E27 (year 8) First Week Back

By XP East19th August 2021

The new school year will commence on Wednesday 1st September and E27 (Year 8) will be taking part in a number of activities in and out of school to revisit our underpinning principles of Crew. 

The week’s activities will be directed by our guiding question: How does the power of kindness impact on your life and the life of others? 

On Wednesday crews will focus on refreshing crew expectations and engaging in team building activities, some of which may take place outdoors. Crews will then design and create beautiful products to hand out at Lakeside on Thursday as small acts of kindness within our local community. Please ensure students come to school with appropriate clothing & footwear as we will be spending time outdoors each day. We will end the week by sharing our stories and reflections with yourselves and the wider community, so look out for our crew blogs and web posts!

It is important that students have the appropriate kit when taking part in outdoor activities so please ensure students have the following necessary items during the week, a waterproof jacket, sensible footwear and clothing to protect us from the elements. Please refer to the school’s dress code attached below for our full mandatory list. 

It is just as important that students come to school prepared with the necessary equipment for their sessions. We expect students to bring the following items every day: a school bag, water bottle, pen, pencil, ruler, reading book, a fully charged and appropriate device, PE kit (on appropriate day) and outdoor kit (on appropriate days). If you experience any problems providing any of the kit or equipment mentioned please speak with your crew leader.

We are hoping that school will return to our normal pre covid daily routine, however Government guidelines state we need to do onsite student covid tests twice within the first week back. Crew leaders will inform students about this and any changes or updates to their timetables on their first day back.

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to anyone that doesn’t know me. I lead our Outdoor Expeditions across the Trust and last year led our Post 16 provision and had 2 crews in year 11 and XP16. This year I have the pleasure of leading our year 8 team and I am really looking forward to getting to know the students, especially sharing experiences with them at Outward Bound in the second week of term.

If you have any questions please get in touch with your crew leader, If you need to contact me directly, my email is [email protected]

Dress Code

Equipment List

Outward Bound letter & Kit list

Best wishes,

Kate ap Harri   

Year 8 Phase Lead

School’s Out For Summer

By Web Blogger16th July 2021

We made it, what a year it has been!

 

I personally want to appreciate and praise Crew Rashford for welcoming me into Crew back in December 2020. You have all been amazing and I 100% feel like we are creating incredible bonds and relationships. I am so lucky to be your Crew Leader, you blow me away everyday.

We took the opportunity to have some fun over the last few weeks in Crew sessions with all of E27.

Here we are practicing our frisbee, dodgeball and basketball skills. They are super competitive and showed real sportsmanship.

We also shared some postcards to staff members, to let them know how much they have appreciated their support over the last year. Heart felt and beautiful words written, you make me so proud. 

I was blown away by the Final Academic Progress Snapshot for every crew member. You truly are amazing young adults. I am really looking forward to seeing how you develop and push further for success in Y8. Always remember, staff at XP are here to support you in every way possible. Work Hard, Get Smart and Be Kind and be the best version of yourself and the success will follow. Well done to each and everyone of you, you should be proud of yourselves

Stars of the term

 

⭐️ All of Crew Rashford 

 

Spanish Final Product

Our last community meeting was also shared with Mrs Sprakes and Mrs Collinson. Here we were presented with the E27 Spanish product, such a great testament to the hard work all the students have shown. Well done everyone! 

To finish off the year, we all got together to have breakfast. We had so much fun, chatted and had the chance to say our goodbyes to Mr Cudine. He will definitely be missed.

 

I can not wait to see you all in the new school year, hear all your amazing stories from the summer holidays, see how much you have grown and matured. Have a wonderful summer holiday, see you all real soon. Mrs Watson😊

 

Fun in the Sun for E27!

By H Hickson9th June 2021

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!

By H Hickson2nd June 2021

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

Crew Rashford

By Web Blogger31st May 2021

HoWLs Self Assessment and Crew Critique. 

Over the past few weeks, students took time self evaluating their HoWLs and recorded this for each subject. The interactions between students were great, as they gave feedback to each other via comments on the spreadsheet, highlighting areas that they may want to increase their grade and examples why. This also helps to develop their Get Smart HoWL, being able to receive feedback and reflect their efforts in each subject. Furthermore, this shows that each crew member is developing their Be Kind HoWL, by communicating politely and respectfully with their feedback to others. 

Students have also made pledges with these reflections in mind, a goal and focus for any areas they wish to improve. Crew members help to support them with this and respectfully hold them to account in sessions. 

Mason – Making a pledge to raise his WH HoWL in art. Brilliant pledge Mason.

Zak – giving critique to a fellow crew member to increase their HoWL and the reason why he believes this. Building confidence and character traits. Nice work Zak.

True Crew!

We had one amazing crew session this term (they usually are), we discussed some on-going issues that some crew members wished to discuss. We showed each other respect, empathy, compassion and most importantly crew equity, crew family springs to mind! We spoke openly and honestly about our issues and responded with maturity and purpose. We made a crew stand in community meeting, BIG thank you to Zak for taking on the responsibility. He nailed it and showed real crewmanship. You’re super star ⭐️

Our foundations are certainly getting stronger and the relationships are building daily. 

‘We Are Crew’

Bubble Isolating – back to it smoothly 

Crew Rashford transitioned back to online learning effortlessly. As short lived as it was, we were back in school within a week. We remembered the protocols and seamlessly followed them in crew. What a force we are, no barrier is too big, no problem stands in our way. Pure heart and determination with continuing our learning. The enthusiasm to be the best version of ourselves is outstanding. Well done Crew, you rock! 

 

⭐️Shout Outs⭐️

Smashing it in Spanish Manveer! Well done, super impressed!

 

Another praise for your incredible work in Spanish Holly. Super impressed!

Organising our Charity event.

Crew Rashford is named after the mighty footballer Marcus Rashford, we have been researching and exploring ways we can raise money for a charity, to which Marcus is affiliated and done some amazing work with for many vulnerable people up and down the country.

FareShare is a charity group that helps people in the UK defeat poverty and fight hunger. There are 18 total organisations in the UK. They give out nutritious food and they help breakfast clubs, lunch clubs for elders, homeless shelters and community cafe’s. There are exactly 24,074 tonnes of food redistributed to charities, 1,500 number of volunteers, 10,962 charity and community groups helped and £14.1 million estimate value of food to charities. Marcus Rashford is one of the famous people who have supported FareShare, along with Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Michael Moritz. 

You can find more information here: https://fareshare.org.uk/

Crew have researched ideas and created presentations. We pitched these ideas in crew and voted for our favourite. It is a wonderful opportunity to be part of a nationwide charity.

Watch this space!

See ya Soon!

We have really worked hard this term, I am as always, blown away by you all, last stretch before summer break. I am especially looking forward to hearing what everyone has planned this summer. Let’s dig deep and show ourselves what we are made off. Boost those HoWLs and strive to be a true XP Crew.

Have a wonderful half term, hope the suns comes out! ☀️

Crew Rashford

By Web Blogger23rd April 2021

Litter Picking Crew Rashford Style!

Stewardship is one of the core principles of XP and XP East. Our philosophy has always been ‘leave no trace’ and this is why litter picks and lost property were introduced. We have to work together and be crew when it comes to stewardship, to pitch in and also to hold each other accountable to make sure our school is a safe and well maintained place to be. We pride ourselves on crafting beautiful work as staff and students, this should apply to our surroundings.

Each member of our crew took to the job enthusiastically, along with Mr Portman. 

We were very impressed with the maturity and pride Crew approached this activity with. Everyone participated and we worked together as a crew to do a superb job. The school grounds looked clean and tidy. Amazing work Crew, well done!

 

⭐️Crew Shout Outs!⭐️

Holly – I’m emailing to let you know how impressed I am with your Spanish ES this week. Wow, you’ve really put the effort in, and the preposition sentences are AWESOME!! Please keep up this engagement and commitment to your HOWLS. Gracias, Mrs Sprakes.

Keegan – For your written work in HUMs on Nature, you displayed tremendous passion. Look at this feedback from Mr Portman and Mr Sprakes. Outstanding piece of work. You should be very proud of this well done.

 

 

Resetting Crew!

We have really been focusing over the last 2 weeks on “Crew Rashford’ and what kind of crew we want to be, what this looks like and how we can achieve this.

We are beginning to identify some crew norms, and slowly displaying them throughout our sessions. There have been some difficult discussions, however we have been really mature, spoken freely and held ourselves and others accountable. This is important as it will keep the focus and help everyone in crew maintain our pledges. Mr Portman has been a great support and mentor during this process, we have appreciated this very much. Thank you Mr Portman. 

Buddying up with Crew Rowling.

Today we buddied up with Crew Rowling. A great opportunity to observe another crew in action. We reflected on how their crew conducted the session and the protocols they used, how they allowed each others voices to be heard and how they held each other accountable in a mature and respectful way. 

We appreciate Crew Rowling for supporting us and taking time to show us all things crew. They have a great track record and an outstanding reputation at XP and XPE. Crew Rowling have set us a challenge and we can not wait set the ball in motion… watch this space!

I believe that we have great foundations and are developing a stronger unity as a crew.

We are Crew, We’ve got this!

Back to School

By Web Blogger11th April 2021

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

 

Back to basics…

By Web Blogger8th April 2021

Super glad to have everybody back in crew. It’s ace to see everyone again after such a long time and hear everyone’s stories about working from home!

Over the first couple of weeks back we have hit the ground running. In crew we have focussed on resetting the basics. During Wise Wednesdays, we have discussed how we can improve and keep an eye on our mental health as well as how we can support each other during tough times. There have been some really mature and in depth discussions with some fantastic points. Big shout out to Holly, Amelia, Max and Louie who consistently add to conversations in crew.

Thoughtful Thursdays have consisted of resetting our Howls and making pledges to help our learning this term. Here are some of the fantastic pleaders some crew members have made to help improve their Howls!

Liam, Amelia, Holly and Lukas pledge to get less distracted so that they can work hard.

Lilly and Poppy pledge to ask and answer more questions in order to get smart.

Max pledges to use the explore further tab on the expedition to dive deeper into his subjects. A really fab pledge to get smart.

Pledges are really important in XP to help to hold ourselves and each other accountable for our learning. I am looking forward to seeing the effect of these pledges on our next Howls drop!

Lastly, we have had a really exciting opportunity these past couple of weeks… we have had lots of experts in to talk to us in art and Human. Yesterday, students were lucky enough to hear the stories from some refugees who fled their countries in order to seek safety here in this country. Everyone sat beautifully and respectfully to listen to them speak. The stories we heard really opened our eyes to what some people experience and gave students a great idea of how to answer their guiding question “Is migration worth the risk?”.

Hearing their stories makes me grateful for what I have and I’m sure my crew will feel the same.

Crew Rashford Blog – EWA

By Web Blogger2nd April 2021

We Are Back!

Spring is here and the warmer weather is approaching. 

We have hit the ground running and everyone in Crew Rashford have settled back into school brilliantly. I am super proud of the attitude and commitment to learning Crew have returned to school with!

It is lovely to finally meet everyone face to face and put a few names to faces and profile pics. Their bubbly personalities are even more bubbly in person. Crew have made me feel really welcome in school, it’s like we’ve known each other for an age. 

Our first Crew session was fab. We focused on our Crew Pledges and our expectations and HOWL’s. We also openly talked about howe felt about returning to school, COVID testing and more. 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.

 

⭐️ Star Of The Week⭐️ 

⭐️ Tayla – ‘Who found the work in Spanish really challenging, but asked me for help, persevered, and did it anyway. Totally gets the meaning of the words grapple and courage’ Mrs Collinson. 

 

In-School COVID Testing 

Crew Rashford would like to personally thank the school testing team for the hard work and the efficient experience.

We had a few nerves but as a crew we pulled together and supported each other perfectly.

We are Crew! Thank you 😊 

Equipment For School 🖊

We have re-introduced equipment check-ins each morning. The impact this has on our learning is really crucial, therefore it is required that each Crew member arrives at school with the appropriate equipment.

  • Charged device
  • Book (if preferred over AR app)
  • Pen, pencil, ruler
  • Mask
  • Water bottle
  • PE kit (PE days)

We have done an excellent job and must ensure this happens each day and continue to remind and help others with the equipment if needed. I would like to give a shout out and a massive appreciation to everyone in Crew for this.

Well done and thank you 😊 

Back to It!

Our week in Crew looks a little like this. 

 

Each day we have a different focus and it is brilliant to hear from everyone in Crew and having each voice heard. 

If the engagement and hard work that Crew Rashford have shown last term continues, then boy are we going to have a fantastic term this time around. Let’s dig deep and do what we do best, strive to be the very best version of ourselves that we can be!

We have got this! 😊