G29 (New Y7) Parents – IMPORTANT REMINDER

By Julie Mosley22nd June 2022

We need all G29 parents to complete this Google form with details for your child’s lunch and to book Information Evening places.

Lunchtime arrangements

There are two options for lunch:

  • Students can bring in their own healthy packed lunch each day. Please ensure this is nut free as we have students in our community with severe nut allergies.

or

  • Students can try a school meal with us.

The menu is shown below:

Tuesday 28th June Wednesday 29th June
Main meal option

 

 Roast chicken, yorkshire pudding, creamed potatoes, vegetable medley and gravy

 

 Katsu chicken curry and rice
Vegetarian meal option

 

 Cheese omelette

 

 Mac & Cheese with garlic ciabatta
Jacket Potato

 

 With beans, cheese or tuna and salad

 

 With beans, cheese or tuna and salad
Dessert Flapjack Chocolate brownie

Information Evening for Parents/Carers

Finally, we are holding an Information Evening for Parents on Wednesday 29th June at 6pm. This meeting will last approximately one hour.

It is vital that at least one parent/carer attends this meeting.

A reminder as stated above that we need all G29 parents to complete this Google form with details for your child’s lunch and to book Information Evening places.

G28 Weekly update for parents – W/C Monday 20th June 2022

By Mark Lovatt19th June 2022

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

G29 PARENTS: Arrangements for XP Gateshead Transition Days and Information Evening – Tuesday 28th and Wednesday 29th June

By Julie Mosley16th June 2022

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We are all really looking forward to our Transition Days at XP Gateshead and  getting the chance to meet all of our new students. On the evening of Wednesday 29th June, we will also hold an information evening for parents – more details below.

Your child will be spending two full days with us, meeting their new teachers and friends and getting a feel for their new school. 

Transition days Tuesday 28th and Wednesday 29th June

  • Timings of the days:  8:25am-3:15pm

Like a regular school day, students can arrive in school from 8:00am but  need to be present by 8:25am. Our school day finishes at 3:15pm.

Your child will follow a typical day at XPG on both days which include some crew sessions, expedition sessions and a community meeting.

The ‘essential kit’ students need to bring

  • a backpack or bag (with enough space to carry an A4 folder)
  • a water bottle
  • pencil case kit of: pen, pencil. ruler, eraser and pencil sharpener.
  • On Wednesday, your child will need to bring a suitable PE kit so they can sample an XPG PE session.

Lunchtime arrangements

There are two options for lunch:

  • Students can bring in their own healthy packed lunch each day. Please ensure this is nut free as we have students in our community with severe nut allergies. 

or

  • Students can try a school meal with us.

The menu is shown below:

Tuesday 28th June Wednesday 29th June
1st choice

Main meal 

 Roast chicken, yorkshire pudding, creamed potatoes, vegetable medley and gravy Katsu chicken curry and rice
2nd choice

Vegetarian meal

 Cheese omelette Mac & Cheese with garlic ciabatta
Jacket Potato With beans, cheese or tuna and salad With beans, cheese or tuna and salad
Dessert Flapjack Chocolate brownie

Lunch costs will be covered by XP Gateshead on both days if you choose a school lunch for your child. Please let us know your preferred option for lunch on the google form below.

Information Evening for Parents/Carers

Finally, we are holding an Information Evening for Parents on Wednesday 29th June at 6pm. This meeting will last approximately one hour.

It is vital that at least one parent/carer attends this meeting as we will share important information about the Outward Bound experience in Ullswater which will be your child’s first week at XP Gateshead starting August 30th. 

We have limited space in school so there is a maximum of 2 parents/carers only per family. Your son/daughter is not required to attend the Information Evening. 

Please let us know how many places you require on the google form below.

Google form to complete with details for lunch and Information Evening places.

 

G29 (New Year 7) Parents – Our iPad scheme is now live and working!

By Martin Said14th June 2022

Our iPad for Learning Scheme portal is now open until 10pm on Thursday 28th July.

Click here to access the scheme

As we have discussed in our transition family meetings, students are expected to bring a device with them to school every day.

We strongly recommend that parents purchase the latest iPads, which gives them access to Google Docs and many creative apps such as iMovie, GarageBand and art apps. We believe that iPads are now the best pound-for-pound device for learning.

Working with our current Year 7s, the latest iPads have been transformational in the way that we have been able to approach learning in the classroom with every student on the same device.

 

We have created a great value parental contribution scheme which offers all our parents affordable access to the latest iPad with comprehensive insurance. This cost to parents is significantly cheaper than if you were to buy them from a shop (roughly 20% cheaper), and you get to spread the cost over the payment plan. After the final payment, the iPad is yours to do with as you wish. You can also purchase the iPads in one-off payment.

The other advantage of our scheme is that the iPads are managed by school and we can add apps to the devices that are needed for your child’s learning. During school time, only apps needed for school will be available. This helps us keep our students safe and distraction free whilst using devices. Out of school, any other apps can be installed by students.

 

In our scheme, you are able to buy an iPad with a keyboard case and trackpad, with the option to purchase an Apple Pencil which is incredibly useful for art apps and digital creation.

 

Option 1: iPad, comprehensive insurance, keyboard case, school apps and security. ÂŁ15.50 per month

Option 2: iPad, Apple Pencil comprehensive insurance, keyboard case, school apps and security. ÂŁ18 per month

 

Delivery will be made directly to XP Gateshead in time for the new school year and you will be contacted when your iPad is ready for collection.

G28 FROM THE GROUND UP BOOK LAUNCH: 30th June

By Martin Said14th June 2022

We are delighted to be able to confirm that Year 7 will launch their published book “From the Ground Up” at Seven Stories – the National Centre For Children’s Books!

Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children's Books — Get North!

This is such a fantastic opportunity for our students and takes us right back to where the planning for our school with our first team of staff began last year.

The book launch will take place after school on Thursday 30th June.

We will transport students from school to Seven Stories. Students will then be presenting their book to experts and members of the community in the loft room at Seven Stories after school. As this is a formal event we will ask students to dress smartly for the occasion as they would for a presentation of learning.

Following this there will be an informal celebration on the ground floor (level 3) where parents and families will be welcome.

Families should arrive from 5.00pm. The cafes will be open on levels 2 and 3, as well as copies of the book available to purchase for ÂŁ9.95. All proceeds raised from book sales will go back into the education of your children.

Students will make their way downstairs from their presentation to join our families at around 5.30 pm, and the event will close at around 6.00pm.

Please complete this Google Form to confirm your attendance at the informal celebration and to confirm that you will be able to take your child home from Seven Stories at around 6.00pm.

There is limited parking available in the area, or alternatively Seven Stories is around a 20 minute walk from either Manors or Byker Metro stations. More information on getting to `Seven Stories can be found here.

G28 Weekly update for parents – W/C Monday 13th June 2022

By Mark Lovatt12th June 2022

Dear Parents/Guardians

Welcome to week two 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?

This week:

  • Our new staff join us, starting this week with an expedition “slice”, so that they know what this looks and feels like from a student point of view. Your children will see lots of our new staff this week.  
  • Student-Led Conferences for your children are starting this week and we look forward to listening to students talk to parents about their pledges, academic progress and HOWLs. 

Upcoming Events:

A reminder there is a G28 parents’ calendar here

  • Our book launch for From The Ground Up. We have seen the proof that has gone to the printers and this is looking stunning! We are looking to organise this for the evening of 30th June and will be sending our more detailed information this week. Apologies that we have not been able to send more detailed information any earlier but this has been reliant on the book being printed and bound, which is now confirmed.
  • Transition for our new 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.

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 – Friday

Please note that PE this week will be on Friday. This is to accommodate induction for our new staff.

Google Forms for SLC preparation

Thanks to those parents that have completed the Google Form following the snapshots that were shared. We really do need these to be completed so that your child can use these to prepare for their SLCs. Crew Leaders will be in contact with you if the Google Form has not yet been completed.

As usual if there are any queries please do get in contact with your child’s Crew Leader.

 

Many thanks

Mark Lovatt

Principal

Branded Clothing Shop – UPDATE

By Martin Said8th June 2022

We have had an update from our clothing supplier FBT Europe.

They expect their stock of XP Gateshead clothing to be replenished in mid-August. This has been delayed due to changes in customs arrangements for FBT’s suppliers.

We will update you via our website when the items are back in stock.

A reminder that our dress code can be found here. The branded clothing from the FBT shop is not mandatory, but we do recommend the black polo shirts for day to day wear, and these are also suitable for formal occasions such as Presentations of Learning.