Dear Families
Another week of great work at XP Gateshead, even though we only had 4 days in school!
Our second annual Public Health Conference, ‘Is Public Health Going Up in Smoke?’, took place last Friday hosted by our Year 9 students. G29 students brought their final products: a public health report exploring the impact of smoking and vaping on the local community to the attention of local councillors, health professionals, invited experts and families. We enjoyed an afternoon of youth-led activism, informed debate, and meaningful dialogue which really showed what young people are capable of when supported and challenged to engage with important issues such as health in their community.
The conference was an in-depth look at inequality in health outcomes and life expectancy in Gateshead viewed through the specific lens of smoking and vaping. This is just one aspect of what our Year 9 students have been studying as part of a longitudinal expedition looking at the people’s health since 1250 in the UK. To be ready for the conference students had to read widely and internalise data to be able to defend propositions when quizzed by delegates. After keynote speeches and expert panel interviews written and presented by our students, Year 9 then ran marketplace information stalls and important discussions around public health.
This week
Crew Day – Monday 12th May
On Monday, Crew Day takes place for G28, G29, G30 and G31. We will take time to reaffirm the importance of Crew, building positive relationships through shared experiences and challenges. Students at XPG are ‘Crew not passengers’ and it is vital that we continue to build our crews and culture strong as this is the bedrock of our work at XPG.
G31 (Year 7)
G31 students will participate in a fundraising effort to support Walk2Water. This event will take place at Gateshead International Stadium from our arrival at around 9am, until departure after lunch time. Families are also welcome to come and support students’ efforts and cheer on students should they wish! We are asking families and friends of XP Gateshead to support the efforts of G31 to help us reach the required total by donating, if they can, using the Enthuse platform linked here.
Students will start school at the regular time. We will be travelling to the stadium on foot and by metro and returning during the school day so students will finish at the regular time of 3.15pm.
Year 7 students will need a packed lunch for the day and to come prepared for all weathers and for walking a distance. See post for full details.
G30 (Year8)
Our year 8 students will be working in their crews getting stronger together.
Crew Darling and Crew Einstein will be offsite taking part in a 7-mile walk along Hebburn Riverside and back, with a cultural visit to the Buddhist monastery, which will help consolidate the students’ learning from our first learning expedition of the year, Being Human. Crew Darling are taking the opportunity to gather sponsors from their walking efforts to raise money for a special visit to the Farne Islands inspired by the legacy of Grace darling, the namesake of their Crew.
Crew Earhart and Crew Kahlo will be onsite working outdoors on team building including den building with their Crew leaders and Wayne Dobson, an expert in Outdoors Education: High Tide Adventure Company.
Year 8 students will need a packed lunch for the day or their agreed crew picnic contribution and be prepared for outdoor activity and weather.
G29 (Year 9)
Our Year 9 students will spend Crew Day carrying out campcraft training in readiness for their DofE bronze practice expedition on Friday 16th May. G29 Crew Leaders will be checking their crews to ensure students have all the required kit and are fully prepared. Please see the recent post for more details on the practice and final expeditions along with the kit needed.
G28 (Year 10)
Our Year 10 students are heading to Tynemouth Longsands for their Crew Day, where they will take part in a range of activities including sports and art. After working incredibly hard over the past two weeks during their mock exams, this day is a well-deserved opportunity for students to unwind, enjoy the outdoors, and reconnect with the spirit of Crew.
Students will start and finish school at the regular time and will need a packed lunch for the day. Some Crews have organised a Crew Picnic please ask your child about this. See post for full details.
G29 and G30 Student Led Conferences (SLCs)
SLCs start for our Year 7 and 8 students and their families this week. Students have worked hard to prepare for their conference, preparing to share their recent work, evidence of work around the pledges they have shared and responses to the questions parents and carers have asked to be addressed in the conference. Please can I remind all families that SLCs, like PoLs, are key moments in the development of our students and it is vital that parents, carers and families fully support SLCs.
You should already have received an email from your child with an updated snapshot and a link to ask questions of them in advance of the SLC. Here is that link if your child has not yet sent that on to you. You will also receive a link to sign up for a time slot from your child’s Crew Leader. Please contact [email protected] if you do not receive this.
PE sessions this week
There are some changes to PE sessions this week due to Crew Day and G28’s DofE practice expedition . Please ensure that your child has their full PE kit for sessions.
- G31 students (Y7) have PE on Wednesday this week.
- G30 students (Y8)
- Class 1 have PE on Tuesday this week
- Class 2 have PE on Friday this week
- G29 students (Y9) have PE on Thursday this week
- G28 students (Y10) have PE on Thursday this week
Extended Study and Clubs
Extended study and after school clubs will not be running over the next two weeks due to G31 and G30 Student led Conferences.
Changes to the lunch menu this week
Please note that Thursday and Friday lunch options will swap this week. Please see our menu for details (we are on week 1).
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