Junior Reflections

Junior Reflections Week 21 2024

Dear parents,

I feel like the weather is beginning to turn. I must admit I am a little bit fed up with the rain, and I know that the children certainly prefer outdoor breaks than indoor. Thank you for reminding your children to bring their coats to school, as this means that, where possible, we will try to get them out for some fresh air, whatever the weather.

Assembly

I had seven budding actors helping me in my assembly on Monday, demonstrating through drama the different roles that bullying can take. My helpers reminded the school that often being a bystander and not helping can be seen as just as hurtful as the person who is being unkind. We discussed how important it is to stand up to bullies and how hard it can be if the person being unkind is our friend.

Parents’ evenings and governors’ meetings

This week has been a busy week with parents’ evenings and governors’ meetings. The junior school committee met and started our meeting with a super presentation about our history department led by Mr Evans and Miss Lawrence (pre-prep), and everyone in attendance thoroughly enjoyed looking at the work that the pupils across the school had completed. The Viking longships by Upper One were particularly impressive, as were the Form One diaries.

School Council

I attended School Council on Thursday, and, as always, I did like hearing all about what the pupils are enjoying but also what we can do to make things a little better. We shared some new badges for Good Works, which was a suggestion from Nathan in Lower Two, and I look forward to showing these to the rest of the school, as the school council was very impressed. The smell of cheese and onion pasties wafted through the junior school on Thursday in our Upper Two cookery club, and it was lovely to welcome Benjamin and Zhi, two Lower Fifth pupils, who were volunteering as part of their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh. I think they very much enjoyed returning to the junior school and spending time in their old classroom.

Next week

A couple of reminders for next week; World Book Day is taking place on Thursday, and I know that the pupils are very much looking forward to dressing up as their favourite character, and on Friday I am looking forward to welcoming the Upper One parents to school to watch the anticipated performance of β€˜Viking Rocks’.

Good luck to the girls playing netball tomorrow at Taunton. I look forward to hearing all about it on Monday.

Playground people of the week

Jake U1R

Sandra U1R

Henry U2T

William U2T

Informal Concert

Our final 4pm Informal Concert on Wednesday was an open event, meaning that singers, pianists, pupils accompanying themselves and violinists were all performing. Hugo and Tom played/sang pop numbers by Bruno Mars and Adele, whilst keen composer Amelia performed one of her own songs. Two of our talented Upper One violinists were especially impressive with their excellent intonation and confidence. Anna and Lucia both chose jazzy vocal solos, creating a relaxed mood with Summertime and Love Like You, an ambience that also was conveyed by a sensitive and very moving rendition of Chopin’s Prelude in D Flat (Raindrop) by Spiro. Also performing a piano solo was Ingrid, who played the 3rd movement of the Moonlight Sonata with vigour and technical accomplishment, and was much appreciated by the audience. You can access the audio recording here.

On Wednesday 6 March at 5-6.30pm there is the Twilight Jazz, Rock and Pop Concert in the Music Hall, in which a number of bands will be performing. Entrance is free, and all members of the school community are welcome to attend. The following week is the Choral Society concert in the Exeter Cathedral, featuring the main chorus, Chamber Choir, Vocal Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra, along with our guest orchestra of professional players from across the South West. Tickets are available here.

World Book Day

Mark your calendars, everyone! On Thursday, March 7, Exeter 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. There is anΒ opportunity to order copies of Sam Sedgman’s books in advance at a special discounted rate. Please use the form which can be found here to order, or alternatively, books will be available to buy on the day. 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, Mrs Hardy.

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 ...

Informal Open Concert