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What a fantastic final week Crew Brunel has had to round off their first half term of Year 10! As we settle into KS4 and begin our GCSE journey, there has been so much to praise and celebrate, with crew members continuing to show their hard work, creativity and commitment to their learning.
Our 2D Art group has been producing some wonderful artwork, showing creativity, attention to detail and a real willingness to develop their artistic skills. It has been brilliant to see their ideas come to life and their confidence grow as they experiment with different techniques.
A special shout-out goes to Brooke, our Photographer of the Week! Brooke has been taking some really interesting still-life photographs of everyday objects, demonstrating her developing skills in composition and depth of field. It is fantastic to see her looking at ordinary objects in creative ways and using photography to capture them from different perspectives. Well done, Brooke!
There has also been some excellent work taking place across our English, History and Science sessions. Crew members have been building their knowledge, developing their understanding and putting effort into their GCSE preparation. Starting Year 10 is an important step, and it has been great to see so many students beginning to embrace the challenge and recognise the importance of the hard work and dedication needed to succeed.
As we head into the half-term break, I want to celebrate all the positive steps Crew Brunel has taken over these first few weeks of KS4. There is so much potential within this crew, and I am looking forward to seeing everyone continue to grow, challenge themselves and achieve great things over the coming months.
For now, it is time to enjoy a well-deserved rest, recharge our batteries and spend some time doing the things we enjoy. We will return after the break refreshed, ready to build on our successes and continue working hard towards our GCSE goals.
Well done, Crew Brunel, on a brilliant first half term of Year 10. Have a lovely half-term break!
What a busy week it has been for Crew Brunel! We have certainly packed a lot into Crew this week, with plenty of opportunities to learn, reflect, celebrate and work together.
From getting creative with scrapbooking and looking back at our memories and experiences, to learning how to say “hello” in all 19 languages spoken by our students and staff at XP Doncaster, there has been lots going on! We have also been celebrating the success of Year 10 so far as part of our Crew Phase. It is important to take time to recognise the progress we have made, the challenges we have overcome and the hard work that has gone into getting us to where we are now. There is still plenty of hard work ahead, but there is also lots to be proud of! Alongside this, Crew Brunel have been getting stuck into some People’s Health revision this week, working together to revisit key knowledge and test our understanding.
This week’s special shout-out has to go to David!
Last weekend, David joined some of our Year 10 students and staff to complete a 5K run in support of Young Lives vs Cancer. It was fantastic to hear that our students challenged themselves while raising awareness and money for such an important cause. A huge well done to David for getting involved and completing the 5K — you should be incredibly proud! And a massive well done to everyone who took part and helped make the event such a success.
If you are able to donate a few pounds to support the fundraising effort, it would be hugely appreciated. Every donation, big or small, can make a difference.
This week’s Thoughtful Thursday gave Crew Brunel the opportunity to pause, reflect and think carefully about how we have started our Year 10 journey.
As we begin preparing for our GCSEs, developing good habits, taking ownership of our learning and understanding our strengths and areas for improvement are becoming increasingly important. Our session focused on exactly that – taking responsibility for where we are now and thinking about where we want to go next.
We began with our first round of HoWL reflections. Students self-assessed their progress across each of our three HoWLs: Work Hard, Get Smart and Be Kind. They used the HoWL rubric to RAG-rate themselves and awarded themselves a grade for each area. Once completed, students calculated their overall HoWL average, giving them a clear picture of their current strengths and areas for development as they settle into Key Stage 4.
The important part came next – setting SMART targets. With GCSE preparation now underway, students identified specific areas they wanted to improve and thought about practical steps they could take to develop their learning habits and make progress.
We then switched things around and moved on to peer assessment. Students assessed each other’s HoWLs based on what they have seen from their peers in sessions so far. They followed the same process of RAG-rating, grading and calculating an average, before finishing by setting a target for someone in their class. This encouraged students to consider how their actions and attitudes are seen by others, while also thinking about how they can support their peers to improve.
To finish the session, we looked back at our praises and conducts from the week and completed our SOS analysis. We celebrated the successes shown on our Crew leaderboard, recognised individual achievements and reflected on some of the conducts that had been recorded. Students were encouraged to think about what had gone well, what we wondered about and what we could do differently moving forward.
Finally, we selected two students to set pledges for next term, giving them a clear personal focus to work on and develop as we continue through Year 10.
Roan – ” I pledge to complete all of my extended study tasks to the best of my ability and make sure they are submitted on time to help improve my Get Smart HoWL from a 2.5 to a 3. “
Brooke – ” I pledge to arrive on time every day this term, helping me improve my Work Hard HoWL from a 3 to a 3.5. “
A really thoughtful and purposeful session from Crew Brunel. As we take our first steps into KS4 and GCSE preparation, it was great to see students reflecting honestly, taking ownership of their progress and thinking about the small changes they can make now to help them succeed in the future.
What a fantastic first week back for Crew Brunel! We have packed a lot into our first week, with opportunities to build our crew community, develop new skills, explore Doncaster and prepare for the challenges of KS4.
DAY 1
We kicked off the week by rebooting crew, reconnecting with each other and establishing our KS4 norms and expectations. We also launched our exciting Micro Adventure, where students would explore Doncaster through an A–Z challenge.
We also took part in inter-crew activities, competing in a range of fun and slightly unusual challenges, including balancing a ping-pong ball on a spoon in our mouths and throwing and catching a potato using a fork! These activities gave students the chance to have fun, work together and build relationships with students from their crew.
We then finished the day by beginning our preparation for our job interviews, with students exploring six different job roles and selecting the one they were most interested in applying for. They began considering the skills, qualities and experience they could bring to their chosen role, ready for their interviews later in the week.
DAY 2
On Tuesday, we headed into Doncaster town centre for our Micro Adventure, completing a range of fun and challenging activities. These included performing the can-can outside somewhere beginning with C, hugging a tree, handing out thank-you postcards to local services, and spreading some positivity by giving flowers to members of the public. It was a great opportunity to explore our local community, step outside our comfort zones and bring a little joy to the people of Doncaster.
Back at school, we continued our interview preparation by creating CVs and cover letters for our chosen job roles. Students had to think carefully about their skills, strengths, interests and experiences, and consider how these could be presented to a potential employer. This helped students build their confidence and independence, while giving them a better understanding of what employers look for when applying for a job.
DAY 3
Wednesday was a creative and exciting day! We launched our Future Fashion project, challenging students to think about sustainability and how recycled materials could be transformed into innovative and practical workwear. Students worked collaboratively to design and create their outfits, using their creativity to turn everyday recyclable materials into something completely new.
Students also took part in interviews with external staff, giving them the opportunity to put their communication, confidence and interview skills into practice in a realistic setting. It was fantastic to see students stepping outside of their comfort zones and showcasing what they could do.
We ended the day with our fashion show, where students proudly took to the runway to showcase their incredible creations and celebrate all of their hard work!
DAY 4
Thursday focused on preparation, reflection and learning. Students began preparing for the POL community meeting on Friday by creating a short script about everything they had done during their first week back. This gave them the opportunity to reflect on the different experiences they had taken part in and decide what they wanted to share with the wider school community.
We then explored a range of different revision techniques, looking at how everyone learns differently and how students can find strategies that work best for them when remembering important information for their GCSEs. Students had the chance to try out different approaches and consider which ones they could use in their own revision.
We finished the day with our Science immersion, where we began getting an insight into what we will be learning next week. This helped students to start thinking about the new topics they will be exploring and prepare themselves for the learning ahead.
DAY 5
We finished the week with a Presentation of Learning (POL) community meeting, where crews from each year group came together to share what they had been doing during their first week back at school. It was a great way to celebrate the start of the new school year and hear about what other crews had been getting up to.
We then moved into our History immersion, where we began exploring the history of Doncaster Plant Works. Students started to learn about the importance of the Plant Works to Doncaster and began completing the first section of their work booklets, building their knowledge and understanding of the site.
We ended the week on a high with our English immersion, where we watched A Christmas Carol. While watching, students made notes on important plot points, characters and key events, helping them to begin developing their understanding of the story and preparing for the learning we will continue next week in English.
It has been a busy but brilliant first week for Crew Brunel. From exploring Doncaster and preparing for the world of work to designing sustainable fashion and developing our academic skills, students have already shown creativity, confidence, teamwork and a real readiness for KS4. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings!
As another fantastic year draws to a close, Crew Brunel spent our final week reflecting on how far we’ve come, celebrating our achievements and preparing for the exciting journey into Year 10.
Monday saw us begin the de-gunging of our crew room! We took down displays, sorted through old textbooks and gave our space a well-deserved tidy-up. It was a lovely opportunity to look back on the memories we’ve created in our crew room over the past year while getting it ready to welcome a new crew in September.
On Tuesday, we enjoyed our final Tranquil Tuesday, spending time in classes continuing to read our anchor text and completing end-of-year learning activities. It was a calm and purposeful way to round off our academic year.
Wednesday was dedicated to completing our Crew Solo. This is always a significant moment, giving everyone the opportunity to reflect on their achievements, recognise how much they’ve grown and think carefully about the future they want to create for themselves. It was wonderful to see the maturity and thoughtfulness that everyone brought to their reflections.
We continued our de-gunging mission on Thursday, carefully organising and storing our portfolios in the library before giving the crew room one final tidy-up for its new occupants next year. We also looked at our praises and conduct one last time this year, taking a moment to celebrate the positive choices and progress that have shaped our journey together.
Our final day together started with the whole-school Community Meeting, where we celebrated the successes and achievements of the year. We reflected on memorable events such as Sports Day and the XP Arts Festival, reminding us of the fun we’ve shared and the incredible talent across our school community.
A special congratulations goes to Rowena, who was crowned Crew Brunel’s Crew Champion this term after receiving the highest number of praises across the year for our crew — a fantastic achievement that reflects her consistent effort, positivity and contribution to our crew.
We were also delighted to celebrate Chloe and Matilda, who were recognised for their beautiful artwork this term. Their creativity and talent have truly shone through and they should be incredibly proud of their accomplishments. Finally, congratulations to Rowena, Matilda and David for achieving 100% attendance this term. Their outstanding commitment and dedication earned them a place in the attendance prize draw, with David being one of the ten lucky winners. As always, we ended our Community Meeting with Appreciations, Apologies and Stands — a fitting way to close the year by recognising one another and celebrating the strength of our community.
What a year it has been. Crew Brunel, you should all be incredibly proud of everything you’ve accomplished. You’ve shown resilience, kindness, courage and determination, and it has been a privilege to watch each of you grow over the course of the year.
Now it’s time for a well-earned break. Have a wonderful, restful summer. Spend time with family and friends, make plenty of happy memories, stay safe, and come back refreshed and ready for the adventures that Year 10 will bring.
What a fantastic week we’ve had! With just two weeks to go until the end of term, there’s been plenty happening as we prepare for a busy finish.
We started the week a little differently with a Staff Day on Monday. This gave students an extra day to relax, recharge and get ready for the exciting week ahead.
On Tuesday, we caught up as a crew and shared what everyone had been up to over the long weekend. It was great to hear about the different ways people had spent their extra day off school.
Wednesday saw us continue reading our anchor text, Green Rising. We’ve enjoyed exploring the story together in our classes, with some thoughtful discussions as we progress through the book.
On Thursday, we turned our attention to Sports Day preparations, making sure everyone knew the important information ahead of next week’s event. We organised who would be taking part in each event and started thinking about ideas for our Crew mascot. There were some creative and hilarious suggestions, and we can’t wait for you to see which idea we choose!
Friday was all about celebrating our successes including the huge highlight – celebrating the first-ever Subject Awards Night, which took place on Thursday evening. A massive shout-out goes to Ayden, Rowena and Chloe for being nominated for subject awards. An extra congratulations to Ayden, who won the Subject Star Award for XP Year 9 HUMS, and Chloe, who won the Subject Star Award for XP Year 9 Art. We are incredibly proud of you both and all of our nominees for representing Year 9 so well.
We finished with our usual Apologies, Appreciations and Stands, recognising the positives from the week and supporting one another as a crew.
As a crew, we’ve also had some difficult conversations this week around behaviour and the importance of consistently demonstrating the XP Character Traits. These conversations are never easy, but they are an important part of helping us all grow, reflect and make better choices. We know that everyone is capable of meeting the high expectations we set in Crew Brunel, and we look forward to seeing those positive choices next week.
With just two weeks to go, we’re looking forward to Sports Day, more celebrations and making the most of the remainder of the school year. Let’s finish the term strong!
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!
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.
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.
