Dear Families
Welcome to our final weekly update of this academic year.
Last week was another exciting week for us at XPG with our G30 PoL (presentation of learning), our final Crew Day of the year, a Sports Day on Thursday which took place at Gateshead International Stadium and a chance for new G33 families to meet their child’s new Crew Leaders.
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. An external consultant spent the day with us on Thursday for our safeguarding and attendance review and emailed this weekend to say:
”…as well as being a strong school, you are a strong XP school. Knowing all of the XP schools, I know what you’re about as a trust, and Gateshead really lives that”.
We look forward to reading her full report when we receive it later this week.
Here are a some of the highlights from our week:
G30 What a Wonderful World PoL
On Thursday we enjoyed a fantastic evening with year 9 students and their families where students shared their final expedition products as well as their learning from their current expedition: What a Wonderful World, with the guiding question: “What is our relationship with the natural world?”.
The evening was structured in three parts, with poetry, artwork and a hosted discussion in our outdoor area. Thanks to all families that left feedback on our exit tickets:
“The PoLs just keep getting better and better”
“Impressive use of the school grounds to teach us more about our relationship with nature.”
“Beautiful poems, well read.”
G33 Meet your child’s Crew Leader
On Tuesday it was great to welcome back our G33 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.
Crew Sports Day, Friday 10th July
On Friday we had our final Crew Day of the year, our Sports Day. The whole school travelled together by metro to Gateshead International Stadium to spend time in crews competing in field and track events. It was great to see staff and students enjoying time with their crew, supporting and celebrating each other.
This week
G32 Presentation of Learning, Tuesday 14th July, 4:30-6:00pm
We are looking forward to our final Year 7 PoL on Tuesday. Our students will be hosting a gallery walk sharing images and articles from their current expedition, Hold Back the River, which explores the guiding question: How does water shape our world? The evening will also feature the launch of our G32 students’ published book, What’s the Story of Our Community?, as promised back at our first POL in St Mary’s Church in December. Guests will be welcomed in our theatre space with a glass of spritz and a selection of sweet treats as we come together to celebrate the launch of this very special book showcasing the Beautiful Work of our G32 students. More details here.
G29 Presentation of Learning, Thursday 16th July
As our final in person PoL for G29 won’t be held until their performance of Romeo and Juliet in term 1 of the next academic year, we are hosting a watch along of the digital final product they have created during the course of this term.
Our Year 10 students have created two episodes of the historical TV show ‘An Elizabethan Street Through Time’. This will be posted on the XP YouTube Channel at 4.30pm, and we would love everyone to watch along and leave comments praising the students hard work. Please enjoy our first TV show produced by students at XPG. Look out for a link later in the week.
PE sessions this week
After a day of sports and physical activity on Friday, there will only be PE sessions for our Key Stage 3 students (Y7-9) this week. Our PE sessions this week are as follows, please ensure that your child has their full PE kit.
- G32 students (Y7)
- Class 1 have PE on Thursday this week
- Class 2 have PE on Wednesday this week
- G31 students (Y8) have PE on Tuesday this week
- G30 students (Y9) have PE on Monday this week
No Extended Study and Clubs
Due to the Presentations of Learning we are not running clubs or extended study this week.
Staffing Update
This week we will be saying goodbye to three members of staff – Rebecca Marshall, Charlotte Fielding and Victoria Downes. Please see the staffing update posted last week for full details.
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.
Summer Holidays
We break up for Summer holidays this Friday 17th July. 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.
Looking ahead
GCSE Results Day – Thursday 20th August
GCSE results day is the 20th August. Students and families will be welcomed into school from 9am to collect their results. We look forward to seeing all of our G28 students and families and celebrating our first GCSE results and the hard work and success of our G28 Pioneers.
Return to school ready to start our new term
Our new term begins on Monday 24th August and we will run a staggered return to school to ensure all students have a strong start to the new academic year.
For next year’s full calendar please see this page. Make sure that you click on Gateshead calendars (and not Doncaster).
Monday 24th August staggered start for G29 and G30 students (Y10 and Y11)
Tuesday 25th August staggered start for G33, G32 and G31 students (Y7, Y8 and Y9)
We will share full details of timings for the first week back to school in a post later this week.
Can I remind all parents of the importance of attendance at XPG – every day at school matters. If students are not at school, they are not forming positive habits and are not performing academically, there is a direct correlation between regular attendance and academic achievement.
As you are aware, at XPG we have a five week Summer Break and a two week October half term break and we do not authorise pupils to take holidays during our school term times.
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