${item_alt_tag}$

Headteacher Message

Hello all,

An extremely upbeat newsletter today as I need to tell you about some new initiatives at the school. Firstly, this week we started a peaceful lunchtime initiative. Our lunchtimes are currently good but we wanted to make the eating aspect of them even better. So this week I became a dinner lady and chose those who were showing excellent behaviour in the lunch hall, to eat lunch at the top table with me. It was lovely. We had flowers and fancy tablecloths and we were served our lunch. I had a cross section of the school population from Year 1 to Year 6. Next week I will be inviting a nursery child to join me. We had a Reception child today but at the last minute he wanted to eat with his friends, which is fair enough.

Secondly, I need to tell you about a new club that is beginning at the school. It is the Astro Physics club and it very much aligns with our focus on ambition this year. The club was suggested by one of our Year 2 children. We like to listen here at Darell so Mrs Claridge worked with this child to help him plan how he could realise his ambition. See below.

Some admin now. Do you know anyone who deals in scrap metal and would help dismantle our current football cage and have the metal for free? We are rethinking our KS2 outdoor space and the cage has exceeded it’s sell by date. Please contact the office if you can help.

Please also contact the office if you would like to be a parent governor. One of our parent governors is reaching the end of their term of office and needs to stand for re-election. If you are eligible and would also like to stand please submit a supporting statement of no more than 100 words to the office before Friday 31st October 2025.

Lastly, I wanted to say what I can only describe as a humongous thank you to all the parents who have been supporting with our marketing initiative. A lot of time, effort and skill has gone into this. We now have a very impressive banner that you will shortly see in the local area.

Have a lovely weekend all.

Stop Press: We have just had one of our parents come into the Reception area and show us the professional photos she took last week to support us with our marketing. They are absolutely superb.

Joe Porter

Office Updates

Scooters

A gentle reminder that scooters and bikes must not be ridden in either of the playgrounds before or after school.

For everyone’s safety, please ensure they are walked through the school grounds

Parent-Teacher Meetings

We are holding our parent/teacher consultation meetings after half-term.

These meetings will take place on the following dates and times:

Tuesday, 18th November, 3:40 pm - 6:00 pm

Thursday, 20th November, 3:40 pm - 7:00 pm

All appointments are booked via Arbor.

To secure your preferred time slot, we encourage you to book early. If you have any difficulties in booking your appointment, please contact the school office on 0208 876 6721.

We look forward to meeting with you after half-term and discussing your child's learning.

Moving up to secondary school in September

Applications for September 2026 start

Children born between 1 September 2014 and 31 August 2015 are due to start Year 7 at secondary school in September 2025.

Applications open on Sunday 1 September 2025 and will close on Thursday 31 October 2025.

You must apply through the local authority which is responsible for administering the council tax for your home even if you intend to name a school located in another area.

We require a separate application for each child if you are applying for children of a multiple birth.

https://kr.afcinfo.org.uk/pages/community-information/information-and-advice/school-admissions/apply-for-a-secondary-school-place-in-september

Communications Sent Home

Parents Evening Reminder
Football Match - Darell V Thompson House (selective students)
Football Match - Darell V Kew Riverside (selective students)
Aumtumn Winter Menu - Meals are ready to pre book

Diary Dates

Year 5 & 6 Swimming

9:15am – 10:45am

from 12 Sep and on Friday each week until 13 Dec

17
October

Year 5 & 6 Swimming

9:15am – 10:45am

from 12 Sep and on Friday each week until 13 Dec

24
October

PSA Bake Sale After School

from 12 Sep and on Friday each week until 13 Dec

31
October

Reception & Nursery Open Morning

9:15am – 10:30am

05
November

Nursery & Reception Open Morning

Y5 & Y6 Darell V Kew Riverside Football Match

from 12 Sep and on Friday each week until 13 Dec

07
November

Nasal flu Vaccination - Recption - Year 6

9:00am – 12:30pm

12
November

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 this week's story, Odd Dog Out, How does the dog feel at the start of the story? How does she feel at the end? Can you explain why? (she feels sad at being the odd dog out at the start, she feels happy at being the odd dog out at the end because she realises that 'being different is really great', that she can still feel like she belongs and that we should be proud of who we are.)

Year 1 – Can you remember some of the places Leaf Man went on his journey? Can you remember some of the things he saw?

Year 2 - How would you describe Claude and Sir Bobblysock?

Year 3 - What do you predict will happen to Ernest? What makes you think that?

Year 4 - In the poem ‘The River’ which is your favourite stanza and why.

Year 5 - ‘The Girl of Ink and Stars’ – Who were trying to 'clear the island'? How does it link to the myth of Arinta?

Year 6 - In the story "A Howl at Dusk", Innis encounters a wolf on his remote Scottish island. How could you develop a longer story based on this encounter?

SRP 2 - Why was fire so important to people in the Stone Age? How did they use it?

EYFS Star of the Week

Reception

Isaac - for fantastic attitude to learning! You enjoy every day in Reception and are kind and thoughtful towards others.

KS1 Star of the Week

Year 1

Zian – for having a go at building 3-D shapes and not giving up when it got hard. You are also kind friend in the playground. Well done, Zian!

Year 2

Amy Wheeler Williams - for sharing your passion for reading with the whole class during story time. Thank you for reading us your book about the world famous and very real Loch Ness monster!

SRP 1

Rasheed - for good sitting and listening during story time, well done Rasheed!

Nurture Star

Zayon - for showing resilience when challenged to improve and extend his learning. Keep it up Zayon!

KS2 Star of the Week

SRP 2

Sirimi - for completing her English work independently.

Year 3

Joshua - for having the bravery to perform a poem on his own! You performed with confidence, expression and great actions. Well done, Joshua!

Year 4

Daisy - for the enthusiasm you bring to the classroom and your learning. Well Done! Our classroom is a much happier place with you in it! You are the epitome of our value of enjoyment.

Year 5

Olivia - for working so hard in Maths and being such an ambitious learner. Well done!

Year 6

Jayden - for his fantastic effort in all lessons, making great progress. What a great start to Year 6!

What's going on in the community?

We have lots of family offers at The National Archives this Half term, please spread the word via your school newsletters or notice board and join us for the following activities:

Craft Club! 2 years+

Come and get crafty with us this Halloween!

Time Travel craft club - The National Archives

Curious Creatures, 5 – 7’s

Explore some of the curious creatures in our collection, from unicorns to government cats.

Time Travel Club: Curious Creatures storytelling - The National Archives

NEW! Invisible Ink, 8-11’s

Join us for a brand new workshop looking at the secret world of invisible ink.

Time Travel Club: Invisible ink - The National Archives

We hope to see you there!