Junior Reflections Week 4 October 2025

Dear parents,

What a wonderful week it has been in the junior school. Autumn has arrived, and I do have to admit it is one of my favourite seasons; the sun has made a special appearance all week and the rain has stayed away – until now that is! Our first open morning took place this Saturday and what a busy event it was. Our Upper Two tour guides were on top form as always and I am always reminded of how lucky I am to work in such an amazing educational setting; thank you to all our pupil helpers who made the morning so successful.

Miss Cox led our first assembly of the week, where she spoke to pupils about National Poetry Day, which took place on Thursday, and introduced our upcoming ‘Poetry by Heart’ competition happening next term. Assembly was finished off by our new House Captains announcing the house winners for the three weeks so far; they all spoke brilliantly and well done to Gilbert who are our winners of the merit points so far.

Our Chosen Charities

We’re proud to announce the charities selected by our Form Captains this term are:

  • NSPCC – in support of my rather reckless commitment to run the London Marathon this coming April. If you wish to sponsor me then it would be much appreciated and you can do so by clicking here, but we will also be raising funds through our charity events throughout the year.
  • InFocus – a local charity dedicated to supporting young people with visual impairments.
  • MoorTrees – working to restore native woodland across Devon through community planting and conservation.

We look forward to supporting these wonderful causes together as a school community.

It has been a sporting extravaganza for me this week with a wonderful trip away with the upper school for their Wednesday fixtures at Wellington School for both the boys and girls. The enthusiasm and team work on display was great to watch; it was a lovely afternoon out of the office. Yesterday I caught the first match of the season for the Form One pupils. The excitement was palpable all day and I don’t think I have ever seen them get out to games so quickly. A lot of happy and tired faces, and discussions about the match tea and when the next match is, so a good afternoon all round.

Friday is our grandparents’ afternoon at pre-prep. This is our fifth year of holding this heart-warming event and it’s always very popular. Grandparents are invited to visit classrooms and do a craft activities with the children, followed by tea and cake in the hall. Also, this evening is our Exonian quiz – best of luck to all those quizzing.

What a week, and how fast it is going with half term quickly approaching. The new pupils are all settling in well and it has been lovely to meet and chat to so many of you this week, whether it is on the gate, coffee mornings, playground or fixtures.

Enjoy the weekend.

Mrs Saskia van Schalkwyk

Playground person of the week

Abigail U2C

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
With many of you probably making your way through Easter chocolates, Alec Bourne, sous chef at Exeter School, talks to us here about how important our food choices are when it comes to fuelling our bodies for the activities we're undertaking during the school day. Check out our salad bar when you're back in school to see what you can choose to fuel your minds for the exam period so that you can always be looking to aspire and flourish in your next endeavour. 

#HealthyEating #SchoolDinners #SchoolLunch #WelcomeAndServe #SchoolOfGreatCharacter #sodexouk_ire #EatWithPurpose #FuelWithFlavour 

🎵 Copyrighted music licensed from Lickd. https://lickd.co

Captured In The Moment by Aidan Hogg, https://t.lickd.co/l/PG8vlz5wegl

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🏏Free professional learning event for sport coaches ⚽️

We are delighted to be partnering with Leeds Beckett University to host a Knowledge Exchange Event at Exeter School, bringing together school-based practitioners for a collaborative day focused on long-term athletic development (LTAD) in schools.

This free professional learning event invites PE teachers, sport coaches, athletic development coaches and directors of sport to connect, share practice and explore how schools can create joined-up, sustainable athletic development programmes that support every young person. Across the day, delegates will move from theory into practice through a carefully structured programme of discussion, workshops and practical sessions, designed to support the creation of a shared vision across PE, sport and strength and conditioning. 

Participants will explore how schools can work more collaboratively to strengthen long-term athletic development, while addressing key challenges such as workload balance and the demands placed on both staff and students. The event will also highlight innovative and collaborative approaches to athletic development, encouraging practitioners to share ideas, challenge current practice and develop practical solutions that can be implemented within their own school environments.

For more info and to register, please see the link in our Linktree in our bio.

#sportsdevelopment #professionaldevelopment

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County champions 👏🏻🏆 - well done to our U14 rugby squad who rounded off a brilliant term with a 54-7 win in the county cup final yesterday. 

@devonrfu @exeterschooluk #champions🏆 #countycup #exeterschoolsport #schoolofgreatcharacter

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Lower Two residential 2025

U6 Biology trip to Nettlecombe 2025

Netball vs Churston Ferrers Grammar School - 22 Sept 2025

U2 residential - Ultimate Adventure Centre - June 2025

Lower Fifth inflatables induction fun - 15 September 2025

Rugby boys U13, U12A and 1st XV, Dev XV v Devon Festival - 13 September 2025

Whole School open evening - Thursday 7 May 5.30pm

 

Experience the school in action at our open evening – 5.30pm on Thursday 7 May. This event offers the chance to hear from the Head and have the opportunity to visit both the junior and senior schools. Click here to book your place.