Year 6: SATs Week
This week has been SATs week, and everyone has worked so hard with fantastic attitudes during the tests and lessons - so we have made sure to add in extra mindfulness sessions.
.jpg)
Year 2 - Art - Worry Dolls
In this creative Art lesson, Year 2 explored the origin and purpose of Worry Dolls, learning how these traditional figures help hold our worries for us. Using twigs collected from around the school grounds, the children carefully selected sticks that suggested human forms, identifying natural shapes for arms and legs. To bring their characters to life, they mastered wrapping techniques with colourful wool, adding vibrant textures to their unique creations. It was a wonderful way to combine fine motor skills with an important discussion about wellbeing and sharing our feelings.
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 PSHE - Life Education Workshop about Friendship
Friendships and Feelings: Year 5 Life Education Workshop Before the half-term holiday, Year 5 received a very special visit from Steven at Coram Life Education for an insightful workshop focused on friendship and emotional health. Our pupils dived deep into how the different parts of our brains can affect our daily behaviour. They also explored the vital differences between being passive, aggressive, or assertive when communicating with others. Through interactive activities, the children practiced new strategies for resolving conflicts and building stronger, more positive friendships. It was a fantastic session that left everyone feeling empowered to navigate their relationships with confidence and kindness!
Year 1 PSHE This is my Place
Our Year One children have been exploring the concept of belonging this week for Children’s Mental Health Week. By creating their own personal maps, they have been identifying the places where they feel safest, happiest, and most at home. At Darwen St James’, we believe that nurturing a sense of belonging is the first step toward helping every child flourish. When children know they have a place where they truly fit in, they have the confidence to grow and the ambition to reach their full potential. #DarwenStJames #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek #ThisIsMyPlace #Belonging #NurturingAmbition #YearOne
Year 2 - Bounce Back - Resilience
Ever wondered how a "Colour Monster" can help children build life-long resilience? This week, our Year 2 pupils took an exciting step in their wellbeing journey during a ‘Bounce Forward’ workshop led by James from Mind Lancashire. After diving into the story of The Colour Monster to identify and untangle different emotions, the children shared their favourite ways to stay calm and regulated. To celebrate their new skills, everyone got creative by decorating "Crowns of Calm", serving as a colourful reminder that they have the tools to bounce back from any challenge!
Pre-School-Trip-Temple Of Fun
What a blast! Last week, Nursery and Pre-school took their festive trip to the Temple of Fun, and the children absolutely loved exploring the play centre! They were little adventurers, climbing and crawling their way through the equipment and really putting those gross motor skills to the test. It was great to see them tackle every challenge with confidence, demonstrating a brilliant growth mindset. A huge success and fantastic fun for all our little explorers!
Online Safety - Tracking Devices
Tracking devices were designed to help people find lost belongings, but they’ve also opened the door to worrying forms of misuse. This week’s #WakeUpWednesday explores how Bluetooth trackers like AirTags and SmartTags can be misused for stalking, bullying and invading young people’s privacy. Download your FREE copy here >> https://vist.ly/4f4u2
Year 5 PSHE - The Compassion Workshop
This week, Year 5 welcomed Tom from Everfi for a special workshop focused on compassion and kindness. As "Be Kind" is one of our key school rules, students could contribute knowledgeably to discussions about practical ways to demonstrate kindness toward others. We completed the interactive workshop online, culminating in an assessment where successful completion earned the children a well-deserved certificate!
Online Safety - Fortnite
Fortnite continues to reign supreme in the gaming world, drawing in millions of players with its bold graphics, fast-paced action and constant stream of new content. This guide looks at the latest developments in the game – such as themed updates, crossover characters and limited-edition cosmetics – and what they mean for young players and the adults who support them. It also unpacks some of the key online safety risks associated with Fortnite. With in-game purchases, cross-platform communication and regular seasonal updates creating an ‘always on’ experience, it’s vital that trusted adults understand how to help children and young people enjoy the game without being exposed to unnecessary risks.
Online Safety - Memes
They’re everywhere online, but do you really know what memes are saying? ???? This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide explores the role of memes in youth culture - and why they’re not always as harmless as they seem. From hidden messages to misinformation, we break it down ???????? Plus, we share four simple ways parents and educators can guide young people to engage more safely with memes - encouraging empathy, critical thinking and healthier digital habits ????????
Mental Health and Wellbeing - Recognising and Managing Stress
Stress is something we all experience – but for children and young people, it can feel especially overwhelming. This guide presents 10 simple, actionable strategies to help young people manage stress in a healthy and balanced manner. Whether it’s noticing early signs, encouraging open conversations, or modelling calm responses, there are plenty of ideas here to support positive change. Perfect for both school and home settings, the guide equips adults to identify subtle signals of stress and create safe spaces for pupils to open up. It also suggests mindful habits and healthy routines that can become part of daily life, promoting long-term emotional strength and mental wellbeing.
.png){kind=logo}
