This week in crew we have been working on our self esteem. In particular, understanding the importance of changing our perspective and seeing things we once saw as a negative, in a new positive light, in order to see ourselves more positively and the things we can do and achieve as positive. We have done this using XP character trait, courage. Courage for taking on a new perspective when it feels a little strange and the character trait respect, by having respect for ourselves.

These of course are key character traits we hold incredibly important here at XP school. We firmly believe that embracing the character traits are key to becoming the best version of ourselves. 

These character traits were further encouraged on our walk to the lake on Friday afternoon. We discussed how we would behave respectfully within the community, our community. We also discussed how we would be ambassadors for the school in the way that we present ourselves. We understood that this will determine people’s perspective of our characters. We decided that it was important to be part of a respectful culture that would help people in our community to feel safe by choosing how we engage in it.

We took the opportunity to compliment our crew members at observed opportunities and find out things about our peers that we didn’t already know by being respectful in our conversations and having the courage to praise where we may not have before. Students were very respectful to people in the community and behaved impeccably, which i am very grateful for. We also were able to enjoy the nature around us on our journey. It was a very lovely afternoon.

One of our crew was even able to score 5 skips when some of us tried skimming stones on the lake. Well done Joe!

 

 

— Developing Character Traits

Being a creative crew

During our crew, Ben shared with me that he had a flare for photography. During their art session they were asked to take some composition shots and this is what he did. This beautiful work was definitely worth a share and a possible nod to a modelling career for Josh

Crew teamwork makes a dream work

This term we have seen some great inter-crew activities. One in particular was dodgeball. This was really great to see crew on a wider scale. Each crew was split and mixed into new crew/teams and worked together showing character traits of respect – for one another in how they worked together to follow the rules and instructions from staff. Compassion – the understanding of how to conduct themselves during team games taking into consideration others strengths and weaknesses. Craftsmanship and quality in our skills shown in the game making sure rules were followed. Finally, integrity by doing the right thing even when they thought no one was watching, calling out their own mistakes and following the rules. Well done guys

Brilliant action shots!

Compassion and Care in our Community

Students in Crew Tubman have been making birthday cards to send to the Lovely Hilda

Doncaster woman who fled Nazis wants hundreds of cards for 105th birthday

As reported in a local news article, one of Doncaster’s oldest residents who once fled the Nazis, is wanting to celebrate her 105th birthday – with hundreds of cards from well-wishers across the country.

We can definitely help you out there Hilda!

After hearing about this amazing story from our very own Miss Cocliff during our community meeting here at XP, the students were inspired to create some lovely cards to send to her and make her wish come true.

Hilda Middleton who turns 105 Years young on Tuesday inspired the students with her stories of travel and positivity which she says keeps her young. If you too, like our students, would like to send Hilda a card please send them to: Mrs Hilda Middleton, Chapel Garth Care Home Central Avenue, Bentley, Doncaster. DN5 0AR.

Some of the lovely quotes from inside the cards

“Out of all your days i hope this is one of your happiest”

and “hope your special day is as special as you.

One student added, “she doesn’t look a day over 70! She looks really good for her age!”

Happy Birthday Hilda, hope you have a lovely day from all of us in Crew Tubman

Crew Goodall gets outdoors

In our crew sessions this term we have tried to get outdoors as much as possible. We had a lovely visit from Rufus where we took him for a walk around the school, ran around chasing him and some crew members had a go at grooming him. Thank you Rufus and Kate ap Harri for a lovely morning!


The other Friday we made it out the school grounds for a walk. Can you see XP in the background? It reminded us of our walk in Wales. I was so impressed with how crew worked together and made sure no one was left behind just like in Wales.

Last week it was our turn to litter pick around the school. This was really important that we took action for stewardship of our school and we enjoyed getting out and seeing what we could find.

A fantastic start to year 8, well done crew Goodall!

Crew Marsha P. Johnson in Outward Bound!

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

 

Crew Goodall at Outward Bound

It’s been a week since X27 got back from our incredible trip to Outward Bound. Here is a photo before we left for Wales!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We arrived about 6 hours later, and that evening we set off to the beach for ‘jog and dip’. On the beach we circled up and spoke about comfort zones and stretch zones. While staying in your comfort zone feels safe, it’s when you can move a bit beyond that into your stretch zone is when you will learn and develop the most – this became a theme of the week as all of crew did things that were outside of their comfort zone. For some of us a dip in the sea was the first challenge whereas others loved the idea but we all went in together and encouraged each other. We all felt amazing after we’d done it – see the pictures below.

The next day we went to the estuary for canoeing which was another new experience for a lot of us. This was a test of teamwork and communication and it really did challenge us as a crew. When we got home we had a fantastic debrief where crew discussed what went well and what went wrong with a lot of maturity. Crew resolved to move forward by pledging to speak to each other with kindness and being open and honest with each other when they find things difficult so we can support each other better.

We packed up our bags for camping and hiking. We had to carry everything we needed as a team so everything was shared out between us and the bags quickly became very heavy!

We arrived late in the evening at the campsite and crew helped each other put up their tents for the night. The sky was clear and we could see the Milky Way clearly and also spotted Saturn. As Owen said, it was ‘magical’!

In the morning we went to hike up a nearby mountain. The views were beautiful and we stopped half way up for a ‘solo’ where we each took some time alone with our thoughts to reflect and to just enjoy the moment. The hike was challenging as some parts were really steep and a few of our crew are scared of heights so we helped each other through it by being kind and trying to stay positive even when it was hard. Thanks to Morgan and Joseph who led us up there.

When we got back to the Outward Bound centre on Thursday we had to unpack and degunge and crew worked together to get it sorted. I was so proud to see how much they had come together during the week. That evening we met as a crew and celebrated each other’s achievements. We went round the circle and everyone was appreciated for what they had brought to crew at Outward Bound. Here are some of the highlights:

  • Roxy was appreciated for her positive attitude and confidence
  • Owen was appreciated for his compassion in looking out for Oscar and going out of his way to help others
  • Morgan was appreciated for his leadership in our mountain climbing expedition and how he made sure to wait for everyone to catch up
  • George was appreciated for his maturity and calmness and for ‘keeping everyone in line’!
  • Nadia was appreciated for her courage; she came out of her shell and overcame many fears
  • Joseph was appreciated for his perseverance and keeping everyone laughing
  • Harry was appreciated for being helpful and his knowledge about space when we were stargazing
  • Oscar was appreciated for his compassion and was always the first to volunteer to do anything helpful for crew
  • Alysia was appreciated for being supportive and for conquering her fears
  • Ellie-May was appreciated for her compassion and for looking out for others
  • Ruby was appreciated for her positivity and her leadership and organisation skills

It was an incredible start to year 8 and I’m so excited for this year to see how we can build on what we’ve learned to continue pushing ourselves and supporting each other.

“There is more in 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.”

–Kurt Hahn

 

Crew Akkad coming back stronger!

What a way to start our year.

A week in Aberdovey having fun, challenging ourselves, building relationships and making memories we won’t forgot. I know I won’t!

What I will take most from the week was not the activities but the time it gave me to get to know our crew even better. Knowing the students I teach is the most important thing that I can do to help them succeed. This week definitely allowed me to achieve this.

All of crew Akkad loved our time in Wales for a variety of reasons;

“All the new activities we were able to do.”

“I loved camping”

“Jumping into the freezing cold sea.”

“It was really fun going into the sea”

“Feeling proud after going up and down the mountain”

“Going on the Canoes in the sea”

With these only being a few of our reflections.

But this week we all realised that there is more to us all than we know, with this we now know we can achieve brilliance. Together we are stronger as crew.

 

All of pour fun can be caught here