What an absolutely magnificent, magical and majestic day we have had across Norton Campus today. Special praise is reserved for our fabulous Friends of Norton Campus Association who have worked feverishly to ensure the day has been extra special – from the entrance into school to providing a ‘Wonka’ bar for each and every pupil. And of course, who can forget the appearance of a certain Mr Willy Wonka himself who brought the day to life with his enthusiasm and energy – all hail Mr Carr!
At NJS, we swapped over classes and participated in a variety of activities that promoted reading and celebrated some of the world’s most famous children’s authors . Welcomed into 4GC were Mrs Jenkins class who examined the artwork and illustrations of Roald Dahl’s Matilda. Of course, in the style of Quentin Blake we created our own.
This week has seen us adding the final touches to our Lowery inspired pictures which will be our final product for our current expedition. After practicing, 5HJ added people to their Doncaster scenes and what a good job they have done. The proportion and detail are fantastic! 😊
In the morning, Crew Cicero took the time to visit their partner crew – Crew Wojcik – at Norton Infant School. It was lovely to have the children bridge the age gap by sharing and enjoying the stories from many different books.
World Book Day 2024! Oompa Loompa ingredient hunt and chocolate tasting
During World Book Day, 3RH and 6CC had the opportunity to learn about chocolate tasting and to experience several different varieties in a tasting event. The majority of the children decided that dark chocolate did not agree with their palette, however they excellently described each variety with a powerful range of adjectives. After locating the lost secret ingredients to Wonka’s chocolate that had been dispersed throughout school, the children then designed their own chocolate wrappers. A very successful – and very chocolatey – World Book Day!
6EG have been letting their artistic talents shine through this week, using Lowry and Doncaster as inspiration. They have worked hard to perfect their perspectives and sketch detail on the various buildings.
What an amazing time children from NJS had at the 2024 Young Voices concert. The Young Voices experience is not just a children’s choir concert but the largest children’s choir concert in the world. All members of staff were so proud of the way the children put their all into singing each of the songs and the dance moves were pretty cool too! 😊
5HJ show-cased their musical ability during last week’s performance to parents. The children have been taking part in weekly ukulele lessons with the fabulous Mr Nicklin and learnt some fabulous songs. Parents were so impressed with the talent shown! 😊
Rather amazingly, as part of our upcoming celebration of learning, Y3/4 children will be planting a tree each within our school grounds thanks to a kind donation by Murphy’s Group and delivered by Lumby Garden Centre. There were over a 120 trees delivered in total and our children made light work of transporting them to our ‘holding zone’ before we will finally plant them at the end of March. Just look at the glee on their faces. Magnificent!
The children have been focusing on poetry in the Tranquil Tuesday crew sessions this term. They have read and performed a wide range of poetry and then chose a poem to perform to another crew this Tuesday. Here is Crew Oliver and Crew Bradbury performing their poems of choice to one another.
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.”
