students pretending to drive a bus
Pre-Prep Reflections

Pre-Prep Reflections Week 29 2024

Dear parents,

At long last, we have been able to enjoy some gorgeous weather, and after a sunny bank holiday weekend as well! It is wonderful to see the blossom on the trees and the children spending more time learning outside. This morning in Nursery we made a bus and went to London! At playtimes, children have been busy making daisy chains, reading books on picnic blankets and checking on all manner of seeds and plants that they have been growing.

Remarkable reading

This week, we have had some staff illness and so I have had the pleasure of hearing quite a few children read in the mornings. It is amazing to see the progress that the Nursery and Reception children are making and how proud they are of their reading skills. I know that junior school Head, Mrs Van, and Bursar, Mr MacEacharn, are equally impressed by the standard of reading and comprehension in Years 1 and 2 after hearing them read regularly. Our thanks go to Mrs Parry, a former parent, who donated a batch of reading books to the school this week that her daughter Amelie, now in Year 4, has grown out of. These will certainly help to continue promoting a love of reading across the school.

Assemblies

On Tuesday, Katie Elliott from Westbank visited with her giant cheque, revealing the grand total raised by our sponsored marathon fun run. She thanked the children for their amazing efforts and talked to them about how the money would be used to help good causes. She also said that it was the largest amount ever raised for the charity. Yesterday, we looked at three nurses from history, ahead of International Nurses’ Day this Sunday. The Year 1 children shared lots of super knowledge about Florence Nightingale, Mary Seacole and Edith Cavell from their history lessons.

Exeter School open evening

It was great to see some of you at the Exeter School open evening last night. Ruffles tagged along with me to the pre-prep stand and there was lots of interest in the school – and the dog! Our next big event will be the Devon County Show, which takes place on 16-18 May. Ruffles and I will be on the Exeter School stand (Stand 26, Avenue A) on Saturday 18 May, so do come along and say hello if you are going to be there.

Welcome Chef Graeme

Today we had a visit from the new catering manager at Exeter School who takes over from Michelle Hendrick (after 42 years in the role!) at half term. Chef Graeme helped serve lunch and then spent time chatting to the children about the food and what changes they might like to see. We look forward to welcoming him back again soon.

Next week

We are holding our final open morning of the year for prospective families on Thursday. This is a ‘school in action’ morning and the children do not need to do anything differently. Hopefully the sun will shine and our visitors will enjoy their tours.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed for more beautiful weather this weekend and, if you are a fan like me, enjoy the Eurovision Song Contest!

Mr Daniel Ayling

Diary Dates

Please note the two amended dates highlighted in bold, which are now confirmed:

Thursday 16 May – Open morning for prospective families

Saturday 18 May – Devon County Show

Thursday 23 May 3.30pm – Drinks reception for Mrs Furniss

Friday 24 May – Staff INSET day (school closed)

Monday 27 to Friday 31 May – Half term

Saturday 15 June 1.00-4.00pm – Family Society summer fayre

Wednesday 26 June – Reception trip to Paignton Zoo

Friday 28 June 1.30-3.30pm – Sports Day *NEW DATE*

Wednesday 3 July – Year 1 fire station trip

Thursday 4 July – Transition afternoon *NEW DATE*

Monday 8 July 3.00pm – Parent drop-in 

Tuesday 9 July 2.30pm – Summer showcase

Wednesday 10 July – Summer term ends at 3.30pm

A list of term dates for the academic year 2024-25 is available on the school website

Spotlight on Reception

The children have been learning about different modes of transport, with a focus this week on buses. Our story of the week has been We Catch The Bus by Katie Abey, and this book has inspired us to create our own types of buses and design different modes of transport. The children loved using the craft area to make their own vehicles with moving wheels using split pins and decorating them with collage and sequins. In their literacy lessons, the children have been thinking about different greetings and have written postcards to Mr Ayling. The class imagined that they went on holiday and included details about their travels in their writing. In mathematics, the children have revisited addition and subtraction and particularly enjoyed creating a bus in the classroom to help them with their addition. We even had some aspiring teachers who had a go at demonstrating how to record the number sentences to the rest of the class. The newest member of our class, Freddy, is settling in really well and the children are making him feel very welcome.

 

Mrs Rickard and Mrs Dray

Stars of the Week

students showing off their star of the week awards

Nursery

Sophie S

For settling into Nursery so well and playing nicely with her friends. Well done!

Miss Adams

Reception

Freddy

For settling into Reception well, joining in with his learning and activities, and for making new friends. Well done!

Mrs Rickard

Year 1

Charlie C

For his wonderfully clear and fluent reading. Well done!

Miss Lawrence

Year 2

Ali

For his super mathematics work on column subtraction. Well done!

Ms Richards & Mrs Goodwill

Head's Star of the Week

Ru (Year 2)

For fantastic improvement in his behaviour this term – we are so proud of you. Well done!

Mr Ayling

Lunchtime Tidiest Table Award

Congratulations to Reception!

News

Nativity dress rehearsal 🌟

Nativity dress rehearsal 🌟 ...

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1st XI Cricket - boys and girls

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