Year 5 Visit to Darwen Library Theatre
Behind the Scenes: Year 5 Take Over Darwen Library Theatre! Our Year 5 artists traded the classroom for the spotlight this week with an incredible trip to Darwen Library Theatre. As part of our current project on Set Design, we went backstage to see how the magic actually happens! It was an action-packed morning where our pupils moved from the audience to the wings: Atmospheric Art: We learned how lighting technicians use colour and intensity to completely shift the mood of a scene. The Science of Sound: We experimented with audio modification—the echo and reverberation effects were a huge hit! Stage Presence: Every student had the chance to step up to the microphone on stage to deliver their best jokes. (We might have some future stand-up comedians in our midst!) VIP Access: A huge thank you to the staff who showed us the inner workings of the backstage areas. The team at the theatre were absolutely fantastic with the children, who blew us away with their insightful questions and curiosity. "It wasn't just a trip; it was a masterclass in how creativity meets technology!" Check out some of the highlights from our visit!
Year 5 Science - The Life Cycle of a Flowering Plant
Science in Action: From Seeds to Stems! Our classroom was buzzing with discovery this week as we dove deep into the fascinating world of botany. We kicked things off with a human timeline, where students held up posters representing the different stages of a flowering plant's lifecycle. It was a true team effort as the rest of the class debated and directed their peers into the perfect order—from tiny seed to full bloom! Once we mastered the "big picture," we got our hands dirty with some tulip dissections. Using careful precision, we identified the hidden reproductive parts of the flower, labelling the anthers, filaments, and ovaries to understand how plants create the next generation. Highlights of our hands-on learning: Lifecycle Logic: Mapping out growth through collaborative problem-solving. Flower Anatomy: Peering inside tulips to find the "machinery" of nature. Minty Experiments: Taking stem cuttings from mint plants to explore asexual reproduction. We’re currently waiting to see if our "clones" will take root and grow into exact copies of the original plant! Check out our young scientists in the photos as they explore the wonders of the natural world!
Year 5 PSHE - Role Plays Showing Acts of Friendship or Acts of Unkindness
Year 5 Explores the Secret to Great Friendships This week in PSHE, Year 5 have been thinking carefully about what it truly means to be a good friend. We began by identifying the small but significant gestures of friendship that make our school community a kinder place, from offering a word of encouragement to simply sharing a seat at lunch. The lesson took a dramatic turn as the children were given secret roleplay scenarios to perform. Some groups acted out heartwarming acts of kindness, while others depicted trickier situations where friendship was put to the test! Our PSHE Highlights: Spotting the Signs: Discussing how our actions and words impact those around us. The Big Reveal: The rest of the class had to play detective, guessing the scenario being acted out. Some were quite a challenge to figure out! Building Empathy: Reflecting on how it feels to be on the receiving end of different friendship behaviours. It was a fantastic session full of laughter and insightful discussion. Have a look at our photos to see our budding actors in action! How can you show friendship to the people around you?
Year 5 Easter Orienteering Challenge
Egg-cellent Orienteering Adventures for Year 5! Before we hopped off for the half-term break, our Year 5 pupils took to the great outdoors for a high-energy Easter Orienteering challenge! Working in pairs within their classes, the children were armed with maps of the school grounds and a mission to complete. With the timer set to 25 minutes, it was a race against the clock to navigate the playgrounds and the field to locate our hidden Easter questions. To keep things fair and fast-paced, we used a staggered start; pairs began at different stations—some starting at 18 and looping back to 1—ensuring everyone had space to sharpen their navigation skills. Our keen-eyed explorers had to follow the course in strict orienteering order, hunt down the eggs, and tackle the Blue KS2 questions found on the back of each one. It wasn't just about speed! Accuracy was key, as staff marked the answer sheets back in the classroom to find our top navigators. The Grand Prize: Our winning pairs, who found and correctly answered the most questions, hopped home with a giant chocolate Easter egg! Because everyone showed such fantastic teamwork and stamina, every single child enjoyed a delicious chocolate krispie cake for taking part.
Year 5 English - Blending Action, Dialogue and Description in a Sentence
Word Detectives: Unlocking the Opening Chapters Our budding linguists took on the role of Word Detectives this week, diving deep into the atmospheric opening of our new class novel, Goodnight Mister Tom. In a fast-paced, 12-minute challenge, students were tasked with more than just memorising definitions; they had to uncover the hidden "personality" of the author’s language. Working in teams, each table was assigned a specific keyword from the text—ranging from the stoic robust to the startled bewildered. Using dictionaries as their primary tools, the groups worked to define their word before "detecting" its specific mood. Is the word adamant a grumpy one? Does clad feel neutral or formal? The final challenge required high-level creativity and precision. Students had to craft a "Three-Way Blend" sentence, seamlessly weaving their assigned word into a single line that combined Action, Dialogue, and Description.
Online Safety - App and Play Stores
With millions of apps available and children accessing them from an increasingly young age, app stores can present a range of risks. From malware and copycat apps to inappropriate content and persuasive in-app purchases, this Wake Up Wednesday guide highlights how easily young users can encounter issues – even when using official platforms. It also offers clear, practical advice to help parents and educators manage these risks. From setting up parental controls and checking app credibility to having open conversations about safe usage, the guide supports adults in building children’s awareness, encouraging safer choices and promoting more balanced, responsible app use
Year 5 English - Reading and Responding to Haikus
Year 5 are getting lyrical this week! We’ve jumped into the wonderful world of Haikus, exploring how these short, traditional Japanese poems can pack such an evocative punch. The children have loved diving into different examples to uncover their hidden meanings. We are now mastering the "golden rule" of Haiku structure: the magical 5-7-5 syllable count! (Counting on fingers has definitely been required!) We are all looking forward to channeling our inner poets later in the week to create our very own Easter-themed Haikus.
Year 5 PE - OAA: Making Maps and Following Directions
Cones, compasses, and coordinate grids! Year 5 took their Team Building PE lesson indoors this week to master the art of navigation. Working together, they created and followed complex maps using cardinal points, carefully avoiding the 'Danger Cone'! It was a brilliant lesson filled with fun, problem-solving, and fantastic teamwork. Well done, Year 5!
Year 5 RE - How Does Art Show God's Victory at Easter?
Year 5’s RE took an expressive, arty turn this week! We have been deeply engaged in studying a collection of powerful religious paintings, focusing on how artists convey the profound theme of God’s victory at Easter. The children expertly analysed the artwork, discussing how elements like colour, line, light, and shape are intentionally used to depict the emotion and impact of the resurrection. Inspired by our studies, the class then channelled their learning into creating their own stunning abstract art paintings, capturing their interpretation of the Easter victory. The results are truly remarkable and show fantastic depth of thought.
Year 5 PE - OAA: Teamwork Challenges!
Mission Impossible? Not for Year 5! Our PE lessons have been all about teamwork this term! We’ve been putting our communication skills under the microscope with some tricky "Cooperation Challenges." From describing complex equipment layouts to partners who couldn't see them, to the nerve-wracking "Skipping Rope Bridge" football roll, the children have had to be assertive and patient. These tasks were incredibly tough, but the buzz of excitement when that football finally reached the end was amazing! We are so proud of the grit and collaborative spirit on display. Who knew PE could be such a brain-teaser?
Year 5 PSHE - Rights and Respect at Home, at School and in the Local Community
Rights and Respect: Empowering the Citizens of Tomorrow In PSHE this week, Year 5 have been exploring the fundamental concepts of rights and respect. We began by establishing a clear system of definitions: understanding that 'rights' are the entitlements every person should be afforded, while 'respect' is the active practice of acknowledging the needs and wishes of others. The children applied these definitions to their own lives, categorising their unique rights and responsibilities within three key areas: at home, in school, and throughout the wider local community. Working collaboratively in pairs, the pupils engaged in deep discussion before presenting their findings to the class with confidence. It was a marvellous opportunity for our young citizens to reflect on how showing respect for the environment and for each other creates a more harmonious society.
Year 5 English - Science Fiction Independent Write
After weeks of exploring distant galaxies and futuristic colonies, Year 5 have officially wrapped up their Science Fiction unit! For their final independent writing piece, the children drew inspiration from Roy Apps’ ‘Time Spinner’. They were tasked with writing a gripping tale about a time traveller from a sterile, silent future who suddenly appears in our vibrant, noisy, modern-day playground. Building on our recent drama and ‘Show, Don’t Tell’ workshops, the children have done a brilliant job of describing the sensory shock their characters felt. From the chaotic shrieks of a football match to the strange, earthy smell of the grass, their stories are packed with atmospheric detail and high-level vocabulary. We have been so impressed by their creativity and their ability to help their travellers find a way back to the future! If a time traveller appeared in our playground today and could take you anywhere in history (past or future), where would you choose to go? Let us know in the comments!
.png){kind=logo}
