XP East

Happy New Year Everyone

This weeks PE extra curricular timetable:

Wednesday 5th January C25 and C24 BTEC Sport revision 3.30-4.30. A01 and A03 XP East.

The full timetable for this term will be published on Friday.

Thank you Team PE

Happy New Year everyone! We hope that all of our families have had a safe and restful break. We’re really looking to 2022 but before we start back please find below updates from an email that we received from the DfE this morning.

Firstly, just to remind everyone the DfE has strongly recommended that students are tested for Covid on the first day back after the Xmas holiday (Tuesday 4th January). As a result, XP and XP East will be closed on Tuesday except for the specific time frames for students to take part in our in-school testing provision. Online learning has been provided for all students via Google Classroom and please refer to this update from before the holiday for more details. School will open as normal on Wednesday 5th January.

‘Does my child need to have a lateral flow test if they have tested positive for Covid in the last 90 days?’ 

We have had enquiries around the question above. As confirmed in this morning’s DfE update the answer is ‘they are strongly encouraged to take part’. Whilst this is a change to the previous guidance, the email stated:

• ‘Even if someone has tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days, they are strongly encouraged to take part in Lateral Flow testing on-site or at home once they have completed their isolation period for their prior infection.’ 

If a child or member of staff tests positive via lateral flow, they would need to have a PCR test and await the result before returning to school.

Changes to the self-isolation period:

The update contained details on changes to the self-isolation period for individuals who test positive for COVID-19. It stated:

• ‘Since Wednesday 22 December, the 10 day self-isolation period for people who record a positive PCR test result for COVID-19 has been reduced to 7 days in most circumstances, unless you cannot test for any reason.’

• ‘Individuals may now take Lateral Flow tests on day 6 and day 7 of their self-isolation period. Those who receive two negative test results are no longer required to complete 10 full days of self-isolation. The first test must be taken no earlier than day 6 of the self-isolation period and tests must be taken 24 hours apart. This also applies to children under 5, with LFD testing at parental or guardian discretion. If both these test results are negative, and you do not have a high temperature, you may end your self-isolation after the second negative test result and return to your education setting from day 8.’ (more details here)

The use of face-coverings in lessons and in school:

• ‘From today, Sunday 2 January, it is recommended that face coverings are worn in classrooms where pupils in year 7 and above are educated. The advice is short term only, to support pupils and teachers as they return to school this term and builds on the existing proportionate guidance that recommends face coverings for all adults in communal areas of all settings. We are updating our guidance to reflect this. The advice on face coverings in classrooms will be in place until Wednesday 26 January, when Plan B regulations are currently scheduled to expire, at which point it will be reviewed.’ (more details here)

To reiterate, all of the changes and guidance are provided centrally from the Government. We appreciate that the complexity of the ongoing changes can be confusing – therefore please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s Crew Leader as your first port of call should you have any questions or concerns. 

Best wishes for 2022.

As 2021 draws to a close, Crew Obama have been reflecting on their progress to date. Lots of work has already been done in preparation for passage next year, and we look forward to welcoming you to these events. Presentations of Learning have unfortunately been cancelled for external guests, but pupils have still spent many hours rehearsing and will present their work to an audience of younger pupils before the Christmas break. 

The final days of term have been, as expected, very busy! Despite this, we have managed to do our bit to brighten the season for others by participating in Christmas Jumper Day and have written Christmas cards for staff at the hospital. Finally, we managed to find time to relax together with a game of football during a crew session. We’re all ready for a well deserved break now!

School will close at 1.30pm to enable staff to de-gunge and set up for the new term.

We wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas and look forward to seeing you in 2022.

Best wishes

The DfE has strongly recommended that students are tested for Covid on the first day back after the Xmas holiday (Tuesday 4th January). As a result, XP and XP East will be closed except for the specific time frames for students to take part in the testing provision. 

Staff will set work via Google classroom and students will be expected to complete this at home. Staff will be setting this work on Friday morning.

Those students who have not consented to testing do not have to take part in the testing provision, and should not come into school.

Please find below details of the testing slots for each year group. Siblings in different year groups may come to school together at any time.

Our schools will open as normal on Wednesday 5th January 2022.

Best wishes, Jamie Portman.

Over the past half term the school has been competing in the Doncaster Schools Badminton League in both KS3 and KS4 age groups.

After topping both pools the students advanced to the finals; with the KS3 students competing at XP and the KS4 students travelling to Rossington All Saints.

This culminated in a 3rd place finish for KS3 and KS4

As a PE department and a school we are incredibly proud of all students involved as for many it was their first time playing competitive fixtures for XP and we are excited to kick on with new sports in the New Year

Well Done to ALL!!

Please note that due to the rising numbers of people becoming infected with the new Omicron variant, we have made the difficult decision to postpone fieldwork to the Museums of Liverpool on Wednesday 5th January 2022 (E27) and Tuesday 11th January (X27). Students will therefore need to arrive at school as normal, prepared for sessions. Lunch will be as normal in school. 

We hope to rearrange the fieldwork at the safest earliest opportunity. Although it is disappointing, the safety of our students and their families is our priority

The school Christmas dinner day is Wednesday 15th December. There will be a vegetarian option which will also be served with vegetables.
The only option on this day is Christmas dinner so if your child would prefer to bring a packed lunch then that is absolutely fine.
Merry Christmas to all of our families, we hope you have a wonderful break.
XP East Crew

Find out more here!