Roman Battle Formations in Year 4
In our history lesson this week we discussed why the Roman army was so successful. We looked at why they were so powerful and disciplined. We then looked at how they used manoeuvres and drills to create various formations so that they could protect themselves from every angle in battle. We finished with a real life drill to see if Mrs Gardner could get through the children’s wedge formation that they created with their own shields. Not one boulder (ping pong ball) got through so well done Year 4 - it was a huge success!
Year 6 History- Evacuees
Today, we concluded our unit on propaganda and how it has been used throughout the ages. Our focus today was how it was used during WW2. Year 6 discovered that it was used to persuade parents to send their children to the countryside so that they were safe. Therefore, many pictures of evacuees shows them smiling. However, year 6 are now aware that this may not have reflected their true emotions as they will have left loved ones and special possessions behind.
Year 4 History - Why was the Roman army so successful?
In today’s history lesson we focused on why the Roman army was so successful. We investigated how the army was broken down into units with a legion having 5000 men, Cohorts then had 480 men and Century’s had 80 men in each group. Finally this was broken down into 10 groups of 8 soldiers who lived, ate and slept in tents together. We also looked at tactical Roman manoeuvres such as the Wedge and Testudo formations. The children can’t wait to finish their shield designs so we can try out the formations to see which would have worked the best in keeping the enemy at bay!
Year 4 - English: Researching Roman Soldiers
Year 4 had a great time exploring the Roman history box today. The children watched videos, examined artefacts and researched from information books to find out about what life was like for a Roman soldier in Britain during the 1st century AD. They will be using these facts to help them write in role throughout this English topic.
Year 1 History- What happened on 2nd September 1666?
As part of history unit on the Great Fire of London, Year 1 acted out what happened during the 2nd September through to 6th September 1666. We had the baker Thomas Farriner going to bed and leaving a spark in the oven which then caused a fire to break out, children acting as the fire jumping from house to house, children using leather buckets, water squirters and fire hooks attempting to put the fire out and others escaping London in boats on the River Thames just as residents did at the time of the GFoL, children acting as the fire getting ever nearer to the Tower of London where people had stored their possessions for safekeeping, children acting as St Paul’s Cathedral and being defeated by the flames, children acting as King Charles II ordering gunpowder to be used, children acting as the buildings which were blown up with gunpowder to create a fire break to stop the fire and finally children acting as the last flames which died out.
Reception: Muddy Monday
Today our Ducklings visited the war memorial at Whitehall park. We had a look at the photographs and pictures of soldiers, their uniform and their armour. We noticed that there were only boy names so we discussed why. A few of our children found their forenames too! We then walked back to school through Jack Keys so we could get a little muddy!
EYFS/KS1 Remembrance lunch time crafts
Our EYFS & KS1 children really enjoyed creating Remembrance themed crafts at lunch times. St Barnabas remembers!
Year 6- Remembrance Service
Some of our Year 6 children took part in a special service of Remembrance this morning at Whitehall Cemetery. We are so proud of the way they joined in the service showing their respects and thanks to those who lost their lives during the world wars. After the service they had to find our adopted war graves plus two others and laid special poppy crosses on them. We took a few moments to pray for all of those who gave up their lives for us and also remembered loved ones that might have passed away who are laid to rest in the cemetery.
Reception: Remembrance Day
Reception have been learning all about Remembrance Day. They created poppies in provision using playdough, creative materials, felt tips and paint.
Poppy Appeal 2023
From Monday our Heads and Deputies will be selling Poppy Appeal merchandise at break times. The suggested donation for zip ties and reflectors is 50p, standard wristbands £1.00 and slap bands £1.50. Poppies will also be available to purchase for a small donation. Next week we will be focusing on Remembrance Day in our Worships and our Year 6 Heads and Deputies plus some of our WOW group members will be taking part in a special Remembrance Service in Darwen Cemetery. We will remember them.
Year 5 - Maya Gods
This week Year 5 have been exploring what the Maya believed in? The children were exposed to a variety of gods that the Maya worshipped and the children created their own fact file on their favourite God. The children focussed especially on the human and animal characteristics of their chosen god and these gods were important to the Mayan civilisation.
Dance Warriors in Year 4
We began our new dance unit today in PE and linked this to our history topic based on the Romans. We watched different examples of choreography and then selected which piece of music we would like to perform to. The majority of the children chose ‘Warriors’ and then we worked both individually and in pairs to create exaggerated movements that a soldier makes.