Year 6 Class Worship: Kindness
Year 6's class worship this week was linked to our whole-school focus on kindness. The children watched a video discussing how our words can be more powerful than a raging bull, as we can use them to lift others up or to tear them down. We have also been recording the kind words of our classmates on our Kindness Kite.
Year 5/6 Sportshall Athletics
What a fantastic evening we have had at the Blackburn with Darwen Sportshall Athletics. We had some great successes over the course of the night, especially in the various relays. The final top three schools were extremely close on points and Team B managed to medal achieving 3rd place overall! A huge well done to everyone involved - you do us all proud! Well done!
Year 6 - NSPCC
Year 6 enjoyed their NSPCC talk, which focused on the importance of speaking out and staying safe. The session reminded the children about Childline and how it can support them if they are worried or need someone to talk to. Through discussion and clear, age-appropriate examples, the children learned about trusted adults, personal safety and where to seek help. The talk provided an important opportunity for children to ask questions and deepen their understanding of keeping themselves and others safe.
Foodie Friends Club: Making Chocolate Brownies
This afternoon, in our Foodies Club, the children took on the challenge of baking chocolate brownies, becoming little mathematicians as they weighed out sugar, flour, butter and rich cocoa powder. The highlight of the afternoon was cracking the egg and licking the chocolate from the spoon and bowl. Some of the children were initially terrified because they had never cracked an egg before, fearing the mess or a broken shell. However, by supporting one another, every child conquered their fear, successfully whisking the eggs into the mixture. The children could not wait to take their brownies home, serving their treats with a scoop of ice cream or whipping cream.
Year 6 Junior Jam: French
This week in French Year 6 have been looking at describing the places we might find in a town centre. They also played a game where one child drew a town centre building and the rest of the class had to name it in French. There was also a challenge to write full sentences describing places to visit in our own town centre.
Go All In: 2026 National Year of Reading
Dear Parents and Carers, As we move into 2026, we are excited to share that this has been designated the National Year of Reading. This year-long celebration, spearheaded by the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust, isn't about schoolwork or exams—it’s about helping our children rediscover the sheer joy of a great story. The theme for the year is "Go All In." The goal is to show children that reading isn't just something they do in a classroom; it is a way to dive deeper into the things they already love. Whether your child is a fan of gaming, sports, music, or space, there is a book, graphic novel, or audiobook out there that speaks to their interests. The campaign reminds us that "if they’re into it, they can read into it," and that every form of reading—from a football programme to a digital comic—is a step toward success. We know how busy family life can be, but research shows that sharing a story for just 10 minutes a day can dramatically boost a child’s wellbeing and their confidence at school. You don’t need to be an expert storyteller to make a difference; simply sitting together and exploring a book, or letting your child see you reading your own book or magazine, sets a fantastic example. Throughout the year, there will be exciting events to look forward to, including a record-breaking World Book Day on March 5th and a music-themed Summer Reading Challenge titled "Read to the Beat!" Our local libraries will also be hosting free activities, from author workshops to interactive storytelling sessions. We invite you to join us in making 2026 a year of discovery for our children. Let’s help them find the stories that make them want to "go all in." For more resources and book recommendations tailored to your child’s hobbies, you can visit the official campaign website at goallin.org.uk. For our first challenge, I would love the children to send me some photographs of them reading their favourite story in their favourite place. Happy reading! Mrs Wilkinson
Year 6 - Smart School Council
During our class debate, the Smart School Council led the session based on the question: Is a new year actually a new you? The children shared a range of ideas, including whether people really change or simply make better choices over time. Some children felt a new year offers a fresh start and motivation to set goals such as being kinder, improving behaviour or trying harder at school. Others suggested that people stay the same but can improve habits gradually through effort and perseverance. The children discussed the importance of realistic goals, resilience when things go wrong and how support from friends and adults can help positive change.
.jpeg)
Year 6 - Netball
During our netball lesson, the children focused on working effectively in tight spaces, using accurate passing and movement to maintain possession of the ball. They practised quick, controlled passes and learned how to create space by changing direction and supporting teammates. The children began to apply simple tactics, such as marking opponents, intercepting passes and choosing when to pass or move. The session emphasised teamwork, communication and decision-making, with the children reflecting on how working together and thinking tactically improved their overall performance.
Amazing Attendance Awards
We had such a busy end to the Autumn term that we’re only just getting around to celebrating our amazing attendance award winners. What a fantastic term it was for attendance! Awards were presented in two categories: firstly to all those who achieved 100% attendance, and then to those who achieved above 96% attendance. Both are amazing achievements and we are super proud of all of the children.
.jpeg)
Whole School Worship - God is Kind
In our whole-school worship, Mrs Ham revealed our first Kindness Kite celebrating the Blackburn Diocese centenary. This week, the focus is ‘God is Kind’. A small selection of Year 6 children were chosen to read three Psalms about God’s kindness and we learned that God is everywhere, always, even when it’s dark, even when we hide. The children were then invited to share some of the kind things that they have heard people say, such as ‘I like your hair’ , ‘Your dress is pretty’ and ‘You are so smart’. We reflected on how kind words make us feel and we all practised paying compliments to our partners. We are looking forward to adding kind words to our classroom kites.
Foodie Friends Club: Shortcrust Pizzas
We kicked off our first Foodie Club of the half-term with a fantastic session making shortcrust pastry pizzas. Our "Great Chefs" were in their element, skillfully rolling the pastry into their own unique shapes before smothering them in sauce and loading them with a rainbow of toppings, including peppers, onions, olives, sweetcorn, and tuna. It was a joy to see the children so deeply engaged, mastering new culinary skills and exploring different flavours with such enthusiasm. By providing these hands-on opportunities to create and learn, we are helping our students build confidence and truly live life to its fullest.
100 Years of Blackburn Diocese
In order to celebrate 100 years of Blackburn diocese, we took part in a whole-school virtual assembly that focused on the many successes and achievements of the diocese over the past century. Bishop Philip welcomed schools from across the diocese and shared an engaging story about the travels of the Wise Men, linking these to themes of faith, journey and community. The children greatly enjoyed seeing and feeling connected to other schools within the diocese and were excited to take part in a shared celebration. The assembly provided a valuable opportunity for pupils to reflect on their place within the wider diocesan family, strengthening their sense of belonging and understanding of our shared faith. The event was engaging, inclusive, meaningful and it helped bring the history and mission of the diocese to life for the whole school community. We are looking forward to taking part in a variety of centenary 'All for Jesus' activities and worships over the year.