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.
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.
So it begins, the step into our XP Journey….Passage.
We have started to prepare for Passage Presentations during Crew. For those parents who may not know the purpose of Passage here is a brief overview.
Passage presentations are an opportunity for students to reflect on their learning and their readiness to move on to the next phase of their education.
To build student investment in high-quality work
To hone student oral presentation and critical thinking skills
To assess the skills and knowledge of students
To increase students’ accountability concerning character development
To provide families and communities with an understanding of the standards, learning goals and Habits of Working and Learning
To give students an opportunity to synthesise their learning and reflect on their progress
To require students to demonstrate preparedness to advance to the next level of formal schooling – GCSE’s.
It is one mammoth task, but it is very much worth the end goal!
We are committed and I am really impressed with the engagement so far. I am really looking forward to seeing what Crew Rashford produce.
Students may be asked to complete some task at home, but don’t peek!
Look out for an invite to attend your child’s Passage around March time.
DofE Update
We have completed the fitness element of our Bronze DofE and now we are well on our way and doing awesome some First Aid training during our sessions.
Additionally, every fortnight we either take part in a school litter pick or lost property maintenance at school.
Students are taking this opportunity to become stewards of our community, making a blog post for students to few all the items and ensure the grounds stay free from litter. It has made a huge difference to the site, super impressive.
Really looking forward to the next part of DofE… what this space for more info!
One last thing!
I’d like to appreciate those students that have improved and maintained their attendance since the start of Y9. You have really stepped up!
We have the opportunity to win an amazing attendance incentive – To Win £50 to spend anyway we wish. Wouldn’t that be Awesome!
Let’s give this term a big push and move back up the league table our current position is No 11.
This week Crew Rashford set up their account for our new online library myOn.
myON is a student-centred, personalised digital library that gives students access to more than 7,000 digital books. Titles are dynamically matched to each individual student’s interests and reading level. Combined with a suite of close reading tools and embedded supports, myON fosters student engagement and achievement. There is something for everyone!
We searched the vast library and have now selected a book to read during our reading time.
There are soooo many benefits to reading…
Gain valuable knowledge 🤔
Encourages and develops imagination
Exercise your brain🧠
Improve your memory
Improve your focus🧘🏽
Reduce stress 😎
Enjoy entertainment
Improve your mental health 🍏
Improve your ability to empathise
Live longer 🕺🏼💃🏾
Improve your communication skills
Please ask your child about their chosen book and perhaps encourage them to read for fun at home too!
Crew Rashford have racked up some awesome praises and are showing incredible HoWLs in and around school.
⭐️ Big Shout Out to Jorja who has 8 praises logged – Awesome achievement Jorja smashing it!
Closely followed by Callum and Isabelle with a fantastic 7 praises – awesome work you two!
Let’s keep this momentum going and strive to Work Hard, Get Smart and Be Kind.
Super impressed and immensely proud! Well done the mighty Crew Rashford
First and foremost I would like to say Thank you, thank you for making our first week back a memorable one! We’ve laughed a lot, we’ve gotten a little frustrated at times, we’ve shown respect and reflected on how we can achieve our very best together as crew!
Tuesday – Day 1
Our week started off taking part in the Wise Up Team Building activities.
It was safe to say that we struggled at first, after 5 weeks being off school and coming back together there were a few teething problems. However, after one or two activities it was evident that we are awesome together.
We started working together as a crew and completing activities. Crew members stepped and stepped back ensuring everyone has a voice and a chance to show their skills. Encouraging each other and showing compassion when others found it difficult.
There were so many stand out moments, but Holly really showed us what she’s made of in the pyramid challenge. The lads and their careful precision of the helium pipe and working out how to higher and lower it, so everyone in crew could complete the activity. Jorja for her excellent and hilarious navigational and communication skills during the herding sheep game.
Crew Rashford started to take shape again by the end and that is what is most important. Super proud of you all!
Wednesday – Day 2
Flamborough Head Hike. What an incredibly beautiful place, having the weather on our side was also a blessing.
It was great to see the resilience throughout crew and everyone enjoyed the time spent together catching up, playing the yes-no game.
One particular member of crew that stood out today was Keegan, he really stepped up today and grappled with the walk. He even looked like he was enjoying it. I’m sure I saw him up front during the hike. When we were in Ullswater Keegan grappled with the mountain walk so to see this and crew members noticing and praising this was amazing.
Lots of laughs along the way. I still didn’t get a chocolate biscuit Tara!
I have to mention the behaviour of crew – It was awesome! If this is the level that we can expect going forward this year I am looking forward to being part of more Fieldworks for sure!
We ensured no trace was left after lunch and I witnessed crew members being respectful to members of the public, saying thank you and hello to them as they passed and showing compassion when we had to wait for others to catch up and being patient.
Thursday/Friday – Day 3 & 4
Back in the classroom.
We really looked closely at our data and what this meant for us going forward in Y9. Students were able to identify areas they want to improve and maintain.
We looked at what is ahead for Year 9 in terms of passage and Duke of Edinburgh (DofE). There was a clear buzz around the room and crew came up with some amazing ideas for DofE. I can’t wait for this to get started!
We created Road Maps and identified each crew member’s bumps and green lights.
Here’s a few examples. Callum – Green light DofE – Callum “I am looking forward to taking part in the program”. Emma “I am worried about passing my passage”. We even had the opportunity to present in a POL. Everyone did it, every member of crew participated and spoke clearly and with confidence. So proud!
Our guiding question for the week was ‘How do we get to the top of the mountain?”
Here is Crew Rashford’s answer!
We have identified our potential bump and slips on our path and pledge to seek support from staff and crew to help us overcome them. We will support, praise and hold each other to account throughout the year.
An awesome start to Year 9. I am super excited to see you all grow and develop to be the best version of yourselves throughout the terms.
The Mighty Crew Rashford can achieve anything when we believe and support each other!
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!
E27 Cleethorpes 2022
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!
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:
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.
Tomorrow E27, both classes, will be taking part in a walk around Doncaster on a planned route to find positive things about our city as part of their expedition.
Our route will take us into Town Centre for a short period. We will be leaving school at 9:15 and be back for lunch.
