Online Safety: Using Technology to Boost Reading Skills
It’s World Book Day today – the perfect time to celebrate reading in all its forms! The way we read is changing – social media captions, video game instructions, and e-books are all shaping modern literacy. But did you know digital tools can boost reading skills for young learners? This week, we’re sharing ten top tips to help parents and educators support struggling readers using technology! Get our FREE #WakeUpWednesday guide – also available as a podcast – and discover how to make reading more accessible and engaging! Download here >> https://ow.ly/y8eg50Vamjh Listen here>> https://ow.ly/GEBO50Vamji
Reception- Kindness Ripples
In PSHE we watched a video showing how kindness can have an impact on others and can be passed on. We then made a circle and created some kindness ripples by dropping a stone into water and watching the ripples grow and spread to represent how kindness can spread. We are aiming to spread kindness through our 40 acts of kindness challenge for Lent.
Year 3- 40 Days of Kindness – Day 1
Following this morning’s school worship, where Mrs. Ham introduced the 40-day kindness challenge, we began Day 1 today. As we explored the similarities between Lent and Ramadan, we discussed how both are times to feel closer to God, give things up or fast, and give back to others. To start our challenge, each of the 31 children drew a picture, some chose suns, love hearts, stars, rainbows, books, cups, flowers, and even ice creams. At the end of the day, Chloe went around with a basket and handed each child a picture created by someone else. This small but thoughtful act brought smiles to everyone’s faces and reminded us how simple gestures can brighten someone’s day. We also spoke about the importance of kindness, especially during break and lunchtime when small disagreements can happen. Instead of only giving to our best friends, we challenged ourselves to give selflessly and spread kindness to others, seeing the joy it can bring. This discussion helped us reflect on how our words and actions shape the friendships and community around us.
Year 4 BRFC League
This evening, Year 4 kicked off their journey in the BRFC league with three exciting matches. They narrowly lost a hard-fought game against Shadsworth, 3-2, but bounced back with a 3-1 victory over St. Peter’s. They finished on a high with an impressive 8-1 win against St. Barnabas and St. Paul’s. The team played brilliantly, demonstrating great teamwork and sportsmanship while proudly representing their school.
Little Craft Club
Today at The Little Craft Club, the children designed and decorated their own pencil cases. They thought of their favourite things so the final products represented each of them! Some of the children delved into our Imagination Station box to find things to creatively decorate the zip pull too! This activity is going to be part of a special Craft Club session at The Carus Centre in Hoddlesden during the Easter holidays. In the session, we will also be painting canvases and making bracelets/phone charms. The session is open to the public and can be booked here: https://fredandpearl.com/collections/easter-holidays
Reception: Muddy Monday
Our Reception class went to Whitehall park for the first time for their Muddy Monday session. They found pine cones, climbed trees, looked for minibeasts and made dens. The children loved exploring the area for their forest schools session and we can't wait to visit again soon.
2nd last month in the walk to school challenge
February’s WOW walk to school Top Ten challenge is finished! We are thrilled to have gained 2nd place on the leaderboard this month! Thank you to our parents and carers for encouraging their children to travel actively to school! This term’s #WOWTopTen schools in Blackburn with Darwen are:
Reception Visit to Imagine That
Our Reception class visited Imagine That today. They had a brilliant time using their imagination in imagination village, creating art making magnets and bags. They also made snow and slime! The children really enjoyed the dry ice experiments and loved the science room where we got to explore and learn. It was a wonderful trip where lots of memories were made. The staff commented on the children's behaviour and how amazing they all were, what superstars! For all images, please look at our gallery: https://stbarnabasdarwen.co.uk/photo-galleries/reception-visit-to-imagine-that
Year 6 Class Meeting - How Safe Do You Feel Online?
Year 6 had a fantastic pupil-led class meeting, this week. The focus was online safety and centred around the key question - how safe do you feel online? The children watched a Newsround interview discussing online safety and had group discussions and debates around the key question.
Online Safety: Marvel Rivals
Marvel Rivals has skyrocketed to success in recent months, currently boasting 40 million players but popularity doesn’t always mean ‘safe’. This week’s guide and the latest episode of the #WakeUpWednesday Podcast offers expert advice on the risks of this competitive online game, with tips on safeguarding younger players. Download here >> https://nationalcollege.com/guides/marvel-rivals Listen here >> https://nationalcollege.com/podcasts/what-parents-educators-need-to-know-about-marvel-rivals
Year 3- Debate- How safe do you feel online?
During our class debate, led by Ella and Alfie, the children unanimously agreed that they only feel safe online some of the time. This led to an important discussion about the steps we can take to feel safer in our daily lives. We emphasised the importance of speaking to a trusted adult when feeling uncertain or uncomfortable, as well as the need to use only age-appropriate apps and online platforms. Through this conversation, we reinforced the message that staying safe is a shared responsibility and that making informed choices can help protect ourselves and others.
WOW Badge Design Winners
A huge well done to our seven WOW badge design winners! We had so many entries for the badges which made it very difficult to pick a winner from each class. Thank you to every child who created their designs and submitted them to the competition. We picked the top three from the age group winners which have been sent off to the national competition which closes this week so fingers crossed .