Headteacher Message

Hello all,

We have had a ball!. This week has probably been my favourite week since beginning my time at Darell. It feels as though a weight has been lifted from our shoulders. As promised, the music played and our children returned in their droves. The energy within the school this week has been incredible. We have held virtual live whole school assemblies every day this week and it has been so lovely to come together and re-establish the bonds that have previously been so strong. As well as celebrating International women's day all week we have focussed on the values that drive the school.  

• Equality - we celebrate our differences and treat everyone equally and fairly.

• Responsibility - we take responsibility for our behaviour. We are kind and caring to ourselves and others.

• Enjoyment - we are passionate about learning and look for enjoyment in everything we do.

• Aspiration - we place no ceiling on what we can achieve. We challenge each other to be the best that we can be.

We have found that returning to our values at all times has allowed us to make informed decisions about what is best in any given situation. This applies to whole school decisions and when working individually with children or staff. I have had a number of children sent to me this week for showing responsible behaviours on their return to school.  

I am very excited to announce that we have new screens in our main hall and even more excited that the PSA has provided the funding.  In a short space of time the PSA has become very organised and efficient and as a school we are benefiting from this.  Budgets are tight in nearly every school and this sort of help is invaluable.  It has also meant that we have been able to take down the awful projector that previously sat in the hall.  When full assemblies return children will actually be able to see the presentations provided.  Moving forward it will also be very useful for parent workshops and the like. 

To continue the development of the hall as a communal space, we are planning to have the Darell tree in the space above the old projector and large paintings of our values in the remaining large alcoves.  

You may find that your children will be tired this weekend.  It has been quite a week for them.  Earlier mornings, adapting to routines, seeing lots of new friendly faces and adapting to learning expectations.  They have been superb.  As I write a group of Year 3 children are being sent to me to celebrate how well they have adapted back to school life. It is times like this that you love your job.  We are back and this time we are better than ever.  (And if we are not we will work tirelessly to ensure that we are.)

Have a lovely weekend.  Be kind to yourself, and enjoy spending time with your precious families.

Joe Porter

Communications Sent Home

• Clubs Questionnaire

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.

Packham - Where did Emma Jane go in her aeroplane and who did she find?

Peake - Explain how Tomato treated Avocado. How does this compare to how the other fruit and vegetables treated him?

Weir - What do you predict will happen in the deep, dense forest?

Mozart - What would you take to the Teddy Bear's picnic?

Newton - What were all the things that spoke to the farmer?

Thunberg - How could you make a difference like The Black Mambas have in your local community? (for example, picking up litter to protect animals)

Darwin - How can trees help poor people?

Attenborough - How can the children return the Anubis jar to its rightful place?

Parks - What vocabulary choices, phrases and actions show that Karl is utterly depressed?

How does Sir Ironsoul work and how do you think Dr Kalmenius created him??

Maths Challenge

The mighty maths challenge is back!

Each week you will find a new maths challenge in this section of  the newsletter and your Google Classroom along with the winner of the previous week.

Good Luck! 

Please email your answers to maths@darell.richmond.sch.uk