Year 3 - Geography - Identifying Rocks In The School Grounds
Year 3 pupils have been out and about in the school grounds for their latest geography lesson, putting their fieldwork skills into practice by identifying and examining different types of rocks around the academy. Great curiosity and excellent observation skills shown by all involved.
Year 3 - Science - How Does A Shadow Change When The Distance From The Light Source Is Altered?
Year 3 scientists have been busy investigating light and shadows this week. We have been exploring how the size of a shadow changes when an object is moved closer to or further away from a light source. Did you know that as an object gets closer to the light source, the shadow grows larger? Moving the object further away makes the shadow smaller.
Governor Vacancies
Could you help shape the future of Darwen St James? Darwen St James Church of England Primary Academy is looking for enthusiastic, dedicated individuals to join the team as Parent Governors and Foundation Governors. You do not need to be an education expert or have special qualifications. Your everyday experience, community insight, and care for the children are what matter most. What does a Governor do? Set direction: Help shape priorities and support the academy vision. Support and challenge: Ask constructive questions and act as a critical friend. Keep children at the heart: Oversee safeguarding, education, wellbeing, and resources. Bring a wider perspective: Use your skills, experience, and community insight to help the school thrive. Which role suits you? Parent Governor: Open to current parents and carers, giving families a direct voice in the school. Foundation Governor: Focuses on supporting and championing the school's Christian vision and ethos. Is it for you? If you care about the success and wellbeing of children, can listen and work as part of a team, and can commit a little time to attend meetings, complete training, and visit the school, we would love to hear from you. How to get involved Interested? Start with an informal conversation to learn more without any obligation. Telephone: 01254 703260 Email: [email protected] Address: St James Crescent, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 0EY You can also scan the QR code on the poster for further governance information. Get in touch today to help make a positive difference.
Year 3 - Retrieval - D.T. - Sorting Food Groups
Year 3 have been putting their retrieval skills to the test in Design and Technology! Today, the class cast their minds back to Year 2 to recall their knowledge of the different food groups. They did a fantastic job using the Eatwell Guide to sort various foods into the correct nutritional categories. It is wonderful to see them remembering and applying their previous learning so confidently. Excellent work, Year 3!
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Year 3 - Science - How Do Shadows Change Throughout The Day?
Working in small groups, the children used torches as light sources to represent the movement of the sun across the sky. By angling and repositioning their torches around a fixed object, they observed how the position of a light source directly impacts shadow length and direction. They discovered that when the torch was held low to simulate morning or late afternoon, the shadows stretched out long, whereas positioning the torch directly overhead created the shortest shadows. This hands-on classroom investigation allowed the class to carefully control their variables while developing their scientific enquiry and measurement skills.
Year 3 - Computing - Learning To Touch Type
Fingers at the ready! This week in Computing, Year 3 have been mastering a fantastic new skill: touch typing! Using Purple Mash, the children have been working incredibly hard to train their fingers to find the right keys without constantly looking down at the keyboard. We've been exploring the 'home keys' and discovering just how much faster we can be when we use both hands to type. It takes a lot of concentration, patience, and practice to break old habits, but Year 3 are already showing brilliant progress. Watch out—we’ve got some speedy typists in the making!
Year 3 - P.E. - Learning To Sprint and Skip
Ready, steady, go! Year 3 have been full of energy in P.E. this week as they focused on the fundamentals of sprinting and skipping. The children have been working incredibly hard on their technique, discovering how the correct posture, arm swings, and high knees can help them move faster and with better coordination. It takes a lot of focus to get the rhythm just right, but the class showed brilliant perseverance and enthusiasm throughout the lesson. It was wonderful to see such fantastic effort and sportsmanship in the hall.
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Year 3 - Art - Gestural Drawing With Charcoal
This term in art, our Year 3 class is stepping away from tiny sketches at their desks and taking on a high-energy, large-scale creative project using charcoal. Instead of just using their fingers and wrists, the children will be using their whole bodies—stretching, sweeping, and moving to create bold, dynamic marks across huge sheets of paper. By tapping into rhythm and movement, they’ll explore how different gestures create different textures and tones, and the results are looking truly extraordinary!
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Year 3 - Science - Sources of Light
This term, our Year 3 mini-scientists are rolling up their sleeves and stepping into the lab to explore the fascinating world of light and shadows. We’re really focusing on practical, hands-on learning, giving the children a chance to ask big questions, test out their own ideas, and figure out how things work firsthand. It’s always a hugely popular topic, and we can’t wait to see their curiosity take off as they get stuck into some brilliant classroom experiments.
Year 3 - PSHE - Learning First Aid For Asthma Attacks and Choking
Today, our Year 3 class took part in an invaluable life skills session focused on first aid. After watching an educational video from the British Red Cross, the children put their learning into practice. They learned how to spot the signs of someone having an asthma attack and the exact steps to take to help them use their inhaler. The class also practised the vital techniques needed to assist someone who is choking, including how to deliver effective back blows . We are incredibly proud of how maturely the children approached these sensitive topics. They showed fantastic listening skills and now feel much more confident about how to stay calm and help in an emergency. You can find out more information here https://www.redcross.org.uk/first-aid/learn-first-aid/videos Well done, Year 3!
Year 3 - Handwriting - Letters of Thanks To Staff
As we approach the end of the school year, Year 3 spent time reflecting on their favourite memories during a very special handwriting lesson today. The children put their best effort into their presentation, using their finest cursive script to write letters of thanks to the school staff. They took great care with their letter formation, spacing, and alignment to ensure their messages looked as beautiful as possible. It was a wonderful opportunity for the class to practice their writing skills while expressing their gratitude to the team for a fantastic year of learning and growth. Well done, Year 3, for your hard work and lovely manners!
Changes to Free School Meals
REMINDER 🚨 IMPORTANT: Free School Meals Rules are Changing! 🚨Please read this update carefully, as all current Free School Meal (FSM) eligibility under the old rules will end on August 31st. To ensure your child continues to receive free school meals at the start of the new term in September, everyone needs to reapply. Old protections are ending, which means if you do not reapply and get verified, your child’s free meals will stop. 🌟 The Big Change: Expanded Eligibility for Universal Credit There is great news for many families. Starting this September, the government has expanded eligibility. The old earnings threshold is gone. * If you are in receipt of Universal Credit at any level (regardless of how much you earn), your child is now entitled to free school meals. This change means hundreds of thousands of additional children who missed out before will now qualify. 💻 The Application Portal is LIVE NOW! Do not wait until September. The portal is open right now, and applying early ensures everything is set up before the first day of school. Who needs to apply? Every family wanting free school meals from September—including those currently receiving them and those who are newly eligible under Universal Credit. How to apply: https://www.blackburn.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-and-pupil-support/free-school-meals Take action today so your child doesn't miss out on a single meal! If you have any questions or need help with the online form, please contact the school office.
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