Staying Safe Around Water
Whether it’s sunny days at the beach or fun in the paddling pool, children are naturally drawn to water. But with excitement comes risk. This guide brings together 10 clear, practical tips to help parents and educators protect children around water – whether that’s at home, on school trips or on holiday. Backed by the Royal Life Saving Society UK, the advice includes knowing what beach flags mean, avoiding inflatables in open water, and learning to ‘float and call’ in an emergency. With a focus on prevention and supervision, this guide is a must-read for summer safety and beyond.
Year 5 - Youth Zone Visit
Year 5 thoroughly enjoyed a fantastic afternoon of engaging activities with Darwen Youth Zone. This vibrant session provided a wonderful opportunity for students to acquire new skills, strengthen their teamwork, and enthusiastically try out novel experiences they hadn't encountered before.
Year 5 English - Final Independent Write of the Year!
This week, Year 5 proudly completed their final independent narratives, a testament to their exceptional effort throughout the writing process. Drawing inspiration from their class novel, Journey to the River Sea, students ingeniously innovated the text by transforming characters and, in some cases, entirely reimagining the setting. They demonstrated remarkable dedication, meticulously applying the diverse range of writing skills cultivated throughout the year to craft their compelling stories.
Beached Themed Reading Cafe
Wow, what an incredible day we had at our beach-themed reading café! A massive thank you to everyone who joined us and made it such a fantastic success. It was truly wonderful to see so much fun, laughter, and, most importantly, a clear passion for books filling the room!
Peer Mediators - Meet the Team!
Following two days of intensive training and a rigorous application process, our newly appointed peer mediators were officially ready to begin their important work this week! Easily identifiable in their bright high-visibility jackets, these dedicated students were a visible presence on the playground, poised to offer support and facilitate peaceful resolutions for any minor conflicts that arose.
Year 5 Church Visit for Holy Communion
This week, Year 5 had the special opportunity to join the Holy Communion Service at our church. A student thoughtfully read about the Lord's Prayer and how Jesus taught it to his disciples, setting a reflective tone. Many children courageously shared their own heartfelt prayers, asking God for guidance and help with global challenges such as wars and climate change. Following the service, we enjoyed a communal lunch at the church before returning to school, a wonderful end to a meaningful morning.
Year 5 Geography - Oceans
In Geography lessons, Year 5 has been delving into the vital topic of oceans. This week, our focus shifted to practical solutions for preventing plastic pollution in our seas. We thoroughly explored ways to reduce our personal single-use plastic consumption and discussed innovative methods for repurposing and reusing plastic items. Building on this crucial understanding, we are excited to visit the seaside next week, where we will investigate our local beaches to assess litter types and quantities, and identify the diverse flora and fauna that inhabit the area.
Year 5 English: Planning a Narrative based on Journey to the River Sea
Our Year 5 English lessons have been brought to life by the captivating narrative of Eva Ibbotson's Journey to the River Sea. Students have been diligently planning their unique, innovated stories, drawing inspiration from the novel's themes and adventures. We are excited to see these creative narratives unfold as they begin their writing journey this week.
Year 5 Worship - How we Help Our Friends
In a meaningful Class Worship session, Year 5 engaged with the powerful story of the paralysed man, which they then creatively retold in engaging cartoon strip form. Building on this narrative, students reflected deeply on past instances where they've supported a friend and, inspired by the story's message, thoughtfully made personal pledges for how they intend to offer help and kindness to their friends in the future.
Online Safety - Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo’s long-awaited Switch 2 has finally arrived, blending fresh hardware with fan-favourite franchises. From Mario to Pikachu, the familiar mascots are back – but so too are evolving online features, in-game purchases, and potential exposure to mature content. As ever, it’s essential that parents and educators understand the risks to young players. Among these are GameChat voice communication, camera-based gaming, and potential access to mature-rated titles. This guide outlines what to watch out for and how to keep children safe, engaged and having fun.
Year 5 Art - Visual Notes in Response to an Artist
This week in Art, Year 5 embarked on an exciting exploration of Set Design for the Theatre. They meticulously studied the innovative work of Rae Smith, particularly her acclaimed designs for Michael Morpurgo's powerful production of War Horse. Inspired by the artist's unique style and vision, the children then translated their observations and ideas into their own creative 'visual notes.'
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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.
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