Dear Families
It has been a busy week as usual at XP Gateshead this week and as always, our students step up to the challenge making the words of Kurt Hahn become more real each day
“There is more in us than we know if we could be made to see it;, for the rest of our lives we will be unwilling to settle for less.”
G31
Our year 7 students have had the privilege of working online with expert Rav Singh, the founder of ‘A little History of the Sikhs’ in their Human session this week. Rav worked with our students on their current HUMAN expedition exploring the guiding question: ‘Why do we need to honour all those who made sacrifices during WWI?’, helping students to understand the experience of Sikhi soldiers and their contribution during WW1.
G31 SLCs continued last week and our Year 7 Crew Leaders have been full of praise for the courage students have shown in their first SLC and the high quality of their work and presentation. Our students have definitely set the bar high.
G30
On Monday I had the pleasure of joining Class 1 fieldwork to the V&A in London who, like Class 2 worked with artists on their Design challenge ‘High Street, My Street’. It is a great brief which ties into their current expedition and guiding question, ‘What is Power?’. Students have been asking where power lies in art & design, especially looking at the impact on larger brands and retailers and the changes which have taken place on our high streets over time.
The conduct of G30 has been exemplary on this fieldwork and it has been a real joy to spend time with year 8 enjoying the magnificent V&A and see them work with artists outside of XPG.
G30 SLCs also continued last week and it was great to hear from both parents and students about the step up made in SLCs since Year 7 and the growing confidence and maturity shown in presentations.
G29
Work on passage preparation is underway for Year 9 students. Having considered metaphors for their time at XPG, students are currently reflecting on their progress as writers, mathematicians and artists using evidence from their portfolios across Year 7 and Year 8. Students have also been considering the learning journey they have been on at XPG their character development.
We will share a booking system with you tomorrow where you can indicate which time slots would work best for you as a family. There will be slots during the day on Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th March and some limited slots after school on Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th March.
G28
Our Year 10 students have been reflecting on their progress and targets in each subject area in readiness for next week’s Teacher Students Learning Conference (TSLC). Students will sit alongside their subject teachers to present their learning and share their revision plans and readiness for KS4 exams. Students have been making 5 minute appointments with staff and all parents should now have appointments with all subjects.
Please see the website post for more details.
Winning ways
A final highlight to share from last week is a football success. Mr Devitt took a team of Y9 and Y10 students to compete with another Gateshead secondary school on Thursday and XPG came away with their first win! As a small school, it is always a challenge competing with other schools in team sports and we always remind our students that taking part, displaying XP character values and enjoying the game is more important than winning.
The week ahead
National Apprenticeship Week
This week is National Apprenticeship Week. Over the week we will provide students with more information about possible routes into careers through apprenticeships at a range of levels, from intermediate through to degree level. This will include testimony from existing apprentices.
Safer Internet Day
It is Safer Internet Day on Tuesday this week. The focus for this year is when things seem ‘too good to be true’, in particular teaching our children the signs that they are potentially being exploited or scammed.
G31 Gurdwara Fieldwork – Tuesday 11th February
On Tuesday 11th February our Year 7 students will visit the Gurdwara Siri Guru Singh Sabha in Newcastle to find out more about Sikhi and how temples operate as part of their expedition ‘Do your bit’. Please see the website post for more detailed arrangements.
G30 Design Challenge Fieldwork – Tuesday 11th February (Class 2) and Thursday 13th February (Class 1)
Our work with the Shipley Art Gallery, V&A Museum and Design Lab Nation continues this week. Our students will work at Orbis studios which will give them an opportunity to look at Gateshead High Street and start to consider their response to their brief. Students have been challenged to create art using waste materials in response to the shift in power between larger companies and independent companies as exemplified in the growth of out of town shopping and continued decline of the high street in most places in England.
See this website post for more details.
G29 Fieldwork – Friday 14th February
On Friday 14th February, students will be conducting fieldwork to explore the question: Why are there variations in life expectancy in Gateshead? Our students have already analysed secondary data from the national census and this fieldwork will enhance their understanding by gathering primary data through firsthand observations and surveys. Please see the website post for more detailed arrangements.
PE this week
- G31 (Year 7)
- Both classes have PE on Wednesday this week.
- G30 (Year 8)
- Class 1 have PE on Tuesday this week.
- Class 2 have PE on Thursday this week
- G29 (Year 9)
- Both classes have PE on Thursday this week.
- G28 (Year 10)
- Both classes have PE on Thursday this week.
In line with our dress code, we expect students to arrive at PE lessons with a change of kit which is appropriate for the activity and all accessories removed. This includes sports trainers with non slip soles e.g. running shoes/astro turf (not plimsolls). Please ensure that your child has a full PE kit.
Clubs and Extended Study
We will be running all after school clubs and extended study this week.
Dates to note – holiday dates
Please note that our dates do not always fully align to other Gateshead schools.
We do not authorise students to take holidays during our school term times.
Spring half-term break
- Starts Friday 21st February. We return to school on Monday 3rd March 2025.
Easter Holidays
- We break up for Easter holidays Friday 28th March and return to school on Monday 14th April 2025. Please note that the bank holiday weekend of Good Friday 18th April and Easter Monday 21st April are outside of our two week break. See 2024/25 Calendar.
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
Principal