Headteacher Message

Hello all,

I hope you are all well.  It has been a busy couple of weeks at school with pupil progress meetings last week followed by parent/teacher meetings this week. Thank you all for your input into these meetings.  Working in partnership is the way to ensure the best outcomes for your children.  I know that a number of schools are considering moving to remote meetings when we return to normal.  I can see some logic in this and it is something we would consider.  Personally I like meeting face to face as it feels more human but I am more than willing to hear opinions from the teaching and parental body.  We will send a survey out regarding the meetings next week to gather your opinions on the process.    

We will be stopping the one way system next week. There is considerable evidence to suggest that the chances of catching the virus outside are negligible. This, coupled with our staggered start and finish of the day means that there should not be any crowding. I would ask that you attempt to leave the school site as quickly as possible at the end of the day to ease any congestion on site.  Please can I also remind you not to park on the zig zag lines at pick up or drop off as they are in place to ensure the safety of all children.

It has been really good to see your children attending clubs ranging from chess to ballet and we will look to increase our offer for the Autumn term when restrictions lift.  This week we had the first editorial meeting of the ‘Darell Dynamo’, our new school newspaper. I attended the meeting and it was lovely to hear their ideas.  They are very ambitious about the newspaper and are already talking about selling advertising space when our circulation hits it targets!  Watch this space.

Please take care this long weekend.  It is really important we continue to follow safety recommendations.  This is not easy as infection rates are falling and Coronavirus is not dominating the news cycle like it once was.  I have to keep reminding myself to wash hands and it is important that we all do our bit to prevent a further wave.  The signs however are good.  Have a lovely bank holiday weekend with your friends and families and stay safe. 

Joe Porter

Mr Gilbert is fundraising!

Hello everyone! I hope that you don't mind me using the newsletter to promote a great fundraiser that I am taking part in. On 26th June I will be walking up Mount Snowdon in the middle of the night to raise money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. My best friend was diagnosed with brain cancer when he was 25.  It is now 10 years since that diagnosis and he is in great health and will be taking on the challenge with me. If it wasn't for the amazing work of the Royal Marsden, I may have been taking this challenge on alone so this is our small way of trying to give something back and 'Make a Difference'. Whilst we were due to complete the challenge last year, it has been rescheduled for this June and we are very excited to raise money for this good cause. If you are able to donate then please follow the Just Giving link below and make whatever donation you can. Finally, please be nice to me when you see me in school that week as I am sure I will be quite tired!

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/paulandmarksnowdon

Thank you,

Mr Gilbert

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 - Have you ever helped anyone like Little Blue Truck did to the Dumper?

Peake - Do you think Hansel and Gretel were sorry for what they had done? Why? Why not? 

If you were Willow, would you eat the children or would you do something else? Explain your thinking.

Weir -  Do you think Zeraffa will be happy in Paris? Why? Why not?

Mozart - We are going on a train ride. What we will see?

Newton - What adjectives can we use to describe the beast?

Thunberg - If you visited the Amazon Rainforest what part would you be most excited to see?

Darwin - What would you like to see and do if you visited Tobago?

Attenborough - Can you explain how the boy in the orange grove showed great bravery when helping Naledi and Tiro?

Parks - Can you explain how the plague was spread in 1665?

How did the government of the time let people know that people were infected with the plague?

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