Pre-Prep Reflections Week 15 2024
Dear parents,
Our first full week of the new year has been very busy and everyone is settling back into the pace of school life. Year 2 even managed to squeeze in some yoga this morning! While the temperature has dropped, the weather has thankfully been dry, allowing us to spend more time outdoors with the children. Thank you to those parents who were able to join me for coffee on Monday morning. The next coffee morning is pencilled in for Monday 22 April at 8.50am if you would like to join me.
This week
On Tuesday, I was out of school all day to complete my safeguarding refresher training. This is a statutory course that all designated safeguarding leads must undertake every two years and it is always a good opportunity to think afresh about how to develop safeguarding in school. Yesterday, our safeguarding governor Ruth Vigers visited to talk through our annual safeguarding audit and action plan, followed by our school chaplain Rev Close, who popped in to spend some time in lessons. Mrs Van was unable to visit this afternoon as normal, so Mr Wood, Junior School Deputy Head, came in her place to hear Year 2 children read.
Assemblies
This week, my assemblies have focused on kindness. We have started to introduce characters in the form of birds related to our four school virtues: we have the kind kingfisher, the helpful heron, the curious curlew and the teamwork turtledove. Each of these characters has been beautifully illustrated by our very own Mrs Goodwill, who is also a talented artist. We look forward to sharing these with you soon. Yesterday, I read the story of the Rainbow Fish, with its message of kindness, sharing and friendship, while earlier in the week Miss Rose, Assistant Head (Character), revisited our whole school ‘endeavour’ theme in her assembly.
Amazing achievements
Many congratulations to two Year 2 children who have accomplished remarkable achievements recently: Bel completed her tenth full 5km Parkrun just before Christmas and already has a personal best time of 29:30! Meanwhile, Alexander has been awarded three medals in the St Luke’s Swim School winter gala – one silver and two bronze! Well done to them both – we are all so proud of you. We always love to hear about children’s achievements out of school and we are happy to share certificates, medals and awards in Friday’s celebration assembly.
Staff update
I am sad to announce that Mrs Martin will be leaving Exeter Pre-Prep School at the end of the spring term. I know this has been a very difficult decision for her and we will all miss her hugely. Some of you may know that Mrs Martin has had a long commute from the Yeovil area for over a year now, and we are pleased that she has found an exciting new role as curriculum co-ordinator at an independent special school closer to home. I am in the process of recruiting a Reception teacher to cover the summer term with Mrs Dray, and will update you on staffing plans for next academic year in due course.
Next week
Exeter School’s next open morning is taking place on Tuesday if you would like to have a tour. We also have the next meeting of the family society at Exeter School next Wednesday at 5.00pm.
