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Headteacher Message

Welcome back! Well, that first week went quickly! The summer term is a firm favourite, packed full of trips and events. Please keep an eye on the diary dates at the end of the weekly newsletters. The PSA are also already working hard on plans for the Richmond May Fair, so please look out for this information on how to help at and support this event.

This week we have become temporary custodians of a very special delivery - duck eggs - the children (and adults) in early years are proud parents of three ducklings and are eagerly awaiting the next hatchling. This is an 'eggciting eggxample' of how our curriculum is full of hands-on learning experiences.

Year 5 kicked off the term with a trip to the Kew archives for a special workshop on the MI5 Secret Service - the first time this information has been available to the public to gain an insight into the world of espionage. Year 6 are heading there next week. We are so privileged to have such fantastic links with the local community.

Next week, we are waving our year 4 children off to their one-night residential at Thames Young Mariners, where they get to experience a huge variety of water-based activities. We have been running this trip for a number of years and hope the weather stays like this for them! Thank you to the staff who have organised this and for agreeing to sleep in tents to make this happen for our children! We hope you all have a wonderful time.

Lastly, many of you will have noticed that Mr Porter has not been with us this week. He has hurt his back, and we wish him a speedy recovery!

Have a wonderful weekend

Office Updates

Clubs

We would like to remind you that clubs will begin on Monday. If you haven't signed up yet, please do so by following the instructions provided in the clubs list: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Jk_QgsWY8Ju2cbSIhHuTdoOD4Qd1QRACUgpqwvIou-0/edit?usp=sharing

Please note that some of our clubs are run by external organisations, and you will need to make your bookings directly with them.

Shoe boxes

Year 5 students require shoe boxes for their upcoming art project. If you have any spare boxes at home and are willing to donate, please drop them off at the school office. Thank you!

PSA News

We are excited that Darell Primary and Nursery School will be participating in this year’s Richmond May Fair on Saturday 10th May at Richmond Green - https://www.richmondmayfair.co.uk/

We will be selling cakes and refreshments and pre-loved books to raise money for the school. We will also be celebrating the Darell community and raising awareness about our wonderful school! We need your help!

The PSA are reaching out for donations of pre-loved books, cakes , pastries and volunteers to run the stall throughout the day.

Please dust out any unwanted children's books and drop them into the school office by Friday, the 3rd of May.

We’ll be sending around an email with links to 1 hour time slots for running the stall at the fair and cake donation info next week.

Your donations will go towards raising funds to improve resources for your children at school.

Thank you for your kind support.

Darell PSA

Communications Sent Home

Y6 Kew Archive trip
Y5 Kew Archive trip
Y3 British Museum trip
Y6 Bikeability information
Whole school - Meal option reminder

Diary Dates

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

9:00am – 1:00pm

29
April

Y5 - National Archive Trip

12:20pm – 3:20pm

01
May

Bank Holiday - School Closed

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

from 12 May until 15 May

12
May

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

12
May

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 our story, Jabari Tries, what does Jabari's dad say he does when he's feeling frustrated? Gather up all his patience, take a deep breath and blow away all his muddy/mixed feelings - and then he tries again.

Year 1 - At the beginning of our story, I Hate Love Books, how did the little girl feel about books? How had this changed by the end of the story? Why do you think she changed her mind?

Year 2 - Would you have sent Zeraffa to the King of France? Why?

KS1 SRP - If you lived in a world where only one colour was allowed, what colour would you choose?

KS2 SRP - We have been talking about feeling proud. Can you talk about a time you have felt proud?

Year 3 - What do you predict will happen when the Goblin Prince arrives at the Nothing to See Here Hotel? Do you think it will be a successful visit or not?

Year 4 - How would you describe Edward Tulane?

Year 5 - What kind of journey do you think Tiro and Naledi will go on?

Year 6 - ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’ by Michael Morpurgo – Why do you think Kensuke helps the boy even though he is angry with him?

Attendance

Overall, school attendance this week was 96%. Our target is 94%.

Well done to Year 2 for the highest attendance of 100% this week.

Let's do our best for next week!

Early Years Star of the Week

Reception

Janabelle - for a fantastic start to the new term! For great listening in maths and for showing real enjoyment in our PE lesson.

KS1 Years Star of the Week

Year 1

Fron - for having excellent focus in phonics. You are being responsible and aspirational. Well done, Fron!

Year 2

Aleksandr - for your positive attitude to learning this week across all subjects

KS1 SRP

Zion - for great reading, writing, and phonics. He has worked very hard this week. Well done, Zion!

KS2 Star of the Week

KS2 SRP

Caleb - for being a supportive role model to his young peers and for always having a smile on his face.

Year 3

Daisy - for the fantastic commitment you have shown to reading at home. You have been resilient and determined and have worked hard to become a free reader! Congratulations, Daisy!

Year 4

Ruairi - for constantly being on the lookout for classmates who need help and stepping in to assist them.

Year 5

Go - for on exemplary attitude to all his learning, taking responsibility and making great progress in English as a result.

Year 6

Tipene - has been a really kind friend and brought another child’s things in from the playground to stop them getting wet when it was starting to rain.

Useful Links

darell.school

darell.richmond.sch.uk

Arbor Parent Portal - darell-primary.uk.arbor

School Uniform Shop - The Shoe Station

Newsletters

Newsletter 26 – Friday, 25th April 2025