Dear parents,
Welcome back to the new school year! A very warm welcome to all our new children and their families. We are delighted to have new children in all classes with more due to start in the Nursery class over the coming weeks. The children have done amazingly well at getting back into the swing of things and I know they’re looking forward to next week when after-school clubs and swimming will start. It was also great to see so many parents at our Welcome Evening on Tuesday. We hope you found the information useful.
Staff news
Mrs Titchin has now started her maternity leave and we are delighted to have Mrs Lawrence-Jones back after her maternity leave. Our new staff are also settling in well to the school. Mrs Lawford has had a great first week with the Year 2 class who have made her very welcome, and Mrs Howe has been busy making the extended Year 1 classroom look fabulous while learning the ropes as our new deputy head.
Meet Dr Rainbow
Looking ahead to next week, Adrian Rainbow, the new Head of Exeter School, will be coming over to the pre-prep on Monday morning from 8am to meet any parents who would like to drop in and say hello. This is ahead of our first open morning of the year for prospective families on Monday, which starts at 9am. We are currently full in Reception and Year 1, and places are filling up fast in the Nursery. As always, word of mouth is our strongest recommendation, so please do pass the details on to anyone who you think may be interested in having a tour of the school.
Pupil and sibling photographs
On Tuesday next week, we have Pret-a-Portrait Photography in school all morning to take individual and sibling photographs. If you have a child in Nursery who does not attend school on Tuesdays, you are welcome to bring them in for a photograph at around 9.15am if you would like to. Please ensure that your child is looking smart in their school uniform for the photographs, and we will get Years 1 and 2 changed for PE or swimming on this occasion.
School Fete sweetie bags
The Exeter School fete, organised by the Family Society, is fast approaching! For the third year running, we would like to show our support by supplying a sweetie bag stall on the day. Each pre-prep child has been given a white paper bag today. Please could they decorate the bag at home however they wish – they can draw, paint, collage, be as creative as they like – as long as the bag remains intact. We would then like you to fill the decorated bag with wrapped sweets/ confectionery (no nuts or chilled items, please). Please could the bags be returned to school by next Wednesday 17 September at the latest. The best designs will be awarded prizes in assembly next Friday and then all of the sweetie bags will be sold at the fete on Saturday 19 September. I spoke to the children about this in assembly today, so if you’re going shopping this weekend, remember to stock up on sweets! Apologies for the tight turnaround and many thanks in advance for your support.
Heritage Open Day
I’ll also be opening up the school building and grounds this Sunday for Heritage Open Day, England’s largest festival of history and culture. Every September, the festival gives people the chance to visit thousands of historic buildings all over the country that are not normally open to the public, free of charge. Our beautiful converted chapel will be open for self-guided tours from 11am-1pm. There is no need to book. Please share this with any friends or family who might like to visit and learn more about our historic listed building.
Have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to seeing you all again next week.
