Headteacher Message

Hello all,

This week I was lucky enough to accompany the debate mate team on their adventures around the overground.  On Tuesday, our destination was Crouch Hill in North London.  What is really lovely about these trips is the conversations you have with the children.  There is something about being with children outside of school which seems to relax everyone and myself and Mrs Claridge felt lucky to accompany such engaging children.  I was very impressed with their level of preparation.  There were notebooks everywhere and even a typed response to one of the debates we knew we would be facing. “Should everyone be paid the same wage”. It is tempting to feed the children's ideas, but ultimately, what is the point?  They need to be in charge of their own successes and failures.  Well, I can report that they smashed it.  They entered 4 debates and they won them all.  We headed home along the overground in high spirits.

It is interesting that the first debate was about wages.  We are currently looking at our budget for next year.  Once again, we have to do more with less.  Quite simply, there is not enough money coming into education and it has an impact.  Schools have been amazing at adapting, creating and doing their best, but across the nation’s schools are at breaking point.  We have managed our budget very well at Darell but the direction of travel in the upcoming years will be deficit unless more money comes in from the central government.  Why am I telling you this?  Well, soon there will be local and general elections and people will start turning up at your door asking you to vote for them.  Please ask them what they are going to do to solve the funding crisis in schools.  Ask them all.  This issue needs to be prominent in every politician and policy-maker's mind as it is ultimately the experience of our children that will be compromised unless there is change.

Remember, next week we are taking part in the Big Walk and Wheel initiative. Children will be outside school each morning, ready to hand out tickets to those who walk, scoot or cycle to school. If you have to drive, please try and park a few roads away next week. 

Have a lovely weekend

Joe Porter

Communications Sent Home

• Whole school - Rugby club interest form
• Whole school - Photography club interest form
• Year 4 & 5 - Morning football training interest form
• Football squad - Kit return reminder
• Year 6 - Reminder to respond AFC
• Choir - Performance at The Avenue
• Year 4 - Wider Opportunities RMT
• Whole school - Medical information letter

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.

Wonder - In Lost and Found, how do we know the boy is kind? What different things does he do to help the penguin?  (goes to the Lost and Found Office, asks the birds, asks his duck, goes to the harbour to ask a big ship to take the penguin to the South Pole, goes on a long dangerous journey with the penguin, goes back again when he realises he has made a mistake) 

Peake - Where is your favourite place to read? What is your favourite book? What would you tell your friends about this book? 

Weir - How did London change after the Great Fire?

Thunberg - Do you think that Lucy will be able to escape from Woleb before the Creakers find her? What do you predict she will do next?

Darwin - Paul Erdosh was a brilliant mathematician, but he needed other people to look after him. Is it better to be amazing at one thing and not very good at others, or to have a more balanced set of skills?

Attenborough - What was found in Tutankhamun’s tomb?

Parks - How does Stella react to Kensuke? Why do you think this is?

Stars of the Week!

Early Years Star of the Week

Wonder Class

Abbie - for joining in with her new routine at Darell, for making friends and for making excellent progress in phonics

KS1 Star of the Week

Peake Class

Joshua - for looking closely, describing his observations in detail and sharing his ideas using scientific vocabulary. Well done, Joshua!

Weir Class

Mohammed - for aspiring to be a good reader and working hard in phonics and reading.  

Walker Class

Dineo - for her enthusiasm for learning and engaging 100% in all lessons.

KS2 Star of the Week

Newton Class

Archie - for his resilience and effort this week. We are very proud of you, Archie.

Thunberg Class

Noah - for taking responsibility for his learning and showing enjoyment in class.

Oscar - for the enjoyment he has shown in our English lessons and for creating a fantastic mythical creature to describe. Well done, Oscar!

Darwin Class

Maja - for her enthusiasm for learning and engaging 100% in all lessons.

Attenborough Class

Sonia - for her enjoyment and active participation in our PE lessons.

Parks Class

Felix - for taking responsibility for his learning and for his fantastic contributions in class this week.

Rashford Class

Elise - for always trying her best and being a polite and respectful member of class.