Eden travel to Turkey!
Students from Years 8 to 10 enjoyed an unforgettable educational and spiritual visit to Istanbul, Turkey, giving them the opportunity to explore a new country, experience a different culture and broaden their understanding of the world.
Throughout the visit, students immersed themselves in the rich history and heritage of Istanbul, exploring some of the city's most iconic landmarks, including the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, the magnificent Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the famous Grand Bazaar. They also attended Jumu'ah (Friday) prayers, gaining a valuable insight into Turkish and Islamic culture while showing great respect throughout the experience
One of the highlights of the trip was a scenic Bosphorus cruise, offering breathtaking views of Istanbul's famous skyline. Students also developed valuable life skills by communicating with local people, comparing prices and shopping confidently in the traditional Turkish markets, giving them a real taste of everyday life in Turkey.
The visit provided an enriching experience that helped students develop independence, confidence and cultural awareness while creating lasting friendships and unforgettable memories. It was a fantastic opportunity to extend learning beyond the classroom and will undoubtedly remain one of the highlights of the school year for everyone who took part.
Students were encouraged to reflect on the importance of respecting different cultures, traditions and ways of life. By experiencing a new country firsthand, they gained a broader global perspective and a greater appreciation of the diversity that exists within the Muslim world and beyond.
Staff were extremely proud of the students, who acted as excellent ambassadors for the school throughout the trip. Their positive attitude, mature behaviour and willingness to embrace new experiences were commended by guides, local residents and members of the public. The success of the visit was a testament to the students’ enthusiasm and character, making it a truly rewarding experience for all involved and a journey that will be remembered for years to come.
Principal’s Introduction
As we reach the end of another rewarding academic year, I am filled with a deep sense of pride and gratitude as I reflect on all that we have accomplished together as the EBP family. Our pupils, parents, staff, governors and wider community have once again demonstrated what can be achieved when we work together with a shared commitment to excellence, faith and service.
Throughout the year, I have witnessed countless examples of kindness, resilience, determination and success. Whether in lessons, enrichment activities, acts of service or everyday interactions, our pupils have continued to embody our values and make us proud. It is these moments, both big and small, that remind me what a privilege it is to be part of such a special school community.
"We are STAR. We are a Muslim Faith School. We are a happy family," continues to shape everything we do. It is reflected in the strong relationships we build, the high aspirations we set and the unwavering support we show one another as we strive to become the very best versions of ourselves.
This newsletter celebrates just a small snapshot of another exceptional year at EBP. It captures the many opportunities, achievements and memorable experiences that have enriched the lives of our pupils and contributed to their personal, academic and spiritual development.
As always, I would like to express my sincere thanks to our parents and carers for the trust you place in us and for your continued partnership and support. Together, we are creating an environment where our young men can flourish and realise their full potential.
I hope you enjoy reading this edition of our newsletter and taking a moment to reflect on another wonderful year of achievements and shared successes.
Teaching and Learning
Y9 Star Rewards Assembly: Celebrating Success and Looking Ahead
Our recent Year 9 Assessment Rewards Assembly was a proud and memorable occasion, celebrating the hard work, commitment, and achievements of students following their recent assessments. The event highlighted not only academic success but also the positive attitudes and behaviours that enable students to thrive in their learning. In the Principal’s address, Mrs Patel commended students for demonstrating commitment to their studies, maturity in their approach to learning, and determination to meet high expectations. She recognised that success is not defined solely by attainment, but also by the effort and consistency students bring to their work. Students who achieved highly, made significant progress, and showed sustained focus were all acknowledged and congratulated for their accomplishments.
Students were also encouraged to reflect on the significance of this point in their education. As they prepare to move into Year 10, they are about to begin their GCSE journey, where expectations will increase and independence will become increasingly important. The message was clear that the habits they establish now, including organisation, resilience, and a strong work ethic, will play a crucial role in shaping their future success.
Our Assistant Principal, Mr Patel further reinforced these ideas, emphasising that achievement reflects far more than natural ability. He spoke about the importance of discipline in daily routines, resilience when faced with challenges, and personal responsibility for progress. Students were reminded that every lesson matters, every effort contributes, and every decision has an impact on their future. The message encouraged students to maintain high standards and take pride in everything they do as they continue their academic journey.
A powerful example was shared through the story of Lionel Messi, whose journey to World Cup success in 2022 demonstrated perseverance, focus, and determination. Despite facing setbacks and challenges throughout his career, he continued to strive for excellence and ultimately achieved success through resilience and leadership. Students were reminded that their journey is ongoing and that it is how they finish that defines their outcomes, encouraging them to refocus and finish the year strongly.
A key highlight of the event was the presentation of awards, where students were recognised for both achievement and effort across English and Mathematics. Each set saw students acknowledged for their dedication and progress, while a group of students received special recognition for outstanding overall attainment across their subjects. These awards were a testament to the commitment and positive attitudes demonstrated by the Year 9 cohort.
The Year 9 Assessment Rewards Assembly served as both a celebration of success and a reminder of the journey ahead. Students were encouraged to aim high, remain focused, and continue demonstrating the effort and determination that will enable them to succeed in Year 10 and beyond.
Events
Year 11 Leavers’ Celebrate the End of an Incredible GCSE Journey
Our Year 11 Leavers' Event provided a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements of a fantastic group of students as they reached the end of their GCSE examinations and prepared for the next stage of their educational journey.
The event began with a special assembly led by the Principal, who congratulated students on their hard work, resilience and determination throughout their time at school. She reflected on the many challenges they had overcome and praised the commitment they had shown during their GCSE studies. Students were encouraged to be proud of their efforts and to look forward with confidence to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.
A memorable highlight of the assembly was a presentation from their Head of Year, who took students on a trip down memory lane. Through a collection of photographs and cherished memories, students were able to look back on their journey from their first days at school through to their final year. The presentation was filled with laughter, smiles and a few emotional moments as students reflected on the friendships, experiences and achievements that have shaped their time at school.
Following months of revision, coursework and examinations, the event was a fitting way to recognise the dedication and perseverance shown by the year group. Throughout the GCSE examination period, students demonstrated maturity, focus and an excellent work ethic, approaching their studies with determination and giving their very best in every subject. The EBP family are incredibly proud of the positive attitude and resilience they displayed during this important stage of their education.
After the assembly, students came together to enjoy a celebratory BBQ. The relaxed atmosphere gave everyone the opportunity to spend time with friends, teachers and classmates, sharing memories and marking the end of an important chapter in their lives. It was a chance to unwind, celebrate their achievements and enjoy one last gathering as a year group before moving on to new challenges and opportunities.
The afternoon was filled with conversation, laughter and a strong sense of community, highlighting the friendships and relationships that have been built over the years. Students reflected on their successes, thanked staff for their support and looked ahead with excitement to the future.
We would like to congratulate all of our Year 11 students on completing their GCSEs and wish them every success in the years ahead. They have been a credit to the school, and we are incredibly proud of everything they have achieved. We look forward to hearing about their future successes and hope they leave with many happy memories of their time with us.
Maths
Keep Your Maths Skills Sharp This Summer with Sparx Maths
The summer holidays are the perfect opportunity to continue developing mathematical skills and build confidence ahead of the new academic year. Spending just 20–30 minutes each week on Sparx Maths can make a significant difference to students' progress and help prevent the "summer learning loss" that can occur after a long break.
Throughout this academic year, students who have consistently completed their Sparx Maths homework have demonstrated excellent progress. Regular practice has helped improve fluency with key mathematical concepts, increased accuracy, and strengthened problem-solving skills. Teachers have also seen greater confidence in lessons, with students who engage regularly with Sparx better prepared to tackle new topics.
Research consistently shows that regular retrieval practice and spaced learning improve long-term memory and understanding. Sparx Maths supports this by providing personalised questions, immediate feedback, and independent practice tailored to each student's learning needs. Completing additional tasks during the summer allows students to revisit important topics, reinforce prior learning, and enter the new school year with confidence.
We encourage all students to aim for:
• At least one Sparx Maths session each week during the summer holidays.
• Completing XP Boosts or any additional practice available.
• Revisiting topics they found challenging during the year.
• Maintaining their streak of independent learning and building positive study habits.
A small amount of regular practice over the summer can have a lasting impact. Students who continue using Sparx Maths often return to school feeling more confident, requiring less time to revisit previous learning, and are well placed to make strong progress from the very beginning of the autumn term.
We wish all our students a safe, enjoyable, and productive summer and look forward to celebrating their continued success in mathematics next year.
Year 6 Transition Day
This half term, we were delighted to welcome our Year 6 pupils into school for Transition Day; an exciting opportunity for them to experience what a typical school day will be like when they join us in September.
A key part of the day was an English lesson, where pupils learnt how to write a formal letter before putting their new skills into practice by writing a letter to their future selves. They explored the key features of letter writing, including how to structure their ideas clearly, use an appropriate tone and organise their thoughts effectively. This gave pupils the opportunity to develop their writing skills while creating something meaningful that they can look back on in the future.
The activity encouraged pupils to reflect on their achievements in primary school, share their thoughts and feelings about starting secondary school, and look ahead to the exciting journey that awaits them. In their letters, pupils wrote about their hopes, ambitions and aspirations for the years ahead. Many shared what they were most looking forward to, including making new friends, exploring a wider range of subjects, and joining clubs and sports teams. They also offered themselves words of encouragement and advice for the future.
One Year 6 pupil wrote, "I pledge to be someone who makes a positive change and to be the best that I can."
The letters captured a wonderful mix of excitement and nervousness, reflecting the emotions that often come with starting a new school. They also highlighted the many opportunities that lie ahead. Writing to their future selves gave pupils the chance to celebrate how far they have already come while looking forward to the future with confidence and optimism.
Transition Day was a valuable experience that helped prepare our future Year 7 students for the next stage of their education. We look forward to welcoming them back in September and wish them every success as they begin this exciting new chapter!
Blackburn Faith Trail
Our Year 7 students enjoyed a memorable and educational visit to Blackburn Cathedral and Masjid-e-Vali in Blackburn. Throughout the day, pupils explored faith, heritage and community, gaining a deeper understanding of different beliefs, traditions and places of worship.
At Blackburn Cathedral, students took part in an interactive treasure hunt, exploring Christian symbols, artwork and the history of the cathedral. They also met with members of the clergy, who spoke about the importance of the Bible and answered a range of thoughtful questions from our students, demonstrating their enthusiasm and curiosity.
The visit continued at Masjid-e-Vali, where pupils received a warm welcome from the mosque staff. They learned about the process of wudu (ablution), the importance of Salah (prayer), and the meaning behind the mosque's beautiful architecture and Islamic calligraphy. Students listened respectfully throughout the visit and were inspired by Qur'an recitations and nasheeds performed by fellow pupils.
The trip provided a valuable opportunity to foster respect, broaden students' understanding of different faiths and appreciate the diversity that enriches our society. It encouraged meaningful discussions about shared values, beliefs and the important role places of worship play within their communities.
To round off a fantastic day, everyone enjoyed a delicious meal together at Jaan's Restaurant, giving students the chance to relax, reflect on their experiences and celebrate a successful day of learning. Students particularly enjoyed the opportunity to compare and contrast the features of the cathedral and the mosque, helping them to identify both the similarities and differences between the two faith traditions. This hands-on learning experience reinforced topics studied in the classroom and encouraged students to appreciate the significance of worship, community and spirituality across different religions. Many pupils commented on how interesting it was to see how faith is expressed in different settings while recognising the shared values that bring communities together.
The visit also inspired students to reflect on their own role within society and the importance of mutual respect in a diverse and multicultural world. Through meaningful conversations and first-hand experiences, they developed a greater understanding of inclusion, tolerance and cooperation. The day served as a powerful reminder that learning about different faiths and cultures helps build stronger communities and promotes the values of understanding and respect that are at the heart of our school.
Overall, the visit was an enriching experience that brought classroom learning to life, helping students develop a greater appreciation of different religions, cultures and traditions. It was a day filled with learning, respect and enjoyment that will be remembered by all who attended.
Year 7 Bite Back
Bite Back is a student-led club that promotes healthier eating habits in schools across the UK. The club brings together students with creative ideas to encourage healthy food choices and improve the lunchtime experience for everyone. By listening to students' views and working collaboratively, Bite Back aims to create a healthier, happier school environment where every student feels empowered to make positive choices about food and wellbeing.
This year has been another successful one for the Bite Back team. Throughout the year, students carried out surveys to gather feedback and better understand what our school community needs to support healthier lunchtime choices. These surveys also helped team members develop valuable skills, including communication, teamwork, and data analysis.
With a budget of £500, the Bite Back team decided to combine healthy eating with the promotion of physical activity. As a result, they invested in an outdoor table tennis table for students to enjoy during break and lunchtime. The aim is to encourage students to stay active, have fun with friends, and support both their physical and mental wellbeing while making lunchtime a more enjoyable experience for all.
The success of the Bite Back project has shown the positive impact that student leadership can have on the school community. By identifying a need, gathering feedback and working together to find a solution, the team demonstrated excellent initiative and responsibility. Their hard work has left a lasting legacy that will benefit current and future students, while inspiring others to get involved in opportunities that help make our school an even better place to learn, socialise and thrive.
One student named Riaz Hussain (Year 7) said: Bite Back allowed us to build our leadership skills and help us improve the school for the other students. I really enjoyed taking part and I wish to be able to do it again next year.
Geography
Geography Fieldwork: Investigating Physical and Human Environments
Fieldwork is an essential part of GCSE Geography because it allows students to collect first-hand data and apply geographical theories in real-world locations. During physical fieldwork at Langden Brook in the Forest of Bowland, students investigated how river characteristics change downstream, based on the Bradshaw Model. Measurements included river width, depth, velocity and bedload size at several sites along the brook. Equipment such as tape measures, metre rulers, flow meters and callipers ensured accurate data collection. Results generally showed that the river became wider, deeper and faster downstream, while the average size of the bedload decreased due to erosion and attrition. These findings supported the theory that river characteristics change as discharge increases downstream.
Human geography fieldwork was conducted around Preston city centre to investigate how environmental quality and land use vary across the urban area. Students completed environmental quality surveys, pedestrian counts, traffic counts and land-use mapping along a transect through the city centre. Each location was scored using criteria such as litter, noise, traffic, greenery and building condition. The data showed that pedestrian numbers were highest within the Central Business District (CBD), where shops and services were concentrated. Environmental quality varied, with some regenerated areas scoring highly due to modern buildings and well-maintained public spaces, while busier roads experienced more noise and congestion. These patterns reflected common urban models and demonstrated how land use influences the quality of the urban environment.
Staff were extremely impressed with the enthusiasm, maturity and professionalism shown by students throughout both visits. They approached each task with a positive attitude, demonstrated excellent behaviour and represented the school exceptionally well. The success of the fieldwork highlights the importance of learning beyond the classroom, providing students with memorable experiences that deepen their understanding of geography while developing skills that will benefit them both academically and personally in the future.
Overall, both investigations developed practical geographical skills, including data collection, sampling, graphing and analysis. They also improved understanding of the processes that shape river landscapes and urban environments, demonstrating how fieldwork provides valuable evidence to test geographical hypotheses.
Pastoral Team Roundup
As we come to the end of another successful summer term, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the many achievements, experiences and personal milestones our students have achieved over the past few months and this academic year.
This term has been filled with memorable moments, from Annual Sports Days to local and national trips. It has been wonderful to see our students embrace new opportunities with enthusiasm, resilience and kindness, while continuing to demonstrate our school values both in and beyond the classroom.
Roccia: Stepping into the real world
Our Year 10 students also represented the school brilliantly during their recent Work Experience Day with local employers in Roccia. The opportunity gave them a valuable insight into the workplace while acquiring inspiration and advice on self-confidence, independence and employability skills as they prepare for Year 11 and beyond.
Blackpool: A Well-Deserved Day of Celebration!
As an end-of-year reward, each year group enjoyed a fantastic day out in Blackpool - giving students the opportunity to celebrate a successful year together. It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces as they enjoyed the attractions, created lasting memories with friends and represented the school with maturity, respect and exemplary behaviour throughout the visits!
Our Shining STARS!
One of the highlights of every academic year are the pupils recognized as Shining Stars – for 100% attendance and ZERO negative behavior points throughout the entire year! The chart below shows the achievements across the whole school, celebrating the pupils who have consistently demonstrated our school values through their immense hard work, positive attitude and commitment.
A special congratulations goes to Year 8, who achieved the highest number of Shining Star pupils across the entire school this year. Within an already exceptional year group, form 8I deserves an extra special mention for recording the highest number of Shining Star pupils of any form group in the school an outstanding achievement that reflects their dedication, teamwork and consistent positive approach to school life. This success has been made possible through the hard work of our students, the commitment of staff, and the invaluable support of parents and carers. Together, we have set a fantastic example for the wider school community, and we are incredibly proud of all those who have earned Shining Star recognition throughout the year.
Committed to Success!
We are delighted to celebrate the many students who achieved 100% attendance throughout the 2025–26 academic year. The chart below recognises these pupils, whose commitment to attending school every day has played a key role in their learning and success.
A special congratulations once again goes to Year 8 and Form 8I who recorded the highest number of students achieving 100% attendance across the school - an exceptional achievement that reflects the dedication of the students and the continued support of their families. We are incredibly proud of all our students who have achieved this outstanding milestone.
Supporting the wellbeing of every student remains at the heart of everything we do. Throughout the term, the Pastoral Team has continued to work closely with students, families, and staff to ensure that everyone feels supported, valued and able to thrive. We are incredibly proud of the compassion, perseverance, and maturity our students have shown throughout the year, academically as well as extra-curricular activities.
A well-deserved Break!
As we look ahead to the summer holidays, we encourage everyone to take time to rest, recharge and enjoy time with family and friends. Whether you're travelling, spending time outdoors, reading, taking up a new hobby or simply enjoying a slower pace, we hope the break provides plenty of opportunities to relax and create happy memories.
For students preparing to move into a new year group or begin a new chapter in September, we wish you every success. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for another exciting academic year! Finally, we would like to thank our parents and carers for their continued support throughout the year. Your partnership plays a vital role in helping our students flourish, and we greatly appreciate your ongoing support. Kindly keep us in your heartfelt prayers!
From the Pastoral Team, we wish our entire school community a safe, happy and restful summer holiday. We look forward to seeing you all again in September!
Science
A Colourful Journey into Acids and Alkalis!
This half term, Year 7 pupils have been exploring the exciting topic of acids and alkalis. Through hands-on practical work, they tested a range of different solutions to discover whether they were acidic or alkaline.
Using indicators such as universal indicator, methyl orange, and phenolphthalein, pupils observed a spectacular range of colour changes that revealed the properties of each solution. The experiments brought chemistry to life, with plenty of curiosity, excitement, and some truly beautiful colours along the way!
It has been a fantastic half term of scientific discovery, with Year 7 enthusiastically developing their practical skills and deepening their understanding of chemistry.
Year 8 Explore the Fascinating World of Magnetism
Year 8 scientists have been investigating the exciting topic of magnetism. Through a series of practical investigations, pupils have explored how magnets interact and discovered that the force of magnetism extends beyond what we can see.
One of the highlights of the topic was learning about magnetic fields. Pupils investigated the theory that magnets are surrounded by an invisible magnetic field by carrying out hands-on experiments using iron filings and plotting compasses. Sprinkling iron filings around bar magnets revealed beautiful, curved patterns, allowing students to visualise the shape of the magnetic field. They then used plotting compasses to map the direction of the field lines, observing how the compass needles aligned with the magnetic field at different points around the magnet.
These practical activities encouraged pupils to think like scientists by making observations, collecting evidence, and comparing their findings with scientific theories. They developed their investigative skills while gaining a deeper understanding of how magnetic forces work and why magnetic fields are so important in everyday technology.
Our projects this term!
Our Year 7 students have produced some amazing artwork throughout the year. To finish their first year at EBP, they created their own Day of the Dead skull designs, with complete creative freedom to make each one unique. The results have been incredibly imaginative and colourful, showcasing their creativity and growing artistic skills.
Well done to all of Year 7 on a fantastic first year at EBP!
Year 8 have continued to work hard throughout the year, producing some fantastic artwork. Their Architecture project has been a particular highlight, where they explored a range of materials and techniques, including creating textured paper, layering paint, and using oil pastels to add depth and detail. Their creativity and commitment have led to some excellent final outcomes. Keep up the fantastic work next year, Year 8!
Year 9 have worked incredibly hard throughout the year, and we would like to celebrate their impressive War Art project. Stepping up to a much larger scale than they are used to, students embraced the challenge and produced some outstanding final pieces. Their dedication, resilience, and creativity have resulted in some truly fantastic outcomes. Well done, Year 9!
Bonjour
The importance of MFL (modern foreign languages) cannot be understated; having the ability to converse and understand a whole different populace is no small achievement. To celebrate our language learning here are a few dates to save to your diary:
• European Day of Languages - 26th September 2026
A means of promoting awareness among the general public of the importance of language learning and protecting the linguistic heritage.
• International Mother Language Day – 21st February 2027
A means to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and to promote multilingualism.
• International Day of Multilingualism – 27th March 2027
A means to embrace different ways of seeing the world.
Next year we will be continuing to use the Languagenut platform to develop our language learning. The website can be accessed using login details given to each pupil. An invaluable resource for everything MFL related. Good luck for the coming year!!!
PE Summer of Sport 2026!
It has been an extremely busy term for the PE department, and we would like to say a huge congratulations to our pupils for their continued effort, enthusiasm, and passion towards Physical Education! This term, our pupils have had the opportunity to compete in a range of competitions across the district of Preston, including district cricket events and the Preston Schools athletics competition. In addition, our pupils had the opportunity to represent their form in a variety of sports and activities during our sports days. Well done to all our pupils for their exceptional work and attitude in PE!
Preston Schools Athletics Competition:
In June, a selection of pupils in years 8 and 10 had the opportunity to represent the school at the district athletics competition at UCLan Sports Arena. The athletics competition is always a terrific event, with every school across the district of Preston participating in each athletics discipline. During the competition, our pupils competed in a range of track and field events, including the 100m, 200m, 800m, 4x100m relay events, long jump, triple jump and shot-put.
We were very happy that two of our students brought home Gold medals back to School. Rahimullah (Year 8) won the Shot Put event and Abdul Sattar (Year 8) won the Long Jump event. This is an extraordinary achievement as 11 schools from the Preston District send their best athletes to compete and for our two students to come out as Gold medal winners is fantastic. A special mention to Noah (Year 9) who competed in the 800m race, 300m race, 4x 100m relay and Triple Jump. A well-rounded athlete and testament to his athleticism and resilience! Congratulations to all the pupils who attended and represented the school on a scorching hot day.
Cricket fixtures
Throughout the summer term, pupils in all year groups have had the opportunity to attend our extra-curricular cricket clubs and represent several of our teams in a range of competitions, including indoor competitions, outdoor wind ball competitions, and competitive hard ball events.
First, our Y8 team had the opportunity to compete in a variety of indoor events, and we were really impressed with the quality of their play and the competitiveness of the tournament. Our Y8 team came 1st in the indoor district tournament. Across the competition, the boys performed exceptionally well, demonstrating high levels of technical competency and a good tactical understanding. A Particular shout out to Abdul and Ayan who performed exceptionally well. Both boys put on a fantastic bowling performance, getting multiple Wickets for their team. Furthermore, the Y8 team went on to win another two outdoor cricket games, winning every game they played across the summer.
On top of this, our Y7 team also performed in the indoor tournament, facing teams from the district. Y7 finished 3rd overall, displaying brilliance throughout. A huge shoutout to Amrullah who put on a fantastic bowling display and got a vast number of Wickets. Our Y9 and Y10 team have also been involved in a handful of Outdoor Hardball fixtures. Qasim (Y10) showcased his exceptional leadership skills throughout the games and Emaad Usman (Y10) also stepped up to be a key a batter and bowler for the team.
Year 7 Football at Radcliffe FC
Our Year 7 football team recently had the exciting opportunity to compete at Radcliffe FC's stadium against several local schools. Playing in a stadium environment was a fantastic experience for the pupils and gave them the chance to showcase their skills in a competitive setting.
Throughout the day, the team displayed excellent teamwork, determination, and sportsmanship, representing the school with pride both on and off the pitch. Their positive attitude and commitment were evident in every match, making it a thoroughly enjoyable and successful day for everyone involved. We are incredibly proud of how well the pupils performed and the way they conducted themselves throughout the event.
Sports Days (July 2026):
The PE department would like to congratulate all the pupils who represented their forms in this year’s sports days. We were very impressed with the competitiveness of our pupils, and there were some exceptional performances across the 4 days. On the days, pupils had the opportunity to compete against other forms in their year group in football, dodgeball, athletics and cricket competitions, as well as a tug of war competition!
For this year’s sports day, the PE Department added a variety of Athletic events for pupils to compete in. The events consisted of a 2lap sprint, 4 person relay and two different obstacle relay’s. The obstacle relay featured classic challenges such as ‘Egg and Spoon’, Wheelbarrow, ‘Cone Head’ and ‘Sack races’. The PE Department showcased entertaining and inspirational demonstrations of the various event. The races were very competitive and extremely fun to watch, there was non-stop encouragement and clapping from pupils and staff.
Across the days, pupils demonstrated some good team-working and leadership skills, and staff were impressed with their application of the knowledge, skills, and tactical principles developed across the year to the various sports and activities. Congratulations again to all the pupils who represented their forms in our sports days! We look forward to running them again next summer!
Well done to the winning forms: Year 7I, Year 8I, Year 9M & Year 10N
A group of our students recently enjoyed an exciting Padel Experience Day, giving many of them the opportunity to try one of the fastestgrowing sports in the world for the very first time, while others were able to develop their existing skills and passion for the game. Throughout the day, our pupils demonstrated outstanding enthusiasm, determination, and sportsmanship. They embraced every challenge with confidence, supported one another, and represented the school impeccably both on and off the court.
The day was a fantastic success, with everyone thoroughly enjoying the experience and leaving with smiles on their faces. We are incredibly proud of all the 96 students who took part and look forward to offering more opportunities like this in the future.
Year 6 Taster Day – A Sporting Welcome!
We were delighted to welcome our Year 6 pupils for an exciting PE taster session as part of their transition to secondary school. The pupils were introduced to the PE department and had the opportunity to explore our excellent sports facilities.
To give everyone a taste of PE lessons at our school, the pupils took part in a fun and energetic game of dodgeball. The activity challenged them to use a wide range of skills, including teamwork, communication and coordination. It was fantastic to see everyone getting involved, supporting one another, and demonstrating great enthusiasm throughout the session.
The pupils represented their primary schools brilliantly and we look forward to welcoming them back in September.
Year 11 International Cricket Success
Muhammad Patel (Year 11) has continued to represent the Lancashire Cricket team throughout the year and has achieved a fantastic grade in his GCSE PE Cricket Assessment. Across this year’s Cricket season, Muhammad has further developed his Cricket skills and has been chosen to represent the England National Cricket team (Under 18). This is a fantastic achievement, and it is a great honour to represent his country. We hope Muhammad continues to excel in this Sport and we wish him all the luck in becoming a professional Cricket player!
Safeguarding
Safeguarding Focus: Staying Safe During the Holidays
As we approach the holiday period, we wanted to share some helpful reminders for families around keeping children safe and well over the break.
The holidays are an important time for pupils to rest, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy different activities. At the same time, children may have more free time online, outdoors or in the community, so a few simple conversations at home can make a real difference.
Online Safety
Many pupils will spend more time using phones, games consoles, apps and social media during the holidays. It can be helpful to check in with your child about who they are speaking to online, what they are sharing, and whether they know how to report or block anything that makes them feel uncomfortable. A reminder about protecting personal information, using privacy settings, and thinking carefully before sharing images can help children make safer choices online.
Staying Safe Outdoors
Warmer weather and longer days often mean children spend more time outside with friends. This is a positive part of the holidays, but it is also worth reminding pupils about road safety, being aware of their surroundings, and making sensible choices when out in the community.
Open water, including rivers, lakes, reservoirs and quarries, can be especially dangerous, even when it looks calm. Last year, 202 people died due to accidental drowning in the UK. Families may find the RNLI’s water safety advice useful, particularly the “Float to Live” message if someone gets into difficulty in water.
Asking for Help
It is always helpful for children to know what to do if they feel unsafe or unsure. This includes knowing how to contact a trusted adult, how to leave a situation that does not feel right, and when to call emergency services on 999.
You may also wish to check that your child knows key personal information, such as their home address and contact details for a parent, carer or trusted adult.
Staying Well and Connected
The holidays can feel different for every child. Some pupils enjoy the change in routine, while others may find it more difficult. Encouraging children to keep positive routines, stay connected with trusted people, and talk about any worries can support their emotional wellbeing. YoungMinds and NHS Every Mind Matters both provide useful advice for children, young people and families.
Holiday Activities and Food Programme
Some families may be eligible for support through the Holiday Activities and Food programme. This provides access to holiday activities, healthy meals and enrichment opportunities for eligible children and young people during school holidays.
Please look out for further information about local provision and contact school if you need support accessing this.
Safeguarding Contact Details
If you have any safeguarding concerns, please contact the school using the details below:
Email: safeguarding@ebpreston.staracademies.org
If a child is at immediate risk of harm, please contact emergency services by calling 999