Taking inspiration from the everyday

By Katie Haughey9th November 2018

In X-Block this week the year 8 classes have taken advantage of the seasonal transition and how this can inspire our art practices.

We did a session on creating a still life composition, firstly by looking at how some professional artists create flat lay photographs using inspiration from the everyday (https://www.haarkon.co.uk/portfolio-still-life/):

The class were given 5 minutes in small groups to select their autumnal artifacts to create an aesthetically pleasing flat lay, and I have got to say, I think that they are christmas card worthy!

The classes were also given some time to work on a still life in lesson, they each selected a leaf and were allowed 5 minutes with a drawing pen to complete a short sketch, followed by a further 10 minutes to do a second draft in pencil. The discussions that arose from working with the two media (pen and pencil) were really interesting, and the focus and attention to detail in what was produced was fantastic, great job year 8!

Here’s an example of how, in just a short space of time, Theone was able to produce some really proportionally accurate and well shaded pieces of work. I can’t wait to move onto using colours next week so we can capture what truly makes autumn so magnificent!

 

E25 Explorer and Pioneer using ICT in Spanish

By D Pearson8th November 2018

This week our E25 students started working on their second expedition in Spanish – my school. Eventually they will be able to express and justify positive and negative opinions about their subjects and teachers, and understand and give information about their school. Here they are using ICT to work independently and to self-assess against the session rubric.

We’ve hit the ground running!

By H Hickson6th November 2018

7 Pioneer have made a great start back at school.

They are busy preparing for the Remembrance Day service they will be holding with 7 Explorer on Friday, which all parents are invited to.

They also handed in their first drafts of their letter from the trenches. I look forward to marking them, giving praise and critique, so improvements can be made next week when we continue the drafting process.

A special mention to Aaron for his beautiful work and superb craftsmanship and quality. He had the initiative to stain his paper and add an envelope to make his letter look authentic!

A Service of Remembrance: Over the Top!

By C Duffield4th November 2018

As part of our first expedition ‘Over the Top!’, E25 have been working hard learning about what life was like for soldiers during WW1. Our final product for the expedition is a little bit different – it isn’t taking place at the end of the expedition but rather in the middle and this is for a very good reason.

2018 represents 100 years since the end of WW1 and, so, we are asking students to host a Remembrance Day Service in school.

We would like to take this opportunity to invite parents, staff and visitors to join us remembering all the service men and women who gave their todays for our tomorrows.

The service will take place on Friday 9th November at 10:30am to 11:30am at XP East.

Refreshments will be available to purchase on the day from FXP who have kindly offered to support us.

We look forward to seeing you on November 9th.

A Letter from the Trenches

By K Poncia18th October 2018

Phew!  It’s been a busy week for 7 Explorer in HUMAN.

At the start of the week, we read a selection of letters written by soldiers on the front line during World War One.  This was incredibly moving.  Ruby was moved to tears.

We noted some extremely perceptive notices, wonders and questions.

Today, after listening to a clip of one soldier’s letter, we made notes and then text-coded them in preparation for writing our own personal letters from the point of view of a serviceman.

So, next session, we will be planning our letter and then writing draft one over the holidays.

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.

By H Hickson16th October 2018

7 Pioneer have celebrated the beautiful poetry they have created about the First World War in their lessons this week.

After working hard, drafting, redrafting, critiquing and finally writing their final piece, Pioneer have presented their poetry for the whole class to enjoy.

It is fantastic to hear how imaginative and empathetic each pupil is and celebrate the determination shown in finding specific words and figurative language to use in their poems. This resulted in the poems conjuring imagery about the horrors of the war.

The pupils practiced their poem in groups of six and received critique to help them project their voices and speak with interesting intonation.

All pupils showed courage and compassion when reading their poems and listening in the  audience to each other.

A big congratulations to all!

Getting Smart Across HUMS & STEAM

By D Ryder16th October 2018

Here’s some examples of Explorer working hard and getting smart over the last week across sessions.

 

And here’s some praise for students from staff across the week:

Rhys worked exceptionally hard during Spanish. After setting a goal of completing 10 tasks, he did so. He then moved up to 15. After further encouragement Rhys moved onto the hardest task and finished 18 on the rubric. Fantastic work Rhys!

I’ve been impressed with how much Lewis H has been writing and working hard. Particularly in HUMS. Keep it up!

Nathan volunteered to read aloud the main role of narrator in OMOM over two HUMS sessions. Class praised his courage and craftsmanship and quality as he never missed a line.

Raven read main role of George in OMOM with craftsmanship and quality, especially with American accent.

Corey read role of ‘The Boss’ in OMOM fantastically and really got into it with the American accent.

Alanis volunteered to read aloud role of Candy in OMOM over two HUMS sessions. She initially didn’t do an American accent and said “I can’t do it”, she showed craftsmanship and quality and courage by reading her line again and showed she can do an amazing American accent. 

A Ghostly Reading!

By K Poncia14th October 2018

A spooky thing was happening in 7Explorer on Friday!

As part of a close text study activity, focusing on our anchor text ‘War Horse’, 7Explorer took part in a new protocol: Ghost Read.

Students read the text and then whispered words and phrases that linked with the key question. It was spooookkkkyyyy!

 

 

No Football or Rugby training next week – w/c 15/10/18

By James Walker13th October 2018

With there being no fixtures now until after half term there will be no Rugby or Football training on Monday 15th Oct and Thursday 18th Oct respectively.

Rugby training will resume on the first Tuesday back after half term before a game versus Hall Cross on Wednesday 8th Nov for year 7 and 8 – more details to follow.

Football training will be shelved for boys until after Christmas as the league fixtures are now delayed until it is light enough again to play them after school. Basketball club will begin on Mondays after school in its place.

I will post full after school club info for next half term later this week.