Newsletters

Newsletter 29 – Friday, 16th May 2025

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Headteacher Message

Hello all,

Proud is the key word today. This week Year 6 have been completing their statutory tests (SAT’S) and I am extremely proud of how they have approached these tests. Each and every one of them has given their best. They have been calm and composed and have approached the week with maturity. I have told them all that the tests and their subsequent scores do not define them and that we will always be most proud of the lovely individuals that they are. On reflection, offering them a water altercation as a reward this afternoon may not turn out so well for me personally. In my current circumstances, I am pretty much a sitting duck without the feathers to protect me! 

    

I really need to say a very big thank you to the parents and volunteers who ran the Darell stall at the Richmond fair. A raring success.  Please read below to find out more.

Joe Porter  

PSA Update

Dear Darell Community,

Just to say thank you to everyone who donated cakes and pastries  and pre-loved  books for our Richmond May Fair last Saturday. It was a beautiful day out on Richmond green and we raised £1300! The profits will go towards resources and extra-curricular activities for the school. 

We were visited by lots of Darell families, past pupils, ex-governors, teachers, and fair-goers. Several people mentioned that it was great to see Darell back at the fair after a twelve year break! 

Big thanks to all of the PSA organisers and parent and carer volunteers for all their hard work making the stall look fantastic and for championing our school in the wider Richmond community. A special thanks to Glenda, (Year 1), for literally bringing the stall to life with all her equipment and ideas, Lucia (Year 2) and Katy (Year 2 and 5) for being our super communications experts, Felisa (Year 5) for setting up our Darell reading corner (along with Fiach, Martin and Enzo, the dog,—who pulled in the biggest crowds!), Virag (Year 2), Karrie (Year 2), Lola (Nursery, Year 1), Anastasiya (Year 4), Elaine (Year 4) and Rawan (Year 2 and 4) for all their ideas in our meetings and work on the ground—and all the partners, friends and kids of PSA members who helped with transport, gazebo hoisting, cake sales and lots more!). Thanks also to Laura and Kelly for their support and summer vibes on the day!

The PSA is a small, informal group of parents who are really keen to make Darell a better place for our children and the community. If you're interested in getting involved, please reach out to one of us and come along to our next meeting. Our next big event will be the school summer BBQ and we would love to have you join in the planning fun!! 

Hannah (Year 2) and Megan (Reception, Year 2) (Co-ordinators on this event and PSA members) 

Office Updates

We are reaching out to share an initiative at Darell aimed at supporting our families during these financially challenging times. We have established a food bank within the school and would greatly appreciate any contributions.

Your donations can make a  difference in the lives of those in our community. We welcome contributions of non-perishable food items and personal care products. Every little bit helps and goes a long way in providing essential support to our families.

Please feel free to drop off your donations at the school office.

Thank you for your generosity!

Free Communication Clipart Pictures - Clipartix  Communications Sent Home

  • Year 1 - Chicken Pox
  • Year 6 - Bikeability consent reminder
  • Year 5 & 6 - Transitioning to Secondary Webinars flyer
  • Year 5 - Bright Sparks Trip Letter

 

Diary Dates

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
19
May
Y6 Bikeability
9:15am – 12:00pm
from 19 May and every day until 23 May
19
May
Y6 Bikeability
9:15am – 12:00pm
from 19 May and every day until 23 May
20
May
Y6 Bikeability
9:15am – 12:00pm
from 19 May and every day until 23 May
21
May
Y6 National Archives trip
12:30pm – 3:15pm
21
May
Y6 Bikeability
9:15am – 12:00pm
from 19 May and every day until 23 May
22
May
Y6 Bikeability
9:15am – 12:00pm
from 19 May and every day until 23 May
23
May
May Half Term
All Day
from 26 May until 30 May
26
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
02
June
Great Athlete Event
1:00pm – 3:15pm
02
June

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 - From our learning about firefighters this week, what keeps the firefighter safe when they are fighting a fire? ('fireproof' clothes and boots, helmet, mask, air tank, torch, camera, walkie talkie) How do firefighters stay fit? (eat healthy food and take exercise at the fire station) 

Year 1 - What lesson, if any, do you think Floyd learnt by the end of the story? What would you have done if you were Floyd and your kite got stuck in a tree? 

Year 2 - Why do you think the voyage was more difficult than anyone expected?

KS1 SRP - Who found the bear?

KS2 SRP - How does Vashti react when her teacher asks her to draw?  How does she show this?

Year 3 - Do you think Theseus would be able to defeat your mythical creature?

Year 4 - Do you prefer to read fiction, non-fiction or a mixture?

Year 5 - Who is your favourite character in Journey to Jo’burg so far and why?

Attendance

Overall, school attendance this week was 94%. Our target is 97%.

Well done to Year 6 for the highest attendance of 96% this week. 

Let's do our best for next week!

Early Years Star of the Week

Reception

Alex - for living our school value of kindness! Alex is great at sharing and taking turns and is kind and polite when talking to others.

KS1 Star of the Week

Year 1

       Kohen - for being an aspirational writer. Your version of Stuck is full of good ideas, and beautifully presented and illustrated. I cannot wait to read the next instalment!

Year 2

Ada - for crafting a detailed and interesting letter in our English lessons. You have used all the different literary devices we have learnt so far this year as well as applying original ideas from your fabulous independent reading!

KS1 SRP

Hakim - for settling into your new class so well, you are enjoying exploring all the different activities and joining in with all the new routines. Well done, Hakim!

Nurture 

Amelia & Tyrese - for  their amazing resilience this week completing  SATS.  You did it! We are all so proud of you.

KS2 Star of the Week

KS2 SRP 

Allen - for showing a positive and resilient attitude throughout the SATs. You have been aspirational. Well done, Allen!

Year 3

Benjamin & Daniel - for living our values of aspiration, responsibility and enjoyment this week. You have worked determinedly to turn your heatmaps green and are now recalling each of the 144 times table facts in under 4 seconds! Congratulations, mathmagicians!

Year 4

Nina - for continuing to work hard to improve all aspects of her learning and for spreading kindness   

Year 5

Leon - for an outstanding attitude to his work this week.

Year 6

Whole Class - for being aspirational learners this week during SATs – you all tried your hardest, and I am so proud of you!

Kindness Star

Daisy - for playing with a peer during every playtime, helping him during our PE lesson at the REC, and even pouring some of her water into his bottle when he ran out on a hot day. You are amazing, Daisy!

Useful Links

     darell.school

 

darell.richmond.sch.uk

 

Arbor Parent Portal - darell-primary.uk.arbor

 

 

School Uniform Shop - The Shoe Station