Year 4 - Linking Schools: Why Social Action?
As our Linking School project continues, the Year 4s have been considering things in their relationships, the school, the local area, the environment and the wider world that they care about. In today’s session, we listened to the Starfish Story and talked about how small, kind actions can have a big impact on others. We looked at the world around us and decided on some actions we could take to improve it. After sharing our ideas, we voted and decided that we would like to go on a class litter pick, and write to residents of a local care home. We will be carrying out our actions over the Summer Term.
Year 4 Hop, Skip and Jump for East Lancashire Hospice
Today Year 4 took part in the Hop, Skip & Jump initiative that promised fun, laughter, and a chance for the children to get creative; all whilst making a difference to the community and supporting East Lancashire Hospice. We hopped, skipped and jumped our way around the MUGA. Over the last two years, the campaign has raised over £12,000 for East Lancashire Hospice and they have had over 30 local schools and nurseries involved. This year, they want to go one step further and raise over £20,000 for the hospice - so we have done our bit and what a beautiful day to take part in the sun!
Year 4 Residential trip to the Anderton Centre
Our Year 4 children went the Anderton Centre for their outdoor and adventurous residential for one night. They had an amazing time taking part in team building games, archery, paddle boarding, canoeing, climbing and cannonballing into freezing cold water! They developed their resilience and really challenged themselves and it was wonderful to see them encouraging each other too. A huge thank you to Mrs Araujo, Mrs Gardner and Mrs Singleton for giving up their time to support the children. All of the photos can be found here: https://www.stbarnabasdarwen.co.uk/photo-galleries/year-4-anderton-centre-residential-april-2025
Year 3 - Class Worship-Role Models, Faith, and Online Safety
During our class worship today, we reflected on this week's story about Sir Gareth Southgate, the former England football manager, who offered advice on the qualities needed to be a good role model. He also expressed his concerns about the challenges young people face online and the importance of having positive influences in their lives. We connected this to the roles of Head and Deputy in school, discussing how vital it is for leaders to demonstrate our school's Four Bs and uphold our Christian values. The children shared thoughtful ideas about what it means to be a good role model and how we can lead by example. We then explored what the Bible says about role models, focusing on how Jesus is our role model and he sets an example of how to live a life of love, kindness, and compassion. This conversation is also linked to online safety, with a discussion around Instagram. It was encouraging to hear that most children weren’t familiar with the platform. Cassidy read a prayer, thanking God for sending Jesus to guide us and show us what true love and compassion look like.
Year 4 - Big Lent Walk to the Rose Garden
Yesterday, the Year 4s took advantage of the lovely weather and completed a Big Lent Walk to the Rose Garden at Whitehall Park. Whilst there, we spent time exploring the selection of artwork and poetry shared by each class. We helped the Reception children read the poetry and completed challenges to find each part of the Easter story.
Year 3- R.E-Exploring Easter Through Art
This afternoon, Year 3 walked to the Rose Garden at Whitehall Park to admire artwork created by the whole school. The displayed pieces reflect the Easter story and have been inspired by what pupils have learned in their R.E. lessons over the past few weeks. Year 3 took time to pause, reflect, and appreciate the powerful expressions of both sadness and joy, brought to life through art. The visit gave the children a chance to think, feel calm, and feel connected. They thought about how the Easter story teaches us to live life to its fullness. They thoroughly enjoyed the experience and were proud to see how their learning has been transformed into something so meaningful and creative.
Year 4 - Mother’s Day Cards
We’ve had to save this news from last week as we didn’t want to spoil the surprise, but Year 4 made some lovely Mother’s Day cards for the special people in their lives. They folded origami tulips for the front of their cards and wrote love-filled messages inside. We hope all the mums, grandmas, aunties and special people who received them loved them and enjoyed Mothering Sunday.
Year 3- The Big Lent Walk
This afternoon, Year 3 walked 2.7 miles, embracing the journey of living life in all its fullness. Along the way, we engaged with our spirituality windows, mirrors, and doors concept, gaining new perspectives, reflecting on our own experiences, and considering how we can make a difference. Through our actions, we not only contributed to a great cause but also felt a deep sense of achievement. We stopped by the graveyard to remember the lives lost, taking a moment to reflect and feel thankful.
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Year 3- Class Worship- Helping Other Countries
In our class worship this week, Year 3 discussed the recent news story about twenty world leaders forming a 'coalition of the willing' to support Ukraine- Helping Other Countries. The children felt strongly that everyone needs to work together and find solutions that are good for everyone. Emily then read a prayer, thanking God for the example of the Good Samaritan, who demonstrated compassion by helping a stranger in need. We also explored how other faiths emphasise caring for others and working together to promote peace and justice.
Collective Worship - The Garden of Gethsemane
Our collective worship began with the Year 6 class presenting their learning about Shakespeare. Thank you for sharing, Year 6! Mrs Ham then led our worship about the Garden of Gethsemane and how Jesus spent time praying for strength from God to help Him through the events that were to follow. We spent time reflecting on all of our Lenten events so far: Lent walks, Lenten promises and our 40 acts of kindness. Finally, we took part in this week’s special Year of Prayer by all sharing what was on our minds with Jesus, considering what we are thankful for, by writing these on a leaf. Mrs Ham created a prayer tree in our entrance area with over 200 lovely prayers on leaves from all of our children and staff.
Year 4 - Linking Schools: Social Action
Today, Year 4 began the scene phase of our Linking Schools project, looking at different types of social action and discussing issues that they are passionate about changing. Each group recorded ideas for problems to tackle on a leaf, ready to add to our class kindness tree. In the next session, we will talk about how we can bring about change and vote on one idea to implement. Watch this space…
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Year 2 - Class Worship
This week in our Class Worship, we heard some news about the government. They're going to open 750 new breakfast clubs all over the country. This made us think about something really important, the United Nations Rights of a Child. One of these rights says that all children should have healthy food to eat. We talked about how the government is trying to help all children have a healthy breakfast, and these new breakfast clubs are one way they can do that. Then, we thought about how lucky we are to have healthy food to eat. We talked about how we don't always have to worry about having breakfast. Finally, we said a prayer to say thank you for all the healthy food we have. It was a time to be grateful for what we have!