Reception class celebrate Interfaith Week
Reception class had a highly engaging week exploring Islam and the life of a Muslim. During their worship session with Miss Kachwalla, the class delved into the Five Pillars of Islam. Miss Kachwalla enhanced the learning by demonstrating her prayer mat and discussing the significance of pilgrimages. The children really enjoyed listening to Miss Kachwalla and enjoyed looking at her special clothes. Miss Kachwalla explained why certain foods were significant to Islam. They enjoyed tasting honey, wholemeal bread, melon, figs and olives and found out that Muslims eat these to keep healthy, help our bodies and to give us energy too. Thank you so much Miss Kachwalla, we have really enjoyed learning all about your religion!
Year 2 Interfaith Week
We tasted some special foods and learned about the 5 Pillars of Islam. Thank you Miss Kachwalla for sharing your faith with us.
Year 5 - Inter Faith Week
Miss Kachwalla kindly told Year 5 all about her faith - Islam. She told us about how the 5 pillars of Islam are rules to guide Muslims. She showed us pictures of her trips to Saudi Arabia and Jerusalem and told us about her pilgrimage to Mecca. Miss Kachwalla also showed us her prayer mat and discussed how prayers allow her to feel closer to God. To celebrate Inter Faith Week, we tried foods recommended by the Prophet for being healthy and natural: dates, bread, figs, honey, olives and melon.
Year 6 - Interfaith Week
This week we celebrated Interfaith Week with Miss. Kachwalla, who shared what being a Muslim means to her and how her faith guides her daily life. During her workshop, she introduced the children to the key beliefs and practices of Islam, including the importance of kindness, community and prayer. The children asked thoughtful questions and showed great curiosity. To end the session, the children enjoyed tasting a selection of traditional foods from her culture, giving them a wonderful chance to experience and appreciate something new.
Year 5 - Odd Socks Day
We launched anti-bullying week by wearing odd socks and by discussing how we can help ourselves and other people who are being excluded or picked on. We talked about the different types of power that people can have and how we can use our power to make our world a better place.
Whole School singing Worship
This morning our children came together to learn about Diwali. We enjoyed some Hindi songs and spoke about the Hindu Festival of Light! We then sang together worshipping God through our Harvest festival songs ready to perform them to you during our Harvest Church Service on Thursday. We look forward to seeing you there.
Rev Matt’s Whole School Worship
Rev Matt led our Whole Worship today which focused on second chances. We started with a quick game in which we had eight items on a tray. Rev Matt then covered it over and removed some of the items and the children had to guess which were missing. The items included a duck, a bottle of cordial and tins. The children highlighted the fact that we were given second chances by Rev Matt to have a guess. Our Bible story had the actions for running, walking and watching. It was the story of Jacob. Jacob had cheated his brother in the story and his brother now wanted him dead. God watched and watched Jacob run away. When Jacob was tired he fell exhausted onto the desert floor. When he was ready to listen to God he had a dream with a ladder. At the top of the ladder was God and he promised Jacob that the land was his and his family’s and God would always protect Jacob. When he woke he said thanks to God and then he ran all the way to his friends and his mother told him he would be safe but also learnt a very important lesson. Jacob met a girl and after seven years she became his wife. On the day of his wedding, he pulled back the veil and realised that the girl was in fact the sister of the girl he thought he was marrying. He felt that he had been cheated. The cheater had been cheated. Eventually he could marry the correct sister and return home. On his return home, Jacob walked and walked eventually seeing his brother walking towards him. Jacob told his family to stay behind as he would face his brother alone. He believed that God would protect him. His brother forgave him and the two brothers were friends again just as God had promised. He had given Jacob a second chance. In our discussion we looked at why God gives us second chances even when we don’t deserve it . Rev Matt also asked us who we could give a second chance to? The children shared that they could have a second chance if they had made a mistake or done something wrong. We could given second chances to lots of people including our friends, family and people around us. We finished in prayer asking for God to give everyone a second chance .
Whole School Worship - Preparing for Harvest Time
This week in worship it has been a time of reflection. We thought about some of the many injustices around the world with the aid of picture and video prompts. The children explored what they saw in the video and explained the injustice of each situation. Mrs Ham then talked about the causes we are supporting this Harvest and we celebrated the charitable efforts made so far by members of our school family. Then it was over to the children as they taught the teachers how to sing a Harvest song in Zulu. We’re all in for a treat at the Harvest service next Thursday.
Year 4 - PE: Throwing to a Target
The Year 4s are a competitive bunch, particularly in dodgeball sessions. This week our character development focus was ‘respect’. We briefly discussed how we can respect our opponents as well as our teammates. We spent some time practising throwing a ball through a hoop using an overarm throw. We then applied this skill in a game of ‘Cross the River’, in which a team had to get all their players across the hall without being hit by the dodgeball. Many of the children demonstrated their target practice to great effect, managing to get out multiple people.
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Year 3 Join the Great Big Live Assembly for Black History Month
Today, Year 3 took part in the Great Big Live Assembly for Black History Month 2025, hosted by Chris Kanday, Jeriah, and Gemma Hunt. The assembly explored the theme of “Standing Firm in Power and Pride”, celebrating the achievements and courage of Black individuals throughout history and today. Pupils learned about Rosa Parks and how one small, brave act helped spark huge social change. The presenters also discussed the St. George’s Cross, explaining how symbols can carry different meanings and how important it is that everyone in our communities feels welcome, valued, and respected. Through videos, discussions, and messages from inspiring guests, children reflected on how they can show kindness, courage, and fairness in their own lives. The children were thrilled, and a little surprised, when their class appeared on the big screen during the live broadcast! It was an exciting moment that made the experience even more memorable. They were inspired to speak up against injustice, celebrate diversity, and remember that even small acts of bravery and kindness can make a big difference.
Year 5 - RotaKids
Kathleen and Julia from Darwen Rotary Club visited Year 5 to help choose our RotoKids. The children elected a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer who will help organise our fund raising efforts this year. We will have events to support the school, our local community as well as making contributions to international relief efforts. Congratulations to Desmond, Olivia, Daisy and Miles!
Edstart Jag Tag Tournament
Today we took part in the Edstart Jag Tag Tournament at Our Lady St John. We played against other schools from across the Borough and managed to secure some wonderful results. St Barnabas vs St Paul’s Hoddlesden - 12-0 win St Barnabas Vs St Anthony’s 8-0 win St Barnabas Vs Audley 14-6 win St Barnabas Vs Daisyfield Once we progressed to the Semi Final we met Audley again which resulted in a 18-0 win and then the final game was against St Anthony’s and we managed to come away with a sixth consecutive win of 12-0. Huge thanks to Marcus @Edstart for organising the tournament- it was fantastic to see everyone taking part with huge smiles on their faces and showing super sportsmanship. What a way to end such a successful sporting calendar! Go Team B!