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Headteacher Message

This first week back from half term has been a great success. The rain has mainly stayed away, the weather is warmer, and the children have returned happy and ready to learn. I was out on playground duty this morning and everyone was busy playing and exploring: a school was built out of the loose parts equipment - the lesson being taught looked very engaging! Some of our older children were playing King’s Square - demonstrating cooperation and good sportsmanship; others were practising their basketball, whilst a group kept busy in the garden area, getting it ready for planting. The playground was full of happy, focused children - just how it should be.

Our value of enjoyment has been fully embraced today, inside and out. As I write this, we have a huge inflatable dome in the hall with our children from year 2 to 6 having sessions throughout the day learning about space, stars and planets. We have a parent, Glenda, to thank for entering us into the competition and winning this amazing experience for our children. Thank you, Glenda! Please read the comments below by some of our children that demonstrate the fun and learning from the visiting the dome.

We are congratulating our netball team today as we have found out that we are have qualified for the playoffs - this is a remarkable achievement and testament to the skill and commitment of the team and the staff! Go Team Darell!!

Let’s hope the weather stays mild and dry for the weekend.

Exciting Events

Liza Yr6 said: I think it was a great experience because I learnt a ton of new facts about all of the planets. We also got to see all of them up close. I found out that Jupiter has 95 moons and that one of those moons (Europa) has water under it’s ice!

Caitlin Y6 said: It was a wonderful event. Loads of learning opportunities with so much to offer and a lovely lady answering all of our questions. It was a great experience for learning.

British Science Week

We have British Science Week coming up from the 6th to 13th March and the theme this year is, 'Curiosity: What's Your Question?' Curiosity is at the heart of STEM, (science, technology, engineering, medicine), but also relates to music, sport, architecture and the arts, in fact all career paths.

We would like the children to have the opportunity to hear from parents in our school community about how curiosity has shaped their life and built their career. If you would like to take part, please email the school at parents@darell.richmond.sch.uk and we will be in touch with further details.

Communications Sent Home

Year 4 – TYM Medical Form and Checklist
Selected pupils – Extended hours invoices
Selected pupils – Payment reminders

Diary Dates

Year 3 & 4 Swimming

9:00am – 11:00am

from 09 Jan and on Friday each week until 21 Mar

Reception Visit to Kew Bookshop

from 09 Jan and on Friday each week until 21 Mar

from 09 Jan and on Friday each week until 21 Mar

13
March

Year 3 & 4 Swimming

9:00am – 11:00am

from 09 Jan and on Friday each week until 21 Mar

20
March

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, The Great Explorer, where does Tom need to go to look for his dad? (The North Pole/The Arctic) Can you remember the different adventures Tom had? (boat hit an iceberg, he went in a hot air balloon, he saw the Northern Lights, his balloon popped on a satellite, he used a parachute, he saw a giant walrus, he was in a blizzard, his tent blew away, he found a polar bear in a cave, he built an igloo, he went fishing in the ice, he flew home with his dad in a rescue helicopter)

Year 1 – What was Albert desperate for? (a pet) What kind of pet did his mum and dad give him? (a pet potato) If you could have any pet you wanted, what would you have? Explain why.

Year 2 - What is a historical recount?

Year 3 - How do you think Mary felt about the scientists and scholars taking credit for her discovery? Do you think it was fair? Why? Why not?

Year 4 - Beowulf was a hero. What qualities make a hero?

Year 5 - ‘Secrets of a Sun King – What impression do you get of Lilian’s grandfather? What is he interested in? How do you know?

Year 6 - Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo – Why did Michael’s family decide to sail around the world?

SRP 2 - How did the kite become 'unstuck'?

Attendance

Overall, school attendance this week was 94%. Our target is 95%.

Well done to Year 2 for the highest attendance of 98.2% this week.

Let's do our best for next week!

EYFS Star of the Week

Reception

Isaac - for your fantastic work on pattern this week, and for teaching others too. You always want to have a go and do your best.

KS1 Star of the Week

Year 1

Laiba – for always trying your best in phonics and reading. You have made amazing progress – well done! We are so proud of you!

Year 2

Adn - for your responsible behavior and positive attitude to learning. You always do your best and are happy to help. Keep up the amazing work!

SRP 1

Maxi - for joining your friends in Newton Class to do your learning every morning until lunchtime this week. Well done, Maxi!

KS2 Star of the Week

SRP 2

Jessica - for impressing Mrs Blunden with her maths participation and reading this week.

Year 3

Ada - for being an ambitious and determined writer! You’ve made a fantastic start on your retelling this week. You’ve thought carefully about what you want to write, used interesting vocabulary and brought it to life with stunning illustrations. Well done, Ada!

Year 4

Maksim - for helping others to achieve their ambitions in learning. This is not only a great act of kindness but also makes the classroom a happier place. Thank you!

Year 5

Nina - for for showing such enthusiasm in our new topic of Ancient Egypt, including bringing things in from home to enrich the learning for all in the classroom.

Year 6

Guy - for his engagement and enjoyment in all lessons, being ambitious with his learning.

Useful Links

darell.school

darell.richmond.sch.uk

Arbor Parent Portal - darell-primary.uk.arbor

School Uniform Shop - The Shoe Station

Newsletters

Newsletter 22 – Friday, 27th February 2026