Pre-Prep Reflections 8 May 2026
Dear parents,
I hope you all enjoyed the extended bank holiday weekend. It feels like we have packed a full week into the past four days! Nursery have been enjoying their new bus role play area; Reception are making super progress with their swimming; Year 1 went on a walk around Exminster as part of their geography learning on the local area; and you can read all about what Year 2 have been up to in the Spotlight article below.
Coats and welly boots
It was a bit of a shock to the system to be back in coats and welly boots this week after some wet weather. A few children were caught out and did not have these items in school. Please could you check that your child has a raincoat and welly boots (of the right size and without holes) in school until the end of the year, just in case!
Assemblies
This week, we have been re-focusing on British Values. Yesterday’s local elections gave us the opportunity to talk more about democracy, and we have also been learning about tolerance and acceptance of those of different faiths and none. Ahead of international nurses’ day next week, I have been sharing the stories of Florence Nightingale, Mary Seacole and Edith Cavell, three famous nurses from history, and many of them were excited to tell us about nurses in their family.
Sponsored Bounce
Huge thanks from me and Mrs Van for all your support with our Sponsored Bounce event. We have now reached the deadline for donations and I am delighted to let you know that the grand total raised for the NSPCC by pre-prep children is £1568.50! This brings Mrs Van’s fundraising total up to well over £5000 – a remarkable achievement, I’m sure you will agree.
Open events
It was good to see some of our parents at Exeter School’s open evening last night. I hope you enjoyed the tours and had a chance to meet Dr Adrian Rainbow, who will be the new Head in September. We will be holding our own open morning for prospective families on Thursday 4 June, although we only have a few spaces remaining in Year 2 for next year! We will also be at the Devon County Show in a couple of weeks. Ruffles and I will be on the Exeter School stand for most of the day on Saturday 23 May (two children under 16 go free with every adult ticket) so please do come along and say hello if you are there.
Independent Association of Prep Schools
In addition to being a kitemark of excellence, our membership of the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) brings a range of benefits, from professional development and valued networks to expert advice and guidance. Today, Mrs Van and I attended a district meeting of IAPS member heads which included training on AI theory and practice. Next week, I will be attending the annual IAPS conference for pre-prep heads in Oxford on Thursday and Friday. Thanks to Mr Lovett and Mrs Rickard who will be coming in on their respective days off to cover my teaching and duties.
Next week
Next week is mental health awareness week and we will be marking this with some special activities, assemblies and lessons throughout the week. I am looking forward to my first meeting with this term’s school council reps on Monday, and Year 2 have a sporty week ahead with cross-country at Blundell’s on Monday afternoon, and an afternoon of cricket at Exeter School with Mr Dutch and Mr Harris on Thursday.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and that the good weather holds up.
