Dear Families
Welcome to our final weekly update of this academic year. It is another exciting week for us at XPG with our final presentations of learning for each expedition, our final Crew Day of the year which is a Sports Day on Thursday. We will share updates from these events with you over the next week.
There was great work achieved as always last week and our students continued to work hard, get smart and be kind even as end of term tiredness kicked in. Seeing students work together supporting each other to be their best versions, leaning in on crew and culture was a real strength. Here are a some of the highlights from our week:
Into University Pathways – G28
A cohort of our G28 students worked with experts to investigate pathways to University on Tuesday. These sessions were organised by our partners Into University, who provide learning experiences designed to inspire young people to consider university, especially when they are from backgrounds that are underrepresented in the wider university population.
G32 Meet your child’s Crew Leader
On Tuesday it was great to welcome back our G32 families to a final transition meeting of the year. Like our students, our new ‘family crews’ circled up and got to know XPG staff, each other along with some of the protocols we use at XPG. Can I thank all families for their time on Tuesday, especially our already established families who were on hand offering advice , guidance and support to new families.
Here is a link to a post with the slides from the event.
G30 Fieldwork Shipley Art Gallery – Thursday 10th July
G30’s sculptural artwork from Term 2’s expedition “What is Power?” is now being exhibited at The Shipley Art Gallery. On Thursday, all G30 students and staff involved in the expedition walked to the Shipley Gallery where they were presented with design certificates from the V&A.
We would encourage all families to visit the Shipley Gallery with your children to see their work… and so much more over the Summer.
XP Festival 2025
On Friday Mr Said and Mr Parry travelled to Doncaster with Eve Walker (our visiting dance teacher) alongside our performers. The groups have been working on performances over the last term and put on a fantastic show, including performances from our cheer group, dance group, two rock bands and our singing group.
Video and photographs were captured by our Comms team in Doncaster at the event which will be shared later in the week. Mr Said will put some footage from students’ cameras together tomorrow. Much more to follow!
Staffing Update
Recruitment has continued over this half-term and on Thursday we appointed Miss Hannah Young who will be joining us as a Learning Coach/Crew Leader in the new term.
This week we will be saying goodbye to three members of staff:
- Emily Quested who has been our Spanish Teacher since the start of XPG. Emily is setting up new ventures outside of education including a travel company (https://www.quested-travel.com). Our thanks go to Emily for all of the work she has done at XPG, setting up and delivering our Spanish curriculum and for the work she does with Crew King on a daily basis as well as the outdoor joy she brought to G29’s DofE this year.
- Nelly Mosley who has worked at XPG this year as a Learning Coach and Crew Leader. Our thanks go to Nelly for the work she has done and the support she gives to students on a daily basis including her dedication to Crew Earhart. Nelly is set to continue her post graduate studies at The University of Manchester next year and we wish her all the best.
- Charles Parry who has worked at XPG this year as a Learning Coach and Crew Leader. Our thanks go to Charlie for the support he has given students inside and outside of sessions and his commitment to establishing culture with Crew Windsor. Charlie is set to start a PGCE next year in his next steps to become a Maths Teacher.
As is always the case, it’s sad to see staff leave our school but we will always be grateful for the work they have done and the part they have played in shaping our school and its culture whilst they have been with us. I know that as parents and carers you will join me in thanks to these staff for the care and compassion they have shown to your children.
This week
G31 Presentation of Learning, Monday 14th July
This event will take place in school and will include a hosted gallery walk where students will discuss their learning from across this last term around the guiding question “How does water shape our world?”. This will start at 4.30pm in school. More details here.
G28 Presentation of Learning, Tuesday 15th July
The final presentation of learning for G28 will be available online at 6.30pm on Tuesday, and includes student perspectives on a sustainable energy future in answer to the guiding question: “How can we use the planet’s resources more sustainably?”. More details of how to join will be posted in a separate post.
G30 Presentation of Learning, Wednesday 16th July
This event will take place in school on Wednesday, 16th July at 4:30 PM. Students will be presenting their learning around the guiding question “Is migration worth the risk?”. More details here.
G29 Presentation of Learning, Thursday 17th July
The final presentation of learning for G29 will be a live stream on Youtube at 5pm, which includes poetry inspired by nature and in response to the guiding question: “What is our relationship with our natural world?”. More details of how to join will be posted in a separate post.
Crew Sports Day, Thursday 17th July
We are looking forward to our final Crew Day of the year this week and crews are getting organised with their sign ups for Thursday’s events. Crew Days allow us time to build and tend to our culture and celebrate the greatness of our crews; this time the theme is sport and physical challenge.
Sports Day will involve a range of activities with healthy competition within each cohort between Crews. Students should come dressed in full PE kit for the day. A reminder of PE kit can found by clicking here.
PE sessions this week
There will only be PE sessions for Years 7 and 8 this week due to Sports Day. Our PE sessions this week are as follows, please ensure that your child has their full PE kit.
- G30 students (Y7) have PE on Tuesday this week
- G29 students (Y8) have PE on Tuesday this week
ALL students will need a full PE kit for Sports Day on Thursday.
No Extended Study and Clubs
Due to the Presentations of Learning this week we are not running clubs or extended study this week.
Summer Holidays
We break up for Summer holidays this Friday 18th July and return to school on Tuesday 26th August. Please remember that, as always, our students finish at 1:30pm on Friday to allow staff to de-gunge and replenish rooms and teaching spaces ready for the new academic year.
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
Julie Mosley