We didn’t let sub-zero temperatures put us off on Wednesday! We wrapped up warm in our big coats and had a lovely walk in the winter sunshine.
This was a bit different to our normal walk though; we stopped off at a couple of places, closed our eyes, took some deep calming breaths, and really tuned into the sounds around us. Students noticed the change in what we could hear from just outside the school gates (cars, noises from surrounding warehouses and the stadium) to what we could hear at our next check-in point by the lake (ducks, birds, dogs, the breeze in the trees and even their own breathing!)
We also spoke about why taking some time to focus in on ourselves is important and how what we did on our walk could help back in the classroom. Students commented that taking a moment to take some deep breaths could be used to help them to manage distractions, help them to stay focussed on a tricky task and help regulate emotions. Another great example of how what we do outside helps us when we’re back inside the classroom!
Next Thursday 25th of January, we invite parents to join us for our first run through of our Teacher-Student Led conferences. These conferences will provide parents with an opportunity to meet with subject-specific teachers, allow students to discuss and reflect on their progress in different subjects and look at areas for development in the weeks leading up to the GCSE exams in the spring.
Students have been given a booking form to share with you which will allow you to book a time between 16.30 and 19.30. Slots last for 5 minutes and will be booked on a first come first served basis so please ask your child to see their booking form and suggest a time to meet teaching staff.
We had a lovely Community Meeting this morning with Y11, celebrating the awesome work that’s going on across all sessions. We also spoke about the importance of balancing our mental health and wellbeing alongside our studies during this final run up to mocks and exams.
Great to hear so many positive appreciations for Y11 – keep it up!
Last week, Jayden and Robert had a session of cooking – arguably, the most important life skill!
We thoroughly enjoyed the calm session – although Robert whizzed ahead, and by the time Jayden and I had even thought about our sausage rolls…. Robert’s were out of the oven!
Smashing work, lads – I’m super proud of how independently you completed this task!
As part of component 2 for their history exam (History Around Us) students have been studying The Doncaster Plant Works. Yesterday, students in E26 got to visit the site, now known as ‘Wabtec’. We got to see the workshop where the famous ‘Flying Scotsman’ was built as well as the ‘Mallard’, which still holds the world record for the fastest steam locomotive. We discussed how the site has changed over time and why; the sites turning points in history; it’s significance both locally; nationally and internationally; as well as looking for historical evidence.
Another brick in the wall: Beautiful Work from XP Gateshead
In Autumn 2023, students in Year 9 studied a joint HUMAN and STEAM expedition called ‘Another Brick in the Wall’ where students had to answer the guiding question: ‘How are structures important in helping us to explain our world?’
For the final product, students used plaster to create sculptures in the brutalist aesthetic. The Presentation of Learning (PoL) was an unveiling of an installation to the community and dedicated to the people of Gateshead, who have suffered due to the Covid pandemic and the cost of living crisis; both examples of failings of societal structures. Experts, including architects from SOS-UK and Ryder Architecture, whom the students had worked alongside throughout the learning expedition, came along to speak at the PoL at the Farrell Centre, Newcastle University.
The work will be on display there for the foreseeable future!
We Are Artists at Plover
Mel from the XP Trust Comms Crew visited Plover as an Expert Artist – showing Year 5 how to draw trains and teach them about perspective and the vanishing point. The children enjoyed seeing her amazing drawings and made a great start on having a go at their own drawings.
Carcroft’s Fabulous Foyer!
Whilst making an impromptu visit to Carcroft Primary in December, we noticed this! We simply had to get the phone out and take some photos of the wonderful displays on show in the Carcroft foyer area. The array of work exhibited was interesting, engaging and of high quality; and was curated impeccably by the staff – beautiful work!
XP Outdoors transforms to Learning Outside the Classroom – This term we have been given a fantastic opportunity to have HSBC Money Management team come and run 3 sessions on managing money. Here we are in session designed to help young people understand regular household expenses such as rent, council tax, utility bills and food.
Students really engaged in the session provoking awesome discussions and ideas. What a way to add value and support to the amazing futures XP Students have in store.
Next we will move onto:
Savvy Shopping – Considers advertising and making smart purchases. A chance to explore what is good value, how to spot a great offer and how loyalty, reward and store cards work.
Managing Your Outgoings – Looks at how to manage your spending and make sure you don’t get caught out by unexpected bills as well as making sure that you are getting value for money when you do spend.
This morning during Crew time E29 gathered as a year group to wish our fellow Crew member goodbye and good luck. Ryan will leave a big gap in our year group, and in XP School but we wish him well as his family re-locate to sunny Cornwall.
Whilst doing a whip around to describe Ryan, a few words or phrases came up on many occasions such as ‘funny’ ‘kind’ ‘makes class fun’ ‘energetic’ ‘great guy’ ‘brightens up our day’ Those things sum Ryan up to a tee. How he has grown in strength and character during his time here is remarkable and I’m sure he will apply those skills and qualities in his new school. Crew will feel so different without him, a valued member of our family missing, but we will be sure to keep in touch.
Go show Cornwall all those wonderful character traits we see every day Ryan. See you in the summer for a pasty!
Photo 1 this morning, photo 2 our Crew and photo 3 our Crew on your induction days in July 2022. How you have all changed and grown.
It was great to kick off our new Y9 expedition during Immersion week with a visit from ‘Happening History.’
Our visitors acted as experts for bringing to life the medical theories that prevailed during Medieval England. Through demonstrations, role play, and interaction with students, the team explored key knowledge surrounding what drove the different beliefs, and how religion, astrology and Greek Philosophy dominated the ‘medieval mind.’
The big reveal for our expedition title and guiding question will take place by the end of the week… stay tuned!
