Year 6 - Science
Today in Science, our Year 6 pupils explored how light travels and how different objects can affect its path. Through a hands-on investigation, the children used cones to model how light travels in straight lines. By carefully adjusting the position of the cones, they observed that light does not bend around objects, helping them to understand key concepts such as how shadows are formed and why we cannot see through opaque materials. The children worked collaboratively, making predictions, testing their ideas and discussing their observations using scientific vocabulary. It was fantastic to see their curiosity, teamwork and critical thinking skills in action throughout the lesson.
Year 6 - Smart School Council
Today during our Smart School Council session, the meeting was led by our Year 6 representatives. The children confidently presented a debate to the class on whether TikTok should be banned, encouraging everyone to think critically about both the positive and negative aspects of social media. The children explored issues such as online safety, screen time and the impact social media can have on wellbeing, as well as recognising how it can be used positively for creativity and communication. The class engaged in a structured discussion, sharing their opinions respectfully, listening carefully to others and responding thoughtfully to different viewpoints. They also took part in a vote at the end of the session, justifying their decisions with clear reasoning. It was fantastic to see such mature, balanced and articulate contributions from all children. A brilliant example of pupil voice in action, helping to develop confidence, oracy skills and an understanding of democracy and modern life.
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Year4 - English: Gathering Information
On Tuesday, Year 4 had a great time reminiscing about their trip to the Anderton Centre. They moved around in groups, writing memories on flip chart paper using the photos of them completing the activities. They will later be using this information to write a persuasive leaflet for the Anderton Centre.
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Year 4 - PE: Athletics
Our first athletics session in Year 4 was all about demonstrating our throwing and sprinting skills. The children learned about positioning, leg work and arm movement to improve how fast they could sprint and how far they could throw overarm to a target. They then applied these skills through a series of fun team games.
Whole School Worship - The Value of Kindness
Today, our whole school worship was focussed on the value of kindness and our Kindness Kite of God rewards kindness. We talk about kindness frequently at St Barnabas, especially as it is one of our 4 Be’s. As we came into worship, a video was playing that showed how kind acts affect the recipient, prompting them to pay the kindness forward so that it spreads. The children spotted some acts of kindness in the video and linked these to the charitable activities we have taken part in as a school family recently. Mrs Ham read some motivational quotes and we all acted out sprinkling a glitter trail of kindness and throwing around kindness like confetti. She then showed us the story of The Good Samaritan and explained that showing kindness isn’t something we reserve just for our friends and family; it’s for everyone. Quotes from the Bible about kindness were read brilliantly by Matthew, Darcy and Charlie from this week's Kindness Kite. We then spent some time reflecting on how we will show kindness this week and beyond, and we finished by singing one of our favourite songs, Rich in Kindness.
Year 5 Art - Depth, Emotion and Movement
Today Year 5 have completed a series of art lessons with a focus on Drawing: Depth, Emotion and Movement. The children looked into expressive and gestural lines. The children worked really hard on trying to communicate their emotions through memory pictures. The next step of the process will involve transferring these designs onto tracing paper and then finally polystyrene tiles using ink and a roller. We can’t wait to see their final pieces.
Year 3- R.E- Exploring Sadness and Joy with Rev Ben
This afternoon, we welcomed Rev Ben to our class to investigate the emotional journey of Holy Week through a deep discussion. We used our oracy skills to recap the Easter story and explore how church services transform from sadness to joy. Rev Ben explained that on Good Friday, the service is solemn and quiet to reflect the sadness of the cross. However, we also talked about how everything changes on Easter Sunday, when the church bursts into a joyful celebration with loud bells and happy songs to show that Jesus is alive. By talking and listening to Rev Ben, we learned that churches use different moods, sounds, and symbols to help people feel the big emotions of the Easter story.
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Year 5 Smart School Council Big Debate
Today we took part in our Smart School Council Big Debate. We were asked if Tik Tok should be banned for everyone in the UK. We had six groups, four voted no and two groups voted yes. The main reasons discussed were that it should be banned as it’s a Temu version of YouTube and it’s full of inappropriate content and toxic people. On the other hand some thought it shouldn’t be banned as they think it allows people to connect to others, have fun and interact, it can also be really useful to find out relevant information. Most of the children did highlight though that it should have an age restriction of 16 years old and above. We had some wonderful points that were shared that showcased our oracy skills in Year 5.
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Year 6 - Football
This week in PE, our Year 6 pupils continued developing their football skills. The children focused on a range of key aspects of the game through a series of engaging activities. They took part in zone ball to develop accurate passing and teamwork, developed their shooting by aiming to hit a ball placed on a cone and improved their control by dribbling through gates. Throughout the session, the children demonstrated great determination, coordination and sportsmanship, while building their confidence with the ball at their feet. It was fantastic to see their skills progressing and their enthusiasm for the game shining through.
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Singing Worship
In our Whole School Singing Worship this morning, we welcomed everyone back into school with a joyful and uplifting sing. We began by singing My Lighthouse and then we sang Our God is a Great Big God, Sing a New Song to the Lord, Life is Always Better and ended our worship with a beautiful rendition of Waymaker. A wonderful way to start the new term!
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The WOW Group - Spiritual Garden Activity Planning
This week, the WOW group planned some spirituality activities to carry out at break times in the spiritual garden. They chose an activity in groups of 3 and prepared all the resources they needed. They then decided which year groups they would invite to play.
Reception: Chicks have come to visit
The Reception classroom is buzzing with excitement this week as we welcome some very special, fluffy new residents! Our little learners have officially begun their journey as mini-farmers, starting the week by discovering exactly how to care for our baby chicks. Today was a particularly big day, as the children practised their "gentle hands" to learn the proper way to hold and stroke the chicks, marvelling at how soft and delicate they feel. Beyond the cuddles, it was a fantastic day of discovery. The children spent time observing the chicks' behaviour and learning the essentials of their routine, from the specific type of food they need to grow strong to the clever way they use their beaks to sip water. It has been wonderful to see the pupils so engaged and showing such natural kindness toward their new friends. We are all incredibly excited to spend the rest of the week looking after them and watching them grow!