XP Gateshead

Dear Parents/Carers

Welcome to the final week of our Spring Term.

Last week was definitely a week full to the brim with high quality work and learning with staff crew on Monday, G29 Passage Presentations across the week, Crew Day for G31, G30 and G28, a regional Lego tournament and three days of teacher interviews. It is a testament to staff and students alike that we are able, as a small school, to continue to thrive during weeks like this with every visitor to school (40+ experts, 12 teachers on interview and 50 families supporting their children through passage). This is a product of  the strength of our school culture, the character values shown by students and staff and high quality work seen across our school. Our expectations are high at XPG and I know, we set the bar high but time and time again our students step up to this challenge.

G29 Passage Presentations

Without a doubt, Passage Presentations are one of the highlights of the year at XP Gateshead and last week we saw our G29 students stepping up to, and indeed surpassing, the high expectations and demand of Passage. 

Over the past three weeks we have seen our Year 9 students work hard to produce beautiful scripts to tell their XP journey to date with integrity and how they have developed as a learner. Students have supported and challenged each other to show real craftsmanship and quality in their writing, lifting each other to produce work better than they thought possible. The spirit of Y9 crew and compassion has underpinned all of this work and the success students have achieved.

G29 Families: We would love to get your feedback as families on the process. You can let us know your thoughts using this Google Form.

To stand and present to an audience takes real courage and maturity, as reflected by our panellists (families and experts alike)

Thank you again for the privilege of being part of your Year-9 students’ passage presentations – this was my second year. The honest reflections on their educational journeys was inspiring, as each student presented the ups and downs and the journey’s waypoints, recognising what they did and do well and what they have need to improve upon and intend to change, this included academic expectations and aspirations, and how their behaviour and attendance will contribute to success. As the students prepare for and embark on their GCSE studies, each was able to describe how their time at XP has and will influence the formation and development of character, their identity and future-self. (Expert panellist)

I’d like to say how thoroughly impressed I was with the Passage presentation, and the all-around concept associated with it, having attended yesterday. I wasn’t really sure what to expect but I can see the value in having the students self-analyse their overall performance and journey with a degree of honesty and bravery to be able to identify the good, the not so good and what they need to do differently in order to achieve their goals. (Expert panellist)

We feel so fortunate that our daughter attends XPG as seeing her stand and present today with such professionalism is a real testament to the work that you do. I knew that she had sought critique from her teachers but found out when we got home that she had done this independently and had asked each of her teachers to provide feedback for their subject section. I think this really illustrates the strength in the relationships that the students at XP have with their teachers and also the maturity and drive to critique and produce the best work possible. It’s wonderful to see and we’re so grateful for the amazing educational experience that she is receiving (Y9 Parent)

“I honestly don’t think half the adults I know (including myself) could write such a structured, reflective piece of work and deliver it as well as you did” (Y9 Parent)

The words of Kurt Hahn couldn’t be more true

“There is more to us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps for the rest of our lives, we will be unwilling to settle for less” 

G31, G30 and G28 Crew Day

On Tuesday whilst passages were taking place for Year 9, our Year 7, 8 and 10 students spent the day with their crews building and tending to crew and culture because, ‘If we get Crew right, we get everything’ right’

Crew days allow us to focus and build our strong school, attend to relationships in crew and ensure we are supporting and challenging each other to be the best versions of ourselves.  Our strong culture and the shared commitment we all have to this is key to our success at XPG and all stakeholders (students, parents and carers, staff) play a part in this, understanding the positive impact we can have on each other and our community. 

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Year 7 crews improved their teamwork skills with a real focus on collaboration and what great looks like and feels like. They spent time in the kitchen preparing some of the best yorkshire puddings I have ever seen and then took time for stewardship work in the local area carrying out a litter pick alongside another teamwork challenge.

Our Year 8 students prepared for a bake sale to raise money and awareness of their chosen crew charities. As well as making their goods, students worked on a costing and marketing strategy. The bake sale took place on Wednesday in school and their bakes were enjoyed by all, updates on the final amount of money raised will come soon. In the afternoon Year 8 enjoyed time in the outdoors producing land art which represented the meaning of crew.  

Our Year 10 students spent their crew day looking at revision techniques, trying out different strategies with a focus on healthy study habits. Students looked at planning time effectively, balancing revision revising for their upcoming Y10 assessments so they are equipped to look after themselves and rise to the challenge of GCSE exams.   

Lego Winners 

On Monday this week some of our digital leaders competed in the regional First Lego League tournament in Gateshead and were awarded the trophy for best robot design. Well done to Ethan, Charlie, Evan and James!

Preparing for the culmination of expeditions

As always, the hard work continues in sessions at XP Gateshead. Students have been working hard on termly assessments, completing their final products for expedition and getting ready for presentations of learning (PoLs). 

Year 7 have been preparing to record their presentation of learning which will be streamed via Youtube in the our first week  back after the Easter Break. They have working hard on their drama performances of the play White Poppies and drafting their creative writing, uplifting lesser heard voices of WWI. They also have a presentation in school this week with experts from Edberts House who will receive the food packages that students have designed to provide for families in need.

Our Year 8 students have been working hard on their Macbeth performances as part of the ‘What is Power?’ expedition. Our students are showing real courage and stepping up to the challenge of performing in front of an audience.  This is another important moment in developing character, especially courage and we can’t wait for families to see the students’ work on Thursday evening this week.

Not content with knocking it out of the park for Passage, Year 9 are also now preparing for their Public Health conference which will take place in the next half term. As well as an expert panel, every student will host a marketplace on an issue related to tobacco. This week will see students working with more public health experts to help them to be ready for this event.

This week, Year 10 will be briefed on Work Experience which will take place in the final half-term of this academic year. In addition they are also working on preparing for their debate next half-term and stepping up their revision in readiness for their mocks.

As a reminder, please note the Presentation of Learning (PoL) dates. There have been some changes this term due to venue changes so please check these carefully.

PoL Dates

Year 7 HUMAN – Why is it important to honour all those who sacrificed in WWI?

This PoL will be recorded in school and steamed for families to watch with their children at home via Youtube. This will take place in the first week back after the Easter Break. 

Year 7 STEAM – Is survival sufficient?

PoL on Monday 24th March with experts from Edberts House (this is not an event that families attend, students will present their food packages to the workers at Edberts House)

Year 8 – What is Power?

PoL on Thursday 27th March at Caedmon Hall, above Gateshead Central Library at 5pm. 

ALL YEAR 8 FAMILIES: Please use this Google Form to let us know how many family members will be attending.

Year 9 – How can we continue to make progress on public health?

PoL on Friday 9th May in school from 2pm. This Presentation of Learning is in the form of a Public Health Conference, hosted by our students. Please note the earlier time for this.

Year 10 – Are we really free to choose?

NEW DATE AND VENUE: PoL on Wednesday 16th April at Newcastle Sixth Form College at 4:30pm. 

Alongside the Presentation of Learning which is in the form of a debate, we will also be sharing important information with parents regarding work experience at this event as well as taking the opportunity to celebrate and award our students’ DofE success too. 

Students will be using the campus earlier as part of the preparation for the PoL and also as part of their continued preparation for Post-16.

The week ahead

G30 PoL – What is Power?

Students have additional rehearsals this week, and will be travelling to Caedmon Hall on foot on Thursday. Students will have an earlier lunch so will not need a packed lunch unless usually provided. The forecast for Thursday is mild and dry. See this post for more details.

On Thursday G30 students will need:

• Black (or dark) clothing for the performance, ideally as plain as possible e.g. black jeans and black t-shirt.. (XPG polo shirts are fine for this performance)
• Usual full kit including fully charged iPad and water bottle
• Comfortable walking shoes or trainers
• A coat
• Optional: A packed tea or healthy snacks if they want to eat before the presentation starts at 5.00pm.

PE this week

• G31 (Year 7):
  • G31 Class 1 have PE on Tuesday this week
  • G31 Class 2 have PE on Thursday this week
• G30 (Year 8)
  • G30 Class 1 have PE on Monday this week
  • G30 Class 2 have PE on Friday this week
• G29 (Year 9) 
• G28 (Year 10)
  • Year 9 and Year 10 both have PE on Thursday this week.

Extended Study and Clubs

Due to preparations for the end of term and presentations of learning, our after school clubs are not running this week. Please ask your child to check student notices and our timetable for more details.

Easter Holidays

We break up for our Easter Holiday on Friday 28th March and return to school on Monday 14th April at the normal time. As is always the case at the end of terms, our students leave school earlier on Friday at 1:30pm to allow for a full school de-gunge and set up of areas for next term’s new expeditions and immersion.

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