Image of Year 4 - PE: Introduction to Map-Reading
25 Feb

Year 4 - PE: Introduction to Map-Reading

Year 4’s first session of orienteering was focussed on map reading and teamwork. The children were shown a range of equipment and were taught how to read a key. In their groups, the children had to use the keys on their maps to recreate a funny face using the equipment. The challenge was to ensure they communicated as a team as they were only allowed to collect one piece of equipment at a time.

Image of Year 4 - RE: A-Cross The World Project
25 Feb

Year 4 - RE: A-Cross The World Project

We've already begun creating our Easter artwork in Year 4. This year, each class has chosen a style of cross from a different country or culture. In Year 4, we learned about the Peruvian cross tapestries made from 100% sheep’s wool and coloured with natural dyes. These tapestries were inspired by the tradition from Chile of using rags to create dolls and embroidering them onto larger pieces of cloth. These were called arpilleras. We used the geometric style of the Peruvian cross as a basis for our oil pastel creations, using a range of horizontal lines merged together to create a gradient of colours.

Image of Year 4 - English: Zones of Relevance
25 Feb

Year 4 - English: Zones of Relevance

The children in Year 4 have just started their new English topic on fantasy stories. We are reading The Firework-Maker’s Daughter and, in this lesson, the children had to look at how the main character behaves and decide on some of her key characteristics. They had to use the text and dictionaries to sort a list of personality traits into 3 different zones in order to highlight the character’s most dominant attributes. There was some fantastic co-operative learning taking place.

Image of Mad Science Assembly-Going for Gold with Scientific Erica
24 Feb

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

Image of Year 4 Lead Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week Worship
13 Feb

Year 4 Lead Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week Worship

This morning, Year 4 led a truly inspiring Whole School Worship, centering their message on Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week. It was a colourful and vibrant start to the day, as all the children arrived 'Dressed to Express.' It was wonderful to see the hall filled with different outfits showcasing the children's unique personalities, hidden talents, and favourite colours—a perfect reminder that being ourselves is key to our wellbeing. The children did an amazing job showcasing their oracy skills. They projected their voices clearly and confidently, ensuring their important message was heard by everyone. The other classes were captivated, listening intently as Year 4 explained the vital link between kindness and mental health. They highlighted how simple acts of kindness are not just good for others, but also boost our own happiness and sense of belonging. The class reminded us all that kindness is a superpower that supports a healthy mind and a happy school community. We brought the worship to a close with some beautiful, thoughtful prayers and raised the roof singing along to ‘My Lighthouse.’ A huge thank you to the parents and carers who came along to support the children; your presence made the morning even more special.

Image of Micro forest planting in Year 4
12 Feb

Micro forest planting in Year 4

Today, our Year 4 class swapped the classroom for the great outdoors at Jacks Key! We were thrilled to take part in the exciting new initiative, ‘Growing Our Future: A New Micro Forest’. Working alongside the Lancashire County Council Treescapes team and in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen Council, our students got their hands dirty for a wonderful cause. We are incredibly proud to say that every single child planted at least two trees! These saplings will grow into a micro-forest that will serve as a lasting legacy for our neighbourhood for decades to come. Well done, Year 4, for helping build a greener future!

Image of Pancake making with Fruiticious in Year 4
12 Feb

Pancake making with Fruiticious in Year 4

Year 4 loved taking part in the Pancake making session with the Fruiticious team this afternoon. They showed us how they made their pancakes, cooked some for us and then even let us sample them with a variety of different toppings. What a brilliant treat to finish off a busy half term!

Image of Year 4 - Science: Water Conservation
11 Feb

Year 4 - Science: Water Conservation

To wrap up our Spring 1 science unit, the Year 4 class were learning about the importance of water and how we can conserve it. They learned that they should be drinking at least 6 glasses of water per day and that it must be clean and pure for it to be drinkable. They found out some issues with leaving taps running unnecessarily and they discussed ways in which we can all conserve water. The children then worked in small groups to choose an issue and create a poster showing how to conserve water. The children will be presenting these in a whole school worship next half term.

Image of Year 4 - Safer Internet Day: Cyber bullying
11 Feb

Year 4 - Safer Internet Day: Cyber bullying

In Year 4, we spent Safer Internet Day focussing on a very common issue that many of our school family will probably experience as their internet usage increases: cyber bullying. The topic was introduced to the children sensitively with a look at what cyber bullying may look like. As a class, we read some hypothetical scenarios of unkind messages and shared how we thought the recipient might have felt. We then shared some examples of advice we could give to someone affected by cyber bullying. The children realised that there is a subtle difference between messages aimed at hurting others and those that can be misconstrued. The children were introduced to three options for resolving an issue: block, ignore and tell a trusted adult. They developed skills to help them think critically about what they see online.

Image of Year 4 WOW Badge Design Competition
10 Feb

Year 4 WOW Badge Design Competition

We are really proud of our WOW badge designs that Year 4 have created for the national walk to school badge competition. The Wellbeing Warriors met on Friday to pick a winner from each class which will be announced shortly and these will go forward to represent the school. If selected in the national competition, the badge will then be made for a month in next year’s campaign.

Image of BwD Schools Y3/4 Sportshall Athletics
10 Feb

BwD Schools Y3/4 Sportshall Athletics

What a fantastic evening we have had attending the Blackburn with Darwen Schools Year 3/4 Sportshall Athletics event at DVHS. Team B were on fire, securing lots of wins over the course of the night and managed to come away with a silver medal. Well done to all involved and a special thank you to our amazing parents for transporting the children to and from the event amd being the best cheerleaders at the end! A huge thank you to Mrs Gardner and Mr Bloomfield for their brilliant coaching and encouragement!

Image of Whole School- Safer Internet Day 2026-Centered on the responsible use of AI.
10 Feb

Whole School- Safer Internet Day 2026-Centered on the responsible use of AI.

To mark Safer Internet Day 2026, Mrs Araujo led a special Worship centered on the responsible use of AI. The session started with the Heads and Deputy Heads signing the Trinity. The children then watched a short video and discussed how AI can assist us in our daily lives. Through a fun identification game, pupils practised spotting AI-generated images and learned that because AI can make mistakes, its results are not always true or accurate. This helped our children understand the importance of being cautious and informed digital citizens.