Picture News
Since September 2023, the children at St Joseph's School have been covering the weekly news article through Picture News.
Picture News shows a different photo each week which prompts discussion. Each week, one of the British Values is identified to focus on, in addition to a Protected Characteristic and the UN Rights of a Child. The slides are amended to form a Liturgical Prayer session within classes. Each class journey through the content every week and produce a reflection/piece of work for their class log book. The classes take it in turns each week to add to our class display.
We encourage all of our community to get involved with the Picture News focus and themes. Each week, the 'Take Home' page is sent home to our parents and we reward children who discuss themes and complete activities at home.
Before September 2023, the school had British Values focus weeks to cover the British Values. Please click here to see our focus work on British Values.
Please see the photos below of our whole school display.
CAN THE PAST HELP US LEARN ABOUT A MODERN LIFE?
Story: A new study published in an archaeological journal, using evidence found in Italy, has found that Neanderthals organised their living areas and tools in a similar way to modern humans.
Question: Can the past help us learn about modern life?
Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
HOW CAN SHOPS MAKE SURE EVERYONE FEELS REPRESENTED?
Story: Stef Reid, a former Paralympian medal-winner, is requesting Nike and other sportswear companies to start selling individual trainers to single-leg amputees.
Question: How can shops make sure everyone feels represented?
Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
CAN YOU LEARN TO PERSEVERE?
Story: Scottish runner, Jasmin Paris, has become the first female runner and one of only twenty to complete what is thought to be the world's toughest race; the Barkley Marathons in Tennessee, USA.
Question: Can you learn to persevere?
Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
WHAT DOES ART MEAN TO YOU?
Story: A new artwork, from the mysterious street artist Banksy, appeared in North London overnight in March and has since been covered with plastic and surrounded by wooden boards to protect it.
Question: What does art mean to you?
Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
SHOULD THERE BE A LIMIT ON HOW RICH ONE PERSON CAN BECOME?
Story: Poverty-fighting charity Oxfam has released a report, which found that if current wealth trends continue, the world will have its first trillionaire within 10 years.
Question: Should there be a limit on how rich one person can become?
WHATS THE BEST WAY TO HANDLE DISAPPOINTMENT?
Story: Many families who travelled to Glasgow for an event that claimed to channel the magic of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory were sorely disappointed.Question: What’s the best way to handle disappointment?Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
SHOULD MOBILE PHONES BE BANNED IN ALL CLASSROOMS?
Story: Ministers have confirmed plans to ban the use of mobile phones in English schools and have released guidance for headteachers.Question: Should mobile phones be banned in all classrooms?Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
HOW DO YOU THINK WORLD BOOK DAY SHOULD BE CELEBRATED?
Story: Across the UK and Ireland, the charity, World Book Day, will be holding its annual celebration on Thursday 7th March and this year’s campaign, ‘Read Your Way’.Question: How do you think World Book Day should be celebrated?Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
HOW CAN YOU MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD?
Story: In countries across Europe, tractors have been blocking city streets and motorways as farmers protest against certain European Union rules.Question: How can you make your voice heard?Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
HOW IMPORTANT IS PACKAGING?
Story: Coca‑Cola has announced it will temporarily be removing labels from Sprite and Sprite Zero bottles to trial ‘label-less’ packaging in some areas of the UK.Question: How important is packaging?Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
WHAT MAKES SOMEONE INSPIRATIONAL?
Story: 45-year-old Mar Galcerán from Spain has become the country’s first elected parliamentarian with Down's syndrome.Question: What makes someone inspirational?Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
IS FASHION IMPORTANT?
Story: New BBC television programme, Style It Out, focuses on sustainable fashion and will give promising designers the chance to showcase at London Fashion Week.
Question: Is fashion important?
Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
WILL SELF-DRIVING VEHICLES CHANGE OUR LIVES?
Story: Motorists in Britain will be completing journeys using driverless cars by 2026 the transport secretary, Mark Harper, has predicted.
Question: Will self-driving vehicles change our lives?
Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
ARE EMOJIS AN IMPORTANT PART OF COMMUNICATON?
Story: Teddy Cottle from Oxfordshire has launched a petition calling for Apple to change the glasses emoji, also known as the ‘nerd’ emoji, as he says it gives the wrong impression of glasses-wearers.Question: Have ‘emojis’ become an important part of communication?Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
WHAT IS RUBBISH
Story: British litter-pickers have become world champions in the SpoGomi World Cup after sifting through nearly 60 kilograms of rubbish in Tokyo, Japan, for the first-ever contest of its kind.
Question: What is rubbish?
Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO LIVE THROUGH AND UNCERTAIN TIME?
Story: The Fagradalsfjall volcano is thought to be the cause of a series of recent earthquakes and Iceland has declared a state of emergency as inhabitants from the nearby town of Grindavik are evacuated.Question: What is it like to live through an uncertain time?Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
27th November 2023
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ANTARCTICA?
Story: Scientists have found more flowering plants, moss, and algae in Antarctica in the last 10 years than usually grow in 50 years, and the extent of floating sea ice there has hit record lows.
Question: Who is responsible for Antarctica?
Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
20th November 2023
HOW CAN WE SHOW COMPASSION TO OTHERS?
Story: Community centres, libraries, businesses, and churches across the UK have been set up as free warm spaces to help provide warmth and companionship during the winter months.Question: How can we show compassion to others?Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
13th November 2023
ARE THERE SOME JOBS ROBOTS COULD NEVER DO?
Story: A new robot called Digit, designed to be human-like and that is capable of lifting and moving items, is being tested in warehouses of the online retailer, Amazon.Question: Are there some jobs robots could never do?Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
30th October 2023
SHOULD 'SUPER SHOES' BE ALLOWED IN RACES?
Story: Kenyan long-distance runner, Kelvin Kiptum, has crossed the line in a new world record time of 2:00:35 at this year’s Chicago Marathon, wearing Nike Alphafly 3 ‘super shoes’.
Question: Should ‘super shoes’ be allowed in races?
Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
16th October 2023
HOW CAN WE REMEMBER THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO US?
Story: The tree at the centre of the world-famous 'Sycamore Gap' on Hadrian's Wall, England, has reportedly been ‘deliberately felled’ on the night of 28th September.Question: How can we remember things that were important to us? Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
9th October 2023
HOW DOES CHANGE HAPPEN?
Story: October is Black History Month in the UK. This year’s theme is ‘Saluting our Sisters’, highlighting the role Black women have played in shaping history, inspiring change, and building communities in the UKQuestion: How does change happen?Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
2nd October 2023
CAN ANYONE BREAK A WORLD RECORD?
Story: The 2024 edition of the Guinness World Records, featuring more than 80% new and updated records and with a total of 2,638 records, has been released.Question: Can anyone break a world record?Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
25th September 2023
HOW IMPORTANT IS SPACE EXPLORATION?
Story: In recent weeks, both India and Russia's space agencies have tried to send unmanned missions to the Moon. They were heading to the lunar South Pole, which is a less explored part of the Moon. Question: How important is space exploration?Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
18th September 2023
IS A SCHOOL MORE THAN JUST A BUILDING?
Story: More than 100 schools across the UK have been affected by a potentially dangerous concrete (RAAC) used in their construction between the 1950s and the mid-90s. It’s not just schools affected; more than 30 hospitals are also believed to be at risk, according to experts.Question: Is a school more than just a building?Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
11th September 2023
SHOULD LIFEJACKETS BE COMPULSORY FOR ALL ON OPEN WATER?
Story: In Canada, the government in the province of Ontario is set to pass a new law that would make it compulsory for children aged 12 and under to wear lifejackets on boats.Question: Should lifejackets be compulsory for all on open water?Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
6th September 2023
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM NEW ADVENTURES?
Story: Almost ten years ago, the now 44-year-old Torbjørn Pedersen from Denmark left his job and family behind to begin a life-changing journey with a goal to visit every country in the world, without flying on a plane.Question: What can we learn from new adventures?Virtual Picture News: Found here: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss
