Sharing our Stories: 04/07/2025

Beautiful Work This Week

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.

Top of the Blogs

XP FESTIVAL TICKETS @ XP Trust

Key Stage 1 Dance Workshop @ Green Top

Year 3/4 Rounders @ Plover

Experience Day @ Carcroft School

A visit from Donny Dog and Doncaster Rovers @ Norton Juniors

Year 8 Rounders @ XP

E28 Shine at Bradford Literary Festival @ XP East

Share your stories with us!

We now have a new dedicated news email so that you can send your stories, updates or ideas about potential news articles directly to us in Comms.

It might be something you or your students have achieved, a charity you’re supporting or anything at all that deserves a wider audience.

Write to us at [email protected] –  we want to hear about it, write about it and celebrate it!

G32 Transition Day 1

We had the most wonderful day with your children yesterday in school. The community meeting at the end of the day was full of students appreciating each other for showing great character and producing beautiful work.

Student yesterday learned their guiding question for their two days:

“What will it take to become the best version of myself at XP Gateshead?”

Here are a selection of photographs from the day. We look forward to even better day today!

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G31 Final Presentation of Learning:

As we approach the end of G31’s first year at XPG, we find ourselves reflecting on how much incredible progress our students have made since they joined us last September. The third and final Presentation of Learning (POL) for Year 7 will take place in school on Monday 14th July at 4:30 PM.

This event will feature a Hosted Gallery Walk, during which your child will guide you through images from their current expedition, ‘Hold Back The River’ The guiding question for this expedition is ‘How Does Water Shape Our World?’ Students will also present their final product: a newspaper article sharing their stories of impactful work in the community to understand the national challenges around water quality and flooding. Students will also once again perform for families their songs written in their first expedition in Term 1 to further celebrate the importance of their beautiful work.

We ask that students dress in a more formal manner for Presentations of Learning. This helps foster a professional mindset and emphasises the importance of the event and its audience. Students may choose to wear a shirt/blouse, trousers and shoes, or a formal dress. Our branded polo shirts are also appropriate for this occasion.

Students will remain in school on the day for a walkthrough rehearsal to ensure the evening runs smoothly. They may bring a healthy snack to enjoy after the school day ends.

It is essential that each student has at least one family member in attendance. Presentations of Learning are a key component of our educational model, designed to help students develop character, showcase their beautiful work, and reinforce the vital partnership between family, school, and students in their academic and personal growth.

We look forward to welcoming you for the final time this academic year and celebrating the incredible achievements of our students.

G31 Final Fieldwork of the year:

On Friday, G31 students will visit Durham University Department of Biosciences to conduct their final piece of fieldwork. Students have the incredible opportunity to work alongside industry experts in water biodiversity and use professional labs.

We will depart around 9am and return before the end of the school day, travelling by coach.

Students will need all of their usual kit including a fully charged iPad and water bottle, as well as a packed lunch and suitable clothing for the weather. Due to lab safety rules, student should not be wearing open toed shoes.

We ask that families ensure students have taken travel sickness medication where necessary on Friday morning.

Exciting and busy times ahead as our students first year at XP Gateshead draws to a close!

Good evening

We are looking forward to welcoming students in school tomorrow for their transition days this week.

For year 6 students, each day will start at 8.25am with students able to arrive from 8.00am.

Each day will end at 3.15pm.

Lunches

Students can have a school lunch or a packed lunch. If you have not already done so, please can you complete this Google form to let us know of your child’s dinner choices for each day.

At break and lunchtime, we will have activities led by our existing student leaders.

Kit

A reminder that for their daily kit, students should bring basic kit which includes a pen, pencil, eraser, ruler and pencil sharpener in a pencil case. Students should have a water bottle and a bag for resources. We recognise that you may not already have all of this equipment yet. It is important that this is in place for August when children start with us fully.

Dress Code

Some students choose to come in their primary school uniform or PE kit, however this is not necessary. Students need to dress modestly and appropriately for a day of learning in school. More details of our dress code can be found here.

Students will be introduced to PE at XP on Tuesday, so we recommend trainers and clothing appropriate for sports on Tuesday so that a change of clothes is not needed.

(When students start with us fully in the Autumn Term we will talk to them about bringing a change of clothes for their first PE sessions).

Plans for the days

Our guiding question for the two days will be:

“What will it take for me to be the best version of myself at XP?”

Tuesday 1st July

On Tuesday students will experience Crew, STEAM Science, Art and Design and Spanish.

We will end the day with a Community Meeting where students will make appreciations to each other connected to our character traits of courage, respect, integrity, craftsmanship & quality, and above all compassion. Our student leaders will support and model this process – as they will have been supporting in their sessions throughout the day.

Wednesday 2nd July

On Wednesday students will have another Crew, Humanities and STEAM Maths and PE.

Again we will finish the day with a Community Meeting to celebrate the beautiful work and character of our newest students over the two days.

Tuesday 8th July – Meet your child’s Crew Leader

Our ‘Meet the Crew Leader’ will be hosted in school. This is an important opportunity for families to meet their child’s Crew Leader and being forming the strong relationship that will be needed to support and challenge your child to become the best version of themselves. This event is for adults from families only, you should not bring your child to this event.

This event will start at 5pm on Tuesday evening next week and is expected to last for around 45 minutes.

 

Ullswater Participant Form

If you have not already done so, please complete the participant form for Ullswater. More details on how to do this can be found here.

 

We are so excited to welcome G32 into school this week, and meeting you all again in the week after.

 

G29 – Duke of Edinburgh return on Saturday 5th July

As G29 get ready to head off on their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Expedition later this week, we’d like to share some important information about their return on Saturday 5th July.

The coach will leave Acomb at 3:00pm, and we expect students to arrive back at school by approximately 3:45pm.

Once back, students will need time to unpack their bags and air out their tents and sleeping bags to prevent damp and mildew.

We will also need to account for all school equipment, including rucksacks, trangias and tents.

This process is likely to take until around 4:30pm-5:00pm, we will update via the school website as the process nears completion.

A full “de-gunge” will take place on Monday morning when students return to school.

Thank you for your continued support in helping G29 prepare for their expedition!

G29: Final Expedition Bag Packing – Thursday 3rd July

As we approach the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Expedition on Friday 4th July, G29 students will be doing a final pack of their expedition bags on Thursday 3rd July during the school day.

Many students already have their bags fully packed and ready to go – well done! However, Thursday’s session is a valuable opportunity to:

  • Top up on any small last-minute items they may have forgotten

  • Check the weight of their bags and decide if anything can be removed to lighten the load

  • Refine their kit based on comfort and practicality

Please ensure that any outstanding kit is brought into school on Thursday.

Students who plan to take items out of their bags should bring a carrier bag or small bag with them so they can take these items home easily.

Thank you for your continued support in helping G29 prepare for their expedition. We’re looking forward to seeing them put their planning and teamwork into action on Friday!

G28 Work Placements

Good luck to all of our G28 that start their work placements today. We hope that you all have a really worthwhile experience. We are confident you will be fantastic ambassadors for the school a great credit to your families. We would also like to appreciate the support that families have given in helping students to prepare for their placements.

We look forward to seeing you back in school and hearing about your placements!

Good Morning

On Tuesday and Wednesday next week, students can have the option of a school lunch or bring in their own packed lunch. Details of the lunch options are on the attached form.
The school is funding the meals, so we would love for as many students as possible to try out school lunches.
Can families please complete this form below to indicate your child’s preference for each day.
Many Thanks
School Office

G29: What to Eat on DofE – Food Advice

As G29 prepare for their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Expedition on 4th–5th July, it’s essential that pupils are well-fuelled and equipped with suitable food to keep them energised and healthy throughout the two-day experience. Here’s everything you need to know to help your child prepare, including detailed advice on what to bring—and what to avoid.


General Food Guidelines

  • NUT-FREE ONLY: Due to serious allergies, no nuts or nut products are allowed at any point during the expedition.

  • High energy, long shelf life: Choose foods that are energy-dense and will last without refrigeration.

  • Easy to carry: Food should be lightweight, well-packed, and not prone to squashing or spoiling.

  • Low waste: Pupils must carry all their rubbish until they return, so avoid excessive packaging.


Examples of Suitable Food Items

Day 1

Before School – Breakfast at Home

Pupils should eat a substantial breakfast before arriving to school. Good options include:

  • Porridge with fruit

  • Eggs and toast

  • Beans on toast

  • A bagel with cream cheese or jam

  • A smoothie and a cereal bar

Packed Lunch + Snacks (for during the walk)

Suitable options include:

  • Tortilla wrap or roll with filling (avoid mayo or perishable sauces)

  • Pasta or couscous salad in a reusable container

  • Crackers and wax-wrapped cheeses like Babybel

  • Dried meats like beef jerky

  • Dried fruit, raisins, seeds, cereal bars (nut-free), flapjack

  • Rice cakes

  • Fresh fruit that travels well (apple, satsuma)

  • Water (at least 1.5L), plus optional isotonic drink

Evening Meal – Cooked on a Trangia Stove

Pupils will cook their own hot meal in pairs/groups using a Trangia stove.

Meals must be quick, simple, and safe to cook with minimal washing up.

Great options:

  • Wayfarer Camping Meals

  • Instant noodles or pasta pots (add boiling water)

  • Pre-cooked pasta with a pouch of tomato or stir-in sauce

  • Boil-in-the-bag rice or couscous with tinned meat (e.g. hot dogs or tuna)

  • Tinned chilli or curry (can heat in Trangia)


Day 2

Remember: Pupils will not have access to fridges, and any perishable food will have been unrefrigerated for over a day.

Breakfast (no cooking)

  • Cereal bars, flapjacks, or brioche rolls

  • Breakfast biscuits or oat bars

  • Dried fruit (e.g. apricots, raisins)

  • Fresh fruit that travels well (apple, satsuma)

Lunch and Snacks

  • Tortilla wraps with shelf-stable fillings (cheese, hummus sachets, jam)

  • Pitta bread with tinned tuna or veggie spread

  • Crackers with cheese or veggie pate

  • Snacks from Day 1 list (e.g. fruit, cereal bars)


Items to Avoid

The following food items are not suitable for the expedition:

  • Anything containing nuts or nut products

  • Yoghurts or dairy items that require refrigeration

  • Sandwiches made the day before

  • Mayonnaise-based fillings

  • Raw meat or frozen meals

  • Chocolate or items that melt easily in hot weather

  • Foods with long cook times or that require large amounts of water (e.g. dried pasta or rice)

  • Anything that requires an oven or microwave

  • Leftovers from the previous evening

  • Any food that needs to be kept cold to remain safe


Final Tips

  • Use resealable bags or lightweight Tupperware.

  • Pack foods in meals/snack “sets” so they’re easy to find.

  • Keep it simple—DofE is not the time for gourmet meals!

If you have any concerns about dietary requirements or providing food items for your child, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

If your child is entitled to free school meals and you would like some support in providing suitable food for the expedition, please contact your child’s Crew leader.

We’re looking forward to seeing G29 rise to the challenge—well-fed and ready to go!

Subject: G29 Fieldwork Postponed

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen personal circumstances, our expert is no longer able to attend tomorrow’s G29 fieldwork. As their input is central to the day’s activities, we have made the decision to postpone the trip.

We hope to reschedule soon and will update you with the new arrangements as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding.