Newsletters

Newsletter 3 – Friday, 24th September 2021

Headteacher Message

Hello all,

‘Your choice, your voice.’ This has been the tag line we have used to market the school council elections. I can now report that the hustings are over and the results are in. Our reading assembly is imminent and I am about to announce the results to the whole school. As you can see from the picture below everybody has taken this very seriously and myself and Mr Gilbert have ensured that the collation and counting of results was scrupulously fair.

Next week we are holding teacher meetings in school. We have had a fantastic response to the Google Form we sent out regarding your preference for an in person or remote meeting. Please complete this form if you have not already. I just wanted to remind you that this is not a parents' evening and there will not be the opportunity to talk in detail about your child. It is an opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and gather information about the best way you can work in partnership with the school to support them with their learning. For example, we will be sharing your year groups curriculum newsletter. Here is an example from Year 2.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdysHtuZipgBdWeb-3D35VjotvBJc7NnTUQr0mRjBhzLM14Uw/viewform?usp=sf_link

There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the presentation but please keep them generic. Our doors are always open so if you do have specific concerns about your child please contact the school and we will get back to you promptly.

We have been spending a lot of time talking to the children about our school values. Unprompted, some children in Key Stage 2 took it upon themselves to draw these values in the playground.

Assembly is calling, so I am going to sign off. The weather looks good this weekend so take off your shoes and socks, get out into the great green spaces we have on our doorsteps and enjoy every precious minute with your families.

Joe Porter

E-Safety

It is really important to ensure that your children stay safe online. To help you understand how you can keep your child safe online, we have secured a webinar from the Local Authority's e-safety lead Peter Cowley. This event will be held virtually on Tuesday 5th October at 9:30 so please save the date in your diary. Further information will follow regarding how to join the session.

Office Updates

PE Kit

If you have not yet purchased the new PE t -shirt, please can we remind you that all children must wear a plain white round neck t shirt and plain black shorts or Joggers.

The new Darell PE t-shirts are available to purchase from the Shoe Station in Kew Village.

https://www.theshoestation.co.uk/product-category/darell-school/

Individual Photos

Individual photos will be taking place on Monday,11th October 2021. All children will have their picture taken individually and with their siblings.

Secondary Transfer

Children born between 1 September 2010 and 31 August 2011 are due to start year seven at secondary school in September 2022.

Use the eAdmissions website from 1 September to apply online for your child’s secondary school place.

You can name up to six schools in your application including academy or free schools and schools in other council areas.

If you do not live in the borough, you need to apply through your own council and you can include Richmond schools in your application.

The closing date for applying for a year 7 place is 31 October 2021.

Secondary school admissions

Open evenings and mornings

Grace is Fundraising!

We are so proud of Grace in Year 6 who is 'Making a Difference' by fundraising for Cancer Research UK. Grace and her brother are going to be completing the Race for Life 'Mud Run' on 9th October. If you are able to support this fantastic cause then please follow the link below to donate what you can. Well done Grace and McKenzie, we're really proud of you!

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/team/mckenzie-and-grace

Diary Dates

Year 6 Swimming

1:30pm – 2:30pm

September

Year 6 Swimming

1:30pm – 2:30pm

October

Individual and Sibling Photos

All Day

October

Year 6 Swimming

1:30pm – 2:30pm

October

Half Term

9:00am – 5:00pm

From 25 Oct until 29 Oct

October

Closing Date for Year 7 Applications

All Day

October

Wellbeing

Top tips to support children and young people

Be there to listen

Regularly ask how they're doing so they get used to talking about their feelings and know there's always someone to listen if they want it. Find out how to create a space where they will open up.

How to start a conversation with your child

Support them through difficulties

Pay attention to their emotions and behaviour, and try to help them work through difficulties. It's not always easy when faced with challenging behaviour, but try to help them understand what they're feeling and why.

Help with difficult behaviour and emotions

Stay involved in their life

Show interest in their life and the things important to them. It not only helps them value who they are but also makes it easier for you to spot problems and support them.

Encourage their interests

Being active or creative, learning new things and being a part of a team help connect us with others and are important ways we can all help our mental health. Support and encourage them to explore their interests, whatever they are.

Take what they say seriously

Listening to and valuing what they say, without judging their feelings, in turn makes them feel valued. Consider how to help them process and work through their emotions in a more constructive way.

The Anna Freud Centre support guide

Build positive routines

We know it still may not be easy, but try to reintroduce structure around regular routines, healthy eating and exercise. A good night's sleep is also really important – try to get them back into routines that fit with school or college.

Sleep tips for 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.

Wonder - Why are you a wonder?

Peake - Can you remember the names of any of Tanka and Skunk's friends? Can you clap the correct number of beats for each of their names?

Weir - What do you think the lion will do now he has his hat?

Walker - "We are all different, certainly. I'm not like you. You're not like me. That's why we think that life is great. So join us as we celebrate." What is it you like best about you?

Newton - How do you predict Rapunzel will escape?

Thunberg - What do you know about Tracy's life? How do you know this?

Darwin - ‘You are one of the three Billy Goats Gruff. The troll’s mother has returned to the bridge and is waiting for you to come back so she can gobble you up. She’s too big even for the largest Billy Goat to handle. There are no other ways across the river except the bridge. Can you come up with a plan to cross the bridge without getting eaten?’

Attenborough - Would you have liked to join Alexander von Humboldt on his climb up the Chimborazo?

Parks - What were the hardships that faced Rosa Parks later in life?

How was she honoured by America in her lifetime?

What happened at the funeral service of Rosa Parks?

KS1 Star of the Week

Wonder Class

Louie G-V - for being a role model by showing great listening and tidying skills!

Peake Class

Oscar - for being a responsible learner and doing his best during phonics and maths. Well done, Oscar!

Weir Class

Freya- for showing great enthusiasm and determination in maths and for keeping our classroom neat and tidy! Well done, Freya!

Walker Class

Scarlett - for settling extremely well into school life and for trying new things. Well done, Scarlett!

KS2 Star of the Week

Newton Class

Tipene - for settling in so well to his new school.

Thunberg Class

Penny- for Sharing her ideas on the carpet and always having something interesting to say

Darwin Class

Hania - for her infectious smile, good humour and keeping everyone around her cheerful.

Attenborough Class

Ted - for the level of responsibility he shows in all lessons, striving for excellence in all tasks.

Parks Class

Katy C - for an exquisite, knowledgeable biography on Rosa Parks

Darell Primary & Nursery School Follow

Exciting news! Today we attended our first information session from @Debate_Mate about getting our Year 5 & 6 debate club up and running. We're really looking forward to starting the club and participating in the debating tournaments. More news soon! https://t.co/d6HZL54xaK

21 hours ago

Attendance

Overall school attendance this week was 92.1% our target is 96.8%.

Well done to Mozart class for the highest attendance of 100% this week.

Best for punctuality was Mozart class with 0 late!

Let's do our best for next week!

Useful Links

Arbor Parent Portal - darell-primary.uk.arbor

Follow us on twitter - twitter.com/darellschool

School Uniform Shop - The Shoe Station