There are some invitations you just have to read twice. When Chris and Emma were invited to Buckingham Palace for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards 70th-anniversary celebration, they were absolutely thrilled. To share in such a monumental milestone in a truly wonderful place was a massive honor.
Here is a quick recap of their unforgettable royal garden party!
Sunshine, Tea & Cake
They couldn’t have asked for better British weather- the sun was shining gorgeously across the immaculate palace grounds. Emma and Chris spent the afternoon exploring the stunning gardens and enjoying a delicious afternoon tea with a slice of royal cake.
A Star-Studded Lineup
The atmosphere was buzzing, made even more special by an incredible lineup of guest speakers who came out to celebrate 70 years of youth empowerment. Here are a few that they managed to listen to:
The brilliant Sara Davies MBE
The stunning Molly Rainford & Tyler West
The swesome Dame Kelly Holmes MBE OLY
The absolute pinnacle of the day was hearing from His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh KG KT GCVO himself. Witnessing him champion the incredible legacy of the DofE awards on the palace lawns was a moment Emma and Chris won’t ever forget.
A Day to Remember
As the afternoon wound down, Emma and Chris felt incredibly grateful. It was an absolute privilege to be invited, to soak in the history, and to share this beautiful experience together. Cheers to 70 years of the DofE Awards—a day they’ll be talking about for a very long time!
It has been another busy and rewarding week for Crew Brunel, with a great mix of wellbeing activities, learning, important life skills and an exciting outdoor adventure.
We began the week with a check-in with Crew Sinfield, giving everyone the chance to reconnect, share how they were feeling and set positive intentions for the week ahead. We also spent some time outdoors, enjoying the fresh air and using the space to start the week in a calm and positive way. It was a great opportunity to focus on wellbeing and building strong relationships within crew.
On Tuesday, Crew Brunel joined Crew Sinfield again and used the session to catch up on important learning tasks. Students worked hard to complete their Sparx Maths and Tassomai activities, showing focus, independence and commitment to keeping on top of their studies. It was a productive session where everyone was able to make progress and support each other.
Wednesday was our Wise Wednesday session, where we explored an important topic linked to staying safe during the summer: alcohol awareness. Students discussed the risks associated with alcohol, the importance of making safe choices and how to look after themselves and others. These conversations are a valuable part of helping students develop confidence, responsibility and good decision-making skills.
Thursday brought an exciting challenge as students took part in their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze expedition. The day started with preparation, including packing bags, checking equipment and making sure everyone had everything needed for the adventure ahead. Students then set off for the first part of their walk, working together to navigate the route, support one another and develop their teamwork skills. After completing the walk, students set up camp and spent the night outdoors, putting their resilience, organisation and independence into practice.
On Friday, the expedition continued with the second part of the walk. Students showed determination as they completed the route and worked together to overcome the challenges along the way. After returning to school, the final important job was to degunge all the equipment! Tents, bags and kit were cleaned and packed away properly, ensuring everything was ready for the next adventure.
Crew Brunel finished the week tired but proud, having achieved something challenging and memorable. A fantastic week of teamwork, learning, resilience and new experiences — well done, Crew Brunel, you’ve all earned a well-deserved rest!
From discussions about health, wellbeing and personal safety to debates around democracy, British Values and life beyond school, students across XP Doncaster have engaged in thoughtful and meaningful learning through Wise Wednesdays this term. This newsletter celebrates some of the beautiful work taking place in Crews and provides a preview of the important topics students will be exploring next term.
After a well-deserved half-term break, Crew Brunel returned to school ready for a busy and important week filled with opportunities, information, and decision-making. This half term is particularly significant as it marks the final half term of Year 9, making it an exciting and important period for all students as they begin preparing for the next stage of their educational journey here at XP.
On Monday, the whole school community came together for a Community Meeting to warmly welcome students and staff back after the half-term break. It was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect, refocus, and set the tone for the weeks ahead.
After the meeting, our Year 9 students were introduced to the exciting Valencia Fieldwork experience. Students learned about what the trip involves, the opportunities it offers, and the application process. There was plenty of interest, and we look forward to seeing applications from those keen to take part in this memorable learning experience.
From Tuesday through to Friday, we were joined by Crew Sinfield for a series of GCSE Taster Sessions. These sessions gave students the chance to explore their potential GLOBAL and CREATIVE option subjects for next year.
Throughout the week, students experienced a range of subjects, gained valuable insight into the content and skills involved, took part in activities and tasks linked to each course, and began thinking carefully about the choices that will help shape their future learning journeys. The sessions provided an excellent opportunity for students to ask questions, discover new interests, and consider where their strengths and passions lie.
It has certainly been a busy first week back, with lots of important information to take in and many decisions to consider. As we enter the final half term of Year 9, students are beginning to make important decisions about their GCSE pathways and future aspirations.
We are proud of the positive attitude and engagement students have demonstrated throughout the week as they explored their GCSE options and considered the exciting opportunities ahead. We look forward to supporting everyone through the options process and helping them make informed choices that reflect their interests, talents, and ambitions.
Well done, Crew Brunel, on a productive start to the final half term of Year 9!
This week in Crew Brunel has been full of preparation, reflection, and celebration. From getting ready for presentations to coming together for our final whole-school community meeting with Year 11, every day brought something meaningful.
We started the week with our usual weekend check-in, giving everyone the opportunity to share how they were feeling and reconnect as a crew after the weekend. These conversations continue to help strengthen our relationships and create a supportive start to the week. Alongside our check-ins, we spent time making final preparations for our Wise Wednesday presentations. Everyone worked hard to make sure they were organised, confident, and ready to present their ideas and learning.
On Tuesday, we focused on sorting through lost property. Students worked together to organise and display lost personal belongings in order to take photographs for the Lost Property blog post. It was a simple but important reminder about responsibility and supporting each other as a community. The activity also linked closely to the values of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme, particularly teamwork, service, and taking responsibility for helping others.
Wednesday gave students the opportunity to explore future pathways by looking at GCSE options, particularly Creative and Global subjects. Students discussed the courses available, thought about their interests and ambitions, and asked thoughtful questions about what their next steps could look like. It was great to see students engaging positively with conversations about their futures and beginning to think carefully about the opportunities ahead of them.
On Thursday, we were joined by Crew Sinfield and Crew Peake. Together, we reflected on the week by looking at praises and conducts. This was a valuable opportunity to celebrate successes, recognise positive contributions, and discuss how we can continue to improve as individuals and as crews. The collaborative atmosphere helped encourage honesty, reflection, and encouragement between students.
Friday’s whole-school community meeting was packed with highlights and celebrations from across the school. One of the standout moments was seeing the Year 8 final product work focused on migration. Students showcased an impressive wall painting project using stencils and spray paint to creatively express themes connected to migration. The artwork demonstrated both creativity and teamwork. We also heard from a water safety awareness expert who visited Year 7 students to raise awareness about staying safe around water. The session was informative, engaging, and incredibly important as we move towards the summer months. Another exciting update came from Year 10 students who recently completed their DofE Silver practice expedition. It was fantastic to hear about their resilience, teamwork, and determination throughout the experience.
As always, the meeting included appreciations, apologies, and stands, giving students and staff the chance to recognise one another, reflect honestly, and celebrate positive actions across the school. There was also an important stand made around following the XP character traits. It was recognised that there have been a few incidents recently where students have not demonstrated these values as positively as they could. This was an opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of showing respect, compassion, courage, and integrity, and to encourage students to put things right moving forward.
Finally, this community meeting marked the last one with our Year 11 students before they move on to their next steps. It was a special moment to recognise their journey, contributions, and the impact they have had on the school community.
This week showed the importance of preparation, teamwork, reflection, and celebration within Crew Brunel and the wider school community. We are proud of the positive attitude and effort shown by everyone throughout the week.
As we head into a week off, we hope everyone has the chance to rest, recharge, and enjoy the sunshine. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for the final half term of the academic year and to another successful few weeks ahead.
This morning was another brilliant start to the day with C28 before their English exam! Over the past few weeks, Crew breakfasts have become part of every morning exam; a chance to come together, have some breakfast, go over last minute revision and check in with each other before heading into their exams.
A huge thank you also has to go to the C28 Crew Leaders, who have been giving up their own time each morning to support students during exam time. Whether that has been organising breakfast, helping with revision, calming nerves or simply being there for conversations before exams, their support has made a massive difference.
I am so proud of the resilience and maturity Year 11 are showing throughout exam season. It is a long and tiring few weeks, but they continue to show up, support one another and give everything their best effort in revision sessions!
I know they are going to smash their English exam this morning! They have absolutely earned the chance to rest and recharge before the final push begins after half term.
This week’s lost property has now been organised and is ready for collection.
If you have recently misplaced any clothing, footwear, or personal belongings, please visit the XP Office to check whether your items have been handed in.
All unclaimed items will be held until the end of next week. After this time, any remaining belongings will be donated to charity so they can be put to good use.
If you think you may have lost something, please come and check as soon as possible.
Last week was another full and meaningful week for Crew Brunel, with plenty of opportunities to reflect, connect, and celebrate both individual and collective successes. As always, our time together has focused not just on academic progress, but also on building character, community, and a strong sense of belonging.
Monday began with a crew check-in, where everyone had the chance to share what they had been up to over the weekend. These regular check-ins continue to be an important part of our routine, helping us strengthen relationships, develop confidence in speaking, and show genuine interest in one another’s lives. It set a calm and positive tone for the week ahead.
On Tuesday, we had an English catch-up session, focusing on reading our anchor text. This allowed students to revisit key ideas, develop their comprehension skills, and ensure they are keeping up with core learning. It was great to see students engaging thoughtfully with the material.
Wednesday marked our final Wise Wednesday session of this case study. This was an important milestone, as students reflected on what they have learned so far and began thinking ahead to how they will present their understanding. This week, we will start laying the groundwork for next week’s presentations, with students beginning to organise their ideas and consider how best to communicate them clearly and confidently.
On Thursday, we were joined by students from Crew Sinfield, which provided a valuable opportunity to collaborate beyond our usual crew. Together, we explored the themes of praise and conducts, taking time to recognise those who have consistently demonstrated positive behaviours and contributions. At the same time, we had important conversations around accountability, ensuring that those who had received conducts understood the reasons why and how they can improve moving forward. We finished the session with dedicated time on Sparx tasks, allowing students to stay focused and make progress in their independent learning.
Friday brought the whole school together for our community meeting — a real highlight of the week. This was a chance to celebrate achievements from across the school and recognise the efforts and successes of many students. Some of the key moments included:
Celebrating students who were named Spanish Star of the Week and Artist of the Week
Recognising Year 8 students for their successful and engaging fieldwork trip to Bletchley Park
Showcasing students who took part in the Inside Out global photography project
Applauding those who received the highest number of praises this week
Sharing updates on the attendance league and recognising strong commitment to school
We ended the meeting, as always, with appreciations, apologies, and stands from both students and staff. These moments continue to be powerful in building a respectful and supportive community, where everyone has a voice and takes responsibility for their actions.
Overall, it was a positive, productive, and reflective week for Crew Brunel, and it was a fantastic way to finish before heading into the bank holiday weekend.
This week, all of X32 have worked extremely hard to explore our guiding question and begin to understand what our new expedition is about!
Yesterday, we visited Endcliffe Park, where we learned how to measure the depth, width and velocity at different points of the Porter Brook. This built on our learning in Maths, where we have been studying time, distance and velocity.
In Science, we have been learning about the water cycle. On Monday, we even acted this out by becoming water droplets, moving through the different stages of the cycle.
In Art, we have focused on using ink to show the movement of waves and water. We also experimented with creating different styles of water marks using ink.
We have also been thinking about how to stay safe around different bodies of water. We identified hidden dangers and discussed ways to reduce risks. We then applied this learning during our visit to Lakeside, where we spotted potential hazards.
