Dear Families
It has been another great week at XPG last week.
Gardening club…
Planting potatoes
Year 7 supporting each other…
…critiquing using a rubric.
Year 9 creativity…
…inspired by our Faster Read text ‘Legend’.
Without a doubt, this week has seen our G28 pioneering students step up to the challenge as they get ready for Passage Presentations taking place this coming week.
Students have been working hard putting together writing, with deep reflection about their progress since joining us and their readiness for GCSEs. The presentations we saw today were very strong with such integrity and authentic voice from our students. 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. “
The week ahead
G28 Passage Presentations
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.
G29 and G30 Crew morning – Tuesday 12th March
On Tuesday morning whilst passages are taking place, our Year 7 and 8 students will spend time in their crews. Year 7 will complete work on choosing names for their Crews. Each Crew will be named after someone that has exemplified our character traits of courage, respect, integrity, craftsmanship and quality and above all… compassion.
Year 8 will finalise decisions on the charities with which they will be associated for the rest of their time at XPG. Again, this is such an important decision and the opportunity to be of service over a period of time to organisations doing great work helps our students to realise the positive impact that they can have on their community.
All Crews in Year 7 and Year 8 will also spend time attending to relationships within the Crew and returning to the importance of a strong culture. Crews have each planned different activities for the morning alongside work on charities and crew names.
Developing subject expertise
Tom Devitt and Rebecca Marshall are returning to York University on Wednesday and Thursday this week to complete a four-day Secondary Science training course to develop their knowledge and understanding of Science in KS3 and KS4. At XPG, we invest in the professional development of our staff and are committed to building strong teams able to develop and deliver our expeditionary learning curriculum.
Alongside passage, this does mean that there are some changes to the timetable this week.
PE this week
- Both G28 classes will have PE this week on Friday this week.
- Year 7 and Year 8 do not have PE this week.
Extended Study and Clubs
Clubs will all run this week along with extended study sessions every day except Friday. A reminder that if a student attends an after school club or extended study session they must attend the full sessions until 4:30pm.
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
