XP Gateshead

Dear Families

Apologies that this update is a little later than normal on a Sunday. We wanted to share some more images from last week with you, however there are some problems with uploading new images to our website at the moment that we have been unable to resolve. We will share more photos as soon as we can.

What a first week back we have had! As I said last week, our first week back is fundamental to us in terms of introducing or reaffirming the importance of Crew, the foundation of our culture at XPG. Staff and students took time to build and tend to positive relationships through many great experiences and challenges reminding each other that 

Year 7 (G32) first week back – What does it mean to be Crew?

Our G32 students have had a fantastic week at Ullswater finding out what crew means. I hope they returned to you full of tales of their Outward Bound adventures and new friendships. Across the week, students began to form strong bonds with their crew and new crew leaders, supporting each other to rise to every challenge set. We could not have been more impressed by our new year 7 students. The level of challenge meant that all Crews had to support and challenge each other to do more than they thought possible. They were compassionate, courageous, respectful and showed integrity in equal measure across the week. 

Year 8 (G31) first week back – How can we support each other to lead the learning of our new Year 7 Crew?

Our G31 students returned to school strong and Y8 Crew Leaders were blown away by the quality of student work, depth of thinking, collaboration and leadership shown by students across the week. There is no doubt that Y8 students will continue to work with us across the G32 transition to ensure that our new students are welcomed into XPGateshead and are quickly part of our school community. 

The week ended with a fantastic day of fieldwork planned by Year 8 ready for our new Year 7 expeditions to come. This work is a fantastic example of student leadership with students co-constructing learning with their peers and adults in school. The G32 teaching team are delighted with the fieldwork planning and the resources that have been made which are indistinguishable from that of adults. Student conduct on fieldwork was exceptional too. 

Year 9 (G30) first week back – How do we form great habits to tackle initiatives as a Crew with increasing agency, independence and resilience?

Our G30 students showed real strength and character last week returning to school displaying greater maturity and a clear sense of purpose. They were challenged to rethink how they best work as crews and the norms they use, starting to strategically plan crew charity events they’d like to run this year and prepared for fieldwork reconnecting with the Outdoors. The fieldwork to Wylam on Thursday gave them an introduction to the types of challenges that they will face as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award this academic year.  It was great to see students support each other during the hike which tested students’ new knowledge and map skills as they navigated together as a Crew. Students travelled by train to get to Wylam and carried out a 6km hike without a moan and smiles all round. Student conduct on fieldwork was exceptional as usual.

Year 10 (G29) first week back – How can we ensure that our future selves will thank us for the next two years?

Our G29 students really stepped up to the challenge last week, working in Crews to consider how they will support and challenge each other to be successful over the next two years of GCSE. The week also provided lots of opportunities to continue their thinking about careers and pathways, beyond Key Stage 4 to Post-16. 

Our students had a great morning at Gateshead College and spent time visiting three campuses – The Baltic Campus, the Academy for Sport and the Skills Academy for Automotive, Engineering, Manufacturing & Logistics. Students got a taste of the post 16 courses available at Gateshead College along with the industry standard kit, equipment, resources and facilities available there..

Y10 students also worked on a first CV based on their ambitions, strengths and skills to date, and on Friday they had a mock interview with an external professional who gave  them feedback on how they presented themselves, articulated their ambitions and responded to questions asked during the interview. Again, we raised the bar on our expectations and our students stepped up! The feedback we received from all interviewers was exceptional, commenting on our students’ maturity, confidence and the focus they had on their future success.

Year 11 (G28) first week back – How can we nurture the best version of our future selves?

Our G28 students enjoyed a week-long journey developing their resilience and exploring what it means to be an independent learner,  taking ownership of their own education by consciously thinking about how they learn and actively seeking ways to improve. They learned that resilience isn’t a solitary trait but a collective strength. As crews they faced challenges together, building trust and discovered that a strong crew provides a vital support system for overcoming adversity. It was great to see confidence and belief growing across the week, especially with academic challenges. A great start to their final year as they move closer to final GCSE exams.

Our week ahead 

G32 students (Year 7) 

Students will be working in their Crews on Monday and Tuesday reflecting on their Outward Bound experience and thinking about what Crew looks like in the classroom and around our school, and how learning will work at their new school – especially learning through expeditions.

They will get tours of the school on Monday and our new spaces as well as an introduction to PE. 

We will hand out iPads to G32 students this week. We are aiming to do this on Tuesday.  These will come with instructions on how to set these up on the school management system which is a fairly straightforward process. Students will need to set these up at home on the evening.

We also will post a separate update for families explaining how to set up the iPads on our website on the day that they are sent home, including important information on how to make sure they are protected in their cases too.

On Wednesday, students will find out their new classes and Immersion for their new learning expedition will start.

G31 students (Year 8) 

After a Crew session on Monday, students will begin a week-long immersion for their new learning expedition this week. 

They will have their first PE session on Tuesday so will need PE kit please.

G30 students (Year 9) 

After a morning Crew session, students will begin immersion for their new learning expedition this week. 

G30 Class 2 PE sessions take place on Thursday, Class 1 PE will take place on Friday this week so students will need their PE kit.

G29 students (Year 10) 

After morning Crew sessions, students will begin immersion for their new learning expeditions this week. 

G29 PE sessions take place on Monday so students will need their PE kit. 

G28 students (Year 11) 

After morning Crew sessions, students will begin immersion for their new learning expeditions this week. 

G28 PE sessions take place on Monday so students will need their PE kit. 

Making the right start

All students need to be in school for an 8.30am start to sessions so they must arrive by 8.25am at the latest. There will be staff in school supervising so students can arrive from 8.00 am.

We will finish formal sessions at 3.15pm and there will be no extended study or activities after school for the next two weeks.. 

Kit List

As always, students need to bring a school bag with the following kit :

• A filled water bottle
• Pencil case including: pens, pencils, ruler, eraser and pencil sharpener
• A fully charged iPad (G28, G29, G30, G31 from Monday, G32 on the day following their distribution to students) and headphones (ideally not expensive ones, for example here)
• A notebook
• A reading book

Students also need to bring a healthy snack for break time – no confectionery (sweets), fizzy drinks or energy drinks please as we do not allow these in school. Please note there are to be no nut products in snacks or packed lunches – this is especially important as we have students in this cohort who are highly allergic to nut products. 

Mobile phones should be switched off and in school bags each morning. Students should not be using mobile phones during the day without permission from a member of staff. If you need to contact your son or daughter please do so via the school office at [email protected] or on 0191 4814360. 

Safe arrivals and exit from site

Cars and parking outside of school

The start of a new academic year is always busier at pick up and drop off, with new Year 7 students getting used to making their way to and from a new school, and all students finishing at 3.15pm until extended study and clubs are up and running.

Please can you ensure that you consider our neighbours when parking and do not block any pathways or drives onto their properties. Of even more importance is the safety of our students when crossing the road outside of school. Please leave space by the barriers outside of the main gates, as we have staff here who can ensure that children are crossing the road safely. With a clear road here we will more easily be able to see any approaching traffic.

Cycling to school

We are really pleased to see so many of our students cycling or scooting to school. Can I remind parents that if  students are to bring bikes or scooters to school then they must have a bike lock. In terms of safety, students should also have a bike helmet. Please check that your child’s bike is in good condition frequently.

Please note that electric scooters (e–scooters) are not allowed in school or as a means of getting to school. This includes all other  ‘powered transporters’ too such as hoverboards and electric unicycles.

Lunches

We are a no nut school. This is very important as we do have children with severe allergies.

Students can choose to bring in a healthy packed lunch (no nut products, confectionery, fizzy or energy drinks) or have a school meal with us. 

Our school dinners are very popular with our students, thanks to our wonderful kitchen crew. Students make a daily food choice in crew each morning and we have a three week menu. Here’s this year’s menu – this week we start on week 1.

If your child receives a free school meal, we will provide lunch. Please contact the school office at [email protected] if you have any questions around school meals or paying for meals via ParentPay. New families and parents of Year 7 will receive a letter which gives details of how to add your child’s XPG lunches to a parentpay account. This will be sent home with your child.

We are really looking forward to welcoming all of our students back tomorrow. As usual if you have any questions about your son or daughter please get in touch with your child’s Crew Leader in the first instance or email general enquiries to [email protected].

Thank you for your ongoing support and a special thanks again to those parents who have been supporting our new G32 parents with their XPG knowledge and expertise. 

Julie Mosley

Principal