We have just set off from Pila, we are scheduled to arrive on time for our Ferry in the morning. We will send updates if there are any changes.
XP East Y9 DofE Skills Session
XP East Year 9 students showed excellent focus and engagement during today’s DofE Skills session as they painted their model figures. The calm, purposeful atmosphere allowed students to concentrate, develop fine-detail techniques, and take pride in their work.
This creative activity supported key DofE skills such as patience, resilience, and self-motivation, with students demonstrating real commitment throughout the session.
Sharing our Stories: 30/01/2026
Beautiful work this week
Here’s a selection of beautiful work from across the XP Trust!
To read about other stories from across the XP Trust, visit xptrust.org.
Top of the Blogs
Weekly Update for Families @ XP Gateshead
Maths, Mysteries and Masterminds @ Norton Infants
High Energy and Big Wins @ XP East
Share your stories with us!
Write to us at comms@xptrust.org – we want to hear about it, write about it and celebrate it!
Y9 DofE Skills – Model Construction
Today’s DofE Skills session saw our Year 9 students fully focused and engaged as they worked on painting their model figures. The session was calm, purposeful, and a great example of how creativity can support concentration, patience, and attention to detail.
Day 6 – Reaching new heights in Pila
If yesterday was about finding our feet, today was about conquering the mountain. The energy on the slopes of Pila remains electric, and we couldn’t be prouder of how our students are performing.
Leveling Up: From Basics to Red Runs
The technical progress we’ve witnessed over the last 48 hours is nothing short of “unbelievable.” Students who were tentatively snow-ploughing on Monday are now mastering parallel turns and executing crisp, controlled stops.
The real highlight, however, has been the bravery on display. Many of our groups transitioned today from the comfort of the blues to the challenge of red runs. These slopes are significantly steeper and more demanding, yet our students attacked them with a “brilliant attitude” and a noticeable pickup in speed.
Lunch with a View at the ‘Star of Pila’
After a morning of hard work, we headed to the very top of the mountain to lunch at the Star of Pila. The panoramic views of the Alps provided the perfect backdrop for some well-earned rest.
For one intrepid group, the adventure didn’t end at lunch; they took on the ultimate challenge of skiing all the way down from the peak. It has been a truly unforgettable experience (certainly not one to forget!) filled with constant laughs and a shared sense of achievement.
One Final Push
As we look toward our final day on the snow tomorrow, we’re holding onto the mantra we started with this morning: “It’s a good day to have a good day.” We intend to make every second of that last descent count before we begin the journey home.
In the spirit of crew!
This week, Year 10 students worked alongside Year 9 to support them with their passage presentations. Year 10 listened carefully as Year 9 presented, offering constructive feedback and sharing their own experience and expertise.
Their advice focused on presentation skills such as clarity, confidence, and engaging the audience. The session was a valuable opportunity for Year 9 to build confidence and improve their work, while Year 10 developed leadership skills and practised giving thoughtful critique.
A great example of students supporting students and learning together. 👏
X29 Fieldwork: Plant Works site study
On Tuesday 10th February 2026, Year 10 will be taking part in fieldwork to Wabtec Rail – the former Doncaster Plant Works site.
This fieldwork has been planned to support their learning in History – to support their GCSE exam knowledge, and is a brilliant opportunity to bring the students’ learning to life in an exciting and engaging way. The experience will be used to support learning back in the classroom to help the children better understand the content and develop a deeper understanding of the Doncaster Plant Works, ready for their GCSE papers this summer.
11 Skipper will depart school at 9:15am and our expected arrival time back at school is 12:00pm.
11 Admiral will depart school at 1:15pm and our expected arrival time back at school is 3:15pm.
Lunches will not be affected by this fieldwork. We have secured a coach to take us to and from Wabtec Rail.
Students will need the following equipment: charged devices, pen, pencil, ruler, water bottle – and anything else needed daily.
If you have any questions about this fieldwork, please contact me on shannam@xpschool.org or get in touch with your child’s crew leader.
With thanks,
Sarah Hannam
White peaks and blue skies
What a difference forty-eight hours makes! After a fantastic start to our Pila adventure, the transformation in our students is nothing short of incredible.
From Tumbles to Technique
Yesterday was a true “mountain milestone” day. Under stunningly clear blue skies, we faced our first full day on the slopes. As expected, there were plenty of falls and even more laughs, but amidst the snow-dusted jackets was some excellent technique. Every single staff member was blown away by the headway the students made; their determination to get back up and try again was the highlight of the day.
A Slice of Italian Life
To celebrate a successful day of skiing, we headed into town last night for a legendary pizza night. It was a sea of smiling faces and “unlimited” slices, fueled by plenty of drinks and topped off with a well-earned round of Italian ice cream. It was the perfect way to recharge the batteries and bond as a group away from the chairlifts.
Moving Up the Mountain
We returned to the slopes this morning with a newfound confidence. The improvement was visible from the first run—so much so that the groups were able to move considerably further up the mountain. As staff, we couldn’t be prouder. Beyond their skiing ability, the students are conducting themselves with maturity and spirit. They are representing the school brilliantly, getting better with every turn, and looking out for one another every step of the way.
Evening Wind-Down
After another trip into the local town for some post-ski gelato (you can never have too much ice cream in Italy!), we’ve headed back for our evening meal. The students are now settling down, resting those hard-working legs, and getting ready for another intense, high-energy day tomorrow.
Update from Pila
See some of the fun we’ve been having. Congratulations to our Golder Skier and Moose of the day yesterday!
See more of our photos in the gallery below.
Ice to meet you…Pila
After a 22 hour journey across the UK, France, and Switzerland we have finally arrived safe and sound in Pila. We had a nice lunch, before heading to get fitted for our ski equipment. This evening gave us the opportunity to unpack and relax before our first full day of skiing. We look forward to keeping you updated!
