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Headteacher Message

Hello all,

I am very proud to say that tomorrow Darell School will have a stall at the Kew Eco Fair at St Lukes Church.

They have failed to add our names to the trailer, but along with our organisers, Mrs Francis and Miss Cook myself, Mrs Gavin and Mrs Claridge will be there. And, of course, our wonderful pupil eco team. If you have a moment in your busy schedules, pop along to say hello. The free bike check alone is reason enough to pass by.

I have just been told that our attendance this week is 95%. This is good, but we can do even better. Thank you all for getting your children into school this week. I know it is not always the easiest task. Always let us know if your child is reluctant to come to school. We will do what we can do to support them.

I need to let you know that from April we will not be using text messaging as much as we currently do. This is primarily a financial consideration as our provider has massively hiked up prices. We will continue to contact you by telephone, email and in-app messages. If there is a school closure or emergency of any sort, we will, of course use text messages so you are informed as quickly as possible. Please get used to checking your emails on a regular basis ready for this switch in April. I have just returned from pick up and there is something special about a Friday pick-up. Smiling faces everywhere. Have a lovely weekend.

Joe Porter

Office Updates

Communications Sent Home

Selected Pupils - LYG Aspire Festival Trip
Whole School - New Meal Menu
Selected Y 5 &6 Pupils -Summer Term Swimming

Diary Dates

From 17 Jan and on Friday each week until 05 Apr except for between 17 Feb and 21 Feb

21
March

Darell Playgroup

9:00am – 11:00am

From 13 Jan and on Monday each week except for between 17 Feb and 21 Feb, between 07 Apr and 21 Apr, and for between 26 May and 01 Jun

24
March

Y5 The Easter Experience Trip

From 15 Jan and on Wednesday each week except for between 17 Feb and 21 Feb, between 07 Apr and 21 Apr, and for between 26 May and 01 Jun

26
March

Easter Scavenger Hunt - PS Event

3:20pm – 4:30pm

26
March

LYG Adapted Inspire Festival - SEN Trip

From 17 Jan and on Friday each week until 05 Apr except for between 17 Feb and 21 Feb

28
March

Sustrans Big Walk & Wheel

All Day

From 31 Mar until 04 Apr

31
March

Darell Playgroup

9:00am – 11:00am

From 13 Jan and on Monday each week except for between 17 Feb and 21 Feb, between 07 Apr and 21 Apr, and for between 26 May and 01 Jun

31
March

The Reading Corner

Welcome to our weekly section of the newsletter all about reading. Every week, we will share a question (or two) with you about the book your child is reading in school. Please use these questions to help you find out a little more about what your child has been reading in school and continue to develop their love of reading.

Reception - In the story of The Gingerbread Man, why does the gingerbread man stop at the river? ('He could not swim, and the river was wide') What would happen to him if he did jump in the water? (go soggy, break into little pieces, sink to the bottom)

Year 1 - The book, All the Ways to be Smart, shows all the different ways children can be smart. What are your unique strengths and qualities?

Year 2 - Can you think of a riddle for one of the characters from ‘The Fox and the Star’?

KS1 SRP - Can you remember which animals tried to stop the gingerbread man as he ran away?

KS2 SRP - What would your perfect pet be and why?

Year 3 - Which Greek myth have you enjoyed most so far? Why?

Year 4 - What makes Beowolf the hero?

Year 5 - What did we find out about the process of mummification from the book The Story of Tutankhamun by Patricia Cleveland-Peck and Isabel Greenberg?

Year 6 - ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’ by Michael Morpurgo - Why are the family travelling around the world?

Attendance

Overall, school attendance this week was 95%. Our target is 97%.

Well done to Year 2 for the highest attendance of 98.5% this week.

Let's do our best for next week!

Early Years Star of the Week

Reception

Lily - for great concentrating in phonics, maths and carpet time. You are showing aspiration and responsibility!

Year 1

Carter - for showing aspiration and enjoyment in phonics and carpet time. Carter loves to share his ideas and is an expert at remembering how to spell all the sounds we have learnt in phonics. Well done, Carter!

Year 2

Maya - for your focus on independent tasks this week in class. You have listened and responded to feedback which is supporting the development of your writing!

KS1 SRP

Maison - for working hard with all the adults in Walker Class, learning lots of new Phonics and Maths skills. Well done, Maison!

Sporting Star

Adil & Leo - for attending the running club this week and giving it their all, demonstrating exceptional dedication even though they are fasting. They served as fantastic role models for our younger children by actively supporting them. Well done boys!

KS2 Star of the Week

KS2 SRP

Sonia - for her independence whilst in Y6. Well done, Sonia!

Year 3

Dario - for being an aspirational reader! It is wonderful to see you enjoying reading and pushing yourself to be the best you can be! Well done, Dario!

Year 4

Nikki - for working very hard to produce a super report on the oceans with excellent presentation.

Year 5

Sofia - for her aspiration in her English work, using ambitious vocabulary and working hard on her presentation.

Year 6

Neil - This week, Neil learnt how to check his answers in maths and self-correct his arithmetic – an amazing skill to master. Well done!

Nurture Star

Zayan - for his excellent retrieval and summarising skills on reading about the mummification process. Well done Zayan!

Kindness Star

Sheila - for supporting our SPR children in their D&T project over the past two lessons. Sheila shows a lot of kindness with her friends from the SRP, offers help and support without prompting and is already a firm favourite of our Year 5 SRP children.

Useful Links

darell.school

darell.richmond.sch.uk

Arbor Parent Portal - darell-primary.uk.arbor

School Uniform Shop - The Shoe Station

Newsletters

Newsletter 23 – Friday, 21st March 2025