Dear Parents/Guardians
Welcome to week three of our final half-term at XP Gateshead.
Students are continuing with our current expedition – What a Wonderful World with the Guiding question: What is our relationship with the natural world? They will be completing case study two which explores our relationship with the natural world and the notion of interdependence. We begin to understand that we will need to change our relationship with nature if we are to continue to survive as a species.
This week:
- Our new staff joined us last week and began their induction. This week they will continue to experience what an expedition is like from the point of view of students so they have a better understanding of expeditionary learning. Next week they will be taking part in our transition days and helping us to welcome our new cohort of students.
- Student-Led Conferences for your children will continue this week and I have to say what an absolute delight it has been to hear students talk so fluently and with such enthusiasm about their work, habits of work and learning and academic progress. We are looking forward to listening to students this week.
- Staff development days are on 24th and 27th June. Students are not expected to be in school on these days.
Upcoming Events:
A reminder there is a G28 parents’ calendar here
- Our book launch for From The Ground Up is on 30th June. We have seen the final printed copies and the book is stunning! More details can be found here including a Google Form to complete.
- Transition for our new cohort of students joining us in August. Year 6 students will be joining us in school on 28th and 29th June. We are all looking forward to welcoming our new students, our G28 students will have a key role to play in these days as you would expect.
- The Presentation of Learning for our current learning expedition will take place on the evening of Tue 19th July. We will be sending more details on this in the coming weeks.
COVID testing
We have decided to remove the requirement to test students each Sunday evening given the current low level in cases and additional staffing that we now have available. This is in line with Government guidelines, however we would ask parents to continue to be vigilant and to test students if they or other family members of the family have symptoms. With your support we will continue to test students in school if they present with symptoms during the school day. We will also continue to keep windows open and to ensure our building is as ventilated as possible.
We do still have a limited supply of testing kits, so if you are in need and find it difficult to obtain tests, please do speak to your son or daughter’s Crew Leader.
No Nuts in packed lunches please
We have students in our new cohort with a severe allergy to nuts and so we need to ask that no nuts or nut products be used in packed lunches from this point onwards. Thank you in advance for your support with this.
Extended Study this week
We will be setting reduced extended study in this week to allow students to continue to prepare for their upcoming SLCs which take place this week and next. There will be no extended study sessions or after school clubs this week or next due to staff involvement in SLCs.
PE sessions this week – Tuesday
Please note that PE this week will be on Tuesday.
Staff Development Days – Friday 24th and Monday 27th June
Please note – Students will not be in school on these days and will return as normal on Tuesday 28th of June.
We have staff development days this Friday and next Monday. This Friday our current staff will undergo training in Mental Health First Aid so we can better support our students and help to keep them safe. Our new staff will be planning for our Transition days. On Monday 27th All staff will be preparing resources and planning for our next expeditions to begin in Year 8.
As usual if there are any queries please do get in contact with your child’s Crew Leader.
Many thanks
Mark Lovatt
Principal