Exeter School welcomes Radio 3's Stephen Johnson

Exeter School welcomed BBC Radio 3’s Stephen Johnson to its annual Speech Day event last week (19 September).

Johnson gave a speech on the power of music at the event discussing its use in treatment in cases of depression and Alzheimer’s before presenting prizes to both Junior and Senior School pupils.

Mr Johnson then spent the following Friday afternoon in school, meeting pupils before opening the newly refurbished and extended Music Department at the Discovering Music event on 20 September.

He there gave a talk on a modernistic quartet movement by Webern and a movement from a Brahms piano quintet.  The talk was illustrated with excerpts played by music teachers from Exeter School.

At the speech day event Headmaster Bob Griffin gave a summary of the year’s achievements, praising senior pupils and their teachers upon the examination outcomes of Summer 2013.

Mr Griffin quoted W.B.Yeats that “education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire” and talked about great teachers being the match.

Headmistress of the Junior School Mrs Alison Turner spoke of the importance of a good foundation in education, using the parable of the wise man who built his house on stone and likening it to the recent refurbishment of the Junior School.

The Head Boy Michael Walker and Head Girl Katie Taverner closed proceedings with a vote of thanks to the Guest Speaker.

Also in attendence were Exeter School's chairman Beverley Meeke and the Mayor of Exeter, Cllr Rachel Lyons.