Newsletters

Newsletter 29 – Friday, 7th May 2021

Headteacher Message

Hello all,

I hope you are all well. I apologise in advance for a shorter update today, I have spent all day on training and am pushed for our deadline. The training was on writing a Self-Evaluation Form as a school. It was an excellent opportunity to reflect on where the school is, celebrate success and identify areas for further improvement. I have always enjoyed learning and the opportunity to attend training like this is extremely useful. I have been in full post for a year now and everything has moved so quickly that now is an ideal time to take stock and plan for the future. Currently, it looks likely that all restrictions will be lifted on June 21^st and this will be a significant moment for the school. It will signal the phasing out of some of our safety measures and that return to normalcy that we all crave. I teach one day a week in Year 5 and have seen first-hand how challenging it has made teaching and learning. The time consumed by hand washing and the need for children to sit with a static partner are all barriers that we have worked hard to overcome. I remain in awe of all the adults within the classroom who continue to teach our children so well.

I spoke last week about gathering feedback on the parent teacher meetings. Here is the link to a very short survey. Please take the time to complete.

https://forms.gle/SeTnJTyxSvNrGVDT9

I also spoke last week about our children feeling they have a voice and can ‘Make a Difference.’ Word has reached me from Year 5 regarding a petition that is heading my way regarding handwriting. I am intrigued to find out and I will share with you all next week. Have a lovely weekend. Stay safe and enjoy the time with your lovely families.

Joe Porter2

Office Updates

SMSA Vacancy

We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic and flexible lunchtime assistant for a term-time permanent position. The successful candidate will be a friendly and reliable team member with an interest in working with children.

To apply please follow the link: https://www.eteach.com/job/school-meals-supervisory-assistant-1148855?lang=en-GB&frmsrh=Y

Clubs

Bookings have opened for KS2 football club starting after half term.

Please follow the link to book your place directly.

https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/naetCk20ZSnNjwCVtFNL/

Password: KS2FOOTBALL

If you are in receipt of the pupil premium grant and would like a place please email parents@darell.richmond.sch.uk

Class Photos

Class photos will be taking place on Wednesday, 19th May. If your child has PE on this day please send them in their school uniform and they can change for PE.

Diary Dates

Second Hand Book Sale

All Day

From 20 May until 21 May

May

PSA Cake Sale

All Day

May

Half Term

All Day

From 31 May until 04 Jun

May

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

Wellbeing

We just wanted to remind everyone that here at Darell Primary and Nursery school we feel that wellbeing, including your physical and mental health are extremely important. We want to support the whole family during this time.
It is important that our parents and carers feel supported and well in themselves so the tips and links you will find within this section are to support adults and children.

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 - Who lives in the castle in the clouds and what do you know about them?

Peake - What does it mean to be lonely? Why do you think the Beast was lonely? How would you solve the problem of feeling lonely?

Weir - What kind of topiary would you like to appear outside your home? Why?

Mozart - Which deck would you travel on and why?

Newton - Why does the beast feel lonely?

Thunberg - Which animal do you think has the best argument as to why the man shouldn't chop down the Kapok Tree?

Darwin - Can you complete these similes?

As brave as a ….

As fast as a …

As clever as a …

As busy as a …

Attenborough -

Do you think it was fair for Nelson Mandela to share his Nobel Peace Prize with de Klerk??

Parks - What ?do you think is the significance of Clara’s nightmares?

Why do you think that Clara has stopped surfing?

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

Last week's winner was Luke from Darwin class. Well done!

Online Safety

Welcome to the Primary Zone!

Here you will find films, storybooks and other fun sites, with plenty of information to help you enjoy your time online and stay safe on the internet.

https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/young-people/resources-3-11s

KS1 Star of the Week

Packham Class

Oliver - for amazing phonics and reading, and being a fantastic role model in our class

Peake Class

Leon - for being a motivated learner who challenges himself to be the best he can be

Weir Class

Dalia - for always being a fantastic role model and putting one hundred percent effort into her work

Mozart Class

Neil - for Transitioning confidently into Newton Class and participating well in Literacy lessons. Well done, Neil!

KS2 Star of the Week

Newton Class

Sanveer - for his outstanding progress in all subjects!

Thunberg Class

Felix - for having such a positive attitude to learning and for the exciting, creative flair he brings to what he does

Darwin Class

Elikyah - for making a determined effort to improve her diction.

Attenborough Class

Ruby - for her fantastic attitude to all her learning and her systematic approach to our maths challenge this week

Parks Class

Eve - for impressing all the adults in Year 6 with phenomenal progress in all of her core learning lessons. Truly, finishing the year with a bang!

Darell Primary & Nursery School Follow

Year 3 are reading The Kapok Tree and have been using their inference skills to imagine how the animals are feeling about their home being cut down. https://t.co/lqMxCGM4Ph

25 minutes ago

Attendance

Overall school attendance this week was 98.1% our target is 96.8%.

Well done to Attenborough, Darwin, Newton, Packham, and Thunberg class for the highest attendance of 100% this week.

Best for punctuality was Mozart, Peake and Thunberg class with 0 lates!

Let's do our best for next week!

PSA News

2nd Hand Book Sale

Our next second hand book sale will be on Thursday 20th & Friday 21st May after school in the playground. Book donations are highly appreciated! Please drop them in front of the office. Since we need to store books for minimum 72 hours to stop the spread of the virus, please drop your book donations at your earliest convenience.

Cake Sale Friday, 28th May

Summer Term Cake Sales - Volunteers needed. Can you help?
We know the children love the Darell cakes sales and the PSA feel that these events are an important way to help keep the Darell community spirit thriving. With this in mind, we are planning several cake sales through the summer term. As well as being fun events, the sales help towards PSA fundraising and so benefit all the children at Darell.

In order for these events to go ahead, we need volunteers to set up and run the stalls. If you would like to volunteer, please contact us through Classlist or via your class rep. We are currently struggling to get enough volunteers and so would very much appreciate your support. This is just half an hour of your time and a fun opportunity to engage with other parents as well as the children.

Special Thanks

We are very grateful to Laura Edgar and Kelly Doel for their generous donations to the PSA. Thank you to all the volunteers, who spent their time to make the movie night happen.

Useful Links

Arbor Parent Portal - darell-primary.uk.arbor

Follow us on twitter - twitter.com/darellschool

School Uniform Shop - The Shoe Station

School Meals - Feeding Hungry Minds ISS