Brooke brought a very special guest to school earlier this week, her silver medal from her first gymnastics competition! Brooke’s partner also did brilliantly in their first acrobatics section too. Beautiful work Brooke! Well done.
G29 have a checkpoint assessment in Science next week on Monday . Students have been directed to help via their Google classrooms.
Students should focus upon the following targets:
I can describe the structure of an atom of an element
- I can identify the different parts of an atom and state their charges and masses.
- I can use the atomic number and mass number of an element to identify the number of protons, electrons and neutrons it has.
- I can state the maximum number of electrons found in each of the first three energy levels.
- I can write and draw electron configurations for the atoms of the first 20 elements.
I can describe the structure of the modern periodic table
- I can describe how the modern periodic table is arranged by atomic number and that the elements in each group have the same number of electrons on the outer shell of their atoms.
- I can explain why elements have similar properties because of their electronic structure
- I can use data from the periodic table to draw the electronic structure of the first 20 elements of the periodic table
I can explain how the atomic model changed over time
- I can explain how the discovery of the electron changed Dalton’s model of the atom
- I can explain how Rutherford’s Gold Leaf experiment change Thomson’s plum pudding model of the atom
- I can describe Bohr’s contribution to the atomic model
- I can describe Chadwicks contribution to the atomic model
- I can explain the importance of evidence in changing scientific models.
G28 have a checkpoint assessment in Science next week on Tuesday . Students have been directed to help via their Google classrooms.
Students should focus upon the following targets:
LT1 I can use the periodic table to work out what different elements need to be stable
- I can interpret the Mass and atomic number in terms of the structure of an atom
- I can draw the electronic configuration of the first 20 elements
- I can describe how ions are formed and what charge they will have
- I can write accurate chemical formula of compounds based upon their position in the periodic table
LT2 I can explain the properties of ionic compounds using knowledge about ionic bonds
- I can explain the electrostatic forms holding ions together in an ionic bond
- I can represent ions using dot and cross diagrams
- I can explain the formation of an ionic lattice structure
- I can I can explain the melting and boiling points, solubility and the conductivity of ionic compounds
- I can write accurate chemical formula of compounds based upon their position in the periodic table
LT3 I can explain the properties of covalently bonded compounds and elements
- I can explain how a covalent bond is formed
- I can represent simple covalent molecules using various methods
- I can explain the melting and boiling point, and conductivity of small covalent molecules
- I can describe the structure of giant covalent materials and explain their properties (Diamond, Graphite, Fullerenes, and silicon dioxide.)
- I can describe the size of nanoparticles
- I can explain the properties and uses of nanoparticles.
- I can discuss the advantages and disadvantage of using nanoparticle
LT4 I can explain the properties of metal materials referring to their structure and bonding.
- I can describe metallic bonding in pure metals
- I can explain the conductivity of heat and current in metals
- I can explain the high melting and boiling points of metals
- I can explain the ductility and malleability of metal materials
- I can describe a metal alloy and explain their properties
On Friday, G28 GCSE geographers will participate in their first required fieldwork for their two-year course.
They will investigate the regeneration of the Ouseburn area in Newcastle, building on their first unit of study, where they explored the question: “Is Newcastle a city of opportunity or challenge?” We will be joined by Northumbria University geographer Michael Jeffries, who will provide valuable insights into the history and geography of the Ouseburn.In the coming weeks, students will analyse their findings and answer the fieldwork question: “Has regeneration had a positive impact on the Ouseburn?”
Students will spend the full day conducting fieldwork. They should bring their regular kit, including their iPads, and be prepared for the weather. The current forecast is cool with a low chance of rain.
We’d like all parent/carers opinions on school dinners, including those who’s children have packed lunches. XP Trust would like as many children as we can having delicious healthy meals so your and your child’s opinions are important to us. Children will be asked about their dinners at school but it would be good to have parent/carer opinions too.
Please complete the below form:
Dear Families
When we get to the end of the day on Friday, staff and students head home for what is always a well-deserved weekend rest. There is no wonder when you look at all that is achieved in a week at XPG. As always, I will try to capture some highlights from this week.
Club Tasters
As well as tasty tacos on Friday (see above), this week our students had the chance to try some of the clubs on offer this year before school, at lunchtime or after school. As a small school, it can be challenging to offer a wide variety of extra-curricular opportunities but staff at XPG always go that extra mile and it has been wonderful to see such a choice of clubs offered as well as daily extended study clubs. We have extended our offer this year with more sports clubs, a school newspaper, psychology, languages clubs including Mandarin, music and arts opportunities and targeted study support. It is great to see real leadership in our students with some G28 student leaders running clubs this year in girls football and cheerleading.
Please encourage your son/daughter to get involved in clubs and make use of an extended study slot or two to keep on top of their work load with help on hand from their peers and staff.
G29 Fieldwork
Once again G29 students worked on a university campus at Newcastle University, beginning preparation for their final product, which will be sound installations as part of the ‘Concrete Dreams’ exhibition at the Farrell Centre for architecture. They also were able to spend time at the beautiful Edwardian Hatton Gallery, considering how abstract art can use visual structures to illicit meaning. In both settings students had input from our expert partners and were able to make further connections between the arts and design and their wider expedition and guiding question “How can structures help to explain our world?’
Open Evening
On Tuesday we held our Open Evening and welcomed over 400 people to our school. As you know, on evenings like this our students take centre stage and as always, they shine.
Families attended 4 sessions – XPG Mythbusting, Beautiful work, Character and Academic Success. Every session, apart from the Mythbusting one, was a showcase ran by students who shared the work done at XPG and answered questions from their audience.
The positive feedback on exit tickets was stunning, our students definitely communicated our culture well with very few questions left unanswered. Here is just one of the many comments we received:
“I just wanted to say what a brilliantly executed evening it was last night and what absolute stars the students were. They were so articulate, passionate and professional. They gave thoughtful answers and were fantastic ambassadors for their school. I have seen a couple of them present previously and the difference in their confidence and presentation skills was remarkable.”
The confidence shown by our young people and their ability to articulate what we do and why we do it is stunning and we are extremely proud and grateful to all students who were involved. A thank you to families too who supported this event.
G31 Fieldwork
Our history and our story forms the backdrop for G31’s first learning expedition with a timeline that starts in the events surrounding the Norman invasion of England in HUMAN sessions and brings in the development of our society, our language, church and industry. In STEAM students have already studied the industrial revolution and how we exploited our mineral wealth in the coal-powered Industrial Revolution. In the last few lessons, students have taken that same timeline and looked at our geological story, in the deep past. The fieldwork this week helped students to see how, by working alongside our expert, they could make inferences about 250 million years ago just by looking at the rocks in Marsden Bay. It also helps that we picked a perfect day in terms of the weather, although conditions were not quite the tropical temperatures from the Permian Period when those rocks were first laid down.
And as always, we are working hard, getting smart and being kind
We continue to challenge our students in every session around our habits of work and learning (HOWLs). Our students reflect on their HOWLs each week during Thoughtful Thursday Crew session, setting pledges for the week ahead and challenging each other to be better and offering support to each other to get there. Over the next two weeks our staff will be entering their assessment of students’ current HOWLs and academic performance in each subject. This will be shared with students and their families after the half-term in preparation for our first Student-Led Conferences this year.
Our week ahead
Extended Study and Clubs
Our clubs will all run this week (see schedule below) along with extended study sessions every day except Friday. If a student attends an after school club or extended study session they must attend the full sessions until 4:30pm.
Our before-school fitness and running clubs on Tuesday and Thursday will start at the earlier time of 7.45am this week.
PE sessions this week
- G30 students (Year 8) have PE on Monday
- G31 students (Year 7)
- Class 1 have PE on Tuesday
- Class 2 have PE on Wednesday
- G29 students (Year 9) have PE on Thursday
- G28 students (Year 10) have PE on Thursday
Looking ahead to next week
Half term break starts Friday 18th October
On Friday 18th October, we will finish at 1:30pm as is our usual for our end of half-term de-gunge. This allows classrooms packs to be replenished and checks carried out to ensure that spaces are ready for learning when we come back from the break.
We return to school on Monday 4th November at the normal start time.
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 as always for your ongoing support. Together we are stronger #WeAreCrew.
Julie Mosley
There is an exciting opportunity to take part in Film&Screen and Art&Design Club at Gateshead College?
Dates / Saturdays 10.00am -13.00pm, 12th October 2024 to 12th April 2025
Venue / Gateshead College Baltic Campus, Quarryfield Rd, Quarter, Gateshead NE8 3BE
Skills Film&Screen / if you’ve ever dreamt about seeing your creations on the big screen – you will have access to broadcast quality cameras, Premiere Pro and After Effects to produce Music Videos, Horror Films, Adverts and Documentaries in our brand-new purpose-built TV studio – using camera skills, filming on location & in a studio with green screen using Video Editing Motion Graphics & Soundtrack Production.
Skills Art&Design / building on your existing creative abilities, learning new skills and possibly working on a specialism that challenges and excites you – Fine Art, Digital Arts & Entertainment Design, Illustration, Digital Design, Photography, Fashion Design.
Free Visits / Club members have the chance to take part in national events including Masterclasses with leading industry professionals and the Summer Show, where all Club members exhibit their work in a public showcase – all for free!
Apply / For more information and to get young people involved, please click this link: saturday-club.org/join , it is open to any students who are interested in these creative fields.
Sharing our Stories: 04/10/2024
Beautiful Work This Week
Celebrating XP Doncaster’s Duke of Edinburgh 2024 Expedition
Check out these beautiful highlights from C28s DofE Expedition last academic year! They had an awesome POL to celebrate their success this week.
Working with the National Gallery
On Monday, our dedicated Art Staff at XP Doncaster had the incredible opportunity to attend an enriching workshop organised in collaboration with The National Gallery, made possible through the support of Right Up Our Street. This was part of a larger initiative, as The National Gallery prepares for their upcoming visit to Doncaster on 19th October, which is an exciting stop on their nationwide Art Road Trip. In the lead-up to this highly anticipated visit, the Gallery has been offering a series of free CPD sessions aimed specifically at art teachers. These sessions are designed to enhance teaching practices, and we were fortunate enough that our staff could participate in one of these invaluable opportunities.
“It was really amazing to work with the National Gallery on the Staff Day at XP. They will be coming in to launch the Articulation prize for XP C28 students. Staff had the opportunity to take part in the workshop as a sneak peek before the kids get a chance!”
Kat Taylor – Art @ XP Doncaster
The focus of the workshop was particularly inspiring, centring on the importance of art commentary and how educators can empower students to express their own unique interpretations of artworks. It delved deeply into the ways students can be encouraged to find and use their own voices, providing them with the tools to articulate personal responses to visual art. The session explored various strategies for prompting thoughtful engagement with art, ensuring that students feel confident in offering their perspectives, regardless of the artwork’s complexity or the student’s prior experience. By fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment, the workshop aimed to inspire both teachers and students to approach art not just as observers but as active commentators, enriching their understanding and appreciation of visual culture. This experience was invaluable for our staff, equipping them with fresh insights and methods that will undoubtedly benefit our students in the classroom.
Building Crew at Green Top
On our most recent Staff Day, Green Top School staff completed an awesome scavenger hunt around Snaith! Crews had to complete various challenges throughout the day and they built Crew and formed stronger relationships as a result! Go #CrewGreenTop!
Wood Foundation Visitors!
We love welcoming visitors from all over the world to our Trust and this week it was a delight to work with our friends from the Wood Foundation with teachers from more than a dozen schools in Aberdeenshire. Our work with the Wood Foundation and the many schools they support, began in 2019 and has enabled us to share our story and how we work. We also travelled to Aberdeen this year to deliver CPD – including how we crew!
This week the focus was on creating and delivering expeditions and our visitors created some amazing food from our Plover Pantry recipe leaflets; originally created by the students. Part of this expedition was designed to bring the leaflets to life with a step by step video and photography guide.
Really purposeful and beautiful work.
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G31 Fieldwork tomorrow – Marsden Bay
G31have their first STEAM fieldwork next week. Each class will spend half a day in Marsden Bay analysing the rock formations there, connected to their studies of the rock cycle and deep geological time.
Students will need a packed lunch for the day. They should arrive at school for the normal time.
We will be travelling by coach, but will be outdoors for the entire fieldwork. Students will need their regular kit including their iPad, and will need to be prepared for the weather. The current forecast is cool with a low chance of showers so warm coats will be needed.
Class 2 will carry out work in the bay in the morning and will eat lunch in the bay before returning to school for their regular afternoon sessions.
Class 1 will carry out work in the bay in the afternoon and will eat lunch in the bay on arrival. Class 1 will set off by coach from the bay at 3.15pm, so may be a little later back to school – around 3.45pm.