E24/Year 9 How to build a rollercoaster workshops

By Katie Haughey14th September 2019

Year 9 have been lucky enough to experience another fantastic day of fieldwork, helping them build background knowledge for their STEAM expedition, ‘Slow Down’. In a few weeks time, their learning will culminate in a final product that answers the guiding question:

What does physics and maths have to with saving life?

This Thursday, the year group visited Alton Towers’ education department to learn about how they assess the safety and functionality of their roller coasters. Students were briefed on how they might want to design their own roller coasters using the principles of physics and mathematics.

They also applied their knowledge of algebraic substitution by calculating gravitational potential energy, as well as velocity at each hill of their roller coasters and centripetal acceleration. Students were then given a workbook to fill out as we travelled through the park – they were able to explain why they felt so weightless during the drop on oblivion, and were able to calculate GPE on the coasters across the theme park using the knowledge gained in the workshops. Plus, we all had a lot of fun on the rides!

We will be picking up this new physics and maths content once we get back into school this coming week and applying it across the STEAM sessions.

 

E24 Explorer and Pioneer

By Heather Cross12th September 2019

E24 started off their immersion for the expedition ‘Why do we still need Charity?’ Creating contextual studies from the artist: Karl Schmidt-Rottluff. What a great start to beautiful work! Some have been carefully using a craft knife to remove sections: creating contrast. Others have been using pen to block out areas. All students will do both pieces of work.

This is just some of the beautiful work they have produced. Keep up the hard work! Can’t wait to work on the final product with you (we are creating a product that runs alongside Hums).

Y9 (E24) Fieldwork 12/9/18

By A Parker11th September 2019

Here’s a reminder about tomorrow’s fieldwork, and a bit more information about where we are going and why.

The fieldwork relates to our STEAM expedition – ‘Slow Down’ – and the Guiding Question has been revealed:

What does physics and maths have to with saving life?

Tomorrow, we will be visiting Alton Towers.  We have already explored the Smiler accident (as part of Case Study 1) and tomorrow’s visit will help us to understand more about forces, speed and safety.

Students will attend a focussed STEAM workshop in the morning.  This will build on our visit to AMRC.

After lunch, there will be an opportunity for students to visit some of the rides discussed in the morning session (working in small groups, accompanied by a member of staff.) Of course, it isn’t compulsory to go on any of the rides!

So, here’s a reminder about the key information for the day.  If you have any further questions, please contact Mr Smith – [email protected]

**Please also note that students have been told NOT to bring any money**

  • All students to arrive at school by 7:45am for a prompt departure at 8am.
  • Students will need to bring a packed lunch and bottle of water (no glass bottles or fizzy drinks or sweets.) A packed lunch will be provided for those students receiving free school meals. 
  • Please bring any prescribed medication required, clearly labelled in a plastic bag or envelope with your child’s name and required dosage.  This includes travel sickness tablets where necessary as we will be travelling by coach for approximately 1hour 30minutes.
  • Sensible clothing, coat and shoes need to be worn.  We will be outside for part of the day, so please make sure clothing is weather appropriate.
  • Students will return to school at approximately 4pm – although we will post updates on the school’s twitter account and the  XP East Parents/Carers Facebook group.

Information Evening for Year 6 Parents – 2nd and 3rd October 2019

By Michelle Jones10th September 2019

Due to the level of demand we receive each year, once again we will be holding two information evenings for prospective parents and students for both XP and XP East. These will take place on Wednesday 2nd October and Thursday 3rd October.

The evenings will take place from 6:00pm. Both evenings will have the same schedule and will be appropriate for parents applying to either/both of our schools, with an opportunity to see both.

Please attend on Wednesday 2nd October if your son’s or daughter’s surname is between A and K in the alphabet.

Please attend on Thursday 3rd October if your son’s or daughter’s surname is between L and Z in the alphabet.

The evening will provide details of how we learn at XP Trust secondary schools through academically challenging learning expeditions, what you should expect from us and what we expect from you. This will include presentations from our students as well as a chance to see both of our secondary schools where there will be activities taking place in different rooms.

We expect each evening to finish at around 7.30pm.

Please park in Doncaster Rovers FC Car Park 3 and enter the school through the student entrance gate on the south side of the campus and not the vehicle entrance gates on the north side.

There will be an opportunity for parents/carers to ask any questions, all are welcome.

We look forward to seeing you there!

8Pioneer Extended Study

By H Hickson9th September 2019

8 Pioneer have now had the big reveal of their first Hums expedition in year 8 ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go?’ which will focus around the theme of migration (past and present).

Our anchor text ‘Of Mice and Men’ will be explored and analysed so in preparation for this, the students have been set an ongoing extended study to learn 33 different literary terms and devices such as oxymoron, anaphora and protagonist, as well as an example (they have been given a list of these in today’s lesson). Image result for of mice and men book

They will be quizzed on these terms next week – how many can you remember Pioneer?

XP Rock Challenge!!

By S Mitchell9th September 2019

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Rock Challenge is coming to XP and XP East this year. Full details on the poster below.

First performers crew rehearsal is tomorrow (Tuesday 10th) over at XP East in the sports hall at 3:15pm till 4:30pm.

First backstage crew meeting is on Wednesday 11th at XP East in A11 at 3:15pm till 4:30pm.

Looking forward to seeing you all there!!

#XPRocks

Expedition ‘Slow Down’ Immersion E24/Y9

By J Smith9th September 2019

Last week E24 started their first STEAM expedition in year 9. We visited the advanced manufacturing research centre in Sheffield where we were able to get a first hand look at the types of careers, technology and equipment being used in engineering today.

The students also recapped concepts of forces by building self propelled lego cars and measuring the speed distance and time.

Watch this video for more information of what year 9 got up to!

 

E24/Y9 PE Kit

By J Smith8th September 2019

A reminder to all E24/Y9 that all students will need to bring PE kit for tomorrow and Friday this week. An additional session of PE is on tomorrow for year 9 session due to the PE space availability later in the week.

Girls Netball indoor kit
Boys Rugby outdoor kit

 

A butcher, a baker, a candle-stick maker?

By D Pearson8th September 2019

None of these noble professions made it to Crew Young’s current aspirations list when we explored future career pathways in Crew last week. Having studied how a year 11 / X22 student prepared a letter of introduction for passage, annotating her script with our own notices and wonders for follow-up work this week, we were encouraged to research our own career interests. This developed work covered during immersion week, when our Crew created an online profile on the startprofile portal.

Crew Young were most interested in the academic routes into their current career ambitions, starting salary and opportunities for promotion. Lewis now knows the average national starting salary, Adam is aware of what a level 1 qualification means, and Ella appreciates that a future in animal welfare could cover multiple occupations.

Amongst our current interests are careers in: animal welfare, railway engineering, forensic science / criminology, police dog-handling, architecture, airline pilot and the fashion industry.

Aim high, Crew Young, aim high!

Welcome to Hums 7Pioneer!

By H Hickson7th September 2019

It’s been fantastic meeting 7Pioneer this week. We’ve kicked off our immersion week by learning new protocols such as ‘Notice, Wonder, Question’ and ‘Gallery Walk’. However,  I think the highlight of our week was our visit from our expert, who brought in lots of artefacts from the First World War.

It was wonderful to see how curious and interested the students were in finding out more  about the items. The discussions they were having and the questions they asked were really impressive. Take a look for yourself!

I’m really looking forward to getting to know the students in this class more and starting this expedition with them. I’m sure they’ll all work hard, get smart and be kind and we’ll have a great time!