Growing Our Future: A New Microforest at St Barnabas!
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that our school community is taking part in creating a brand-new microforest with the help of Lancashire County Council's Treescapes team, working in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen Council! Located just off the path near our school leading up to Jacks Key, this green space will be a lasting legacy for our neighbourhood. We will also shortly be planting a community orchard near the MUGA on our school grounds for our school family to use. Every single child and staff member will have the opportunity to get their hands in the soil and plant at least one tree on Thursday 12th February so bringing in wellies would be brilliant please. This isn't just about gardening; it’s a hands-on lesson in: Biodiversity: Creating homes for local wildlife. Climate Action: Learning how trees act as the "lungs" of our planet. Stewardship: Understanding our personal responsibility to protect the Earth. We can’t wait to watch these saplings—and our children—grow together!
The Big Winter Wander
Dear Parents and Carers, We are delighted to announce that our school is taking part in The Big Winter Wander, an annual event organised by the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature). This challenge is a wonderful way for our children to connect with the natural world during the colder months while raising vital funds to help protect our planet and its amazing wildlife. The UK is currently one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, and by joining this "wander," our pupils are helping to fund WWF’s work in restoring habitats and tackling the climate crisis. How Can Your Child Participate? The Big Winter Wander is all about getting outdoors and moving! Children can choose their own challenge and complete it in a way they enjoy most: Walking: A brisk 5k or 10k walk to spot winter wildlife like robins or snowdrops. Scootering or Biking: Clocking up the miles on wheels! Whether they complete their distance in one go or spread it out over several days, every kilometer counts. How to Donate and Share Your Progress We want to celebrate every child’s effort and see the "winter wonders" they discover along the way. Donations: Please make your contributions directly to our school fundraising page here: https://socialsync.app/fundraiser/cr-nzymxvnokwdn?currentTab=feed Track Your Miles: We encourage children to keep a log of the distances they travel. Photos & Updates: Please send details of distances achieved and any photos of your child’s wander to Mrs Wilkinson or Mrs Ham. We would love to see pictures of them in action or any wildlife they spot! Why it Matters Spending time in nature is proven to boost mental health and well-being, especially during the winter. By taking part, the children aren't just raising money; they are also learning to appreciate and protect the local environment right on their doorstep. Thank you for your continued support in helping St Barnabas make a difference for our world. Let’s wrap up warm and get wandering! Warm regards, Mrs Wilkinson
Earth Day
Let’s Celebrate Earth Day! Calling all eco-warriors! On Wednesday, April 22nd, we are going green (and blue!) to celebrate World Earth Day. We’re inviting all children to dress in blue and/or green to represent our beautiful planet and its oceans. If your child prefers, they are more than welcome to stick with their standard blue uniform—they’ll still fit right in with our Earth Day colours! The children will be budding environmentalists for the day, taking part in planet-focused activities. We can’t wait to see a sea of blue and green across the school as we learn how to protect our planet!