Junior Reflections Week 35 June 2025

Dear parents,

I hope that you enjoyed the wonderful weather at the weekend – it is amazing how the sunshine seems to raise everyone’s spirits. I always begin to feel a mixture of emotions towards the end of the summer term, as I know that for a few, this will be the last week and a half of your time at Exeter School and many of the Upper Twos will prepare to move across to the senior school. Fortunately, there are still lots of things to enjoy and if you are anything like me, I am doing day by day at the moment!

Drama productions

Last week I had the pleasure of the Wizard of Oz production and then, on Wednesday night, I enjoyed a spectacular performance of Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet that was performed by the Lower School (senior school). The two performances were outstanding, and I was so pleased to see so many of my old junior school pupils involved, and I do hope that the current Upper Two pupils take the opportunities on offer next year as I know that Mr Brough and Mr Harknett would love to see them all back on the stage.

Informative learning

Back in January pupils wrote some code in Python that was sent to the International Space Station. It displayed a message to the astronauts and sensed the colour of light on board. They have just received their certificates that show where the ISS was in orbit around the Earth when their code ran on board. Absolutely brilliant. On Tuesday, we welcomed three sixth form pupils to come and talk to our Lower Two pupils about online safety. It was an extremely interesting and informative talk, and our pupils listened well and asked very sensible questions. It is always so beneficial to all pupils when our older community deliver speeches, and this one was no exception.

Governors

On Wednesday I attended two Governors meetings, where we also said farewell to one of our long-standing members of the governing body. Mr Steve Hodder has been on the board for 10 years and his contributions have been invaluable in helping shape the school. It is a privilege to work with our board members, who all give up their time so generously to support and guide the school.

Dr Adrian Rainbow

Yesterday our Chair of Governors, Ms Gillian Hodgetts, announced the appointment of the new Head, Dr Adrian Rainbow, who will be joining the school in the autumn of 2026. The selection of a new Head is the biggest responsibility of the board and it was a pleasure to meet the final candidates when they were in school last week. Dr Rainbow is an experienced school leader and current Head, with much to bring to our school community, and we look forward to getting to know him over the months ahead. I wish him every happiness at Exeter when he takes over after Mr Graham Bone’s period of interregnum, in the coming academic year. The announcement is here if you missed it.

 Click here to read more on Dr Rainbow’s appointment

Still to come

On Thursday morning, I waved the Upper Two pupils off on their residential in North Devon, where they are in for a fun packed couple of days in the water and out. I am heading off there today, to maybe dip my toe in the water, and to enjoy a day of paddle boarding and surfing.

On Monday afternoon, you will receive an email with your child’s new form group for the next academic year. Then, on Wednesday afternoon, pupils will spend time in their new forms, welcoming the many new pupils who will be joining us. We understand that this change may cause a little worry for some, but as I’ve reminded the pupils many times: trust the school—it will be okay. In life, it’s so important that we learn to broaden our friendship groups, meet new people, and embrace change with confidence.

Enjoy the weekend.

Mrs Saskia van Schalkwyk

Upper Two performances of The Wizard of Oz

This week’s performances of The Wizard of Oz can be viewed on Planet eStream below:

Click here to watch U2E’s performance

Click here to watch U2T’s performance

Click here to watch U2C’s performance

New school uniform

From September 2025, we are introducing an exciting new uniform and our new uniform provider is Schoolblazer. The new items are now available to order when parents register below.

Click here to go to Schoolblazer’s website

There is a 20% discount on all blazers until 30 September 2025 and free postage and packaging from 30 June – 13 July.

Chamber Concert

On Tuesday 1 July at 7.30pm, our Summer Chamber Concert, in aid of the Exeter School bursary fund, takes place St. Luke’s Chapel, EX1 2LU.

Ticket prices: Adults £10/ children £5

This includes light refreshments.

Click here to read to book your ticket

Playground people of the week

Elizabeth A F1C

Jacob H U1W

Harry M L2M

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
The sunshine is giving us flashbacks to sports day two weeks ago.   What an awesome effort from everyone in senior school 👏   Head over to Flickr for more photos of the days events!  #sportsday #exeterschools #independentschoolsuk #devonschools #exeterdevon #schoolofgreatcharacter

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Farewell Ms Simpson! Thank you for all that you have done for Exeter School and good luck for your next steps.   #schoolofgreatcharacter

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Too much effort and too many pupils to include in a 90 sec reel but here are some highlights from today's house dance competition. And the winners were Goff!

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U2 production of The Wizard of Oz - June 2025

Form One ESSIS concert - 13 June 2025

U1 Exe Estuary trip - June 2025

L5 canoeing trip on the Wye - June 2025

Summer Fete - 7 June 2025

Alumni anniversary dinner - 7 June 2025