PSHE - Stereotypes in Year 4
In our PSHE session this week, we were looking at stereotypes. Discussing Stereotypes help to teach the children limiting beliefs about who they are and what they can do, often based on gender, race, or appearance, which can impact their self-esteem, career choices, and relationships. We can challenge stereotypes by using gender-neutral language, establishing role models, encouraging all children to try different activities, and developing critical thinking skills so they can question stereotypes they encounter in the media or from peers. The children worked in smaller groups and used their oracy skills to share these with the rest of the class which was brilliant to see.
Meet Our Science Ambassadors
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we have expanded our Science Ambassadors and now have seven passionate representatives! For the first time ever, the role was open to both KS1 and KS2 students (previously KS2 only). We were overwhelmed by the incredible enthusiasm, receiving a huge number of applications from students explaining their passion and suitability for the role. The selection process was tough, but we have chosen our final seven. These enthusiastic leaders will be crucial in supporting our upcoming science initiatives; specifically, they will play a key role in the planning session with the Science Leader for British Science Week (BSW), where the team will focus on three key areas: determining the Big Idea by aligning the BSW theme with school goals; planning engaging Shows & Activities, including booking external providers, aiding teachers during practical lessons and assisting peers with scientific investigation to foster a culture of curiosity and learning across the school. We are so proud of them and look forward to Grace, Daisy, Jack, Harry, Elijah, Oliver and Minnie shining in their new role!
Library Skills in Year 4
Today we all went to the library to look at all of the wonderful new books that we have to choose from. We discussed key library skills such as putting books back in the correct place according to both author and colour band. We also shared important things to look at when choosing new books such as reading the blurb or looking at the suggestions that are on posters. Our Library is a super resource because it really promotes literacy and a love for reading through a wide range of books. A huge thanks to our English Leader, Miss Flynn, for reorganising the library and purchasing lots of new books.
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Year 4 DT - Stocking making skills
In our DT session this week, we have been exploring different ways to join fabric using sewing skills. We identified different sewing stitches, how to thread a needle and secure a knot and join two pieces of fabric together using a sewing stitch. We collected our resources which included a needle, thread, pins, a pair of scissors and an off cut of felt. We decided that both the running stitch and the overstitch were the easiest to master. The children really persevered with threading the needle and adding a knot, with some even managing to hide their knots by trapping them into the middle of the fabric. We can’t wait to make a start on our actual designs in the next session!
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Year 3 Presents their learning to Year 4
This morning, Year 3 confidently presented their learning all about the classical poem, 'The Spider and the Fly,' to Year 4. The children did a brilliant job, having memorised key parts of the original poem and then sharing the exciting ending of their own innovated version. The entire class then proudly said the poem's moral: 'Do not be fooled by flattery and compliments'. A huge well done to Year 3!
Year 4 - Interfaith Celebration
This year, to celebrate Interfaith Week, Miss Kachwalla led a series of workshops explaining what being Muslim means to her. The children develop a better understanding of different faiths when they learn directly from believers, especially how their faith impacts their daily lives. Miss Kachwalla gave a fantastic presentation to the children, in which she explained how she lives out the 5 pillars. She introduced her experience of Hajj and introduced us to some of the foods that the Prophet ate. We also had the opportunity to ask some of our own curiosity questions. We then returned to our classroom to taste some of the foods mentioned, including dates, olives, figs, melon and wholemeal bread with honey. Also this week, Years 3 and 4 watched a special recorded worship delivered by Imran from Muslim Learner Services. The children learned about how easy or difficult it is for many Muslims to follow the 5 pillars in Britain today. They also played some thumbs up/down quizzes and watched a tour of a mosque in Bolton.
Year 4 - Science: Teeth
As our Year 4 scientists continued their research on the human body, this week, they learned about the different types of teeth and their functions. They colour-coded the teeth in order to label the tooth types on a diagram and then they explained whether each tooth was for cutting, tearing or grinding the food.
Year 4 - Presentation of Learning
The Year 4s were very excited to present their learning to the Year 1 class this week. The children were put into groups of 6 to create a model of the human digestive system. They rehearsed their explanations of what each part does to the food and then proudly presented to small groups of Year 1 children. To start with, their explanations were a little bit complicated for our younger audience because they were keen to use the scientific vocabulary they’d learned, but we practised again using our best Mr Tumble impressions to make our explanations more Year 1 friendly.
KS2 - Football Club
On Tuesday, as part of KS2 Football Club, the children took part in a range of indoor activities due to the awful weather. They played games such as Zone Ball, which helped them develop their spatial awareness, teamwork and quick decision-making. The activities also encouraged them to think tactically about movement, positioning and how to create space during a match.
Friday Celebration Worship: Children in Need
This morning in our celebration worship, we gathered as a whole school family to mark Children in Need, offering heartfelt thanks for the generosity shown in raising awareness and funds for such a worthy cause. This week, we have also celebrated the start of Anti-Bullying Week by wearing odd socks, a joyful reminder of the importance of uniqueness and individuality. Together, we reflected on how love, friendship, generosity and kindness can help us use our power for good and stand against bullying and nurture one another’s mental health. Throughout the week, our after-school clubs have brought great excitement and creativity, with children enjoying board games, football, forest school, Warhammer painting and a lively Let’s Go Sing workshop. Reception delighted in a terrific Trekking Tuesday, Year 3 welcomed Rev Ben and enjoyed a memorable visit to Nightingale Farm, and all classes began their new Design & Technology units as they prepare to create products for the Christmas Fair. Our worship continued with the presentation of awards. We celebrated our Value award winners Alfie, Beau and Haydn in EYFS and KS1, and Joshua, Luke and Mason across KS2, for demonstrating an excellent work ethic, thoughtful listening, teamwork, independence and our Christian values. We congratulated the whole of Year 3 for representing our school so beautifully during their farm visit, Darwen Tower as the overall value award winners with an impressive 233 points, and Year 2 and Year 3 as our attendance champions. We then celebrated our out of school star achievers. We celebrated Bo for earning both ‘Player of the Week’ in football and ‘Best in the Cast’ at Made for Stage, Haydn for his ‘Player of the Week’ award and an incredible 27 goals in just seven games, Ralphi for achieving his 5m swimming badge, Poppy for her wonderful dancing, Isabella for being ‘Star of the Day’ in acro, Hendrix and Maggie for completing Stage 1 gymnastics, Jack for his courage and skill as ‘Player of the Match’ with Blackburn Eagles, Marley for her dedication to Brownies, Grace for exceptional success across her dance competition, Freddie for swimming a fantastic 25 metres, Evie for achieving her laughter, communication, drawing and promise badges at Rainbows, Lydia and Naomi for demonstrating kindness, helpfulness and bravery at Rainbows and Brownies, and Ohana in Reception class for swimming an impressive 75 metres. We also celebrated our Year 5/6 football team for their two brilliant league wins last night in the DPSSA Football League and for representing our school proudly at the Blackburn Rovers Senior Ground on Wednesday as part of the KS2 BRFC Kids Cup. Mrs Ham and Mrs Govan then awarded certificates to Luna, Beau, Lyla, Skye, Olivia, Edward, Alana and Naomi for their success in the Spring Vale Ramblers Club Art Competition, with their artwork chosen for display in the Darwen Heritage Centre. Mrs Govan also introduced our Christmas ADVENTure Trail Art competition, inspired by the Nativity story and soon to be showcased in Whitehall Park, with a chocolate treat awaiting all who take part. We closed by thanking Renée, Callie and Harry for their beautiful prayers and offering our appreciation to everyone who joined us in worship, as well as to our whole school community for their continued support. We wish you all a peaceful and restful weekend as we look forward to the busy and joy-filled weeks leading up to Christmas.
Year 4 History - How did Britons respond to the Roman Invasion
In our second history lesson, we looked at how the Britons responded to the Roman invasion and in particular, Queen Boudicca who was in charge of the Iceni Tribe . Through research and watching video clips we learned that the Britons responded to the Roman invasion in different ways: some fought back, but many tribes made peace and agreed to obey Roman laws and pay taxes to keep their kingdoms. A famous example of resistance was Queen Boudicca, who led a major rebellion in AD 60 that destroyed Roman towns like Colchester and London before her army was defeated by the more disciplined Roman soldiers. The children also observed different perceptions of Boudicca and what they could take from photos of her statues. Focusing on both her appearance and personality.
After-School: Board Game Club
Wow, what an amazing first session of Board Game Club! The children showed all 4B’s, it was lovely to see them all taking turns and sharing. The older children were so great with helping the younger children and teaching them some of the games. They all had such a lovely time.