E26 pupils have been using watercolour paints to create beautiful sunsets and silhouettes inspired by African landscapes.
I am extremely impressed with E26 and their enthusiasm to create their artwork. We have some very talented young people at XP East! Well done!
What a fantastic day we had on our fieldwork yesterday with E25. We visited Oakham Castle to experience workshops, role-play and re-enactment specifically tailored to our expedition ‘I’ve Got the Power!’.
We began the day with a walk-through re-enactment of William the Conqueror’s invasion through England, resulting in the Harrying of the North. Needless to say there were some great acting skills showing the death and destruction that William caused. Then, onto the Domesday Book where we analysed data and figured out how the ownership and value of the land changed between 1066 and 1086.
A tug of war game to represent the story and changing power balances during the First and Second Barons’ War where King John, followed by King Henry III battled with their Barons. It was clear to see the complexities and changes in power during the 1200s and each student played an excellent role to tell the story.
Next, we explored the Black Death, Hundred Years War and the Poll Tax which was brilliantly represented through another interactive game. We learnt how these events helped to cause the Peasants Revolt. We met John Ball and Wat Tyler and felt first hand how they inspired and lead the Peasants to challenge the traditional power dynamics – it was absolutely great to see how involved the students got. Who’d have thought they would make such enthusiastic revolting peasants who so passionately rejoiced over the death of the Archbishop of Canterbury (Dylan).
After the excitement of the revolt, we returned to the hall to prepare for a debate – democracy vs. dictatorship. The students used sources to gather information on the two systems of power in order to defend their side – again, fantastic arguments from both sides, with a special mention to Ava who brought examples in from our learning so far this expedition to support her pro-democracy argument.
All in all, a wonderful day – it’s great to have such confident, enthusiastic students!
On Wednesday 22nd January, E25 will be going on fieldwork to develop their knowledge and understanding of the medieval period.
Their current expedition ‘I’ve Got the Power!’ has the guiding question ‘how does power affect us?’. We are undertaking a thematic study of power over time, with our first area of study focusing on the medieval period. This fieldwork will directly link to our learning in lessons and greatly help to support the expedition.
We will be going to a mystery location that will be revealed to students on the day.
Students need to arrive at school by 8:15 and we will be returning to school at 5:30.
Students will need:
Last term, students in E25 studied the expedition entitled ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go?’ with the guiding question of ‘Why should we care about migration?’
Our final product for this expedition is a documentary that explains our answer to this question. The first screening of this documentary will show at E25’s Presentation of Learning tonight, Monday 20th January at 6.40pm at Cast theatre, Doncaster.
We have worked closely with the Conversation Club, a charity which helps asylum seekers, during this expedition. It has been a valuable experience for all involved and our work with this charity has played an important role in our documentary.
Every student will be expected to attend on Monday with one ticket for one adult companion. Unfortunately, as the theatre has a full capacity of 130 people, students are unable to invite more than one person. Students need to make their own way to and from CAST theatre as transport will not be provided.
Therefore to allow students to showcase their hard work to more relatives/friends we are putting on another screening at XP EAST on Thursday 23rd January at 4.30pm.
Please arrive in enough time to be seated before the screening begins.
We look forward to sharing our expedition with you.
I was very pleased with the high levels of engagement and focus in E24 (Y9) GCSE Spanish on Friday. Our students were practising asking and answering health-related questions, using a board-game and dice to introduce an element of unpredictability and “spontaneous speech” – exactly how our students will be assessed in their final GCSE Spanish speaking exam.
Due to the level at which they are working now, when using interrogatives and correct intonation it is no longer a case of what they say, but also how they say it. These are higher level thinking skills that our young linguists are developing with great proficiency. Well done!
Year 8 students have been experimenting with oil pastels this term in their art sessions to create some beautiful sunset inspired blends. Can’t wait to see the finished pieces.
On Wednesday 22nd January, E25 will be going on fieldwork to develop their knowledge and understanding of the medieval period.
Their current expedition ‘I’ve Got the Power!’ has the guiding question ‘how does power affect us?’. We are undertaking a thematic study of power over time, with our first area of study focusing on the medieval period. This fieldwork will directly link to our learning in lessons and greatly help to support the expedition.
We will be going to a mystery location that will be revealed to students on the day.
Students need to arrive at school by 8:15 and we will be returning to school at 5:30.
Students will need a packed lunch and a warm coat as we will be outside for some of the day.
More updates will be posted next week.
Last term, students in E25 studied the expedition entitled ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go?’ with the guiding question of ‘Why should we care about migration?’
Our final product for this expedition is a documentary that explains our answer to this question. The first screening of this documentary will shown at X25 Presentation of Learning next Monday 20th January at 6.40pm at Cast theatre, Doncaster.
We have worked closely with the Conversation Club, a charity which helps asylum seekers, during this expedition. It has been a valuable experience for all involved and our work with this charity has played an important role in our documentary.
Every student will be expected to attend on Monday with one ticket for one adult companion. Unfortunately, as the theatre has a full capacity of 130 people, students are unable to invite more than one person. Students need to make their own way to and from CAST theatre as transport will not be provided.
Therefore to allow students to showcase their hard work to more relatives/friends we are putting on another screening at XP EAST on Thursday 23rd January at 4.30pm.
Please arrive in enough time to be seated before the screening begins.
We look forward to sharing our expedition with you.
E24 Pioneer students will visit Hatfield Moor tomorrow morning as part of their immersion into their new learning expedition.
Students must dress prepared for the weather. It is likely to be wet/muddy so hiking boots or a separate pair of trainers, along with a plastic bag to place them in (PE trainers will be fine).
Students will eat lunch in school as normal.
Explorer will visit Hatfield Moor on Thursday morning.
Week 4 starting 27.01.20 students will be delivering their passage presentations to a panel of parents, teachers and outside visitors to the school. This is an incredible piece of work that allow students to start their chosen GCSE or common mission subject.
The students have worked extremely hard to put together the presentations and we look forward to your attendance.
Booking slot options will be sent out to parents by crew leaders via Sign Up Genius over a 2 week window. Please see the attached letter to see the presentation content:
