Headteacher Message

Hello all,

Another great week! We planned the three weeks before the end of term carefully.  Settle, assess, teach. This week there has been a focus on assessment.  We have worked really hard to streamline and improve our assessment processes.  I have worked in too many schools where assessment has been time consuming and lacking impact.  I always return to the question.  Why are we assessing your child?  How will it move them on as learners? How can I ensure that my teachers have the maximum impact?  To this end we have purchased software that helps us to build an understanding of what gaps there may be in your child's learning.  From  Years 2-6 your child will have completed a low key test on their chromebook for both English and Maths.  When I say low key I really mean it.  I went into Year 3 today and they were doing a comprehension test on their chromebooks.  They are already so fluent using the chromebooks that this process is not a problem and I was met with a sea of happy faces.  By the time I had made my way downstairs Mr Gilbert was analysing the results with a reading age being generated for each child and areas for development being generated for all.  Just so you know our main assessment system is called Insight Tracking while our testing data is provided by Renaissance Reading and Maths.  I am telling you this because I rightfully always emphasise the social and emotional well-being of your children and what we do to ensure your children are happy.  I also want you to know that we are looking very closely at what your children can do and what they need to focus on.  The software that I have highlighted is making us even better at doing this.  

I would like to dispel two myths about Lockdown.  Number 1:  there will be great learning losses due to lockdown.  What we are finding is that many children did well during lockdown and some made accelerated progress. Number 2:  all children are really happy to return to full time schooling.  We are finding that the return to school is a challenge for some.  I had a personal experience of this when I returned home last Friday after writing a newsletter celebrating the full return to school.  My eldest daughter, who is in Year 6, had what can only be described as a meltdown.  I think we sometimes forget how tumultuous this last year has been for all and while we think our children are coping this is not always the case.  I tell you this because it is important that, as parents, we understand that we cannot always understand and that it is ok for our children to feel and express extreme emotions. We just need to remain there for them.  I did this and we ended up having a lovely weekend.

I have an individual and a group to thank before finishing.  Firstly, I would like to thank Jennifer Powers, a new member of our governing body, who devised a survey to gather opinions on what attracts parents to Darell School.  Now I have to thank you, as the parental body.  Your response nearly blew up the mainframe and we had to send out another link. At last count, we had 72 respondents and 22 volunteers for a focus group. This fills me with joy. I feel that we have an extremely supportive parental community who are willing to offer practical support and advice. I have not read the comments but I look forward to analysing the responses and using them to further promote the school.

Have a lovely weekend.  Ride the wave of family life and be there for your children.

Enjoy,

Mr Porter

Communications Sent Home

• Year 6 Leavers Hoodie

• Medical Letter Nursery, Reception, Y1, Y3 and Y4

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.

Packham - Where did Mr Bear try to sleep and what happened in each place?

Peake - What do you think the story ‘The Last Tree’ is trying to teach us? Do you think this is an important message? Explain why.

Weir - Would you like to visit Black Rock? Why? Why not?

Mozart - What did Jasper do to the bean?

Newton - Why did the chief run away?

Thunberg - Why do you think that no one knows who the Iron Man is and where he has come from?

Darwin - Was it for the best that Sacagewea was taken prisoner when she was a young girl?

Attenborough - Do you think Lily will find her long-lost brother in Egypt?

Parks - If Dr Kalmenius is famous for experimenting on dead bodies, how did he create Sir Ironsoul who is metal?

Please predict will happen to both Fritz (the optimist) and Karl (the pessimist).?

Maths Challenge

The mighty maths challenge is back!

Each week you will find a new maths challenge in this section of  the newsletter and your Google Classroom along with the winner of the previous week.

Good Luck! 

Please email your answers to maths@darell.richmond.sch.uk

Sadly, we had no winners for the Maths challenge last week. We will carry it over for this week and fingers  crossed we'll get a winner!