Year 5 - Cosmic Backgrounds
Year 5 embarked on the next stage of their futuristic art project by creating stunning cosmic-themed backgrounds in preparation for their final pieces. Using a variety of techniques including: printing, flicking, smudging and painting. The children experimented with texture and colour to achieve a dramatic, space-like effect. The children carefully blended tones to capture the depth and mystery of the universe, setting the perfect backdrop for their futuristic designs.
St Barnabas celebrates Safer Internet Day 2025
Today, we will be celebrating Safer Internet Day. We began today by a worship led by Mrs Wilkinson. We discussed how to stay safe online, what might happen online and what a scam was. We discussed how we wouldn’t speak to strangers on the street so we should do the same online and only speak to people we know. If something doesn’t feel right or we get a little scared, we should always talk to a trusted adult. It was lovely to see the children discussing the importance of staying safe online and we had lots of meaningful discussion during our worship. This will continue in classes throughout the day.
Mad Science Assembly- Whole School
Today, the children were treated to a spectacular science show by Scientific Sarah from Mad Science. Sarah, a trained professional in handling chemicals and fire, emphasized safety throughout the engaging and interactive presentation. Throughout the show, children were encouraged to make predictions about what might happen next, fostering their scientific thinking skills. The children couldn't stop laughing, and there were so many "wow" moments throughout the presentation. The show featured three exciting experiments. First, the children were highly amused by "Egg Bert," a boiled egg that initially resisted entering a glass cylinder. After removing the shell (humorously referred to as his "clothing"), Sarah demonstrated how air pressure, a principle discovered by Jacques Charles, could be used to force the egg into the cylinder. Heating the air inside allowed the egg to slip in, and then, following Charles' suggestion, Sarah introduced cold air to pop the egg back out, to the children's great interest. The second experiment showcased red cabbage juice, a versatile pH indicator discovered by Robert Boyle in 1664. With the help of James, one of the school's science ambassadors, Sarah peeled and blended the cabbage. She explained how adding acid or alkaline substances to the juice would dramatically change its color, creating another captivating visual demonstration. Cassidy also assisted with this experiment. Finally, Sarah performed a "fire hands" experiment. Referencing Doctor Walter Snell's work on storing gas in tanks, she again stressed the importance of safety. Sarah then created three fire bubbles on her hand, a truly mesmerizing finale. Flyers are going home today with details about a new Mad Science After School Club starting next half term, on Monday, February 24th. Importantly, the topics covered in this club are different from those offered last year, so even if your child has participated before, they are guaranteed to learn something new! Registration letters, also going home today, contain full course details and information on how parents can register their children online. The deadline for registration is Friday, February 17th. Interested parents can register online on a first-come, first-served basis at https://northengland.madscience.org. The entire show was a memorable and educational experience for the children, and we're excited to offer this after-school opportunity.
Foodie Friends club- Valentine Biscuits
Our talented bakers created delightful Valentine’s biscuits in various heart-shaped sizes for our final Foodie Friends Club today. They measured flour and sugar, whisked eggs, rolled out the dough, and used food colouring to achieve a lovely shade of pink. The club has been a fantastic experience. Most children have enjoyed it so much that they’ve been recreating the easy bakes at home for their families.
Year 5 - Dance
Year 5 continued their dance unit, exploring how movement can represent the unique characteristics of planets in our solar system. Using a variety of dance techniques—including levels, direction, speed and formation—they worked collaboratively to bring each planet to life. From the slow, heavy movements of gas giants to the sharp, quick steps reflecting rocky terrains, the children used creativity and expression to showcase their understanding of space through dance.
Year 5 - Online Safety
Year 5 explored the E-Safety poster about scams and fake news in preparation for Safer Internet Day. The children discussed the potential risks and dangers associated with online scams, misinformation and how these can affect people in real life. Through engaging discussions, they identified ways to spot fake news, recognise suspicious links and protect personal information. They also explored the importance of thinking critically before sharing content online, ensuring they can navigate the digital world safely while making the most of the internet’s benefits.
Meet Our Science Ambassadors
We are thrilled to announce that we now have five Science Ambassadors at our school! This exciting role was open to KS2 students, who had to submit an application explaining why they wanted to apply and what made them a strong candidates. We received an incredible number of applications, making the selection process very challenging, but we have now chosen our final five. Our ambassadors are passionate about science, whether it's through experimenting, discovering how things work, or inspiring others to develop a love for the subject. As part of their role, they will support teachers during science lessons, assist their peers with investigations, help set up experiments, and promote a love of science throughout the school. They will also play a key part in science events and initiatives, encouraging curiosity and excitement for learning. We are so proud of them and look forward to Noah, Mathew, James, Cassidy and Naomi shining in their new role!
Year 5 - Children’s Mental Health Week
Today, Year 5 took part in a live Lyfta session focused on this year’s theme for Children’s Mental Health Week: Know Yourself, Grow Yourself. During the session, the children were introduced to a young girl from Azerbaijan and explored the places where she felt safe, as well as how she expressed herself through dance. Following this, the children reflected on their own safe spaces and the ways they express themselves.
Year 5 Junior Jam - Music
Year 5 really enjoyed their Junior Jam music session, this week! They learned about the origins of Boom Whackers and used them alongside a backing track, keeping the rhythm and striking when their colour appeared on the screen. They also learned the “roll” technique, which creates an elongated sound.
Worship with Rev. Ben
Today, we had worship with Rev. Ben, which began with a fun yet challenging relay-style game where we had to balance ping pong balls on a paper plate while moving carefully across the hall. Rev. Ben explained that, just like in the game, life can sometimes feel unsteady or difficult, especially when we are upset or facing challenges. To help us reflect on this, Rev. Ben showed a clip about what Jesus did when he was feeling deeply sad the night before his death. The video illustrated how Jesus turned to God in prayer, seeking strength and comfort during his time of sorrow. Rev. Ben explained that, just like Jesus, we can share our worries and struggles with God, knowing that He listens and understands, and can help us through even the toughest times. He reminded us that no matter how we feel, we are never alone—God is always there to support and guide us.
3rd place at Yr 5/6 Sportshall Athletics Final
We are immensely proud of our Year 5/6 Sportshall Athletics team for their grit and determination, which resulted in them gaining 3rd place out of 27 schools across Blackburn with Darwen. A huge thank you to Mrs Gardner for her dedication to our squad through extra training after school. Thanks to Mr Bloomfield for his support today in organising the field events. We really appreciate the support of the parents who helped to transport the children. Mrs Gardner led the girls team and Mrs Ham led the boys team and we couldn’t be prouder of the whole squad for their effort in each event and their encouragement towards each other. We may be small, but we are mighty! All of the action photos can be found here: https://www.stbarnabasdarwen.co.uk/photo-galleries/yr-5-6-sportshall-athletics-final-feb-2025
Year 5 - Fractions of amounts
Today, Year 5 concluded their fractions unit by practising fluency and reasoning with fractional quantities using LBQ. The children tackled a range of challenges, applying their knowledge of equivalent fractions, addition and subtraction of fractions and problem-solving in real-life contexts. They worked with great focus, demonstrating resilience and accuracy as they refined their understanding.