Please note that we break up for half term on Friday 16th February. We return to school on Monday 26th February.
We have another week in school next week.
Please make sure that you refer to the relevant Gateshead-based calendar on our website 2023/24 Calendar.
In preparation for the RSPB Big Garden BirdWatch this weekend, XPG Nature club set up a bird feeder in our grounds and went off to practise some bird identification. Despite the fading light we managed to spot Great Tits,Blue Tits, Black birds, Carrion Crows, Magpies, Feral and Wood Pigeon. However, our highlight was a small flock of Siskins, small finches that visit the UK in the winter from Northern Europe. We spotted them eating one of their favourite foods, the seed of Alder trees.
The 2024 big garden birdwatch for the RSPB will be happening from the 26th – 28th of January. Getting involved in the big garden birdwatch is great as it helps scientists keep track of which birds need help and what not so much. All you have to do is watch out your window for one hour and record what types of birds land in your garden. To find out more and sign up, click the link below
https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/big-garden-birdwatch
The Assessments for Science will take place during the following sessions next week.
G28 Class 1- Tuesday session 3
G28 Class 2- Tuesday session 2
G29 Class 1- Thursday session 3
G29 Class 2 -Thursday session 3
Topics for revision can be found on this post
Thanks
Mr Mead
Both G28 and G29 will have an end of topic assessment in science in their first lesson during w/c 22 January. An Seneca assignment has been issued, although students are encouraged to use a study strategy they have used in class to complete some of this revision too.
The Topics in G28 are
Chemistry
Physics
The Topics in G29 are
Circulatory System
Gas Exchange system
Cell structure and Respiration
Reproductive system
G30’s Presentation of Learning for their first expedition, From The Ground Up, here at XP Gateshead was absolutely fantastic. This was the first time that our youngest students have put together a live POL as the previous 2 years has seen Year 7’s first POL being a virtual one online. G30 did themselves proud with some very clear, well presented explanations of their learning across their different subjects making links to the guiding question, ‘What do the communities of the northeast owe to the miners?’. In addition there were some beautiful performances which included a choral poem, The Ballad of the Big Hewer, and some wonderful drama scenes from the play Billy Elliot.
The ‘pièce de résistance’ was the wonderful songs that our students wrote alongside song writing experts Mr Said and Joe Solo to tell the stories of the experts they interviewed about their time during the miners’ strikes in the 1980s. These were performed brilliantly and the lyrics brought a tear to the eye of some members of the audience in the beautiful church of St Mary’s, Heworth.
Here are some of the comments from parents on the exit tickets:
“All students have shown great knowledge and confidence.”
“Amazing singing and great presentations.”
“Very inclusive, amazing hard work that has paid off.”
“All students showed courage to stand up and performances tonight showed all of the hard work and dedication students and staff have put in.”
The students and staff are delighted that the raffle on the night, with the prize donated by Ringtons, raised an amazing £125.00 for church funds as a thank you for the support Priest Lucy and the church warden have given us this term and of course for allowing us to hold our POL there.
We are so proud that we have made such strong links with the church and that some of our students’ beautiful work, in the form of creative writing about the 1812 Felling Pit disaster, is now on permanent display at St Mary’s where the poor souls who perished in the catastrophe are buried.
Good evening, if you have not already done so could you please ensure you have read the information about the PoL at Newcastle University on Thursday and completed the Google Form.
Details and the form can be found by clicking here.
Thank you to everyone who supported the movie night tonight – festive fun had by all.
We have some baked goods left over which we will be selling at break and lunch tomorrow so if you would like to purchase anything make sure you bring some cash!
As part of their first week back in school, Year 9 students will be carrying out a hike in Northumberland around ‘The Sill’ area taking them past Sycamore Gap.
Students will be learning how to navigate together as a Crew and will be planning a Crew picnic. This serves as an introduction to the types of challenges that they will face as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award this academic year, and also connects the guiding question for the week which is:
“How do we form great habits to tackle initiatives as a Crew with increasing agency, independence and resilience?”
Each Crew will put together a ‘Crew picnic’. You child will be able to give you more details on how they plan to contribute towards this picnic.
Students will leave by coach during the regular school day and will return back to school for around 4.00pm. We will keep you updated on the school website of our expected arrival time.
G28 students will need, along side their usual school kit, he following kit for the day. The current forecast is for fine weather with sunny intervals.
Please accept our apologies, the ‘Meet the Crew Leader’ event is on Thursday this week at 5pm, and not Wednesday.
Lewis in Connor in Year 7 had their presentation for the Felling Magpies last week. Both boys got their hands on the league trophy and Connor also got an additional trophy for most man of the match awards this year. What a great season boys.
