Crew Finch have flown the nest

7th July 2022Web Blogger

How can I find the words to describe what crew has meant to me over the last 5 years?

I think I could I write a book about the importance of crew, but I still couldn’t actually find the words that describe what crew actually feels like.

From hiking around Malham Cove on our very first day of crew, to riding the rollercoasters at Alton Towers on our very last day – and everything in between.

It was the best of times: winning the crew badminton tournament; student-led crew sessions; celebrating our successes; charity fund raising; crew breakfasts and the perfect cuppas; student-led conferences and Passage presentations.

It was the worst of times: supporting each other when things weren’t right; challenging attendance; a global pandemic (although not even Covid could stop us from ‘hanging out’!)

We’ve been through all the emotions together – sometimes the whole range during the same crew session! We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, Best of all, we’ve laughed until we cried!

I’m already missing crew so much.

I miss Mackenzie’s cheeky chat-back.

I miss Callie’s famous rants, and fabulous fashion.

I miss Kobe’s incessantly talking over me (yes, really!)

I miss Thomas’ eye rolls.

I miss Dakota’s RBF 😉

I miss Ali’s sarcasm.

I miss Noah’s bright smile and all round fabulousness.

I miss Tom’s expert opinion on absolutely everything (including the goss!)

I miss Bryn casually wandering in wearing his big coat, even in a heatwave!

I miss Aden’s cheery “morning, miss!”

I miss Libby’s kindness.

I miss Megan’s tenacity.

I miss them all for a million reasons more.

But it’s time to let go and they’re more than ready to move on!

Crew has given these amazing kids roots to grow, and wings to fly. They are leaving as some of the most amazing, compassionate, beautiful bunch of humans I’ve ever known and I’m certain they’ll continue to make a positive impact wherever they go.

Thank you all, for making me a better version of myself, too.

As we like to say here: “if we get crew right, we get everything right.”  And I think Crew Finch are more than all right 😉

So, how can I find the words to describe what crew has meant to me over the last 5 years?

Easy – I just speak from the heart.

And now, Crew Finch are checked out.

Mrs Parker xxxx

E28 Spanish Presentation of Learning

By Web Blogger7th July 2022

The E28 Year 7 Spanish presentation of learning will take place on Monday 11th July starting at 4:00 pm and finishing at 5:00 pm. The students will presenting work from their Spanish expedition. During this expedition the students have learned how to talk about themselves, their local area, their families and friends, and their life at school.

Students will be expected to stay on site until the presentation starts, and parents should come to reception and sign in. The presentation will be held in the heart of XP East school.

E27 Micro Adventure – Cleethorpes – Friday 15th July 

6th July 2022Web Blogger

E27 has this amazing opportunity to reboot crew – Together we have planned a micro adventure to the Escapologist – Cleethorpes and then heading to the beach for some exciting challenges. 

We have had some hiccups along our journey at XPE since starting in Y7. Lets not get bogged down by the past and focus on what is important here and now.

Rebooting crew is a great opportunity to really concentrate on how we can improve our mindsets, consider what it means to be crew and how we can support each other to be better versions of ourselves.

We plan to start our day off at Escapologist. This allows some crew members to step up and some to step out of their comfort zones  – After which will head for lunch followed by some beach challenges games and a solo reflection on the beach. 

The solo reflection will allow crew members to consider the guiding question “Why does our crew need you?” from their own experience and thoughts of the day.

We will be leaving at 8:00am and intend to arrive back for 16:00 – Friday 15th July 2022. Students need to arrive at  school by 7:45am prompt. 

Please ensure you make the necessary arrangements for your child onward travel home at this time. Please bear in mind this is an approximate time and depending on traffic. We will keep parents/carers informed on our route back to school. 

Students will need to dress appropriately and in line with the school dress code. Additionally ensure students have ample fluids and sun protection. 

There may be an opportunity to relax at the beach – weather dependent students are welcome to bring a blanket/towel to sit on. Students will be able to enter the water, however this has been restricted to ankle deep only. There will be markers and zones that students must abide by and amble staff to supervise students at all times. A change of clothes should be considered. 

If your child needs to take any medication, please inform their Crew Leader so that any necessary arrangements can be made.  

All medication should be labelled with their name, and passed to a member of staff

Students will need to bring a packed lunch unless they access free school meals, in which case school will provide one for them. 

Students are welcome to bring some spending money – please note this is for them to control and will be accountable for this also.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Crew Leaders. 

If you get crew right – you get everything right!

E26/27 Life Skills

By Web Blogger6th July 2022

We had some AMAZING skills shown during our Life Skills session today!

Mrs Watson led a cooking session – together, we created some tomato & sausage pasta bakes – safe to say Miss Cocliff & Jayden’s was the best – with some bias from Mr Portman, who thought Oscar & Jacob’s, August, Lily & Fasia’s, Ben & Keegan’s, AND Mason and Cam’s was the best – he just had to try them all!!!!! 😉

Students were incredibly polite, kind, respectful – and worked beautifully together! The Master Chef award today definitely goes to Lewis – a perfect example of a mini Gordon Ramsay!

Well done all – the end products were DELICIOUS!

E26 Edale Fieldwork Video

By Web Blogger6th July 2022

What a wonderful day our fieldwork was to Edale! Although it is coming up to a few weeks ago now, it’s been worth the wait to see the video footage.

The students were absolutely fantastic – we couldn’t fault the behaviour and conduct of anyone. Everyone got involved with loads of enthusiasm and had a great time. It helped that the weather and setting were gorgeous!

As part of our ‘Hold Back the River’ expedition which had the guiding question: ‘how does water shape our world?’ we have been focusing on the geography of fluvial landscapes. This included the processes and landforms that occur from source to mouth and how both human and physical factors affect flood risk. We were collecting data to find out how the river changes downstream by measuring width, depth and velocity. When we got back to school the students analysed the data in their maths lessons to discover if our data met the hypothesis that width, depth and velocity would increase downstream. Wait and see to find out the results, which will be incorporated into our PoL, at the end of term.

Overall, it was an absolutely brilliant day and I cannot praise the students enough for their enthusiasm and behaviour – what a lovely way to end the year!

Reminder: E28 Year 7 Fieldwork to Potteric Carr Nature Reserve

By Web Blogger5th July 2022

Year 7 are going on fieldwork to Potteric Carr on Tuesday 12th July. They will be leaving school at 9.00am and will return to school at 2pm. Students will be travelling to Potteric Carr via coach.

As students will be out of school for the majority of the day they will need to bring with them a packed lunch, a large bottle of water, sun cream, strong insect repellant and a hat.

If students are on free school meals they will be provided with a packed lunch.

Students need to wear full length trousers / leggings and a full length top to limit susceptibility to insect bites.  Students also need to wear suitable footwear, preferably walking boots or old trainers.

The purpose of the fieldwork is to collect information on species habitats in the local area and for students to develop their knowledge on the specific species they have been assigned.

If you have any further questions please get in-touch.

 

Thanks,

Mrs Batty

C24: And now we’re checked out

By Web Blogger5th July 2022

What an absolutely amazing final week for our Y11s. After their last exam on Monday, we weren’t quite ready to let them go, so we planned a week of activities to send them off with a bang!

Final Word

Before you read the highlights from our final week we would just like to offer a massive appreciation to all the parents, grandparents, staff and friends who have supported our students’ Final Word presentations.  It’s been a humbling experience to hear how their time at XP/XPE has prepared them for the future, be that through crew, expeditionary learning, the character traits or through the friendships they have made here.

There is no doubt in our minds that our young people will succeed in whatever they decide to do over the next few years.

Malham Cove

On Tuesday, we went back to where it all began for our crews: Malham Cove. We trudged up 400 steps that could make or break crew and ended up at the top of the Cove together.  We spent some time reminiscing about the last time we visited and everything that has happened in Crew since then.  We spent some time remembering those crew members who are no longer with us. We spent some time just enjoying being with our crews, without the pressure of revision and exams!  Then, who would support crew by helping them across the wobbly stepping stones? We witnessed some really lovely examples of crew helping crew one last time – although I’m not sure which character traits were being displayed during the water fights (definitely not respect!)

Celebration Evening

Thursday night was our chance to celebrate C24 and all their achievements.  To say it was emotional would be an understatement, especially when Mr Portman played the video posted above.  It gave us all a bit of a jolt to see how they’ve grown physically (obvs!) and also in character. I’m sure every single person in the room felt an immense sense of pride that comes with knowing that our students aren’t just going to leave with whatever academic grades they get; they are leaving as kind, considerate, compassionate, beautiful human beings.

We crewed up one last time and handed out our Crew Awards, including the coveted Outstanding Crew Member Award, as voted by fellow crew members. Massive well done to:

XPE:

Crew Churchill: Arandeep Kaur

Crew Finch: Noah Nixon

Crew Mandela: Alfie Close

Crew Young: Summer Cunningham

XP:

Crew Hawking: Max Danby

Crew King: Kai Hall

Crew Macmillan: Frankie Booth

Crew Webb: Kyra Hazel

Alton Towers

Our last day together was spent at Alton Towers. Some of us enjoyed the rides; some of us enjoyed a gentle stroll around the gardens; some of us rocked a poncho in the rain! 😉

PE notices

By Web Blogger5th July 2022

No cheerleading until September

Rounders practice cancelled this week due to a fixture

C25 BTEC coursework catch up Thursday 3.15-4.15

 

thanks

Madrid 2022 – Celebration of Learning 15.07.22 from 4.00 – 5.00

By Web Blogger5th July 2022

Now that our C25 and C26 students have returned from their recent fieldwork visit to Madrid, they are keen to tell their stories, showcase their journals, and share their experiences with their parents at our Celebration of Learning, to be held in XP East School on Friday 15th July from 4.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. We look forwards to seeing all parents of these students there next week.

E28 Fieldwork to Potteric Carr

5th July 2022Web Blogger

On Tuesday the 12th of July, XPE year 7 students will be going on fieldwork to the nature reserve Potteric Carr in Doncaster. This will take place within school hours; students need to be on time for crew to register as normal and they will be back for a debrief during session 5. Students will be lead by an expert lead into the different species’ habitats that exist in Potteric Carr. We will have the opportunity to explore these habitats, and see the species we have been researching in person. We will study how these species have adapted to suit their environment, this will be followed with lots of time for questions. We should finish our morning with a guided meditation session before we head back on the bus to debrief our day. As we have been studying about animal habitats during our current expedition this is a great opportunity for E28. I have attached a kit list here to help students prepare for the day and weather. Any questions please contact myself or your child’s crew leader.