Pre-Prep Reflections Week 36 July 2025

Dear parents,

We have had so much fun this week and the children have coped very well with the changes to their usual routines, and lots of new visitors coming and going. Yesterday, we even had a surprise visit from Mrs Wannell and baby Margot who are both doing well.

Sports Week

Our week of sport has been a great success with children across the school enjoying assemblies from a range of visiting speakers on triathlon, trampolining, marathon running and cycling. They have also been taking part in taster workshops in rugby, golf, dance and cycle safety, and they loved bringing in their bikes and scooters! On Tuesday afternoon, members of our Jiu Jitsu club were awarded their new grading belt in a special assembly, and of course this afternoon we rounded the week off with our Sports Day event. Well done to all the children for their excellent participation and team spirit, and congratulations to the winning house, Bridgwater. None of this excitement would have been possible without Mrs Smyth masterminding the whole week – huge thanks to her and the team for making it such an unforgettable experience for the children.

Transition Afternoon

On Wednesday, the children moved up a class for our transition afternoon. They all enjoyed spending time in their new classrooms with their new teachers and TAs, taking part in fun activities and finding out more about next year. We were also joined by new pupils who are joining the school in September. At the end of the day, parents were invited in for informal ‘meet the teacher’ sessions, where we shared copies of the new parent handbook, class timetables, class lists, staff contact lists, and some key dates for the autumn term (also shown below). If you were unable to attend, this information will have been sent home with your child today or emailed to you. Our new Year 2 teacher, Miss Wheller, will be visiting next Wednesday afternoon and spending time with the current Year 1 children.

Junior School Houses

Apologies for any confusion over the new houses for Year 2 children who are moving to Exeter Junior School. We have now clarified this with them, so the children will remain in the same colour house that they have been in at Exeter Pre-Prep, rather than the house they were given on Wednesday afternoon:

  • Bridgwater becomes Blake (green)
  • Brixham becomes Gilbert (yellow)
  • Bideford becomes Grenville (blue)
  • Devonport becomes Scott (red)

End of year reports

We hope you enjoyed reading your child’s end of year report this week. Thank you for all the kind feedback we have received. If you have not yet returned the pink feedback slip that was enclosed with the report, please could you do so by the end of term.

School Administrator

We are currently advertising for a school administrator to replace Ms AJ, who is sadly leaving us at the end of this term. If you know of anyone who may be interested in the role, please do let them know. Interviews will take place over the summer holidays and I hope to be able to share news of the appointment before we return to school in September.

Next week

The final three days of term are no less action packed than the rest of them! Please see the article below with further details of our last few events, which we hope to see you at. Remember that the final day of term is now a non-uniform day, and that there will be no after school clubs next week, except for Drama Club on Monday. Late Room will be running every evening as usual. We look forward to welcoming Gillian Hodgetts, Chair of Governors, into school on Monday morning.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

Mr Daniel Ayling

New school uniform

From September 2025, we are introducing an exciting new uniform and our new uniform provider is Schoolblazer. The new items are now available to order when parents register below.

Click here to go to Schoolblazer’s website

There is a 20% discount on all blazers until 30 September 2025 and free postage and packaging from 30 June – 13 July.

Diary Dates

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 next week, with the exception of drama club on Monday. Late Room will run every day until 5.30pm as usual.

Provisional dates for Autumn Term 2025

3-5 September – Staff INSET days (school closed)

8 September – Start of term for all pupils

10 September 6pm – Welcome evening for parents

15 September – Individual pupil and sibling photos

18 September – Open morning for prospective families

20 September – Heritage open day

24 September – Flu immunisations

24 September – Phonics & reading parent workshop

27 September – Exeter School open morning

3 October – Grandparents’ afternoon

5 October – Exeter School open morning

16 October – Year 2 taster day at Exeter School

17 October – Harvest assembly for parents

20-31 October – Half term (two weeks)

13 November – Entry to Year 3 parent info meeting

26 November 4-7.30pm – Parents’ evening

11 & 12 December – Nativity performances

15 December 3pm – Informal parent drop-in

18 December – End of term (12 noon)

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

Spotlight on Nursery

We have had a very fun sports week this week! Nursery particularly enjoyed bringing their bikes and scooters into school on Monday and learning all about bike safety. In literacy, our story of the week has been Maisy Goes by Plane. The children enjoyed ‘boarding a plane’ in class and discussing their own experiences of flying to different locations. In mathematics, we have been exploring 2D and 3D shapes. We looked at the similarities and differences between them and tried to create aeroplanes using different shapes. The children have also been busy creating beautiful headbands and learning their songs for the summer showcase next Tuesday. We can’t believe we are nearly at the end of the year! We are so proud of how hard the children have worked this year and wish you all a lovely, relaxing summer break.

Mrs Dray and Miss Mulchrone

End of Year Events

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

The last day of term, Wednesday 9 July, will be a non-uniform day. 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.

End of Year Family Picnic

On the last day of term – next Wednesday – we will be celebrating the end of another great year at Exeter Pre-Prep with our annual picnic. Children, parents and siblings from all years are all very welcome to stay behind on the last day when the school and grounds will be open until 5.30pm.

Please bring your own picnic and drinks. Alcohol is allowed if you’re in the mood! An ice-cream stall has been booked for the event. Parents have also organised a gift from all of the departing Year 2 families that we will present to Mr Ayling.

It has been a fun event in previous years, a lovely way for all the children to say goodbye to each other before the holidays and for the older ones to thank their teachers for their time at the school. We look forward to seeing you from 3.30-5.30pm on Wednesday 9 July.

Ralph Wopshott, Year 2 class rep

Stars of the week

Nursery

Ralph

For always being so kind and making us smile throughout his time in Nursery. Well done! 

Mrs Dray

Reception

Max D  

For a great swimming session this week. He was excellent at going underwater. Well done!

Mrs Rickard & Mrs Smyth

Year 1

Jasper

For having a positive attitude and taking care to produce neat work. Well done!

Mrs Lawrence-Jones

Year 2

Will H

For making amazing progress over the year, and gaining in confidence and maturity. Well done!

Ms Richards & Mrs Goodwill

Head's Star

Agatha (Year 1)

For her beautiful table manners and lovely conversation when she came to have lunch with me in the office this week. Well done!

Mr Ayling

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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Year 2 dance workshop - go boys! 🕺

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