Exeter School was delighted to support Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival this year. Alumnus Tim Pears (1968 - 1974) chatted about time travel with Sarah Perry and pupils attended a workshop by Christopher Wakling. http://www.exeterschool.org.uk/news-and-events/news-archive/autumn-2017/creative-juices-flow-at-budlitfest

Amy Marks (2011 - 2013) returned to School for two and half weeks in the summer term to cover the Gap Student role when Tom Counsell (2009 - 2016), who had undertaken this role since September, went off on his travels to Asia. Amy’s duties including assisting in games lessons, supervising the playground at break times, and undertaking various administrative roles around the School. She said the Upper Two residential was a particular highlight and the pupils and staff were good company and a real credit to the School.

Lower Sixth Former Daniel Wilcock has been selected to be a Lord Lieutenant's cadet. Daniel is the fourth pupil in eleven years to be selected, following in the footsteps of alumnae Sarah Trahair-Williams (1999-2006), Holly Griffin (2005-2012) and Jenny Herring (2010-2017), alongside teachers Mr Donne (1970-1981) and Dr Chapman, who have also been honoured in recognition of their work with the CCF.

Well done to 2017 leavers on their excellent A Level results and to last year's Upper Fifth on their fantastic GCSE results. http://www.exeterschool.org.uk/academic/examination-results

2016 leaver Hannah Francis recently sang in the BBC Proms Youth Choir; she was part of University of Birmingham Voices, who made up about half of the Youth Choir. She performed on the first night of the BBC Proms, with Edward Gardner conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra and London Symphony Chorus as well as the Youth Choir. Hannah sang John Adams’ minimalist piece “Harmonium” EarBox which was broadcast live on TV, and received excellent reviews.

Sixteen pupils from Upper Fifth to Upper Sixth along with Mrs Clark and Mr Boddington enjoyed a brilliant expedition with Operation Wallacea OpWall. They travelled to the Bay of Pigs in Cuba where they researched the biodiversity of coral reefs in the Caribbean and investigated the behaviour of the invasive lionfish species. http://www.exeterschool.org.uk/news-and-events/news-archive/summer-2017/exeter-school-pupils-dive-in

Harry Hart (2011 – 2016) gave an entertaining talk to Crossing House on Friday 8 September on his gap year experience in Ghana via Project Trust. http://www.exeterschool.org.uk/news-and-events/news-archive/autumn-2017/mind-the-gap

Beth Partridge (2006 - 2011) will be performing with professional chamber choir Tenebrae Choir on 15th September at Exeter Cathedral. 'Path of Miracles’ by Joby Talbot was the first major work commissioned by the award-winning professional vocal ensemble in 2005 and was called "an evocative odyssey" by The Times. https://exeter-cathedral.cloudvenue.co.uk/tenebrae

Congratulations to 2016 leavers Rebecca Richardson and Abby Pelling who succeeded in climbing the world’s highest freestanding mountain, Kilimanjaro. Their challenge will raise vital funds for Action Against Hunger UK, a charity which saves the lives of children suffering from the deadliest form of malnutrition. https://nottskili17.everydayhero.com/…/kilimanjaro-trek-2017

We are looking forward to the Buffet and Drinks Reception for 2016 and 2017 leavers at the School Pavilion tomorrow evening from 5 - 7.30pm. If you haven't replied to say you are coming, please email alumnisec@exeterschool.org.uk so we can ensure there is enough food. We appreciate that some of you are returning from travelling so if you just turn up on the night you would still be very welcome!! In case of bad weather, the reception will be held in the Andrews Hall.

Summer 2017 saw the last lifesaving classes taught in the outdoor pool. Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) courses have been run in the outdoor pool for over 50 years, with on average 10-20 pupils per year gaining awards. Until 2013 pupils trained for their Bronze Medallion or a higher award. Many Exonians will fondly remember the 3-minute, 5-length swim and tow, and the challenging rescue incidents that seemed to always take place in cold water with the added bonus of a high wind chill when on the pool side. The Bronze Medallion was replaced five years ago by the Survive and Save programme and since then over 50 Middle fFfth pupils have achieved their Silver Award, which is broadly similar to the Bronze Medallion. The weather of summer 2017 gave the Middle Fifth the usual encounters with wet weather and cold winds but they all passed their award with honours! In recent years, Sixth Form pupils have trained as lifesaving instructors and passed their National Teachers Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches. In 2016 the first National Pool Lifeguard Qualification courses (NPLQ) were run in the outdoor pool to train pupils and staff to be fully qualified lifeguards. From July 2017, lifesaving classes moved to the new indoor pool where, in the comfort of warm water, training can take place throughout the year. Several of the Middle Fifth who achieved their Silver Survive and Save in the outdoor pool in 2016 were among the first to complete the NPLQ as official school life guards in the new pool

Happy first day of school to all our pupils! And wishing everyone a successful academic year!