Headteacher Message

Hello all,

I would like to tell you a story.  It is a true story and it has a very happy ending. Last year we decided that we wanted to create a girls' football team at Darell School, and we managed it.  This year the girls were entered into the borough tournament.  Being a small school, we are at an obvious disadvantage.  Effectively, as a one-form entry school we only have a limited number of children to choose from.  Some schools have 3 or 4 forms of entry and thus have greater options. The brave 7 you see before you were actually the only children that wanted to be in the team.  There were no selection issues; they picked themselves!! Myself and their coach, Mannie Harding, travelled with them to the other side of the borough to compete and enjoy themselves.

Before the first game, I told them that while I would be keeping an eye on the scores, I would actually be scoring them against the school values. 

I can report to you that we lost narrowly in the first two matches but won on our values score. Our third match was against the mighty Stanley School from Teddington. I believe they are three forms of entry.  It was a tough match played in very good spirits.  It was a game of few chances until Neveah performed a thunderous tackle and the ball broke to Isla, who slammed it home to record our first victory as a girls' team.  Their faces when the final whistle went were worth all the difficulties I have ever faced in this most noble of professions.  Utterly priceless. We headed home in high spirits and proud of what we had achieved.  A very big thank you to Mr Harding who has been training the team this year and a special mention to Kelise, who showed tremendous team spirit throughout and scored in our knock-out match.  I was exceptionally proud of them all.

Have a lovely weekend.  Wrap up warm and stay safe.

Joe Porter

Communications

Sent Home

• Whole School - Travel Survey
• Whole School - Christmas Disco Information
• Whole School - Punctuality reminder
• Reception - Year 2 - Nativity Tickets (2 per family)
• Year 3 - Year 6 - Christmas Performance Tickets (2 per family)
• Individual - F.U.E.L Letters from AFC
• Individual - Attendance Letters

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 Lulu Gets a Cat, how do we know Lulu really loves cats? (she has lots of pretend cats on her bed, pictures of cats on her bedroom wall and cat pyjamas) What do you need to do to look after a pet?  

Peake - How does Squirrel feel when he wakes up each time? What do you think Bird thinks about Squirrel? How does Squirrel feel in the end? Explain your answers. 

Weir - Who would you send a postcard to, and what would you write?

Thunberg - Do you think that the sun has given the girl an impossible task? Why? Why not? What do you predict the girl will do next?

Darwin - In Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters, why do you think that Nyasha is a happier person than Manyara?

Attenborough - Do you think Will might enjoy life at Hampton Court?

Parks - What do you think the code on the letter (that Olive found in her mother's coat) is?

Stars of the Week!

Early Years Star of the Week

Wonder Class

Fron - for making fantastic progress in his phonics and for being very polite and helpful in Reception

KS1 Star of the Week

Peake Class

Hannah - for excellent listening and always trying to be the best she can be. Well done for being an excellent role model!

Weir Class

Ines - for being a responsible learner, always doing the right thing and being a very kind friend

Walker Class

Scarlett - for working with an adult to talk about pictures of her family. Well done, Scarlett!  

KS2 Star of the Week

Newton Class

Allen - for always being a role model in Newton & in his mainstream classes & for always having an excellent attitude towards his learning. Well done, Allen!

Thunberg Class

Layla - for being aspirational with her reading, comprehension and spelling this week! Well done, Layla!

Darwin Class

Lily - for her bright smile which lights up the class and cheers us all up. And enjoying her maths immensely!

Attenborough Class

Jonathan - for settling in well and trying his best in all lessons.

Parks Class

Riley - for being a fantastic role model with the younger children

Rashford Class

Kacey - for being a kind and helpful member of the class who always tries his best!