Weekly Blog 10th Jan 25

Firstly, a very Happy New Year to you all! I hope you all managed to have a good Christmas break with friends and family. I hope you all managed to stay well too with all the flu and winter viruses around. The children have loved telling us all about their Christmas fun from skiing, visiting friends, sleepovers and exciting adventures to meeting Father Christmas. It has made us all jealous! It may only have been a four-day week but what a week it has been! Class 2 had their first session for their "Eden Sustainability Lunch" challenge on Wednesday. They will be working with each other to design a healthy and sustainable packed lunch that could be taken to the Eden Project. This is the second time the school has entered, and we won a prize last time! The children are keen to keep up their winning streak. Our school council spoke very eloquently about their learning to a governor on Wednesday. I was blown away with their answers and reasons and made me proud to be a part of Darite. They spoke very positively about school and both Mrs Richardson-Calladine and I were very impressed with their understanding. Thank-you to the school council and to Mrs Richardson-Calladine for giving up her time talk to the children. Having their voice heard is so powerful. I am sure you all shared our disappointment with the necessity to cancel the pantomime trip yesterday due to concerns around safety of pupils and staff because of the snow and ice. I am sure you understand that such decisions are never made lightly and without careful consideration for alternatives. Thank-you for the kind messages of understanding with this difficult decision. Despite this, the children who were able to make it to school had a great day - Class 1 made the best snowman I have seen in many years and Class 2 brought the pantomime to Darite with their performances in the afternoon! We definitely have some future Oscar winners in school! Mrs Norris has already been looking at other opportunities for a trip soon. Last, but by no means least, I would like to welcome Mrs Nel to school. She is covering Miss Bawden’s maternity leave in Class 2 and lunchtimes. She is a familiar face in school, having volunteered last term but it is lovely to welcome her formally. Of course, we wish Miss Bawden well with her maternity and when we hear from her, we will let you know! This half term is short but full of activities so please keep checking the diary and website for details. Thank-you from all the staff at school for your continued support of Darite. Have a lovely weekend and we will see the children back on Monday. 

Welcome to the Spring term. In the first half our wider curriculum will have a history focus with the enquiry question 'How was school different in the past?'
Below is the Curriculum web that shows what we will be learning in all of our subjects. The homework grid is also below and has been sent home in bookbags too.

Hard to believe that we have reached the Christmas holiday! This term has been a long one but the learning, attitude and kindness to each other has really showed the caring nature at Darite. The children have done so well this term with all the changes to the school structure and the learning has again been superb. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support of the school. There is a lot to tell you about the last few weeks, starting with Class 2's collaboration with Trenode last Wednesday as part of their geography work. They walked to the moor to find the start of the river Seaton and were joined in this by Mr Abraham and his class from Trenode Academy. The children made friends and the children at Darite really enjoyed showing the visitors around the area. They looked at the mine workings and how humans have affected the physical geography of the area with spoil heaps, dams to create the donkey pool and the pits in the South Caradon mine. The children had a great time and were superb ambassadors for the school and themselves. It is great to have chances to work closely with other schools in the trust and we have already put plans in action to visit Trenode and Blisland later in the year. The nativity performances were, as always, stunning with the children giving their all in both shows. As I said on the night, Christmas in a primary school is a magical place and time and shows like this week's are a prime example of why we all love what we do. Thank-you to everyone who was able to come and watch the show. The whole school had a warm- up last Wednesday when we sang to the Darite Village Lunch Club. The comments from the members were amazing with some comments of "What a pleasure to see happy children singing so well." and " Thanks to Darite School (pupils and staff) for the festive singing". Darite really is a special place to be! In addition to these things, our Reindeer Run also made the Cornish Times. Click the link here to view the story about the "Prancing Pupils" charity efforts. Thank-you also to the PTFA (and Father Christmas) for making the Christmas Fayre such a memorable event. Christmas is a magical time and having Father Christmas come to visit also made it really special. Thank-you to everyone who was able to come and spend their money on the arts, crafts and games last Friday. Between the fayre and the reindeer competition, the PTFA raised an amazing £358.30! This money will really help current and future children at Darite. The annual Christmas lunch on Wednesday was delicious as always. The children were able to enjoy a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings and there were some very full up children in the afternoon! Thank you to the wonderful Lisa for her hard work in making the meal so special again. To cap the term, the class parties yesterday afternoon were fun packed and full of laughter, fun and food! Thank-you to those of you who were able to donate food - we has so much that we were able to have another snack this morning! As you can see, Darite is always a special place to learn and work. On behalf of the staff at Darite, I'd like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a relaxing New Year. Whatever you choose to do, I hope you are able to relax with friends and family. Just a reminder that Monday the 6th is an INSET day and we are looking forward to seeing the children back on the 7th. Have a wonderful holiday, Mr Whipps. Have a wonderful holiday.

River Exploration with Trenode

On Wednesday the 11th, as a culmination of our geography work on rivers and their uses, Class 2 walked to the moor to find the start of the river Seaton. 

We were joined in this by Mr Abraham and his class from Trenode Academy. The children made friends and the children at Darite really enjoyed showing the visitors around the area. 

We looked at the mine workings and how humans have affected the physical geography of the area with spoil heaps, dams to create the donkey pool and the pits in the South Caradon mine. 

The children had a great time and were superb ambassadors for the school and themselves. It is great to have chances to work closely with other schools in the trust and we have already put plans in action to visit Trenode and Blisland later in the year.

Weekly news 06 Dec 24.

It really has been a fantastic week at Darite this week. We started even before Monday with the Liskeard Lights Up festival. Lots of children (past and present) and their families proudly showed off the lanterns that they had made in the club after school. The photos looked amazing and it was wonderful to see the flag flying for our school. Thank-you to all the staff and families who made attendance at the event possible. We continued with our Reindeer Run in aid of St Luke's hospice on Wednesday. 39 children running around the playground in festive antlers made everyone smile and we managed to raise an enormous amount of £292.15 so far for the hospice. I know they will be grateful and the children should be proud of their efforts in the run. A huge thank-you to all the parents, carers, neighbours, relatives and acquaintances who sponsored the children so generously. The money will make a huge difference to the hospice. As you can see, another great week at Darite. Please stay safe and dry this weekend with the Amber warning and we’ll see everyone next week for the penultimate week of the autumn term. Just a reminder that school finishes at 1.30 on Friday 20th along with the other schools in the trust. Staff will be on site for the afternoon undergoing training but please can you let us know if you will be unable to collect your child at 1.30. Have a safe and good weekend. 

This term our enquiry question is 'What is it like here?' with a focus on Geography and mapping skills. 

29th Nov 24

We had another assembly on Tuesday about the upcoming reindeer run in aid of St Luke’s Hospice. The children remembered our visitor and were keen to find out more. The sponsorship forms should have come home this week in readiness for the run on Wednesday. Again, as the children were reminded, there is no obligation to raise any sponsorship in order to take part. We know that times are still hard for many families and anything that can be spared will go to St Luke’s. If it is only a few pence in spare change, please attach it to the form and send it back. On Wednesday, the children will run around the school grounds wearing their antlers to keep fit, have fun and hopefully raise some money. I would like to say a huge thank-you from the school and PTFA for the kind donations for the Christmas hamper raffle. This is always popular and looking at the donations from the non-uniform day today, the hampers this year will be as good as ever! If you have any other donations, please feel free to drop them into the office. As part of the Liskeard Lights Up festival tomorrow, the children have been busy making lanterns that those families able to go to the festival will be able to take along. They look amazing and the children took such pride in creating them. Also, to celebrate the festival and Cornish heritage, we welcomed Maureen and Rod from the Cornish Language group into school on Wednesday for a lesson in Cornish. It is great to see the language still spoken and the children had a great time. Thank-you so much to them both for giving up their time. On Thursday afternoon, some of our KS2 children were selected to attend a Football Tournament at Callywith College, they all had a fantastic time and came 5th overall. Well done!

Weekly Blog

It's hard to believe that we only have 4 days left of this first half term. It feels like yesterday that the children were coming into their new classes after the summer break. We are all very proud of the way that the children have worked hard and applied themselves to the learning this half term. What an amazing place Darite is to work. I am looking forward to seeing some of you next week for our first parent consultation evenings. This is a chance for you to find out how the children have settled into this year and ask any questions. If you have any concerns at any time, please let us know and we will try to help out. Because of this, there are no clubs running next week. Good luck to the children running in the first cross-country race this afternoon. Hopefully the weather stays dry and it's not too muddy! A reminder also that next Friday is an INSET day and school will be closed to children. The staff will be having some training alongside the other schools in the trust on how to make writing even better

It's the end of week 3 and learning is in full swing at Darite. Class 2 have been coding wearable technology for their DT sessions and Class 1 have been doing some fantastic writing. The children also have enjoyed their session of Wild Tribe this afternoon. It is a great time to see the children working cooperatively together to work and learn outside. I have also invited children to bring in any achievements they have done outside of school to celebrate in our Friday assembly. If they have progressed in a Judo belt, been awarded a trophy or certificate, they are welcome to bring it in to celebrate on Friday. Thank-you to those who have managed to book a slot for the parent consultations this half term. It is an opportunity for Mrs Lake and myself to give you a little information about how the children have settled into the new year. Appointments can be booked using Arbor but, as always, if these times are not convenient or you have any other questions, please let Mrs Norris know in the office and we can see how we can help. Please make sure that you keep yourself up to date with upcoming events from the newsletter or website. Next week is our whole-school trip to Pendennis Castle. 

Weekly News 22nd Nov 24

Well, what an interesting week it’s been! I am always slightly sceptical when the children tell me that it’s going to snow but they were certainly right this week! I hope that everyone managed to enjoy the snow if possible and that you all stayed safe. Thank-you for your understanding on Thursday. As you know, staff work at Darite from all over the county and making a decision to open or close is very tricky. We know how much parents and carers rely on schools to support their work and that we never close the school unless it is absolutely necessary. In this case, safety of the staff, pupils and parents is paramount which is why the decision was taken to close. Again, thank-you for your understanding in this matter.


In addition to the fun of the snow, Class 2 had a visit from Will from Biffa. This workshop taught the children all about recycling and what happens to waste in Cornwall. They had an amazing time in the workshop and all went away with a real sense of the importance of recycling. This workshop all came about because of one of our Year 3 pupils wrote to them asking to donate some litter pickers for school. I am delighted to say that they were successful and, when the ice melts, the school council will be using them a lot!

Our School Councillors

After a hotly debated discussion and several rounds of voting, Class 2 have selected their school councillors. They are all looking forward to working with Mr Whipps and the councillors from Class 1 to make a real difference to the school. 

How has crime and punishment changed in Cornwall?

Class 3 had a very interesting trip to Bodmin Jail where we discovered how crime, punishment and prisons have changed in the last few hundred years. The class, as always, demonstrated their curiosity for learning by asking perceptive questions and linking new discoveries to previous learning. 

We hope you all had a lovely half term break and are as excited as we are for the busy term ahead. Our enquiry question for our work in the wider curriculum this half term is "how has crime and punishment changed in Britain?" An overview of the areas of learning for this half term can be found below along with the homework menu and spelling packs for this half term.