The Exonian – 2024

The Exeter School Magazine

Intergenerational project 60 The Exonian Recommends... Films to Watch Before You Die

Young Enterpreneurs

WELCOME

One of the genuine perks of this job is having the chance to celebrate the incredible work and achievements of our pupils, especially those who sometimes go under the radar, and with the Exeter School umbrella now including the three year olds at the Exeter PrePrep School, the editorial team’s hope is that you enjoy a sample from across quite a considerable age range! Interaction across year groups is never more clear than if you take a minute to observe the… enthusiastic competition that takes place daily on the Freddie Porter-Goff table tennis table in the senior school: a fitting tribute to a wonderful pupil, who just wanted to make others happy. We hope that some of our articles here make you happy, too.

Ed Seaton-Burn Editor

The Exeter School Magazine

Cecily

Charlie

Angus

Emmie

Anya

Felicity

Oliver

Ptolemy

Leala

Rhianna

Tom Will Felix Milly Rowan

Jasmine

FEATURES

Progress Race Towards Tucking into the Answers about the

by CECILY

In the current political climate it is understandable that young people feel disenchanted with politics and current affairs. However, I felt it was important to engage the school in politics at a local level, inviting Steve Race (the Labour candidate for Exeter) and Tessa Tucker (the Conservative candidate) in to give some talks and answer the pupils' burning questions.

Mr Race explained how he entered into politics; becoming interested as a young boy in all that was going on around him, and wanting to make a difference in his community. After working in pharmaceuticals for much of his career, he is passionate about the development of the industry. Furthermore, he displayed a clear commitment to the environment and climate action, something that many pupils feel passionate about. Mr Race developed this further, addressing the serious traffic congestion issues in Exeter, talking about the importance of reduced traffic zones in the city. Although Mr Race’s obvious commitment to Exeter and the community was reassuring, the wider perspective on the government and the international stage was really insightful for us as young people. Hearing him talk in such an informed way was invaluable, especially as a politics pupil.

The party politics became somewhat indifferent to the talk as everyone was simply questioning and debating the issues raised, which ultimately gave me the impression that our pupils

are politically engaged. We had a wide variety of questions: some were incredibly topical such as the wars in Gaza and Ukraine and the NHS junior doctors’ strikes. Some questions were more focused on education such as whether private schools should be abolished, and a few pupils questioned the use of AI. The questions that were asked felt incredibly relevant and I could sense the curiosity in all the pupils. It is understandable that we are so interested in the political climate right now, as, at the time of writing, the 2024 General Election is looming, and many sixth formers will be utilising their right to vote.

The conservative candidate for Exeter, Tessa Tucker, also joined us, holding a thought-provoking talk and answering complex questions from a multitude of pupils from Third Form to Upper Sixth, all raising pertinent

issues. The farming community in Devon was a concern for many pupils who feel it is increasingly important to preserve farming as an industry; the responses given provided an alternative view which prompted further discussion. Gender identity and women's safety was also an important part of Tucker’s campaign where it was clear Tucker was passionate to push greater protection of women's rights. Tucker was finally grilled regarding her view on the Rwanda Bill which was especially relevant given the issue had been debated in the House of Lords the very same day.

This year we have been lucky to host so many influential figures representing their respective parties and, given the tense political climate we are currently in, the importance of political engagement is paramount, and both Race and Tucker commented on their surprise when confronted with the knowledge and enthusiastic engagement of our pupils. It was inspiring to see pupils of all ages contributing with relevant questions.

We are very grateful for both Steve Race and Tessa Tucker for coming in and sparking such evocative debate and discussion, and allowing more young people to engage in politics. Listening to our pupils ask topical questions so passionately forces us to question the narrative that young people are disengaged with politics. I would argue we are more engaged than ever in a time of such political turbulence; our pupils show incredibly optimistic attitudes towards the political process.

Our pupils grill Exeter's 2024 General Election candidates on the current state of UK’s politics.

STEVE RACE

The of the is in our

Future UK

Hands

We asked members of our sixth form to write from the perspectives of the leaders of the four key political parties ahead of the UK general election.

by CECILY and ANYA

Conservatives: Rishi Sunak

We live in one of the leading democracies in the world, and with that title comes responsibility. To vote is a right we have gained in this country, and thus we each have a responsibility to do, not only what is best for ourselves, but for our nation as a whole. Inevitably, we will have differing views from one person to the next regarding what can be done to optimise the potential of this country.

Our political opinions are a controversial topic to discuss in this modern day, and once you announce what yours may be, someone else will always disagree with you. However, this is a

vital part of our democracy and whilst it can appear as though we are a broken country, divided in our views, it’s what ensures that we exist in a healthy democratic system. Debates and disagreements are key: to tell everyone they must vote the same would be undemocratic and would undermine the entirety of the power that it holds. Understanding and taking in other perspectives is essential to forming one for yourself.

In 2010 the Conservatives came to power with an economy weaker than their predecessors, indeed weakened by their predecessors, and with a record in public services that flattered to deceive. It is important to recognise that Conservative governments since 2010, like other western countries, have dealt with significant challenges. These include: the enduring

effects of the 2008 financial crisis, heightened polarisation in public discourse fueled by social media, the unprecedented global pandemic, the most severe conflict in Europe since World War II, and the resurgence of inflation amid a decline in globalisation. There has been success in cutting crime, which is down by 56% since 2010 and 10% since last year. 20,000 new police officers are protecting citizens and ensuring that people feel safe.

The Conservative Party have numerous accomplishments to be proud of over the past 14 years, and we can anticipate further progress under my guidance in the years to come. Thanks to my tough decisions, we are making strides in reducing inflation, decreasing the deficit, curbing illegal migration, and significantly increasing the number of apprenticeships. If this is working, why go back to square one with another party?

Labour: Keir Starmer

In the past, many Conservative voters would have looked at the Tories as a safe choice, as a party who claimed they knew what they were doing with the economy. However, after 14 years of chaos, stagnant economic growth and falling standards of living, it is time for change. A Labour government would remove the blatant loopholes in the tax system, allowing the super-rich to get off without paying a penny while retaining the incentive to work. The environment is also a cornerstone of Labour’s policy, as Labour proposes to make the UK a powerhouse in the green energy market, not backing down on the UK’s net zero commitment.

Furthermore, the Tories argue they bring stability, that this is not the time for such a fundamental change. However, prosperity requires change, and Labour can bring change. We will build 300,000 houses which is 100,000 more than is being built right now. Tackling this housing crisis with decisive action is exactly the kind of policy that will target younger people eager to start their adult lives. Additionally investing in business which has been conspicuously low since the Tories came into power, and further investing in the UK’s tech and transport industries will help reduce regional inequality and dependence on London. Deepening the devolution settlement would allow for more local autonomy, money and power to invest in what matters to local communities. Our plan to clean up our streets and increasing the number of policemen on the streets would directly give our people confidence in safety and security. Safety creates optimism and will help solve issues such as violence against women and antisocial behaviour. Ultimately our party is a party representing change and action. Growth will be guaranteed, investment in infrastructure and services will be used effectively with working people in the forefront of our minds.

Green Party: Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay

Most party manifestos focus on small changes in taxation, minor expenditures on public services, and cracking down on criminals. The effects of these things may fluctuate, come and go over the years; climate change will not come and go, climate

change will not fluctuate. At the heart of the Green Party’s priorities is preventing the existential threat of climate change. This prevention is not only a must in terms of the long-term future of humanity but also for our short-term objectives. Rising sea levels and rocketing temperatures would wipe out many industries. These changes are irreversible and imminent unless we act now.

The Green party would revolutionise the public transport system, allowing people to travel cheaply and sustainably on new trains, buses and cycleways and overhaul the current tax system making the wealthy pay their fair share. On top of this, the Green Party would hold a referendum on whether the UK should rejoin the EU as people were unaware of what they were voting for in 2016. Although voting Green may not result in us achieving a majority, it is a stepping stone for change; every seat won is a message to the government that people want environmental change and gives representation in parliament from people with the future interest of the planet at heart.

Liberal Democrats: Ed Davey

Avote for the Liberal Democrats will give you a government who champions your rights, and fights for fair politics.

The party’s main pledges include: high quality healthcare giving everyone the right to see a GP within seven days, or within 24 hours if they urgently need to, with 8,000 more GPs to deliver it; good schools which create opportunities for all children, increasing school and college funding per pupil above the rate of inflation every year, and ending the scandal of crumbling school and college buildings by investing in new buildings and clearing the backlog of repairs. Safe housing which is affordable for everyone: increasing the development of new homes to 380,000 a year across the UK, including 150,000 social homes a year, through new garden cities and community-led development of cities and towns.

Furthermore, our stance on the environment is nonnegotiable; we have to achieve net zero. We will invest in renewable power so that 90% of the UK’s electricity is generated from renewables by 2030; we will appoint a chief secretary for sustainability in the Treasury to ensure that the economy is sustainable; resource-efficient and zero-carbon; establish a new Net Zero Delivery Authority to coordinate action across government departments, and hand more powers and resources to local councils for local net zero strategies.

The Liberal Democrat’s fair deal gives everyone the power to make the most of their potential and the freedom to live their lives how they want. After a Conservative government who have abused their position of power, being involved in scandal after scandal, the UK needs a government who respects them, and respects democracy with basic human rights and freedoms at the forefront of our decisions. Our goal is to create a more optimistic, fair and equal nation.

After 14 years of desperation we need a stable government which prioritises the people of the UK above party politics, and gives everyone opportunities to flourish.

Antiquity Antics in

Delving into impressive stories of the past

by FELIX

Throughout the years, the school has amassed a veritable honour roll of ex-pupils who have gone on to write their own pages in the annals of history. For centuries, Exonians have marched out of these hallowed halls and planted their flags firmly in every aspect of life that characterises human existence. Within this article, we explore three of these individuals, scattered across time, with jobs ranging from pirates to 1960s actors. This article uncovers some of their lives, and hopes to give you a greater understanding of our school’s history.

To kick things off, we’re going to go against logic, and start with the most recent Exonian, and work our way backwards, the direct opposite order that they left school (just don’t tell Mr Seaton-Burn, or we’ll lose our cake privileges).

The first of our examples of the school to grace these pages is Elizabeth Godwin, who graduated only a decade or so ago. After leaving Exeter School, Godwin went directly into the military, like her grandfather before her, and joined The Life Guards, an elitist fighting force that serves to protect the Royal Family, in 2020. She was the very first female officer within this esteemed regiment, a monumental achievement. She has been stationed in Gibraltar as well as in Devon, and throughout

the Southwest. When Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022, she rode as part of the state funeral escort, and nine months later was part of the now-King Charles’ honour guard on his way to Westminster to be crowned. Her latest endeavour was to escort Anne, the Princess Royal, to Germany, leading 47 soldiers

and 33 horses in escort. During this visit, she orchestrated the regiment’s musical ride, which is a series of cavalry drills set to music, and led it in front of a crowd of 40,000 spectators, the Princess Royal among them. Her many achievements are certainly prestigious, and the respect they garner is nothing if not deserved. She is also the only Exonian on this list that is, at the time of writing, alive, and she is still serving proudly in The Life Guards.

Next up on our list, we travel back to the very start of the 20th century, to the distant year of 1907. Early in that year, a man named George Woodbridge was born in an unassuming village in rural Devon. Despite these humble beginnings, Woodbridge would soon find himself rubbing shoulders with the greats. After leaving Exeter School, he pursued a career in acting, and swiftly found himself upon the silver screen alongside the likes of Brendan Fraser, Sir Ian McKellan and Sir Christopher Lee. He was often playing supporting roles, appearing in An Inspector Calls and The Mummy. As he got older, he started to appear less in blockbuster films, and eventually moved into children’s TV, after having roles in a total of 79 movies. He quickly adapted to this very different medium of entertainment, and became the titular puppeteer on the children’s TV show Inigo Pipkin. Sadly, he died soon after filming for the second season started, on the 31st of March, 1973, at the age of 66. His legacy lived on in the show, which continued for another seven years, under the new title of Pipkins.

top: Captain Elizabeth Godwin in the Captain of the King’s Life Guard flat at Horse Guards

desert

The last Old Exonian is far and away the oldest on this list, and had less than an orthodox career — a man by the name of Richard Parker. Here he is, the one promised at the start of the article, our very own Exeter School pirate. Born on the 16th of April 1767, he would join up with the Royal Navy in 1782, and served until 1793, whereupon he was discharged for insubordination. However, he was soon recalled, with a payment of £20 (about £1800 today). He was assigned to the terrifying HMS Sandwich (yes, that’s its real name), which was stationed at the Nore naval base, on the Exe estuary. In May 1797, a mutiny broke out at the naval base, with Parker quickly arising as a figurehead. He personally led a violent boarding of HMS Hound as it arrived to attempt to put down the mutiny, resulting in the whole crew surrendering to Parker and his men. Following this success, Parker and his fleet proceeded to blockade the Thames river, looting on the way, and even managed to seize a naval

fortress. In late June, with a large bounty of £500 (£60,000 today) on his head, Parker was captured, tried, and sentenced for treason

and piracy. He was executed on board the Sandwich on the 30th June. Despite only being 30 years old when he died, he had had many careers—a seaman twice, a pirate once, and, posthumously, has inspired many characters in fiction books, songs, and even a BBC show, played by Brian Cox (the actor, not the physicist). He also achieved the by no means small feat of upsetting the British government and significantly disrupting the Navy. It just goes to show that you really can do anything with a good education. And that, as they say in showbiz, is all, folks. We’re rapidly running out of space, and your tea isn’t getting any warmer. Hopefully these three paragons of school history have inspired you to take a leaf out of their books (well, maybe not if it means becoming a pirate…) and strive for a coveted place in the Hall of Fame of our school. Who knows, maybe in a decade or two, someone else will be writing a strikingly similar article to this one about your own escapades!

Exeter Daily, British Army, Champion of the Quarterdeck by Ian Bates, London Metropolitan Archives, The Everlasting Circle by Heinemann, The Men They Couldn’t Hang, George Woodbridge – Biography, Movie Highlights and Photos by Allmovie, Wikipedia, “Stryker of the Yard”, “George Woodbridge” by CBS Interactive

George Woodbridge

Richard Parker bounty poster

Butterfield

The Radical Architect: William of the Gothic

by ROWAN and TOM

and the Revival

The year is 1878. Exeter Grammar School, formerly situated in the medieval buildings of St. John’s Hospital on Exeter High Street, opens a new twenty-five acre campus on Victoria Park Road: gleaming red-brick edifices adorned with stone bands and black-brick patterns rise from the previously empty field. A distinctive colour and unusual high gothic motifs uniquely characterise the school among the drab, Victorian residences surrounding the site, with the ‘Butterfield Hall’ being the site’s crown jewel. The architect? None other than William Butterfield, a radically divergent thinker famous for spearheading the gothic revival of the nineteenth century.

‘The building embodies the forward-thinking spirit that has propelled the school forward for centuriesʼ

Born during the Napoleonic Wars, Butterfield was one of nine children brought up in central London by his father William and mother Ann. Influenced by a strict religious childhood, he was initially drawn to chapels and churches: at twenty-six, Butterfield established his own architectural practice, designing churches and cathedrals in Kent, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire. The year 1850 was a watershed moment in the young architect’s career; his design of All-Saints Church in London’s Margaret Street commenced the high Victorian gothic era with a striking blend of deep red-brick facade and a richly marbled interior. The use of red brick was remarkably unorthodox amid the typical darker style of the Victorian period, and this characteristic of Butterfield’s work is instantly recognisable in his subsequent architecture, such as our very own Butterfield Hall.

Across the rolling English countryside, some one hundred and twenty miles northeast of Exeter, another prestigious institution boasts a striking resemblance to Exeter's grand new buildings. Keble College, nestled within the prestigious grounds of Oxford University, unveiled its own red-bricked gothic masterpiece just a decade prior, in 1870. Like our own Butterfield Hall, Keble College stands as a testament to William Butterfield's innovative spirit and mastery of the high Victorian gothic style. Both structures distinctly share the architect's signature blend of deep red-brick, punctuated by contrasting bands of stone and black-brick. Keen observers might even detect echoes of Butterfield's love for intricate window tracery and decorative stonework adorning doorways and buttresses, creating a sense of harmonious unity between the two buildings.

While separated by distance, Butterfield Hall and Keble College stand as architectural siblings, forever linked by the visionary hand of their shared creator.

Exeter School's Butterfield Hall serves as a permanent reminder of the school's commitment to both tradition and innovation. The building embodies the forward-thinking spirit that has propelled the school forward for centuries, while simultaneously echoing the architectural legacy of a true Victorian visionary.

below: William Butterfield by Jane Fortescue Seymour 1874

top: the Butterfield Hall middle and above: the interior of the Butterfield Hall

FEATURES

Devon Delights Nature Walks

by RHIANNA

Effects of the pandemic left us all with an amplified appreciation for nature and green spaces. The lockdowns and travel restrictions impacted transport systems across the UK and as cities and towns saw a reduction in car use as well as public transport, active travel increased significantly. Not only does this help the environment but our wellbeing as well.

Here at Exeter School, we are based in a small city with many green spaces and parks, as well as being surrounded by beautiful Devon countryside. The hilly landscapes, coastal cliffs and sandy shores all result in perfect walking conditions – granted the rare occasion of good weather! Additionally, the largest open space in Southern England exists as the scenic landscape known as Dartmoor, which lends itself to plenty of opportunities for some hikes. Devon’s versatile countryside allows for walks with something ideal for everyone; whether that’s

a challenging trek across the hills or a coastal stroll with unbeatable views, a well-earned reward with a drink at the pub or an ice cream on a hot sunny day. There is also the river Exe that runs through the city, allowing for an idyllic spot to relax. According to the NHS, walking is often overlooked as a form of exercise, however it’s effective in building stamina, burning calories and making your heart healthier. They also suggest listening to music, which can create a rhythm for you to walk to and take your mind off the effort. Alternatively, a stroll with your friends or family will further boost your serotonin levels and can act as a break from school or work.

THE EXETER GREEN CIRCLE

The Exeter Green Circle is a twelve mile walk within the boundaries of Exeter with something for everyone, including the city and countryside stretches. It features parks, rivers and hills around Exeter, but it also crosses some main roads, so make sure to be careful! It is made up of five sections: the Alphin brook walk, the Hoopern Valley walk, the Ludwell Valley walk, the Mincinglake walk and the Redhills walk. This allows people to walk the entire route or split it up and there is easy accessibility through the bus service, which you can take out to the beginning and come back on once you’ve finished. A map of the entire route is displayed opposite.

left: The Double Locks Inn

Furthermore, if you’re ever feeling tired, studies show that going for a walk is more beneficial to energy levels as opposed to grabbing a coffee because it increases hormones that help elevate your energy.

After asking some of the pupils and teachers at Exeter School, we have come up with a list of highly recommended walks within Exeter and the surrounding areas. Mrs Sail, an avid rambler and geography teacher at Exeter School, recommends an online map service; Digimap For Schools: a very useful website that can be used to discover and measure routes to walk. There is also the Exeter Ramblers, a charity and communal group, where one can become a member or simply book a place to join their walks that range across Devon. You can easily contact them or book a place through their website.

THE MINCINGLAKE WALK

The Mincinglake walk, which is just over two miles and another section of the Exeter Green Circle, traces the course of Mincinglake stream from its origin in the expansive farmlands to the north of Sylvania Park, continuing onward to the historic village of Whipton. Along the way, it passes through Mincinglake Valley Park,

previously a landfill area but now transformed into a picturesque countryside park adorned with meadows teeming with butterflies. Near the route within the valley park, there are excellent vantage points offering extraordinary views of the Exe estuary stretching out to the sea.

THE DOUBLE LOCKS WALK

The traditional, dog-friendly, country pub Double Locks provides two great routes. Firstly, a shorter 1 ½ mile trek from the canal basin around Exeter Quay to the pub, featuring the Exeter Ship Canal and the Paper Mill in Countess Wear. The other walk is slightly longer, spanning 2 ¼ miles, from the pub to Topsham Lock Keepers Cottage. The Double Locks Wetland is a true highlight with its scenic landscapes and wildlife; make sure to keep

TIPS TO STAY SAFE

It is important that you are staying safe whilst walking, especially around the city or hot in weather. Here are some tips to stay safe:

• Walk in areas that are designated for pedestrians and when crossing a busy road, always be cautious.

• If walking in the early morning or late evening, choose areas that are well-lit if possible and/ or carry a light or reflective vest so that cars can easily see you.

• Wear sturdy shoes that are also waterproof if needed.

• Drink plenty of water before and after your walk to stay hydrated.

• Wear sunscreen to prevent sunburn, even on cloudy days.

your eye out for any herons and kingfishers. There are also the wonderful views of the Exe and the historic town of Topsham, which you can visit using the ferry. From the Lock Keepers Cottage, you can even extend your walk to the Turf Lock Hotel further down the estuary, where there are good drinks, food and great views.

KENTON ESTUARY TRAIL

A spectacular circular route is this walk that begins at Cofton, following a footpath along the Exe estuary up to Powderham and finally Kenton. It features the charming olde-worlde waterfront village of Cockwood, which is built around a small tidal harbour. The trail then takes you towards Starcross, where one can enjoy some popular seafood snacks and view the special birdlife. After trekking along the estuary, you will come across the deer park, where one might catch sight of numerous fallow deer grazing amid its mature trees, sometimes in herds numbering several hundred. Powderham Castle is the primary nesting ground for herons. Here, grey herons are frequently seen wading in the marshy areas along the river or soaring to and from their nests high in trees during the spring season. Upon reaching the historic village of Kenton, you can then follow the country lane and footpath back to Cofton.

above: The Exe Estuary

Adventure Alumni Visit Sparks

New

In October 2023, the school was pleased to welcome to the alumni office Mr Jon Lewis. An Exonian, Jon was keen to meet the head of Ten Tors, Mr Ben Hall, as he was part of Exeter School’s first ever Ten Tors team in 1961.

During the meeting the two of them discussed Jon’s memories of the event, the way the challenge had evolved, and some of the documentation Jon had saved from the time.

Inspired by the history of Jon’s expedition and the unusual route taken (relative to the modern challenge), Mr Hall decided to assemble a team of Ten Tors veteran alumni who would be keen to recreate the venture. Setting out from Haytor on 13th July, the team of seven faced over 50 miles of undulating terrain across two days. Although the weather was kind to them, they faced the usual challenges thrown up by Dartmoor, large areas of awkward tussocky grass, river crossings, and the frequent boggy ground.

Despite this, a strong team spirit was quickly established, a group united by their love of the great outdoors and their experiences at the school.

by MR BEN HALL

Saturday saw a distance of 30 miles covered, with visits to Bench Tor, Hen Tor, Gutter Tor and a wild camp established at Great Mis Tor. The less popular south part of Dartmoor formed a large part of the day, with walking conditions to Hen Tor particularly challenging. Passing through Princetown, the team were pleased to see their support team for a well-earned biscuit and a cup of tea.

The calm weather brought a

picturesque start to Sunday, with mist clinging to the valleys. The team was up early and soon on their way over the north moor, visiting Lynch Tor, Fur Tor, Lints Tor and Sittaford Tor, before turning their focus to the final tor, Higher White and the finish line beyond at Hexworthy. At Higher White Tor, Jon Lewis had arranged to meet the team with another former member of the 1961 squad, David Seward. They were accompanied by their wives and the Directorof Development and Alumni Relations, Alice Holohan. The 1961 veterans and

EXONIANS TAKING PART ON THE WALK

Kirsten Briggen (alumnus)

Chris Furby (alumnus)

Ben Hall (current teacher)

Brittany Harris (alumnus)

Chris Hemmings (alumnus)

Ed O’Connor (alumnus)

Tom Knapp (current pupil).

the more recent Exonians had plenty to ask each other, with Jon and David both amazed to think their route was being attempted 63 years after they had completed it.

Before too long the 2024 team were on their way to Hexworthy, covering the remaining ground in two hours. Another 25 miles had been added on the Sunday to give a total of 55 miles. It had been a lengthy, tough expedition, but all had thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Soon, it was off to the Warren Inn, to share more stories with the 1961 squad, and to start to recover from a marathon weekend’s walking.

Mr Hall and the team would like to say a big thank you to Jon Lewis for inspiring the experience, to Jon, David, Josée, Margaret and Alice for walking up to meet them on the route and to Tony and Helen Clark for acting as their back up crew.

Top Four (realistic) Tips for Helping the

Environment

by LEALA

1

Buy your clothes second hand

Buying your clothes second hand has many benefits over buying brand new clothes. It helps the planet by using fewer materials, tackling the problem of fast fashion. This matters because fast fashion generates more CO2 than aviation and shipping combined. Buying second hand clothes can also be cheaper and you can find unique clothes that you may not have otherwise been able to find. Charity and vintage shops are obvious, but if you like shopping online try Depop or Vinted which are both amazing for buying and selling clothes. I understand this isn't always practical, but when you buy new clothes try and buy fewer clothes which are of better quality; this means that these clothes will last you for life, rather than just the latest fashion season.

2 Eat less meat

I’m not suggesting that everyone needs to become vegetarian to make a difference, but, by just reducing the amount of meat you eat you make a huge impact. How? It shows suppliers that demand for meat is decreasing. An easy way to help the planet is to cut down on beef. Beef contributes to more carbon than other meats. The impact of livestock on emissions varies between countries; globally, the UN estimates it makes up more than 14% of all man-made greenhouse gases, including methane. There are other problems with the meat industry such as battery farming which puts animals in completely inhumane conditions, so try to buy organic free range meat instead.

3 Buses and bikes

This one's harder to do, I know, and some people simply cannot. But if you can, see if you can reduce the number of car journeys you take, try taking the bus some days or even cycling. Another option is car sharing which reduces the number of cars on the road. Bus travel

is a more environmentally friendly option compared to individual car travel; buses have a higher passenger capacity, meaning they can transport a larger number of people using less fuel per person. This helps reduce carbon emissions and contributes to the preservation of the environment. By choosing bus travel, you are making a greener choice and reducing your carbon footprint.

4 The three “Rs” of plastic – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Plastic is something people have been told to reduce their use of for years, however it is important to remember all of the Rs when it comes to plastic. Firstly, reduce. Buy less plastic; try glass or cans instead. I know these can be more expensive so try to make sure that the plastic you do buy can be recycled (handy tip, there will often be a symbol on the side). Secondly, reusing, which

can be hard, but just try and think of things that mean you don't have to throw away perfectly usable plastics. For example reuse plastic water bottles as a water bottle or for something entirely different, like cutting in half to plant seedlings.

Lastly, recycling. By making the plastic you do buy recyclable it means that the impact of you using it is reduced. Remember the solid kind of plastic is generally the kind that is recycled but always look for the symbol. It can be difficult to know what can and cannot be recycled, so keep a track of the recycling available at school. EcoSoc has done great work making collections for various things that are generally hard to recycle, for example the crisp packet bins, toothbrush recycling and the broken pen pots. The other place that it is easy to recycle at is the supermarket. They often have various recycling points so it is important to keep track of ones in your local area.

TRIPS AND TOURS

Keeping track of the range of exciting and sometimes exotic locations we have explored each year is always quite the task! What we have done, to give you a snippet of our trips and tours around Devon, the Southwest, Europe and even Africa, is collated some of our highlights from the year here across these pages. Enjoy!

GREECE right: Delphi

right: Tholos interior

Tholos exterior

NORMANDY

AUSTRIA TEN TORS

MOROCCO

Berlin Bulletin from

by TOM

Lucky to have Exeter School legend and former teacher, Mr Nick Keyes, as our personal guide, we visited historical sites imbued with significance throughout Berlin such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Hohenschoenhausen Stasi prison and the site of the Wannsee conference. Our stadium guide for Berlin's Olympic Stadium pointed out the unique architectural design, heavily influenced by ancient Greece, mimicking the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens. The hot topic of conversation was the controversies surrounding the Games, but also about the triumphs of athletic achievement.

Jesse Owens, in particular, stood out to me, his four gold medals, each acting as a powerful symbol for equality, embarrassing Hitler on the international stage. The tour was a powerful reminder of the complexities of history, and the importance of using the past to guide us towards a more peaceful future.

On Saturday morning, a sombre mood descended as we entered Sachsenhausen concentration camp, close to Berlin. The sprawling complex, now a memorial site, held the lingering weight of the events that had occurred there. We walked past watchtowers, stark sentinels of oppression, and reconstructed barracks, offering a chilling glimpse into the prisoners' cramped and unsanitary existence. The tour culminated at the crematorium, a monument to the regime's horrific methods. Here, the group fell silent as we contemplated the atrocities committed. Despite the bleakness, the visit wasn't without a flicker of hope. We learned of those who resisted and saw makeshift memorials created by former inmates, testaments to resilience.

Our trip culminated with a visit to the Reichstag building, Germany’s seat of Parliament. Climbing the walkway up to the viewing dome inside the rebuilt structure, it became clear how this very building became tragically entwined with Hitler's rise to power: the Reichstag fire of 1933, whose origin is still a subject of historical debate, was exploited by the Nazis to enact emergency legislation that effectively dismantled civil liberties and paved the way for their dictatorship. Emerging into the awe-inspiring glass dome,

TOP 10 MUST-SEE

1. Tiergarten

2. Charlottenburg Palace

3. Berlin Wall Memorial

4. Reichstag Building

5. Humboldt Forum

6. Brandenburg Gate

7. Topography of Terror

8. Museum Island

9. Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

10. Neue Nationalgalerie

a modern architectural marvel designed by Norman Foster, the city sprawled beneath us. Bathed in an ethereal glow, the cityscape seemed to be a tapestry of twinkling lights stretching towards the horizon. It was a sight that defied the darkness of the day's earlier visits, a vibrant testament to Berlin's enduring spirit. Standing there, we were struck by the city’s resilience, rebuilding itself into a democratic metropolis.

Verona Venturing to

After 30 hours in a coach, 50 hot and tired pupils and six members of staff arrived at the Hotel Kona in the small town of Negrar di Valpolicella. Excited for a week of sun, sights and surreal music-making, the tour group got to rehearsing straight away for what would prove to be an unforgettable experience.

by FELICITY

Each night the orchestra performed a range of film and TV music ranging from Liberty Bell from Monty Python to a How to Train Your Dragon medley: we’ve got range! The choir would start the second half with a West Side Story medley and the rest of the programme ranged from Coldplay to Elgar… something for everyone, we hoped.

After a night at the hotel the first morning was spent at the Serena Residence where the group performed a concert to elderly residents: a real privilege, and something that we all felt was a genuine pleasure when seeing the connection that musicmaking forges. Later that day, a trip to fabled streets of Verona provided an opportunity to explore the streets of the setting of Shakespeare’s arguably most famous work, including the famous Casa di Giulietta with its gothic architecture and stories past. Stumbling from one cultural icon to another, the group headed to the Verona amphitheatre to be blown away by the heart wrenching and awe-inspiring grandeur of Aida, Verdi’s tragic opera. It was truly a magical experience to witness such a large cast perform music to the highest of standards (even if it was a little hot and uncomfortable inside, if we’re being honest!).

The third day was one which some were very excited for, but others dreaded. A day spent in Gardaland provided the perfect opportunity to queue 40 minutes for a 30 second ride. Rescuing us from such ‘fun’ was the next stop: the town of Cremona was where our next performance was held, this time in a beautiful piazza.

Looking for more Tripadvisor style content? Try a boat trip across Lake Garda from Bardolino to the beautiful town of Sirmione, where everything and anything you could buy had lemons on it. We headed back to Bardolino to perform the second concert of the trip – once more, an incredible experience to perform in such a place of beauty and culture, and we hope we did the place justice.

We spent the last day in the heat of a water park (Canevaworld) where the longest queue of the day was for our lunch… That night, however, was the culmination of our tour: our biggest gig, performing at the Bastione delle Maddalene, a UNESCO heritage site in Verona. What a way to end! Not content with simply performing surrounded by ancient bulwarks and monumental gates, cavernous rooms and vaulting ceilings, we headed back to the bus and sang karaoke all the way back to the hotel.

Many thanks must go out to

VERONA IS...

• A UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Known as the “City of Love.”

• Home to Juliet’s balcony

• Famous for its wine production

• The setting for three of Shakespeare’s plays

• The third most-visited city in Italy after Rome and Venice

the teachers who took us on this trip: Mr Davies, Mrs Tamblyn, Miss Buchanan, Mrs Barnes, Miss Rose and last but by no means least, Mr Tamblyn. The time and work put into this trip really made it a success, and commendations must be made for putting up with us on the 30 hour coach journeys! Personally, the memories I have made on this trip I will never forget and will always look back on the Italy music tour with real fondness.

The Bastione delle Maddalene camp left: Verona amphitheatre below: Olympiastadion

Junior School:

Wildwood

Year Two, Form One and Upper One joined forces for their fun packed trip to Wildwood Devon.

by MRS LEAH HARDY

Our trip was a wonderful day and gave our Year Two pre-prep pupils the chance to get to know our lower school children better and have some friendly and familiar faces ready to welcome them in September.

• Den making: Our pupils transformed into little woodland architects, gathering sticks and forming marvellous dens which they tested

out with watering cans whilst sitting inside!

• Nature’s necklaces: Armed with twine and keen eyes, each pupil created their own unique necklace, proudly displaying their natural finds.

• Navigating the maze: Laughter echoed as they discovered hidden paths, racing to find the heart of the maze where their teachers awaited them…and waited…and waited.

• Fascinating animal tour: Wide-eyed, we gathered around the Wildwood

guides as stories and fascinating facts unfolded about the inhabitants of Wildwood.

• Bears: Majestic and powerful, they learned about bear habits, hibernation, and foraging.

• Wild Boars: These tusked explorers fascinated the children – they discussed their intelligence and adaptability.

• Otters: The class discovered their aquatic antics, sliding down muddy banks and hunting for fish.

Residential Junior School:

by MRS LEAH HARDY

• Climbing Wall: Brave climbers scaled the towering walls, gripping handholds like seasoned mountaineers.

• High ropes: courses tested their balance and courage –swinging bridges, wobbly planks, and all!

• Mountain Boarding: Zooming down slopes on mountain boards, wind in their hair, with impressive balancing skills.

• Archery lessons: had them aiming for targets with bows in hand, channelling their inner Robin Hood.

• Surfing: Saltwater adventurers hit the waves, riding boards like ocean pros. A lot of progress was made in a small amount of time.

• Coasteering – a blend of cliff jumping, rock scrambling, and sea swimming – had them exploring rugged coastlines.

• Wipeout Challenge: Laughter echoed as they tackled inflatable obstacles, slipping, sliding, and bouncing their way to victory. Lots of smiling, laughing and happy memories!

Upper Two residential trip to Ultimate Adventure in North Devon was Ultimate Fun!

VOICES

Whilst I understand how it feels to get stuck on one artist for a while – believe me I know, after listening to the same three artists for roughly a year and a half on loop I’ve heard many equate this to a dislike of “generic” pop music, saying it’s “all the same” and “formulaic”. It seems to be a pretty popular opinion to have, especially by Nirvana t-shirt wearing “metalheads”. It might come across as me being gatekeep-y towards the gatekeepers; I understand their point of view to a certain extent. Listening to alternative music often entails the joining of a niche community instead of being another monthly listener in a sea of millions. In legitimate circumstances when we are talking about some alternative, yes, there is something really nice in discovering something niche, some diamond in the sea of songs on Spotify, but there are some pretty good songs out there in the charts that are overlooked purely due to their popularity.

Guitar music: Is it still relevant? While it's hard to separate the guitar from mainstream music, we are seeing

by PTOLEMY

Sink or Swim? Modern Music

the instrument take a backseat in most pop music. While this isn't necessarily a negative and (instead) a natural development of the art form (due to the rise in popularity of digital forms of music creation) it is difficult not to look back in nostalgia to the so-called ‘Guitar Heroes’ of old. Fortunately, there are still bands out there seeking to innovate, notably the Texan progressive rock band ‘Polyphia’ which has been topping the US Hard Rock charts with their latest studio album Remember That You Will Die a refreshing blend of everything from eight string heavy metal to plucky, Ariana Grande-style pop. Whilst the album is dynamic with each song feeling incredibly different, the one throughline of Polyphia’s discography is the large focus on the guitar as the main instrument. Hopefully we will see the effect of their influence on music at a later date, with more thrilling and surprising combinations of pop, hip hop, jazz and many other genres to keep the charts feeling fresh and intriguing to our ears.

Pop culture seems to be deeply intertwined with social media. Sites like Tik Tok or Instagram allow you to add music or specific clips from audio

We have all heard the age-old comments: “Music isn’t what it used to be” or “Where have the legends of old gone? or “Music will never be as good as Metallica! and “there will never be another Eminem!”

to your video, known as ‘sounds’. This means that specific parts of the song like catchy hooks, breakdowns or memorable lyrics can gain popularity fast through the algorithm. A good example of this snowball effect is Steve Lacy’s hit song Bad Habit. While Bad Habit is an incredibly good song throughout, the start of the song became a hit on Tik Tok overnight, with it quickly rising up the charts and breaking number one on 10 July 2021. Steve Lacy, while this new algorithm did no doubt increase his popularity massively, has expressed anger with this new format and approach to songs, once even getting angry with his fans live on stage when they only knew the lyrics to the chorus. While I can sympathise with the feeling of your fans only knowing you simply for a chorus of one of your many songs, it does seem like this will be the normal going forward considering we have seen this snowball effect on other songs who have hit the charts (Golden Hour by JVKE for example). Much like it always has, music is seemingly an ever changing industry; this seems to be the next step of evolution when it comes to this art form.

Building Lego: the Brains Blocks

of our

Exploring how something so simple can be so impactful

by WILL and FELIX

LEGO. One of the greatest innovations to ever come out of the country of Denmark, and a rockstar of every toy aisle around the world. Despite LEGO’s innocent appearance, it can have a significant impact on the way our brains are shaped. In this article, we aim to dive into this idea, and see just how crucial playing with LEGO bricks can be.

Everyone under the sun has played with LEGO bricks at least once in their lives. These simple interlocking bricks have brought many an hour of fun and creativity to bedroom floors across the globe…until you tread on one in the middle of the night. Recently, LEGO adopted the “serious play” initiative, which is aimed at promoting more creative solutions to problems in the workplace, as well as helping to foster stronger emotional connections with the people involved.

Due to the ease of the interlocking system and the simple technical skills required, anyone can pick up a pile of bricks and start to express themselves. The creativity that comes with picking up a few coloured bricks is remarkably natural. During the course of building, one can create whatever their brain can conjure up.

Serious play pulls from the “flow” system that was pioneered by the Austrian-American psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. His whole system revolved around making sure that work was a mix of fun and productivity, something that modern classrooms often lack. Contrarily, difficulty is something that many believe classrooms aren’t short in, and whilst this can be productive, Csikszentmihalyi believes that high levels of complexity can often displace people from the flow of the workplace and result in them getting mired in a rut that they can

struggle to remove themselves from. He intended this flow system to help counteract this, as he believed it would enable people to not only succeed but truly enjoy themselves in what they're doing. Furthermore, he encourages questioning in what people are carrying out to help them fully understand and to get the most out of their experiences.

Csikszentmihalyi’s flow theory has proven to be advantageous to the shaping of our brains, even in our adult years, and its application to LEGO bricks has made it all the more accessible and prevalent today. It’s one of the core tenets that can be universally applied to any human brain that has ever had a creative thought. It’s a fundamental principle that helps to shape who we are and how we act. Who’d have thought that a simple pile of plastic bricks could do so much?

Opinions Unpopular

Hate Halloween? Brush your teeth before breakfast? Think Oasis are simply inferior to Blur? All of us have a few unpopular opinions – some more insane than others – and at The Exonian, we decided to find out just how wild some of our fellow pupils’ and teachers’ views are. A quick survey revealed a range of unusual attitudes towards topics from pickled onions to Pink Floyd.

by ROWAN

Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games series proved to be a contentious topic, with one pupil arguing that Gale is ‘better in every conceivable way’ than Peeta, and another unapologetically stating ‘Coriolanus Snow looked best with a buzz cut’. Music tastes came into question: Pink Floyd’s masterful concept albums were condemned as mere ‘forgettable dad rock’, Taylor Swift was understandably described as ‘overrated’, and one especially bold pupil called Drake a greater artist than Kendrick Lamar.

Another pupil was alarmingly passionate about the downfall of Disney in recent years, writing a small thesis:

‘Hear me out. Although the latest Disney movies have been an utter failure, I believe that Disney, as a company, died a long time ago. The old Disney movies such as the Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast were well-loved classics due to the cutting-edge animation and lovable characters. However, modern Disney’s films have been lacking. Modern Disney has run

out of ideas, creating lifeless, live action remakes of previous successes as a way of recreating their past success implying that they are aware of their recent failures. These live actions also take away from the original story, leaving a bad taste in audience's mouths as they see their favourite Disney characters not look like or act like how they remember, breaking the character’s sense of self. Additionally, modern Disney movies such as the new Indiana Jones, Elemental and Wish have been failures. I think it’s due to the lack of character. These movies resort to using basic character archetypes with little character interest or development, seemingly only creating the new characters for marketing purposes’.

Of course, all the classic controversies came up, from pineapple on pizza to socks under sandals. The Southwest’s eternal debate of whether jam or cream should first be generously slathered on a scone sparked intense rivalry, though the Devonians were triumphant with a large majority this time round.

�Disney, as a company, died a long time ago... Modern Disney has run out of ideas, creating lifeless, live action remakes of previous successes as a way of recreating their past success implying that they are aware of their recent failures.’

Shaken and Stirred? with the Times...

Not Unless

Bond Changes

Exploring how something so simple can be so impactful.

by LEALA

The Bond franchise has always been a classic, however I would argue that they are getting outdated and need to change. Watching a Bond film as a woman, even subconsciously, allows you to pick up unrealistic views on how women act around “action heroes” like James Bond. I remember from a young age deciding that I didn't like watching these films simply because it didn't make sense to me. The women would rage against Bond but every single time without failure they would end up falling for him. Even being the villain's love interest did not stop Bond from ending up getting the womanof course, right after he defeated the

villain. And yes, I do admit the newer Bond films are improving how women are being portrayed, with the character of Nomi in No Time To Die who is assigned the 007 number, placing her on the same level as the legendary Bond.

It is staggering that the most recent Bond films, despite improving, still do not pass the Bechdel test. The Bechdel test for films is a simple test which applies the following three criteria: (1) it has to have at least two women in it, (2) who talk to each other, about (3) something besides a man. No Time to Die, the most recent Bond film only dubiously passes 2 out of the 3 tests: the female characters do talk to each other, but not about something that is not a man.

Despite there being more powerful female leads, it's important that they are there not just to tick a box. Instead they need to be a character that has thoughts and desires that don't revolve solely around a man. Some female characters are added in with completely unbelievable and impractical costumes just to be eye candy, even in 2024! Young girls should be able to watch films like these and see inspiring female action heroes without them also having to feel like they also have to look like models.

Creative Writing Competition 2024

This year I had the opportunity to instigate a whole school creative writing competition themed Mashup Madness. Pupils from Third Form to Upper Sixth were tasked to use a combination of any two or three seemingly unrelated objects and weave them together into a coherent and engaging narrative.

Enormous congratulations to all who entered, but here are the two winning entries:

by JASMINE

my Auntie Val. She is staying in Hat World at the moment and is coming back on Saturday.” She showed the postcard to the class, and there was a couple of oohs and ahhs, whilst they stared at the picture of Val next to the largest hat in the world. “Does anyone have any questions for Annie?” asked Miss Grannypat. Rupert put his hand up. “What hats did she send you?” Before she could say anything Harriet called out “Of course you don’t have any, hatless hippie!!”

The end of the day came slowly. Everyone was calling her ‘Hatless-Hippie’ the whole time. But in the playground was her Auntie Val. “Auntie Val! I thought you came back on Saturday!”, cried Annie.

“Well I came early! And I brought gifts! But not until we get home.” said Val.

“Ok!”

At home, Val looked at Annie with excitement. And then she pulled out of her bag the one hat that was all over Annie’s wall. The hat that was yet to be released. The Tin Hat 44. Annie nearly fainted with joy. The next day would be the best ever…

Annie the Alpaca

by ISOBEL, THIRD FORM

Annie the Alpaca loved hats. The problem was her mother hated them. Everyone at school had amazing hats, especially her best friend JoJo, who had the Tin Hat 43, the best hat ever. Everyone called her names, like ‘bare-head boar’. She never fitted in.

Our story starts on a Tuesday, show-and-tell day at school. Today was Annie’s turn, and she was terrified of what people would think. Usually everybody brought in their burger-berets and tennis-ball-top-hats, so you can imagine how she felt.

Annie walked into her classroom, where Miss Grannypat was talking. “Now then class, today is show and tell day. It’s Annie’s turn, so please come to the front Annie.” Annie reluctantly stumbled to the front, clutching a postcard. “Th-th-this is from

Annie didn’t walk into school. She strutted. Annie didn’t close the classroom door behind her. She slammed it. Everyone boggled at her amazing tin hat, and for once she was the centre of attention. Not horrid Harriet. Not even JoJo. Her. It was the best she had ever felt.

At the end of the day, Annie was walking home when she came across an old alpaca sitting on the side of the street. She stopped and asked if he was ok. He replied, “I need some change to get home to me family in London, but I haven’t any.” Annie checked her pockets and looked down at her second-hand uniform. There was just one thing valuable on her.

Annie walked quickly to the hat bank and said to the lady “I have a hat to change for some money.” She handed over her hat and collected the change. She hurried back to the alpaca and gave him the money. “Thank you, young lady.” he said. Annie no longer had her hat, but it made not only herself have the best day ever, but she also helped someone out with it.

Pepper Pot

by HANNAH, MIDDLE FIFTH

Itook a simple, arduous step and hauled myself up onto what seemed to be an immense charcoal lump. No, not charcoal. The smell was piquant; it burned as I took a rattling, shaky breath. Yet, I recognised the stench, spicy yet fresh. Cumin? No, something sharper. Pepper. Yes, it was this. My head still ached from what I had done. It was a reckless mistake, drinking it. Why did I think it would be ‘fun’? I should have declined the offer; I knew really that there was something in it. I’ve heard lecture after lecture about not trusting others with drinks but in the heat of the moment it all got blocked out. I can't be blamed, I can’t even recall what took place next, it was an adrenaline rush then nothing. Now I’m here. It’s impossible. Something out of a story, not something that happens in real life.

I stretched out my hand and reached out to touch the opaque glass that confined me. It was solid, no way I could get through. I slouched back and the balls of what seemed to be pepper, if that was even plausible, shifted from beneath me. I opened my eyes again and summoned the energy to sit back up. I had to admit to myself, “I was stuck”, a mutter of defeat.

Right.

So physically I can’t move but I’m not one to wallow whilst I’m here. I drank something and now ludicrously, my actions have led to this. Those are the facts. So, the spiked drink led to this and yet, somehow it was undeniable. And now, I’m confined in what has to be a pepper shaker. Drink, potion, whatever it was… then pepper shaker. A human trapped in a pepper shaker. I don’t know if you’ll believe me. Can I even fathom my mistake?

The Judge’s View

Also, a huge congratulations to the two ‘Editor’s Choice’ winners, Eloise and Harvard, who produced particularly eyecatching work as well. All entries were particularly strong making the choice difficult for the judging panel. It was noteworthy that the judges, “both agreed on Isobel’s ‘Annie the Alpaca’.” Stating they “really enjoyed the whimsical subject matter and the light tone and were particularly impressed with the

structure, which progressed simply but very effectively.”. Equally they commented positively on Hannah’s Pepper Pot saying it “had a good level of absurdity” and “worked well as a short story”.

I hope these brilliant examples of young, ambitious writers inspire and encourage everyone to pick up a pen and create stories no matter how absurd you think they are. After all, how many times do you meet a talking alpaca?

Painting and Playing

A glimpse into an obscure but thriving school community

by FELIX

From humble beginnings to a staple club, the school’s Warhammer club has grown from just half a dozen members to almost forty over the years. It is constantly changing and adapting, and one of these recent changes has been the introduction of half-termly painting competitions since the start of the school year. The club members have taken to these with enthusiasm and boundless creativity. Over the course of the year, 49 pupils have entered a whopping total of 94 painted miniatures! To celebrate such a thriving community, we have decided to feature some of the winners of these painting competitions throughout the year, as well as a few extras too. We hope you enjoy!

right: Will, Lower Sixth, Tragan Volaris below: Dr Wilson, Rustalkers

Colour in

Nature

The theme for this year’s edition of the annual Biology Photo Competition was ‘Colour in Nature’, with entrants asked to explore the extraordinary palette of colours found all around us if you just look closely enough. Along with the winning entries, we have included a few of our favourites.

Anya, Lower Sixth. First place (seniors).

Cecily, Fourth Form. First place (juniors).

Mr AL Reynolds, staff. First place (staff).

Mrs Amelia Johnson, staff

Sarah, Lower Sixth

Ollie, Middle Fifth

CHARITY

Charity Overview

London Landmarks

Half Marathon

2023-2024

During the Easter holidays, Anya, Dan and I ran the London Landmarks Half Marathon to raise money for charities close to our hearts. It was an amazing event with over 24,000 runners and a huge atmosphere with live bands, choirs and a dedicated crowd cheering the runners. We all feel so grateful to have been a part of it, which wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible fundraising efforts from our family, friends and staff members. Together we raised £1,975 for our three chosen charities – Young Minds (Sophie), The Alzheimer’s Trust (Anya) and Macmillan Cancer Services (Dan).

As a non-runner, this was certainly a challenge, but I am proud to have been a part of this event and the incredible efforts from all the runners and the LLHM team. The finish line feeling is truly like no other, especially when

you know your efforts have made a difference. Thank you to all our sponsors for the support.

by SOPHIE

The idea to run the London Landmarks

Half Marathon started as a joke when Sophie, Dan and I were discussing challenges on the school trip to India. Then we decided to actually do it! It was a challenge but was so worth it and I would recommend it to anyone, no matter how much they run. I ran for Alzheimer’s UK and raised £560 through sponsorship.

by ANYA

I ran for Macmillan and raised £800 for them. I chose Macmillan as they are an amazing charity that supports thousands of people and their families who are affected by cancer. The London Landmarks Half Marathon was such a great event.

by DAN by ANYA

Movember

In November Joe (Upper Sixth) set himself the target of running 60km across the month for Movember to raise awareness for the 60 men who commit suicide every hour globally. Movember is a charity centred around men’s health and particularly focuses on mental health, testicular cancer and prostate cancer. Early into the month, Joe put a message out onto his Instagram saying that he would run a half marathon, as well as completing the 60km across the month, before school if he reached his goal of £250 raised before the 29 November. Sooner than Joe believed possible, he had raised his goal after receiving an overwhelming amount of support from friends and family.

Mr Jones and Mr Trim also became involved in the run, along with many of his friends keen to join in, resulting in a group of roughly twenty joining him along the way.

Anya, Dan and Sophie

At 6am, Mr Jones, Mr Trim and I all set off from Exmouth Marina towards school. The run was tough, but the support along the way made the experience enjoyable. Everyone met up at the bottom of Barrack Road for the final section. Arriving at school with a group of such amazing people was something I will never forget and something I hope that they won't either. Over the course of Movember the total that we managed to raise was over £1,200 and this money will be used to support a truly amazing charity. Getting out and running for Movember dramatically improved my mental health and I can't stress the importance of exercising and the links it has to

mental health. Even if it's only for 10 minutes, get outside and do something you enjoy.

by JOE

Max (Lower Fifth) – Scaling New Heights

“On Saturday 4 May, I abseiled down the 140 foot North Tower of Exeter Cathedral. This was to raise money for the Cathedral’s general refurbishments and to connect the 13th Century Chapter House to the Cathedral. Part of the money raised from the abseil fundraising is going to be used for a new stained glass window which will be called: ‘The Abseil Window’. The organiser of the abseil, Anne

Eyre whose husband was Dean of the Cathedral, was the oldest to complete the abseil at the age of 84.

I learnt about the struggles of maintaining and running a cathedral. On an average day it costs £15,000 to heat and run. Each person who took part in the abseil was expected to raise £500 in order for it to be profitable for the Cathedral. This goal was smashed with the highest amount raised by one person being £9,000. Overall we made £75,000 which will go toward the redevelopment and upkeep of the Cathedral.

Mr Cunningham’s London Marathon

Mr Cunningham ran the 2024 London Marathon raising money for the British Heart Foundation who do incredible work to support and save the lives of people up and down the country with heart related illness and disease. Mr Cunningham says, “It is of particular significance to me having lost my grandfather a few years ago to a heart attack following years of issues with his heart. Even more recently and notably, my father has been diagnosed with incurable and significantly lifelimiting heart disease. I am inspired and motivated to raise as much as I can for the BHF.” Mr Cunningham raised 223% of his goal with a fantastic £5,577.

Myeloma UK run – Imogen, Cecily, John, Zoe & Anya (Lower Sixth)

We supported Myeloma UK because they are the only organisation in the UK dealing exclusively with Myeloma. Every pound we raised enables Myeloma UK to provide information and support to patients and their families, and to help Myeloma patients live longer, with a better quality of life by accelerating the discovery and development of new treatments.

The running was really rewarding and felt as though it raised more awareness for this ‘hidden blood cancer’ as we ran during school games slot in bright orange Myeloma UK t-shirts, which drew lots of attention both in school with the pupils, and in public. We were grateful for the support that everyone has given and hope it encouraged greater thought towards this great cause. Raised: £1,561.

Max

The Movember runners

PRE-PREP SCHOOL

Highlights from the year

First Steps

The first steps at school, The blossoming of young lives, Happiness is here.

The fall of a leaf

To reveal the crisp promise Of new beginnings.

Q&A Pre-Prep School

Arecent addition to the Exeter School family, the Exeter Pre-Prep School (formerly The New School) is nestled in Exminster amongst some beautiful countryside. The building itself is an adapted church, complete with stained glass windows adding the ‘wow factor’. We went to visit to not only allow three members of our editorial team to reminisce about their own time here (making them all feel exceptionally old) but to also reflect on some of the excellent work the pupils have produced this year and hear their thoughts on some of the pressing matters of the day.

Where is your favourite place in the world?

Amelia: Lanzarote, because that’s where I laid my nan’s ashes.

Sophie: School… then Disneyland!

Jeremiah: Italy, because I get to see my cousins.

Toby: Panama, because I was born there and lived there. I went to America and then here.

What’s your funniest memory?

Amelia: My hamster did a backflip, it did!

Sophie: My Dad forgot to put trousers on and left the house.

Charlie: My friend tried to do a cartwheel but it turned into a rolypoly.

Theo: Pretending to be a burrito in a blanket with my stepdad.

If you saw someone upset what would you do?

Amelia: I would tell a teacher and do a silly dance.

Sophie: I would also do a silly dance.

What would your dream job be?

Amelia: A teacher.

Sophie: Singer.

What’s your favourite lesson?

Serena: Art.

Alex: ICT.

Louisa: English.

What’s the longest word you know?

Louisa: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

Jeremiah: Onomatopoeia.

What’s the best job in the world?

Alex: Businessman. I want to be a businessman as you get to be a millionaire and billionaire.

Henry: A vet because you can meet lots of cute animals and help them when they are sick.

Jasper: Policeman, because you can catch robbers, drive fast (over the speed limit) and escape from jail.

What makes you smile?

Alex: Ruffles.

What will the world look like in three years?

Henry: Good, because you can be a policeman and then go to the airport and fly a plane.

What's something you're grateful for?

Serena: My learning, especially art lessons.

Jasper: Sports.

Amelia: The chefs at school cooking food for me.

James: The pre-prep houses, specifically Brixham House, YELLOW!

What is something you are most proud of?

Alex: Running very fast.

James: Writing stories and my art.

Serena: Some printing work we did at Exeter School.

Alex: Piano.

Toby, Year Two

Jeremiah, Year Two

Holly, Year Two

Ben, Year Two

Ruffles

JUNIOR SCHOOL

Highlights from the year in the junior school

Exciting Times

The fall of a leaf

To reveal the crisp promise Of new beginnings. The first exciting thing was the residential trip, We all stood up like we were about to flip, It was a fun start to the year, a fun start to the term, And when we all got back, we were ready to learn.

Next we had the swimming event, It was in school houses and everyone went, Some of us lost, some of us won, But overall, we all had fun.

Finally, it was our Christmas time, We all sang carol songs perfectly in a line, I also had a solo in a song, It wasn’t very hard but it wasn't very long.

House cross-country zoomed past me, We were cheering and shouting and smiling with glee, The medals were shining on the stand, Some of us held them in our hands.

The Upper School is so fun, It’s the best for everyone.

Isabella, Form One

JUNIOR SCHOOL

Art Junior School

From the sky-scraping to the night sky-spanning, our junior school artists have explored the world of nature, of humanity, and the connection between the two. Pupils enjoyed a range of approaches, including monoprints for the city skyscapes and the clay modelling seen with our turtles here.

Cornell, Upper One, clay turtle tile

Emilia, Upper One, tints and shades

Hugo, Form One, art club

Doon, Lower Two, gargoyle

Upper One turtle inspired clay tile

Grace, Upper One, tints and shades

Jessica, Upper Two, surprised

William, agamograph

Krithik, Lower Two, charcoal owl

Niyati, Form One, art club

Club

Gardening

We asked a number of our green-fingered gardening club members a set of interesting questions to find out what they love about this activity.

What is your favourite part of gardening club?

Martha (Form One): I like growing things and taking them home.

Richard (Form One): Harvesting.

Flo (Form One): To plant the things that we are going to grow.

Niyati (Form One): Planting plants and watching them grow.

Ollie (Upper One): My favourite part is growing the vegetables!

Taylor (Upper One): When you plant the vegetables.

What does gardening club mean to you?

Martha: It is fun!

Richard: Fun, lovely.

by CHARLOTTE

Flo: It makes me feel happy that I am outdoors to plant things.

Niyati: It makes me feel proud that I am doing a part to save our environment. It means a lot to me.

Ollie: It means a lot to me.

Taylor: A lot.

What is important about taking care of our world?

Martha: Don’t throw rubbish on the floor.

Richard: To pick up our rubbish and recycle.

Flo: It is important to look after our world because if we throw plastic into the sea, the animals could die, and we do not want that.

Niyati: If we didn’t, it could make animals die and rubbish everywhere. That is why it is important.

Ollie: Not to litter.

Taylor: That it will be better if we take care of it.

What plant did you like planting or growing or picking? Explain why.

Martha: Picking the radishes

Richard: Carrots, tomatoes.

Flo: I liked planting the daffodils because I like to plant flowers.

Niyati: I loved planting the daffodils because we got to put labels on them and deliver them to different classes.

Ollie: I liked picking the carrots because it is a lot of work which makes it fun.

Taylor: Radishes, because you had to plant them then wait, then pick them.

What skills have you learnt?

Martha: I have learnt how to grow new plants.

Richard: Not to give the plants too much water.

Flo: I learnt how deep the hole has to be when you plant the seed inside it.

Niyati: I have learnt how to put seeds in the pot, water them and pick food.

Ollie: I have learnt how to grow and pick plants.

Taylor: That you have to spread the plants out.

What would you like to say to the gardening team?

Martha: Thank you for running this club.

Richard: Thank you for being a great role model.

Flo: Thank you for helping us plant lots of things.

Taylor and Ollie: THANK YOU!

Geography Junior School

Junior geographers journeyed around the Exe Estuary and up the Jurassic Coast in their studies this year, conducting fascinating field work that you can see a bit of here. On top of this, extended work on the lives of turtles and the minutiae of mountains made for a highly enjoyable year for all.

left: What we've been doing this year bottom left: Henrique, Upper Two bottom right: Jack, Upper Two

THIRD & FOURTH FORM

Highlights from the year

A Blank Canvas

A new dawning

A freshness, a lightness

A sense of significance

The fall of a leaf

A blank canvas

To reveal the crisp promise

This is just the start

Of new beginnings.

Nora-Maya, Third Form

Artist of the Moment

Third Form artists were tasked with pieces that reflected their own identity, thoughts, and concepts through dream-like qualities, heavily influenced by the Dadaism movement.

Fourth Form pupils have been inspired by the work of Georgia King to produce dynamic handmade sketchbooks based on the theme of ‘Craft’ and their own travelled journey of their local areas.

Andrew, Third Form

Malaki, Fourth Form

Fiona, Fourth Form

Vivienne, Fourth Form

Illustration Club

With the help of some of our A Level artists, the Third Form pupils had the chance to hone their illustration skills throughout the course of the year. Working primarily on animals and humans, they produced the following images: very impressive work!

Arthur, Fourth Form

Beth, Fourth Form

Harriet, Third Form

Harriet, Third Form

History

Third Form history pupils, spurred on by the chance of glory, competed in a jousting tournament on our Exonian lawn during the early stages of 2024. No fatalities or flagons of ale were reported.

Mi amor,

that’s what he called me, Before he left for the war. Mi amor.

That’s what he called me and everytime it made my heart soar. but not now. That was four years ago.

“My condolences”. The stone-cold soldier spoke. The emotion of a young boy far gone. The taste of sadness stung on my tongue, ears ringing with despair.

“My condolences”. The stone-cold soldier watched, as another life is lost. Not remembered. Not cared for. Oh I miss you. Mi amor.

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Science

Our Third Form and Fourth Form pupils threw themselves into some pretty novel experiences this year, not least cutting up chicken wings in order to understand the anatomy of poultry! STEM club also saw them conduct research and experiments to escape fiendish puzzles in their biology-based escape room, create concoctions in the ‘silver mirror’ chemistry task, and explore the sometimes hidden superheroes of physics.

LOWER, MIDDLE & UPPER FIFTH

Highlights from the year

New Beginnings

The fall of a leaf

To reveal the crisp promise Of new beginnings.

The now-settled leaf Establishing a new home Foundations for life.

The crunch of the leaf

To mark a path well-trodden Of experience.

Alfie, Lower Fifth

LOWER, MIDDLE & UPPER FIFTH

Collective Young Artists

To mark the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, YAC (the Young Artists Collective) came together to use photography and digital editing software to tell the stories of local Ukrainians.

The best part of this project was the day that the local Ukrainians came to Exeter School. We quickly got to know each other and learned about their experiences of the war and their lives now in Exeter, after which we experimented and explored different shots, thinking ahead to the final edit. By the end of the day we were left with thousands of photos. The editing seemed daunting at first but soon took shape. We loved this part of the project: that’s when you get to finally see all your work and planning come together.

by NATHAN

Beth

Caitlin

Gracie

Finn

Mollie

Anna

LOWER, MIDDLE & UPPER FIFTH

Art

As part of their GCSE coursework, Middle Fifth pupils have explored the theme ‘St Ives’ and ‘Identity’ through a range of disciplines such as installation, sculpture, painting, and printmaking.

For our Upper Fifth pupils, the work displayed here is the culmination of the GCSE coursework and examination units. The personal outcomes are the results of detailed investigation and experimentation, from their chosen lines of enquiry.

Tyler, Upper Fifth

Will, Lower Fifth

Hugo, Middle Fifth

Felix, Upper Fifth Esme, Upper Fifth

Eve, Lower Fifth

PoetryCompetition

Middle Fifth pupils were challenged to take inspiration from their ‘Power and Conflict’ poetry anthologies and write a poem that echoed the original, with the top two entries printed here.

Brush stroke stories

by CAITLIN

In my dim-lit room I’m alone again

With spills of stories sprawled around. The warm-lit lamp is forever bound

To cast cold shadows on unfamiliar faces,

A painter preparing to create.

Acrylic. Oil. All flesh is paint.

I have a tale to tell. Solvents sway on canvas

Beneath my hands, which did not tremble then, Though seem to now. People: born again.

To millions of memories in chiaroscuro

To eyes that know more tears than tissue

To ears that hear hidden songs told untrue.

Nothing is happening. A stranger’s features

Slowly start to swirl before my eyes,

A half-told past. They remember the cries

Of a long-lost life, how they wished

Without words to be walking again

Yet held, and crushed, their life of pain.

Blue

by HUGO

I was brave, as slowly we walked

Together in silence towards the crashing waves

Salty wind stung our tear-soaked faces

I held you in ceramics, I felt your distant embrace

As I scattered clouds of ash into the endless blue.

After you’d gone, far into the swirls of restless seas, I went to your room, listened to the whispers of you.

Later a troubled wind rattled the skies and It took me.

Far beyond the hour, drifting through a sun-soaked past

When we were raised in a summer haze

I swam through the blue of your eyes, I could get lost forever.

Paintings of memories now blurred from the rains of time. How far away it now seems. Merely a murmur of lost hope.

I awake and here I am, swallows weaving the skies

Into a tapestry of dreams. I long to catch one, I long for you. To be in the blue.

KATERYNA KOVARZH

Lower Fifth

LOWER, MIDDLE & UPPER FIFTH

Poetry

Having studied WWI poetry in the spring term in English, building on work completed in their history lessons, the Lower Fifth turned their hands to writing their own personal responses to the brutality of the conflict.

WINNER

For those who are left behind

by ZOE

I am left a grieving wife. Torn away by monstrous war, Did he savour his short life?

Body ripped viciously apart, Blood, the last thing he saw He left a grieving wife.

A lion sent to fight, fearful pride in his heart, He is grasping life with just a claw

Did he savour his short life?

Promising lives end before they even start, Now trapped in the trenches evermore I am left a grieving wife

We would’ve grown old and never apart. He would live happily and not hear the battle’s roar, Did he savour his short life?

He didn’t, couldn’t, those doomed men can’t, They are struck amid the horror of this grim war And I am left a grieving wife, Did he savour his short life?

RUNNER-UP

Echoes of the Unheard

by OWEN

To those who tried playing God, Who snuffed lives with the click of a finger, And how broken and flawed, Where even the ghosts that linger.

A morning dove soars over, its metal wings flying, Unaffected by the guns, the grumble and growl, It starts to wail its own orisons, But nothing can hear it over the howl.

But where is the hymn for the henchmen, It is grimly rotting in the trenches, Alongside all the acclaimed “heroes”, And nothing else, but the rose.

Science

One real highlight for our scientists was the chance for Lower Fifth classes to experience a planetarium dome show, having studied astronomy this year as part of the IGCSE course.

Pupils were taken through a history of recent space travel and what lies ahead, an overview of the Universe and the nuclear fusion process in stars. They also looked at the development of life on Earth and whether other life is out there.

Elsewhere, some of our finest Middle Fifth scientists enjoyed real success in the National Scientific Thinking Competition. Pupils have to look at data, graphs and text and make deductions, spot trends, suggest hypotheses and identify anomalous results… and look at all our gold awards!

SIXTH FORM

Highlights from the year

Simple Joys

The pull of the sea, The murmurs of the wind, The tartness of oranges And birds when they sing

My rough woollen jumpers And freshly cut grass, The echoing sound of Vibrating strings on guitars,

The soft stabs of cold In the lone winter snow, The dim city lights That glint through my window,

The fallen brown leaves That jigsaw the lawn, The old stench of coffee Or tea and a scone

All these things I can touch hear smell see, Feel a trace more alive And a small hint less bloody

In short, today is a day, As days often are, When things feel more hopeful! There’s life in my heart.

Milly, Upper Sixth

A Level

Art

Lower Sixth pupils visited Exeter flea markets and were given £5 to spend on an item that resonated with them.

This became the start of their investigation into an in-depth obsession with the object. Narratives were forged, events were analysed, and rules were broken. It was a fantastic project which springboarded ideas for their personal investigations.

In the Upper Sixth, pupils pursued independent lines of enquiry as part of their coursework. The personal outcomes are the results of detailed investigation and experimentation, and their work is supported by 3,000-word critical investigations into relevant cultural and art historical sources.

Isabelle, Lower Sixth

Roxanne, Upper Sixth

Isabelle, Lower Sixth

Emily, Lower Sixth

Electronics

by WILL

When you think of a robotic arm, where do you expect to see it? I have a feeling Exeter School would not have been top of your list. Yet, as one example of the sort of work our electronic pupils have been up to, Albert has spent the majority of the last year working on his electronics coursework. This has consisted of him meticulously planning, printing and building it, which has resulted in one of the most elaborate and detailed projects we have seen. After single handedly building the electronics, he perfectly designed the body of the arm which was then 3D printed and constructed in the electronics department.

Intergenerational Learning

As part of the intergenerational project led by Mrs Daybell, a group of senior pupils visited a local retirement village (Millbrook) on a weekly basis after school.

by GRACE

Mi amor,

that’s what he called me, Before he left for the war. Mi amor.

That’s what he called me and everytime it made my heart soar. but not now. That was four years ago.

“My condolences”. The stone-cold soldier spoke. The emotion of a young boy far gone. The taste of sadness stung on my tongue, ears ringing with despair.

“My condolences”. The stone-cold soldier watched, as another life is lost. Not remembered. Not cared for. Oh I miss you. Mi amor.

We have spent time getting to know the residents there, playing games and preparing presentations to deliver.

,

When the school first started visiting Millbrook we began by creating podcasts about our fondest memories, however the programme has developed into allowing a large number of us to participate in summer games, where I know for a fact I learnt a range of activities that before playing I had never heard of! It encouraged participation of both villagers at Millbrook and pupils from all year groups, fostering genuine integration of ages.

My most enjoyable experience was learning to play darts in the games room and beating Anya after just one lesson. A tougher challenge was to come though having to learn the rules of petanque and playing alongside our year group, whilst facing stiff competition from Millbrook, as they brought out all of their tactics and experience to win.

Intergenerational learning has proven through many studies to be beneficial for younger pupils, accelerating their academic learning and improving communication skills whilst also providing socioemotional health benefits for older adults. Learning from the residents at Millbrook has been a real privilege, and we can only promise to improve our petanque skills for the rematch!

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Four Films you should Watch Before You Die

(that you may not have heard of before)

… is our annual section where members of our sixth form team share some of their personal highlights from the world of culture. Get the popcorn ready!

by EMMIE

WARNING: all these films are agerated 15, however, they deal with a diverse range of topics. I would advise that some are suited towards more mature audiences and others are suitable for younger audiences as well.

In a recent survey, 78.7% of people asked in the school community had never heard of these films – even more reason to give them a try.

Queen and Slim (2019)

This modern version of Bonnie and Clyde, directed by Melina Matsoukas, depicts the violent struggle of African American people in modern America, whilst also giving us a vibrant adventure, filled with enthralling chapters.

After a mediocre first date, a man, Daniel Kaluuya, and a woman, Jodie Turner-Smith, find themselves dealing with an ultra-aggressive police officer, who uses his weapon in the first instance of rebellion. After a dramatic turn of events the couple find themselves on the run, hiding from police and finding refuge in unlikely places. Their beautiful and, at times, strange story is a nod to the classic romance movie with heartwrenching moments woven throughout. The pair meet kind people in the face of danger and others who leave devastating impacts, leaving you gripping the edge of your seat. At the core this heartwarming romance explores fledgling love alongside the injustices facing black people in America, acting as a stark reminder of their resilience in the face of a society set against them.

The film’s two leading characters, Queen and Slim, illustrate the bright and colourful world of southern USA and the richly intertwined life of so many of its inhabitants. Queen and Slim’s story can be seen as a message advocating for change and a reminder of the futility of police brutality worldwide, not just in the US.

Little

Miss Sunshine (2006)

This family classic follows the journey of Olive, a 7-year-old girl from Albuquerque, and the rest of the Hoover family, who aim to make it to the annual Little Miss Sunshine pageant in California in time for Olive to compete. Not only is this film utterly hilarious, but also delves into the stressful reality of identity, with each character having their own storyline. Olive’s dad is a failed entrepreneur and motivational speaker and, may I add, is an absolutely insufferable character when the story begins. However, like others, his prospects improve, and he becomes considerably less insufferable and maybe even a little likeable towards the end, as he redeems himself by showing his support for his daughter in a somewhat strange way.

This film really is one for the ages and actors Paul Dano (Dwayne), Steve Carell (Frank) as well as Toni Collette (Sheryl) give us a good laugh along the way. I could write a lot about how this film “is a commentary on American pageantry and the problems associated”, however, so much happens along the

way that you forget quite easily about the pageant altogether, leaving us with the film’s wider importance, in my opinion, which is more significant due to the journey it portrays, not the event itself. Of course, I could ask many questions: why do Olive’s parents allow her to take part in this competition before she is even 10? Why must poor Olive be subject to these beauty standards when she barely knows the meaning of beauty? And, why did we ever allow things like this to happen in the first place? But this is the beauty of this film, you can come up with all these questions, without even realising, and enjoy yourself along the way. Furthermore, this film delivers a perfectly eccentric ending which is a satisfying climax to an epic journey. This movie is definitely something you will enjoy and be glad you have watched.

Submarine

(2010)

Possibly my favourite film of the 21st century: this cinematic masterpiece completely encapsulates adolescent awkwardness and the abstractness of a ‘first love’. The soundtrack, composed and performed entirely by Alex Turner, lead singer of ‘The Arctic Monkeys’, adds a perfect sense of nostalgia to this film and this, complemented with Richard Ayoade’s directing, gives us a perfectly timed sense of humour and realness that many films struggle to achieve.

The story follows Oliver Tate, who is

a rather mysterious young Welsh man. Oliver’s particularness and endeavour to find order in the many aspects of his life results in interesting relationships with his family and Jordana Bevans, his surprising new girlfriend. The plot explores Oliver’s life as his parents’ marriage enters a rocky period due to his mother’s childhood boyfriend moving in next door. This beautifully raw comedy is a handcrafted twist on the familiar British teen-romcom we all know and love, jam packed with a mixture of adolescent joy and innocent confusion.

Promising Young Woman (2020)

Emerald Fennell’s Promising Young Woman is an empowering film exploring aspects of reality that seem so far-fetched that we know they must be somewhat true – as a result, caution is advised due to its many disturbing elements and adult themes.

The story follows the thoroughly impactful journey of a woman who spends her spare time pretending to be drunk at bars, allowing men who intend to take her home to take advantage of her, to make complete fools of themselves when she reveals her sobriety and frightens the life out of them. After hearing of an old classmate, Al’s, recent engagement, who happened to sexually assault her best friend, Nina, Cassie plots her revenge and vows to destroy his life. Although this film may seem to showcase an extreme example of radical feminism, it enables Fennell to expose the nitty-gritty of the toxic rape culture that is embedded into our societies, whilst also following a thrill-inducing story line. Cassie’s sarcasm and wit make for a brilliantly dry comedy that has light-hearted moments that will make you both chuckle and rip your heart out, simultaneously.

This film will trap you into a false sense of security, but nonetheless it is an immense watch, and an important comment on society that both young women and men everywhere should see at least once in their lives. Fennell’s work is thought provoking and electric and seems to bleed out of the screen and into everyday life.

Young Entrepreneurs

Seasoned sellers of soaps and shells

by CHARLIE

�Worn by the sea, worn by you’ ran the snappy tagline for one of this year’s sixth form Exeter School Young Entrepreneurs Society teams, with the beautiful and entirely eco-friendly range of sea-based jewellery being handcrafted and locally sourced by the pupils. However, they faced stiff competition from South West Soaps, their rival pupil team, who captivated buyers with their range of ethically sourced and environmentally friendly soaps. The teams sold their wares at Christmas markets, school performances and even took their entrepreneurial abilities to Greendale Farm Shop, braving the cold to showcase their business acumen. Sea Shore Collection ran out eventual winners, something that the team led by Phoebe and Toby were 'shorely' proud of.

DRAMA

Alice in

Wonderland

Our wonderful Upper Two dramatists dazzled in their performance of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, mixing the absurd with the poignant and having an incredible time whilst doing so.

by RHIANNA

Three different casts performed with impressive verve and confidence over consecutive days in June, whilst George, Jack, Isla and Emma all contributed outstanding artwork for the programmes. Miss Cox directed with her customary creativity and enthusiasm,

whilst enormous congratulations must go to all of the hard work put into the lighting and staging by the entire drama team, not to mention the dance coaching by Mrs Pettet and the music by Mr Titchin.

State of A Grimly Enjoyable Affairs

A Grimm Tale saw six of the stories made famous by the Brothers Grimm staged creatively and imaginatively by directors Mr Jamie Brough, Mrs Polly Whitfield and Mrs Aoife Gibson.

by RHIANNA

Fifty-six pupils from Third Form and Fourth Form made up the six casts, which was rehearsed in a single week with pupils having pre-learned their lines. The chorus made their presence felt, creating environments and enhancing each tale through movement and voice. The backstage team was entirely pupil-

led with the help of some staff volunteers. This included stage management, costume, hair and makeup, lighting and sound – under the direction of Mr Sorlie-Pring, assisted by Mr Harknett. The production was a wonderful, colourful and fun way to end a wonderful year of drama at Exeter School.

Love The Summer of

In November the senior school performed a modern take on A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare, directed by Mr Brough.

by RHIANNA

Lighting and sound effects made the play come to life as they were led by Mr Harknett and Mr SorliePring with a team of pupils. There were two casts involved with pupils from Upper Fifth to Upper Sixth and some individuals from Middle Fifth helping in different areas. In total, both casts had under 24 hours to rehearse over a period of weeks, but working as a team they managed to put a great performance together. Set in Athens, the subplots revolve around Theseus and Hippolyta’s marriage. From disputes between lovers, and magical spells, to deception and mischievous Puck, there were gasps of shock and wonder as the brilliant Shakespearean story unfolded throughout the evening. Despite existing as a comedy and encouraging giggles from all ages in the audience, the

tragic themes that dominated the first half had the audience on the edge of their seats.

Sophie and Minti, both cast as the vexatious Puck, caused trouble for the Mechanicals and the Lovers. Tom, who played Demetrius, one of the Lovers, described them as a “whimsical quartet who face the formidable forces of love”, as their quarrels over devotion and love potions left the audience wanting more. Darcy and Delilah both acted as the bizarre Bottom, one of the Mechanicals, a humorous and wacky character who becomes doted upon by Titania, the Fairy Queen. This unrequited love appears when “the head of an ass” is placed upon Bottom’s head and the influence of a love potion from Oberon grants Titania an unwavering desire for the Mechanical. The bumbling foolishness of the

craftsmen evoked a hilarious scene where they put on a play for the royalty of Athens, as a celebratory performance of the wedding. As their title suggests, the characters are skilled labourers, consisting of Peter Quince the carpenter, Snug the joiner, Bottom the weaver, Flute the bellows-mender, Snout the tinker and Starveling the tailor. The Mechanicals struggle as their humble nature makes it an unnatural performance, whilst the aristocratic audience comment humorously Bottom, however, takes this moment to shine and improvises confidently. As the play draws to an end, all love potions are reversed and there is peace again in Athens. A song and dance encouraged the audience to clap along as the night came to a joyous end. Enormous congratulations to all involved in such a breathtaking performance!

MUSIC

Junior School

Music

The wonderful world of music has seen our younger pupils immersed in all sorts of exciting styles and genres ranging from sizzling strings to awe-inspiring opera, with some of our highlights of the year arranged here.

Our highlights:

• Playing in front of our friends and families for the informal concerts, despite the nerves!

• Trying out string instruments for the first time. (Editor’s note: through the Exeter School String Instrument Scheme, as seen in the picture to the right)

• Getting to grips with the French horn with Mr Titchin

• Seeing the amazing English Touring Opera performance

• Singing in our carol concert to get everyone Christmassy!

Our musical groups:

• Junior choir

• Junior singers

• Junior orchestra

• Sizzling Strings

• Junior drumming troupe

• Guitar group

• Maxi brass

Music Senior School

On the senior side of the music spectrum, the year started with the chamber concert, which was swiftly followed by the hugely popular WaterAid concert and carol service, which both took place in the impressive venue of Exeter Cathedral.

The term ended with the start of the informal concert series, pioneered by the music department. The second term of the year was launched in style by the Choral Society concert, with the continuation of the informal concerts which included the Twilight Jazz, Rock, and Pop concert. The final term of the year was also the busiest, beginning with the traditional Sidbury Chamber Concert and Summer Charity Concert later in May, which was in aid of Azuko, a charity aiming to reduce housing poverty. The year concluded with the Jazz Supper concert, a lunchtime chamber concert as part of Exeter’s music festival, and a tour to La Garda for fifty lucky pupils.

Sport Senior School

2023-2024 produced another fabulous year of Exeter School sport. During the three action packed terms a significant number of pupils pulled on the school colours.

by MR DAVID GIBSON

There are far too many sporting highlights to mention in one short report, but I hope it gives you a taste of the sporting action that took place, some team highlights and then the talent that we have in the school community.

The start of the new academic year always brings fresh hope and new expectations, and the autumn term did not disappoint. Our boys’ rugby squads were on fine form with the 1st XV leading from the front; their performances against King’s College Taunton and Wellington the highlights. The U15s produced an exciting cup run, making the regional final where their journey ended against a very strong Beechen Cliff side who went on to make the national final. The U12As won nine matches in their debut season. In contrast the U14s had by far the most challenging season in terms of results but will return next season having grown in character and resilience and be better for it. Ollie B and Nate J flew the Exonian flag at the highest-level representing Exeter Chiefs U17s in the academy league; we hope that others will follow next year as by the end of the academic year, both Max N and Jacob H had been selected in the U16 Chiefs training group for next season. Nevertheless, arguably the biggest achievement of the term was

the number of pupils involved in rugby. There is little doubt that we benefit from some excellent clubs in our catchment area, however, at a time when rugby is under the spotlight, it is evident that the sport is in rude health at Exeter School.

Our girls’ hockey team were also in fine fettle and the astro was a hive of activity and exciting hockey. The 1st team were not without their challenges but stuck together through a tough set of results and finished strongly. There is no doubt that the October half term tour to Utrecht in the Netherlands, alongside the boys’ 1st XI, helped no end and they returned more confident and with a spring in their steps. The week in Holland was a brilliant experience and gave everyone involved a taste of what Dutch hockey has to offer. The amazing facilities at Kampong Hockey club (they have seven floodlit astros and over 80 senior teams) was inspirational, the coaching first rate and the touring experiences memorable. These included a FC Utrecht premier Eredivisie match against Ajax, a theme park, three fixtures for each team and more pancakes than any human could eat. They will live long in the memory. We must not, however, forget about our other year groups. The 2nd XI had a great year alongside Miss Horn, the U15s and U14 combined squad made tremendous progress and the U13s and

U12s shone bright. The U13 girls played superbly in the Devon finals, finishing runners-up enabling them to play in the West of England Finals. The U12s, not to be outdone, were crowned U12 Devon Champions. They then went through to the semifinal of the West of England, losing to the eventual champions. Amazing!

Full of festive spirit and a little too much turkey the start of the spring term saw our netballers take to the courts en masse. During a brilliant season the school was able to field more teams than in previous years with C teams at U12 and U13 as well as four senior and B teams across the middle school. A brilliant pre-season tournament hosted by Miss Johnson at the Paignton Hub was a highlight and set the tone for the term. Our U15 and U14 teams toured Manchester for the first time, training with the Manchester Thunder Super League coaches, playing fixtures against Stockport GS and Thunder academy squads and returned energised and focused for the remainder of term. The 1st VII produced some superb netball, and like our hockey squads, have some brilliant role models for our female athletes to look up to. Nell S continued to represent and captain Team Bath U17s and despite suffering from injury during the year had a significant influence. We are all very excited about next year's U16 and senior squads. Likewise, the junior teams are ones to watch out for as they followed their successful hockey term with an equally impressive netball season.

The boys’ hockey teams had a memorable term, none more so than the 1st XI who produced one of the most outstanding seasons for over a decade with a 10:2 win ratio and a fabulous cup campaign. There was a real sense of togetherness following the tour in October and I know from speaking to Mr Skinner and Mr Jones that they were an absolute delight to work with and great company. Harry W deserves special mention. Harry, along with Fraser W, played national league hockey for ISCA and had a significant influence in every match. The U14s also had a standout year as they quietly went about their business, improving with every match and eventually qualifying for the West of England regional finals. The U12s also made it to the West of England finals making it four teams who had qualified for west finals this year! What a brilliant year!

The school football teams, led by their effervescent ‘Gaffa’ Mr Ashman had a busy first half of their season as they prepared for

the ISCA league. Another promising build up with a run of four wins gave restored hope following last year’s bottom half finish but unfortunately results did not go their way and they were not able to replicate the heroics of Mr Ashman’s beloved Exeter City and finish in the top half of the table. The introduction of Tom Badcock from the Exeter City Community Trust to help with the coaching was a huge success and the continued link great news for the school. The school also put out a 3rd XI for the first time and the number of opportunities to play football for school in growing. The biggest news story of the season was without doubt Jess C. Jess became the first ever female pupil to represent the 1st XI and she was superb throughout and an inspiration to our other female footballers. She also represents Exeter City women’s team and will be one to watch out for in years to come.

There was also a huge amount going on in the school’s other sports in the spring term. The hard work of Miss Barnes with our cross country athletes really did pay off this year with six pupils qualifying to compete at the Devon Schools Cross Country championships where Rory B-W finished 1st in the inter boys and Lydia J 3rd in the minor girls. Both pupils qualified for the Southwest cross country championships and Rory went on to be selected to compete for Devon Schools at the

English Schools Cross Country Championships in Pontefract in March, where he finished 21st; what a talent!

It was time for a re-build with the school squash programme. Our senior teams continued to compete in the nationals and those pupils who committed time to individual coaching with Mike Harris benefitted and progressed the most. James N deserves special mention for his hard work and dedication and it was great to see him perform well. There is also an enthusiastic and talented group of junior players on the horizon.

The swimming squads worked tirelessly and the hours they put into their sport outweigh that of all other sports. The school teams performed admirably in their many galas and competitions and the individual talent on show was incredible. Evie H, James B, Harry A and Holly J all qualified for either the GB summer championships or Swim England nationals –reward for their hard work and dedication.

The third sports awards dinner, held at Sandy Park, was a fitting way to celebrate Exeter School sport and recognise the achievements of the senior teams and talented individuals. It also helped launch the summer term with a speech from the captain of cricket. Cricket dominated the summer calendar

with over 150 fixtures in ten weeks. The 1st XI balanced their examination commitments during a busy fixture schedule superbly and it will be sad to say farewell to the leavers, some of whom have played three seasons for the senior team. They won eight matches including wins against Blundell’s (twice!), the MCC and Plymouth College. When combined, the U15s and U14s were a force to be reckoned with. They reached the west region finals of the national U15 ECSA cup losing to eventual finalists Millfield. The U12 boys were crowned county champs as were the U13/U12 girls who beat local rivals Blundell’s in a fabulous final performance. This group of girls have the potential to be a really good outfit in the next few years. The U15B and U14B teams should be given great credit, their enthusiasm for the game was infectious and the U15Bs (aka The Flying Dutchmen) remained unbeaten. A large number of pupils continued to represent Devon. On a special note, Mo K was selected for the ECB south and west squad (a year young) to compete at the Bunbury festival where he competed against the most talented young players from across the country. This is a quite an incredible achievement as the last Exonians to be selected for the festival were Tom Lammomby and Ben Green – we know how well they have done since then. The

most exciting challenge for future summers will be providing opportunities for the number of pupils wanting to play. It’s a mark of how popular the sport is at school!

In a similar way to the cross county the previous term, our athletes impressed on the track and in the field. The highlight was without doubt the representation at the prep school nationals in Birmingham where twelve pupils from the prep and senior school competed. Isla G was the star of the show finishing second nationally in the javelin. There was also further success for Rory B-W, this time on the track. Rory qualified for the English Schools’ finals in the 3000m eventually finishing 8th nationally with a PB of 8.46.80; that’s incredible! Rory is a year young and will be hoping for even better next year. The athletics season concluded with a senior school sports day at the Exeter Arena, where, for the first time, pupils competed in the five new houses of Acland, Crossing, Dowrich, Goff and Walker. I would love to say that the pupils stole the show, but the final house relay of the day was a personal highlight as staff representatives brought the baton home in the final leg (with some slightly tight hamstrings) to loud applause.

Tennis rounded off the summer term with teams at U13 and U15 competing for the school in fixtures, impressive numbers attending after school training and the courts were full throughout the summer.

Exonians were also involved in other significant sporting achievements outside of school. A number of pupils competed in the regional championships at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing academy. Our equestrian riders were busy with some going on to represent the school at the national equestrian schools’ event at Hickstead. We even had kickboxing success with Kaleb in Lower Sixth winning gold at the sparring kickboxing P.U.M.A British championships. Many of our past Exonians continue to excel at their respective universities and in professional sport.

Finally, it is important to recognise the team effort that goes into a successful sporting year. A big thank you to the ground staff, catering staff, operations team, staff and external coaches and many more. The final mention is for Mr Mason, who after 18 years at the school, left us at Christmas. He was an incredible gentleman, teacher and character. He was transformative in his leadership and always put the pupils first. He will be missed a great deal; thank you ACFM.

Junior School

Sport

This has been an incredible year of sport at the junior school, filled with enthusiasm, dedication, and numerous successes that deserve celebration.

by MR CAMERON DUTCH

After a year at Exeter Junior School, I have been amazed at the passion for sport that our pupils display, alongside their wonderful attitude and spirit. While it is impossible to include every highlight and achievement, I hope that this report will provide an overview of the sports activities and some of the accomplishments that have defined our school year.

Hockey

This year has been an exceptional one for girls' hockey. Our U8 team had a fantastic season, focusing on learning and developing their skills, and even braved tough conditions to play a fixture in the snow at West Buckland. The U9s displayed their incredible hockey skills all season, and their hard work paid off with a memorable victory against Blundell's. The U10 and U11 teams had a great season, developing their skills and working hard in games sessions, and playing in plenty of fixtures. The U11 girls came second in the Devon tournament hosted at Blundell's, a season highlight that earned them a spot in the regional finals.

The U8 boys had a memorable season, highlighted by a

JUNIOR SCHOOL SPORT

competitive away triangular against St. Peter's and Mount Kelly, where they showcased their progress made in games sessions. The U9 boys also had a strong season, building on their growth from last year and on key concepts like possession and ball control. A standout moment was when we hosted Mount Kelly at home, scoring some excellent goals in an exciting match. The U10 season featured a thrilling triangular

against Blundell's and St. Peter's, where the team controlled possession and concluded the day with a convincing win over Blundell's, scoring some excellent goals. The U11 boys competed admirably in the Devon hockey finals, narrowly missing out in the semi-finals in penalty shuffles.

Rugby

The rugby season was nothing short of outstanding, marked by significant progress being made across all age groups. The season kicked off with a successful trip to Queen’s College for our U10 and U11 teams, setting a positive tone for the months ahead. This fixture laid the foundation for a strong season for both the U10 and U11 age groups. The excitement continued at the Truro Festival, where over 50 of our U10 and U11 boys participated in an afternoon of rugby. This festival was one of the highlights of the season, providing a platform for many players to represent the school and to develop their abilities further. Our U8 and U9 teams have also made remarkable strides this year. Their standout moment came at the Plymouth Festival, where they scored some great tries and played exceptionally well as a team.

Netball

This year has been an excellent one for netball. Our players have learned lots of new skills and participated in numerous fixtures throughout the season. The U8 and U9 girls had a great start to the netball season with a pre-season training session and fixture with ECS. This set the girls up with a platform to perform as a team for the rest of the season. We

also had a fantastic afternoon hosting our annual U10 and U11 netball tournaments, showcasing the talents of our young athletes against some of the most competitive local schools. Additionally, the Busy Bee’s tournaments provided many girls with the opportunity to experience playing in a tournament setting, mixing into teams with girls from other schools in a fun afternoon of netball.

Cricket

After some inclement weather at the start of the cricket season causing a few cancellations, the pupils displayed some incredible progress once up and running!

Our mixed fixtures, featuring boys and girls playing together across all age groups, have been a fantastic addition this season. The U8s and U9s kicked off their fixtures with a fun match away against St. Peter's, showcasing a blend of enthusiasm and teamwork.

For the U9 girls, a season highlight was the away fixture at Stover, where they excelled as a team, communicated effectively, and impressively scored over 100 runs. The U11 girls had a standout moment in their season during a match against Taunton Prep, where many of the girls played hardball

cricket for the first time, playing confidently and scoring many runs in the process.

The U10 boys also had a fantastic cricket season, beginning with a competitive fixture against Blundell's Prep. They took many valuable lessons from this game, which they applied throughout the rest of their fixtures. Another notable highlight was when the U10 A and B teams travelled to St. Peter's for an afternoon of cricket where the pupils played well to come out on top in both games. The U11 boys had a particularly memorable season, winning the county cup final against Blundell's Prep, a team they had lost to earlier in the season. This victory advanced them to the West of England finals at Queen's College, where they played outstanding cricket in the first two games. The decisive match against Millfield was incredibly close, remaining neck and neck until the last couple of overs when Millfield managed to pull ahead. Despite this narrow loss, it was a cup run to be incredibly proud of.

Athletics

In the summer term, all pupils in the junior school took part in athletics within their PE lessons. The pupils had a chance to try running, jumping and throwing events and to work on

JUNIOR SCHOOL SPORT

their technique and skills. A team of pupils were selected to represent the school at the Mount Kelly athletics meet in June, where they competed commendably and did the school proud. Following this event, Scarlett (high jump), Joshua (high jump), Rory (200m) and Arthur (1500m) all qualified for the national prep schools’ athletics finals. This event was held at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, and the pupils had a great experience competing against the very best athletes in the country.

Swimming

Swimming began with the swim trials in September that attracted over 100 pupils, highlighting the sport's popularity. Under the guidance of Exeter City swim coach, Glenn Currie, the swim squad trained diligently every week throughout the year up until the May half term. They took part in two exciting galas against Taunton School, one at home and one away, providing race experience for the pupils in preparation for the IAPS regional competition.

The regional finals, held at Millfield School, offered our swimmers a fantastic day of competition, where their hard work paid off in some excellent races. Four pupils from Upper Two qualified for the National IAPS Finals in June,

which took place at the London Aquatics Centre. Alex achieved a remarkable 3rd place nationally in the backstroke. Additionally, Rory R, Rory D, Monty C, and Alex K M delivered an outstanding performance in the medley relay, improving their time from the regional round by an impressive eight seconds.

Football

Football is a sport that the children thoroughly enjoy and excel at. The U10 and U11 girls showcased their sporting talents in fixtures against St. Leonard’s, winning all three games with impressive performances. The U11 boys participated in the EFL Kids Cup, where they progressed through the first round to qualify for the local area finals. Despite a narrow loss in the final, the boys delivered magnificent displays in all their matches, highlighting their dedication and skill in the sport.

House sports and events

The junior school's whole school sporting events have been a highlight of the year, bringing together pupils in a spirit of fun and friendly competition. The house swim gala was a fantastic day of swimming where all pupils participated, proudly displaying the skills and progress made in their PE lessons. The house cross country event was another close competition, with pupils showing great spirit and determination to complete the long distance running circuit. Sports day was a wonderful way to round off an excellent year of sport, with all pupils enthusiastically participating in multiple track and field events. The day was filled with smiles and determination with pupils displaying pride for their houses. Many events and races were so close they required a photo finish, all in all making for a memorable and exciting conclusion to the school sporting year.

It has been a fantastic year for sports at Exeter Junior School, and I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year here. I would like to extend my thanks to all the teachers and team coaches whose dedication makes everything possible. A special thanks also to the staff working behind the scenes – the grounds team, facilities team, and catering staff – who ensure that the children have an exceptional sporting experience. Thank you all, and I look forward to another great year.

Girls’ Sport

Despite the extensive history of Exeter School, the introduction of girls occurred relatively recently with the school's transition to a fully co-educational establishment in September 1997.

by NELL

Therefore competitive girls' sport is a rather new addition to the school. Historically, it can be perceived that there was less initial focus on girls' participation. However as of recent years we are seeing more impressive sporting accolades from an increasing number of girls who are consistently breaking barriers and going further than seen before.

Why is this so important?

Sport and physical exercise is vital in everyday life as it acts as an outlet from the pressures of academic work and other commitments. It empowers girls to try new things and push themselves out of their comfort zones. By a certain age girls can often tend to lose interest and stop participating in organised sport, which is presented by the ‘Women in Sports’

website which states that “43% of girls who once considered themselves 'sporty' drop out of sport after primary school’ and “68% of girls say a fear of feeling judged by others is a barrier to doing sport”. So by continuing to advertise and empower through exercise, team and individual sports there is hope to keep girls involved for longer. At Exeter School, we value the importance of keeping young girls active and through watching older girls succeed we hope to inspire the next generations to continue to participate socially or competitively even at the elite level.

Current success

In an interview with Jess, a Lower Sixth pupil and female footballer for Exeter City, she reflects on the importance of breaking barriers and competing in a male dominated sport at school, hoping to inspire and encourage others to do the same. Jess has progressed steadily through the Exeter City academy ranks, climbing to the U16 level before landing a spot on the Exeter City women's reserves team. Recently, she's been training alongside the Exeter City women's first team, a

testament to her dedication and talent. As well as performing at an elite level outside of school she became the first ever female footballer to represent the first team for school.

She emphasised the significance of this milestone, particularly within a school culture that traditionally focuses on female sports like netball and hockey. "It's nerve-racking," she admits, "but being the first female representative in a school that doesn't typically prioritise football is quite thrilling."

When prompted about encouraging younger girls to join sports, especially in a predominantly male-oriented environment, Jess stressed the need for greater visibility and encouragement. "I hope for more publicity and opportunities around smaller sports, more clubs, and not taking things too seriously," she remarked. Her advice to aspiring young athletes? "Just try! Even if you're scared, give it a go. Try different things."

However, Jess acknowledges the challenges she's encountered while playing alongside boys. "Having confidence issues, trusting your capabilities and your skillset - just because you're not necessarily as strong or fast doesn't mean you're less skilled," she asserts. Breaking stereotypes and proving oneself becomes an ongoing journey, especially in an environment where perceptions about gender in sports may prevail.

Past Exonian success

As well as current success, past Exonian success is also imperative to recognise. As arguably the most accomplished female old sporting Exonian, Emma Corney, who left the school after completing her A Levels in 2022, progressed into the early stages of her professional cricketing career, with her current team Western Storm. To an onlooker, one may simply see her undeniable talent and dedication to achieve such an impressive accolade at her early age. However, to delve deeper into the behind the scenes work that went into her success, it formulates a clear idea of the nature of an Exonian. Throughout her school career Emma consistently played in the boys’ A teams and then ultimately the first cricket team; not only this but in her final season she captained the team, becoming the first ever female first team cricket captain of what is often seen by previous generations as the ‘boys’ team’. To be put into a position of authority over your peers is daunting at the best of times but to do so in such a competitive and male-dominated environment speaks volumes to the strength of her character. However, not only did she go on to achieve greatness on the pitch, she also showed excellence academically with three As at A Level. As we hope to continue to watch Emma progress on her professional journey, she becomes a role model for all girls within the school, a key figure of success both on and off the pitch, a true example of what it means to be an Exonian.

What it means to be a sporting Exonian

In essence, what it means to be a sporting success as an Exonian, whether it may be competitively or socially, is sacrifice, hard work and dedication in all aspects of life. It doesn't only mean excelling on the pitch - or in your activity of choice - but in your school work, playing an instrument or in the drama studio… To be an Exonian is no one size fits all policy but what is clear is that, by pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, you can achieve great things!

Emma Corney

FEATURES

AncientAI and the world

AI is quickly becoming a larger and larger part of our lives, whether it be school kids getting ‘help’ with their homework, everyday idea-generation, or historians developing our knowledge of the ancient world; it’s surprising what it can help us achieve.

by AMELIE

Agreat example of this is the Vesuvius Challenge, a contest which encourages archaeologists to use AI to analyse the scrolls. In 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying Pompeii, and carbonizing over 1,800 scrolls. In the 300 years since they were found, scholars have tried to unroll them but their methods destroyed the scrolls and yielded very little text. As a result none have been opened since the 1800s.

So far prizes have been won for the first word read, (purple) and the $700,000 prize to read four intact passages. The team that won revealed the contents of the 2,000 year old scroll which discusses how to enjoy the pleasures of life, namely through music and food. The Romans definitely had the right idea!

There are, of course, some concerns about the reliablility of AI. The contestants “unravelled” the scroll virtually through creating a digital image they created using a scan of the carbonised originals and artificial intelligence. Key concerns include that of “hallucinations” (false information created by the AI). This is also an issue with Chat GPT, fabricating quotes by celebrities! To combat this, contestants ran the code multiple

times to check that they are getting the same answer every time.

With the 800 scrolls yet to be analysed, and hopefully more still buried, it is exciting to think how much we can learn about Roman culture in 79AD. Speculation about what the remaining scrolls contain: lost plays, Sappho’s poetry, or another of Homer’s works!

Linguists and historians have also been using AI to speed up the translation of ancient texts. Huge piles of these texts are yet to be translated because so few people are fluent in dead languages. As a result we can translate texts much faster.

�So far prizes have been won for the first word read, (purple) and the $700,000 prize to read four intact passages. The team that won revealed the contents of the 2,000 year old scroll which discusses how to enjoy the pleasures of life, namely through music and food.�

Of course, there are some limitations, as a translation isn’t just swapping one word for another. An accurate translation needs the translator to understand how both languages fit together and then create a translation that maintains both the cultural and lexical nuances of the original text. AI then, is incredibly useful for speeding up translation.

Therefore, despite all the negative media surrounding AI, the Vesuvius challenge and AI in translation prove that it can really help us understand our history.

top: Vesuvius Challenge First Word winner right: The Herculaneum scroll carbonized by heat

STAFF

Adieux

Fond farewells to exulted staff

JUDE BARKER

Jude has been a veritable Swiss Army knife in our department. His repertoire ranged from mind reading to mending; inventories to instructions. He always kept on top of requisitions and made sure that teachers had everything they need to help lessons run smoothly. Jude certainly carried out the ‘and any other task that is considered relevant to your role’ part of his job description! For example, the sixth form couldn’t believe their luck when they were invited to watch Jude give a fascinating talk whilst dissecting a brain, then have a go at it themselves. Despite being here for only a short time Jude has made a huge impression and will be sorely missed.

MRS FULLAM

TOM BOWLER

Tom Bowler joined us in 2022 from Maynard and made an immediate impact, not just with his teaching but also his superman costume on non-uniform days. Whether teaching Upper Sixth further maths or lower school classes, his passion for the subject and problem-solving is evident to all. He set up a successful mentoring project for Lower Sixth pupils to develop younger pupils. Tom leaves us to be Educational Director for a charity seeking to open up access to mathematical enrichment opportunities for all, and raise national standards in mathematics. In his short time here he has made an impact, particularly with further maths, and he will be missed.

DR CHAPMAN

JACQUIE BARNES

Jacquie has been a part of Exeter School for fourteen years. She was an inspirational head of mathematics in the junior school and supported an enthusiastic team to engender an enjoyment of the subject in every child. Jacquie moved on to lead the subject of PSHE at a time

GEOFF CHAPMAN

Geoff Chapman has been a great colleague to work with. He has brought expertise across all the fields of mathematics we teach and has also innovated in the ways he delivers his teaching, having been an early user of an interactive whiteboard and latterly OneNote. He sets high expectations for his pupils and helps them reach their full potential, especially in the preparation of pupils for more selective universities. Having

when it was uppermost in the minds of educators across the country. She not only recognised the importance to the pupils of this area of the curriculum but worked tirelessly to ensure that its profile remained high with all staff. She created new and thorough schemes of work for each year group which mixed the theoretical with the practical so that the subject became more accessible. Much of the extracurricular work Jacquie undertook in the school was linked to her inherently caring nature. For example, she introduced mindfulness, benefiting staff and pupils alike who were able to take part in her weekly mindfulness moments. Her gardening club was a haven of wellbeing, including as it did all the things we know are good for the mental health of our children

taken the lead on further maths throughout his time at school, and latterly taking on the head of department role, we are certainly going to miss him.

If you were to ask most pupils why they remember Geoff, it would probably be his time as contingent commander of the CCF. During his twelve years as contingent commander, Geoff attended adventure training every year and was a regular feature on navy camps at Stoke Gabriel, Roadford Lake and many CCF trips; Geoff has very much earned his medals and Lord Lieutenant’s certificate of meritorious service! He oversaw the installation of the rifle range and the “Chapman observation hatch” is named in his honour. We wish Geoff all the best at Totnes School and hope that we will be able to meet up with him soon so that he can tell us of his new adventures. We will certainly miss him.

MR REYNOLDS

– being outside, working with our hands, growing things and sharing the bounty. She started ‘Planet Protectors’ where she gathered a group of young, enthusiastic environmentalists, who were eager to persuade everyone to ‘do their bit’. She ran a school council where children felt their voices mattered and the grown-ups listened. Jacquie was also responsible for supporting the early career teachers in the school as they navigated those challenging first years. As with everything she undertakes, Jacquie was dedicated to ensuring those teachers were given guidance, care and practical help. She has an infectious sense of fun and a warm generosity of spirit and we wish her all the very best in her new ventures.

MRS PETTET

ANDREW DOBSON

Andrew Dobson joined Exeter School in September 2010 as a teacher of English, bringing with him a real sense of academic rigour and a love of literature. His background in law led to him supporting a number of our pupils en route into the profession as well as inspiring many young people to study literature at various universities including Oxbridge. Andrew soon became our head of English and oversaw a number of changes in choice of exam board to ensure that our pupils had the right balance of texts, an exposure to good academic literature and the ability to represent themselves well in examinations. He was also industrious in his production of top-notch summaries and guides, much appreciated by pupils and staff alike. He contributed to the school in many ways beyond English, including the Duke of Edinburgh award, support for pupils sitting the Oxbridge entrance thinking skills assessment and setting up and running the inaugural house spelling bee. More recently, Andrew embraced the opportunities offered by generative AI really early on, using it within lessons to set up interesting linguistic challenges for his pupils. We thank Andrew for the huge impact that he has made on the teaching of English (and beyond) at Exeter School over the past 14 years.

DR WILSON

ALICE FRANCIS

With Alice Francis’s departure, the modern languages department loses a passionate advocate for all things linguistic. Having been head of french for seven years, then assistant head of department for a further 10, Alice was instrumental in ensuring equal access to French, German and Spanish for pupils

EMILY DUNLOP

Emily Dunlop will be leaving us after 15 years, most recently as Head of Classics, and prior to that as a head of house. Mrs Dunlop has many interests that she has brought to the school, not least her love of southeast Asian culture, as well as all things classical, and her legacy will, doubtless, be long lasting. She has taken her pupils backwards in time on amazing overseas trips into the ancient world for which we are very grateful. She is embarking on a training course to become a teacher of English as an additional language in the months to come and we wish her well with this new direction in her (semi) retirement.

MS SIMPSON

JULIE FURNISS

Julie joined the pre-prep in September 2022 in the role of Head’s PA and school administrator, having previously been the HR Officer at Exeter School. Her pre-prep role involved wearing a lot of hats: often driving the bus and serving lunch, as well as undertaking countless administration tasks and helping to keep the school running successfully on a day-to-day basis. Julie’s organisation and attention to detail meant she excelled in this role and we are very grateful to her for all of her dedication and hard work. We wish Julie and her husband a very happy retirement.

MRS RICHARDS

across the whole school: in particular I remember her energetic launching of German in Lower Two (complete with her Yoda toy to model of German word order), and her accompanying many cultural and linguistic trips all over France and Germany, including being my deputy on the behemoth that was the Third Form Normandy trip, with its muddy assault course and rivers of grenadine. Alice’s potent combination of vigour and rigour meant I never had to think about large areas of running the department, as she anticipated things that needed doing and they arrived on my desk done. Somehow in the middle of pastoring younger pupils in Goff House, running netball, singing in choral society and attending to the mere bagatelle of a full teaching load in two languages, she even found time to learn Italian and ride the Camino de Santiago on horseback. We will feel her absence acutely, but we will continue to be the better for her presence these last 21 years.

MR LATIMER

STEPHEN HANCOCK

Both a gentleman and a gentle man, affectionately known by many as the BFG (big, friendly giant), Stephen Hancock made an enormous contribution in his time here and will be genuinely missed. Immensely knowledgeable and always open to new ideas and innovative methods of teaching, it has been a pleasure working with Stephen, not least seeing his incredible array of stylish waistcoats. He was often busy formulating his latest literary catchphrase, with his exclamation of ‘bring me my inkwell of bile!’ being a beautiful example of his way with words. Stephen was an integral member of Crossing House over his time here: omnipresent in house meetings, happy to step in to DJ, play the drums, or judge an origami or hula-hooping

competition as the need arose, bringing his erudite, avuncular and in every sense stylish contributions to bear on whatever the proceedings may have required. His positivity on these occasions was dynamic and infectious, and for these excellent characteristics, I know that pupils often looked up to him. There is no better way to end this farewell than in the words of one of Stephen’s Upper Fifth pupils: No matter how tall he stands, or how loud he speaks, his greatest ability is to see the world at our level.

MR SEATON-BURN

MARTIN HUGHES

Martin Hughes began his life at Exeter School as Director of Studies in September 2004, serving almost 20 years as a member of the school’s senior team. He performed a variety of roles over the years, overseeing, evolving and guiding as he went. As well as being a main contributor to whole school strategy and development, he brought in information management systems, redesigned assessment and reporting processes, evolved academic curricula, refined pastoral systems, implemented new safeguarding processes and staffing structures. Each of these

HELEN MARTIN

Helen joined the pre-prep in September 2020 in the role of reception class teacher following a wealth of experience in a variety of settings. She subsequently took on the role of Head of Early Years as part of the pre-prep leadership team. We were particularly lucky to benefit from Helen’s expertise in special needs education and dance, amongst many other things. Helen leaves us to pursue a role closer to her hometown of Yeovil as Curriculum Coordinator in a special needs school. We wish her every success for the future.

MRS RICHARDS

adaptations significantly improved the experiences and outcomes for pupils and staff alike but, beyond the systems and processes, Martin also always gave of himself in supporting and developing others. He also took on the role of Acting Head for one term.

Amongst the many further changes that Martin made, he restarted the school’s academic society, the Crossing Club, and introduced the extended project qualification as an option for sixth form pupils many years before this was more mainstream in UK schools. More recently, in his role as Senior Deputy Head and designated safeguarding lead, Martin would spend much of his time supporting individuals in need, often without the vast majority of our community being aware (and rightly so) and I want to thank Martin for this aspect of his work in school on behalf of all those that he helped.

Martin’s family were also very much Exonians. His wife, Claire, helped out regularly with Ten Tors and his children, Lauren and Albert, both journeyed through the school from Form One through to Upper Sixth.

17 years as a Director of Sport is a considerable chunk of time! Since joining Exeter School from King Edwards, Bath, Andy has been instrumental in helping pupils become passionate and engaged in sports and physical activity. His mantra has always been to ‘put the kids first’ in every decision he made. As

Around the school site, Martin was always a friendly and encouraging presence. He often supported pupils in various co-curricular events that took place and sport was a particular favourite: Martin would be out on the fields or the hockey pitch every Saturday to take photographs and encourage our teams.

Over the years, Martin made a very substantial positive impact on the lives of thousands of pupils and colleagues, whether they realised this or not! In asking our more recent colleagues for words that they would use to describe him, responses included thoughtful, sensitive, respectful, caring, kind, realistic, commonsense approach, intellectual, sense of humour, professional, fair, calm, reflective and a gentle giant (and not just when dressed up as Hagrid during the Harry Potter residential).

Thank you, Martin, for your selfless devotion to the lives of others in our community over so many years and we wish you all the best with Life 2.0.

DR WILSON

a result he ensured that all of the sport facilities were made available at break and lunchtime. In turn, this saw the reintroduction of house sport – a lunchtime activity for pupils of all ability to play some kind of competitive sport. The gym was opened on a daily basis and pupils were encouraged to use it to de-stress from their busy academic lives. He was, perhaps, well before his time in the way he approached his coaching and management. He was all about pupils expressing themselves with their playing style – giving them freedom to make mistakes and putting ‘fun’ at the top of the agenda.

There is little doubt that he has left an indelible mark upon the school. The ovation that the pupils gave

him at his final assembly was incredible and signified how he altered the fabric of the school. Andy Mason is ‘Exeter School’ – for 17 years he embodied everything that was special about the school. His care, thoughtfulness, kindness and attention to detail was remarkable. Every pupil knew his name, every staff member called him a friend and every parent wanted him to teach their children.

Andy has always stated that if he was able to make one pupil take up sport as a result of his teaching, he has succeeded. It is fair to suggest that there are many past Exonians today that will be forever grateful for having Andy Mason as their PE teacher, coach and Director of Sport.

MR JONES

ANDY MASON

EMMA TAYLOR

Emma started at Exeter School in 2016 as an art technician and has been an invaluable member of the department ever since. She has witnessed much change over the past eight years and worked alongside nine members of staff and four different heads of art. Her passion for the arts and interest in craft and print have enabled her to host a series of workshops for staff and pupils alike. Over the years she has taught members of the Exeter School community the skills of screen printing, Gelli printing, lino and etching through her very enjoyable workshops. Emma has curated at least ten exhibitions during my two years as head of department. So, one can only imagine how many she has curated over the past eight years! Her determined work ethic, organisation and methodical approach has produced fantastic summer shows and catalogues celebrating the pupils’ work throughout the years. She has joined us on many trips during my two years here at Exeter School, and we will remember her fondly when we take Middle Fifth on their annual visit to St. Ives. She will be dearly missed from the art department, and we wish her the best of luck in her new venture.

MRS BREWER

RICHARD TEAR

Richard joined Exeter School as head of chemistry in 2014 and has made a strong impact. He has been innovative and brought ideas, energy and enthusiasm in his unique characterful manner. Richard is well known for big bangs and his hydrogen/oxygen balloons and contact explosives can be heard (and felt) throughout the science department and possibly beyond. He has wowed primary school pupils with outreach shows and encouraged sixth form pupils to learn and deliver the demonstrations. He even brought Breaking Bad to Exeter School and the drug synthesis club which ran this year for the Middle Fifth was so popular, he had to run it twice.

Richard has a great rapport with the pupils and is loved by his classes.

A former colleague said of Richard, “he’s a gentle giant who is very knowledgeable and knows how to get the best out of his classes”. He’s a good team leader and wants the best for everyone, he’s good at seeing the bigger picture, an ideas man, he drives discussions, is decisive, speaks up and questions things. He has been involved in so much more than just chemistry with activities outside of the classroom. He has assisted with DofE, CCF, Ten Tors and run the school ski trips in recent years. Richard even led a kayaking trip in his last few days of term at Exeter School, departing in a fitting manner. Not only this, but Richard has also been on the pastoral team as Deputy Head of Buller, he has coached rugby and been Director of Science: a true all-rounder. We wish him all the best with his relocation to London.

DR SMALE

GILES TRELAWNY

Giles Trelawny has very much been a man for all seasons in his time at Exeter School. Distilling more than three decades of service into a short article is no easy task and it certainly cannot fully do him justice! With a name like Trelawny, it is probably no wonder he headed Southwest to study at Exeter University and, six years later, after cutting his teeth at Reading School, he joined Exeter School in 1993. Initially as a teacher of history and, for the past 17 years as head of department, his enthusiasm, humour and desire to engage pupils in the past have become folklore to many a current pupil and OE, and made the history department a very happy and supportive team to be part of. Battlefields trips will certainly live long in the memory of recent leavers as well as visits to Dublin and Berlin. Heading Townsend House and two stints as Deputy Head of Buller have enabled him to play a full role in the pastoral care of pupils: former pupils reflect upon his pride in the house and the care he showed, describing him as an entertainer, motivating and invested and remember him regularly advising them that “if they hoot with the owls, then they must soar with the eagles”. In the classic model of an old-fashioned school master,

Giles has taken great joy from and inspired many pupils by contributing widely to school sport. As well as coaching both basketball and cricket, his long reign as 1st and 2nd XV rugby coach brought many players back into the competitive fold and his teams have been typified by their desire to fight tenaciously and play in the right spirit.

As a keen supporter of the wider life of the school through trips to Canada, the USA, various ski trips old and new, the niche offering of the model railway society and CCF, Giles has certainly enriched and enlivened the cultural experiences of pupils. Inducting new staff, chairing the senior common room and coordinating the PSHE programme have afforded him the chance to work closely with the broader staff community, and like the pupils, staff have certainly benefited from his professionalism, wisdom, terrible jokes and all-round positive approach to school life. Whilst we will welcome him back in a different capacity next year, he will be sorely missed in the classroom and the history department. Giles will surely reflect with genuine pride and affection on his time at Exeter School. We wish him every happiness in his retirement from teaching and, personally, I just hope that he doesn’t get too good at golf!

MR

BAKER

GINA ROBINS

Gina joined Exeter School as company accountant in November 2006.

Serving under three bursars, Gina’s experience was vital, especially in the earlier years when the bursars were not financially qualified. Gina was a committed, valued and modest member of the school’s senior support staff with an excellent work ethic. She very much enjoyed being a parent and seeing her son, Aidan, develop and flourish as he went through the school. After helping steer the school safely through the challenges of the pandemic, Gina decided to look for a better work life balance. Moving to a three day a week role will see her have more time to spend walking, gardening and looking after her parents. We wish her the very best for her next chapter and I personally thank her for all her hard work and support over the six and a half years we worked together.

MR MACEACHARN

ALEX SORLIE-PRING

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Alex Sorlie-Pring. Alex joined the drama department two years ago and quickly became an integral part of the department and the school as a whole. He has been a popular member of staff, both with colleagues and pupils. He has worked incredibly hard, going above and beyond to help both pupils and staff to realise their technical aspirations within the school. He has always gone about his business with a smile on his face and a ‘can do attitude’. From rigging all of the lights for events, organising all props and costumes, organising all the timetabling for LAMDA, helping the ops team, ensuring the drama department adheres to health and safety requirements, running the department Instagram, cutting and editing music and videos, general administration, maintenance of all electrical equipment, the list of jobs he has done is endless. We shall miss him but wish him the greatest success in all that he does in the future.

MR BROUGH

JAMES WILSON

We are sad to say goodbye to Dr James Wilson, Deputy Head (Academic) who, after 17 years, is moving to Exeter College to take up the new role of Head of Teacher Advancement. Dr Wilson has been a member of the teaching staff at Exeter School since September 2007, when he joined the physics department as a teacher of physics from Barnard Castle School. He was promoted to lead the physics department and undertook the role of Director of Science in September 2015, and was further promoted to be Deputy Head (Academic), a post he has held since January 2018. James is a great advocate for the importance of learning and teaching and has directed all things academic at Exeter School with drive, determination and innovation. He has worked effectively with colleagues to ensure that the junior school pupils have a seamless transition into the

senior school and that teaching and learning is exciting, relevant and stimulating for all concerned. He has been a huge support for me as I have come to get to know Exeter School and all that it stands for. Alongside this, he has been a great support for the enrichment side of school life – being an officer in the RAF and a great advocate for all aspects of our character programme, including leading the MUN programme, spearheading the academic enrichment activities, including Crossing Club, Catalyst Club and Comets Club, and assiting with the introduction of the teaching and learning committee and the EPQ qualification in the sixth form. Dr Wilson has many and varied interests, including speaking Elvish, painting fantasy action figures, playing the ‘cello, anything to do with physics and playing most sports (he is very competitive). He is also a very good juggler! We wish him all the best.

MS SIMPSON

Match the Member of Staff to the Pet!

We asked members of the staff to send us their best pet photographs. See how many you can match correctly.

by LEALA

Possible answers: Mr Bone, Mr O’Connor, Mrs Szender, Mrs & Mrs Seaton-Burn, Mrs Goody, Mr Munday, Mrs

10. Pepe the pug cross border terrier (bug!) 11. Lola and Storm the cocker spaniels

1. Tiny the Herman tortoise

2. Artie the working cocker spaniel

3. Clara the cat

4. Gus the labrador retriever

5. Hiro the domestic cat

6. Filbert the imaginary cat

7. Mavis the chocolate pointed ragdoll

8. Peggy the cat

9. Tilly the working cocker spaniel Answers

Mrs Goody – 1. Tiny, Herman tortoise

Mrs Szender – 2. Artie, cocker spaniel

Mr Bone – 3. Clara cat

Mr O’Connor – 4. Gus, labrador retriever

Mrs Cartwright – 5. Hiro, cat

Mrs Sail – 6. Filbert, imaginary cat

Mr Titchin – 7. Mavis, the chocolate pointed ragdoll

Mr Munday – 8. Peggy, cat

Ms Roff – 9. Tilly, working cocker spaniel

Mrs McCluskey – 10. Pepe, pug cross border terrier (Bug)

Mrs & Mrs Seaton-Burn – 11. Lola and Storm, cocker spaniels

Cartwright, Mr Titchin, Mrs McCluskey, Mrs Sail, Ms Roff