Exeter School gives thanks to founders

Exeter School’s annual Founders’ Day Service was held at Exeter Cathedral on Wednesday 20 April.

The whole school, comprising boys and girls aged 7-18, staff and governors, gathered to give thanks to its founders in a beautiful service.

Revd Dr John Searle commented on how Exeter School and Exeter Cathedral shared over 1000 years between them.

The Reverend Bruce Kinsey, Chaplain and Welfare Officer, Balliol College, Oxford, gave an address at the school’s service about mindfulness. He spoke about the importance of feeling grateful in our lives and encouraged pupils to take on the mantra of ‘gratitude as an attitude’.

The service was conducted by the School Chaplain, Revd Tom Carson.

Tom Byrne (F1R), Sophie Brennan (U1K), Harry Williams (L2P) and Sophia Bosch (U2P) from the Junior School led the intercessions beautifully.

The Chairman of Governors, Andrew King read the Act of Commemoration together with Head Boy George Hoult and Head Girl Rebecca Richardson.

The music was led ably by the Director of Music Peter Tamblyn and the organ was played beautifully by Andrew Daldorph.

Revd Tom Carson gave the blessing at the end.

The Lord Mayor entered the Cathedral to The Prince of Denmark’s March by Jeremiah Clarke played by the school’s Senior Brass Ensemble and exited to March: Seventeen Come Sunday, arr. Jacob from Vaughan Williams’ English Folk Suite played by the Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Rebecca German.

The school’s Chamber Choir performed Hear my Prayer, O Lord by Henry Purcell, and Ave Maria by Rachmaninoff beautifully. The Junior and Middle School Choirs combined to sing Adiemus by Karl Jenkins.

A cream tea followed for staff and Sixth Formers.

Thanks to everyone who made this significant event in the school’s calendar so enjoyable and run so smoothly.