#ExeterSchool #JohnLockeInstitute #EssayPrize #Economics #SixthForm #AcademicExcellence #Devon #SupportForLifeBeyondSchool #RealWorldReady 

@talkeducation @goodschoolsguide @muddystilettosschools

106 1
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

9 0
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

114 0
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

83 0
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

99 3

Junior School gardening club farewell

Upper Two Residential

Year 1 visit to Clyst St George Fire Station

Junior School Sports Day

AP Swim Clinic

Jazz Supper 2024

Follow Us

Congratulations to Alex F (Upper Sixth), who has been awarded a Commendation in the @johnlockeinstitute Global Essay Prize in Economics, one of the world's most prestigious academic essay competitions.

The prize attracts more than 7,000 entries from over 100 countries, with submissions judged by a distinguished panel of senior academics led by the Institute's Chairman of Examiners. A Commendation places Alex's work within approximately the top 10% of entries worldwide.

Alex's essay explored the question: "Should we fear a cashless society?" She undertook extensive independent research, engaging with cutting-edge economic studies on declining cash usage and the growth of digital payment systems. Her essay demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of economic concepts and an impressive ability to evaluate contemporary research and apply it to a highly relevant policy debate.

This international recognition reflects Alex's intellectual curiosity, academic rigour and commitment to learning beyond the classroom. An outstanding accomplishment. Congratulations, Alex!

#ExeterSchool #JohnLockeInstitute #EssayPrize #Economics #SixthForm #AcademicExcellence #Devon #SupportForLifeBeyondSchool #RealWorldReady 

@talkeducation @goodschoolsguide @muddystilettosschools
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
SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING 5 NOVEMBER