Y9 X25 Bubble Closure Timetable Update

As we have unfortunately had a positive Covid test in X25 Year 9 we will be moving to online learning from this afternoon (Tuesday 13th April). We have chosen this timetable as it reflects the online provision that was successful during our last period of distance learning. After speaking with students this morning we have adapted the timetable to mitigate the risks of screen fatigue. Therefore, the students will only do four out of the five sessions providing them with an extended lunch break. 

Please see the timetable below that outlines the times for each session. The teacher taking the session will send out the hangout link and post it on Google Classroom. We look forward to seeing all our students online this afternoon.  Thank you for your continued support. 

Link to Timetable.

 

Very special visitors to X25 this week

In our case study ‘Snakes on a plain’, we have been learning about the adders at Hatfield Moor and how they have been so successful by occupying a niche in nature as a cold climate snake. In the coming weeks we will look at the fire at Hatfield, most likely caused by careless human action, and how the coordinated response from the Local Authority, Natural England and the Fire Service worked tirelessly to protect this important natural wonder on our doorstep in Doncaster.

To deepen our studies, this week students in X25 welcomed experts from Sam’s Safaris into school. Zoe and Joy brought with them some even more special guests. We met a range of reptiles, amphibians and mammals so that students could learn more about how they are adapted to their environments, how they are dependent upon other species and the impact that humans are having on their ecosystems (both positive and negative).

Some of the brilliant insights we gained into adaptations included the Jacobson’s organ in snakes, and how they are able to ‘taste’ the air. We also learned how chinchillas have adapted to their cold environment by having 60 hairs sprout from each of their follicles compared to just one hair per follicle in humans (or none in the case of some of our more veteran teachers). The mountain kingsnake was a particular favourite, with its bright colours mimicking a venomous coral snake to ward off potential predators.

We also heard about how deforestation – often to clear land for palm oil farms – was having a devastating impact on geckos, and how insecticides were causing damage to microbial ecosystems in the soil.

On a more positive note, our experts described how conservation work was helping to protect species, and how young people are more engaged than ever before in helping to protect the wonders of nature on which we are all entirely dependent.

Our experts were knowledgeable and showed great care towards the animals, helping some students (and staff) to overcome their fears too.

Almost everyone fell in love with Scrabble the chinchilla. Mr Doyle said his favourite was the gerbil though; what’s that about?!?

X25 Year 9 Fieldwork

Year 9 will be going on fieldwork on 13th October as part of their ‘Welcome to the Machine’ expedition. We’ll be leaving school at 9:30AM and returning at 3:00PM, so this will not affect their drop off or pick up times, however, due to the pandemic, we ask that all students have guardian consent for them to attend.

We’ll be visiting Hatfield Moors, to collect species data and conduct scientific tests on the peatland during the day. We will be maintaining the bubbles, and wearing masks on the coaches to minimise risk of transmission, and we will be outside all day.

As part of the precautions, we ask that you fill in the following google forms, granting permission for students to attend the fieldwork on 13th October:

This outlines that if your child falls ill with covid symptoms on that day, they would need collecting from Hatfield Moors (about 40 minute drive from the school).

They will need packed lunches (school will provide FSM pack-ups), a face mask, warm layers, decent shoes and a waterproof on the day.

If you have any questions about the plans for the day or concerns, don’t hesitate to email me ([email protected])

 

X25 Admiral extended study for STEAM

Students in X25 Admiral have three pieces of extended study, all due for Monday 28th Sep.

  1. Redraft answers to questions on adaptations in their Mastery eBooklet.
  2. Answer the comprehension and application questions on extremophiles, plant and animal adaptations in their Mastery eBooklet.
  3. Students have been set either: revision of keywords in Quizlet OR experimenting with a simulation demonstrating natural selection.

Full details can be found on Google Classroom.

X25 Students working with the Conversation Club

Over the past two weeks students in X25 have been working with the Conversation Club.  A charity based in Doncaster that offers support to refugees and asylum seekers.  We have taken part in workshops about Migration and on Monday we had the privilege of meeting and interviewing people who are currently seeking asylum in Doncaster. Their stories gave us a real insight into the realities of migration and made us realise that the community of Doncaster can do more to help.

Our task now in X25 is to come up with ways we can help and put them into practice! After all… above all else is compassion!

X25 The Big Reveal

This week X25 have been working hard on their immersion for their new expedition. It has been an action packed week, starting with learning about film making with our expert Geoff Hewitt, to painting the opening of Anchor text, grappling with a map of migration and completing gallery walks. The week ended with the unveiling of the expedition and all it’s components.

So now, without further ado, our title of the expedition is Should I stay or should I go? with the guiding question:

Why should we care about Migration? 

Over the next 14 weeks our students in X25 will be studying this expedition and working towards our final product which is to make a documentary about the topic of Migration.

This is going to be a fantastic opportunity for our students to engage with the community and I can’t wait to see what they will produce.

Watch this space!

X24 – Romeo & Juliet Wednesday 27th February 2019

X24 will be attending a performance of Romeo & Juliet at The Grand Theatre, Blackpool on Wednesday 27th February. We will be leaving school at 10am and aim to return to XP by 7pm. Students will need to bring a packed lunch that will be eaten on arrival in Blackpool and also have some further food to snack on during the return journey. We will keep you updated during the day through the school website.