Here’s a selection of beautiful work from across the XP Trust from this week. To read about other stories from across the XP Trust, visit xptrust.org.
E29’s Wise Wednesdays @ XP East
Crew Shakespeare Sporting Stars @ XP Gateshead
Huge congratulations to Crew Shakespeare (G31) sport stars Evie and Abbie on their beautiful work over recent weeks.
Abbie starred in her first competitive ice hockey match with the Whitley Warriors after lots of hard work to make the team and train – we’re mega proud of you Abbie!
Abbie geared up for her Whitley Warriors match
Evie took home a medal for her shot put event at her regional indoor athletics event and has been invited to start shot put training, as well as smashing her personal bests in her 60m sprints!
Evie taking her place on the podium
Our Year 8 students have been working incredibly hard during their Crew Day today creating delicious no-bake sweet treats that they can’t wait to share with the whole school.
These tasty treats will be on sale tomorrow at break time for both students and staff to enjoy. Prices will range from 65p to £1.25, with all profits going to Crew charities.
Come and treat yourself to something sweet while supporting great causes.
There is a change to the advertised lunches this week. Tomorrow on Wednesday 19th March it will be Indian curry, and then on Friday it will be Southern Fried Chicken.
Without a doubt, last week has seen our G29 students step up to the challenge as they get ready for their Passage Presentations taking place this coming week. Students have been working hard writing with deep reflection about their progress since joining us and their readiness for GCSEs.
The presentations we saw today were strong and our students spoke with such integrity and authenticity. We are delighted today that all students have either passed their passage presentations, or passed with conditions that need to be met over the coming weeks.
In preparing for passage, Year 9 really are demonstrating their readiness for the next stage in their education and their potential for greatness in the years to come. What a joy and honour it is to sit alongside families watching their children shine and talk so beautifully about themselves with such honesty.
This feedback from a panellist and member of our local governing committee really sums up what a special day it has been today:
“What an absolute privilege it was to be able to be part of the passage presentations this morning. The work that is being carried out within XP Gateshead is transformational in the young people’s lives within the school community. This was evident to see in the passage presentations that I was involved with, in terms of character growth and the journey that students are on with regards to being owners of their own learning.
XP Gateshead is truly a very special place and it is these reflective processes that allow us to really take notice of the amazing work that happens every day within school. “
Huge praise today to the Year 9 students that took time out of their passage prep and on a staff day to visit the QE hospital in Gateshead. This visit was in support of the upcoming public health conference after Easter. Well done and thanks for your commitment Fallyn, Imogen, Georgia, Eleanor and Scarlett!
We have made the difficult decision to postpone the scheduled Presentations of Learning in this half-term for Year 7 and Year 10. Unfortunately, our theatre space is still not ready for use at the moment.
Year 10s Presentation of Learning will now take place in the first week back following the Easter break in the w/c 14th April. We are working with a range of partners to find a suitable venue for the debate and will let you know the date and time as soon as we possibly can.
Year 7s Presentation of Learning will instead be recorded in school and steamed for families to watch with their children at home via Youtube. This will also take place in the first week back after the Easter Break.
(Year 8s Presentation of Learning is still taking place next week at Caedmon Hall on Thursday 27th March at 5pm).
Presentations continue on Tuesday during the school day and on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon. A huge appreciation to our panellists for helping to make this a rigorous process and for their kind, specific and helpful feedback to our students. And of course thanks to you, our families for supporting your children in this important work.
Year 9 Families: If you have not already done so, please make sure that you have let us know about arrangements for tomorrow and whether your child will be attending school or working from home using this form.
On Tuesday whilst passages are taking place, our Year 7, 8 and 10 students will spend the day with their crews giving staff and students the opportunity to ‘tend to’ crew. Returning to agreed crew norms, developing team work, crew identity and wellbeing is key to our continued success.
‘If we get Crew right, we get everything’ right at XPG, so it is vital we take the time to ‘cultivate crew’.
Year 7 will be working as a team focusing on collaboration, spending time in the kitchen continuing to learn base recipes which will allow them to cook a range of dishes; this week it is a batter-based recipe of miniature toad in the holes. They will also be carrying out stewardship activities to improve our school site.
Year 8 students are preparing for a bake sale to raise money and awareness of their chosen crew charities, they will also be spending time outdoors creating art in the local area.
Year 10 students will be working looking at revision techniques and healthy study habits so they are equipped to look after themselves in the coming months and rise to the challenge of GCSE exams.
Crew days allow us to focus and build our strong school, attend to relationships in crew and ensure we are supporting and challenging each other to be the best versions of ourselves. It is key that our students realise the positive impact that they can have on each other and their community. Without this strong culture and shared commitment, we would not be able to do the work we do here at XPG.
This week on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we will be interviewing candidates to join our staff Crew in Art, HUMAN and Spanish. This is our final year of staffing the school to our full capacity. Whilst this does impact the timetable, making sure that we have the best staff in front of our children is one of the most important things that we can do as a school and we know that our students will do us proud in the interview lessons and panels as part of the process. Candidates that experience interview days at our school are always at pains to praise our students for how articulate they are and their kindness and pride in their school.
Due to passage presentations some clubs are not running this week. Please ask your child to check student notices and our timetable for more details.
As usual if you have any questions please contact your child’s crew leader in the first instance.
Thank you as always for your ongoing support.
Julie Mosley
Students have now collated all of their plans and we have put together the ingredients for a collection of “Hello Fresh” style boxes using recipes from the book. Students have been really thoughtful in their recipe selections, making adjustments to recipes to ensure they are family friends, delicious and provide a range of nutrients. Students have also worked hard in Computer Science honing their spreadsheet skills in order to generate nutritional information data tables for their selected recipes.
Once put together, the two food boxes will be donated to Edberts House, who will pass them on to two families in need; this is such important work that the students have done to have a positive impact on their community.
We are now asking for small donations for the non-perishable items to go into these food boxes. It would be fantastic to have all of the items needed by Monday 24th March.
In Google Classroom students have access to a spreadsheet where they have each indicated which ingredient/s they think that they can donate. Please have a conversation with your child about this. If there are any problems in sourcing the ingredients, please do ask your child to talk to their Crew Leader.
We will provide the additional perishable items so there is no need to provide anything beyond what your child has said they think they can contribute.
Please ask your child to give their donation to school and we will store these until we are ready to donate the boxes. All donations will be gratefully received and put into the food boxes alongside the week’s worth of recipes from the book. Of course, most importantly, the food will go to families that need it the most. This is what we do at XP, our curriculum and your children’s work impacts positively on our community.
We are so proud of your children for their compassion and the work that they have done on these boxes, and of course, thanks to you for your continued support.
Mohammed’s dedication and determination shone through in his recent karate grading, earning him ‘A’s across the board and a well-deserved yellow belt. His drive to push even further and aim for two grades next time is truly inspiring. We couldn’t be prouder—well done, Mohammed!
The deadline is fast approaching! We’re looking for passionate educators in History, English, Spanish, and Arts to join our team and help shape the future of learning.
Don’t miss out – apply now: http://xptrust.org/careers-at-xp/current-vacancies/
