The last five weeks have been a big one for Crew White, and I just wanted to take a moment to say how incredibly proud I am of them.

They have been working so hard and have really stepped things up now that they are in Year 11. The days are long, with five-session days now sometimes becoming seven because of Academic Crew and Learning Labs. That is a lot to fit into a day, and yet they continue to show up, keep going and give things their best.

That’s why this morning’s Crew session felt so needed.

It was a chance to slow things down for a little while. Time to catch up, talk about how Year 11 is treating us, share a few thoughts, have a laugh and, most importantly, just have a minute to stop and breathe.

Because whilst I want them to work hard and make the very most of Year 11, I also want to get the balance right. I don’t want them burning out before they’ve even had the chance to really get going. There is so much pressure on them, and sometimes they simply need permission to pause.

A little hot chocolate and a sweet treat certainly seemed to hit the spot! ☕🍪 It was very well received and definitely appreciated.

But more than the biscuits and hot chocolate, I hope they know just how proud I am of every single member of my crew.

I’m proud of the hard work they are putting in. I’m proud of the way they are growing in confidence and maturity. But I’m also incredibly proud of the young adults they are becoming.

They’re growing, changing, finding themselves and discovering more about who they are and who they want to be. Year 11 isn’t just about exams and results — it’s about becoming the best versions of themselves, both academically and personally.

And I feel very lucky that I get to be a small part of that journey.

And honestly?

I just love their company. ❤️

This morning was definitely one that filled my little heart.

Sometimes, it’s the simplest moments that remind you exactly why you love what you do.

Same crew. Bigger dreams. Year 11. ❤️

A massive thank you to the students (Harry, Sara, Isa, Olivia and Mason) who helped in the Spanish room during our Student Showcase this week.

The students truly embodied our HOWLs and Character Traits and acted as fantastic role models throughout the event. They were polite, enthusiastic and friendly when welcoming and supporting our primary school students and their parents.

We are incredibly grateful for all their help and are very proud of the way they represented our school.

¡Muchas gracias!

Señorita Warwick and Señorita Barton ❤️

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

Year 2 G-Block – Sketching @ Green Top

Compassion Crew Bear Rules @ Plover

Strong Foundations In Crew Ramsay @ Carcroft School

Crew AJA Outward Bound @ XP

]The bog baby @ Norton Infants

Year 4 English Quizzers @ Norton Juniors

G30 Blog @ XP Gateshead

Year 11 History: Living under Nazi rule @ XP East

Share your stories with us!

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It might be something you or your students have achieved, a charity you’re supporting or anything at all that deserves a wider audience.

Write to us at comms@xptrust.org –  we want to hear about it, write about it and celebrate it!

What an incredible start to the term Crew VTA X33 has had! We are so proud of everything they have achieved and the positive attitude they have shown from day one.

Our crew had an amazing experience at Outward Bound, where they challenged themselves, stepped outside of their comfort zones and worked brilliantly together. It was fantastic to see their resilience, teamwork and determination throughout the experience.

We also had the opportunity to visit Kynren as part of our immersion for our new expedition. This was a brilliant experience and gave Crew VTA X33 the chance to engage with something new, learn together and build excitement for what is to come.

But it isn’t just the big experiences that deserve recognition. Crew VTA X33 have been absolutely amazing day in and day out. Since the start of term, they have received lots of praise for their behaviour, attitude and effort. Their attendance has also been really positive, which is something they should be incredibly proud of.

It has been fantastic to see Crew VTA X33 settling into the new term so positively and demonstrating the values we expect from them.

There is no slowing down for our Year 11s this term! We are incredibly proud of the resilience and work ethic this cohort is displaying, both in the sports hall and out on the pitch.

In Ultimate Frisbee, the energy has been phenomenal. Students are pushing their cardiovascular limits with spectacular catches and pinpoint passes, all while demonstrating brilliant sportsmanship and the self-refereed “Spirit of the Game.”

In BTEC Sport, students have been diving into the components of fitness by trying exciting new ways of learning. Working collaboratively together to grapple new key words and linking them to sporting examples.

Keep up the great work Year 11.

Find out more here and apply now to #JoinOurCrew

https://xptrust.org/carcroft-teacher/

Last week I visited some Year 11 sessions, and enjoyed every minute. In PE, students were practising their basketball skills, including shooting, during a game. They showed energy and confidence in this.

Later that day, I saw true craftsmanship and quality in Science sessions. Students were challenged to think and speak like Scientists, using accurate scientific language.

The craftsmanship, quality and respect for work and learning was also obvious in student folders. Have a look at Lola’s fantastic start to Year 11!