This week we begun our Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award 🥉- Physical.
For the physical activity we needed to choose any sport, dance or fitness activity – in short, anything that requires a sustained level of energy and physical activity.
So as a Crew we decided that the walk would ensure everyone could participate and do the activity together 🚶🚶🏽♀️
Together with E27 Cohort we embarked on our walk round the beautiful Lake at Lakeside. Some were like expert speed walkers and others were maintaining a good pace and really worked hard to keep up!
It took around 40 mins to walk approximately 2 miles. We set a high standard for our first outing, next week we will push and strive to achieve this in 30 mins, some of the cohort have decided to run! Yep Run with Mrs Parker 🏃🏽♀️🏃🏻♂️!
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.
On Wednesday XP Outdoors explored the garden and maintained our bedding plants.
Here are a few pics…
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At XP we believe that it is important for staff and students to spend more time outdoors, especially within crews. A fire circle allows crews to get outside and interact in a circle (with or without the fire lit). Getting outdoors has lots of proven health benefits, especially with mental health. There is evidence linked to sitting around an open fire reducing blood pressure and heart rate making it a relaxing environment, allowing people to be more receptive to others and share.
So we looked at our current fire pit set up and looked at ways to improve and revamp it. The plans were drawn by our crew and I have to say they came up with some amazing ideas, I can not wait to share these with our XP Outdoors Leads.
E27 has this amazing opportunity to reboot crew – Together we have planned a micro adventure to the Escapologist – Cleethorpes and then heading to the beach for some exciting challenges.
We have had some hiccups along our journey at XPE since starting in Y7. Lets not get bogged down by the past and focus on what is important here and now.
Rebooting crew is a great opportunity to really concentrate on how we can improve our mindsets, consider what it means to be crew and how we can support each other to be better versions of ourselves.
We plan to start our day off at Escapologist. This allows some crew members to step up and some to step out of their comfort zones – After which will head for lunch followed by some beach challenges games and a solo reflection on the beach.
The solo reflection will allow crew members to consider the guiding question “Why does our crew need you?” from their own experience and thoughts of the day.
We will be leaving at 8:00am and intend to arrive back for 16:00 – Friday 15th July 2022. Students need to arrive at school by 7:45am prompt.
Please ensure you make the necessary arrangements for your child onward travel home at this time. Please bear in mind this is an approximate time and depending on traffic. We will keep parents/carers informed on our route back to school.
Students will need to dress appropriately and in line with the school dress code. Additionally ensure students have ample fluids and sun protection.
There may be an opportunity to relax at the beach – weather dependent students are welcome to bring a blanket/towel to sit on. Students will be able to enter the water, however this has been restricted to ankle deep only. There will be markers and zones that students must abide by and amble staff to supervise students at all times. A change of clothes should be considered.
If your child needs to take any medication, please inform their Crew Leader so that any necessary arrangements can be made.
All medication should be labelled with their name, and passed to a member of staff
Students will need to bring a packed lunch unless they access free school meals, in which case school will provide one for them.
Students are welcome to bring some spending money – please note this is for them to control and will be accountable for this also.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact Crew Leaders.
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.
