Junior Reflections Week 36 June 2025

Week 36 - 4 July 2025

Dear parents,

As we approach the end of term, this marks my final newsletter of the academic year. It has truly been a remarkable year, filled with energy, enthusiasm, and a wealth of experiences both inside and outside the classroom. Reading through the end-of-year reports, it’s clear just how much our pupils have accomplished. I really don’t know how they fit it all in, and with a smile as well. Your child’s report will be available to access via MSP on Tuesday 8 July at 9am.

Assemblies

The assemblies this week were feedback to the pupils about items that had been brought to the school council and what action had been taken. This term’s theme was looking at how we can be more sustainable. I had great delight in sharing with the school the plans for our garden area (next to the bursary) which has been carefully designed by our wonderful groundsmen, particularly Simon Lee. The allocated space will be turned into a quiet area with wildflowers and much more. The idea received a unanimous thumbs up from the pupils, so I look forward to sharing pictures next term of the new design.

Transition afternoon and sports news

It was really lovely to welcome so many new pupils to the school on Wednesday for move up afternoon. All our pupils had a great afternoon welcoming new children to their classes and meeting their form tutor for next year. The Upper Twos headed off to senior school for their transition and there were a lot of smiles on their return. Also, on Wednesday, four pupils participated in the national schools’ athletics finals in the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham. The pupils qualified following the Mount Kelly Athletics meet and had the chance to compete against the best athletes in the country. The pupils competed valiantly, and Mr Dutch was extremely proud of you all; well done.

Buddies

Thursday afternoon marked the final buddy event of the school year – a lovely occasion where our Form One children created thoughtful cards for their Upper Two buddies and shared an ice-lolly as a token of gratitude. It’s clear how much the new lower school pupils have valued the support and friendship of their Upper Two buddies, helping them feel welcome and settled in. We’re already looking forward to another year of memorable buddy moments!

Summer BBQ

We had a delicious BBQ today, which all the pupils thoroughly enjoyed, but this year we kept the seagulls hungry with the addition of a falcon and it’s handler visiting us and warding them off. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful catering team, who work tirelessly to ensure exciting, healthy and balanced meals day after day for our pupils. I can’t manage this with my own two children, so to do it for 1000 is simply amazing!

Wishing you all a lovely weekend and I look forward to seeing many of you on Monday afternoon for Speech Day.

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.

Playground people of the week

Elizabeth A F1C

Jacob H U1W

Harry M L2M

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
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

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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

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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

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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

95 3
Gold for Samantha! 🥇

Huge congratulations to Exeter School gymnast Samantha, who competed at the Southwest Championships on Sunday, held at the Wiltshire School of Gymnastics!

Representing Exeter in the U12 Bronze Classic Challenge Floor event, Samantha went up against 19 gymnasts from across the region, including Bristol, Camborne, Peterborough, Barnstaple, Truro, Wiltshire, Swindon, Axminster and Paignton, and came away with 1st place on Floor! 🎉

A fantastic result reflecting all her hard work and dedication. 👏

#ExeterSchool #IndependentSchools #Gymnast #FirstPlace #SouthWestChampionships #HardWork #Dedication #Congratulations

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U13A, U12A & U12B vs Wells Cathedral School - 21 June 2025

U15 girls vs Mt Kelly - 26 June 2025

Junior school sports day - 20 June 2025

Upper Sixth leavers dinner at RAMM - 26 June 2025

M5 & L6 CCF Army Exercise Woodbury Common - Field Day 20 June 2025

M5 CCF RAF Black Rock - Field Day 20 June 2025

Informal concert - 18 June

Young Changemakers End of Programme Celebration - 17 June 2025

U2 production of The Wizard of Oz - June 2025

Form One ESSIS concert - 13 June 2025

Follow Us

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
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
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
SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING 5 NOVEMBER