Year 4: Gallery
Year 4 trip to the Discovery Centre
Date: 11th Mar 2025 @ 9:16am
Year 4 had a trip to the recycling centre where we learnt how to properly recycle items, how each material is separated and where in the UK it goes to. We learnt how important it is to recycle and why it is important to only put the correct items in the bin. We were able to understand how magnets were used in the centre and linked this to our topic of 'Forces and Magnets.'
We enjoyed exploring the centre and even taking part in some fun activities including: sorting materials, reading, recycling twister, recycling connect 4 and more!
Date: 11th Mar 2025 @ 9:15am
In our PE lesson this week, we focussed on the skill of defending and completed a variety of drills for this including throwing and catching drills and piggy in the middle. At the end of the lesson we put these into practise in mini team games and even set different challenges for each games including a certain number of passes and making sure every member of the team touched the ball before scoring a goal.
We then evaluated our performances and adapted what we did based on this.
These are some of the things we said:
"I think we worked collaboratively together."
"It was hard to know who the ball was going to so next time I will shout the name of the person I am throwing to."
"We made sure everyone in our team had a turn."
Date: 7th Mar 2025 @ 10:08am
For World Book Day we had a lovely time and even had some of our adults come in to join us. In the morning, we had a reading morning where we completed a number of activities including:
A villains wanted poster
A reading fortune teller
Book recommendations
Reading doodles
We also created masks to be a 'Masked Reader.'
In maths, we completed some Roald Dahl problem solving activities to practise what we had learnt so far this year.
Painting the Last Supper in Year 4 and 5
Date: 27th Feb 2025 @ 2:34pm
In our Religious Education lesson we described what happened at the Last Supper and why it was significant. We talked about how the events of the Exodus where celebrated each year in Jesus' life but why this time was different. We talked about how he introduced something quite new as he blessed, broke and passed the unleavened bread to everyone, telling them it was his body and then the cup of wine saying it was his blood and that it would be shed, be sacrificed, for everyone and that he asked that they repeat his actions in memory of him.
We then looked at different artists representations of the Last Supper and talked about the similarities and differences of these. We then talked about these and used some of these ideas and techniques when we created our own representations of the Last Supper using water colours.
Date: 27th Feb 2025 @ 2:26pm
Year 4GS loved welcoming some of our parents in for a special maths hour for NSPCC number day. They all looked absolutely fantastic in their numbers! It was a fantastic way to raise money for NSPCC, have fun with maths and involve our adults.
We had a carousel of activities which included multiplication games, multiplication and division colour by number, the multiplication check, multiplication flowers and NRICH problem solving activities.
All of these activities helped us develop our mathmatical knowledge. It was a great chance to show the grown ups what we have been up to in school and even test them on their multiplication skills!
Date: 27th Feb 2025 @ 2:20pm
Year 4 and 5 have been practising sketching mini-beasts for our final piece. We looked at the different shapes and discussed how we could draw these. We then looked at the different colours and shades and thought about how we could recreate these in our final piece.
Here are some of the things the children had to say:
"I loved being able to see the insects so close!"
"I didn't realise there were so many different colours."
"It made me feel calm and relaxed."
Jubilee Year launch - Pilgrims of Hope - January 24th 2025
Date: 26th Jan 2025 @ 11:42am
Our school community came together for an amazing launch for the very special Jubilee Year.
A Jubilee is celebrated within the Catholic church every 25 years. This year the theme will be 'Pilgrims of Hope'.
We are called together to experience joy and strength as we embarkon a journey to be 'agents of change,' working together for justice, love and peace, locally and globally.
After learning about the importance and theme of the Jubilee, the children across school have Celebrated the Word and written their own pledges.
We gathered together to reflect and share pledges before displaying them all around the hall.
We are excited for more events to come during the Jubilee Year and are filled with hope for the difference we can make in fulfilling our pledges!
Whole School - Justice Days - 15th and 16th January 2025
Date: 16th Jan 2025 @ 3:03pm
The children have really enjoyed the past two 'Justice days'. They have focused on this particular house value and have taken part in a wide range of activities centred around the the theme of justice. Below is list of activities they have taken part in;
What is Justice?- First the children watched videos and learned about what Justice means. They then identified as a group what justice looks like in school, at home, in our communities and in the wider world.
St Oscar Romero- The children increased their knowledge about St Oscar Romero through different resources and created a fact file on his life focussing on his fight for justice. In KS1 the children found out about the significance of the Romero cross and the local people who make them in El Salvador.
St Mother Teresa- The children loved learning about St Mother Teresa and her selfless life and fight for justice. They took part in various debates and activities focussing on the timeline of her life.
DJ the Dolphin- The children had a little refresher on what the CAFOD character DJ the Dolphin represents within Catholic social teaching.
Justice circle- The children enjoyed circle time focussed on the theme of Justice.
Fairtrade Banana game- KS2 children learned all about fairtrade when selling bananas and took part in some intense discussions regarding pay for each group or person in the chain.
One for you, three for me - KS1 children took part in a craft activity to create their own ideal meal on a plate. They were then given a 'meal ticket' and many were shocked to discover that only a third of the class received would receive their own meal plate, the remaining children were entitled to a plate of rice. We talked about how this did not seem fair or 'just' but was something that is real for many people in our world.
P4C- The children absolutely loved taking part in the "Is it fair?" game. They also discussed and debated about Blind Justice.
Wordle- The children created their own wordles based around the word 'Justice'.
Music- The children listened to songs relating to justice and identified the meanings behind them. They also added in some of their own verses as well as actions.
Prayer spaces - The children participated enthusiastically in a range of reflective activities linked to our Justice theme which included: Scripture art based on Micah 6: 6-8 to 'Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly'. Creating a justice cross using relevant words, images and symbols that they had found out about. 'International injustice' station at which the children located places on a world map where the people living there may need our prayers for justice. We placed candles over these places and prayed together.
Prayer writing - discussing ideas together and writing our own prayers for justice.
Art - children across the school worked with Miss Crowley on a special Justice themed art project which will soon be displayed in school.
Date: 20th Dec 2024 @ 3:43pm
We designed and crafted our own moving Christmas card using DT mechanisms for our DT unit.
Y3 & Y4 - Christmas Nativity - I'm Gonna Shine
Date: 19th Dec 2024 @ 12:30pm
Extra Curricular - Mini Vinnies Visit to Madeline McKenna Care Home
Date: 17th Dec 2024 @ 8:20am
The children sang carols and gave out the cards and ornaments they had made for the residents there.
Everyone had a lovely time and the children were given a selection box from the residents and staff.
The Mini Vinnies want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Whole School - Christmas Pantomime - The Emperor's New Clothes
Date: 13th Dec 2024 @ 9:28am
We all had an amazing morning laughing and joining in with our annual pantomine from Altru Drama
Whole School - Baptism Friday 22nd November 2024
Date: 1st Dec 2024 @ 12:46pm
The families of Tommy, Billy, Teddy, Ezra and Zach joined the whole school as we came together for an amazing celebration in the school hall.
Father Mark Moran welcomed brothers Tommy, Billy and Teddy with a special Catholic blessing.
Ezra and Zach were then baptised as we all watched on, what an amazing experience to be part of!
Congratulations to all of the boys and their families - we hope you enjoyed your special celebration, including the cake afterwards!
Thank you for sharing such a proud and important day with your St Basil's family.
Whole School - Anti-Bullying Drama Performance
Date: 15th Nov 2024 @ 3:50pm
Altru Drama came into school to perform a play on the theme of bullying.
In the play, Lucy was being bullied by Izzy because she was different. Izzy eventually realised that what she was doing was wrong and she changed the way she was behaving towards Lucy.
The performance showed us that it is ok to be different and that everyone should be treated with respect.
Y4 - Parent Collective Worship - Remembrance
Date: 14th Nov 2024 @ 2:30pm
On Wednesday 13th November, Year 4 delivered a special collective worship about Remembrance to Year 3 and our adults.
We listened to the words of Matthew 5.1-12 and thought about how we could create a more peaceful world. We talked about the importance of Remembrance and how we remember others in the month of November. We sang songs including "We will remember them, Peace Perfect Peace and Imagine." The children created some art work to match a poem, created a role play to show Remembrance and choreographed a dance to the song "Imagine."
Parent feedback
"This collective worship was very moving"
"It was lovely to have time to stop and think"
"The children all read beautifully and sang very well"
"My favourite part was the songs."
Pupil voice:
"I enjoyed singing the songs."
"I liked taking part in the dance"
Y3 & Y4 Visit to Manchester Synagogue and Jewish Museum
Date: 14th Nov 2024 @ 2:23pm
Year 3 and 4 had an excellent trip to Manchester Synagogue where they were able to explore the Synagogue and museum, look and hold Jewish artefacts and even make their own Challah bread. We had an excellent time and enjoyed developing our learning about Judaism.
Pupil voice:
"I really enjoyed making the Challah bread, I thought it was really fun but hard to get the plait right first time."
"I enjoyed looking in the museum and drawing the different objects."
"My favourite part was all of it!"
Whole School - Road Safety Awareness
Date: 23rd Oct 2024 @ 8:21am
This week we met as a school to talk about Road Safety Week. This year it will take place from the 17th to the 23rd of November.
We thought about who our road safety heroes were. We decided they were people who would:
- Work really hard to overcome difficulty
- Do something really well
- Be really brave
We learnt that everyone who helps make journeys safer and healthier or helps care for someone after a crash is a road safety hero.
We talked about the different road safety heroes:
- School crossing patrols
- Roads policing officers
- Road designers and highway engineers
- Fire and rescue services
- Ambulance services
- Medical staff in hospitals
The Y5 road safety officers will be holding a poster competition in November to make people aware of road safety dangers and how to cross safely.
Whole School: Blessing of Mary in memory of Christine Wilson
Date: 22nd Oct 2024 @ 12:28pm
On Wednesday 16th October we gathered as a school family to remember Christine Wilson with Father Peter Ross.
Christine was a much loved and valued member of St Basil's and a former Chair of Governors.
We also welcomed Jim Wilson and members of their family, as well as some close friends.
Father Peter led us in prayer and dedicated our new statue of Mary to the memory of Christine, significant particularly during this special month of October.
The children shared in the our liturgy with readings and prayers, as well as with their absolutely beautiful singing.
The occasion was a heartfelt tribute which warmed all of our hearts and provided a lasting memory to treasure.
Whole school - Harvest Cereal Challenge for Widnes Foodbank
Date: 19th Oct 2024 @ 2:44pm
On Friday the 18th of October, we had a great morning completing our Cereal rally challenge.
After collecting boxes of cereal over the last month, each child came with their class to place a box in line ready for 'the big push!'
We were joined by Vicky from the Foodbank and Pip Turner from Asda who organised a donation on their behalf.
We also received a donation from Tesco in Widnes too, which helped boost our boxes to around 230 in total.
The children joined in with a countdown and watching the boxes being knocked over, followed by big cheers at the end!
Thank you to everybody who donated and to all of our children for particpating and showing their solidarity with others.
Comments from the children across school included:
"It was great fun and we got to help people too!"
"I hope people in Widnes won't be hungry now."
"The Foodbank is a brilliant thing."
"I can't wait to do more to help other people."
"I hope the people who get our cereal love eating it."
Date: 9th Oct 2024 @ 12:03pm
As part of CAFOD Family Fast Day, pupils in KS2 were given the opportunity to join our CAFOD Simple Lunch.
Instead of their usual school dinner, these KS2 pupils chose to have a simple lunch of soup, bread and fruit, to show Solidarity and respect Human Dignity two of our Catholic Social Teaching principles. This showed how we can think of others who are less fortunate than ourselves and only have our fair share.
Date: 4th Oct 2024 @ 8:18am
Our KS2 CAFOD club have focused on Solidarity this first few weeks of the half term.
We researched CAFOD Family Fast Day and created some posters to promote our Simple Lunch in school.
We have also watched CAFOD's national assembly and thought of more ways we can live in solidarity with others.
"I really enjoy joining with others in CAFOD club and thinking of ways to help people" - Maro
"It is my first time in CAFOD club and I am really enjoying it" - James
Y4 - Collective Worship for LKS2 - Pope Francis and Our Common Home
Date: 4th Oct 2024 @ 8:16am
Today 4CS planned and delivered their Collective Worship based on Pope Francis,
They took his message to look after our common home and shared ideas on stewardship.
Maro wrote her own prayer for our respond section which we read together.
Lola and Lucy thought about what we could Go Forth and do in the week ahead to appreciate and admire God's world.
"It really made me think about how great the world is" - Henry
"I would have liked to sing another song about the world at the end" - Annie
Whole School - Sign Language Awareness Week
Date: 30th Sep 2024 @ 5:03pm
We celebrated Sign Language Awareness week by inviting Father Mark into school to teach us some sign language.
We spoke about why Sign Language is important so that everyone is treated fairly and justly, linking to our Year of Justice and the Catholic Social Teaching principle of Human Dignity.
Father Mark wrote a prayer with our help that we will use throughout our Year of Justice and we learnt the signs for fair, hunger, thirst and rights.
We also then followed this up by learning how to spell our own names in British Sign Language, taking home a sheet to share this with our families.
"My name was really hard to sign because I have a double letter" - William
"I really enjoyed working with Father Mark, I'm excited to hear the final prayer" - Penelope
Date: 23rd Sep 2024 @ 7:55am
On a Wednesday we bring a book to share during Book Lunch, we share the book with our partners and discuss the authors, characters or themes.
This year, Year 6 are beginning to interview pupils in each class about their favourite book, which we will play out on the hall screen for everyone to share.
