After a well-earned week off, Crew Brunel returned to school refreshed and ready to begin the second half of Term 2. We started the week with our usual crew check-in, taking the time to reconnect as a group and share what everyone had been up to during the break. Many students spoke about spending time with family, catching up with friends, and making the most of the chance to rest and recharge. It was clear that the break had done everyone some good, and it was nice to ease back into the routine by hearing about each other’s week.

On Tuesday, we used the time productively to catch up on some important learning tasks. Students spent time completing work on Sparx Maths and Tassomai, ensuring they were up to date with their independent learning. Alongside this, students also updated their Duke of Edinburgh skills logs, reflecting on the progress they are making on their volunteering skills. We also made sure there was time for reading, continuing to build positive habits and focus as we settled back into the term.

Wednesday brought something a little different for Crew Brunel. For our weekly Wise Wednesday session, we were joined by Crew Sinfield. It was great to bring the two crews together and give students the opportunity to work with different peers. Students worked in small groups, discussing the topic for the session and making notes on their ideas and reflections. The collaborative atmosphere was really positive, and it was encouraging to see students sharing perspectives and engaging thoughtfully with the discussion. Having another crew join us added a new dynamic to our usual Wednesday routine and is something we would definitely like to repeat in the future.

Later that morning, we prepared for Year 9’s fieldwork by revisiting our fieldwork norms and expectations. This is always an important part of preparing for visits beyond school, helping students understand the importance of representing themselves, their crew, and the school positively while out in the community. Once we had discussed expectations, we travelled to the Thackray Museum of Medicine in Leeds, where students took part in a day of learning linked to their current expedition, “You Give Me Fever.” The visit allowed students to explore the history of medicine, disease, and healthcare, helping them build a deeper understanding of the topics they are studying in school. Students engaged well with the exhibits and activities throughout the day, asking thoughtful questions and showing curiosity about how medicine and public health have changed over time. It was a really enjoyable and valuable day out, and Crew Brunel represented the school brilliantly.

On Thursday, Crew Brunel visited Crew Sinfield, this time to spend some time looking through praises and conducts for the week. This gave students the opportunity to celebrate positive contributions while also reflecting on areas where improvements could be made. These discussions are an important part of crew culture, encouraging accountability, reflection, and a focus on personal growth.

To round off the week, we joined the rest of XP School for a whole-school community meeting. These meetings are a key part of life at XP and give both students and staff the opportunity to come together as a community. During the meeting, people shared their positives from the week, celebrating acts of kindness and achievements across the school. Some students also took the opportunity to apologise for actions earlier in the week and made pledges about how they would put things right moving forward. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of responsibility and learning from our mistakes.

Overall, it has been a busy and productive first week back for Crew Brunel. The combination of collaboration, academic focus, and real-world learning has helped set a positive tone for the term ahead. We are looking forward to continuing to develop our learning, strengthen our crew culture, and build on this strong start as we head into Week 2 of this shorter half term.

Miss Mitchell