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Headteacher Message

Hello all,

An exceptionally short message from me this week. We are 4 members of staff down this and all hands are on deck, under the deck and on the side of the deck! Luckily, the staff here are extremely flexible, and the show goes on. I am teaching in Year 6 all afternoon, and personally, it is a lovely way for me to finish the week.

Next week, the school is undertaking both an attendance review and a maths review. We have asked the local authority to come into the school and look at all our processes around attendance and the quality of our maths teaching. I believe we are doing well in both these areas, but we are always looking to improve; the job is never done! I will let you know what recommendations come from these reviews when it is shared with us.

Have a lovely weekend with your families.

Joe Porter

Office Updates

Upcoming PSA events

Communications Sent Home

Selected Pupils Swimming Gala
Y2 - Kew Archive Trip
Whole school - Head Lice Medical Information
Selected Pupils - Darell v Sheen Mount Football Match

Diary Dates

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

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

From 17 Jan and on Friday each week until 05 Apr except for between 17 Feb and 21 Feb

31
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

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

05
February

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

07
February

Royal Institue Maths Enrichment Trip

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

10
February

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

12
February

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

14
February

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.

Reception - From our learning about the solar system this week, can you remember why we live on Earth but not on the other planets? (water, temperature (it's not too hot and not too cold), air to breathe so plants and animals can grow) How many planets can you name?

Year 1 - Albert loved his pet potato. Do you agree or disagree? Explain why you think this.

Year 2 - What is your favourite fact about the Great Fire of London and why?

KS1 SRP - Can you remember one reason why Barbara had a wobbler?

KS2 SRP - Can you remember an interesting fact about a Newton friend from our writing on what makes us unique?

Year 3 - How do you think Arthur felt when he reached the Norse Land? What makes you think this?

Year 4 - What have these stories got in common? Would it be a good idea to have robots that can think for themselves like humans?

Year 5 - We looked in detail at similarities and differences between Girl of Ink and Stars and A Clock of Stars. How do the two books compare? What is similar? What is different?

Year 6 - ‘‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ by CS Lewis – What did Edmund and the White Witch (‘Queen of Narnia’) talk about on the sledge? What plan has the witch conjured up?

Early Years Star of the Week

Reception

Liza - for making incredible progress with his phonics and reading, and for showing great enjoyment in his play.

Year 1

Phoebe - for being an aspirational learner, trying your best in everything you do and always being a kind friend. Thank you for being an excellent role model.

Year 2

Arthur - for your dedication to improving your writing. You have shown resilience and aspiration and made great improvements. Keep it up!

KS1 SRP

Olly - for An amazing effort in learning lots of new sounds in phonics, they are tricky but you are doing a fantastic job at remembering them all. Well done Olly!

Year 3

Olly - for an amazing effort in learning lots of new sounds in phonics, they are tricky but you are doing a fantastic job at remembering them all. Well done Olly!

Nurture Star

Zayan - for perseverance with his maths learning this week and producing some excellent work. Well done Zayan!

KS2 Star of the Week

KS2 SRP

Sirimi - for her excellent first piece of writing in Newton class. We are so proud of you!

Year 3

Nil - for a fantastic first week back at Darell! You have participated well in lessons and have enjoyed your learning! It’s like you have never been away. Welcome back, Nil!

Year 4

Kloe- for making a great effort to speak loudly and clearly in the classroom.

Year 5

Liza - for a fantastic piece of writing and her great attitude to all her learning.

Year 6

Leo - for Leo has shown real aspiration this week – his participation in class has been exemplary and he has been an engaged and helpful talk partner. Well done, Leo!

Kindness Star

Frankie - for being incredibly kind at home and building a bedside table for his dad. Well done Frankie!