Last week, my crew and I took on the great outdoors! Every single student played an integral part in our fieldwork at Outward Bound in Ullswater. From gorge walking and wild camping to taking the leap with cliff jumping, the students showed incredible courage and compassion toward one another. They quickly recognised that everyone brought unique strengths to the table, whether physical, mental, or emotional and used them to support each other throughout the week.
I am so proud of how they tackled every challenge and built truly strong, lasting relationships along the way.
We’ve kicked off this week with a positive buzz and memories we’ll hold onto for a long time to come.
After an incredibly immersive day, C33 are making their return journey to XP & XP East.
We will arrive slightly later than anticipated- 6pm.
Please collect your child from Car Park 3 where they will be dismissed by their fieldwork lead, unless school have been informed otherwise. This is the normal drop off and pick up area, not that used last week.
Yesterday marked an exciting milestone for our Year 8 students as we officially launched the immersion phase for our upcoming expedition. Trading the classroom for the chalk-lined coastline of Danes Dyke, the trip set the stage for a day filled with hands-on discovery, scientific curiosity, and outdoor exploration. Students were tasked with scouring the shoreline for open fossils, observing signs of active marine life, and examining the vast array of shells washed ashore by the tide.
Throughout the day, our students consistently demonstrated our core character traits of compassion and respect for the natural world. Mindful of their footprint on the delicate coastal ecosystem, everyone embraced Leave No Trace principles. They handled their surroundings with care, ensured marine habitats remained undisturbed, and left the shoreline just as pristine as they found it. Their environmental stewardship showed a mature understanding that true scientific inquiry goes hand in hand with protecting the places we study.
That same dedication was on full display through the incredible craftsmanship of their field sketches. Pausing along the beach, students poured real focus and precision into capturing the detailed textures of ancient rock layers, coastal erosion patterns, and native shoreline features. The care put into every line and shading detail reflected a high standard of work and a sharp eye for scientific observation.
The absolute highlight of the afternoon came when patient searching paid off—several students managed to find real fossils embedded directly in the chalk rocks! Holding pieces of ancient history brought the day’s learning to life in a memorable way. With their impressive environmental mindfulness, scientific curiosity, and artistic quality, our Year 8s have set a fantastic foundation for the rest of this expedition. A huge well done to all our students!
After a whirlwind week at Ullswater filled with lifetime memories, from tears to laughter, our crew has returned closer than ever. From sharing our family pet names and favourite foods to opening up about our biggest challenges, we truly got to know each other. The Ullswater experience has given us a strong foundation to learn, grow, and support one another throughout our XP East journey. It was an awesome experience and i was super lucky to be apart of it with them.
Our first day back in school was a huge success! During our morning crew session, every student arrived fully equipped and ready to put their best foot forward.
To help us keep this positive momentum going, please ensure your child brings the following every day:
Stationery: Pen, pencil, rubber, and ruler
Reading book
Hydration: A refillable water bottle
Uniform: Correct dress code (and PE kit on PE days)
Technology: Charged device (once issued)
A Quick Reminder: Mobile phones and smartwatches must be switched off and put away, or disconnected from mobile networks during the school day.
We are looking forward to a fantastic term ahead, and I will keep you posted on how our students are getting on!
