Pre-Prep Reflections Week 33 June 2025

Dear parents,

It was lovely to see so many people over at Exeter School for the summer fete last Saturday. Despite the torrential rain, there was a great turnout and everyone was in high spirits. The pre-prep sweetie bags were a big hit again and sold out quickly, so well done if you managed to get one. Many thanks to the Family Society for all the hard work that went into planning and running such a successful event.

This week

It has been another busy week with end of year assessments taking place with most children. These enable us to measure the progress children have made across the year, as well as helping to inform teachers’ report writing. On Monday afternoon, I enjoyed watching a Year 2 group swimming lesson over at the pool. The groups change over for the final time next week and I am hoping to go along and see these children swim too. On Tuesday, I spent the day in London for the first ISI team inspectors conference. This was a great opportunity to brush up on my inspector training and to ensure that we are fulfilling all the standards as we prepare for our next visit in 2027!

Safeguarding

Mrs Rickard has now completed her Level 3 safeguarding training with the local authority, which means she can take on the role of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead when Mrs Lawrence-Jones goes on maternity leave. On Wednesday afternoon, I attended this term’s Devon safeguarding forum meeting, where the focus was on Martyn’s Law. This is a new legal requirement for all schools to create, rehearse and inform visitors of a ‘ready for anything’ lockdown procedure, in case of emergencies. I will share more information on this with you before the end of term.

Football clubs

Thank you to Mrs Rickard for covering football clubs this week while Mr Rickard has been away. Please note that there will be no football clubs running next Thursday or Friday. Children are welcome to join Late Room if needed. We have also decided not to run the Reception/Year 1 football club after sports day on Friday 4 July, but STEM club will be running in the hall for those members who would like to attend.

Next week

Mrs Smyth will be in school to teach Reception on Wednesday instead of Mrs Rickard. Ms AJ will not be in school next Friday, so please direct any urgent emails to me, and thanks in advance for bearing with us if we are unable to answer the phone as promptly as usual.

Have a lovely weekend and a very happy Father’s Day to all the dads!

Mr Daniel Ayling

Jazz Supper

On Thursday 3 July at 6.30pm, the main hall will be transformed into an atmospheric jazz club where the audience can enjoy a light meal with wine and the relaxed atmosphere of the end of the school year. The concert will feature Swunk, Jazz Bank 1, Jazz Band 2, Swunkette, and more……

Ticket Prices Adult £12 / Child £8

This price includes a light supper and two drinks – please pre-book your place by Thursday 19 June.

Click here to book your ticket

Upper Two Production – The Wizard of Oz

Upper Two would like to invite you to Oz: a magical and eccentric world full of music where the characters try to find a brain, a heart, some courage, and the way home.

We will meet at 6.15pm for drinks on the Prefects’ Lawn with the play starting at 7pm sharp in the Drama Studio. Please be aware that the doors enter straight into the performance space, so once the play begins they will be shut.

Ticket Prices: Adult £6.50 / Child £3.50

The performances will take place on the following evenings:

U2E – Tuesday 17 June

U2C – Wednesday 18 June

U2T – Thursday 19 June

Click here to book your tickets

Please contact the Box Office if you have any special access requirements (01392) 458934

 

Diary Dates

Tuesday 24 June – Year 2 trip to Paignton Zoo

Thursday 26 June – Year 1 trip to Middlemoor Fire Station

Friday 27 June – Reception trip to Dawlish Warren

Monday 30 June – End of year reports issued

Wednesday 2 July 1.15pm – Transition afternoon

Friday 4 July 1.30pm – Sports Day

Monday 7 July 3pm – Informal parent drop-in afternoon

Tuesday 8 July 2.30pm – Summer showcase

Wednesday 9 July – Term ends at 3.30pm

Please note that there will be no clubs running in the final week of term (7-9 July), with the exception of drama club. Late Room will run every day until 5.30pm as usual.

Term dates for 2024-25 and 2025-26 are available to download from the school website

Spotlight on Year 2

It has been a busy start to the final half term in Year 2. Our mathematics and English work this week has focused on assessing the children’s progress and we are very proud of all they have achieved so far. In science, we have started a new topic on minibeasts and the children have already learnt some interesting facts. Our history focus this half term is on ‘Kings and Queens’ and the children’s enthusiasm for the topic so far has been lovely to see. Last week, in computing, we revisited the ScratchJr app and created programs for a sprite. This week, we have continued to use ScratchJr to create different programs that produce the same outcome. ‘Wacky Windmills’ is our topic in DT for this half term; this week we have learnt about their use and looked at different designs, and we are looking forward to making our own model windmills soon! We cannot quite believe that we are nearing the end of our time together in Year 2, but we are looking forward to lots of fun activities and events over the next few weeks.

Ms Richards, Mrs Goodwill, Mrs Titchin and Mrs Higgins

End of year events

Transition afternoon

On Wednesday 2 July, all children will be moving up to their next classroom to spend the afternoon with their new teachers and teaching assistants. Any new children due to join the school in September are also invited to this event. At the end of the day, parents are welcome to come into the classrooms for an informal ‘meet the teacher’ session, where we will provide some further information about the year ahead. If you are unable to attend, please do not worry; we will ensure the information is sent home to you. Current Year 2 pupils who are going to Exeter School next year will be transported over to the junior school for the afternoon.

Sports Day

Mrs Smyth is planning a whole week of sports events from Monday 30 June, culminating in our annual Sports Day on Friday 4 July. This event is held outside from 1.30-3.30pm and all parents are welcome to attend. There will be no football club after school, but STEM club will run in the hall. Fingers crossed for good weather!

Parent drop-in

On Monday 7 July, we will be holding our final parent drop-in of the year from 3pm. All parents are welcome to come into your child’s classroom and look at a selection of their work from this year. You will then be able to take most of their books and folders home, so please bring a strong carrier bag that can hold heavy items.

Summer showcase and prize giving

On Tuesday 8 July, all children will be taking part in our annual summer showcase in the hall, which parents are invited to attend. This starts at 2.30pm and will include performances from each class, soloists and whole school singing. We will also be presenting every child with a personalised certificate recognising their individual achievements this year, as well as saying farewell to our Year 2 pupils. This event is not to be missed!

Final day of term

On the last day of term, Wednesday 9 July, our drama club leader, Ruth Lawrence, will be running her usual end of year party for all children in the hall. We are also planning to have an outdoor disco in the afternoon, which should be lots of fun!

Please note that there will be no clubs in the final week of term (7-9 July) with the exception of drama club on Monday 7 July. However, Late Room will be running as normal until 5.30pm every evening.

Stars of the week

Nursery

Connie 

For being a helpful heron and a really polite member of our class. Well done!

Mrs Dray

Reception

Hugo

For showing so much enthusiasm at swimming this week. Well done!

Mrs Rickard & Mrs Smyth

Year 1

Ella B

For working so hard with her reading and decoding any unfamiliar words. Well done!

Mrs Lawrence-Jones

Year 2

Ben W

For always trying his best in lessons and not being afraid to challenge himself. Well done!

Ms Richards & Mrs Goodwill

Head's Star

Charlie (Year 2)

For great listening and responding to feedback in his swimming lesson on Monday, which I really enjoyed watching. Well done!

Mr Ayling

House point totals

Bideford (blue): 148

Bridgwater (green): 135

Brixham (yellow): 123

Devonport (red): 106

News

Do you have a story or pupil achievement to share with our community?

If you have a couple of lines of information and a photograph that you and your child are happy to be shared we will try to post these at relevant times through the year.
Email our communications team

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