KS2 Smart School Council
Today, we held our first School Council meeting of the year, where we appointed a fantastic team of enthusiastic and dedicated individuals who are eager to make a positive difference across our school. The children shared some brilliant ideas, discussed ways in which they can have a positive impact on school life and explored how they can ensure that every pupil’s voice is heard. We are incredibly proud of our new School Council members and look forward to seeing them develop their leadership skills, take responsibility and help make St Barnabas an even better place to learn and grow.
Reception: How do Hindu's celebrate Diwali?
This week in Reception, the children continued their learning about Diwali by exploring how many Hindu families celebrate the festival of lights. We talked about different traditions, such as gathering with family, wearing special clothes, sharing delicious festive meals, dancing, visiting the temple to pray, and watching colourful fireworks light up the night sky. The children brought these celebrations to life in the classroom by listening and dancing to traditional Indian music, dressing up in vibrant Indian outfits, and even enjoying a tasty sensory experience trying poppadoms and onion bhajis. They had a wonderful time immersing themselves in the festivities and learning about each other's diverse cultures and traditions!
Year 5 - Big Barney’s Assault Course
On Friday, we had the Big Barney’s Assault Course Challenge to raise money for Jehovah Rapha Healthcare Centre in Liwolo. The children traversed the fiendish course created by the Wow Group going through the hall, onto the playground, through the trim trail and ending on the Muga. Together we raised money for essential healthcare. Many thanks for all your kind donations.
Year 6 - Class Worship
As part of our class worship, we reflected on Remembrance Sunday, taking time to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms and allow future generations to live in peace. We explored how their bravery, courage and selflessness continue to shape the lives we live today. We also made links to our British Values, particularly individual liberty, democracy, the rule of law and mutual respect and tolerance, recognising how these freedoms should never be taken for granted. We considered how we can honour those who fell by demonstrating these values in our everyday lives, showing respect for others, celebrating differences, standing up for what is right and treating everyone with kindness and dignity. We also reflected on our protected characteristics, understanding that everyone deserves to be treated equally, regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Ultimately, we recognised that remembrance is not just about looking back at the past; it is about learning from it and taking responsibility for creating a future where everyone feels safe, valued, respected and free.
Year 6 - Remembrance Service
Today, our Year 6 children proudly took part in the Remembrance Service at Darwen Cemetery, joining members of the local community and other schools to remember and honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice during times of war. The children performed a special remembrance song and sang beautifully, demonstrating confidence, maturity and great respect throughout. As a special tribute, the children laid a handcrafted wreath that they had carefully designed and created themselves with their words of thanks, offering a meaningful symbol of remembrance and gratitude to those who gave their lives for our freedom. It was a particularly poignant and meaningful experience for the children, giving them the opportunity to reflect on the importance of remembrance, understand the sacrifices made by previous generations and show their respect as a school community. The song that they sang today, that some of the children recorded earlier in the week, will be played at the special Remembrance Sunday service this Sunday at 10.30am. Everyone is welcome to go along and pay their respects.
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Year 6 - Whole School Remembrance
During today’s Celebration Worship, Year 6 led the whole school in a special Remembrance song as part of our preparations for their upcoming Remembrance Service at Darwen Cemetery. The children did a fantastic job, demonstrating confidence, respect and understanding as we come together to remember and honour those who have served and sacrificed for others.
Reception Remembrance Day
This week in Reception, we have been learning about Remembrance Day and the importance of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance. Through hands-on activities, the children explored this theme by designing artistic poppies with loose parts, practising their fine motor skills by creating detailed patterns on poppy petals, and by sharing their own thoughtful prayers and kind words of thanks for brave soldiers and service members.
Year 4 Class Worship - Picture News
In this mornings class worship, Year 4 focused on Picture News - Is the journey more important than the destination? It looked at Karl Bushby who has just returned to the UK after spending 28 years travelling to achieve his dreams, experience amazing adventures and face brutal challenges. He hasn’t used any transport and carried everything on a trolley. Karl is so inspiring and it got the children thinking about if life is actually about the journey rather than the destination!
Whole School Worship: Diwali
This week, our school community gathered together for a special whole-school worship focused on Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Celebrated by millions of people across the world—including Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains—this joyful five-day autumn festival marks fresh starts, peace, and the triumph of light over darkness. During our worship, the children explored the story of Rama and Sita alongside key cultural traditions, discovering how little clay diyas are placed in doorways to welcome blessings and remind us that even the smallest flame can chase away the dark. We also admired the colourful rangoli patterns created to welcome Lakshmi, and discussed how families celebrate through spring-cleaning, wearing bright clothes, watching fireworks, and sharing sweet mithai treats with neighbours and those in need. Connecting the festival to our own daily lives, we reflected on the deeper values of light over dark, good over evil, and wisdom over ignorance—focusing on courage, honesty, and kindness. The children were encouraged to consider how they can shine their own light within our school, whether by offering a cheerful greeting to someone new, inviting classmates to join playground games, or lending a helping hand in class. We brought our worship to a close with the song Shine and a quiet reflection, holding onto the thought: "May our words bring encouragement, and our actions spread friendship." We invite you to speak with your child at home about what they learned and how they plan to share their light this week.
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Year 5 - RotaKids
Today we continued planning our first RotaKids charity project by making posters, drafting letters and scripting videos. We are collecting warm clothing such as hats, gloves and scarves for DARE (Darwen Asylum Refugee Enterprise) and hope to engage as much of the local community as possible. We wrote letters asking local supermarkets to contribute any excess stock and made posters to encourage as many St Barnabas family members as possible to donate old warm clothes. Anything you can give would be greatly appreciated.
Year 5 - Black History Month
To celebrate Black History Month, we explored the life of Claudia Jones. She was a Trinidadian-born journalist who fought for racial equality in both the United States and the United Kingdom. As she is celebrated as the mother of the Notting Hill carnival in London, we decorated our own carnival masks with colours and symbols that reflect our personality and interests.
Year 6 - Black History Month
As part of our Black History Month celebrations, the children explored the inspirational life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and his powerful dream of a world filled with equality, kindness and fairness. Inspired by his famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, the children created stunning pieces of artwork representing their own hopes and dreams for our world. Their work beautifully expressed their aspirations for a brighter future, where everyone is treated with respect, valued for who they are and given the opportunity to thrive. We are incredibly proud of the creativity, thoughtfulness and powerful messages behind their artwork!
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