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Headteacher Message

Dear all,

I hope you are all well. Kindness has been in abundance this week and has kept us all smiling. Children always come and speak to me about their ideas and suggestions and while I don’t always say yes, I do listen. This week, four children came to see me regarding another child in their class. They were concerned that our values stickers were only printed in English and the Russian boy in their class might not understand. They wanted to make stickers for him. Well, what could I say? What lovely thinking that is. They spent the next two lunchtimes designing and printing these stickers and they are now ready to be used. We want all of our children to believe that they can make a difference and these four children certainly have. Our lives are often so busy and we move from one task to the next without pausing to stop, look around and reflect. This is what our children do naturally and what we sometimes lose when we move into the hectic world of adulthood.

Early in the autumn term, two Year 6 children also approached me asking if we could have a sleep-over at the school. I did not dismiss this immediately and here we are now with my sleeping bag and mat tucked under my desk! I hope you all have a lovely weekend and, in particular, a good sleep tonight!

Joe Porter

Office Updates

End of Term early finish | Holy Trinity Catholic School

On Friday, 18th July, we will finish school at 1:15 PM. Please collect your child from their usual collection point in either the KS1 or KS2 playground.

If your child is in Years 5 and 6 and will be walking home alone, and does not yet have permission, you will need to grant permission for this in Arbor. You can do so by logging into your Arbor parent portal or by contacting the school office to inform us. Thank you!

Bikes & Scooters

As we approach the end of the school year, we kindly ask that all scooters and bikes belonging to the children be taken home before the summer break. This is to ensure that the scooter and bike parking areas are kept clear and well-managed during the holiday period and ready for use in the new term.

Communications Sent Home

Y6 - Performance information
SRP - Petersham Park trip reminder

Diary Dates

Y3 - Kew Gardens Trip

9:00am – 3:20pm

27
June

Year 5 & 6 School Sleep Over

7:00pm – 8:00am

from 27 Jun until 28 Jun

27
June

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

30
June

Reception 2025 Starters Stay and Play Session

10:00am – 11:00am

01
July

Y1 Thames Explorer Trust Trip

9:30am – 1:30pm

02
July

Reading Exchange Currency day

10:00am – 11:00am

02
July

Walker & Newton - Kew Gardens Trip

10:00am – 3:00pm

04
July

EYFS Kew Gardens Trip

10:00am – 2:30pm

04
July

Richmond Schools Secondary Transistion Day

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

07
July

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 'One Day on Our Blue Planet, In the Savannah,' which animals live in a 'pride'? Can you name other animals that eat meat, and animals that eat plants?

Year 1 - Can you remember the name of the famous person we are learning about in history? (Grace Darling). What did she do that means she is still remembered today? (rescued nine people from a shipwreck)

Year 2 - What do you predict is going to happen next in our class book ‘Leaf’ and why?

Year 3 - How did you feel about the Space-Bat-Angel-Dragon by the end of chapter 5? Was it different to how you felt about him during chapter 4? Why?

Year 4 - What is the connection between the House of Wisdom and the ‘Arabian Nights’?

Year 5 - Do you know your Highwayman verses by heart already? What helps you memorise them?

Year 6 - What did you think of the ending of the book? Which character did you find most chilling?

Attendance

Overall, school attendance this week was 93%. 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!

EYFS Star of the Week

Reception

Coco - for getting better and better at listening during phonics, maths and story. Great focus this week, Coco!

KS1 Star of the Week

Year 1

Ava - for showing outstanding focus and aspiration in all that you do. Your thoughtful, determined and kind approach makes you a fantastic member of our class. Well done, Ava!

Year 2

Zemariam - for your aspirational home reading efforts! Your reading record has been signed nearly every day so far this half term resulting in lots of dots towards the school’s Reading Challenge. Keep up the great work.

SRP

Maison - for fantastic reading sessions this week, you were able read fluently and answer questions about your book, well done Maison!

Sporting Star

Ruairi - for being a phenomenal runner and completing a mile in under 5 minutes at the running club! Well done!

KS2 Star of the Week

SRP

Jessica, Caleb & Rasim - for being excellent role models on our school trip to Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Well done!

Year 3

Rocco - for a fantastic week at school! It has been lovely to see you living our value of enjoyment this week! Well done, Rocco!

Year 4

Aaliyah - for embodying our school values: Responsibility: in the focus she shows during learning. Aspiration: in always attempting better her work. Enjoyment: in her learning Equality: by helping others.

Year 5

Alice - for her enjoyment of writing and her exceptional knowledge in computing.

Year 6

Leo - for being mature in discussions with adults, taking responsibility for his own behaviour and helping others during rehearsals for the Year 6 performance. His contribution has been excellent.

What's going on in the community?

Useful Links

darell.school

darell.richmond.sch.uk

Arbor Parent Portal - darell-primary.uk.arbor

School Uniform Shop - The Shoe Station

Newsletters

Newsletter 34 – Friday, 20th June 2025