E27 (Y10) ‘Awesomeness’ Community Meeting

It’s always a pleasure to share praises and appreciations in our community meetings, and this morning was no exception. Y10 have had an absolutely amazing start to the school year and we shared lots of praises from staff, as well as hearing appreciations from students to fellow students for being kind, working hard and helping each other in sessions.

We also had a few apologies made for behaviours that don’t reflect our character values and I would like to praise those students for showing the integrity and courage to put things right.

It’s so encouraging to hear that some students are starting to think ahead to Y11 and are already creating revision resources to help them through the next 2 years.

Well done, Y10!

Mrs Parker 🙂

E27 (Y9) Fieldwork to West Yorkshire Playhouse

We are excited to be taking our Y9 students to see a production of Lord of the Flies on Thursday 30th March. Please see the letter below for full details.

If you have any questions, please contact our English Lead, Mrs Desborough – [email protected] – or your child’s Crew Leader.

E27 Micro Adventure to Cleethorpes

This was an exciting opportunity to reset crew norms and establish relationships. It was a pleasure to see Crew, support each other and celebrate success throughout the day

At XPE we firmly believe ‘If you get crew right you get everything right!’ This statement could not be any more true and we witnessed some awesome character traits being displayed.

Here are some of E27’s reflections from the day. 

Why does our crew need you?

I think my crew needed me because I was very calm.

I think my crew needed me because I showed respect and  acted as steward, I made sure the beach was clear of any rubbish.

I think my crew needed me because I encouraged and supported them throughout the day

Reflection: List one character trait that each crew member has displayed.

Manveer for working hard and trying to get us out and showing courage.

Keegan for being smart and getting answers.

Isabelle for staying calm and showing courage.

Sofiya gave me her hoodie when I was cold. Showing compassion.

Callum for showing compassion when I was scared.

I think these reflections say it all! What a crew E27 is becoming and with these awesome mindsets and character traits they displayed. We know that our year group is fast becoming a stronger united crew. Students stepped up and steppe back, allowing everyone to be involved and show their strengths and XP character traits.

As part of their personal development students stepped outside of their comfort zones and support each other in many ways. It was an absolute pleasure to see by all crew leaders!

We have more activities planned for when we return next academic year! Please have a look at the blog post for our first week back in August. 

Here is our video montage of our day in Cleethorpes.

These kids are awesome!

We look forward to the holidays but even more so for our return to Year 9!

Have a fun packed summer and we will see you all real soon!

First Week Back: Crew Immersion

As Y7 and Y8 go off on their Outward Bound adventure, Y9, Y10 and Y11 will also spend the first week back with their crews undertaking various activities because, if we get Crew right, we get everything right 🙂

The plan for the week is above, and you will notice that it includes a coastal walk to Flamborough. Details of the coastal walk for each year group have been posted on separate blog posts:

Y9 (C27)

Y10 (C26)

Y11 (C25)

Crew Leaders will go through the kit list with crews before we break up.

If you have any questions, please contact your child’s Crew Leader.

#wearecrew

C27: Coastal walk on 31st August

As ever, we will be kicking off our first week back at school by regrouping and rebooting Crew.

On Wednesday 31st August our C27 (new Y9) students will be going on a coastal walk to Flamborough.

Students should arrive at school between 8am-8.15am so that we can leave at 8.30am.  We are aiming to be back at school by 3.30pm, but will keep you updated on the day.

All students will be expected to bring the Outdoor Kit listed below:

  • Appropriate rucksack for walking.
  • Packed lunch (those on FSM will be provided with a school pack lunch.)
  • Water bottle: approx 2 litres (no energy drinks, milkshakes or fizzy pop)
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Appropriate walking trousers/shorts/leggings for the weather.
  • Walking top/base layer; made from synthetic, man made material (polyester, nylon etc). This type of material removes sweat away from your skin keeping you cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather
  • Appropriate outdoor shoes (sturdy trainers, walking shoes or walking boots are compulsory – no open toe sandals, canvas shoes or sliders)
  • Sun hat/Sun cream
  • Medication

For further information or questions please email your child’s crew leader.

Thanks!

Fun in the Sun for E27!

E27’s fieldwork to Sandall Beat Wood was great! We went as part of our expedition “No One is Too Small to Make a Difference” which is focusing on the world’s animal and plant species in different biomes and the threats to the environment globally.  We were lucky to have such beautiful weather which made the experience even better. We’re so pleased with how the students conducted themselves, got involved in the activities and were listening and asking questions to the experts that guided us around the wood.

Students learnt about the history of the wood, for example, when and why it was created and how it has changed over time.  We identified and learnt about different tree and insect species, where they are in the food chain and how each one of them plays a vital part in the ecosystem of the wood. Another focus of the day was the carbon cycle and the role that dead trees and wood has and the management of the wood due to its SSSI status. We discussed the importance of creating a balance between protecting the environment but also having a space for people to enjoy at their leisure.

Overall, it was a great day and we were really impressed with the students and how they could articulate what they had learnt when we returned to the classroom.

E27 Are Finally Going On Fieldwork!

I am really pleased to write that we are going to be taking E27 on their first fieldwork at XP East on Monday (7th June) and Tuesday (8th June) to Sandall Beat Wood as part of our expedition “No one is too small to make a difference” which has an environmental focus. Due to Covid, we haven’t been able to do this sooner so I am really excited they are finally getting the opportunity.

Explorer will be going on Monday and Pioneer will be going on Tuesday.  We will be leaving school at 9.30am by minibus and be back in school for 1.15 pm.

Students are advised to wear appropriate clothing for the weather that day as we will be outside for the entire time – suncream will be a definite if the weather is like it has been during the holiday! Hopefully we won’t get any rain but if it is forecast make sure students bring waterproofs. Sensible shoes such as trainers will need to be worn as we will be walking and on our feet for most of the time.

Students will need to bring a packed lunch and make sure they have plenty to drink if it is warm (unless on Free School Meals where one will be provided).

Normal school equipment (pens/pencils/device etc) should still be brought to school as the students will have their normal school lessons in the afternoon, iPads etc will be left in the classroom when on fieldwork which will be locked.

I Love Camping - Timeline Photos | Outdoor quotes, Life path, Path quotes

Back to School

After what has seemed much longer than it was , we are back to it in Crew Da Vinci.

I am proud of my crew for coming back stronger than ever. it is wonderful to see everyone’s smiling faces on a morning.

We started our first Crew session focussing  on our Crew Pledges and our expectations and HOWL’s.

We also openly talked about how felt about returning to school, COVID testing and more. There were questions , worries and support. But as a crew we worked together to but everyone minds at ease

As a few Crew members attended In-school provision they were able to talk about there COVID testing experiences and but a few minds at rest. It was amazing to see the support we showed each other.

 

We have now started back on our crew program.

Everyday we have something different to stretch and challenge our crew.

 

The past weeks have been filled with some wonderful experiences for year 7

Nic Burne runs the conversation club in Doncaster which helps out asylum seekers and refugees . He came to speak to the year group about the experiences of some refugees and the people he helps.

He also had some of the refugees come to the school to talk to them about there experiences.

 

Overall it has been a great start back for Crew DaVinci. We will continue to strive to be the best we can be

 

Reading is Fun!

This week I have decided  to focus upon the reading that we do here at XP and the great work that my Crew are doing.

We have taken our AR reading tests this week and there have been both up’s and downs.

Some of our crew have raised there reading age! . While there is also some who have received a reduced age.

We discussed reasons for this , and they responded with honestly and integrity. Some simply do not enjoy reading and have mentioned that they do not read at all apart from in school.

Some may not have book at all. There are many opportunities to get books.

Where to get books…

  • Students have access to an online library eReader
  • If your child prefers physical books, take a look at this website which has a list of places you can buy books cheaply without having to buy through Amazon
  • Doncaster Libraries are currently offering a click and collect service

Reading is so important and I hope that by working together we can support our crew to develop a lifelong love of reading.

 

On a second notes are some appreciations for my crew.

Well done to Belle , Ed and Lucas for consistently being recognised as hardworking students during this difficult time. You are a credit to the crew.