Headteacher Message
Hello all,
I hope you are well. Normally, when I talk about volunteers, I ask something from you. Namely, please volunteer and help the school. But, today I am not asking for this. Instead, I would like you to join me in appreciation of the many and varied volunteers that help to keep the school afloat.
Firstly, I would like to thank our parent staff association. A little bit of context is needed here. During the COVID years, for understandable reasons, we lost any resemblance to a parent volunteer body. Parents were supportive but unable to run events etc. Over the past few years, I have been really impressed with how our parent association has grown in size and impact. Yesterday, I came across them having a meeting in the international room. I did not go in but came away with a warm feeling of the school being supported from within.
For instance, last Friday they held a movie night after school, and it felt like half the school was in attendance. It is no easy feat supervising any child who is not your own, but supervising over 50 is a different proposition altogether. I was getting paid to be there but none of them were!! I have to say that they dealt with it all calmly and with humour and a good time was had by all. This is the true expression of volunteering: Giving up your time to benefit others.
We made a profit of £345, which is a significant amount in these challenging budgetary times. Thank you to all of our parent volunteers.
As I head into a meeting with them, I would like to thank our governing body, another group of volunteers. They give up a considerable amount of time reading through documentation, attending training and attending regular meetings with the school. They are a vital cog in the running of the school, and I am very aware that they are not getting paid for any of this work.
I have been somewhat inspired by our volunteers and, despite my wife's reservations, volunteered to join the parents' association at my children’s secondary school. I really like the school and want to give back in some way.
If any of you do have some spare time, please let the office know. You could be listening to children read, leading turn taking board games or helping with a cooking lesson. We will try to play to your strengths. One thing is, for sure your time at this vibrant school will not be dull, and I assure you will be walking out happier than you walked in.
We have one last heartfelt thank you to end this week's message. Our lovely Rawan is completing her final assessments for her apprenticeship next week and so her placement at Darell will come to an end. Rawan started her journey as a volunteer, so it is very fitting that we thank her for all her commitment to the class and school during her studies in this newsletter. We wish her luck for next week, and we know she'll enjoy being a full-time mum once more!
Have a lovely weekend all.
Joe Porter
