Year 5 - Science
We completed our experiment on the chemical reaction of rusting, drawing scientific diagrams of nails in tap and saltwater. We found that coating iron with paint or Vaseline delays rusting. We discussed the best way of stopping an iron bridge from rusting before finishing the topic with an example of a physical reaction - mentos in Fanta and lemonade!
Year 3- Science- Shadow Puppet Show
Today, the children became both scientists and artists as they explored the fascinating world of shadows. They created bar charts to accurately record and show exactly how the sun's position causes shadows to move and change size throughout the day. Following this scientific exploration, they took that understanding and applied it to performance, designing and staging an amazing shadow puppet show, putting the knowledge they've gained this half term in science, all about light sources, light rays, and how light travels, directly into practice.
Year 1 Selecting and using apparatus
In our PE lesson today, Year 1 combined a variety of fundamental skills and performed these to move between various pieces of equipment and apparatus. The children listened and followed instructions carefully in order to keep themselves safe. It was clear to see that they have come on so much over the past few weeks and it was a joy to see!
Year 2 Fun on the apparatus
To finish one of our PE units this half term, the children have been working towards incorporating all of their fundamental skills with travelling and heights using the apparatus. The children moved in different directions, heights, speeds across the balance beams, traverse, climbing wall and monkey bars. It was great to see them all experimenting with a variety of apparatus and working so well with each other.
Year 3- P.E-Target Striking & Ball Balance
Year 3 had a great P.E lesson today, working on our Target Strike skills. We focused on proper striking technique: first, balancing the ball on the bat or hand for a controlled feed, then standing side-on to the target area, keeping our eyes focused on the ball throughout the swing, and ensuring a strong follow-through towards the target. It was a great challenge to see if we could successfully hit both the front and back targets.
Whole School singing Worship
This morning our children came together to learn about Diwali. We enjoyed some Hindi songs and spoke about the Hindu Festival of Light! We then sang together worshipping God through our Harvest festival songs ready to perform them to you during our Harvest Church Service on Thursday. We look forward to seeing you there.
Year 1 Art: mixed media landscapes
Today Year 1 finished their final mixed media landscape. We were so impressed with the use of materials on the landscapes which showed a lot of thought and understanding. They made sure to use appropriate colours (warm or cold colours) depending on the landscape they created. Year 1 were excited to show the landscapes to one another and they were very proud of themselves.
Year 2 Geography- Continents and Oceans
To conclude our geography unit this half-term, Year 2 pupils created a quiz for the Year 3 children to see how much they could recall from studying the same topic last year. Year 2 wrote three multiple-choice questions each to test their peers’ knowledge. The questions covered topics such as the largest and smallest continents and oceans, as well as the warmest and coolest continents and oceans. They also explored geographical positioning, asking Year 3 to identify locations in relation to the compass points—for example, which ocean lies north, south, east, or west of a particular continent.
Year 2 RE- Similarities and Differences between The Bible, Torah and the Quran
This afternoon in RE, Year 2 rounded off their unit by comparing the similarities and differences between the three holy books they have studied: the Bible, the Torah, and the Quran. We were incredibly impressed by how much knowledge they had retained, particularly about the Torah and the Qur’an. The children thoughtfully identified key similarities and notable differences between the texts, showing great insight and understanding. Well done, Year 2!
Reception: Diwali Super Learning Day
We have had a super Diwali learning day today! We made Rangoli patterns with natural resources that we created, made cards, created Mendhi, made Diva lamps, sang, learnt a Bollywood dance and explored lots of different Hindi artefacts too. What a brilliant day!
Friday Celebration Worship
This morning, we began our worship by reflecting on what has been a busy but thoroughly enjoyable week. Mrs Ham started by thanking everyone for their wonderful efforts in raising awareness for mental health during last Friday’s Hello Yellow Day. She also expressed her appreciation to all the children who attended the Harvest Church Service at St Barnabas Church on Sunday, accompanied by Mrs Araujo, Mrs Wilkinson, and Mrs Govan. The children sang beautifully and truly gave it their all. We also recognised the many children supporting Rotakids by donating winter coats and shoeboxes filled with essentials for DARE (Darwen Asylum Refuge). Mrs Ham reminded us that we can continue to support important causes by taking part in Bishop Phillip’s Pedalathon, raising funds for Christians in South Africa by getting out on our bikes and putting in some miles. We are also still collecting Harvest donations for the local food bank and DARE. We took time to congratulate our individual Value Award winners this week: Poppy, Olivia and Skye in EYFS and KS1, and Renee, Lyla, Walter and Ruby in KS2, for consistently following Barny’s 4Bs, working incredibly hard across the curriculum, and showing great growth and maturity during their first half-term in their new classes. Our congratulations also went to our Year 2 and Year 3 classes for being this week’s attendance winners. A big well done to India Mill, who were our weekly Value Award winners with an impressive 236 points, and also our overall Value Award winners for the half-term. As a reward, they will enjoy a non-uniform day and disco — with the date to be announced shortly. We were delighted to recognise a number of pupils for their achievements outside of school this week. Well done to Jonas for settling in so well after recently joining Squirrels, and to Phoebe for earning a badge at Rainbows and always bringing positivity and laughter. Callie has been an excellent role model at martial arts, while Elijah was awarded Beaver of the Week for his enthusiasm and willingness to get involved. James impressed with his fantastic fielding in cricket, Lyla performed beautifully in her lyrical dancing, and Sofia was named Star of the Week at acro while also earning several badges at Brownies. Charlie achieved 25 metres in all swimming strokes, Olivia received her Silver Award at Rainbows, Willow showed amazing gymnastics skills, Lydia earned her Gold Award at Rainbows, and Eleanor achieved her Amazing Helper badge. We also congratulated our Year 4 pupils for representing the school so well at the Cidari Earth Conference at Blackburn Cathedral yesterday, and praised our girls' football team for their continued efforts in the DPSSA league. Finally, a reminder that next week is a four-day week due to an INSET day on Friday. We also have our Halloween Spooky Disco on Wednesday evening, organised by FOSB, and our Harvest Church Service taking place on Thursday morning. Please check Class Dojo for more details. Wishing you all a fantastic weekend!
Year 3- Inter House Dodgeball-
Year 3 had a great time taking part in Inter -House Dodgeball . Renee was our star player selected by the Sports leaders. A massive well done to the whole class for giving it their all and to the Sports Leaders for leading it.