Break up for Autumn half term holidays
We break up for the October half term holidays on Thursday 23rd October at the normal time of 3.30pm. Friday 24th is an INSET day for staff training.
Start of Autumn 2 half term
We welcome our children back to our Autumn 2 half term on Monday 3rd November. We hope you've all had a lovely half term break.
Anti-bullying Week- Odd Socks Day
To launch our anti-bullying week this year, we will be having another Odd Socks Day on Monday 15th November. Wear your brightest odd socks to celebrate and respect that everyone is different and unique.
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Children in Need- Dress in Spots
Put on your spots and join us for Children in Need. Donations can be made via parent pay.
EYFS and KS1 Christmas Party Day
Put on your Christmas clothes and get your dance moves ready for our Christmas party and disco! Our infants will have a special visit from Santa and will receive a gift .
Parents' Evening
You are invited to attend our parents evening. Please use the hand gel on entry and wear a mask. Please only arrive 10 minutes before your appointment. Thank you
Christmas Lunch and KS2 Christmas Party Day
Christmas lunch will be served today. Children may also wear Christmas Jumpers/ clothes all day as we will be recording our special Christmas video and they will be having a Christmas Party. Children in the infants are all entitled to Universal Free School Meals so will automatically receive one. If your child is in the juniors, please order and pay for your child's Christmas lunch via parent pay.
Non-uniform day-bring a Christmas item or toy
In exchange for wearing non-uniform for the day, please bring in a Christmas item or toy for our FOSB Christmas Christmas Fair such as new toys, books, games or anything Christmassy!
Non-uniform day- Bring a bottle for the FOSB Christmas Fair
Please bring a bottle for our FOSB Christmas Fair tombola in exchange for wearing non-uniform for the day. They can be bottles of things that children might enjoy such as bubble bath, fizzy pop etc or bottles that grown ups might enjoy such as beer or wine etc.
Christmas Church Service for Children
All of our children will be attending a special Christmas Church Service in St Barnabas Church. Children in Years 3,4,5 and 6 will be leading the service and all classes will be joining in with Christmas carols. Parents and carers are welcome to join us.
Non-uniform day- Bring in some Christmas chocolate or sweets for our FOSB Christmas Fair
In exchange for wearing non-uniform for the day, please bring in some Christmas chocolate or a sweets for our FOSB Christmas Fair.
Life Education Lancashire
Life Education Lancashire is coming to our school next Thursday and Friday. You may remember them in the past arriving in a special Life Education Van, however sessions now take place in classrooms. Coram Life Education is the leading provider of relationships, health, wellbeing, and drugs education to almost half a million children across the UK, delivered under the strapline ‘Helping Children Make Healthy Choices’. Life Education Lancashire is a delivery partner of Coram Life Education and provides unique health and drug education programmes teaching children about the wonder of their bodies, how to take care of them, and how drugs (including medicines, alcohol and tobacco) can affect them. Looking after our mental health is also explored and children discuss strategies for self-care. Children meet Healthy Harold, their giraffe puppet mascot, and his friends, have discussions and watch short films about healthy eating, legal and illegal drugs and their effects, the body and friendships and their influence, and how choices and behaviours can affect dreams and aspirations. Trained Educators use evidence-based, interactive, creative methods to deliver memorable, informative and age appropriate sessions which assists our school in our work around PSHE (Personal Social and Health Education) and Relationships and Health Education. All programmes support the new DfE statutory requirements for PSHE and are aligned with the National Curriculum. Take a look at the Programme Overview to find out about what children experience in each year group. https://www.coramlifeeducation.org.uk/downloads/Coram_LifeEducation_Programme_Overview_Leaflet_updated_2020-21V1.4.pdf
Dress to Express for Children's Mental Health Week
Children’s Mental Health Week 2023 will take place from 6-12 February 2023. This year’s theme is Let’s Connect. Let’s Connect is about making meaningful connections. People thrive in communities, and this connection is vital for our wellbeing. When we have healthy connections – to family, friends and others – this can support our mental health and our sense of wellbeing. For Children’s Mental Health Week 2023, we’re encouraging people to connect with others in healthy, rewarding and meaningful ways. On Friday 10th February, children staff and families can use colourful clothing and unique accessories to express how they're feeling and celebrate their uniqueness.
Safer Internet Day
Safer Internet Day 2022 is on Tuesday 8th February and will be celebrated with the theme ‘All fun and games? Exploring respect and relationships online’. We are encouraging everyone to think about respect and relationships in online gaming. Safer Internet Day inspires a national conversation about using technology responsibly, respectfully, critically, and creatively. Coordinated in the UK by the UK Safer Internet Centre, the celebration sees thousands of organisations get involved to promote the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people.
World Book Day 2022
On Thursday 3rd March 2022, we will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of World Book Day! It will be filled with lots of exciting, celebratory ways to promote reading for pleasure on World Book Day, and all-year round. This year we will be wearing our pyjamas and will be focusing on bed time stories.
Break up for February Half Term
On Friday 11th February we break up for the February half term holidays at the normal time of 3.30pm (3.25pm for infants). We wish you all a lovely half term break. School will start again on Monday 21st February 2022.
Break up for the Easter holidays
We break up on Wednesday 6th April at 2.00pm as we now have an extra days holiday in lieu of the Queen's Jubilee Bank Holiday as we already have our spring bank half term holiday when the extra bank holiday is scheduled. There is a staff INSET day on Thursday 7th April. We return back to school on Tuesday 19th April.
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Easter Service
Our Easter church service will take place on Thursday 2nd April at 9.15am at St Barnabas Church. KS2 will be showcasing their Easter Artwork and our teachers will be leading the service. Amazing attendance awards will also be given out. Everybody is welcome to attend.
Easter Messy Church
Our Worship Our Way group will be planning and leading an Easter Messy Church. There will be Easter crafts, songs and stories led by the WOW group. Refreshments will be served too and everybody is welcome.
RotaKids present an infant movie night at Barny's Cinema
Our Rotakids will be planning and leading a movie night at Barny's cinema in order to raise funds for playtime equipment and resources. For Reception, Year 1 and 2. Tickets are £2.00 and snacks will be available to buy.
FOSB Egg Decorating Competition
Please find a poster from our Friends of St Barnabas committee. They are running an Easter competition where your child can win a fantastic chocolate hamper! Entry is £1 and can be payable on parent pay. Please bring your decorated egg in by Tuesday 5th April. Myself, Mrs Ham and Mrs Price will be the judges! Good luck!!
Parents' Evening
We are holding another face to face parents' evening on Wednesday 15th April. Our teachers would also like to share your child's books with you too so that you can see how hard they have been working and you can see what they have been learning this term. Five minute appointments will be available from 2.00pm and 6.00pm. If you are flexible and can attend during school hours and after school, please select in school hours then we can give priority for the after school appointments to parents who are working through the day. Appointments can be booked through the same booking system that we used in December, Arbor.
Year 2 Darwen Heritage Walk
Our Year 2 class will be learning all about the History of Darwen on a special walk around Darwen to see the famous landmarks and they will also be visiting Darwen Heritage Centre.
May Day bank holiday
School will be closed for May Day bank holiday.
INSET day- school closed for polling
School is closed for an INSET day as it being used as a polling station.
St Barnabas presents 'The Royal Variety Performance' for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee
Please join us in celebrating the wonderful talents of the children at St Barnabas in a special 'Royal Variety Performance' for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
FOSB Father’s Day Breakfast
FOSB are hosting a Father’s Day Breakfast on Wednesday 15th June at 8.15am. Dad’s, Grandad’s or any special male to the children will receive a sausage sandwich and the children will receive a choc chip brioche! Unlimited refreshments are also included. Tickets are £5 and only one ticket is required for an adult and children. Please write in the notes on parent pay if you require a vegetarian sausage. Limited spaces available. We hope you can make it
Sports Day
We are looking forward to our annual competitive Sports Day on Friday 3rd July. The children will take part in a number of traditional races including the egg and spoon, sack race, obstacle and sprint. The Infants ( Reception, Year 1 and Year 2) will go first at 9.15am- 10.30am and then the Juniors (Years 3,4, and 5) at 10.45am- 12.15pm. Parents are very welcome to attend and we are hopeful that we will be able to have our Mums, Dads and toddler races too. Please bring your own chairs or picnic blankets as seating is limited.
FOSB Summer Fayre
The PTFA will be putting on a fantastic summer fayre on Saturday 9th July 2022 to raise much needed funds for our school! The time is now from 11-2pm. We can’t wait to put on a fun filled and action packed day for all, so please come and join us- we’ve even ordered sunshine! ☀️
Transition move up day
Each class will be moving up into their new classroom and will meet their new teachers. Year 6 children will also be at their high school transition days and the new Reception children will visit our school for a stay and play session from 9.00-10.30am.
Parent Support Group: Anxiety
Parent Support Group - Blackburn with Darwen The parent Support Group is held once a month via a video call. There is no expectation to have your video or microphone on. The session is topic based with time for discussion and shared ideas. We are always happy to receive feedback or ideas, please just get in touch! Next month's session will focus on anxiety - we will cover what anxiety is and why we experience it, how to recognise anxiety in your child, and ways to manage anxiety. The details for the next group: Parent Support Group - BwD Wednesday 29th June 2022 6pm-7pm via Microsoft Teams This month's topic - ANXIETY Please email [email protected] for a link to the meeting
Non-uniform day- bottle donation
We will be holding a non-uniform day and would really appreciate any bottle donations for our summer fair bottle tombola. Our FOSB summer fair will be held on Saturday 9th July between 11-2pm.
Non-uniform day-bring a cake donation
We will be holding a non-uniform day and would really appreciate any cake donations for our summer fair cake stall. Our FOSB summer fair will be held on Saturday 9th July between 11-2pm.
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INSET day- teacher training
Thursday 1st September- School staff training days. School closed for children.
INSET day- teacher training
Monday 20th July & Tuesday 21st July 2026- School staff training days. School closed for children.
Autumn term starts
Autumn term starts on Wednesday 2nd September. Classroom doors open at 8.45am and school starts at 8.55am.
Break up for October half term holidays
Thursday 20th October- We break up for the October half term holidays at the normal time of 3.30pm. Friday is a staff INSET day. Autumn 2 half term starts on Monday 31st October.
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Staff INSET day
Friday 24th October- Staff INSET day. School closed for children.
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Autumn second half term starts
Monday 31st October- Autumn 2 half term starts. Classroom doors open at 8.45am and school starts at 8.55am.
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Break up early for Christmas holidays
We break up early at 2.00pm on Friday 19th December for the Christmas holidays. Wishing you all a fantastic Christmas holiday! Spring 1 half term starts on Monday 5th January.
School photo day
All children in school will have an individual photo and photo with their siblings. Younger pre-school siblings are welcome to come early at 8.15am to have their photo taken with their older siblings. Please can all children come into school in their full smart school uniform as there will be no PE lessons that day due to photographs in the hall. We have chosen a local company again this year which are more cost effective. We had our Year 6 leavers memories books created by them and they were wonderful. Please click here for further information: https://memoriesmadephotography.mypixieset.com/schools/
Spring term starts
Monday 5th January- Spring term starts. Classroom doors open at 8.45am and school starts at 8.55am.
Break up for the half term holidays
Friday 13th February- We break up at the normal time for the February Spring half term holidays. Spring 2 term starts on Monday 23rd February.
Spring 2 half term starts
Monday 23rd February: Spring 2 half term begins. Classroom doors open at 8.45am and school starts at 8.55am.
Break up early for Easter holidays
Thursday 2nd April: We break up early at 2.00pm for the Easter holidays. Summer term starts on Monday 13th April.
Summer term starts
Monday 13th April: Summer term starts. Classroom doors open at 8.45am and school starts at 8.55am.
May Day bank holiday
Monday 4th May: May Day bank holiday. School closed.
Polling Day- School Closed
Thursday 7th May 2026: School closed for polling day. Staff INSET day.
Break up for Summer half term holidays
Friday 22nd May: Break up at the normal time for the Summer half term holidays. Summer 2 half terms begins on Monday 8th June.
Summer 2 half term starts
Monday 8th June: Summer 2 half term starts. Classroom doors open at 8.45am and school starts at 8.55am.
Break up early for Summer holidays
Friday 17th July: Break up early at 2.00pm for the Summer holidays. Wishing you all a wonderful Summer holiday!
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School closed for the Queen's Funeral
Dear Parents and Carers, we have now had the official confirmation from the Department for Education that Monday the 19th of September has been officially designated a Bank Holiday. This is to allow respects to be paid on the day of the Queen's funeral. Therefore schools will be closed on this day. The royal family are in our whole school family's thoughts and prayers. Yours Sincerely, Mrs Ham
Hello Yellow Day
Friday 10th October- To support World Mental Health Day, please come to school dressed in non uniform and wearing something yellow to raise awareness of mental health.
Harvest Church Service
You are very welcome to join us at our church for our Harvest Festival on Thursday 23rd October at 9.15am. The service will be led by our WOW (Worship Our Way) group and Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 will also be presenting their learning about Harvest. This year we are collecting tinned and packet foods or toiletries for DARE (Darwen Asylum and Refugee Enterprise) and Darwen Rotary. We are also supporting Christians in South Africa through the Bishop of Blackburn's Appeal. We will be joining Bishop Philip in his Harvest Pedal Along throughout October so please send in any photos of your child on their bike or scooter and the distance. Donations can be made on parent pay.
FOSB Christmas Fair 2025
Please join us for our Christmas Fayre which will be hosted by our FOSB. Our staff will also be there and the children’s design and technology products will be available. There will be a chocolate, bottle and toy tombola along with other stalls. Further details to follow. We can’t wait to see you there!
FOSB Tuck shop
Our wonderful FOSB are running a tuck shop next Thursday 20.10.22 after school. Please read the poster for further details. Thank you!
MHST Parent Support Group
Please find information about the next Mental Health support team parent support group which is all about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Wear spots for Children in Need
We are supporting 'The Great Spotacular' for Children in Need on Friday 18th November. Children may come to school dressed in spots or children in need merchandise in exchange for a donation to Children in Need via parent pay.
Odd socks day to launch Anti-Bullying Week
Monday 13th November- To launch the start of our anti-bullying week we'll be wearing odd socks to celebrate what makes us all unique and to spread kindness. Children still need to come dressed in their school uniform but may wear odd socks.
Closing date for Remembrance Day Art Competition- Friday 4th November
Please find attached information for our upcoming Remembrance Day Art Competition supported by Friends of St Barnabas. This was shared with the children in this morning's Celebration Worship and is a competition for the children to take part in at home. The Artwork can be in any form, e.g. painting, sketch, collage, sculpture etc, and must be linked to Remembrance Day. Entry fee for the competition is £1 on ParentPay and the money will go towards FOSB to put towards a school minibus. There are 3 hamper prizes to be won with pictures to follow. We look forward to seeing some wonderful pieces of Artwork that we can share in school and in our local community. Good luck! Mrs Govan, Art and Design Leader
Year 1 and 2 Christmas Cracker Concert
Our Years 1 and 2 children present to you 'A Christmas Cracker' concert. £2.00 per ticket There will be 2 performances - One on Thursday 11th December at 2.00pm and one at 9.05am on Friday 12th December. Tickets will be available on parent pay shortly and will be a maximum of 4 tickets per child across both performances.
Extra bank holiday for the King's Coronation
The Coronation of King Charles III will take place on Saturday 6 May 2023. As a result, Monday 8 May will be an extra bank holiday. School will be closed on this day. As this date had previously been announced as the first day of the 2023 key stage 2 (KS2) test week in England, a change to the KS2 test schedule next year will be necessary. Ministers have considered the situation carefully and have decided that KS2 tests will take place in the same week with tests following the usual order but each taking place one day later than originally planned. As such, the new schedule will be: · Tuesday 9 May: English grammar, punctuation and spelling (GPS) papers 1 (questions) and 2 (spelling) · Wednesday 10 May: English reading paper · Thursday 11 May: mathematics papers 1 (arithmetic) and 2 (reasoning) · Friday 12 May: mathematics paper 3 (reasoning) We have managed to swap the Year 5 residential trip to Hothersall Lodge from Monday - Wednesday to Tuesday- Thursday.
Christmas Carol Service at St Barnabas Church- All welcome
All parents, carers and children are welcome to come along. Children, please meet at 3.55pm in your best Christmas clothes! Parents are very welcome to stay or collect at 5.15pm.
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Life Education PSHE workshops
Each class will have an interactive workshop delivered by Coram Life Education, addressing children’s knowledge, skills, attitudes and values. This approach is designed to give pupils a voice and for them to feel empowered, able to identify and articulate their needs and feelings and to make healthy choices. Harold, their healthy-living giraffe mascot, helps to convey these messages to children, within a magical learning environment. Children's experience of Coram Life Education’s workshops is fun, engaging and memorable. On either Tuesday 20th or Wednesday 21st each class will have a special Life Education session led by Karen and Harold the Giraffe from Coram Scarf. The children have really enjoyed the sessions over the last couple of years and they supplement our PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Economic Education) curriculum. Harold the Giraffe scratch bookmarks will also be on sale for £1.00 for 2 bookmarks, 2 ribbons and a wooden stylus. The sessions will cover the following: Reception: All about me Year 1: My wonderful body Year 2: Feelings Year 3: Meet the brain Year 4: Great to be me Year 5: Friends Year 6: Decisions There will be an information session for parents on the Tuesday morning from 8.45-9.00am in the library area, should you have any questions or would like to know more about the sessions.
EYFS & KS1 Valentine’s Disco
Our FOSB will be hosting a Valentine’s disco for our children. Reception, Year 1 and Year 2’s disco will be from 5-6pm. The cost is £2.50 which includes entrance, a drink and a snack. Tickets are now available to purchase on parent pay. We can’t wait to see all of the children!
Scholastic Book Fair
We will be running a scholastic book fair to celebrate World Book Day. Our book fair will be open after school 3.30-4pm from Thursday 19th March-Tuesday 24th March 2026. All books will have an additional £1 off for World Book day. You do not need to bring your £1 book token to this fair, you can use this at a participating bookstore too. Card/contactless payment will only be accepted. Thank you, Mrs Wilkinson
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Scholastic Book Fair Shop
Come and have a look at the books on offer at our Scholastic book fair. The sale will be in the hall from 3:30-4pm. Card and contactless payments accepted.
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Scholastic Book Fair Shop
Come and have a look at the books on offer at our Scholastic book fair. The sale will be in the hall from 3:30-4pm. Card and contactless payments accepted.
Safer Internet Day
Safer Internet Day 2024 will take place on the 6th of February 2024, with celebrations and learning based around the theme 'Inspiring change? Making a difference, managing influence and navigating change online'. Safer Internet Day is the UK's biggest celebration of online safety.
World Book Day- Thursday 2nd March
Please join us for World Book Day on Thursday 2nd March. This year the theme is bedtime stories and stories that can fill your happy tank. We would love for all children to come dressed all cosy and warm in their pyjamas. Children will take part in a variety of exciting book related activities and competitions and will listen to stories throughout the day. We will also have a visiting author visit each class.
Let Girls Play: FA Football Campaign
All children are invited to wear their football kits, sports clothes or PE kits this Wednesday to celebrate the FA’s Let Girls Play Campaign for International Women’s Day! Mrs Ham and Mrs Wilkinson are looking forward to taking some of our girls to a football session at St Bedes on Wednesday to promote this campaign. ⚽️⚽️⚽️
Non Uniform Day- Bring in an Easter Egg
On Friday 31st March, we will be hosting a non uniform day. In exchange for the children wearing non uniform, we would really appreciate an Easter egg donation. Any donations received will be donated to Darwen and Asylum Refugee Enterprise (DARE) who will pass them on to families in need, the elderly who are isolated and Ukrainian families. We are sure the children will be able to tell you all about what we have been discussing during our worships about giving something to our community during Lent. This is a great way to show our Christian value of generosity by giving something to those in need during Lent and we really appreciate your generosity as always.
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Support for Turkey and Syria- Non-uniform day
Smart School Councillors Subject: Fundraising for Turkey and Syria Earthquake Relief. Following our last class meeting, the children voted to hold a fundraising event on the 17th of March, where they will wear the flag colours of Turkey and Syria to show their support for those affected by the earthquakes. We are asking for a minimum donation of £1.00 for each child who participates in this cause, via parent pay. The colours are red, black, green and white. Do not go out to buy anything new, please wear what you have at home. All funds raised will be donated to a reputable charity actively working to provide relief to the earthquake victims. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns. Thank you for your continued support. Smart School Councillors and Miss Kachwalla
King's Coronation Celebration- Red, white and blue day
On Wednesday 3rd May we will be having a special 'Red, white and blue' day in school to celebrate the King's coronation. There will be a special Coronation Lunch being served and children may wear red, white and/or blue clothes. Throughout the week children will be learning about the coronation in their class and in our Worships. Like the Queen's Jubilee, the children will all be getting a commemorative gift from our Trust.
TRIKIDZ- Triathlon
TriKidz is a ‘participation based’ triathlon project aimed at primary school children. Their team of coaches deliver to primary schools all around the North West of England. They replicate swimming by using resistance bands, the children cycle on their adapted racing bikes (on static trainers… don’t need to be capable of riding a bike) and the running part is simple. We took part in the triathlon a couple of years ago and now it's time to have more fun and complete another one. All children in Years 1-6 will take part throughout the day. Please ensure that your child is dressed in their PE kit.
Mental Health Parent Webinars
The week commencing 15th May is ‘Mental Health Awareness Week’. After much success of hosting some parent webinars back in February for ‘Children’s Mental Health Week’, the Mental Health Support Teams are rolling out some more. The topics for the week will be: My anxious child Helping with exam stress Psychoeducation around worry They’ll take place at 10am and 6pm, Monday 15th to Thursday 18th May and it’s for parents, teachers, carers, children and young people, in fact anyone can join.
Reception and Year 2 Trip to Blackpool Zoo
Reception and Year 2 will visit Blackpool Zoo. The children will leave school at 9.15 and will arrive back in time for the end of the school day. A packed lunch will be provided. Children will be asked to wear their school polo shirts and jumpers/cardigans with any bottoms. The visit links in with Reception topics from Spring 1- under the sea, their current topic- amazing animals and their next topic which is all about Explorers. It also links with year 2’s science learning so it will be wonderful to allow them to experience a visit based on the learning they have acquired. We can’t wait to take the children and create some wonderful memories together!
End of Year Awards Ceremony
On Friday 10th July at 9.05am we will have our end of year awards for classes Reception-Year 5. Each class teacher will present a star of the year, a progress award and a children's champion. Parents of children receiving awards will be sent an invitation via class dojo. End of year 'amazing attendance' awards will also be presented to the children who have 96% and over attendance for the whole year.
Meet the teacher meetings
On Wednesday 17th September we are holding 'meet the teacher' meetings for Years 1-6. We would love to welcome you into your child's classroom to see their classroom, meet their teacher/s and to hear about what to expect whilst your child is in their class. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have too. Please do not worry if you are unable to make the meeting due to work commitments as class teachers will be posting the powerpoint on class dojo. There will also be a parents evening in December. We have tried to stagger the times for siblings but we are aware that we may not be able to suit everyone sorry, so feel free to spend half the time in one class and half in the other, if you have children with the same meeting time. The times will be as follows: Year 1 and 2: 3.00pm Years 3 and 4: 3.30pm Years 5 and 6: 4.00pm We look forward to welcoming you into school.
FOSB Amazing Autumn Disco
Our FOSB will be hosting an amazing Autumn disco after school. Reception, Year 1 and 2- 5.00-6.00pm and Years 3-6- 6.15-7.15pm. Tickets are available on parent pay.
Non Uniform Day to raise awareness during Down Syndrome Awareness Month
October is Down syndrome awareness month and we are excited to invite our St Barnabas family to participate in our "Dress up for Down syndrome" campaign, a special initiative to celebrate Down syndrome whilst supporting the invaluable work of Down Syndrome UK. During the day, classes will come together to learn more about Down syndrome and help to make a positive impact.
FOSB School Disco
We are pleased to announce that our FOSB will be hosting a school disco on 22nd February 2024. Reception, year 1 and year 2’s disco will be 5-6pm and Years 3-6’s disco will be 6-7pm. Tickets are priced at £3 which includes a bag of crisps, sweets and a drink. Tickets are now available to purchase on parent pay.
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Dress to Express for Children's Mental Health Week
Our Heads and Deputies have chosen to raise awareness of Children's Mental Health during Children's Mental Health Week w/c 9th February and our Wellbeing Warriors and Year 4 be leading a special worship. They would love all children and staff to come dressed in clothes that express themselves as an individual e.g. their favourite colour, hobbies etc This year, Children's Mental Health Week is focusing on 'This is my place' We want Children’s Mental Health Week 2026 to encourage our children to embrace self-awareness and explore what it means to them. This will help them grow and develop resilience to cope with what life throws at them.
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Aladdin Production
Dear parents and carers, I'm really excited to let you know that we will be having a M&M theatrical productions pantomime of Aladdin in school on Friday 2nd February. Oh no we won't! Oh yes we will!
World Book Day- Dress as a word
We will be celebrating World Book Day on Thursday 7th March. This year, we will be focusing on vocabulary. Therefore, we would like the children to dress up a word of their choice e.g. vibrant, athletic, heroic, artistic, fragile, mythical, fatigued etc.. The list is endless! You really don’t have to go out and buy anything extra. Please see some pictures attached for ideas. If your child already had a World Book Day costume in mind, then they could still dress as a character and choose a word associated with their chosen character. For example, Harry Potter could be associated with the words courageous and heroic. In our classes, we will have a vocabulary parade of our words and our school librarians will be choosing a winner per class so please be adventurous and creative with your word choices. We have some exciting things planned for World Book Day including a visit from children's author Rich Alker on Tuesday 5th March and a competition that the school librarians will be launching.
FOSB Disco: EYFS and KS1
We are pleased to announce that our FOSB will be hosting a school disco on 22nd February 2024. Reception, year 1 and year 2’s disco will be 5-6pm and Years 3-6’s disco will be 6-7pm. Tickets are priced at £3 which includes a bag of crisps, sweets and a drink. Tickets are now available to purchase on parent pay.
FOSB Mother’s Day Breakfast
Good afternoon, Our FOSB will be hosting a special Mother’s Day breakfast on Wednesday 6th March at 8.15am. Tickets will be available on parent pay soon and are priced at £6 which includes a sausage sandwich for one adult and one child. Drinks will also be included. Tickets are limited due to space. Thank you, Mrs Wilkinson
East Lancashire Hospice Hop, Skip and Jump Event
We will all be taking part in the hop, skip and jump event for East Lancs Hospice again this year. The children will all wear crowns and take part in hopping, skipping and jumping around our 1k track to raise money for this worthwhile cause. Donations can be made on parent pay closer to the time. Each child will receive a chocolate treat for taking part.
Autism Awareness Day- Non-uniform
We would like to invite all of our children to wear blue to raise awareness during Autism awareness month. The children will be finding out more about Autism during this day.
Rock Your Socks for World Down Syndrome Day
Everyone who has Down syndrome has three copies of the 21st chromosome. As part of World Down Syndrome Day, we invite everyone to rock their socks by wearing their brightest, funkiest socks, representing the uniqueness of every chromosome!
Red Nose Day- Comic Relief
On Friday 15th March we will be having a non-uniform day to raise money for Comic Relief. Please try and wear as many red items of clothing and accessories as possible. Donations can be made on parent pay.
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Year 1 and 2 Bewilderwood Trip
Years 1 and 2 are excited to have their annual class trip to BeWILDerwood in Cheshire, whereby the children will be able to participate in a wide range of adventurous activities such as zip wiring, climbing structures, rope and bridge walking, den-building, craft activities and listening to a story at the outdoor theatre. Other details: -The children can come in their PE kit on the day. Please ensure that they either wear their school PE hoodie, jumper or cardigan so that their school badge is visible. -The children will need to arrive at school at 8:15am for a 8:30am departure to BeWILDerwood and they will arrive back at school at the later time of approx 4pm. I will keep you all updated on timings via Class Dojo on the day if there are any delays and/or changes. -All infant children are entitled to a free school meal and therefore the kitchen will provide them with a packed lunch for the day. This will contain a drink, choice of sandwich, piece of fruit and a biscuit. We will assume that your child is having this unless you let us know otherwise.
Barney's Got Talent
Our Heads and Deputies would like to invite you all to a special Barney's Got Talent show that they will be hosting on Friday 11th July at 9.05am. We will be collecting donations that will be going to East Lancs Hospice to support the wonderful work they do. We can't wait to see the amazing talents of our school family!
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Aladdin on Ice
Our whole school family will be going to watch Aladdin on Ice at Planet Ice, Blackburn's Ice Arena on Wednesday 11th December 2024 at 1pm as a Christmas treat. Planet Ice presents a fun-filled version of "Aladdin On Ice," adapted by the Show & Skate class of amateur skaters and supported by their Professional on Tour cast. This ultimate classic will take the children on a magical journey with Aladdin, Jasmine, and other beloved characters through a story of adventure, magic and discovering true worth. This show features amateur local skaters who have learnt their craft through Planet Ice's Learn To Skate programme, giving the skaters a real moment to remember under the spotlight.
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Odd socks day for Anti-bullying Week
To launch the start of our anti-bullying week we'll be wearing odd socks on Monday 10th November to celebrate what makes us all unique and to show respect to each other. Children still need to come dressed in their school uniform but may wear odd socks.
Non Uniform Day- bring a Christmas gift for our FOSB Christmas Fair
In exchange for wearing non-uniform for the day, please bring in a Christmas gift such as a toy or game for our FOSB Christmas Fair.
Not Getting Inn Pantivity
I’m Sure we can squeeze ‘em in somewhere… A Roman census’ worth of guests, an unexpected hotel inn-spector and now a young couple with a baby on the way. It’s all a bit of a squeeze, and there’s certainly no room at the inn! The Nativity story meets Fawlty Towers in this farcical panto - join 4Front Theatre for a show bursting at the seams with slapstick fun, laughter, brilliant songs and a heartfelt message of hope and joy from the heart of the nativity.
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Rocksteady Concert
Our Rocksteady Rock Bands will be performing in their final concert of this school year in front of the whole school family and parents on Wednesday 8th July at 9.05am. Please come along and show your support if your child is in Rocksteady. If you would like your child to join the Rocksteady Rock Bands, please find further information here: https://www.rocksteadymusicschool.com/parents/
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Rotakids Non-uniform day to support those affected by the LA fires.
As part of Year 5 RotaKids, we are determined to make a difference and support the 180,000 people who have been affected and forced to flee their homes due to the devastating LA wildfires. On Friday, 31st January, RotaKids will be hosting a non-uniform day to raise money for those impacted by this tragic event. We encourage everyone to get involved by wearing their favourite clothes and contributing to this important cause. We kindly ask for a minimum donation of £1, but any additional contributions will be greatly appreciated. This will be available on parent pay next week. Every penny raised will go towards helping families rebuild their lives and providing essential supplies to those in need. This is a wonderful opportunity to teach our children the value of helping others and making a positive impact on the world around us. Thank you for your generosity and support, Year 5 RotaKids
FOSB School Disco EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2
Our FOSB are hosting a school disco on Thursday 13th February. Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 will have their disco from 4.45-5.45pm and Years 3-6 will have their disco at 5.45 with a finishing time of 6.45pm. Entry to the disco will be from the main entrance and collection at the end of the disco will be from the Year 2 classroom door.
World Book Day 2026
World Book Day 2026 takes place on Thursday, 5 March 2026. As part of the National Year of Reading 2026, the celebration is bigger than ever, focusing on the joy of reading for pleasure. The theme is "Read Your Way" which encourages children to celebrate reading in a way that feels personal and fun to them. Children are invited to dress as a beloved character from any book or alternatively, children can come in their cosy pyjamas or onesies to celebrate the comfort of bedtime stories and reading for relaxation. Every child will receive a token to exchange for one of 16 special World Book Day £1 titles. Children will take part in a variety of exciting book related activities and will listen to stories throughout the day.
FOSB Mother's Day Coffee Morning
We would love to celebrate Mother's day with a special coffee morning on 26th March from 9-10am. Children can join their special lady to enjoy a drink and a cake together. Parents of children in Reception can join after their special class celebration which should finish at 9.15am so older siblings can join then. Drinks and cakes can be paid for at the event via card or cash. We look forward to seeing you then!
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FOSB Non-Uniform Day: Bring a Cake
To support our FOSB with our Mother's Day Coffee Morning, we kindly ask for a cake or sweet treat donation in exchange for wearing non-uniform. All donations from the Mother's Day Coffee Morning will go towards repairing the trim trail surfaces and purchasing new chrome books. Thank you.
Rainbow Making Workshop
Becky, the owner of Fred and Pearl will be hosting a special rainbow making workshop just in time for Mother's day. You can book here: https://fredandpearl.com/products/st-barnabas-mothers-day-rainbow-workshop
Rainbow Making Workshop
Becky, the owner of Fred and Pearl will be hosting a special rainbow making workshop just in time for Mother's day. You can book here: https://fredandpearl.com/products/st-barnabas-mothers-day-rainbow-workshop
Whitehall Park Table Top Sale
On Sunday 14th June the Whitehall Park Supporters group, in collaboration with our school, will be holding a table top sale fundraising event. You are very welcome to sell goods or bric or brac or come along and buy items to raise money for our local park. We use Whitehall Park a lot as a school so we would love to raise some funds to help with the upkeep of our wonderful park.
VE Day 80th Anniversary- Red, white and blue day
To celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe), we are encouraging the children to come to school in red, white and blue to commemorate this important milestone. We ask that a donation of £1 is made via parent pay and this will be sent to the RBLI (Royal British Legion Industries) to support the already fantastic work that they do in supporting the armed forces community. Throughout the week, the children will take part in a special worships to educate them and mark this event.
Year 1 and 2 trip to Crocky Trail
Our Year 1 and 2 classes will visit Crocky Trail on Thursday 8th May. Please arrive early at 8.30am so that they can set off in good time. They aim to be back between 4.00 and 4.30pm. Please ensure you have given consent on parent pay. We are sure they will have a super time!
Darwen Art Competition Deadline
Please see the poster for details of an exciting art competition where your artwork could be shown in Darwen Heritage Centre. There will be a special prize for everyone who submits an entry.
Donuts for Dad
Our FOSB are hosting a special event to celebrate Father's Day. We would love to celebrate Father's day with Donuts for Dad on 11th June for a drop in session between 2.30-3.30pm. Children can join their special Dad/male to enjoy a drink and a donut together. Parents of children in Reception can join after their special class celebration which should finish at 2.45pm so older siblings can join then. Drinks and cakes can be paid for at the event via card or cash. There will be a special raffle too so please bring money for this. Once you have finished at the event, you can take your child home so they will bring their belongings with them to the school hall. We look forward to seeing you then!
FOSB Non-Uniform Day: Bring a Donut
To support our FOSB with our Father's Day Donuts for Dad event, we kindly ask for a donut donation in exchange for wearing non-uniform. Thank you.
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Scrumptious Production
'SCRUMPTIOUS!' is a very sweet and magical show about coping with change and making new friends; it's perfect for children as they prepare to make the move from primary to secondary school or into a new class. Sylvie loves her sweetshop in Sunnyville Town, she loves her quirky customers, who arrive every day at the same time and always order the same sweets. Sylvie wants everything to stay the same, but the arrival of a mysterious stranger means her story is about to change. In this gently interactive, musical play, the audience joins in with the narrative to help Sylvie be brave and make new friends in her changing world. This is a funny, hopeful and charming show; the perfect treat for the end of the summer term. The infants will watch the production in the morning and the juniors will watch it in the afternoon.
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Rocksteady Concert
Our Rocksteady Rock Bands will be performing in their first concert of this school year in front of the whole school family and parents on Wednesday 10th December at 9.05am. Please come along and show your support if your child is in Rocksteady. If you would like your child to join the Rocksteady Rock Bands, please find further information here: https://www.rocksteadymusicschool.com/parents/
Rocksteady Concert
Our Rocksteady Rock Bands will be performing in their second concert of this school year in front of the whole school family and parents on Wednesday 1st April at 9.05am. Please come along and show your support if your child is in Rocksteady. If you would like your child to join the Rocksteady Rock Bands, please find further information here: https://www.rocksteadymusicschool.com/parents/
Incredible Years Presentation hosted by MHST
We are pleased to inform you all that the Mental Health Support Team and have allowed us to host an Incredible Years programme for you to access. It is free of charge and it is anticipated that there will be a waiting list so please let me know as soon as possible if it is something you are interested in. The programme will be delivered on Tuesday afternoons and as it is run by the NHS, the team can provide a letter for your employment if you feel it would be of benefit to you. The team are coming into school on Tuesday 16th September 2.55-3.25pm to discuss the programme and to answer any questions you may have The course can offer strategies that are new to your family, build upon things that already work for you and your family or share ideas that others may find useful. As you are the expert in your own children, we help you to build upon both yours and your child’s existing skills and reinforce the bond between you and your child. Our practitioners do this by offering strategies to help with managing tricky behaviours, emotional regulation amongst other things. If you are unable to make the presentation, the team will also be available to speak to on Friday 26th September at our Macmillan coffee morning.
Harvest Family Service at St Barnabas Church
On Sunday 12th October, our children have been asked to sing some of our Harvest songs at their special Harvest church service at St Barnabas Church at 11am. Children do not need to be in choir, we are singing the songs we will be singing at our Harvest worship in school so they are familiar to all of our children. I would love as many children as possible to attend to represent St Barnabas. Please can you complete the google form below with your child's name and year group if they are able to attend. https://forms.gle/HSwHM7qeDJuvyhaS7 Thank you. Mrs Wilkinson
Year 1 and 2 Christmas Cracker Concert
Our Years 1 and 2 children present to you 'A Christmas Cracker' concert. £2.00 per ticket There will be 2 performances - One on Thursday 11th December at 2.00pm and one at 9.05am on Friday 12th December. Tickets will be available on parent pay shortly and will be a maximum of 4 tickets per child across both performances.
Whitehall Park Lantern Parade
Our children have been invited to take part in a special Christmas Lantern Parade in Whitehall Park on Saturday 6th December from 3.30pm- 5.30pm. We would love for lots of our children and their families to come along to make a lantern, go on a lantern parade through the park and sing some festive songs to entertain everyone. The songs we will be singing will be Christmas songs known to the children that we will be practising in school so children do not need to be in our choir to attend and sing.
NSPCC Speak out, Stay Safe workshops for Years 2,5 and 6
I am pleased to inform you that we are participating in the NSPCC’s Speak out, Stay safe programme this term. Speak out, Stay safe is a programme for children aged 5-11 which aims to help children understand abuse in all its forms and to recognise the signs of abuse. Children are taught to speak out if they are worried, either to a safe adult or Childline. This child friendly programme is aligned with the curriculum and consists of age appropriate virtual assemblies and supporting classroom based activities which we have reviewed, alongside NSPCC volunteer led face to face workshops for children aged 6-7 and 9-11. The content is delivered in an engaging and interactive way with the help of the NSPCC mascot Buddy.
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!
NSPCC Rocks- Non-uniform day
Good afternoon, In order to raise money for the NSPCC, we are launching the KS2 Times Table Rock Stars NSPCC Battle in school on Friday 6th February. Over the course of the day, the children will collectively build up their scores, which will contribute to a whole-school total. In addition to this, to celebrate Number Day, all children including Reception and KS1 are invited to come to school on Friday wearing their own clothes that depict a number (for example, numbers on clothing, badges or a TT Rockstar). Voluntary donations will be available via ParentPay to support this amazing cause. Many thanks for your continued support. Kind regards, Mr Bloomfield
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
FOSB World Book Day Competition
FOSB World Book Day Competition Is your child ready to bring their favourite book character to life? To celebrate World Book Day, FOSB are hosting a special Dolly Peg Decoration Competition! We are challenging our pupils to get crafty and transform a simple wooden dolly peg into a miniature masterpiece inspired by their favourite storybook hero or villain. The Details: The Mission: Decorate a dolly peg as your favourite book character. Get Creative: Use paint, fabric, paper, yarn, or anything else you can find! Go Green: We love to see the use of recycled materials. Entry Fee: £1 per peg (payable via ParentPay). Deadline: Bring your character into school by Tuesday 3rd March. Prizes & Judging: There will be exciting prizes for the best book characters! Our winners will be decided and announced on Thursday 5th March. Whether it’s a tiny Supertato or a classic fairy tale character, we can’t wait to see what your children create. Thank you for your continued support!
Mothering Sunday Church Service
You are very welcome to join us for a special Mothering Sunday service at St Barnabas Church on Sunday 15th March at 11.00am. The children will be singing a couple of songs that we sing in school so they do not need to be part of our choir to attend and sing. This is a lovely way for our children wish their Mums a happy Mother's Day and to be able to say thank you to their mums and sing them a few songs.
West End in Schools Visit: Pinocchio Workshop and Performance
All children in school will be joining together to perform an exciting, vibrant version of the much-loved Pinocchio story to celebrate World Book Day. All of our children will work class-by-class throughout the day to explore the timeless story through dance. They will be guided by a professional dancer who will encourage them to use their creativity and imaginations, with each session tailored for the age of the children. At the end of the day, all classes who have taken part will come together to share what they have worked on, culminating in an abridged version of the story which they perform to each other, accompanied by beautiful original music and narration. Working collaboratively, the children will develop their physical literacy, creative expression and communication skills, and experience performing in a way they will never forget. A huge thank you to FOSB for funding the day.
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!
Year 1 and 2 Trip to Brockholes
Year 1 and 2 will visit Brockholes Nature Reserve on an exciting outdoor trip.
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Inter-House sports
Next Friday, the Sports Leaders will be running an Inter-House competition with a focus on our sports day events. All children need to be in PE kits please.
FOSB Summer Disco
Dear Parents and Carers, We are delighted to invite our pupils to the upcoming School Disco on Tuesday 30th June, held in the school hall. Infants (Reception, Year 1, and Year 2) can join us from 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM. Juniors (Years 3 to 6) can join us from 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM. Key Details: Admission: £3 per child. Please purchase your ticket in advance via Parent Pay (you will receive an email notification when this is live). The Grand Finale: The last 15 minutes of each disco session will feature a foam party (weather dependent)! Refreshments: A selection of crisps, sweets, and drinks will be included in the cost of the ticket. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to a brilliant, fun-filled evening. Warm regards, Mrs Wilkinson and FOSB
Blackburn with Darwen Children's Literature Festival
Children in Years 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 will walk down to Darwen Library to take part in the literature festival. Please ensure that all children wear a waterproof coat. Children will set off at 9am and be back in time for lunch time.