Dear Families
It’s been another great week at XP Gateshead and our students continue to step up to the challenge we set and our high expectations both in and outside of sessions.
As we have said many times before, our character traits of respect, courage, integrity, craftsmanship & quality and above all compassion are not just words on a wall at XPG. We expect each other to model them and support and challenge each other to do the same – that goes for all members of our community: students, staff and families alike. Every week our students demonstrate our character traits in spades, and every week we celebrate these and honour them through our community meetings.
We are really looking forward to our G34 Open Evening on Monday this week and as always, our students will be taking centre stage explaining our curriculum to prospective families, running sessions on beautiful work, developing character and academic success. Students are also ‘front of house’ organising and touring families and music will be provided thanks to our G30 bands. Again, thanks to all families that are lending us your children for the evening. The students really do run the show from beginning to end and it is this that families remark upon year after year, the warmth, leadership and pride that students show in their school.
Working closely with families is key to our success and there have been several important website updates over the last weeks which will support our work together. If you haven’t read them already, please do so:
Acceptable Use of ICT – reminders and updates around wider tech use
The importance of reading
In recent weeks we have shared details of the Extended Study that is set for each year group. Reading is in many ways the most important part of the week’s extended study.
As you know, reading is a key focus at XPG. It is not only the first building block to allow students to access all areas of the curriculum but reading also plays a significant role in their life chances and their wellbeing. We know that to be good learners, students need to first be good readers. Studies have shown that ‘those who read for pleasure have higher levels of self-esteem and a greater ability to cope with difficult situations. Reading for pleasure is also associated with better sleeping patterns’.
At XPG our students are exposed to many texts – reading in sessions, studying an anchor text in each expedition, a weekly Crew Read during Tranquil Tuesday and the daily 20-30 minutes reading expectation of their accelerated reader book. Over the last few weeks, students who are not currently reading at an age appropriate level have started attending intervention sessions.
Please support us by monitoring your child’s reading, ensuring they are reading their accelerated reader book (which may be on ePlatform or a physical book they have borrowed from our in-school library) and reminding them to complete their daily 20-30 reading minutes.
Our week ahead
G32 Expert – Tuesday 29th September
G32 students are studying the beliefs, teachings and practices of multiple religions in relation to the afterlife in order to help them to answer their guiding question “What does it mean to be Human?”.
This week Brother Khadim from Newcastle Central Mosque will work with Year 8 to discuss what Islam has to say on the afterlife, with associated artefacts and a Q&A session.
G31 – Fieldwork to the Farrell Centre
Students in G31 will be travelling to the Farrell Centre on Newcastle University Campus – Wednesday 30th September. During the visit, students will take part in a workshop on regeneration in Newcastle and Gateshead, helping them explore and answer their guiding question: “Why are structures important in helping to explain our world?” Students will also complete a guided architectural walk to investigate the structures that help build and foster society. Please see the full post for more details.
European Day of Languages
On Friday this week we will celebrate the European Day of Languages, focussing on the importance of valuing other cultures as well as where the study of language can take you in life, and the doors that a language opens.
We will also mark the occasion with a range of events in school:
- A community meeting to discuss the importance of experiencing and valuing other cultures and languages, including input from some of our multilingual students.
- A Bulgarian lesson for Year 9.
- Competitions in school.
Extended Study and Clubs
Our supervised extended study and after school clubs run after school from 3.30pm until 4.30pm.
PE sessions this week
Please can parents make sure that their child has a PE kit for PE sessions. We expect students to change into their appropriate PE kit, and not wear the same clothes they wear in school. Similarly, students must change out of PE kit afterwards, into their normal school clothes. For safety, jewellery must be removed and hair must be tied back.
- G33 students (Year 7) on Wednesday
- G32 students (Year 8) have PE on Thursday.
- G31 students (Year 9) have PE on Tuesday.
- G30 students (Year 10) have PE on Friday.
- G29 students ( Year 11) have PE on Wednesday.
Looking ahead
G29: GCSE and Post-16 Information Evening – Thursday 15th October
We will be hosting an information evening for all G29 (Year 11) families on Thursday 15th October at 6pm.This will include information on supporting your child through Year 11 examinations, as well as guidance around helping them to make choices for Post-16 pathways. Please see our recent website post for more details on this evening and Open Evenings taking place at local Post 16 providers.
XPG term dates
We post our term dates for the next 3 years at XP Gateshead. Please check our calendars on the website so you are aware of our school days, holidays and staff days. As always, we have a two week October half term holiday. Our last day of this half term is Friday 16th October and we will return to school on Monday 2nd November.
As usual if you have any questions, please get in touch with your child’s Crew Leader in the first instance or email general enquiries to [email protected].
Thank you as always for your ongoing support. Together we are stronger #WeAreCrew.
Julie Mosley