Junior Reflections Week 35 June 2024
Dear parents,
We are galloping towards the end of term, and I seem to think that I have more weeks than I actually do, so many wonderful things have been happening in and out of the classroom and it is hard to keep up with everything that is going on.
Lower school play
On Monday, I spent an extremely enjoyable evening at the Lower School (senior school) play of Grimms Tales. It was truly captivating and so wonderful to see so many previous junior school pupils continuing to enjoy their love of drama. This really is a huge perk of working in a through school; I get to see them flourish and grow as they continue their educational journey. What a privilege.
Trip to Wild Wood
Wednesday was an off-timetable day with Form One and Upper One off on a trip to Wild Wood. Mrs Hardy was super impressed with their behaviour and a perfect day out was had by all. The pupils saw bears having a swim and a little playfight, played in a magnificent beech hedge maze and had great fun building dens. There were a lot of excitable children passing my office when they came back. The Lower Two pupils headed off to Haven Banks, where there was lots of fun, learning new skills and splashing the teachers! I managed to pop down briefly to see rafts being thrown in the water and children whizzing up the climbing wall and again smiles all round. Upper Two pupils stayed back at school and participated in house cricket, a Euros football tournament and a treasure hunt around the senior school.
Upper One maths games
U1B were thrilled to share their maths games with U1R this morning. U1B have put such a lot of effort into deciding on their game ideas and design, creating the rules and of course writing the maths questions (and answers in a separate booklet!). Pupils played a fabulous variety of games such as, ‘Times Table Blobs’ and the feedback from the pupils was nothing but praise. I am looking forward to sharing the games with my Upper Two maths class next week.
New classes
Pupils will find out their new form teacher and class next week and have time on Thursday afternoon moving up to their new class. As mentioned in a previous newsletter, this process involves a deliberate and thoughtful reshuffling to ensure pupils can interact with different peers within their year group, fostering a well-rounded social experience at Exeter School. Our decisions are based on extensive consultations with all junior school staff, who have valuable insights into pupil friendships and dynamics, to create the most effective learning environments. We know that friendships change as the pupils grow up and meeting new people is so very important, I have reminded ALL the pupils that if they are not in the same class as their best friend, they will be ok, strong friendships stand the test of time!
Holiday reading bingo
Have some fun with our ‘Holiday reading bingo’, which sets a number of fun reading challenges for children to do over the summer holiday. You may also use the following link to find out details of the Summer Reading Challenge run by public libraries across the country every summer – Summer Reading Challenge.
Get your holiday bingo card here
Finally, the sun has shone this week and I have to admit I have had to stop myself from saying it is too hot! The pupils have been great at putting on the sun screen and wearing their hats. As you read this, I will have spent the day with the Upper Two pupilss surfing (not me); what a great way to end the week.
Wishing you all a lovely weekend.
