This week, the E29 Crew Phase have stepped up to take on a new role as stewards of our school community. As part of their Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) journey, our Year 9 students have begun embracing additional responsibilities, including litter picking and managing lost property across both school sites.
These tasks might seem small, but they have a significant impact. Keeping our school environment clean and organised reflects the pride we take in being part of XP East. It fosters a sense of ownership, respect, and care for the spaces we all share.
We’re proud of E29 for their hard work and commitment to making our school a better place for everyone.
On Friday 11th October, a group of fifteen Key Stage Four pupils were invited to visit the University of Cambridge. Places for this fieldwork were hotly contested. Pupils had to make a written application outlining their suitability for the visit, which was excellent preparation for future job and university applications. Mrs Poncia, our Key Stage Four Lead, was very impressed to read quality self reflection in the successful applications.
All pupils on the visit conducted themselves incredibly maturely, and we were especially proud to see the confidence with which they asked clarifying and probing questions of the Cambridge staff and students about what it is like to study there.
The day included a guided tour of Homerton College and Cambridge city centre. It was fascinating to see all the colleges and historical sites, such as Sir Isaac Newton’s apple tree. During the afternoon, pupils were put to the test by a professor’s puzzles often used as part of the admissions process. These puzzles required lots of critical thinking, problem solving and quick mental arithmetic to solve a crime – with lots of our students (and Miss Cocliff!) being part of the winning teams! Pupils were in teams competing with each other and pupils from other schools to solve the crime.
Fortunately, the challenging curriculum at XP prepared our pupils well for this as they are well used to making lateral connections between subjects. Here at XP, we agree wholeheartedly with the professor’s assertions that “it isn’t enough to just know stuff”. You must be able to apply it to different situations too!
Have you seen these beautiful newly curated areas at Green Top – awesome spaces for students to learn and play in!
A great sporting week at XP Doncaster!
On Monday, students met a few of the Doncaster Rovers first team players and were able to have photos and get autographs from the players. Students asked questions about the life of a professional athlete and the journey that the players have been on playing for different clubs. It was great to hear the players speak about our character traits and how these character traits link to sport.
Then on Tuesday students visited Hill House school to listen to Olympic gold medal GB hockey player Sam Queck. Her experience as an athlete and the ups and downs she has faced really helped our students to understand that if you want something in life you have to work hard for it! Students were able to have a photo and ask questions to Sam at the end – they even held her gold medal.
This week in crew I asked crew members to find a piece of work or something they have done that they are proud of. Students sent both written work and art work either completed in school or in their free time. We noticed that these were really individual and that they gave an insight to their identity and who they were. This is a topic we have been looking at in our Wise Wednesday sessions so it was great to see this theme carried on.
We’ve finally gotten around to delivering your very kind donations to the drop off point for the Clothing Bank!
During our first week back, Year 10 promoted this wonderful charity around school and around Doncaster City Centre; and we’ve managed 2 full car loads (which filled 2 of the drop off bins!)
Celebrating Jenson Owen: A Triumph of Team Spirit and Integrity
On Sunday, October 6th, Jenson Owen took to the waters of Ponds Forge, Sheffield, competing in the National County Team Championships. It was a day filled with excitement, anticipation, and high stakes for Jenson and his team. Racing in both the relay and backstroke events, Jenson demonstrated not only his skill but also his resilience and sportsmanship.
The team finished an incredible second place overall. For many, this would be a moment of celebration—a testament to months of hard work, dedication, and unity. Yet, Jenson felt that their second-place finish was somehow a failure. It’s natural to want to be the best, but in reality, the result was far from a letdown. This wasn’t just about a medal; it was about the shared effort and commitment of every swimmer, the mutual support, and the camaraderie that pushed them through.
Jenson’s response reveals a deeper strength of character: courage. Courage isn’t just facing challenges head-on; it’s also having the fortitude to push forward even when the result isn’t what you hoped for. It’s easy to celebrate success, but true courage is found in embracing the journey and acknowledging that every effort, every race, and every second in the pool contributes to the whole team’s success.
What stands out most about Jenson is not just his physical prowess, but his craftsmanship and the quality he brings to his swimming. Craftsmanship in this context isn’t just about perfecting a stroke or hitting a certain time. It’s about the way Jenson approaches the sport: with a keen eye for improvement, a desire to refine his skills, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Each race is a masterpiece in the making, and every practice is a brushstroke toward his ultimate potential.
And then, there’s integrity. This shines through in the way Jenson supports his teammates, the way he competes, and the way he reflects on his performance. It’s in how he holds himself accountable, both when he wins and when he feels he falls short. But most importantly, it’s in the way he understands that being part of a team means every single member contributes to the final outcome. When they climbed onto that podium for second place, it was a shared victory—something bigger than any individual performance.
Standing by the side of the pool, cheering him on, were his parents, myself, and Miss Burns. We couldn’t have been prouder. To witness Jenson push himself, to see him give everything he had for his team—that’s what sportsmanship and teamwork are all about. His parents beamed with pride, sharing in every moment, knowing that the courage and integrity they see in him each day were on full display.
So, while Jenson might feel that he fell short of his own expectations, to us, it was a massive triumph. Not because of a second-place finish, but because of the heart, the spirit, and the unwavering determination he showed. In a sport that’s often focused on individual results, Jenson reminded us all that it’s the collective effort and the character we build that matter most. That’s something no medal can measure.
Active Fusion are hosting a Careers in sport opportunity evening on Monday 21st October. This will take place between the hours of 16.00-18.00 in the Doncaster College sports Hall. Within the session young people will learn about the career pathways in sport, take part in practical and theory sessions and be given the opportunity to lead themselves. There will be a Q and A session towards the end of the evening.
This event is a book only and they must follow the QR code on the attached flyer to book.
