SPECIAL EVENTS

Summer 2025:  Sports Day

We got lucky with the weather and got our race on at Sports Day 2025!  Well done to team India for winning the event and well done to everyone who joined it.  A great time was had by all as evidenced by the photos below.

Summer 2025: Musical Afternoon

What a great afternoon of showcasing our musical talents.  Please enjoy the videos below.

Summer 2025: A special visitor

We were surprised by a special visit from Burnley FC and their mascot Bertie Bee!  Here are some photos of children (and Mrs Mac) posing with Lancashire's most famous insect!

Summer 2025: Skateboarding special

This half term, we celebrated our golden day with some skateboarding and scooting!  All of our children got a chance to try out an 'extreme sport' with a qualified instructor.  We had great fun balancing, gliding and even learning some tricks as the photos below show.  It was wonderful to see so many children enthused and engaged in something totally new!

Barrowford St Thomas' Goes Wild: Spring 2025

We were wowed, fascinated and, at times, terrified by our animal visitors in school.  This was an amazing way to end another terrific term.  We had minibeast hunts, fact files, an EYFS jungle exploration and of course an animal expert with live animals for us to see, learn about and handle.  Check out the images below to show some of the fun we had in KS1 and KS2.

Our EYFS got involved too!

Our Rootin' Tootin' Country & Western Day: Spring 2025

We had an amazing day of country and western music, line dancing and themed activities in our school.  With a special visit from the Lancashire Music Service's 'Music Bus' and expert coaching from Sanderson's Dance, a fabulous time was had by all the cowboys and cowgirls here at St Thomas'.  What a super way to finish another excellent half term of laughter, love and learning.  Check out the photos and videos below.  Yee-hah!

The Snow Ball: autumn 2024

We all had a fantastic time at the Snow Ball!  The hall was transformed using lights, music and an actual snow machine!  Games were played and prizes won as we danced the night away!  Check out the photos below for highlights plus a video of our KS2 children talking on the limbo!

Volunteer Day: autumn 2024

We are extremely grateful for the team from BT/EE telecoms who gave up a full day to support school with a gardening project.  They have cleaned, weeded cleared and prepared our school grounds ready for the children to use in the spring.  Thanks for all of your help!

Great Lancashire Debate Finals: autumn 2024

Our Year 5 debate team were selected as winners for Pendle in this year's Great Lancashire Debate.  They attended the grand final at County Hall in Preston.  Although they were not chosen as overall winners, the group did amazingly well and really enjoyed the experience.  Please follow this link to access the press release for the day: https://news.lancashire.gov.uk/news/congratulations-to-the-winners-of-the-great-lancashire-debate

Official photographs are on their way but for now, check out the photographs below.

Space Day: autumn 2024

We have had an 'out of this world' time during our space-themed Golden Day at the end of autumn 1 term.  From planetariums and rocket science to posters and cookies it has been exciting, creative and fun for all.  Pictures of the highlights are coming.  Watch this 'space'...

Educational Visits: autumn 2023

Thus far this half term, Class 2 have completed a local studies walk within our village.

Class 3 have been on a Stone Age experience at Brockholes Nature Reserve near Preston.

For further information and photos, please visit the class sites.

Educational Visits: autumn 2023

Thus far, this term Class 2 have walked into Barrowford and visited Pendle Heritage Centre as part of their local history topic; they have also visited Gawthorpe Hall to experience a Victorian Christmas.

Class 4 have visited Blackburn museum for a World War 2 experience 

All of KS2 visited Bolton Octagon Theatre.

For further information and photos, please visit the class sites.

Job Fair: December 2023

For the very first time, we organised a job fair for all our pupils in Years 5 and 6. We wanted to open our pupils' eyes to the range of possibilities that were out there. We asked our parents if they would be willing to share what they do, to talk about what led them to their job, what is great about their job and what qualifications they needed. We were overwhelmed with the response. Not only did we welcome a range of parents with a range of jobs, we also welcomed lecturers and students from Burnley College. Here is the range of jobs represented:

• Burnley College for careers in the police, armed forces, prison service, fire service, health, science and education
• University lecturer with a social worker background and a focus on mental health
• Social worker
• Product manager for the Coop
• Police
• Fire Service
• Vets/Veterinary Pathologist
• Medical device industry (i.e. pacemkaers, stents)
• Buyer for sport/fashion shoe retailer
• Financial adviser
• Physiotherapist
• Construction Director
• Teaching

The children were fully engaged with the fair. They went from one parent to another with their clipboards, asking very intelligent questions. A huge success and an event we will definitely repeat.

Singing Group at Pendle Community Hospital: December 2023

Our Singing group were invited to sing Christmas songs and carols at Pendle Community Hospital. We sang in three different wards for the patients. I was very proud of all the children and hopefully we brought some Christmas spirit into the hospital this season.

Our Infant Nativity December 2023: 'The Inn-spectors' 

Congratulations to all of Class 2 and Class 1 who performed 'The Inn-spectors' so beautifully in church. This was a much longer performance than in previous years, so that had a lot to learn. However, they acted, sang and danced so well. 

Visit from the author Brian Beresford: December 2023

We were pleased to welcome back a former headteacher of Barrowford St Thomas and author, Brian Beresford. He shared his story 'Silly Island' with the children. 

Bolton Octagon Theatre Visit: December 2023

All our KS2 pupils thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the Bolton Octagon Theatre in  to watch 'Around the World in 80 days'. At Barrowford St Thomas, we believe that all our pupils should have the opportunity to watch a professional theatrical production in a professional theatre, especially a production that includes live music. All the actors were also musicians and played various instruments throughout the show. 

Christmas Fair: December 2023

After the success of our Christmas Fair last year, we decided to hold another one! The Fair was very well attended. Father Christmas visited us and there were many stalls and activities. This followed our Christmas jumper day the week before when all children brought in some chocolate or a bottle for the Fair. 

As for the classes, each class engaged in a maths enterprise project leading up to the fair. They designed something to sell and considered all the costs before setting a price. These are the profits that each class made (bearing in mind that Reception is a much smaller class).

Altogether we raised £1114.51 for school which is fantastic and slightly more than last year! Thank you for all your support.

The Snow Queen: November 2023

All our infants enjoyed a professional re-telling of 'The Snow Queen' by a professional touring company. Our KS1 children have also been studying this book in their literacy lessons. A wonderful Christmassy time had by all!

Scholastic Book Fair: November 2023

Our Scholastic Book Fair was well supported and we raised £229.30 in commission to spend on books for school. Thank you to everyone who came to the fair and bought a book. 

Anti-Bullying Week and Odd Socks Day November 2023

The week beginning 13th November is Anti-bullying week.

This year’s theme was: MAKE A NOISE ABOUT BULLYING

As alwyas, we started our anti-bullying week with 'Odd Socks Day'. It was a great way to celebrate what makes us all unique. Below are some photos of our children during 'Odd Socks Day'!

Remembrance Sunday November 2023

On Sunday 12th November, our headboy, headgirl and prefects represented our school. They laid a wreath at Barrowford Memorial Park as part of Remembrance Sunday's memorial service at 12 noon. 

In the weeks leading up to Remembrance Sunday we sold poppy themed items in school including the ever popular snap bands! We raised £182.02 for the Royal British Legion

Visit from the Bethany Project: October 2023

Three years ago, we welcomed members of the Bethany Project into school. We were delighted that they visited us once again on Monday 30^th October during our afternoon worship. Three pupils and their headteacher plus the UK coordinator, Graham spent almost an hour with us. They sang songs, told their stories and told us what life was like in the Bethany children’s home and school.  They also showed us how they can carry a bucket of water on their head. Mrs White tried it and REALLY struggled. It is so difficult! The children asked lots of thoughtful questions and our children chose to come out and pray for them. The coordinator Graham said that having visited over 40 schools, we were the first school to pray for them, so that was really special. It is likely that our school council will discuss how find ways to raise money to support the Bethany Project moving forwards.

Music Concert: October 2023

All the children who have music lesson in school, either learning the violin, keyboard, guitar or piano performed for parents and the children during an afternoon music concert. From pupils who had only had a few lessons to those who were more experienced, everyone had a go. All children were extremely brave and we were thoroughly entertained!

The Great Lancashire Debate: October 2023

As a school, especially with our focus on improving Oracy we entered the Great Lancashire Debate. We were absolutely delighted that we were the winners for Pendle. Although we didn't get through to the grand final we are so proud of our children. What a great start to our focus on Oracy!

National Poetry Day: October 2023

As part of our focus on oracy we ensured that all our children had the opportunity to memorise and perform an age-appropriate poem either as a cohort, in a small group or as an individual on National Poetry Day. We had some wonderful performances which were full of expression. Have a listen.

Harvest Festival: October 2023

Thank you so much for all the wonderful gifts sent in for our annual Harvest Festival. All of these gifts will be donated to the Pendle Food Club and Safenet Women’s refuge. Our Worship Group and Singing Group also helped to lead our worship in church. 

Sponsored running event: October 2023

We invited all our pupils to take part in a sponsored running event on our new running track. We were overwhelmed by the response and managed to raise £1999.50! This is an incredible amount of money and will be used to help fund the above and beyond curriculum activities in school. For example, the science show, a professional theatrical performance in school for our infants, a lego STEM workshop fo Class 4, paying for the transport to Bolton Octagon Theatre for the whole of KS2, a planetarium in school for Class 4 and a visiting author for all pupils. 

Science Show: September 2023

All our KS2 children enjoyed an amazing science show during the afternoon. Adrian Bowden who has been to our school many times, led a ‘Fantastic Forces’ science show; this was particularly planned for Class 3 who were studying forces and magnets in science (linked to the Iron Man) but we also included Class 4. Mr Bowden is an excellent presenter and teacher.  We are linked to him through the Ogden Trust Partnership. 

A visit from our MP, the Right Hon Andrew Stephenson: September 2023

We were delighted to welcome Andrew Stephenson MP into our school in September. He toured the school and then presented our headboy, headgirl, prefects and school council with their badges. 

Prayer Space Day: July 2023

It was such a wonderful day, Prayer Space Day. So many activities and ways to pray from saying the Lord's Prayer with a parachute, or learning it in sign language to making a light house. Thank you to our staff, Revd Julie, governors and volunteers who helped to make the day the memorable day that it was.

A skittle prayer

Saying 'The Lord's Prayer' in British Sign Language

'The Lord's Prayer' with a parachute!

End of KS2 Production 2023: Pirates of the Curry Bean

Shiver mi timbers - what a fantastic production by our Year 5 and in particular Year 6 pupils. It was a long show - over an hour, yet they never took a prompt and sung their little hearts out. They danced too. And oh my goodness, how we laughed. Well done!

Sports Day: July 2023

Another great day of good teamwork and children competing against each other. All children wanted to do well but also encouraged each other. We also enjoyed using our running track for the first time. The weather was kind and the parents all enjoyed it. Good day.

Y6 to Winmarleigh

A great time was had by all our Year 6 pupils for their 4 night stay at Winmarleigh PGL. The big swing of course is always a favourite! Thank you to Mrs White and Mrs Lahey who went with the children this year whilst Mr Haines was on paternity leave.

Singing Group Performance: An Old Time Music Hall

I was  SO impressed with the children who took part in this performance. We have been learning the songs for a Victorian style Old Time Music Hall from September in our after-school singing club. Along the way, some children left the group, but we were left with 16 enthusiastic and talented children aged from Year 3 to Year 6 who fully engaged with the concept. We added movement, costumes, comedy and sketches. Parents were fully involved and came up to take part in Old McDuckworth's farm (hilarious), Chick chick chick chick chicken and the Lambeth Walk. They even joined in with the singing of 'Down at the Old Bull and Bush' at the end. The children got a well deserved standing ovation. I was SO proud of them.

This is some of the feedback received from a parent...

I just wanted to email you to say WOW and a big WELL DONE to you all. The huge amount of work you have put in was obvious for all to see and the audience were kept entertained from start to finish. The children watching the production must get a mention too, fantastic behaviour! Thank you

Below are a couple of videos and some images. If you want to see more videos go to our 'singing group' page in Extra-curricular activities (here)

Visiting author: Brian Beresford

Brian is a former headteacher of Barrowford St Thomas. He is now an author and offered a free session to share his book, plus share some music (he is a good pianist). He was great and the children from Y2 to Y6 were fully engaged for an hour. 

The Grand Opening of our running track: May 2023

Having received £10K from Northstone and Peel L and P, plus £1000 from our PTFA FOSTS, we have managed to build a new running track on our school field. Our field has always been too wet and muddy to use throughout the year, so we are delighted that our children can now access this space in all weathers throughout the year to improve their fitness - and have fun! We had a grand opening ceremony on Friday 12th May, a super way to celebrate the end of SATs week! The running track was opened by our MP, The Right Honourable Andrew Stephenson. Following a competition, the track was named 'The Right Track' by our Year 2 winner, Sienna. As Sienna said,  all the students in St Thomas including herself are on the right track in their education. It is important to exercise, to keep healthy and fit and that will happen if you are on the right track! Well done Sienna. Each year group ran around the track to their chosen piece of music. We also invited staff and pupils from Barrowford Primary who we hope will also be able to use our track and leaders of the uniformed organisations from our church who we hope will use the track in the evenings and at weekends. We want our track to be enjoyed by the community, not just by us. The afternoon ended with all staff and children enjoying an ice-cream, again paid for by Northstone and Peel L and P. Thank you!