Thank You for Joining Our First Reading Café!
Thank You for Joining Our First Reading Café! A huge thank you to everyone who came along to our very first Reading Café—it was such a lovely event! The children really enjoyed sharing stories and spending time reading with you. There was a wonderful buzz around the room as books were opened, imaginations sparked, and conversations flowed. It was a joy to see such enthusiasm for reading! We’re hoping to make this a regular event, and it would be fantastic to welcome even more of you next time. Keep an eye out for our summer term date—we’d love to see you there!
Sports for Champions Visit – Alisha Evanston (Tumbling)
We had an inspiring visit from professional tumbler Alisha Evanston as part of our Sports for Champions event! Alisha wowed the children with her amazing tumbling skills and even invited some brave volunteers—including a few teachers—for a fun handstand competition. She shared her journey as an athlete, showing videos of her performances, answering thoughtful questions from the children, and proudly showing her medals. The session was full of energy and excitement, and the children left feeling motivated and inspired to follow their own dreams. A huge thank you to Alisha for such a memorable experience!
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Easyfundraising
We’ve registered Darwen St James CE Primary Academy with #easyfundraising, which means over 8,000 retailers will now donate to us for FREE every time you use #easyfundraising to shop with them. These donations will help SO MUCH, so please sign up to support us – it’s completely FREE and doesn’t take long. https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/support-a-good-cause/step-1/?char=379393&invite=6po80d&referral-campaign=c2s&utm_campaign=web-referral
Online Safety - Instagram
Instagram remains a go-to app for teens, with its endless stream of photos, videos, and ‘Stories’ keeping young users constantly connected. From influencer content to live broadcasts, the platform is packed with evolving features that can feel fun and engaging – but can also raise some serious concerns around screen time, online pressures and exposure to inappropriate content. We’ve created this free guide – also available in podcast format – offering parents and educators up-to-date knowledge on the risks and safety tips for this latest version of Instagram.
Year 1 - RE - Making An Easter Garden
To end our unit on Easter, Year 1 talked about the events of the Easter Story as we made an Easter garden together. The garden included crosses that they had made. We also planted daffodils beside the empty tomb to symbolise new life.
Year 1 Maths - Comparing Capacity
In Year 1, your child is learning about capacity – how much something can hold. This lesson focuses on comparing the capacity of different containers using terms like 'full,' 'empty,' 'more than,' 'less than,' and 'the same as.' We used hands-on activities to make learning fun and engaging, helping them develop practical skills and a solid understanding of measurement concepts. Get ready for some water play (and maybe a few spills!) as we explore the world of capacity.
Year 1 Design Technology - Painting Fabric
Year 1 enjoyed this fun and engaging activity which allowed them to explore colors, patterns, and textures while developing essential fine motor skills. Using child-friendly fabric paints, they transformed plain fabrics into unique masterpieces in readiness to make their mittens.
Year 1 - History - Comparing Toys From The Past With Toys From The Present
Year 1 learned how to understand that things change over time, even the toys they play with. We explored how toys from the past are different from the toys we enjoy today, especially due to the development of new materials such as plastic. Year 1 explored basic historical concepts like 'past' and 'present' in a fun and relatable way by looking at toys.
The Benefits of Reading Every Day!
Reading with your child every day has a huge impact on their learning and development. It helps to build their vocabulary, improve their imagination, and develop a lifelong love of books. Just 10-15 minutes of reading each day can strengthen their confidence, comprehension skills, and ability to express themselves. Encouraging daily reading—whether it’s a bedtime story, sharing a book together, or letting them read aloud—helps to support their progress in school and beyond. Thank you for making reading a special part of their day!
Phonics Screening Check
The Phonics Screening Check is a short assessment that takes place in Year 1 to check your child’s ability to read words using phonics. It helps teachers understand how well children are progressing with their early reading skills. During the check, your child will be asked to read 40 words—some real and some “nonsense” (pseudo words). These words are designed to test their ability to blend sounds together. The check is done one-on-one with a teacher in a relaxed and supportive environment. You can help your child at home by practicing phonics sounds, blending words together, and reading regularly. Encouraging them to spot sounds in books and playing simple word games can make a big difference! We will be hosting a parent session to provide more information about the Phonics Screening Check and how you can support your child at home. This will be a great opportunity to ask questions and see some of the strategies we use in school. If you have any questions, please speak to your child’s teacher—we’re here to support you and your child on their reading journey!
Online Safety - Streamers
Livestreaming is now a major part of children’s entertainment, evolving from gamers sharing screens into a booming industry with diverse personalities. While watching streamers can be entertaining, it comes with no small number of risks for children, such as misinformation, negative influences, and inappropriate content. With over 2.5 million viewers on Twitch – the current most popular streaming platform – at any one time, this guide highlights the potential dangers associated with watching livestreams and the importance of staying informed. We’ve created this free guide – also available in podcast format – to provide parents and educators everything they need to know about streamers and how to keep children protected.
Family Easter Egg Competition
Dear Parents/Carers, Our annual Family Easter Egg Competition is almost here! This year’s theme is “All Things Easter”, so let your creativity shine! You could design your eggs based on: • Easter animals like chicks, bunnies, or lambs • Traditional Easter symbols such as crosses, baskets, or spring flowers • Fun Easter scenes like an egg hunt or a chocolate feast • Characters with an Easter twist—perhaps an “Egg Minion” or a “Bunny Superhero”! All entries should be clearly labelled with your child’s name and class and brought into school by Wednesday, 9th April. The winners will be announced during worship on Thursday, 10th April. Good luck—we’re egg-cited to see your fantastic creations!
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