Image of Year 4 Creating Batik Artwork  Inspired by William Morris
24 Feb

Year 4 Creating Batik Artwork Inspired by William Morris

In our art unit, we have been looking at the work of William Morris. We have spent time creating patterns on tracing paper and then transferring these onto paper and then onto fabric. Next we moved on to adding pva glue onto our fabric pieces, copying the patterns that we had created on paper. This week we used acrylic paint to cover the whole piece, including the pva markings. In our next session, we will soak the fabric in water to dissolve the glue and this will leave us with a finished batik design - we can’t wait to see the final result.

Image of Year 3- Food Technology- Where does our food come from?
24 Feb

Year 3- Food Technology- Where does our food come from?

Today, Year 3 began their Food Technology unit by exploring how different foods grow in various climates. To remind ourselves, we explored the concept of climate zones, explaining that these describe the typical weather patterns of different parts of the world, including rainfall and temperature. The children discovered that the UK has a temperate climate, meaning it experiences four seasons, which affects the types of food that can be grown here. They also learned that different climates around the world allow different countries to grow specific foods. Using atlases, the children worked in pairs to locate countries where certain fruits and vegetables traditionally grow. This activity helped them understand the link between climate and food production. We also discussed how the UK’s temperate climate influences the food available to us and how this can impact our diets.

Image of Year 2 - creating texture in artwork
24 Feb

Year 2 - creating texture in artwork

Today in Art, Year 2 looked at different textures we can create with pastels. We discovered that by holding the pastel in different positions and using different edges of the pastel it creates different textures. We also used different amounts of pressure to create different effects. After practicing with different techniques, we had a go at creating our own picture using these techniques.

Image of Amazing Art Displays
14 Feb

Amazing Art Displays

We have some amazing Artwork up on display around school as Reception, Year 1, Year 5 and Year 6 have completed their Art units for this half-term. We can really see the different Art skills the children have developed in their units and how hard they have worked to create a fantastic final piece.

Image of Friday Celebration Worship
14 Feb

Friday Celebration Worship

Our celebration worship today began with the signing of the Trinity by the Heads and Deputies. Moving onto expressing our gratitude to everyone who supported the school's Valentine's Disco, which promoted love and kindness. We also acknowledged Safer Internet Day, which classes have been focusing on this week. The whole school also enjoyed a fantastic science show presented by Mad Science. The children were buzzing with excitement as we witnessed multiple experiments involving, an egg, fire and a red cabbage. The children in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 shared their thanks for wonderful dance and gymnastics sessions led by Rothwell Arts. We've also had a great half term of extra-curricular clubs, including Foodie Friends Club, Craft Club, Basketball, SATS and Multi-Sports. Next half term's clubs include Mad Science Club, Edstart Dodgeball and Gymnastics, Craft Club, Performing Arts, SATs Club, Choir, Cross Country, and Netball. Sign up soon, as spaces are limited! All class teachers presented value awards to children in their class that received the most value points this week, Luna, Joey, Lyla, Chloe, Lilly, Isabelle, and Daisy for demonstrating our 4 Bs: being respectful, kind, safe, and ready along with our Christian Values. Well done to these children for their excellent attitude and commitment to learning. The WOW group announced the ‘Wow Badge Winners’ for their amazing badge creations: Reception: Eva, Year 1: Elsie, Year 2: Renee, Year 3: Cassidy, Year 4: Alexis, Year 5: Bella, and Year 6: Daisy. They all received a big bar of chocolate for their entries. Well done to Year 2 and Year 5 for their amazing attendance this week! We also celebrated our out-of-school achievers: Hayden (good tackling), Hendrix (key game at Squirrels), Maggie (Rainbows badges), Olivia (gymnastics), Annabel (Rainbows badges for healthy mind), Grace (song and dance), Molly (swimming), Jack (swimming, Stage 7), Olivia (player of the match), and Tristan (imaginary green belt for kickboxing). Our Sports Hall Athletics team came 3rd in the final! Well done to the whole squad! Our house teams with the highest points will be rewarded with a house points disco and non-uniform day after the holiday. Congratulations to the Green (Whitehall Park) and Red (India Mill) teams tied with an overall score of 11 points for the half term. This week Darwen Tower placed 4th, India Mill came 3rd place , 2nd place Whitehall Park and 1st place River Darwen. Mrs Ham read out a special prayer called the Lord is my Shepherd which focuses on Jesus being like a shepherd by guiding us and always being there for us and Lydia placed the “ Year of Prayer” sticker on our special chart. We thank all those who attended the celebration worship and wish our school family a lovely, restful half-term break. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Image of Sportshall Athletics in Year 4
14 Feb

Sportshall Athletics in Year 4

In our PE session today we did Sportshall athletics. We practised our baton exchange in relays and incorporated speed bounce, hurdles and tunnels. The children worked hard to develop their speed, focusing on form and technique. We are excited for the Year 3/4 Sportshall Athletics competition on Wednesday 26th March on the first week back after the half term holidays.

Image of Year 1 PE- Inter-House Bench Ball
14 Feb

Year 1 PE- Inter-House Bench Ball

This afternoon, Year 1 took part in the inter- house bench ball which was led by our super sports leaders. The children thoroughly enjoyed playing with their house team and it was fantastic to see everyone joining in and being amazing St Barnabas encouragers.

Image of Year 1 English- Nursery Rhymes
14 Feb

Year 1 English- Nursery Rhymes

Over the last few days, Year 1 have been exploring nursery rhymes. They understand that nursery rhymes tell a story, include repetition to make them easy to learn and often contain rhyming words to make them enjoyable and fun to join in with. They recited and performed various poems such as ‘Little Bo-Peep’ and ‘Hickory Dickory Dock’. They will now look at the nursery rhyme ‘The Magic Porridge Pot’ and create their own version of this poem.

Image of Inter - House Bench Ball in Year 4
14 Feb

Inter - House Bench Ball in Year 4

This morning we took part in the inter- house bench ball which was led by our super sports leaders. The children were playing with their house team; River Darwen, India Mill, Whitehall Park and Darwen Tower. It was fantastic to see everyone joining in and being amazing St Barnabas encouragers. What a super way to end the half term and huge thanks to the sports leaders for organising this opportunity.

Image of Inter- House Bench Ball
14 Feb

Inter- House Bench Ball

What a great Inter- House Bench Ball event we have had today. From Reception to Year 6 every child in school took part. The Sports Leaders led the event and managed each class really well . All of the children engaged with the year group sessions and were really enthusiastic, encouraging each other and working hard to develop their skills. Well done to everyone and a special thanks to The Sports Leaders. Another great event that involved every single child in school!

Image of FOSB Valentine’s Discos
13 Feb

FOSB Valentine’s Discos

Thank you to everyone who came to our Valentine’s Disco this evening. We hope the children enjoyed it! A huge thanks to our FOSB volunteers and Mrs Wilkinson for their support. All of the photos can be found here: https://www.stbarnabasdarwen.co.uk/photo-galleries/fosb-valentine-s-disco-1

Image of Worship with Rev. Matt
13 Feb

Worship with Rev. Matt

Today, we had a worship session with Rev. Matt, where the children began with a team game of “the wave.” They had to follow the movement and actively participate, reinforcing the idea of unity, direction, and how we are all connected. Rev. Matt then showed a video clip of Jesus at the Last Supper, highlighting the true power of prayer. He explained that, just like in the wave game, we need guidance in our prayers—someone to lead and show us the way. He reminded the children that Jesus prays for us all, giving us strength and support even when we don’t realise it. Following this, the children reflected on their own prayers, thinking about what they could pray for and the impact those prayers could have. They considered how prayer could bring comfort, hope, and change in their own lives and the lives of others. This time of reflection allowed the children to quietly offer their thoughts and prayers, reinforcing the importance of faith and reflection in their daily lives.