Reception - Understanding Our World - Visiting The Chicks!
Our classroom was bursting with excitement (and a few adorable little peeps!) this week as the wonderful Reception class came to visit our newly hatched baby chicks over in Pre-School. Their little faces lit up as they carefully peered into the brooder, their eyes wide with wonder at the tiny, fluffy creatures wobbling around. We talked about how to be gentle and quiet around the chicks, and the children were so incredibly well-behaved, showing real kindness and curiosity. There were lots of "oohs" and "aahs" as the chicks cheeped and explored their temporary home. We even got to see a few brave chicks take their first tentative steps! It was a fantastic opportunity for the Reception children to learn about where food comes from, the life cycle of a chicken, and the importance of caring for living things. We answered lots of brilliant questions, from "Are they soft?" (yes, very!) to "What do they eat?" (special chick crumb, of course!). It was such a joy to share this special experience with the younger children and witness their fascination with nature.
Summer Clubs!
☀️ Spark Your Child's Summer with Exciting School Clubs! ☀️ Dear Parents, Get ready for an action-packed summer term! We're thrilled to offer a fantastic range of after-school clubs starting from the week commencing WC 28/04/2025 and running until the week commencing WC 30/06/2025. We have something to ignite every child's passion and help them explore new talents! Does your child love being active? Our KS2 Cricket and KS2 Netball clubs are perfect for developing teamwork and sportsmanship while having fun. For those who love to move to the beat, Just Dance Club offers a chance to learn some cool new dance moves! Perhaps your child has a creative flair? In Creative Writing, budding authors can craft their own adventure stories inspired by literacy. And for the musically inclined, Recorder Club provides a wonderful opportunity to learn a new instrument. We also have a Drawing/Art Club where children can build confidence in their artistic abilities. We're really hoping for lots of enthusiastic participants in all our clubs, so please take a look at the timetable attached and see what exciting opportunities await your child. Signing up is easy! Simply log in to ParentPay to secure your child's spot. Don't miss out on this chance for your child to learn new skills, make friends, and have a brilliant time after school. We can't wait to see lots of happy faces at our Summer 2025 Clubs, sign up now!
Online Safety - Making Friends Online
As technology becomes increasingly embedded in young people’s lives, it’s common for them to form friendships entirely online. These connections can provide companionship and community — but they also bring potential dangers that parents and educators need to be aware of. From online grooming and privacy breaches to exposure to upsetting content, meeting people on the internet isn’t without risk. This guide explains the possible hazards of online friendships and gives parents and educators essential advice on helping children build safe, positive relationships online.
Reception - Maths - Numbers to 13
Look at our amazing Reception superstars working hard in maths! We’ve been learning all about the numbers 11, 12 and 13 using colourful counters and ten frames. The children loved exploring the numbers in fun and practical ways – so much concentration and teamwork going on! What a great way to build those early number skills!
Online Safety - Search Engines
Search engines are a routine part of everyday life, giving instant access to billions of web pages; however, this also increases the risk of children encountering harmful, untrustworthy, or illegal content. We’ve created this free guide – also available in podcast format – offering parents and educators quickfire information about the risks of search engines and practical steps that can be taken to safeguard children online.
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!
Reception - Celebrating the Hindu Festival of Holi!
Our Reception class had a fantastic time learning about and celebrating the Hindu Festival of Holi – the festival of colours! The children enjoyed exploring colour through a variety of creative activities. Outside, they used spray bottles filled with vibrant paints to create beautiful art on large sheets of paper, mimicking the joyful splashes of colour seen during Holi celebrations. Indoors, they used digital tools on the interactive whiteboard to create their own colourful masterpieces, experimenting with shape, colour, and design. It was a fun, engaging way to learn about different cultures and traditions while developing our artistic and fine motor skills. What a colourful afternoon we had!
Reception - Maths - Number Bonds to 5
Today, the Reception children explored number bonds to 5 using Numicon shapes. The children were engaged and curious as they selected different Numicon pieces to fit onto their number bond mats. They experimented with combinations, discovering pairs of numbers that add together to make 5. One child confidently placed a 3-piece and a 2-piece together and said, “3 and 2 make 5!” Another child tested several combinations, swapping pieces and checking their total by counting the holes. The children worked both independently and collaboratively, sharing their ideas and helping each other find matching pairs. This activity supported their understanding of part-whole relationships and encouraged mathematical thinking through hands-on learning. It also helped develop their fine motor skills and number recognition.
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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
Reception - Courageous Advocacy - Litter
This afternoon, the children continued to build on their prior learning from our last courageous advocacy session, where they identified littering as a key issue in our community. Demonstrating a strong sense of responsibility and care for their environment, the children engaged in a variety of meaningful activities. They created eye-catching posters encouraging people to dispose of their litter properly, showcasing their creativity and commitment to spreading awareness. The children also took part in a litter sorting activity, which sparked thoughtful conversations about recycling and the impact of waste on our planet. It was heartening to see the depth of understanding the children displayed and the genuine compassion they showed for their environment. Their enthusiasm and sense of purpose were evident throughout the afternoon, and we are incredibly proud of their efforts to be active, informed advocates for change in their community.
Exploring Repeating Patterns in Reception.
Our Reception children have been busy learning about repeating patterns in maths! Using colorful cubes, they explored different sequences and practiced identifying and continuing patterns. This hands-on activity not only develops mathematical thinking but also strengthens problem-solving skills and creativity. It’s wonderful to see their enthusiasm and engagement as they work together and learn through play. Keep up the great work, little mathematicians!
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