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Headteacher Message

Hello all,

I am lucky enough to deliver whole school assemblies at least 3 times a week. I never take it for granted. I have found it incredibly useful in shaping how I want this school to be and also for maintaining a presence in the school. As I have said before, my most enjoyable times at work are when I am not in my office but out and about interacting with your lovely children. The reason I am telling you this is because today I looked across the hall at the sea of faces and there were a lot of tired faces looking back at me. It is that time of the term when everyone begins to flag a little. I said to them, and I am also saying to you, let us all really focus on being kind to ourselves and to each other as we head towards the Easter break. That bit of understanding, that bit of patience may make a big difference to our loved ones.

I am saying this to you as much to myself as the dog ‘Blue’ had a bad stomach last night and I spent a large proportion of the night in my garden contemplating the night sky. So, I am heading home with understanding and patience on my mind and hoping to have a lovely weekend with my family.

I hope you do too.

Joe Porter.

Office Updates

Big Walk and Wheel

Next week is our Walk, Scoot, and Cycle to School Week. We encourage everyone to travel to school in a sustainable way. If you must drive, please consider parking away from the school perimeter and walking the last part of the journey. Thank you in advance for your support!

Parent Consultation Meetings

This is a reminder that our Parent/Teacher consultations will take place next week on Tuesday, April 1st, and Thursday, April 3rd. If you have not yet booked your time slot, please log in to your Arbor account to select an available appointment. If you encounter any difficulties, please contact the school office for assistance.

Last Day of Term Early Finish

This is a reminder that Friday, April 4th, is the last day of term. We will be finishing early at 1:15 PM. Please collect your child from their usual pickup point.

If your child is in (Year 5 or Year 6) and will be walking home alone, kindly confirm this with an email.

Thank you!

Communications Sent Home

Whole School - Big, Walk and Wheel reminder

Diary Dates

Easter Break

All Day

from 07 Apr until 18 Apr

07
April

Bank Holiday - School Closed

Y5 National Archive 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

23
April

ECO Summit - Wetlands Centre, Barnes

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

28
April

Year 4 - Thames Young Mariners 1 night residential

9:15am – 4:30pm

from 28 Apr until 29 Apr

28
April

Y2 - National Archive 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

30
April

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 - How could the gingerbread man have got away?

How might the story end if the fox really was friendly?

Year 1 - What did Squirrel discover his flower needed to grow? (water, light, air) What other signs of spring did Squirrel spot? (a cuckoo, a bumblebee, a swallow) Can you think of any more? If you go outside this weekend, see if you can spot flowers growing in the wild.

Year 2 - Which animal migration story did you find the most interesting? [sock-eye salmon, humpback whale, leather back turtle] Why?

Year 3 - Which version of Theseus and the Minotaur did you prefer? Why?

Year 4 - In ‘The Listeners’ the traveller said he’d kept his promise. The poem does not say what he promised, but what do you think it could be?

Year 5 - What did we find out about the Anubis jar that was sent to Lily’s grandad?

Year 6 - ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’ by Michael Morpurgo - Why is Kensuke on the island?

Attendance

Overall, school attendance this week was 96%. Our target is 97%.

Well done to Reception for the highest attendance of 100% this week.

Let's do our best for next week!

Early Years Star of the Week

Reception

Lylah - for always working hard in phonics, maths and reading and for showing a great imagination in her own play

Year 1

Manha - for working hard with the adults in class and always being willing to have a go. You are responsible and aspirational. Well done, Manha!

Year 2

Kryzysztof - for your aspirational attitude towards learning this week. You are working independently on your writing and not giving up in DT!

KS1 SRP

Sirimi - for being a very kind and caring friend, you always look after your friends when they are hurt or feeling sad. Well done, Sirimi!

Sporting Star

Caleb & Jessica - for attending the LYG Aspire Festival and showing such enthusiasm and participation in all the events. Well done!

Kindness Star

Leo - For being a kind and encouraging friend at the London Youth Games!

KS2 Star of the Week

KS2 SRP

Jessica - for being a math’s genius this week! We are so proud of you!

Year 3

Elliot - for fantastic participation in our reading lessons! Your enjoyment for reading shines through in every lesson. Well done, Elliot!

Year 4

Harley - for sharing his interests about the planets in the solar system with the class and for donating to us his painting of Saturn.

Year 5

Patrick - for his resilience this week, coping with change, and his stamina, completing more work in class. Well done, Patrick!

Year 6

Sienna - has shown incredible resilience and aspiration in her work all year and particularly in her preparation for the SATs. She is a great example to the whole school.

Nurture Star

Amelia - for her resilience and additional arithmetic practice for mock SATs week. We are proud of you!

Useful Links

darell.school

darell.richmond.sch.uk

Arbor Parent Portal - darell-primary.uk.arbor

School Uniform Shop - The Shoe Station

Newsletters

Newsletter 24 – Friday, 28th March 2025