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Year 5 - How safe do we feel online?
Today, the children took part in a Smart School Council discussion, debating the question: “How safe do you feel online?” They engaged in thoughtful conversations, expressing that while they feel safe, they are also aware of the potential risks. Many children highlighted the importance of privacy settings, recognising suspicious messages and knowing who they are talking to online. This discussion led perfectly into our E-Safety focus of the week, which explored online gaming through Marvel Rivals. The children examined the risks associated with online gaming, such as chat functions, in-game purchases, and cyberbullying and discussed ways to stay safe. We explored key safety tips, including never sharing personal information, using strong passwords, only playing with trusted friends and reporting concerns to a trusted adult.
Worship with Rev. Matt
Today’s worship with Rev. Matt began with The Story of the Great Parade. Rev. Matt invited children to take on different roles, bringing the story to life with waving leaves and flags as Year 6 paraded around the hall. The atmosphere was filled with excitement, just as it would have been on that first Palm Sunday, when crowds welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem. After the reenactment, Rev. Matt explained the significance of Palm Sunday, reminding the children that Christians around the world still celebrate it today. He encouraged them to think about the emotions of the crowd —joy, hope and anticipation—as they welcomed Jesus as their king. He then explored a key Bible verse: “He always had the nature of God, but took on the nature of a servant.” The children reflected on what this means and discussed how they could show humility and kindness in their own lives. Ideas included helping others without expecting rewards, showing respect to friends and family, and using their voices to support those in need. To close the worship, Rev. Matt led a moment of quiet reflection, asking the children to think about one small way they could follow Jesus’ example this week. It was a meaningful way to prepare for Easter and to consider the values of humility and service in everyday life.
Year 5 Debt Aware
This week, Year 5 had a visit from Debt Aware. The focus was on the question - what is a budget? The children learned that a budget tells us three things: where the money comes from, where the money goes and how much is left over. These are better known as income, outgoings and disposable income. The children had to plan a budget based on wants vs needs. They also role-played being members of a family and thought about which wants/needs each person would have. The children really enjoyed this session and learned a lot about managing money sensibly.
Year 4 History - Who were the Angles, Jutes and Saxons?
This half term we will be looking at how easy it was to invade Britain. Today we focused on the next period of history following on from Roman Britain which was the Anglo Saxon invasion. In groups we researched who the Angles, Jutes and Saxons were and which countries they came from. The children worked really hard to develop their understanding of the routes that each of the groups took and which parts of Britain they invaded first.
Year 5 English - Arguments
In English, year 5 have begun looking at writing an argument. The children have been text-marking features and using point, evidence, explanation (P.E.E) to prepare an argument to persuade against wearing school uniform.
Year 4 Hockey with Progressive Sports
In our first hockey session this half term we had the pleasure of having specialist coaching from Progressive Sports. We started with the basics learning all about how to hold a hockey stick, basic rules and dribbling with a ball. Once we had mastered dribbling, we moved onto stopping the ball and avoiding each other by taking the ball in a different direction.
Year 3 - P.E- Hockey
To begin our invasion games unit focused on hockey, a specialist provided instruction on core skills, emphasising sending and receiving the ball. The children will build on this foundation by participating in small-sided games designed to develop and apply invasion game strategies.
Year 2 - PE
In PE this week, we began our new learning about striking and fielding. Today we took the first step in learning how to effectively strike an object. We began with shuttlecocks being dropped from our own hand. The children quickly got the hand of this and realised it was all about timing and keeping your eye on the shuttlecock. Over the coming weeks we will progress our skills allowing us to hit moving objects.
Year 1 History- Exploring the Characteristics of Our Favourite Toys
This afternoon, Year 1 started their new history unit, ‘How have toys changed?’ To start off their learning, they brought their favourite toys into school to show their friends. They thought about what materials their toy is made from, how it feels and looks, how it is played with and what features it has. We had a super variety of toys. Most of the toys we described as being made from plastic or fur, being played with by dressing them up, brushing their hair, cuddling them, driving them, building with them, play fighting or role playing with them and as having features such as buttons, wheels, eyes, legs, arms, mouths and tails. We are looking forward to comparing these modern day toys with toys from the past.
Year 3/4 Sportshall Athletics Winners
Mrs Gardner and I are immensely proud (and a little bit hoarse from all of the shouting) of our Year 3/4 Sportshall Athletics squad who came 1st tonight. They demonstrated brilliant behaviour, super sportsmanship and were excellent encouragers! A huge thank you to Mrs Gardner for giving up her time to train the squad after school. Parents and carers, thank you for your support with transport and allowing your child to participate in the club. All of the action photos can be found here: https://www.stbarnabasdarwen.co.uk/.../year-3-4... Well done you little superstars, Mrs Ham
Year 6 Class Meeting - How Safe Do You Feel Online?
Year 6 had a fantastic pupil-led class meeting, this week. The focus was online safety and centred around the key question - how safe do you feel online? The children watched a Newsround interview discussing online safety and had group discussions and debates around the key question.
Year 6 English - “Goodnight Mister Tom”
Year 6 have begun their new English topic this week, based on “Goodnight Mister Tom”. The children watched the beginning of the film adaptation as a “hook” into their learning, which they really enjoyed. They then looked at vocabulary linked to the book and the topic, which they then placed onto a Zone of Relevance. This was all then linked to their grammar work on expanded noun phrases and how they make writing more effective for the reader. The children are also going to be linking their English work with their History unit on WWII. In a few weeks they will be visiting the Imperial War Museum in London too to learn more.