Good afternoon
Today we received notice that XP Gateshead will be inspected by Ofsted tomorrow and on Wednesday.
Below is a letter which includes a link that you can follow to give feedback to Ofsted on our school.
We are delighted to have the opportunity to demonstrate the great work that your children do with us, and strongly encourage as many families as possible to take the time to complete the parentview survey.
We look forward to the next two days, and thank you all for your continued support.
#wearecrew
Kind regards
Julie Mosley
A families’ guide to inspections can also be found by clicking here.
Dear Families
Welcome to the final week of this half term!
It is hard to believe that we have only been together for 7 weeks having achieved so much! Our students have continued to work hard to develop their beautiful work, character and academic success and they, like staff, will be ready for a well deserved rest and two week half term break when we finish this half term on Friday 18th October.
G28 and their start to GCSE
G28 students have made a great start to their GCSE courses and all staff working with this cohort have commented on their mature approach to learning, their resilience and willingness to take risks with their learning and appetite for challenge.
In Religious Studies, students have been using their collective knowledge to develop really strong answers to an exam style essay question about the story of the virgin birth in The New Testament.
GCSE Geographers have planned and carried out their first fieldwork with the enquiry question “Has regeneration had a positive impact on the Ouseburn?”
in GCSE photography students have been setting up miniature studios to start to get to grips with the powerful cameras that most of them carry with them every day, in advance of learning skills on DSLRs.
And
This week also, as a consequence of the weather, students from Level 2 Sports were able to put together a fitness warm-up for Miss Jones given that they would be indoors for the session.
DofE for G29 students
All of our Y9 students complete the DofE bronze award as part of our curriculum. G29 have started working on the physical and skill sections through sessions including badminton, urban-walking and mindful arts and crafts.
G30 work with expert Sister Josepha
G30 have had an expert session with Sister Josepha from St Anthony’s convent, who discussing how her beliefs and the teachings of her catholic faith about the afterlife have informed the way that she has lived her life and in turn her perspective on what it means to be human.
Our students were full of admiration for Sister Josepha and the great work that she has done in service to her community and to those in need around the world.
G30 work with expert Andrew Lowes
This week G30 also met Dr Andrew Lowes from the QE hospital. He was able to talk to students about the impact of G29’s work last year and the importance of organ donation. Again this year, we are delighted that our students’ artwork will be curated in our local hospital promoting such a worthy cause of organ donation.
Ongoing professional development for staff
As you know, we are a school invested in learning for staff and students alike. Like our students, we complete induction, present Educator-Led Conferences (ELC’s), and plan collaboratively to produce a high-quality curriculum.
Each week and across the whole year we offer professional development (CPD) opportunities for staff, which this term has included:
- A focus on the holistic nature of our teaching and learning model
- How to plan and deliver effective explanations
- Instructional rounds – an affirmative process where we learn from observing each others’ practice with an expert facilitator to help participants unpack their learning
- A training programme for Early Career Teachers in partnership with Three Rivers Teaching School Hub
- Leadership of learning expeditions
- Development opportunities for staff for e.g.
- Participation in Networks within our wider school trust.
- Working with industry partners such as the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Shipley and Victoria & Albert museums, and the Farrell Centre to develop authentic products for expeditions.
- Participation in national programmes such as Maths Mastery.
- Working with Newcastle University researchers to further develop connections between our KS3 and KS4 curriculum and the wider world.
We are a very small team, which is part of a relatively small school trust. I just wanted to take this opportunity to commend our staff for their commitment to our school, evident in the way that we support each others’ development, providing capacity for each other to attend training or opportunities, providing opportunities for students through carefully crafted learning expeditions and not least the wide offer of clubs and opportunities. Our staff really are exceptional in their commitment to our children: their development and success.
The 2024 Thomas Hepburn Memorial Service
This weekend students from across all years 8-10 attended the Thomas Hepburn memorial service at St Mary’s church in Heworth. Each year the NUM and Reverend Lucy coordinate a service which pays tribute to Hepburn’s commitment to working people and the trade union movement. Aside from the connections to our local history and students’ first learning expedition in year 7, we are of course keen to keep the connection to our community. As you know the school that was once on our site was named for Thomas Hepburn, and our school sits right on top of the roadways that extended from Felling Pit.
There was a particularly beautiful addition to our attendance this year, in that members of our choir were included in the service, performing one of G29’s songs “Justice Forever” which invoked a wonderful reception from the attendees – the biggest round of applause of the day!
Students laid a wreath to honour Hepburn alongside wreaths from many other dignitaries. Local MPs and former MPs were in attendance alongside local councillors and members of the education community. All were full of praise for our students’ performance and the quality of the music that G29 had written. I think we already have at least a couple of additional gigs on the back of this!
We were also very lucky to be able to accompany Bill Elliott, a local folk singer and part of the Elliott family of miners from Birtley who we hope to be able to work with further in putting together folk songs for G31 as part of their final product. All in all a wonderful way to spend a morning with wonderful young people.
Our week ahead
G29 fieldwork
On Monday Year 9 students will participate in local fieldwork visiting the site of the Owen Luder car park, using the space as inspiration for designing their own structure and collecting sounds to accompany their personal oral histories. Students will also be collecting primary data to answer the enquiry question: “Are there inequalities on Gateshead High Street?”. Students will have lunch in school and should dress appropriately for fieldwork and possible changes in weather.
Extended Study and Clubs
Our usual offer of extended study and clubs will all run this week (see schedule here) every day except Friday. Our before-school fitness and running clubs on Tuesday and Thursday will start at the earlier time of 7.45am this week.
Insert schedule here – can it be amended to show extended study too please
PE sessions this week
- G30 students (Year 8) have PE on Monday
- G31 students (Year 7)
- Class 1 have PE on Tuesday
- Class 2 have PE on Wednesday
- G29 students (Year 9) have PE on Thursday
- G28 students (Year 10) have PE on Thursday
Pumpkin Decorating Competition – Friday 18th October
Crew Stanton are hosting a pumpkin decorating competition to raise money for our crew charity Tiny Lives. Students will need to bring in their decorated pumpkins on the morning of 18th October 2024. Please see the website post for full details of competition categories, entry fee and prizes.
Early closure this Friday 18th October
Don’t forget that school finishes at the earlier time of 1.30pm this Friday. This is to allow us time to “degunge” and set up for the next half term. Please make arrangements to pick up your children at the school gate for 1.30pm this Friday. As always, please be conscientious of our neighbours if parking as it is always very busy when students all leave school at the same time.
We return to school on Monday 4th November 2023.
Thank you for your continued support through this half term and we hope everyone has a good holiday. We are looking forward to the next half term where we will be continuing to focus on our culture of beautiful work, character and academic success. Students will be adding work to our “beautiful” work portfolios and getting ready for student-led conferences and presentations of learning which will be an opportunity for you to see some of the work your children have been doing – more on this later.
As usual if you have any questions about your son or daughter please get in touch with your child’s Crew Leader in the first instance or email general enquiries to [email protected].
Julie Mosley
Sharing our Stories 11/10/2024
Beautiful Work This Week
Beautiful Curation at Green Top!
Have you seen these beautiful newly curated areas at Green Top – awesome spaces for students to learn and play in!
A great sporting week at XP Doncaster!
On Monday, students met a few of the Doncaster Rovers first team players and were able to have photos and get autographs from the players. Students asked questions about the life of a professional athlete and the journey that the players have been on playing for different clubs. It was great to hear the players speak about our character traits and how these character traits link to sport.
Then on Tuesday students visited Hill House school to listen to Olympic gold medal GB hockey player Sam Queck. Her experience as an athlete and the ups and downs she has faced really helped our students to understand that if you want something in life you have to work hard for it! Students were able to have a photo and ask questions to Sam at the end – they even held her gold medal.
We’re looking for an Art Teacher at XP Doncaster!
Find out more and apply now to #JoinOurCrew
Top of the Blogs
Crew Rashford getting smart-er @ XP East
Share your stories with us!
Crew Stanton are hosting a pumpkin decorating competition to raise money for our crew charity Tiny Lives. You can choose to carve or paint your pumpkin.
Students will need to bring in their decorated pumpkins on the morning of 18th October 2024. There will be 2 categories, one for XPG Students and one for younger family members of XPG. It will cost £2.50 for student entries and £1.50 for younger family entries. This is to be paid when the pumpkin is brought in on the morning of 18th October.
Ideally, students will include a note with their name and crew (there must be a named XPG student or member of staff on any entries for family member categories too) but if you forget to do this we will have some post it notes and a pen so we know who to give the prize to.
Crew Stanton will vote for the 2 winners and there will be a chocolate hamper prize kindly donated by Kirsty from Flowers and Gifts.
Students MUST bring their pumpkin home after the competition so that we don’t have any rotting pumpkins left around school over the holidays!
Students can also bring money on this day as we will be selling halloween themed baked goods at break and lunch time on the same day.
On Monday, 11th October, G29 students will participate in local fieldwork. Class Two will head out in the morning to visit the site of the Owen Luder car park, using the space as inspiration for designing their own structure that could be built on the Trinity Square site, along with sounds to accompany their personal oral histories. Additionally, students will spend an hour building on the virtual fieldwork they’ve completed in school, collecting primary data to answer the enquiry question: “Are there inequalities on Gateshead High Street?” They will return for an early lunch at 12:00.
Class One will follow the same schedule after their early lunch at 12:00, completing the same fieldwork and returning to school by 15:15.
Following Monday’s fieldwork, students will have an expert session on Tuesday with University lecturer Michael Jefferies, where he will explore mapping techniques and discuss how these could be used to improve Gateshead.
The weather is currently forecast to be cloudy with sunny spells. Students should bring their usual kit, including a waterproof jacket, comfortable shoes, and their normal school kit!
Gateshead Youth Assembly (GYA) is now recruiting new council members! This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference in the local community. As part of GYA, you’ll represent young people in Gateshead, work closely with decision-makers, and help shape the future of services for young people in the area. Plus, you’ll have a lot of fun while doing it!
Over the past year, GYA members have designed, delivered, and evaluated various social action projects. They’ve also collaborated with local leaders on initiatives like the future planning of Gateshead town centre. You can read all about their achievements in the GYA Annual Review. Being part of GYA is a big deal—past members say it significantly boosted their personal statements for university and job applications.
GYA full meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month, usually at Gateshead Civic Centre. Other Tuesdays are reserved for project work, social events, training, and activities, all planned by GYA members. Meetings continue during school holidays, except when our support workers are unavailable (typically during the first and last weeks of the month).
This year’s Training Weekend, which kicks off the GYA year, will be held on Saturday, 2nd, and Sunday, 3rd November 2024, from 10am to 4pm at The Lobley Hill Building, Lobley Hill Road, Gateshead.
Please let Miss Jones if you are planning to join up. Valarie from the GYA will be in school on Monday and would love to meet with possible new council members!
We’re looking for an Art Teacher at XP Doncaster
Brooke brought a very special guest to school earlier this week, her silver medal from her first gymnastics competition! Brooke’s partner also did brilliantly in their first acrobatics section too. Beautiful work Brooke! Well done.
G29 have a checkpoint assessment in Science next week on Monday . Students have been directed to help via their Google classrooms.
Students should focus upon the following targets:
I can describe the structure of an atom of an element
- I can identify the different parts of an atom and state their charges and masses.
- I can use the atomic number and mass number of an element to identify the number of protons, electrons and neutrons it has.
- I can state the maximum number of electrons found in each of the first three energy levels.
- I can write and draw electron configurations for the atoms of the first 20 elements.
I can describe the structure of the modern periodic table
- I can describe how the modern periodic table is arranged by atomic number and that the elements in each group have the same number of electrons on the outer shell of their atoms.
- I can explain why elements have similar properties because of their electronic structure
- I can use data from the periodic table to draw the electronic structure of the first 20 elements of the periodic table
I can explain how the atomic model changed over time
- I can explain how the discovery of the electron changed Dalton’s model of the atom
- I can explain how Rutherford’s Gold Leaf experiment change Thomson’s plum pudding model of the atom
- I can describe Bohr’s contribution to the atomic model
- I can describe Chadwicks contribution to the atomic model
- I can explain the importance of evidence in changing scientific models.