Dear Parents/Carers
Welcome to the final week of our Spring Term.
Last week was definitely a week full to the brim with high quality work and learning with staff crew on Monday, G29 Passage Presentations across the week, Fieldwork for G32 and G31 and Experts in and outside of school working with our students. It is a testament to staff and students alike that we are able, as a small school, to continue to thrive during weeks like this with every visitor to school. This is a product of the strength of our school culture, the character values shown by students and staff and high quality work seen across our school. Our expectations are high at XPG and I know, we set the bar high but time and time again our students step up to this challenge.
Every visitor to school this week has commented on the warm welcome they have received from staff and students alike, the openness and integrity shown in all discussions and the strong culture that runs through all of our work. Our students and staff are important and together we are building a school where academic success, beautiful work and character are equally valued and celebrated.
In the words of Finn from G30:
“It is great to come to a school where being a good person is highly valued.”
G30 Passage Presentations
Without a doubt, Passage Presentations are one of the highlights of the year at XP Gateshead and last week we saw our G30 students stepping up to, and indeed surpassing, the high expectations and demand of Passage.
Over the past three weeks we have seen our Year 9 students work hard to produce beautiful scripts to tell their XP journey to date with integrity and how they have developed as a learner. Students have supported and challenged each other to show real craftsmanship and quality in their writing, lifting each other to produce work better than they thought possible. The spirit of Y9 crew and compassion has underpinned all of this work and the success students have achieved.
We would love to get your feedback as families on the process. You can let us know your thoughts using this Google Form.
To stand and present to an audience takes real courage and maturity, as reflected by our panellists (families and experts alike). Many of our panellists who support the process year on year and have paid special tribute to the quality of this year’s in comparison to what were already really strong precedents. This is testament to the hard work of Year 9, their Crew Leaders and other teachers that have supported them through this process.
Andy Sprakes, Chief Academic Officer at XP Trust, posted a blog last week about ‘The Power of Passage Presentations at XPG’. It’s well worth a read if you haven’t already done so.
The words of Kurt Hahn couldn’t be more true
“There is more to us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps for the rest of our lives, we will be unwilling to settle for less”
Preparing for the culmination of expeditions
As always, the hard work continues in sessions at XP Gateshead. Students have been working hard on termly assessments, completing their final products for expedition and getting ready for presentations of learning (PoLs).
Year 7 have been preparing for their presentation of learning which will be streamed via Youtube on Wednesday 25th March at 4.30pm . They have worked hard on their drama performances of the play White Poppies and drafting their creative writing, uplifting lesser heard voices of WWI.
Our Year 8 students have been working hard on their Macbeth performances as part of the ‘What is Power?’ expedition. Our students are showing real courage and stepping up to the challenge of performing in front of an audience. On Friday they worked with actress, playwright and director Christina Berriman Dawson who was full of praise for our students commitment to their roles, especially our leads who are playing the royal couple – Lady Macbeth and Macbeth.
This is another important moment in developing character, especially courage and we can’t wait for families to see the students’ work on Tuesday evening this week.
Not content with knocking it out of the park for Passage, Year 9 are also now preparing for their Public Health conference which will take place in the next half term. As well as an expert panel, every student will host a marketplace on an issue related to the impact of alcohol on public health. This week will see students working with more public health experts to help them to be ready for this event.
Year 10 are working on preparing for their debate which takes place in the first week of next half-term and stepping up their revision in readiness for their mocks.
As a reminder, please note the Presentation of Learning (PoL) dates. There have been some changes this term due to venue changes so please check these carefully.
Year 7 HUMAN – Why is it important to honour all those who sacrificed in WWI?
This will take place via a stream on our Youtube channel on Wednesday 25th March at 4.30pm – with students presenting live from school. We will post a link to the stream in a separate post later this week.
Year 8 – What is Power?
PoL on Tuesday 25th March at Caedmon Hall, above Gateshead Central Library at 5pm.
ALL YEAR 8 FAMILIES: Please use this Google Form to let us know how many family members will be attending. See Ms Tatters post for full details of the event and how G31 need to be equipped on Wednesday.
Year 9 – How can we continue to make progress on public health?
PoL on Wednesday 15th April in school from 2pm. This Presentation of Learning is in the form of a Public Health Conference, hosted by our students. Please note the earlier time for this.
Year 10 – Are we really free to choose?
PoL on Friday 17th April at Newcastle Sixth Form College after school.
Students will be using the campus earlier as part of the preparation for the PoL and also as part of their continued preparation for Post-16. We will post a confirmation of the start time in a separate blog post.
The week ahead
G31 PoL – What is Power?
Students have additional rehearsals this week, and will be travelling to Caedmon Hall on foot on Tuesday. Students will have an earlier lunch so will not need a packed lunch unless usually provided. The forecast for Thursday is mild and dry. See this post for more details.
On Thursday G31 students will need:
- Black (or dark) clothing for the performance, ideally as plain as possible e.g. black jeans/trousers/skirt and black t-shirt. (XPG polo shirts are fine for this performance)
- Usual full kit including fully charged iPad and water bottle
- Comfortable walking shoes or trainers (not crocs)
- A coat
- Optional: A packed tea or healthy snacks if they want to eat before the presentation starts at 5.00pm.
G28 Final TSLC (Teacher Student Led Conference) – Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th March
These final TSLCs for G28 students and their families will be an opportunity to discuss strengths and areas for improvement arising from the latest round of mocks. Staff will give guidance on where students need to focus their revision over the Easter Break and the programme for students once they enter the flow of daily exams.
Whilst it is important for students to come back energised from the Easter Break, we will also advise on striking the right balance between productive revision and well-earned rest. This is now the final push in advance of GCSE examinations after which students can rightly enjoy a long summer knowing that they have given their best.
G28 Interactive Media Mock
Students in G28 iMedia will have a mock non-exam assessment this Wednesday during the school day. Over the last term G28 iMedia students have worked on manipulating assets, responding to client briefs and preparing proposals. In this block of time students will have the opportunity to practise the 5 hour production section of what will be a 17-hour assessment scheduled to take place across their first week back after Easter.
LEGO Tournament – Friday 27th March
Our Digital Leaders that are part of our LEGO league team will be competing against other schools this Friday. Mr Said has emailed families with information for this.
PE this week
- G32 (Year 7) students will have PE on Thursday this week.
- G31 (Year 8) students will not have PE this week due to the PoL on Tuesday.
- G20 (Year 9) students will have PE on Monday this week.
- G29 (Year 10) and G28 (Year 11) both have PE on Wednesday this week.
Extended Study and Clubs
Due to preparations for the end of term and presentations of learning, our after school clubs (including extended study) are not running this week. Please ask your child to check student notices and our timetable for more details.
Easter Holidays
We break up for our Easter Holiday on Friday 27th March and return to school on Monday 13th April at the normal time.
As is always the case at the end of a term, our students leave school earlier on Friday at 1:30pm to allow for a full school de-gunge and set up of areas for next term’s new expeditions and immersion.
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