Dear Families
It has been great to see so many of you in person this week attending your child’s Student-Led Conference (SLC). Our students have shown real courage this week presenting their learning, especially G30 students where this has been their first time presenting a SLC. Exit ticket feedback from parents and carers has been full of praise and this will be shared with students as part of their SLC debrief where they will reflect on this experience against the rubric and set themselves targets for their next SLC.
Our G28 and G29 students enjoyed a NHS careers performance this week which gave them a real insight into possible careers from our region’s and the UK’s number one employer. Students really enjoyed the performance and found out more about the 350 possible careers and pathways available. More info on NHS careers can be found here.
As part of our curriculum, in year 9 all students complete a DofE Bronze Award. Our G28 students started their DofE work last term in the volunteering and skills section.
We will be meeting G28 parents this Thursday 8th February to give more details about the DofE qualification and its four sections (Volunteering, Physical, Skills, and Expedition).
The week ahead
National Apprenticeship Week
This week is National Apprenticeship Week – a week aimed at raising awareness of work-based qualifications available from the age of 16. Apprenticeships are work-based qualifications available to your children from the age of 16.
There is a useful guide to apprenticeships for families from last year’s event which can be found here. General information for families can be found here on the government website.
SLCs for G30 and G29
SLCs continue this week. These are key events for our students so please ensure you attend your appointment. This week we have had several appointments cancelled which have impacted on staff time and students who have been ready to present their SLC. Wherever possible please can we ask that cancellations or changes are made only in exceptional circumstances.
Information evening for G28 Families – Passage, DofE and GCSEs
This event will take place on the evening of Thursday 8th February at 5.30pm in school.
PE this week
- G30 (Year 7)
- Both classes have PE on Monday this week.
- G29 (Year 8)
- Both classes have PE on Tuesday this week.
- G28 (Year 9)
- Class 1 have PE on Thursday this week.
- Class 2 have PE on Friday this week
In line with our dress code, we expect students to arrive at PE lessons with a change of kit which is appropriate for the activity and all accessories removed. This includes sports trainers with non slip soles e.g. running shoes/astro turf (not plimsolls or baseball boots).
Clubs and Extended Study
We will only be running after school extended study this week due to SLCs.
G30 experts in school – Thursday and Friday
On Thursday we will welcome Rav Singh, the founder of ‘A little History of the Sikhs’, to XP Gateshead. Rav will be working with our Year 7 students on their current HUMAN expedition exploring the guiding question: ‘Why do we need to honour all those who made sacrifices during WWI?’ and helping them to understand the experience of Sikhi soldiers.
On Friday, our students will work with Trish Wright, a Food Technology expert and friend of XPG, on their STEAM expedition which has the guiding question: ‘Is survival sufficient?’. Students will be working in our new Food Technology room getting skilled up in three basic cooking recipes which are the basis for many cost-effective family meals. There is not a need for families to provide ingredients for this. During half-term we will be encouraging students to try out recipes from Jack Munroe’s Bootstrap Cookbook, cooking at home with you. More information on this next week.
Looking Ahead
G28 Immunisations
On Wednesday 14th February school nurses will be in school to administer Meningitis ACWY, alongside the Td/IPV booster immunisations to G28 students that have permission. A letter regarding this was emailed to all G28 parents in December. If you have not yet given permission, please see the attached letter with information and a link to the consent form.
G29/G30 online safety with Northumbria Crime Prevention Team
On Tuesday 13th and Thursday 15th February, Northumbria Crime Prevention team will run a session about online safety for our G29/G30 students. This will cover some key messages about how to keep safe online, in and outside of school which will include safe use of age-appropriate social media sites.
G30 Gurdwara Fieldwork
On Thursday 15th February, we are delighted that, once again, our Year 7 students will visit the Gurdwara Siri Guru Singh Sabha. The Gurdwara is a Sikhi temple in the centre of Newcastle and our students will find out more about Sikhi and how temples operate as part of their expedition ‘Do your bit’ which includes a focus on the experience of Sikhi soldiers. More detailed arrangements will come in a separate website post later this week.
Half term break starts Friday 16th February
We come to the end of a six week half term on Friday 16th February and as always, we will finish at 1:30pm for our usual de-gunge. We return to school on Monday 26th February 2024. Here’s our 2023/24 Calendar again for you to see term dates this year.
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
As a mark of respect, and as is the case in many different religious buildings, students will need to cover their heads when in the Gurdwara – if they have their own bandana to do this they can use that, otherwise they will be provided with one (which has been freshly laundered) on arrival at the Gurdwara. Hats and hoods are not an appropriate or acceptable head covering inside the Gurdwara. Students will also need to remove their shoes but leave on their socks whilst in the Gurdwara. Students need to be dressed modestly which in terms of going into the Gurdwara means shoulders and knees covered so no shorts or vest tops to be worn please.
