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Headteacher Message

Hello all,

I hope you are well. It is important to know your strengths and weaknesses in the workplace, and putting up displays is a prominent weakness of mine - displays like the one below.

The multi-talented Mrs Claridge managed to put this together in about ten minutes flat one afternoon this week. It is a celebration of individuality linked to our year-long focus on kindness. The children from the KS2 SRP class wrote about themselves and what makes them unique. Here is an example below.

We are not supposed to know who each special individual is, but I knew straight away who this is because if I ever had to plan a journey across London at the weekend, he is my first port of call. Completely from memory, he can give you a detailed journey plan with options. Anywhere, and I mean anywhere in London. What a superpower to have. I am not sure if he is six feet, but if that is how tall he feels, then all is good.

Being the Headteacher of a school that celebrates diversity is a wonderful place to be. I really hope you feel the same about being part of this vibrant community. Have a lovely half-term with your families. Celebrate the special individuals they are and look for happiness in all that you do.

Joe Porter

Communications Sent Home

Selected pupils - Medical needs update form
Selected Pupils - Choir Regional Workshop Trip
Selected pupils - TYM trip payment reminder
Year 1 - Orleans House Gallery Trip
Year 2 - St Paul's Cathedral Trip

Diary Dates

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

From 17 Feb until 21 Feb

17
February

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

24
February

Choir - Regional Workshop @ Sheen Mount

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

26
February

King's v Darell Netball Match

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

28
February

KS2 Author Visit - Jamie Hammond

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

03
March

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 - In 'How to Catch a Star', how does the boy try to catch a star? (jumps up, climbs the tallest tree, lasso it with his grandad's lifebelt, use his rocket (but it's run out of petrol), asks a seagull). Why can't we catch stars?

Year 1 - From our story, You're Snug With Me, how many of the Arctic creatures can you remember? (polar bears, seals, fish, Arctic foxes, Arctic hares, birds - terns and geese, whales). Why do you think the mother bear kept whispering, 'Hush now, you're safe with me?'

Year 2 - What similarities do you notice between 'The Fox and the Star' and traditional fairy tales?

KS1 SRP - Who is special to you?

KS2 SRP - Why did Odd Dog go back home?

Year 3 - Would you like to stay at the 'Nothing to See Here' hotel? Why? Why not?

Year 4 - Which continent was Ernest Shackleton exploring?

Year 5 - Which verse from the poem 'Red Fox' is your favourite? Why? Do you know it by heart now?

Year 6 - ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ by CS Lewis – Do you think Edmund feels at all guilty for how he has betrayed his brothers and sisters?

Sports Board

So far this year, we have entered a wide range of sporting events, including a cross-country competition, football league matches, a tag rugby mini-tournament, netball league matches, a basketball tournament, and swimming galas. The events just keep coming!

While we have faced some disappointments in our results, the children have truly been sporting superstars. I can honestly say I have never seen anything like it. Even when we get knocked down, they always get back up and keep going, demonstrating remarkable grace and unwavering sportsmanship. The joy on their faces while participating is why we do this, and I’m confident that, with all the training happening, the results will start to favour us. We had a very proud moment when a parent from an opposing team remarked, "In my eyes, you won today; your children are so kind and show amazing sportsmanship."

I would like to extend a huge thank you to Miss Kelly, Mrs Francis, Mr. Harding, Ms Gavin and Miss Cook for all their hard work in training and for taking the children to all the sporting events; we couldn’t do it without you.

And to all our children who have participated in our sporting events: for many, this has been their first introduction to competitive sport, which can be daunting, but they have given 100% and shown tremendous courage and we a are so proud of you all!

Early Years Star of the Week

Reception

Alex - for living our school values of enjoyment and responsibility! Alex smiles a lot and is excellent at tidying up in Reception and in the playground after lunch.

Year 1

Lia - for showing our school values of aspiration and enjoyment in writing your Pet Potato story. It is full of good ideas, funny and beautifully presented and illustrated – a future author-illustrator in the making!

Year 2

Olivia - For your focus and dedication to learning in class this half-term. Thank you for being an aspirational and brave learner Olivia!

KS1 SRP

Adrian - for being a responsible learner, you are working hard at phonics and you always try your best with all of your learning. Well done, Adrian!

Nurture Star

Ibrahim - for his kindness towards others in Nurture and for always having a cheery, happy face!

Sporting Star

Nevaeh, Elise, Lily, Penny, Sheila Fiach, Chad, Narek, Charlie, Ali Leandro - for your incredible teamwork and exceptional performances at this week’s tag rugby tournament. Each of you played a vital role, demonstrating determination, skill, and camaraderie on the field. We are so proud. Well done!

KS2 Star of the Week

KS2 SRP

Caleb - for his enjoyment in our History lessons & for his positive attitude towards his learning! Well done, Caleb!

Year 3

Sapphire - for being an aspirational writer! You have shown great focus in English this week, and have continued to work hard on your handwriting! Well done, Sapphire!

Year 4

Youseff - for so many acts of kindness around the class and school to pupils and teachers. You are an example to us all.

Year 5

Ali - for his enjoyment of his learning and his commitment to his reading.

Year 6

Sophia - for an excellent attitude to learning – she is determined to succeed and is not afraid to ask questions to check her understanding. Alongside this, she is kind, considerate and a real asset to our class.

Kindness Star

Ellis - for his consistent kindness towards his classmates and the school's staff. Ellis, you are really making a difference!

Louie - for his kindness in helping another pupil at the swimming lesson today to achieve their goals. Well done, Louie!

What's going on in the community?

Fun-filled February half term at The National Archives

Join us for fun this half term! We have lots of family activities taking place where you can be crafty, learn, and play together.

Tuesday 18^th February: Building London workshop for 8-11s – Use beautiful designs of buildings from the archive to discover how London has changed over time. Create your own special buildings out of recycled items.

Thursday 20^th February: Fantastical Fairy tales storytelling for 5-7s – Delve into well-known fairy tales using music, props and play to take you on an imaginative storytelling adventure!

Craft Clubs on 18^th & 20^th February – Get creative and crafty in our public restaurant on Tuesday and Thursday with sessions at 10:30 and 13:30 each day (same crafts on each day).

Find out more and book tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/february-half-term-family-events-4008103?_gl=1*cqfqqi*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTM4NTM5ODA3NS4xNzM4NTc0MzU5*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*MTczODU3NDM1OC4xLjAuMTczODU3NDM1OC4wLjAuMA..

This February half-term, we are running our usual Rugby camps, and we would really appreciate it if you could send the link to our camp to the parents of your kids at school.

The dates are as follows:

Monday 17^th February – Wednesday 19^th February for U5’s to U10’s

Wednesday 19^th February – Friday 21^st February for U11’s – U16’s

Please see below the link.

https://richmondcommunity.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/richmond_rugby_holiday_rugby_camps

Useful Links

darell.school

darell.richmond.sch.uk

Arbor Parent Portal - darell-primary.uk.arbor

School Uniform Shop - The Shoe Station

Newsletters

Newsletter 19 – Friday, 14th February 2025