Year 4 Class Novel
Year 4 enjoy their Class Novel time and have been so engrossed in this half terms' narrative, 'The Elsewhere Emporium,' by Ross Mackenzie. It is the sequel to the book we completed in the previous term and Year 4 can't wait to find out what will happen in the next stages of the adventure. Lots of predictions are being made as to what will happen - we hope it will be a happy ending!
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Year 4 Art
In Art, Year 4 have been practising recording ideas using visual representations, rather than just words. We were amazed at how different each piece of work was, even though we had all received the same information. We decided it shows how we all think differently and see and interpret things in different ways that are relevant to us as individuals.
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Online Safety - Youtube Kids
YouTube Kids promises a safe, child-centric experience with colourful visuals, age-filtered content, and robust parental controls. Designed to appeal to younger viewers, the app has grown rapidly, being used by tens of millions of children worldwide. But is it as safe as it seems? Despite YouTube Kids’ safeguards, reports have highlighted worrying issues, such as inappropriate content slipping through filters, subtle advertising, and the use of manipulative design to keep children engaged. Our guide explores how to navigate these pitfalls, offering practical advice for making sure children get the most from the platform – without the risks.
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 4 English - Writing A Newspaper Report
In English Year 4 have been writing newspaper reports.
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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.
Year 4 Maths - Money
Year 4 have been putting their calculation, decimal and conversion skills to the test in Maths this week, looking at money.
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.
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.
Sun Safety
☀️ Sunshine at School! ☀️ Dear Parents and Carers, As the warmer weather is finally here, we're so excited for the children to enjoy some sunshine during their time at school! To make sure everyone stays happy, comfortable, and safe while they play and learn in the lovely weather, we kindly ask for your support with a few things: Sun Hats: Please ensure your child brings a sun hat to school every day. This will help protect their head and face from the sun. Sun Cream: Please apply a long-lasting sun cream to your child before they come to school in the morning. If your child needs to reapply during the day, please provide a named bottle of sun cream that they can easily manage themselves (staff can offer guidance if needed, but are unable to apply it). Weather Appropriate Clothes: Please dress your child in light, comfortable clothing that is suitable for warmer temperatures. Layers can be a good idea in case the temperature changes throughout the day. Water Bottles: It's really important that the children stay hydrated, especially when it's warm. Please ensure your child brings a named water bottle to school every day so they can have access to water throughout the day. We have water fountains available for refills. We absolutely love seeing the children enjoy the sunshine and make the most of the warmer days. By working together to ensure they have these essentials, we can help them stay comfortable and safe while they do so! Thank you for your understanding and support in keeping our children happy and healthy.
Year 4 PSHE - Conflict
Year 4 have been putting their problem solving skills to the test as they made suggestions to different conflicts that may arise in different daily situations during their PSHE lesson.
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