We have had great fun investigating magnets and finding polar north by hanging a magnet from a piece of string. The initial speed of the magnet spinning in both directions convinced the children that it was just ‘going cray-cray’ (their words NOT mine) and not actually working. They were amazed when it finally settled, pointing in the direction we had previously confirmed as being north with a compass!
Ellis took his learning a step further and investigated how closely he could push two magnets together before the magnetic force took over! Well done Ellis, extra special scientist shout out for you young man!
This week we’re proud to share the beautiful story LKS2s Expedition from last term ‘Coming to Doncaster: why then and why now?’. The incredible work from the students is on display outside the school for the community to see – make sure you go and check it out!
Being Human: Beautiful work in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead
This week beautiful work created by students at XP Gateshead was curated and unveiled at the QE Hospital!
‘What does it mean to be human?’
As part of their learning the students considered what makes a human both in a scientific way, through study of the gas exchange, circulatory and reproductive systems, and with regard to culture and religious beliefs when studying the Abrahamic faiths and the sanctity of human life.
Students then began the analysis of the tone and structure of successful speeches, and used this learning to write persuasive speeches on the topic of organ donation.
The theme of how humans and their societies and cultures grow and develop was then explored. Studying the development of humans from a single cell, through childhood, and puberty and onwards to adulthood. Adding to this theme we also considered our evolutionary past.
Students also worked with an expert to explore innovations and advancements that are being made around the world to help and support the development of humans. Alongside this students met with experts in organ donation, Dharmic faiths and Humanist beliefs in order to reflect upon who we want to be and how we can be the best version of ourselves.
The students were then challenged to create artwork to promote organ donation, and reflect upon what it means to be Human. Students also gave a speech expressing what they think it means to be human to parents and experts.
This work displayed at the QE hospital is the result of XPG’s community collaboration and celebrates what it means to be human and how together we are stronger.
The work has been well received already and Gateshead NHS have shared this post about working with the students at XPG!
XP on the TV!
We’re on TV next week!
XP Doncaster will be featured in a BBC Two documentary to be aired on the 7th March.
Multi award winning TV company Tern TV, spent several days filming with us last summer, with the presenter Darren McGarvey, who won the Orwell prize for his book ‘Poverty Safari’.
The filming was for the second of three documentaries, which in order focus on Justice, Education and Health, titled: Darren McGarvey: The State We’re In.
Claira Salter, our Principal of XP Doncaster said:
“We love to share what we do across the XP Trust, welcoming over a thousand visitors and delegates from all over the world in the last year alone. So, when we were approached by Tern TV to take part in the education documentary presented by Darren, it was a real opportunity to engage with an even wider audience here and for our students to participate in the process of interviewing and film making.”
“We are looking forward to seeing all three programmes and are delighted that the spotlight will also be on Doncaster and the communities and partners we are proud to work with.”
Approximately 17,595 steps or 13.12km of walking should mean your child will sleep well tonight. What a wonderful (but tiring) day! The polar bears were so active and our workshop helped us to better understand how enormous these fabulous creatures are. The photos really don’t do the day justice – you need to see them to believe them!
Your behaviour around the park was was fabulous 4H and shout out to everyone in the red crews for excellent behaviour whilst we were on the coach! I am so proud of you all.
Special shout out to Caleb who spent the day making as many notes as he could about polar bears!
4H have worked together to plan and carry out a fair test – helping them to find out which surface an object would move the furthest on. Different surfaces to test were considered and then voted for, promoting our use of British values. How to make sure we used the same force for every ‘push’ of the object was challenging, but with a little bit of extra advice from me, a sling shot was made to release our chosen object from. Careful measurements; releasing the cube from the top of it; and using the same people for the same role made sure that our test was fair. Well done everyone! Super Scientists in the making!
Years 3 and 4 were lucky enough to join a live, online lesson yesterday to build our background knowledge of the world’s biomes. It was great to see how much our children have learnt about the Arctic during this expedition.
I wonder if your child can tell you something new that they learnt from this opportunity.
Our crew challenge this week was to solve matchstick problems. I think it’s fair to say that Crew Haycock found this more challenging than some of the other tasks they have been set! The frustration that they displayed when I showed them how simple it was really was amusing to see from my point of view. However, I don’t think they appreciated how easily I solved them! Sorry guys, I pledge to be more supportive and less competitive in the future.
Keep grappling with our motivational challenges everyone!
Over the past two days we have been working hard to re-tell the story of the Gingerbread Man, using masks. The children have become very good at remembering key phrases and leading their own learning to re-tell the story during provision.
Lacey-Jayne and Emilia won Pride of Plover this week for kindness. They both spread kindness in F2 and look after people. They brighten up our days with their huge smiles!
Thank you to all those who have supported our fundraising this term. We have raised just over £700. We are going to buy books to create book baskets for places in the community, books for the children’s wards in the hospital and Kiddiewinks. We are also going to add to our reading for pleasure books that the children take home and all our EYFS children will have their own book.
If you know of a venue in the local area that would like a basket of books for children to read/share at the venue please let us know.