Students in E25 have been set a few tasks for the break.
Watch a BBC Documentary from David Attenborough. There are questions to answer. (Around 1 hour)
Complete three quizzes in Kerboodle.(Around 30 mins)
Make sure that they are up to date and have responded to feedback in their Mastery eBooklet. (For most students this should be responding to feedback, around 15 mins)
In addition, as an optional task, if students are at a loose end, there are some flashcards in Quizlet and Tassomai that students can use to quiz themselves.
All details are on Google Classroom. If your son or daughter needs any help, please ask them to contact me through Google Classroom.
In our case study ‘Snakes on a plain’, we have been learning about the adders at Hatfield Moor and how they have been so successful by occupying a niche in nature as a cold climate snake. In the coming weeks we will look at the fire at Hatfield, most likely caused by careless human action, and how the coordinated response from the Local Authority, Natural England and the Fire Service worked tirelessly to protect this important natural wonder on our doorstep in Doncaster.
To deepen our studies, this week students in E25 welcomed experts from Sam’s Safaris into school. Zoe and Joy brought with them some even more special guests. We met a range of reptiles, amphibians and mammals so that students could learn more about how they are adapted to their environments, how they are dependent upon other species and the impact that humans are having on their ecosystems (both positive and negative).
Some of the brilliant insights we gained into adaptations included the Jacobson’s organ in snakes, and how they are able to ‘taste’ the air. We also learned how chinchillas have adapted to their cold environment by having 60 hairs sprout from each of their follicles compared to just one hair per follicle in humans (or none in the case of some of our more veteran teachers). The mountain kingsnake was a particular favourite, with its bright colours mimicking a venomous coral snake to ward off potential predators.
We also heard about how deforestation – often to clear land for palm oil farms – was having a devastating impact on geckos, and how insecticides were causing damage to microbial ecosystems in the soil.
On a more positive note, our experts described how conservation work was helping to protect species, and how young people are more engaged than ever before in helping to protect the wonders of nature on which we are all entirely dependent.
Our experts were knowledgeable and showed great care towards the animals, helping some students (and staff) to overcome their fears too.
Almost everyone fell in love with Scrabble the chinchilla. Mr Doyle said his favourite was the gerbil though; what’s that about?!?
Year 9 will be going on fieldwork on 15th October as part of their ‘Welcome to the Machine’ expedition. We’ll be leaving school at 9:30AM and returning at 3:00PM, so this will not affect their drop off or pick up times, however, due to the pandemic, we ask that all students have guardian consent for them to attend.
We’ll be visiting Hatfield Moors, to collect species data and conduct scientific tests on the peatland during the day. We will be maintaining the bubbles, and wearing masks on the coaches to minimize risk of transmission, and we will be outside all day.
As part of the precautions, we ask that you fill in the following google forms, granting permission for students to attend the fieldwork on 15th October:
This outlines that if your child falls ill with covid symptoms on that day, they would need collecting from Hatfield Moors (about 40 minute drive from the school).
If you have any questions about the plans for the day or concerns, don’t hesitate to email me ([email protected]).
After a long period of time off, Crew Mandela and E24 have started their choice subject for a common mission! The crew have been well and truly on it this week, This week, we reviewed extended study that has been set in common mission and the craftsmanship and quality of the work produced in the crew has been amazing to see. An example of this is one of the best pieces of work I have seen as a crew leader. Holly used some left over wallpaper to produce a revision resource for the second session in triple science.
We have had a lot of conversations this week during Mindful Monday to discuss how XP is different from other schools. This has been supported by the voices of two new students who have joined crew Mandela. The students have made a brilliant start and it has been refreshing to hear other students thoughts and opinions of why they have chosen XP.
We have a new record in Year 9 for the most birds spotted in a single session.
Kyle in X24 spotted an incredible 60 birds from 14 different species, including a sparrow hawk and two herons.
Whilst we have not set any work for students in Year 9 to complete over the two week break we would love it if they continued with their birdwatching, bug hotels and bird boxes. Please remind them to send us lots of photos. We are in competition with XP for the most birds spotted. This means we need to up our game, as E24 are currently behind X24 in the leaderboard.
This afternoon at 3.00pm we will be hosting a hangout for all of Year 9 across both schools to find out how they have been getting on with their STEAM immersion challenges.
Students can join the meeting by logging into their school account and going to:
On the 4th of May- all year E24 and X24 at XP Trust will be starting their new expedition for STEAM. This will be starting with a week of immersion, adapted for the current lockdown home learning. Including experts, fieldwork and whole school Google Hangout quiz challenge! All students in year 9 in both schools will receive a Google Hangout invitation hosted by Mr Smith and Mr Said and learning coaches. This will have key information and challenges for the week to come.
The Hangout will be 1pm Tuesday 5th of May.
Below is a Teaser Trailer to the new expedition- Here Comes the Sun!
I’ve compiled a blog of truly beautiful work that has been submitted to me over the last few weeks from the Y9s. I felt inspired by the virtual gallery that has been produced by the art teachers, as I’d argue that some of this work could be considered art, with art being interpretive…
Aran K, your work on converting fractions was stunning. I love how you’ve used colour codes to break down your thought process.
Charlie R: Decided to do some of the ‘additional tasks’ that I set weekly. This work he did on translations was fantastic, my only even better if being use a ruler!
Chloe T: I love your use of examples in the videos, that go on to support your work on the tasks. That little ‘convert to make it easier’ is a great tip, and worth taking note to help you get unstuck. Great job!
Tyler B: I have been wow-ed by Tyler’s weekly updates, his notes are really aesthetically pleasing and well ordered. Tyler has been going above and beyond by completing more tasks than I have been outlining, and his hard work isn’t going unnoticed. Check it out:
Lewis D: has produced very methodical working on the percentage multiplier tasks I set a couple of weeks ago. I appreciate that he is starting out each piece of working out on a new line.
& last but certainly not least…
Theone C: I can’t get over the quality and amount of the work that you have produced Theone, except I can because I know how dedicated you are to working hard! Each week your emails exemplify how it should be done, they are a joy to look through and they make me feel extremely fortunate to teach you. You really set a high bar for those hoping to achieve excellence!
Chris Mbano this week has gone above and beyond with his Common Mission work and been extra creative on his Youtube Channel. Chris has been onto old videos on YouTube and re-edited the first day of all students at XPE. Chris said he did this as a little reminder and to cheer people up of what we can expect when we go back to school.
If you haven’t already like and subscribe to Chris’s channel here.
Also this week there was some confusion with the day of the crew google hangout this week. As there was an invite sent for both Tuesday and Thursday this week. Big thanks to Corey A who checked in on both! As for everyone else, most crew members checked into at least one of the sessions, but just to clarify this week, the crew hangout will be on Tuesday at 11:30 as normal.
Charlie R: Decided to do some of the ‘additional tasks’ that I set weekly. This work he did on translations was fantastic, my only even better if being use a ruler!
