Image of Reception- PSHE-People Who Help Us To Keep Safe
31 Mar

Reception- PSHE-People Who Help Us To Keep Safe

In our PSHE lesson today, we became safety superstars as we explored the many wonderful people who help keep us safe. We began by identifying the trusted adults at home and school, as well as the heroes we might meet when we are out and about in our community. The children’s curiosity shone during our "What’s in the Bag?" game, where they used clever clues to guess different helpers. We then brought these roles to life through imaginative role-play, dressing up as police officers, firefighters, doctors, and teachers—even practicing how we can be good friends and help each other! To wrap up our learning, we worked together on a jigsaw challenge, successfully matching our community helpers with the tools they use to look after us.

Image of Year 5 PSHE - Rights and Respect at Home, at School and in the Local Community
25 Mar

Year 5 PSHE - Rights and Respect at Home, at School and in the Local Community

Rights and Respect: Empowering the Citizens of Tomorrow In PSHE this week, Year 5 have been exploring the fundamental concepts of rights and respect. We began by establishing a clear system of definitions: understanding that 'rights' are the entitlements every person should be afforded, while 'respect' is the active practice of acknowledging the needs and wishes of others. The children applied these definitions to their own lives, categorising their unique rights and responsibilities within three key areas: at home, in school, and throughout the wider local community. Working collaboratively in pairs, the pupils engaged in deep discussion before presenting their findings to the class with confidence. It was a marvellous opportunity for our young citizens to reflect on how showing respect for the environment and for each other creates a more harmonious society.

Image of Nursery/Pre-School-P.S.H.E-Looking After Ourselves-Teddy Bears Picnic
11 Mar

Nursery/Pre-School-P.S.H.E-Looking After Ourselves-Teddy Bears Picnic

This week in P.S.H.E., we explored the importance of self-care and healthy living. To put our learning into practice, we hosted a "Healthy Picnic" alongside some very special guests—our favorite teddy bears from home! During our session, the children discussed how to fuel our bodies with nutritious food and shared their daily self-care routines, from brushing teeth to keeping germs at bay with a good soak in the bath.

Image of Year 5 PSHE - Life Education Workshop about Friendship
24 Feb

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!

Image of Year 3 - PSHE - Learning About The Brain
24 Feb

Year 3 - PSHE - Learning About The Brain

A Special Visit from Harold and Friends! Year 3 had a very exciting visit from Coram Life Education. We were joined by their expert educator and, of course, the star of the show—Harold the Giraffe! The children took part in an interactive workshop called "Meet the Brain," which took them on a fascinating journey inside their own heads. Through fun activities and discussions, the class explored how the brain acts as the "control center" for the entire body.

Image of Nursery And Pre-School - PSHE - Valentine's Stay And Play
13 Feb

Nursery And Pre-School - PSHE - Valentine's Stay And Play

This week, Nursery and Preschool were delighted to host a special "Stay and Play" session, inviting the children's grown-ups into the setting to celebrate Valentine's Day together. The children took great pride in being "tour guides" for their visitors, showing their grown-ups their favorite areas to play and explaining their daily routines. This provided a wonderful boost to their confidence and communication skills as they shared their learning environment with their families. Throughout the session, the children engaged in various collaborative crafts, working side-by-side with their grown-ups to create Valentine-themed art. It was lovely to see the children interacting so positively with each other and their families, demonstrating their ability to share resources and work together on creative tasks. The morning was a beautiful celebration of the bonds between home and school, filled with happy faces and a wonderful sense of community.

Image of Nursery And Pre-School - PSHE - Valentine's Stay And Play
13 Feb

Nursery And Pre-School - PSHE - Valentine's Stay And Play

This week, Nursery and Preschool were delighted to host a special "Stay and Play" session, inviting the children's grown-ups into the setting to celebrate Valentine's Day together. The children took great pride in being "tour guides" for their visitors, showing their grown-ups their favorite areas to play and explaining their daily routines. This provided a wonderful boost to their confidence and communication skills as they shared their learning environment with their families. Throughout the session, the children engaged in various collaborative crafts, working side-by-side with their grown-ups to create Valentine-themed art. It was lovely to see the children interacting so positively with each other and their families, demonstrating their ability to share resources and work together on creative tasks. The morning was a beautiful celebration of the bonds between home and school, filled with happy faces and a wonderful sense of community.

Image of Year 5 - Aim High Day
11 Feb

Year 5 - Aim High Day

Aiming High: Year 5 Explore Future Careers Our Year 5 pupils had a brilliant time during our 'Aim High' morning, where the hall was buzzing with inspiration and curiosity. We were lucky enough to be joined by a fantastic range of professionals, including a DJ, an electrician, an accountant, and local PCSOs, as well as a face painter, a craft creator, dentists, and a professional sportsperson. The children threw themselves into the various hands-on experiences, gaining a real insight into the world of work and the diverse paths available to them. It was a wonderful opportunity to see our students dreaming big and discovering new passions—there was certainly plenty of fun had by all! If you could try out any job in the world for just one day, which one would you choose and why?

Image of Year 1 PSHE This is my Place
10 Feb

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

Image of Reception- PSHE-Teamwork
10 Feb

Reception- PSHE-Teamwork

In our sand area today, our little builders turned into a team of royal architects! The children worked brilliantly together to create a magnificent castle fit for a giant. Using a mix of sturdy bricks and textured sand, they communicated their ideas with wonderful clarity, discussing exactly how to make the walls tall enough and where the giant would sleep. It was fantastic to hear them negotiating space, with one child suggesting, "Let's use the sand to make a moat!" while another added, "We need the biggest bricks for the giant's tower!" By sharing their thoughts and listening to each other’s suggestions, they successfully added a grand entrance and a lookout point, proving that their teamwork was just as strong as their building.

Image of Year 5 and 6 PCSO Visit
27 Jan

Year 5 and 6 PCSO Visit

Building a Brighter Community: A Visit from our Local PCSO. Last Friday afternoon, Year 5 and 6 had the privilege of welcoming our local Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) to the classroom for an important and thought-provoking session. Understanding Choices and Consequences The workshop focused on the concept of honesty and the impact of stealing. We explored different scenarios, including: The hurt caused by taking something from a friend at school. The serious legal and community consequences of shoplifting. The children truly shone during the session! They engaged deeply with the topic, asking insightful questions and demonstrating a mature understanding of how our individual choices ripple out to affect our friends, families, and the wider community in Darwen. Our visitor was particularly impressed by how clearly the pupils could explain the importance of integrity and respect. Reflection at Home It was a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to build a positive relationship with our local police force and to reflect on their own values. A question for reflection tonight: "Why do you think being honest is the most important foundation for a strong friendship?"

Image of Children in Need - A Visit from Pudsey!
21 Jan

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