E28 have been totally engrossed in our anchor text for our next expedition: Lord of the Flies. We have collectively read the opening chapters of the novel and have explored some of the emerging themes and symbols, one of them being the conch.
At the beginning of the novel, the conch is used as a symbol to unite the characters and to create a social hierarchy. Next week, Pioneer and Explorer will be following the same rules as established in the text – only the person holding the conch has the power to use their voice.
“And another thing. We can’t have everybody talking at once. We’ll have to have ‘Hands up’ like at school.” . . . “Then I’ll give him the conch. . . . I’ll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when he’s speaking.”
~William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Jack, Chapter 2, Page 33
E28 are doing a food donation to Thorne and Moorends Community Food Bank. This foodbank was a project started by the local community working to stop people going hungry in the area. The foodbank gives people in need food and ingredients such as canned goods, pasta, rice and cartons of fruit juice. As a year group, we have decided to collect donations to give to the food bank so we would appreciate it if your child could bring in a small donation to XP East. The food banks urgently need tins of tomatoes, fruit, vegetables, cartons of milk, cartons of fruit juice and packets of biscuits. However, they do not need items such as beans, pasta and toothpaste. You could also donate other items such as pet food, recipe books and toiletries. The deadline for the collection is the 21st September.
If you wish to donate further, here is the link to the Thorne and Moorends Food Bank:
Crew Malala spent some time creating colourful posters to decorate their Crew space. Each student created one letter or star and included a pledge for this term. Pledges include:
Manage my distractions
Show compassion to others
Take on more responsibility in Crew
Challenge myself to stay on task
Improve my listening skills
Every week members of Crew Malala will look at their praises and conducts from the week before, and reflect on how these might help them work to meet their pledges. Brilliant work Crew Malala!
C26 & C27 parents and students are invited to an evening on Wednesday 8th November 4.30 – 6pm. It is an expectation that all year 11 students will attend and a representative from home, for year 10 this is an excellent opportunity to gather information about what Post 16 opportunities are available in the local area.
Post 16 intention of attendance – please complete with how may will be attending including your student, so we can get an idea for numbers
Students have embraced their new expeditions this week – revealing their guiding questions and unpicking their learning journey for the next 12 weeks. We are excited to see the final products and presentations of learning later this term.
New Friends of XP and XPE
We’re looking for parents to join our New FXP group and support with fundraising, events and activities which will benefit our whole school community. For further information or to express your interest please complete the form below.
Our enrichment timetable has been launched, including lots of activities at lunchtime and after school for students in all year groups to engage with.
If your child attends after school enrichment, please ensure you sign up to the blog where we communicate fixture times, return from fixture updates and any cancellations to parents.
C30 parents
All C30 students should have brought home their parent pay log-ins and also parents should have received an update about iPads last week. If you haven;t received either of these please let the school office know. [email protected] and [email protected]
You should have received the weekly WOOP for C26 at the end of last week – if you didn’t please email Miss Cocliff (for XP) or Mrs Parker (for XPE) and they will reshare.
We would like to invite all Y11 (C26) parents to our Y11 GCSE Information Evening at XP East on Tuesday, 12th September from 5:00-6:15pm.
The evening will focus on providing information about exam layout/content, exam dates, revision/work required for each exam and component. This was a really useful evening last year to ensure parents knew how to best support our wonderful Y11s throughout their GCSEs. Subject leads and teachers will also be around if you have any questions.
As always if you have any questions please contact your child’s crew leader in the first instance.
Y11 Parents/Carers – we will share our weekly planner with you all so that you are aware of any important dates/events and can keep up to date with the latest Learning Lab schedule (targeted revision session).
Y11 have had such a strong start to the year – they are focussed, engaged, on-board with our revision plans and we have had so much positive feedback from their subject teachers!
Please find attached photographs of lost property from Outward Bound. Please note the brown walking boots have the name Sam written in them and we also have a square black lunch bag too. If you recognise any of the property please ask your son/daughter to go to XP School reception to collect.
Last week our new Year 7s were the 9th cohort of students from XP to head off to the Aberdovey Outward Bound centre to answer the guiding question ‘What does it mean to be Crew?’. These are their reflections after just three days of their secondary school journey…
Orchestra in residence at XP
XP is now the official new home of the Doncaster Youth Jazz Association.
Fifty years ago John Ellis MBE created the Doncaster Youth Jazz Association (DYJA).
Over the next half century, with three bands and a fourth ensemble made up of alumni, the organisation was to become internationally renowned.
The Doncaster Youth Jazz Orchestra has played at some of the awesome venues in the world, from the Royal Albert Hall to Buckingham Palace, the United Nations in New York to Ronnie Scott’s in London. Always delighting audiences and showcasing the young people of Doncaster’s talent and virtuosity.
Now, after many years at Beckett Road, DYJA are moving into our XP school, which will become their base. Their office, rehearsal and teaching rooms and music library – as well as full band rehearsal space will be here with us at Middle Bank.
Andy, our Chief Academic officer commented:
“We are absolutely delighted, across the XP Trust, that the Doncaster Youth Jazz Association is now based at our founding school, XP.
To support and be associated with an organisation that has travelled the world, sharing its music and the amazing talent of Doncaster’s young musicians, is very exciting and part of our ongoing commitment to the local community.
As we look forward to celebrating 10 years of XP in 2024, this feels like another landmark moment in our story – and we hope this is so for DYJA too as they continue their decades-long journey.”
Charlotte Arrowsmith, Chair of the Board of Trustees added:
“This feels like a new and exciting chapter for us at DYJA as we enter our 51st year. We’re delighted to have moved into XP School – and we’re looking forward to working and creating here, in such an inspiring place.”
#C30Austerfield
Plover’s Colour Run
Acts of Service: C28’s Sine FM Adverts for Moorends Foodbank
