Year 1 - Computing - Algorithms
Our Year 1 students are diving into the world of Computing by learning how to sequence algorithms correctly. To understand how computers follow instructions, we practiced breaking down everyday tasks into clear, logical steps. #Year1 #ComputingSkills #Algorithms #Sequencing
Year 1 - Geography - Compass Directions
Our young explorers have been busy mastering the four cardinal directions in Geography this week. From identifying North, South, East, and West to mapping out the classroom around them, they are well on their way to becoming expert navigators! It’s wonderful to see such great focus and "direction" in their learning. #Year1 #GeographySkills #YoungExplorers #PrimaryEducation #CompassPoints
Children in Need - A Visit from Pudsey!
???? A Very Special Visitor at Darwen St James’! We are thrilled to share some exciting news! Because of the incredible generosity and hard work of our pupils, parents, and staff, we received a very special surprise visit from Pudsey Bear himself! Pudsey dropped by to say a massive "thank you" for the money we raised for Children in Need. It was wonderful to see so many smiles across the school as we celebrated our fundraising success together. ???? Why it Matters The money raised goes directly toward supporting children and young people across the UK, ensuring they have the support they need to thrive. At Darwen St James’, we believe in "Nurturing Ambition," and helping others is a big part of that mission. ❤️ A Huge Thank You We are so proud of our school community. Whether you donated, took part in a challenge, or wore your spots with pride, you helped make a difference. Check out the photos from Pudsey’s visit below! ???????? #ChildrenInNeed #PudseyBear #DarwenStJames #NurturingAmbition #FundraisingSuccess #CommunitySpirit
Mash Club - Extra Curricular Activities
Have you ever wondered what it takes to build a digital world from scratch? This term in Computer Club, our talented young developers have been doing exactly that using Purple Mash to design and code their very own video games. By mastering block-based programming, the children successfully brought characters and animals to life, animating their movement and even giving them a voice through programmed dialogue. The real magic happened when we explored collision events, coding characters to transform their appearance the moment they touch, and adding a scoring system to turn their creations into fully functional, competitive challenges. It has been inspiring to watch them evolve from tech users into confident creators, tackling complex logic and debugging with incredible persistence! #DarwenStJames #ComputerClub #SchoolComputing #PurpleMash
Pre-School - Literacy- Retelling Of Our Story - Little Red Riding Hood
Our classroom transformed into a theater this week! After diving into Little Red Riding Hood, the children took the lead and decided to bring the story to life using character masks. It was amazing to watch them retell the key events with such confidence. We even heard some fantastic "Big Bad Wolf" growls and "Grandma" voices as they fully embraced their roles! #EarlyYears #Literacy #RolePlay #LittleRedRidingHood #LearningThroughPlay
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Pre-School-Physical Development-P.E-Gross motor
Our Preschoolers had a blast in P.E. last week! We’ve been working hard on our gross motor skills using the parachute and a ball. We started with a round of "Popcorn Pop"—everyone held the edge and worked together to make the ball bounce high and low like a kernel of corn! Then, we tested our reflexes with "Cat and Mouse," where one child sat in the middle trying to catch the ball as the rest of the group used the parachute to keep it moving. Lots of giggles and great teamwork all around! ???? #PreschoolPE #GrossMotorSkills #ActiveLearning #Teamwork #EarlyYears
Reception- Maths-Capacity
In Reception the children dove into the world of capacity by exploring how different volumes interact with various shapes and sizes. Through hands-on experimentation, they develop a concrete understanding of mathematical vocabulary such as full, empty, and half-full. By pouring water between tall, narrow cylinders and wide, shallow basins, the children are often surprised to see that the same amount of liquid looks different depending on the vessel, sparking "what would happen if..." inquiries that lead to early scientific testing. This process of filling and emptying containers allows them to make predictions and comparisons, building the foundational spatial awareness needed to understand that capacity refers to the amount a container can hold regardless of its height or width.
Reception- Physical Development- Gross Motor Painting
In our Reception classroom this week, the children refined their gross motor skills through the expressive act of painting tigers. Rather than being confined to small movements, the children use their entire arms and shoulders to sweep across large canvases, building the core strength and postural stability necessary for later physical development. When creating the tiger's face, they practice purposeful circular movements, rotating their arms from the shoulder and elbow to master the coordination required for fluid shapes. This physical effort is paired with cognitive milestones as they engage in color selection; reaching across the easel to choose fiery oranges and deep blacks encourages crossing the midline, a crucial neurological development. As they pivot their bodies and stretch to add stripes, these young artists are not just painting—they are strengthening the large muscle groups that provide the foundation for balance, coordination, and eventual fine motor control.
Nursery - Literacy - Story Props
This week, our literacy focus centered on the classic story The Three Billy Goats Gruff. The children used a variety of resources in the malleable tray to bring the narrative to life and deepen their understanding of story structure. To support their retelling, the children were provided with a rich assortment of aids, including puppets, masks, and soft toy teddies. These tools allowed the children to take on different roles, experimenting with key phrases from the book, such as the famous "Trip, trap, trip, trap!" as the goats crossed the bridge. To ensure the activity was inclusive and accessible for all learners, we integrated sound buttons which provided auditory prompts for the children to hear and repeat key parts of the story. We also utilized Widgits to offer visual symbols that helped the children sequence the events and recognize important vocabulary. Through this interactive play, the children demonstrated a growing grasp of narrative sequencing and gained confidence in using expressive language to communicate the story to their peers.
Year 2 - PE - Team Building
Can your child solve a puzzle using only their words and teamwork? This week in PE, our Year 2 students did exactly that as they tackled small-group challenges designed to build their cooperation and communication skills. The focus was on ensuring that every voice in the group was heard and valued, helping the children understand that a team is only as strong as its listeners. By practicing how to give clear, calm instructions, the students discovered the secret to success: when we communicate effectively, even the trickiest obstacles become easy to overcome!
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Year 2 - Maths - Number Bonds to 100
How many ways can you make £1 using only the coins in your pocket? This week, Year 2 have been putting their mental math skills to the test by mastering number bonds to 100. By becoming "Number Bond Experts," the children have unlocked a vital secret for their work with money: understanding that £1 is exactly the same as 100 pence. The students used this knowledge to explore how to build a pound using different combinations of coins, from handfuls of copper to stacks of silver. These foundational skills are not just helping them in their math books, but are preparing them for real-world scenarios like shopping and saving!
Year 5 P.E. - Dance By Chance!
Year 5 Find Their Groove with ‘Dance by Chance’! This term, Year 5 have jumped into an exciting new Dance unit, following the Get Set 4 PE curriculum. The children have been exploring the creative theme of ‘Dance by Chance’, where they use random elements—like the roll of a dice or the flip of a card—to determine their next moves. This approach has been fantastic for encouraging improvisation and teamwork. It’s been wonderful to see the children's confidence grow as they turn unexpected prompts into impressive, unique choreography!
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