Newsletters

Newsletter 14 – Friday, 10th January

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Headteacher Message

Happy new year to you all,

As ever, the most bitter weather has arrived after the Christmas break. We had a lovely return to school, but by Thursday there were a few tears as the early mornings and rhythm of the school term returned. And that was just the staff!!  Boom, boom. Forgive my Christmas cracker dad jokes.  In all seriousnessness  (is that a word?) thank you for getting them all out of bed, fed, washed and ready for school. We are lucky here because we get to see the finished article, their beaming faces when they arrive at school, but I know, from personal experience, how challenging some mornings can be. Please let us know if you need any support, advice or just want to chat about anything. I have recently been awarded a grant to set up a network of family support workers across six schools in the locality. The thinking is simple. The more we support our communities, the more it benefits our children.  I will shortly be advertising these roles and will ensure that they are included in the newsletter. In terms of working in collaboration with you, there are some events happening at school that I would like to highlight and encourage you to attend:

  • Tuesday, 14th January - Reception Parents maths workshop (9-10am)
  • Wednesday, 15th January - Year 1 Parents maths workshop (9-10am)
  • Thursday, 16th  January – Year 2 Parents maths workshop (9-10am)
  • Friday, 24th January - Year 6 SATs meeting (9 -9.30am)

The workshops are excellent as you get to work alongside your child (so you don’t have to do the maths!) and gain an understanding of how maths is now taught in primary schools. It is very different from my day, when learning was much more procedural and superficial.

Have a lovely weekend with your children. If you can take a crunching walk in a park one early morning. This morning my garden was glittering with diamond dew as I stepped outside before daybreak.  Quite magical. 

Joe Porter  

Office Updates

Upcoming PSA events

    

Free Communication Clipart Pictures - Clipartix  Communications Sent Home

  • Selected pupils - The Royal Institute Maths Workshop
  • Selected pupils - RISE Swimming Gala
  • Selected pupils - Attendance Monitoring
  • Whole School - Online Parent Forms

Diary Dates

Darell Playgroup
9:00am – 11:00am
From 13 Jan and on Monday each week except for between 17 Feb and 21 Feb, between 07 Apr and 21 Apr, and for between 26 May and 01 Jun
13
January
Reception - Parents Maths Workshop
9:00am – 10:00am
14
January
Y 1 - Parent Maths Workshop
9:00am – 10:00am
15
January
Darell Playgroup
1:15pm – 3:15pm
From 15 Jan and on Wednesday each week except for between 17 Feb and 21 Feb, between 07 Apr and 21 Apr, and for between 26 May and 01 Jun
15
January
Y2 - Parent Maths Workshop
9:00am – 10:00am
16
January
Y5 - Synagogue Trip
9:00am – 12:30pm
17
January
Year 3 & 4 Swimming
9:00am – 11:00am
From 17 Jan and on Friday each week until 05 Apr except for between 17 Feb and 21 Feb
17
January
Darell Playgroup
9:00am – 11:00am
From 13 Jan and on Monday each week except for between 17 Feb and 21 Feb, between 07 Apr and 21 Apr, and for between 26 May and 01 Jun
20
January
Darell Playgroup
1:15pm – 3:15pm
From 15 Jan and on Wednesday each week except for between 17 Feb and 21 Feb, between 07 Apr and 21 Apr, and for between 26 May and 01 Jun
22
January
PSA Meeting
8:50am – 9:30am
24
January
Year 3 & 4 Swimming
9:00am – 11:00am
From 17 Jan and on Friday each week until 05 Apr except for between 17 Feb and 21 Feb
24
January
Y6 SATs Information Parent Meeting
9:00am – 9:30am
24
January
Darell Playgroup
9:00am – 11:00am
From 13 Jan and on Monday each week except for between 17 Feb and 21 Feb, between 07 Apr and 21 Apr, and for between 26 May and 01 Jun
27
January
Darell Playgroup
1:15pm – 3:15pm
From 15 Jan and on Wednesday each week except for between 17 Feb and 21 Feb, between 07 Apr and 21 Apr, and for between 26 May and 01 Jun
29
January
Comfy Clothes Day
All Day
31
January

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 - From our learning about owls this week, can you remember why they are amazing hunters? (they have excellent eyesight and hearing, their head can swivel, they have sharp claws or talons) Can you remember the different places that they can live? (in other birds' nests, in holes in trees, on ledges on rocks, on the ground, in old buildings) 

Peake - In our special book, what animals had a 'Winter Sleep'? Why do you think some animals go to sleep in the winter months?

Weir - What might have happened if the houses in London in 1666 weren't made from wood, straw and pitch? 

Walker -  When Barbara had a wobbler she took a big breath to calm down. What helps you to calm down? (blow out our finger candles, do 5 big breaths)

Newton - What makes you unique? (Think about your skills and talents)

Thunberg - What do you predict will happen next in 'Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet'? What makes you think this?

Darwin - Why are trees important to the environment? What can we use trees for?

Attenborough - Where will the Shadow Moth lead Imogen? What do you think will happen if she steps through the door in the tree?

Parks - ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ by CS Lewis – What are the names of the four children? What do we know about their personalities so far?

Early Years Star of the Week

Wonder Class

Eliza - for having a very good start to the new term.  Eliza is talking more, listening really well, following instructions and showed great enjoyment in PE.

KS1 Star of the Week

Peake Class

Hakim - for following instructions, taking part in our maths lesson and for being responsible and having fun at forest school!   Well done on having a great first week back.

Weir Class

Skylar - for your kindness towards others in class and across the school. Thank you for helping those in need without being asked!

Walker Class

Zion - for working hard in number time with Mrs Blunden, learning some new tricky maths skills.  Well done, Zion!

Nurture Star

Maya - for being a kind and compassionate friend and for her excellent attitude towards her learning. Well done, Maya!

KS2 Star of the Week

Newton Class

Jessica - for a fantastic start to 2025 & for always having a positive attitude towards her learning. Well done, Jessica!

Thunberg Class

Daisy - for being an aspirational writer! You have let your creativity shine through and have taken great enjoyment in writing your pour quoi story! Well done, Daisy!

Darwin Class

Arran - for listening carefully to class input and having the confidence to answer more questions.

Attenborough Class

Caleb - for a great start to the new term, always trying his best and beginning each day with a positive attitude.

Parks Class

Maria - Maria shows a wonderful enthusiasm for her learning and always participates in class. She pays attention and takes responsibility for her own and others’ learning.  

Kindness Star

Sienna - for her amazing support of our younger children in the infant playground at lunchtime.

Attendance

Overall, school attendance this week was 91.5%. Our target is 97%.

Well done to Peake Class for the highest attendance of 94% this week. 

Let's do our best for next week!

What's going on in the community?

Useful Links

     darell.school

 

darell.richmond.sch.uk

 

Arbor Parent Portal - darell-primary.uk.arbor

 

 

School Uniform Shop - The Shoe Station