Forest School Training
Forest School learning is an inspirational and specialised approach to outdoor education that focuses on developing confidence, self-esteem, and holistic growth in learners through hands-on experiences in natural environments. This week our teachers have been on a Forest School adventure. Learning all the different skills to become Forest School leaders. Bringing back to school the philosophical understanding, practical skills, and confidence to unlock the vast educational potential of the outdoors, ultimately creating richer, more engaging, and more beneficial learning experiences for our pupils.
School Games Gold Award Winners!
We’re proud to announce that Darwen St James has been awarded the GOLD School Games Mark! This brilliant achievement is a reflection of the perseverance, courage, and hope shown by our pupils—and the dedication of our PE and Extra-Curricular Sports Team, who work tirelessly to promote sport and physical activity across our school. This year we have participated in netball, football, cross country and cricket to name a few! The School Games Mark is a national award that celebrates a school’s commitment to PE, school sport, and competition, both within and beyond the school gates. It also supports schools in reviewing and strengthening their provision. A huge thank you and well done to Mrs Cookson and all the staff for making sport such an exciting and important part of life at Darwen St James. We’re incredibly proud of our pupils for stepping up to every challenge with determination and team spirit. Keep going, keep growing! ???? #TeamDSJ #DSJFamily
Year 2 - Computing - Making Music
We have had fun this week composing digital music and learning all about tone, beats and volume.
Year 2 - Maths - Time
Year 2 have been learning more about time and have looked specifically at o clock, quarter past, half past and quater to. They have been exploring drawing on clocks and labelling them.
Year 2 - Music - Pitch
Children are engaged in learning about music, specifically exploring the concept of pitch. They are shown using various instruments, using hands-on musical exploration and discovery.
Year 2 Computing - Presenting Ideas
In our Year 2 computing lesson, we learned valuable skills in digital literacy and creative expression. We utilised laptops to develop and present our ideas, focusing on the process of creating a story.
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Year 2 - School Shop
Year 2 visit the school shop weekly. This activity provides a fantastic hands-on learning experience, teaching them practical life skills such as managing resources, making choices within a set budget (represented by the tokens), and understanding the concept of exchange. It also fosters decision-making abilities as they select items they desire, and potentially even promotes social interaction as they engage with peers and supervising adults during their "shopping" experience.
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Online Safety - Violent Content Online
Around 70% of teenagers say they’ve seen real-life violence on social media in the past year. Violent content online isn’t just something young people are occasionally stumbling across – in many cases, it’s becoming a routine part of their digital world. From fights and stabbings to toxic ideologies , disturbing videos are often just a click away on social media or group chats. This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide highlights the unseen risks this poses to children’s mental health , sense of safety, and social behaviours. With insights from a leading expert , it offers practical ways for parents and educators to respond with empathy and support – not punishment or panic.
Online Safety -Minecraft
With its limitless opportunities for building, exploring and collaborating, Minecraft remains a global gaming phenomenon. Its broad appeal lies in how open-ended it is – but this also means it’s not without risk. From chatting with strangers on public servers to the grief of having a beloved creation destroyed, young players can face challenges if left unsupervised. Minecraft can also become a time sink for enthusiastic players, with late nights spent crafting and constructing, potentially impacting school and social lives. We’ve created this free guide to help parents and educators understand how to keep young gamers safe – from choosing age-appropriate game modes to setting boundaries around screen time and spending.
Year 2 - Art - Representing Movement
Year 2 students explored expressing emotions and movements through art in their lesson. The images show them learning how to change the positions of arms and legs when drawing stick figures to depict different actions and feelings, such as being normal, reaching, stretching, dancing/jumping, feeling scared or shocked.
Year 2 - English - We Love to Read!
Year 2 students enjoyed dedicated "Reading for Pleasure" time. The images capture the children engrossed in a variety of books, highlighting their engagement and love for reading. Each student is absorbed in their chosen story, fostering a positive reading culture within the classroom.
Reminder: Please Send Water, Not Juice
Dear Parents and Carers, A gentle reminder to please send your child in with a bottle of water each day. While juice can seem like a convenient choice, plain water is the healthiest option and is recommended by both NHS and EYFS nutrition guidance. If your child isn’t used to drinking water, here are a few helpful tips: • Gradually water down juice, reducing the amount each day until it’s just water. • Use a fun or colourful bottle to make drinking water more exciting. • Add a slice of fruit (like lemon, orange, or cucumber) for a natural flavour boost. • Be a role model – children are more likely to drink water if they see you doing it too. Thank you for your support in helping us create a healthy and happy environment for all children.
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