Year 1 Science: Sound and Hearing
In our Science today, we explored our sense of hearing. We understood that sound waves travel to our ears, which send a message to our brain for us to understand what we are hearing and where it is coming from. We demonstrated this by blindfolding one child and then shaking a Maraca and trying to follow the direction of the sound, which they were all very good at. We also talked about sounds that are quiet, loud, pleasant and unpleasant. We made sounds with different objects and described them.
Year 1 PSHE: Private Parts
In our PSHE lesson today, we discussed the importance of PANTS to keep our private parts safe and hidden from others. We watched the Pantosaurus song from NSPCC and identified the correct terminology for our private parts. We also discussed when someone may need to see our private parts, for example if they are hurt or sore, our parents and a doctor may need to check them. However, it is really important that if someone asks to see or feel our private parts without a good reason you should say no and tell a safe adult. Year 1 practiced a chant to remember these safety rules. We also designed our own underpants to help us remember to protect our private parts.
Year 1 Inter Faith Week
Year 1 have really enjoyed learning about Islam this week and what life is like as a Muslim. In our worship with Miss Kachwalla we learnt about the 5 pillars of Islam, she showed us her prayer mat and spoke about pilgrimages. Year 1 asked ‘how do Muslims celebrate Eid?’ which really excited them. They also asked ‘Why do you dress differently to us?’ which Miss Kachwala explained was about modesty. We also tried some traditional Muslim foods. The children really enjoyed honey on toast and melon, but they were not keen on dates, figs and olives.
Year 1 English: The Gruffalo Sensory Story
In Year 1, we have started looking at the story of The Gruffalo. I read the story as a sensory story so that the children were immersed. We had forest sounds in the background and a picture of the deep, dark woods from the story. As we met the characters, we took turns to pass around the characters on lolly sticks. We also had some food to pass around as we read the story, for example “owl ice cream”. The children can now act out the story in the Investigation Area.
Friday Celebration Worship: Children in Need
This morning in our celebration worship, we gathered as a whole school family to mark Children in Need, offering heartfelt thanks for the generosity shown in raising awareness and funds for such a worthy cause. This week, we have also celebrated the start of Anti-Bullying Week by wearing odd socks, a joyful reminder of the importance of uniqueness and individuality. Together, we reflected on how love, friendship, generosity and kindness can help us use our power for good and stand against bullying and nurture one another’s mental health. Throughout the week, our after-school clubs have brought great excitement and creativity, with children enjoying board games, football, forest school, Warhammer painting and a lively Let’s Go Sing workshop. Reception delighted in a terrific Trekking Tuesday, Year 3 welcomed Rev Ben and enjoyed a memorable visit to Nightingale Farm, and all classes began their new Design & Technology units as they prepare to create products for the Christmas Fair. Our worship continued with the presentation of awards. We celebrated our Value award winners Alfie, Beau and Haydn in EYFS and KS1, and Joshua, Luke and Mason across KS2, for demonstrating an excellent work ethic, thoughtful listening, teamwork, independence and our Christian values. We congratulated the whole of Year 3 for representing our school so beautifully during their farm visit, Darwen Tower as the overall value award winners with an impressive 233 points, and Year 2 and Year 3 as our attendance champions. We then celebrated our out of school star achievers. We celebrated Bo for earning both ‘Player of the Week’ in football and ‘Best in the Cast’ at Made for Stage, Haydn for his ‘Player of the Week’ award and an incredible 27 goals in just seven games, Ralphi for achieving his 5m swimming badge, Poppy for her wonderful dancing, Isabella for being ‘Star of the Day’ in acro, Hendrix and Maggie for completing Stage 1 gymnastics, Jack for his courage and skill as ‘Player of the Match’ with Blackburn Eagles, Marley for her dedication to Brownies, Grace for exceptional success across her dance competition, Freddie for swimming a fantastic 25 metres, Evie for achieving her laughter, communication, drawing and promise badges at Rainbows, Lydia and Naomi for demonstrating kindness, helpfulness and bravery at Rainbows and Brownies, and Ohana in Reception class for swimming an impressive 75 metres. We also celebrated our Year 5/6 football team for their two brilliant league wins last night in the DPSSA Football League and for representing our school proudly at the Blackburn Rovers Senior Ground on Wednesday as part of the KS2 BRFC Kids Cup. Mrs Ham and Mrs Govan then awarded certificates to Luna, Beau, Lyla, Skye, Olivia, Edward, Alana and Naomi for their success in the Spring Vale Ramblers Club Art Competition, with their artwork chosen for display in the Darwen Heritage Centre. Mrs Govan also introduced our Christmas ADVENTure Trail Art competition, inspired by the Nativity story and soon to be showcased in Whitehall Park, with a chocolate treat awaiting all who take part. We closed by thanking Renée, Callie and Harry for their beautiful prayers and offering our appreciation to everyone who joined us in worship, as well as to our whole school community for their continued support. We wish you all a peaceful and restful weekend as we look forward to the busy and joy-filled weeks leading up to Christmas.
Year 1 Children in Need
Year 1 loved coming in spots, Pudsey clothes or pyjamas today. We even had some children in matching outfits. They also loved doing Children in Need activities in provision today.
After-School: Board Game Club
Wow, what an amazing first session of Board Game Club! The children showed all 4B’s, it was lovely to see them all taking turns and sharing. The older children were so great with helping the younger children and teaching them some of the games. They all had such a lovely time.
Forest School Club- Bonfire Night
For our last forest school session we had a bonfire night special. The children got to practise lighting fires safely using the flint and steel. We melted chocolate and made some breadstick sparklers using chocolate and sprinkles. We then finished our session with a hot chocolate or hot Vimto. What a wonderful few weeks we’ve had.
Whole School Worship - Power for Good
Our theme in today’s collective worship was “Power for Good”. Continuing our focus on Anti-Bullying Week, Mrs Ham shared some of the fantastic answers the children gave on Monday about standing up to bullying. These included saying stop, being assertive, asking why, and telling a trusted adult. We learned of how Jesus was a power for good, even when others turned against him, and we reflected on the ways in which we can also be a power for good by being a good friend and spotting when someone needs our help. The WOW Group also shared how they are being a power for good, by protecting our planet and leading our school’s Switch Off Fortnight campaign. They shared posters recommending ways to save energy around school, including turning off lights and computer monitors when they are not in use, and they explained that they will be checking how well each class is doing at saving energy every break time and lunchtime during the campaign.
Year 1 Odd Socks Day
Year 1 loved showing off their odd socks in support of Anti-Bullying week. They even designed some odd socks in the Creative Area.
Year 1 PE: Underarm Throwing and Rolling a Ball
Year 1 tried really hard with their underarm throwing and rolling a ball. Some children even started to underarm throw with their opposite hand to challenge themselves. We noticed that we stand very similarly when underarm throwing and rolling a ball, but we have to bend lower when we are rolling.
Year 1 D&T- Remembrance Day
Today in Year 1, we applied our understanding of sliding mechanisms to create beautiful, remembrance-themed moving pictures. As we worked, we reflected on all the soldiers who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice their lives to protect our country. We also thought carefully about the symbolism of the poppy and what it represents. Well done, Year 1, for your thoughtful work and creativity.