This week, students in Crew Nightingale have been fully immersed in preparing for their exciting new expedition. In English, they have been exploring Micrography Art – a creative technique where pictures and patterns are formed using tiny words and letters. This inspiring work blends art and writing, challenging students to think differently about how language can be used. Through micrography, text becomes both visual and meaningful, allowing students to express ideas not just through what words say, but how they look too.
Words into Art: E29’s Immersion Week
This week, E29 have been diving deep into the world of legendary author Malorie Blackman. To celebrate her legacy, we took on the intricate challenge of creating micrography portraits, forming her likeness entirely out of tiny, handwritten text using words and phrases that link to the central themes of our anchor text and expedition.
We have been absolutely blown away by the craftsmanship and quality of the work produced. The patience and precision required to turn words into art are immense, and the students have truly outdone themselves. Seeing Malorie Blackman’s face emerge from her own powerful words has been the highlight of our week!
Miss Buckley
D6 begins for Y11!
Day 6 (D6!) will begin this Saturday for our Y11 students!
The session will run from 9:30am-12pm – it’s an optional/voluntary session, where students are able to access additional support with learning – or just have a relaxed space for focused self study away from potential distractions away from home. Students can come and go as they wish, and do not have to stay for the whole session – they’ll just need to sign in and out.
In the past, D6 has been supported by Student Coaches – ex-students of XP & XPE – who have returned to provide our current students with peer to peer academic study support. We’re in the process of recruiting coaches to support.
Please encourage Y11s to come along to squeeze in some extra revision time. They’ll see the benefits on results day!
What coming this week in PE W/C5th Jan
Monday – Badminton practice- 3.30-4.30
Wednesday- Netball practice 3.30-4.30
Thursday- Cheerleading practice 3.30-4.30
Any questions please email Team PE.
An incredible first term for Team PE
As we come to the end of a busy and exciting first term, Team PE would like to reflect on what has been an incredible few months full of hard work, dedication and enthusiasm from our students.
This term has seen a huge range of extra-curricular training sessions and fixtures take place, with pupils giving their all both in lessons and after school. It has been fantastic to see such high levels of commitment, teamwork and school spirit across all year groups.
We have celebrated great successes in both girls’ and boys’ football. In particular, our Year 7 boys’ football team have shown outstanding determination and teamwork, progressing through the cup and representing the school with pride. Our girls’ football teams have also had a very successful term, continuing to develop their skills and confidence on the pitch.
The netball team have made impressive progress this term, building strong bonds as a team and putting in consistent performances. Their hard work has paid off with several well-deserved wins, and it has been wonderful to see their confidence grow with each match.
Our cheerleading squad have been working incredibly hard in preparation for upcoming competitions and performances. Their commitment, energy and positivity have been inspiring, and we are excited to see them showcase their routines in the new year.
We are incredibly proud of all our students for their effort, resilience and sportsmanship this term. We now look forward to continuing this momentum after a well-earned and restful Christmas break.
Wishing everyone a happy and healthy holiday season.
Team PE
Being Human: Year 8 Pays Tribute to NHS Heroes and Raises Awareness for Blood Donation
“What does it mean to be human?”
Year 8 students at XP tackled this profound guiding question during their recent expedition, “Being Human”. This interdisciplinary project bridged the gap between Science, Art, and Humanities to explore our biological makeup, our history, and our capacity for compassion.
The result is a powerful final product: a series of intricate portraits honoring our community’s NHS staff, designed to raise vital awareness for blood donation.
The Science of Life and Giving
To understand humanity, students first had to understand what keeps us alive. In Science, the cohort explored the complex organisation of the human body, specifically dissecting the functions of the circulatory and gas exchange systems. Through practical experiences, such as dissecting a pig heart, students learned how oxygen-rich blood is transported through the body—a process essential for life.
This learning extended into genetics and variation, where students studied how blood types are inherited and acquired. This scientific inquiry served a critical community purpose: understanding the biological necessity of blood donation. Students learned that while we share 99.9% of our genetic material, the variations between us—like blood types—are what make donation systems so critical for saving lives.
Art as a Vehicle for Gratitude
To translate this scientific knowledge into a message of humanity, students worked with expert artist Michelle Clarke Stables (MC Stables). Michelle shared her perspective that art is “not just about making something beautiful—it’s about expressing the human experience”.
Under her mentorship, students mastered the technique of micrography—creating images using words and text. Building on drawing skills such as facial proportions and pencil tone, they created realistic portraits of NHS workers.
However, these were not ordinary sketches. The contours of the faces were formed using words that answered the guiding question, “What does it mean to be human?”.
- One portrait of an NHS worker features words like “Compassion,” “Knowledge,” “Quality,” and “Ability to Feel” woven into the subject’s hair and clothing.
- Another piece uses the words “Hope,” “Nature,” and “Morality” to build the image, highlighting the ethical depth involved in healthcare.
These portraits celebrate the resilience and compassion of the people who care for us, turning abstract emotions into visible tributes.
A Legacy of Compassion
The expedition also challenged students to look at the “Human” element through the lens of ethics and history. They explored the sanctity of life and the Humanist “Golden Rule”—treating others as we wish to be treated. This ethical framework perfectly mirrors the compassion required for blood donation and the dedication of NHS staff.
The final portraits are now being curated for display in various healthcare settings across Doncaster. These installations serve a dual purpose:
- A Tribute: They act as a permanent “XP Legacy,” celebrating the historical and current figures who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to humanity.
- A Call to Action: The artwork supports blood donation initiatives within the community, using the emotive power of art to encourage the public to give the gift of life.
By merging the biological facts of the circulatory system with the expressive power of portraiture, Year 8 has shown that “Being Human” is ultimately about connection, empathy, and what we are willing to give to help one another.
Crew Brunel: A Festive and Reflective Week
This week in Crew Brunel, we kicked things off in true festive style with our Crew Christmas party. Everyone arrived ready for a cheerful check-in, sharing positive moments and holiday spirit while enjoying some very Christmassy treats. The room was full of smiles, laughter, and seasonal cheer — a wonderful way to start the week.
After celebrating together, we shifted our focus to learning by revisiting the final reflective section of our Passage presentations. Crew members thoughtfully considered their journeys, recognising their progress, challenges, and achievements.
One of the week’s highlights followed soon after — Secret Santa! Gifts were exchanged with excitement and gratitude, and it was lovely to see how thoughtful everyone had been. Every gift was received with appreciation, reinforcing the kindness and respect that defines Crew Brunel.
Crew Brunel raised both money and awareness for the Coral Reef Alliance by hosting a successful bake sale for students. The event featured a variety of delicious homemade treats that attracted many buyers and encouraged generous donations. Through this bake sale, Crew Brunel not only supported an important environmental cause but also helped educate students about the importance of protecting coral reefs, raising a total of £68!
As the term drew to a close, we completed our final HoWLS assessment. Crew members reflected honestly on how they have improved this term and identified clear goals for the new year. Time was also spent ensuring our passage presentations had a set of slides to go along side our scripts, highlighting key pieces of work.
We finished the week by coming together for a whole-school community meeting, where we reflected on the many positives of the term. As part of this, we also celebrated our Crew Champions of the Term. A special congratulations went to Chloe, who was named Crew Champion for Crew Brunel. Chloe was selected for her consistent demonstration of XP character traits. Her resilience, positivity, and commitment are a true credit to herself and an inspiration to others. Another shoutout goes to Matilda for being one of just 10 XP students randomly selected for achieving 100% attendance, earning her an Amazon gift voucher. It was a proud moment to recognise collective achievements, resilience, and growth across the school.
Overall, it has been a meaningful and memorable week for Crew Brunel — full of celebration, reflection, and gratitude. We’re heading into the break feeling proud of how far we’ve come and excited for the opportunities the new year will bring!
Happy holidays to everyone — we hope you all have a restful and well-deserved break.
Miss Mitchell
A Seasonal Message from XP Trust
A number of deaf and hearing pupils from Plover School and the ARChi team have been working collaboratively on a British Sign Language version of the Twelve Days of Christmas.
This is another example of diversity and belonging that runs through our schools and is a concrete example of our culture of Crew.
On behalf of XP Trust, we would like to wish everyone a peaceful Christmas and New Year.
Andy Sprakes
Chief Academic Officer
XP Trust
Sharing our Stories: 19/12/2025
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
Christmas Crafts @ Norton Juniors
G32 Reverse Advent @ XP Gateshead
A Very Special Visit from Santa @ Norton Infants
Share your stories with us!
Write to us at comms@xptrust.org – we want to hear about it, write about it and celebrate it!
Crew Rosa Parks
We have had fantastic half term in Crew Rosa Parks. Some amazing praises received across the group. We hope that this continues in 2026. Have a fantastic Christmas and Happy New Year.
