Dear parents,
It has been so lovely to be back at school, for my favourite half term, and welcoming back all the pupils after the two week break. I hope that you all had an enjoyable time, with the weather being rather kind to us as well.
Happy Diwali
My week started with a wonderful assembly given by Krithik, Niyati, Hari, Zara and Ishaan, who shared with the school community how their families celebrated Diwali, the Hindu festival of light. It was wonderful to listen to their accounts and I know the pupils were enthralled by the short video explaining the story behind it. Well done to all the pupils and thank you. Lower school also welcomed, Ms Roy (Ishaan’s Mum), to their assembly on Diwali where she shared how her family celebrate the festival and explained a little more about the story behind Diwali.
Love for reading
Also during Monday’s assembly, we thanked our newly appointed team of librarians and awarded them their gleaming new librarian badges, earned after their half-term of training. This group of pupils exemplifies how Exeter Junior School pupils welcome and serve their community, taking on several shifts a week to issue, return, and organise our book stop, among other creative tasks and the important job of promoting our love for reading.
Comets Club
Comets Club went off with a bang this week with an exciting session in the senior school science department, where they explored the chemistry behind fireworks! Perfectly timed for Guy Fawkes night, the children learnt about the light, pressure and colours of fireworks. Highlights included using the Bunsen burners to make their own sparklers crackle and watching different compounds glow in various hues when burned in the flame. Copper chloride’s blue-green flame was a favourite among the group. A big thank you to Dr. Smale for leading such a fantastic Comets session!
Colourful dress next week
Next week, it is Anti-Bullying week, and this year the theme is ‘Choose Respect’. This year, we want to empower our pupils to not resort to bullying, even when we disagree but to show respect and kindness. Here at Exeter Junior School, we don’t just focus on this issue during a week but throughout the year in assemblies, our purpose and virtues, PSHE and regular day to day school life. To raise awareness, we are asking all pupils (and staff) to wear odd socks on Tuesday to celebrate the importance of being different and to ‘Choose Respect’. We will also be having a non-school uniform day next Friday in support of Children in Need, where we are ask for a voluntary donation of £2 with all proceeds going to this very worthwhile charity.
Remembrance service
On Monday, the whole school will be participating in our Remembrance service that will take place outside. Please can I kindly ask that all pupils come to school wearing their school coats (with a poppy attached if possible) as this event will be taking place rain or shine.
I hope that you all enjoy the weekend.
