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.
.png)
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!
Creative Easter Fun in Reception!
Our little artists have been busy crafting their own Easter chicks! Using bright colors, fluffy materials, and lots of creativity, they carefully designed their adorable chicks. This activity not only gets us into the Easter spirit but also helps develop fine motor skills and artistic expression. Well done, everyone—your chicks look amazing!
Reception Class - Imaginative Play
Today, the children embraced the warmer weather by spending time outdoors, engaging in imaginative play through dressing up. This type of pretend play is vital for their development, fostering creativity, social skills, and emotional expression. By adopting various roles and scenarios, they enhance their cognitive abilities and learn to navigate different social situations.   According to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, such activities contribute significantly to children’s personal, social, and emotional development, as well as their communication and language skills. Encouraging pretend play supports their ability to express themselves and understand the world around them. We look forward to more sunny days filled with exploration and creative adventures!
Reception Class - Handwriting
Our Reception children have been busy developing their handwriting skills today! With the support of our teachers, they have been working hard on letter formation, pencil grip, and fine motor skills. Handwriting is an essential skill that builds confidence in early writing and supports overall literacy development. Through focused practice and encouragement, our young learners are making great progress. Well done, everyone—keep up the fantastic work!
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.
Reception PE - Rocking and Rolling
During today’s PE lesson, the children engaged in a sea-themed movement activity, demonstrating a variety of physical skills through imaginative play. At the start of the session, they identified different sea creatures using a resource card, confidently naming animals such as sharks, crabs, octopuses, fish, seahorses, and starfish. The children moved around the space, carefully navigating the gaps between mats while imitating the movements of different sea creatures. Most children confidently transitioned between actions, crawling like crabs, floating their arms like octopuses, and galloping like seahorses. When the teacher called out “shark,” the children quickly responded by tucking into a small shape, showing good listening skills. As the session progressed, they were challenged further by balancing on a mat when the teacher said, “watch out, shark!” Many children attempted this with enthusiasm, and some were able to maintain their balance for a few seconds. In the second part of the session, children worked in pairs to explore different rolling movements. They enjoyed pretending to be “rocking sea turtles,” hugging their knees and rocking side to side. Most were able to maintain their shape and some successfully progressed to rocking backward and sitting back up without using their hands. They then attempted “barrel rolls” like rolling turtles, following the demonstration from the video resource. A few children found it challenging to maintain the correct shape throughout, but with encouragement, many improved their coordination. The final activity focused on “rolling seals,” where children practised straight rolls. Some were able to keep their bodies in a tight shape, while others needed reminders to keep their legs together. To challenge themselves further, a few children attempted to roll while keeping a beanbag in place, which helped improve their body control.
Reception - Art and Design - Painting Frames
The children in reception showed great enthusiasm and creativity while painting their photo frames. They carefully selected their favorite colours and took their time applying the paint, demonstrating both independence and personal preference. As they added sequins and glitter, they experimented with different placements and combinations, enhancing their fine motor skills and artistic expression. Their excitement was evident as they admired their unique and colourful designs, showing pride in their work.
.png){kind=logo}
