Friday Celebration Worship
What a wonderful and incredibly busy first week back we have had in school. On Monday we welcomed special visitors into our school and they were so impressed with the children’s beautiful behaviour, their hard work and their fantastic oracy skills. We are so proud of the way our children represent our school community. A huge thank you to Miss Kachwalla for organising Mad Science, it was a brilliant experience and the children absolutely loved it. This week we have also spent time reflecting on Lent, thinking carefully about what we might give up and how we can grow closer to God during this special season. It has been lovely to see so many children taking part in our amazing after-school clubs and joining in with the Big Winter Wander. We are delighted to celebrate our Values Award winners this week. In Reception, Mason and Phoebe have shown our school values so beautifully. In Year 1, well done to Thea. In Year 2, congratulations to Joey. In Year 3, Alice and Evie have impressed us all. In Year 5, well done to Miles, and in Year 6, congratulations to Beau. Our Pen Licence this week goes to Scarlett in Year 4, what a fantastic achievement for your presentation and handwriting. In our Team Values results, fourth place goes to Darwen Tower, third place to Whitehall Park, second place to India Mill and in first place this week is River Darwen. A huge well done to River Darwen who will get to wear their own clothes on Friday for their disco, enjoy your celebration. We also have so many wonderful sporting achievements to celebrate. Alice has been awarded a trophy in cheerleading for coming second place. Bowen has received a football trophy for his excellent skills. Ida and Layla have both earned a badge for riding trot in horse riding. Phoebe has achieved her 10m swimming certificate and Stage 3. Olivia and Eleanor have earned a Rainbows badge for baking, trying different foods, completing a duck hunt and caring for animals carefully, and Eleanor has also achieved a water skills certificate. Maggie has been awarded a purple belt in martial arts for her fantastic kicking and punching, as well as achieving Stage 3 in gymnastics. Annabelle has received the hardest worker certificate in dance and has the amazing opportunity to go to New York for a dance show, we are so proud. Callie and Charlie have both achieved their 50m swimming certificates. Lyla has won medals in dancing. Seb and Scarlett have received certificates from a sports club during the half-term holidays and Scarlett's netball team also won the league. Tristan has been awarded a purple belt for punching and blocking. Ted has won a huge trophy for BMX racing for coming second in his age category. Lydia has awarded Olivia from Brownies for being kind and helpful. Grace has achieved dance medals for coming second and third. A special well done to our Year 5 football team who played six games, drawing two, narrowly losing one game 1–0, and winning three – a fantastic effort and great teamwork. Well done to Year 1 and Year 3 for achieving the highest attendance this week, your commitment to being in school every day really does make a difference. Looking ahead, we are excited for World Book Day next week. On Tuesday we have special Pinocchio dance workshops and a performance to look forward to. Don't forget to get your dolly peg book character entries in too. On Thursday, children can either dress as a book character or come in their pyjamas. Reception will be performing for Mother’s Day on Friday 13th March and we warmly invite families to join us for our Mother’s Day Sunday Service at church on Sunday 15th March where all of our children are welcome to sing to their Mums. Thank you to Olivia and Ava for leading us in our prayers this week.
Year 3- Geography- Exploring North America
Today, we started a brand-new unit focused on the continent of North America. The geographers located North America on a world map, specifically mastering the use of latitude and longitude and outlining the continent's key physical features.
Year 3- Online Safety- Protecting yourself from hackers
Today, Year 3 learned that hacking is the unauthorised attempt to exploit a computer system or network. We discussed how there are different types of hackers, like "Black Hats" who try to steal data and "White Hats" who are ethical and just look for weaknesses to help fix them. It is important to remember that hacking is a criminal offence that can lead to a criminal record, even if it is sometimes portrayed as "cool" in the media. To stay safe, we should use strong passwords with at least 8 characters, including symbols and numbers, and always ask a parent or carer for help before filling out online forms with private details like our address or date of birth. If you ever think an account has been hacked, you should tell an adult right away so they can help change the security controls and offer support.
Year 3 - Class Worship-Gladiators and Great Leaders
In our class worship today, we watched a video about the Gladiators and discussed how they use determination, discipline, and preparation to succeed in their physical challenges. We talked about how Mrs Ham is a wonderful role model because she leads by example every day, showing us that true leadership is about kindness and respect rather than just being powerful. Maggie read the prayer, asking for help to be an encouragement to others. We all joined in to sing 'Give Me Oil in My Lamp,' praying for the strength to keep serving and building others up so they feel brave and confident. We learned that whether you are a Gladiator or a school leader, true strength comes from having a gentle heart and helping everyone's light shine.
Mad Science Assembly-Going for Gold with Scientific Erica
Today, our students were treated to a spectacular, high-energy show by "Scientific Erica" from Mad Science. From Olympic-themed fire demonstrations to using gas to inflate giant balloons, the room was filled with "wow" moments and non-stop laughter. Under the expert supervision of Erica, a trained professional in chemical and fire safety, the children stepped into the role of scientists, making predictions and testing their theories in real-time. It was a memorable day that proved science is as much fun as it is educational! A special shout-out goes to our Science Ambassadors, who were a fantastic help throughout the event. Children in Years 1-4 have been given a letter with information about a Mad Science after school club next half term. It starts 13th April with new topics. Deadline date to register is 03.03.26. First come, first served. https://northengland.madscience.org/signin.aspx?successURL=%2fmyschedule
Year 3- P.E- Showing Determination in Sport
Today in P.E. we focused on our Invasion Games unit by practising our handball skills and focusing on our character value of Determination. We began by modeling and practising how to send and receive a ball using both a one-handed pass and a bounce pass. To perform these successfully, we followed specific techniques. When receiving, we kept our eyes on the ball and held our hands in a "W" shape to safely bring the ball in. In groups of 4 or 5, we stood in a semi-circle and practiced "Pepper Pot". One child acted as the leader, passing to each classmate in turn, who then passed the ball back. We rotated roles so everyone had a chance to practice both one-handed and bounce passes.
Year 3- Science- An Investigation into Igneous Rock Formation
Today, the children stepped into the roles of geologists to explore the fiery origins of igneous rocks. We began by investigating how magma (molten rock) from beneath the Earth's surface transforms into solid rock through cooling and the formation of crystals. The class compared intrusive igneous rocks, which cool slowly underground to form large crystals, with extrusive igneous rocks, which cool rapidly on the surface. To see this in action, we conducted two "delicious" experiments: first, we poured a hot chocolate and coconut oil mixture over ice to mimic the instant cooling of obsidian, resulting in a smooth, glass-like finish. Next, we created "honeycomb" rock by adding bicarbonate of soda to a hot sugar syrup; as the mixture foamily solidified, it trapped gas bubbles inside, perfectly demonstrating the porous, lightweight texture of pumice. Through these hands-on models, the children successfully reported on how temperature and trapped gases dictate the appearance and physical properties of the rocks we see on Earth today.
Year 3-Express Yourself Day!
Today, our school community came together to celebrate Children’s Mental Health Week 2026. This year’s theme, "This is My Place," encouraged our students to embrace self-awareness and explore what makes them unique, a vital step in building the resilience needed to navigate life’s ups and downs. Year 3 proudly wore the tie-dye T-shirts they created in their recent Art lessons. Each shirt was as unique as the student wearing it, perfectly showcasing their vibrant personalities and creative flair.
Year 3’s Microforest Adventure- Planting Trees
Year 3 are thrilled that our school is partnering with Blackburn with Darwen Council and the Lancashire County Council Treescapes team to create a brand-new microforest. The children had an absolutely fantastic time getting stuck into the soil! The planting team were genuinely impressed by the children's impressive knowledge of local trees and birds. We have some truly talented budding ecologists in our midst. The students showed such care and dedication while planting, and they are already buzzing with excitement to return and watch "their" trees flourish over the coming years. A huge well done to Year 3 for being such incredible ambassadors for our environment and for leaving a lasting green legacy for our community!
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Year 3 Become Researchers- Finding facts about David Attenborough
Today in English, Year 3 has taken the lead as researchers. They've been exploring the lives of "World Changers," looking at historical icons like Isaac Newton, David Attenborough and Florence Nightingale. After coming up with some brilliant questions earlier in the week, the children used Purple Mash to navigate the web and find their own facts. It was fantastic to see them working independently as they gathered all the info they needed to write some impressive biographies!
Year 3- Learning from the Experts- Early Pancake Day
Today, we welcomed professional bakers into school for a special pancake-making workshop! By watching experts at work, the children gained a fantastic insight into the hospitality and culinary industries. It wasn’t just about the flipping and the toppings, though; the children learned that to be a great baker, you need to be a bit of a "subject superstar." They explored how Maths is essential for measuring ingredients and timing, how English helps with following recipes, and how Science is the secret behind the perfect batter. The children found the pancakes absolutely delicious! We hope today has inspired some big aspirations and future dreams in our budding chefs.
Year 3 Present Their Learning: A Journey Through Victorian History to Year 2
Today, Year 3 had a fantastic opportunity to showcase their historical expertise by presenting their learning to Year 2. The children transported their audience back in time, sharing insightful details about the harsh realities of the Victorian era and the reformers who fought for change. The children shared fascinating facts about: The Factory Acts: They explained how these new laws finally made it illegal to employ children under the age of nine and limited the gruelling hours older children could work. Lord Shaftesbury: The class spoke about his tireless work as a reformer who believed every child deserved a childhood and an education. Ragged Schools: They described these free schools that provided food, clothing, and lessons to the most vulnerable children who couldn't afford a traditional education. Working Conditions: The children painted a vivid picture of the dangerous health conditions in Victorian factories, from the lack of ventilation to the "scavenging" roles children often performed under moving machinery. Whether presenting individually or in small groups, every child rose to the challenge, providing a brilliant boost for our Voice 21 initiative. It was a joy to watch them grow into confident speakers, using their oracy skills to teach others about the differences between the past and the present. Well done, Year 3.