So yesterday we returned to Malham Cove.  This is a very special place for us as a school, as it’s where we first got together as Crew.  I think it’s a fitting way to end what’s been an exhilarating, emotional and exciting first year together and all the students were thrilled to be back there!

We really enjoyed our time back in Malham (despite the lack of water in Janet’s Foss – the scene of our first ever Crew challenge!)

We climbed mountains together, walked miles together, got lost in a field together, and clambered over dry stone walls together!  The key word there is that we did everything “together”, just as we do every single morning in Crew and throughout the school day.

What a great way to spend a day: laughing, chatting and sharing memories…  We’ve spoken a lot about Crew over the past few weeks as part Expedition 360, but yesterday was all about our actions – not just words – confirming the very essence of Crew.

I could write a million things about each and every member of my Crew, about how much they’ve grown as individuals (and height!) and about how proud they make me every day.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again,I’ve got the best job in the world.  And it’s all thanks to Crew.

Next stop: Wales 😉

I’d like to share a couple of events from this week, which have served to remind me what crew is about.

Firstly, as part of the World Cup celebrations in school, we’re participating in an inter-crew World Cup tournament.  We played our first matches on Wednesday: we won one, drew one and lost one!  We’re lucky to have a few really good footballers in our crew (Mackenzie, Bryn and Aden were outstanding!), whilst others aren’t as skilled and some would’ve preferred to sit out.  However, everyone mucked in and played to the best of their ability.  There weren’t any arguments about substitutions (so everyone got a go on the pitch) and nobody complained about our sometimes weak defence or missed goal opportunities (well, nobody except for me who went into full Alex Ferguson mode!!)  Sorry – no pictures of the players; I was too busy shouting from the sidelines!

The second event goes to show how the concept of crew extends beyond our own little group – our feeling of crew responsibility and what it stands for extends to our whole school.  So, I’d like to take the opportunity to publicly appreciate Nicole and her mum.

Nicole has a had a tough couple of weeks and myself, Mr Portman and her parents have done our best to support her.  We’ve had some difficult conversations, and Nicole has had to spend some time in Reflection.  I’m telling you this because it makes what happens next even more impressive…

We had our “That’s Sick!” Presentation of Learning on Wednesday.  I can’t stress enough the importance of these events – they are a culmination of our students’ hard work, and a chance for them to share their knowledge with an authentic audience.  It is important that the students –  and parents! – participate in these events.

Unfortunately, Nicole had an appointment in Rotherham at 3.45pm on Wednesday and, with the POL due to start at 4.30pm, we had resigned ourselves to the fact that Nicole wouldn’t be there.  Disappointing, but unavoidable.  However, imagine my delight when during the second part of the evening, I turned around to see Nicole sat at her desk answering another parent’s questions about the expedition!

So, why did I tell you about Nicole’s time in Reflection?  Because I truly believe that any other child in another school would not have shown the dedication, support and commitment to their school after being in trouble.  She didn’t have to come back, and we didn’t expect her back, but her mum drove her all the way back from Rotherham for the last 30 minutes.  All because Nicole didn’t want to let us down!

Now that’s Crew 🙂

Blog Post by Brendan.

On Thursday 14th June we drew our World Cup teams out of a hat.  So whichever team we got we have to follow that country.  Whoever’s team gets the furthest gets a prize (to be decided!)

It was really funny to see the reactions of the people in my crew as most people wanted certain teams, for instance Megan wanted Germany and got Argentina; Mackenzie wanted France and got Egypt and Peru.

To be honest I think I was the only one who got the team that they wanted, so lucky me! (I wanted Russia.)

Here’s the full list:

Ali – France and Poland

Noah – Portugal and Mexico

Megan – Argentina and Australia

Mrs Parker – Korea and Spain

Tom D –  Belgium and Tunisia

Nicole – Senegal and Denmark

Thomas H – Germany and Saudi Arabia

Aden – England and Columbia

Brendan – Russia and Morocco

Mackenzie – Peru and Egypt

Libby – Uruguay and Ireland

Dakota – Japan and Iceland

Bryn – Sweden and Panama

I can’t believe we’re now in the last term of our first year at XP. East… and what a journey it’s been! It seems a good a time as any to reflect on our time together so far, so over the next few weeks our crew will be taking it in turns to present to us how they feel about crew.

I’ve asked them to focus on the following questions: what does crew mean to you? More specifically, what does “our” crew mean to you? Any examples of when we have really pulled together as a crew? Examples of when our relationship has broken down, maybe? What could we do to improve our crew (if anything!)?

We’ve been through so much together as a crew, so I’m sure everyone will have a lot to say.

I can’t wait to hear our crew present their thoughts and I will, of course, report back here!

Today is the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, and one of our fellow students from another Crew will be participating for the first time this year.

My Crew had lots of questions about Ramadan, some of which were able to answer between us, but we have decided to invite Adam M. to our next Crew session to tell us more about Ramadan, and why he has to fast during this period.

Meanwhile, this link from BBC Newsround provides some useful information.