Vaccination – Covid Vaccine Forms

By Mrs N Mawby10th October 2021

12-15 year olds will be offered the vaccine via the school-based programme.

Students in Years 10 and Year 11 have been given their consent forms. Check with your son/daughter that they have taken their form. The school vaccination nurses are in school on 10th November. If your son/daughter are currently in year 8 and 9 and did not attend school on their designated covid vaccine day and so missed their chance, then you can fill in the consent form and return to the school office to be added to the list. Please read the letter that goes with consenting and return the consent form to the school office by the end of this week (15th October 2021).  (A reminder if any student has tested positive for Covid 30 days before the vaccine date they cannot have the covid vaccine).

Crew Marsha P. Johnson in Outward Bound!

By Katherine Taylor29th September 2021

This school year has started off with an action packed first week where X27 went to Wales!

Here are some photos alongside some thoughts from the students from crew Marsha P. Johnson…

“I really enjoyed the jetty jump because we were able to do something that some people were afraid of (heights) and we got to challenge ourselves. Also I enjoyed the hot chocolate because it tasted really good and we got it for breakfast and dinner and it tasted nice.” Billy

I liked the walk because even though we found it hard and argued with each other we still supported one another” Mckenzie  

“I enjoyed the gorge walking because we were all working together to make sure everyone was safe and not slipping over, we did this by warning each other which rocks were safe to stand on and which rocks weren’t. We also helped each other down the waterfall and not leave anyone behind.” Sienna 

“I enjoyed the gorge walk because it was funny watching everyone sliding  and falling  everywhere.I also enjoyed being shown the different plants and insects we could eat on the sides of the paths because they we weird to try” Grace

“I enjoyed doing the gorge walking, basically just watching Morgan fall over constantly. The walk was a struggle for multiple people, but we all still kept going. On the way there people were eating plants, we saw a bunch of cows, we drank river water. The food was definitely….something. Personally I didn’t like it but there wasn’t much else we could eat so we kinda just had to stomach it.” Millie

“I liked the jetty jump but it was scary. I really enjoyed the gorge walk. There were lots of rockslides. I liked the walk because there were many cool places to look at and be.” Nadia

“I enjoyed messing around with pieces of bread with my friends and jumping off a jetty and persuading other people to jump. It was funny with all the screaming and shouting. The funny thing is the scary part was climbing back up the ladder” Ewan

“I enjoyed doing the jetty jump I found it really challenging and over became my fear of the ocean heights I was very proud” Charlie

“I liked the gorge walk it was really fun because there was slides but it was hard because we had to help each other to not fall and to encourage each other” Theo:

“I enjoyed the walk to the campsite where we walked by a waterfall and found different plants that we could eat. One plant we found tasted like a green apple.” Elizabeth

“I enjoyed the gorge walking because I kept falling onto my back and it made me and Miss Taylor laugh.  It was also a new experience and I would love to do it again.” – Morgan 

“I really enjoyed the gorge walking because Morgan kept making me laugh and it was something I wouldn’t normally do. It was awesome to spend time with the crew outside of school and get to know them a bit better and have a load of fun in the outdoors”. – Kat Taylor

 

New College Doncaster Taster Day

By K Burns27th September 2021

C25 and C24 spent the day as college students at New College today. Many thanks to Brendan, Scott and the team for welcoming XP East and XP Year 11 and 10 students to allow them the opportunity of experiencing some of the courses on offer. Students each chose 3 courses and had a session in each subject for both BTEC and A Level courses. We had lots of positive feedback and really in-depth reflection on how the day had helped students begin to focus on their next steps after GCSE. As Careers Lead at both schools I look forward to supporting students in making applications to the numerous Post 16 provisions in the area.

Crew Kahlo going into Year 9

By Emily Jones19th September 2021

What a busy first couple of weeks crew Kahlo has had in Year 9!

There’s never a dull moment at XP, especially at the beginning of term. We kicked off the new year with an outward bound trip where we went abseiling off a bridge (80ft!) and caving:

On our second day of Year 9, crew took part in a number of fun challenges (working as a crew) in the morning and then played the other Year 9 crews in a bench ball tournament. We ended the day with a community meeting.

On our third day of Year 9 we walked to Potteric Carr nature reserve and then did a ‘Solo’.

When we got back to school, crew prepared for their POL to explain what they had done that week and what they had learnt from it. They worked well as a team to present to their peers and parents.

As you can see – we don’t mess about! We start as we mean to go on here at XP.

Cant quite believe that crew Kahlo are in Year 9 already – bring it on!

 

X24 History, getting started with revision!

By B Batty17th September 2021

Students this week have been given their own copy of the revision guide for our History exam board OCR B SHP History. All students should have named their copy so that if they are misplaced they can be returned. Students are encouraged to annotate and highlight the guide as they carry out their revision.

The revision guide has a number of different topics, however, students will need to focus on the following sections for revision:

  • The Elizabethans 
  • The People’s Heath 
  • Living under Nazi Rule 

The locations of these topics can be found in the contents page. We would recommend in general students start by revising The People’s Health as well as focusing on page 88 in order to prepare for the upcoming assessment in lessons. 

If any student has been absent when these revision guides were handed out, they can see myself or Mrs Hannam directly and we will make sure they get their copy.

 

A further revision guide focusing on the Viking Expansion will be issued to students in the coming weeks.

 

 

Crew Blessed Year 9 Week 1

By Marc Robins5th September 2021

Wow, it has been a fun packed first week back. From Doncaster to Derbyshire, from 60ft above ground (on a bridge) to 20ft below (in a cave!).

Crew Blessed were amazing during this week, supporting each other, over coming their fears and all while having fun.

We even managed to get parents into school in person for the first time in a very long time to present our answer to the guiding question – “What does it mean to be Crew?”

This week has been great to bring Crew back together after the summer break and a fantastic way to kick start their Year 9.

Crew Macmillan are back with a bang!

By Melissa Cocliff5th September 2021

Welcome back, Crew Mac!!

…And what a 3 days it’s been!

On Wednesday we returned to school after what seems an eternity! All members of Crew have grown about 3 feet taller, and have somehow become real young adults! We kicked off our return to school with a check in about our holidays, and what we had all been up to. It was a lovely morning catching up and just being crew!

Wednesday afternoon saw Crew Macmillan become champions – that’s right, we SMASHED the competition in a rounders tournament – with our final game ending 12-12 against Crew King!!!! What an afternoon, with tonnes of cheering and support (and a sore throat for me from all the screaming to ‘RUN! GOOOOO! and CAAAAATCH!!!’), and it just helped us prove that Crew Macmillan are the best! 😉

 

On Thursday, crew really impressed me! We had fieldwork planned to Flamborough Head for a coastal hike as crew. Unfortunately, 2 minutes into the bus journey, the coach broke down! Luckily, we were still on Middle Bank, and so we headed back to school for a crew day at XP. Here, the day focused on us having honest conversations about Y11, and looking at road map for success. Some brilliant conversations took place – from obstacles that could get in the way of success in Y11, to revision techniques, to stress management techniques and how to avoid procrastination. Crew Mac’s winning streak continued here – Imogen, Isaac & Alfie produced a winning road map – check it out below. It’ll give you a taste of what’s to come in Y11 – revising battle tactics, fighting off the mock exam Armada, and battling the current in the river of revision! Incredible work, guys – well done!

 

 

On Friday, we finally got out on our fieldwork to Flamborough. We walked from South Landing to North Landing, as a crew. Courtney and Alfie took some incredible photos, too – and we even saw some seals! Crew really were ace on Friday, with determination and enthusiasm on the walk – we really enjoyed the day!

 

 

Next week we’ll be into academic sessions, and I’m super excited to see what you all achieve in Y11. I just know the focus, courage, compassion and respect will mean we get everyone to the top of their mountain, together.

We are Crew Mac!!

 

Miss C x

 

X26 (Year 9): First week back reminder

By Emily Jones28th August 2021

Hi X26 – just thought I would add another blog post to remind you all what the plan is for your first week in Year 9 (I can’t believe you’re going to be Year 9’s!!)

Your first day back is Wednesday 1st September and you need to be in school at 8 am (this is because you all need to do a covid test before we set off). You will be out of school all day so you need to come prepared with the following:

  • Backpack
  • Packed lunch (this will be provided for students on FSM)
  • Bottle of water
  • Hiking boots (these should be in your backpack – come to school in your trainers) 
  • Waterproofs (trousers and a jacket)
  • Plastic carrier bag (to keep everything dry in your backpack if it rains)
  • Baselayer top (not cotton)
  • Midlayer top (not cotton)
  • Warm hat
  • Gloves
  • Sun hat
  • Hiking trousers (not cotton)
  • Hiking / thick socks (not cotton)
  • Wellies (or these can be hired on the day for £1)

(All of these items will be used again throughout Year 9 – not just for this week).

We are expected to be back at school between 4.30 pm and 5.00 pm if you need to organise a lift home or plan which bus to catch. 

On Thursday 2nd September you will be in school all day and need to be in for the normal time (8.20-8.30 for crew). You need to make sure you bring your usual school equipment with you (pen, pencil, ruler, and device). Make sure you wear sensible footwear as you will be doing some activities in the sports hall and outside. You will be able to have a school dinner if that’s what you usually do or bring your packed lunch with you.  

School will finish at the usual time of 3.15 pm. 

On Friday 3rd September you need to arrive at school at the normal time for crew (8.20-8.30am) but will be out of school in the morning. You need to bring the same things that you have been asked to bring on Wednesday (apart from wellies – you don’t need those). You also need to bring your equipment and device to use in the afternoon. 

You also need to bring a packed lunch and a bottle of water as we will be out at lunchtime (this will be provided for students on FSM)

School will finish at the usual time of 3.15 pm. 

I hope you have all had a lovely summer break and we will see you all next week!

Medication held at school handed back to students for summer break.

By Mrs N Mawby15th July 2021

Students today and tomorrow who hold prescribed medication at school will be handed back their medication.  Students who require medication to be taken at school in the new term 2021/22 will be required to fill in the medication form.

The Google form is required to be filled in and then press send.  This then gives staff consent to administer medication and for it to be kept on school premises.

Please ensure Inhalers, Epi-pens and other prescribed medications are sent into school with the child’s name and expiry date clearly visible.

Year 8 and Year 9 HPV Vaccine 6th May

By Mrs N Mawby5th May 2021

The vaccine nurses are in school tomorrow for those students (boys and girls) who have consented in Year 8 (1st dose) and Year 9 (2nd dose) for the HPV Vaccine. Thank you to all those parents who have been prompt in filling the form in and sending it off to RDASH.

A busy couple of weeks for crew Kahlo

By Emily Jones3rd May 2021

Well, it’s been a busy couple of weeks in crew. We have been working hard and cracking on.

This week, crew Kahlo has been looking at ‘British Values’ as part of our crew curriculum. We have been learning about how British Values teach us tolerance and respect for others.

We even made a display in our crew room.

We then moved onto looking at the difference between weather and climate. Pupils carried out research into causes of climate change.

I wanted to highlight this beautiful work by Bryan and Jessy. For our current Y8 expedition ‘Wherever I Lay my Hat’ where we have been looking at the artist Luke Dixon for inspiration. Pupils have practiced adding lines and patterns to simplified copies of his work and also using a viewfinder to zoom in on details. I don’t know about you, but I think Jessy’s pencil-tone portrait is absolutely amazing! I only asked for a line drawing – but she went for it! We didn’t want to add any lines (like Luke Dixon does) over this drawing – so we have photocopied her work and she is adding lines to a copy so she has not one but two beautiful pieces of work!

On Thursdays, crew Kahlo has started to think about the HoWLs grades that they would give themselves for that week in each subject area and crew. Pupils critiqued each other’s grades and commented on whether they agreed with them or not. This led to loads of discussion about what ‘work hard’ looks like and how they could try and improve their own ‘get smart’ in lessons. It has been really great to have Mr. Challen in crew with us as he has been able to comment on pupils’ work in their maths lessons.

A very productive couple of weeks crew! Keep up the good work.