Newsletters

Newsletter 15 – Friday, 19th December 2025

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Headteacher Message

Happy Christmas to everyone in the Darell family.

I am going to keep this short as there is a lot of admin and tidying up to be done before we leave the building to be with our families and friends. I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone for making this school such a special place to be. It is truly is magical. Thank you all for your continued support of the school and for working in partnership with us to provide the best learning experience for your children. 

Have a lovely break and see you in 2026!!

Joe Porter

Have a lovely break and see you in 2026!!

Joe Porter

Office Updates

Discover Dutch Language & Culture in Richmond! 

At the Richmond Dutch School, we offer engaging Dutch lessons for primary school children, taught by fully qualified native Dutch teachers. We recently celebrated Sinterklaas — a joyful afternoon filled with songs, crafts, coffee/tea, and pepernoten! The children even enjoyed a personal meet-and-greet with the Sint and his Pieten, making the day truly unforgettable.

Our lessons take place every Thursday from 4:15–6:15 pm (term time only) at Darell Primary and Nursery School. 

If you are interested in getting to know our school, feel free to contact us at info.richmonddutchschool@gmail.com. We are always happy to welcome you for a free taster lesson!

Explore our website at www.richmonddutchschool.org.uk — we would love to welcome you into our Dutch and Flemish community in Richmond! 

 

Free Communication Clipart Pictures - Clipartix  Communications Sent Home

  • Reception – Hearing Screen Update 
  • Year 3 & 4 - Swimming Letter 

Diary Dates

Last Day of Autumn Term - Early Finish
1:15pm – 1:15pm
19
December
Christmas Break
8:30am – 3:30pm
from 21 Dec until 02 Jan
21
December
Inset Day - Pupils do not attend
8:30am – 3:30pm
05
January
First day of Spring Term - Children attend
All Day
06
January
Nursery and Reception Open Morning
9:15am – 10:30am
07
January
Year 3 & 4 Swimming
9:00am – 11:00am
from 09 Jan and on Friday each week until 21 Mar
09
January
PSA Coffee Morning
9:00am – 10:00am
13
January
St Elizabeths v Darell Netball Match
2:30pm – 4:00pm
13
January
Year 3 & 4 Swimming
9:00am – 11:00am
from 09 Jan and on Friday each week until 21 Mar
16
January
Mastering Number at Home - Reception
9:00am – 10:00am
20
January

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 - Why does Stick Man keep on trying to get home? Which part do you think is the most dangerous for Stick Man? Why do you think that? Have you ever had to keep on trying at something that is hard? Why do you keep trying?

Year 1 – Can you remember what happened to Mouse's house? (the oak tree fell down) What other places did Olivia think might make a good house for a mouse? (a teapot, a cuckoo clock, a boot, a box of cheese, a fallen plant pot) Where did Mouse choose to live in the end? (with Olivia in the house with the little red door)

Year 2 - Did you like the poem, The Great Fire of London by George Szirtes? Why? Why not?

Year 3 - If you could add one book to your Christmas wish list, what would it be? 

Year 4 -  What was your favourite story that we have read this term and why.

Year 5 - Would you recommend ‘Treason’ to your friends? Why/why not? 

Year 6 - Where is your favourite space to read at home? What will you read this Christmas?

 

 

EYFS Star of the Week

Reception

Levi - for the fantastic progress you have made this term with your reading! Well done.

KS1 Star of the Week

Year 1

Eliza –  for staying focused and persevering with using scissors when making a moving picture. Well done, Eliza!

Year 2 

Charlotte - You are a Mathamagician! Your focus and thoughtfulness has enabled you to quickly recognise patterns and apply your prior knowledge to learn new facts. Great work!

 SRP 1

Everyone - for always trying your best with your learning, you have all worked really hard this term.

Well done, Everyone!

Nurture  Star

Reggie - for having an excellent attitude towards your behaviour and learning. You have had a great week Reggie. Well done.

KS2 Star of the Week

SRP 2

Jessica - for a fantastic first term, Your resilience, confidence, and kindness have been truly remarkable. Well done, Jessica!         

Year 3

Zayn - for being an aspirational learner at home as well as at school! The commitment you have shown to completing your home learning every week is fantastic! Well done, Zayn

Year 4

Artenisa - for the dedication she puts into her work each and every day, and for having the ambition to never give up trying.

Year 5

Pavlo - for his enthusiasm and contributions whilst reading our class book, ‘Treason’. We all look forward to his daily predictions and theories about what is going to happen next!

Year 6

The Whole Class - for all their hard work this term and their amazing attitude to their learning. You rock!

 

What's going on in the community?

Rose Youth Theatre Academy Act 1 ??

Our ensemble based course for Yrs 1 to 6 is back for another term , Here's a few of the things we aim to teach in our classes:

  • Acting techniques and skills 
  • Working in an ensemble environment 
  • Working with text i.e. scripts/poems 
  • Confidence and articulation 
  • FUN!!

We would absolutely love to see you at the Rose for a January start , so please do email participate@rosetheatre.org to get signed up!

P.s. not so sure it would be for you? Not to worry we have a trial policy that gives you a go before having to pay ??

P.p.s Not sure you could cover it ? We have a discreet and flexible bursary scheme , as we think everyone should have access to participation in the arts. 

To find out more please email us for more information and to get signed up.

Useful Links

     darell.school

 

darell.richmond.sch.uk

 

Arbor Parent Portal - darell-primary.uk.arbor

 

 

School Uniform Shop - The Shoe Station