XP East

Another Monday morning means another act of stewardship for crew Hoy. Today we sorted the mountains of lost property that have accumulated over the last six weeks.

We sorted a pile which will be donate to charity at the end of term and a box for students to double check if they have lost something.

Keep it up crew Hoy!

This term, I have been incredibly proud of Crew Spencer and the way they have approached our Wise Wednesday sessions.

We have explored a range of sensitive and thought-provoking topics, and I have been amazed by the maturity, respect and mindfulness shown by every member of the crew. These discussions have not always been easy, but students have consistently demonstrated that they are willing to listen to different perspectives, consider ideas carefully and share their own thoughts in a respectful way.

What has impressed me most is the enthusiasm shown by the students. They have not simply sat and listened; they have actively contributed to discussions, asked thoughtful questions and challenged themselves to further their understanding. It has been fantastic to see students feeling confident enough to ask questions when they are unsure about something and to build on each other’s ideas.

Our efforts were also recognised during a recent Crew walkthrough with Mr Portman. He was extremely impressed by how engaged all of the students were throughout the session. Seeing every student actively involved in the discussion was a fantastic reflection of the positive attitude and maturity that Crew Spencer has shown this term.

I couldn’t be prouder of the way Crew Spencer have conducted themselves during our Wise Wednesdays. They have shown that even when conversations are challenging or sensitive, we can approach them with curiosity, respect and an open mind.

Well done, Crew Spencer — you should be incredibly proud of yourselves!

Miss Dickinson

I had the pleasure of dropping into Miss Elliott’s History lesson with 11 Pioneer today, and it was fantastic to see the class getting stuck into their learning!

The lesson featured a fun game of ‘Speer Says’, which was a great way for students to test their recall of the four key things Albert Speer introduced in Germany to support the Nazi war effort. There was plenty of participation, quick thinking and, of course, a little bit of competitive spirit!

It was particularly lovely to see members of my Crew fully engaged in the lesson, getting involved, sharing their knowledge and working hard. It was clear that they have been taking on board the information they have been learning and are becoming increasingly confident in recalling it.

With their mock exams now approaching, it is really encouraging to see the students getting into the right mindset. They know that the hard work they put in now will make a real difference, and it is brilliant to see them pushing themselves and making the most of their lessons.

There is still a long way to go, but moments like today show just how much they can achieve when they are focused, engaged and willing to challenge themselves.

Keep pushing, 11 Pioneer — you’ve got this!

Wednesday – Year 10 netball tournament away. Return to school 5.15pm.

Year 8 boys football match at Home finish at 5pm. Please tick you name off.

Football practice for all other year groups 3.30-4.30

Thursday – Cheerleading practice 3.30-4.30

Beautiful work this week

Here’s a selection of beautiful work from across the XP Trust!

To read about other stories from across the XP Trust, visit xptrust.org.

Top of the Blogs

Colour Run, Scientists, Lincoln Castle and more with Class 6 @ Green Top

Special Old Bears @ Plover

Number of the day @ Carcroft School

Wise Wednesdays: celebrating Diversity and Belonging @ XP

Showing care for our nature nook @ Norton Infants

Let there be light @ Norton Juniors

Weekly Update @ XP Gateshead

Crew Dufton: starting monday right @ XP East

Share your stories with us!

We now have a new dedicated news email so that you can send your stories, updates or ideas about potential news articles directly to us in Comms.

It might be something you or your students have achieved, a charity you’re supporting or anything at all that deserves a wider audience.

Write to us at [email protected] –  we want to hear about it, write about it and celebrate it!

As we navigate the pressure and momentum of Year 11, we’ve made a collective decision about how we want to start our weeks. From now on, Mondays belong to crew bonding! We’re kicking off every week with games, laughter, after our weekend check-in.

Taking the time to play and reconnect before diving into the academic grind reminds us of one crucial thing: we are crew, not passengers. When we support each other first, we can tackle anything the week throws at us together! 🚀

Miss Buckley

Find out more here and apply to #JoinOurCrew

On Monday this week Crew Hoy litter picked across the school site. By working in teams of girls and boys there was a healthy element of competition used to make this job a little more fun.

All of us were shocked by the amount of litter that we found on our site and we hope that we can continue this regularly to ensure high levels of stewardship across our schools.

Thanks Crew Hoy. Great work!

There was maths energy in the air last week when visiting Mrs. Morrison and Mr. Elliot’s Year 11 Maths group. From the moment the lesson began, it was clear that this is a room where high expectations were met by great effort—and the results speak for themselves.

Stepping into the classroom, the first thing that struck me was the level of focus. Every student was fully immersed in their maths learning, head down, and working with real purpose.

• Deliberate Practice: Students diving straight into complex problem-solving, building fluency and confidence step by step.
• Pride in Presentation: Clear, step-by-step working out that showed a deep understanding for the concepts.

This was a clear framework of support and challenge. The combined drive from Mr. Morrison and Mrs. Fowler creates an environment where students were able to succeed.

By holding students to exceptionally high standards, Mr. Morrison and Mrs. Fowler are actively pushing students out of their comfort zones to accelerate their progress.

“Getting smart” isn’t something that happens by accident—it’s the direct result of consistent effort, expert guidance, and a relentless work ethic.

Last week, I had the absolute pleasure of dropping in on Mrs. Goddard’s Year 11 Maths group.

As Year 11 ramps up, the pressure can build quickly, but stepping into this classroom I saw focus, effort, and high expectations. In mathematics, retention is everything—topics build upon one another like building blocks, so these sessions are key.

It was fantastic to see the whole group actively engaging with previously learned material, strengthening their memory pathways, and proving that hard work pays off.

While the whole group deserves huge credit for their work rate, a special mention must go to Heidi.

Heidi showcased true craftsmanship in her learning demonstrating what it truly means to “get smart” through additional Sparx engagement.

Mrs. Goddard’s group showed exactly what Year 11 is all about: dedication, deliberate practice, and a determination to improve every single day.