E30 Pioneer – Working Hard and Getting Smart

E30 Pioneer have really engaged with our current anchor text ‘Lord of the Flies’. This week after reading chapter 3 they considered whether the island is a utopia or a dystopia. We explored the etymology of the words and offered their own opinions and definitions.

Then we looked closely at an extract about the den/shelter that Simon finds in the jungle. The students were tasked with finding evidence to support the statement that this place was Simon’s utopia. They then used this evidence in some analysis.

Many of the comments and inferences offered really considered the implications of being on an island free from structures and rules and how this would affect people in different ways.

Some very impressive work and superb focus. Well done guys!

Mrs Desborough

E31 Fieldwork: Wednesday 19th March

We are excited to announce that our upcoming fieldwork to the Staffordshire Regiment Museum is just around the corner! To ensure that all students are well-prepared for the day, please take note of the following important details.

Students should arrive at school promptly at 7:45 AM. This will give us time to organise the group and prepare for our departure. The group will leave school by 8:15 AM to travel to the Staffordshire Regiment Museum. Please ensure that your child arrives on time so we can adhere to the set schedule.

All students are required to bring a packed lunch for the day. For students eligible for Free School Meals (FSM), lunch will be provided. Parents should ensure that their child has a drink for the day. There are no cafe facilities on-site at the museum, so if a student forgets their drink or lunch, it cannot be replaced. The drink for the day should be water, as per our school policy, which prohibits fizzy drinks.

As the museum visit involves a bit of walking, we recommend that students wear comfortable shoes to ensure they can participate in all activities without discomfort.

A warm coat is also essential for the day, as the majority of the visit will be spent outside. The weather can be unpredictable, and we want to ensure that all students stay warm and comfortable.

Students will leave the museum at approximately 2:30 PM, and we expect to return to school by 4:00 PM, traffic permitting. Please be mindful that traffic conditions may cause slight delays, but we will keep parents/carers updated.

In Summary:

  • Arrival at school: 7:45 AM
  • Departure for museum: 8:15 AM
  • Packed lunch required (unless FSM, where lunch is provided)
  • Drink required (parents to ensure their child brings one)
  • Comfortable shoes and a warm coat are advised
  • Return to school: Approximately 4:00 PM

We look forward to a fantastic day exploring the history of the Staffordshire Regiment and experiencing everything the museum has to offer. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Thanks, 

Year 7 Expedition Team

E28 Crew Malala Term 2a Roundup

Term 2a was full on for Crew Malala. We have completed our SLCs, where students spoke in detail about their learning over the past term and their current progress. They also reflected on their Habits of Work and Learning. It was great to see Crew being able to talk about both their strengths and areas for improvement, as well as considering how they can start to prepare themselves for the upcoming mock exams.

Over half of crew are attending the Valencia fieldwork in two weeks’ time. We can’t wait to hear about their adventures!

Crew’s expedition for Term 2a was Raiders and Invaders – a study of the Vikings. The Guiding Question for this expedition was “How far did the Vikings forge a legacy?” Students learned how the Vikings lived in their homelands, travelled to other lands, traded, raided, and invaded, and the influences that they have left behind. The expedition culminated in a Presentation of Learning where students presented what life might have been like in a Viking village, including the foods they ate and how they forged metal weapons.

Please enjoy the selection of photos from Crew Malala’s SLCs which were held over the last two weeks. We are looking forward to Term 2b and what it might bring.

Mrs. Collinson & Mrs. Batty

E30’s Powerful Work on Macbeth

As part of E30’s expedition ‘Fight the Power’ they are grappling with the anchor text, Macbeth. Me and Mr Portman have been blown away by every single students’ engagement, effort and focus so far. Our Friday session 5 drama sessions are quickly becoming the highlight of our week.

Not only this but their analysis work, interpretation of key scenes and characters and book work is beautiful. They are really embodying XPE’s HOWLs in their lessons. Keep working hard, getting smart and being kind guys.

See a sneak peak below of some of our thespians in action. Get ready for the POL! Details of which will be sent out asap.

Thank you for making our week – Mrs Desborough and Mr Portman