choir in church
Senior Reflections

Senior Reflections Week 13 2023

Dear parents,

My final newsletter of the autumn term is available to read on MSP here.

There is also a letter from the Chair of Governors available here.

We take this opportunity to wish you a very merry Christmas and a safe and healthy start to 2024.

Artist of the moment

The art department regularly recognises the achievements of individual pupils in the senior school through the award of the title, ‘Artist of the Moment’. Entries cover a wide range of disciplines, including drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, installation and mixed media.

Cecily in Fourth Form used the Sketchbook App on her iPad to develop her ideas to create this lovely festive wrapping paper. She has taken inspiration from the striking designs of The Bloomsbury Group, particularly those of Vanessa Bell. Well done Cecily.

 

Senior school sports – Festive Review

It’s a wrap! A total of 102 rugby matches, 58 hockey fixtures, 4 swimming galas, two cross-country events, 10 netball matches, three squash fixtures, a Rugby Tens tournament, national netball competitions, and much more. Well done to everyone involved. To the pupils for their effort and engagement, to the committed staff who have given their time, and to the parents and families who have supported, a big thank you.

It has been a term full of success, with county titles for our U14, U13, and U12 hockey teams, amazing progress, some standout performances for our senior hockey teams, and our first mixed hockey tour to Holland in the October half term. I’m sure everyone who went on the trip would agree that it was hugely enjoyable and a big success. It was also a fantastic rugby season, and we were pleased to be able to field an A&B all the way up to the U15s this season! Once again, the senior teams were in great form, and the 1st XV were a delight to watch when they were in full flow. There were standout seasons for the U15s and U12s. In fact, the U15s haven’t quite finished and will play in the regional final against Beechen Cliff, Bath, for a place in the national plate QF in the new year. For many of our upper-6 athletes, the past two weeks will have seen them play their final matches for the school rugby and hockey teams. Thank you for all the time they have given to their sport and their teammates over the years.

We have also had netball cup runs for the 1st team, U14A, and U13A. We can’t wait for next term and a busy netball schedule. Our footballers have made a fabulous start to the season and will be looking forward to their league campaign in the new year. A very special mention goes to Jess in L6, who became the first ever female pupil to represent the school 1st XI. The cross country teams had tremendous success at the Exeter district and East Devon events, 13 pupils have qualified for the Devon championships in the new year. Our swimming teams have been busy with four friendly galas as well as regional and national events. Six teams competed in the regional heat of school relays in September, with the intermediate boys qualifying for the finals in London. A solid performance by the team placed them 14th in the country in both the medley and freestyle relays.

We have also reported on individual sporting success throughout the term. The following examples highlight the variety of talent on display at the school. Kaleb in L6 won a gold medal at the national kick boxing championships; Nell in L6 was recently named Team Bath U17 captain; Oliver and Nate in L6 have been selected in the starting squad for the Exeter Chiefs U17s after the break; and Anya in L6 and Jenna in L5 were crowned national kite surfing champions earlier in the term.

We can’t wait to start a new sporting calendar year and hear about more success for the school teams and school community. In the meantime, we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a brilliant 2024.

WaterAid Charity Christmas Concert

We are pleased to give you an audio recording along with some of the lovely photographs taken on the night by Mark Lockett.

 

Senior School News

Senior Sport News

Big news! Planning permission has been granted for two brand new outdoor Padel courts at Exeter School! 🎾👟

Work will begin soon, with the courts expected to be ready by early October 2026. Located next to our astro pitches and Pavilion car park, they will provide even more opportunities for pupils to enjoy this fast growing, inclusive sport as part of our sporting and co-curricular programme.

The excitement doesn't stop there, the courts will also be available for community hire during evenings and weekends, helping even more people discover the game.

Miles M., Bursar, said: "We are thrilled to have received planning permission for this exciting development. Padel is an inclusive and rapidly growing sport that brings people together, and these new courts will enhance the sporting experience for our pupils while also creating opportunities for members of the wider community to enjoy the game. We are proud to continue investing in facilities that benefit both the school and the city of Exeter."

We have shared the full story on our News page, so don't forget to take a look! We will also be continuing to share updates and news throughout the summer, so keep an eye on our news stories. 

#ExeterSchool #IndependentSchoolDevon #Padel #Opportunities #FastGrowingSport #SchoolSports #NewFacilities #SeniorSchool #JuniorSchool

...

115 0
Today marks the end of the school year for many schools, and we would like to wish all students, staff and families a wonderful summer break.

To those moving on to exciting new adventures - whether that's a new school, college, university or the next chapter in your journey - we wish you every success and happiness.

Have a fantastic summer, and good luck to all this year's leavers! 🌞📚

...

38 0
Our Upper One pupils recently enjoyed a visit to @pomstitchtassel, where they practised their sewing skills and created these fantastic strawberry cushions! 🍓🧵

It was a wonderful opportunity to learn a new skill, build confidence, and get creative.

We are considering offering a sewing club as an extracurricular activity at school and would love to hear your thoughts.

Would your child be interested in taking part? Let us know in the comments below!

#ExeterSchool #UpperOnePupils #Sewing #GetCreative #IndependentSchools #Devon #Confidence #Friends

...

27 1
A look back at our Lower Sixth kayaking trip to Truro! 🚣‍♀️⛺️

What a fantastic weekend of adventure, teamwork, and the great outdoors! From paddling on the water to camping under the stars, our Lower Sixth students embraced every challenge, built lasting friendships, and created memories to remember. 

#ExeterSchool #IndependentSchool #Devon #Cornwall #Truro #LowerSixth #Kayaking #Camping #BeachLife #Social 

🎵 Copyrighted music licensed from Lickd. https://lickd.co

Rule The World by ricky retro, Scorz, https://t.lickd.co/l/1708owq9zrb

...

63 0
Congratulations to 1st XI captain Josh P who was awarded his cricket colours today at the completion of their final match @exeterschooluk #cricket #colours #commitment #exeterschoolsport

...

181 0
Following a well contested final the U12s were crowned @devoncricket county champions this evening 🏆👏🏻
Well done to everyone in the squad but special to Harry for a fantastic innings of 49 in the team’s fight back. 

@exeterschooluk #countycup #cricket #champions #exeterschoolsport #schoolofgreatcharacter

...

88 0
What a great day of cricket! Well done to the @exschsports U11s who finished as runners up at the Devon U11 hardball competition today. The eight a-side format gives each team the opportunity to play three matches during the day with the winners heading to the west finals! Well done on winning  @stpetersprepschool 

@exeterschooluk @devoncricket @esca_cricket #cricket #teamwork #exeterschoolsport #schoolofgreatcharacter

...

52 1
Congratulations to Jacob and Freddie (both L6) who represented Devon U17’s last Sunday playing against Dorset & Wiltshire. Devon won 50-24. Freddie scored 2 tries and Jacob 1 @exeterschooluk @devonrfu #rugby #exeterschoolsports #schoolofgreatcharacter

...

174 2