Newsletter :
Newsletter :
Friday 15th December 2023
Friday 15th December 2023
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A Message from Mrs Murphy
A Message from Mrs Murphy
Dear Parents and Carers,
Well, that is the end of the Autumn term 2023 and what a term it has been. This week has seen some amazing performances from the children in EYFS, KS1, LKS2 and UKS2. Well done to all the children for their fantastic singing, dancing and acting skills. My particular thanks to the teachers and TAs who have worked tirelessly over the last few weeks to plan practices, sort costumes and sing the songs with the children. A particular mention needs to go to the very talented Mrs Wong, who created the fantastic Rooster costume for KS1 production and to Mrs Doyle, Mrs Michaelides, Miss Boyle and Miss Peacock for their coordinating efforts for these shows.
The productions saw us raise £ 416.06 for our School Global Charity: The Coco Foundation. Thank you so much for your generosity.
Choir performances
It is not just in school where the children have been performing. Our amazing choir have performed twice over the recent weeks. Firstly at the Weybridge Christmas Festival at the church, and secondly along with the Weybridge Male Voice Choir. In both performances, they showed their dedication, enthusiasm and excellent actions, singing their hearts out to wowed audiences. Well done to you all. Thank you to Mrs Cowden who leads the choir and to Mrs Lawrence who supports.
Weybridge Station Art Work
As you know, we have some extraordinarily talented children here at St James and we always love an opportunity to display this to the wider community. Thanks to our governor, Pippa Graeme, and Mrs Powick our Art Lead, along with all the teaching staff, we have refreshed the frames in the waiting room with seasonal art from across the school. Each year group has a frame that was inspired by the 'Winter Art" theme.
Do pop down and see this when you are travelling next from the station.
Road markings
As you may recall, we have been in communications with Surrey County Council to highlight the limited road markings outside of the school with the aim to ensure the safety our our pupils and community as they travel to and from school. As you may have seen, we are very pleased to have new, very clear, yellow markings outside the school this week. There are more improvements planned so we will continue to be in contact with Surrey County Council to make the entrance to school as safe as possible.
RSHE Consultation
This week you would have received an email from school regarding our RSHE Curriculum. We are inviting parents to make comments on the policy ahead of us reviewing this. Please do take time to review it and make comments if you would wish.
Mindfulness Garden Update
It has been completed and looks fabulous. Today it was 'officially' opened to the children by our School Council and our Governors. Complete with a giant bow to cut, the Year 6 School councillors did the honours. KS2 were happily using it as an extra relaxing play space during the lunchtime today
Friends of St James supported events this Christmas
We are very lucky to have the support of such an active PTA who raise funds to which provide additional resources and experiences for the children.
Last week, the reindeer came to visit. Dancer and Prancer were very well behaved and the children loved learning about them from their handlers.
Monday saw a continuation of the Christmas cheer with a visit from Hobgoblin production company. They performed to the whole school in two fantastic performances of A Christmas Carol. Laughter and cheer could be heard across the school
One of my highlights this week was that St James was very lucky to receive a visit from the man himself. Straight from Lapland UK, Father Christmas visited every class on Tuesday and presented each child with a book, paid for by the Friends of St James. It was so lovely to see every child's eyes light up when they saw him. The loudest cheers coming from Eagle and Hawk class in Year 6 as we entered the room.
Thank you to the Friends of St James for paying for these lovely treats for the children.
Coming soon
We are very excited that our personalised timeline has arrived at school and will be put on the Junior playground in the coming days. This will not only brighten up the playground, but will provide a valuable teaching tool for all the children across the school as well as a talking point for children at lunchtime. Once again, we are grateful for the Friends of St James for this purchase.
Values homework
Thank you to all the children who have completed the Values creative homework task over this term Children were invited to create something that represented someone who had showed our school values. The outcomes are fantastic and have been displayed in our Aviary classroom for classes to enjoy. After Christmas, parents will be invited to come and view this work on 5th January and 12th January from 3.15 - 3.45pm. Please do come and have a look after pick up. It really does demonstrate how deeply the children are thinking about the school values.
Thank you to all the parents who supported the children with the completion of this work.
If you would like a sneak preview of the next term's creative project for the whole school so you can get started, please click here.
Christmas Lunch
To end the week, we were treated to an amazing Christmas Lunch by our caterers Twelve 15 today. Lots of fun was had, singing to Christmas songs while eating the fabulous meal, dressed in Christmas mufti.
Special thanks to our Governors who joined us to help serve the Christmas dinner this year and to our Catering team Giovanna, Amanda and Sarah for the delicious lunch.
Fond farewell
Today we said goodbye to Miss Mackle, Mrs Walker and Mrs Buttaci who are leaving St James to work at other schools. They have all been dedicated members of the St James team and will be missed by staff and pupils. We wish them luck in their new adventures.
Welcomes
We will be welcoming Miss Kelly to teach in Year 1 in January, along with Mrs Peters who will join the Year 6 team, two days a week. Mrs Jain will also be joining us as a teaching assistant. Please join us in making them feel welcome at St James.
Congratulations
I would like to congratulate Mrs Kennedy who has completed her ELSA Training this term. She will join Mrs Mattingly to deliver a range of emotional literacy activities to the children across the school.
INSET reminder and Christmas Holiday Club
Reminder that we will be returning to school on Wednesday 3rd January 2024. There are still places available at the holiday club running in the first week of the holidays if you are in need of child care.
For booking information, please visit : https://www.young-stars.co.uk/
Thank yous and Christmas wishes.
Thank you to all the parents and carers who have supported us at St James this term. Whether it has been by supporting reading in class, supporting with Reception cooking, helping on school trips, demolishing and building sheds, volunteering at the Christmas fair or attending one of the many school events, every single bit has been much appreciated by all staff and pupils of St James.
My very huge thanks also go to:
all the committed teachers and TAs, who have as always, worked so hard to deliver quality lessons across the school and pastoral support to all the children.
the outstanding Office team, led by Mrs Atkins, for being vital font of all knowledge about the school which keeps us running so smoothly.
to my fabulous Senior Leadership team, who work alongside me to encourage everyone to " let their lights shine".
And last but not least, thank you to the children, for their continued enthusiasm, smiles that brighten my day as I walk through the school. Their good mornings on the gate, their visits to my office to show amazing work, their excellent behaviour, and their offers of help. The year 2023 has been such an amazing year at St James and I cannot wait to lead the school into 2024!
Wishing you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
See you all on the 3rd January.
Best wishes,
Mrs Murphy
Curriculum Celebration
Curriculum Celebration
At each end of term point I invite the Phase leaders across the school to share some highlights of learning across the curriculum with the wider school community. I am sure you will agree as you read through these, that the children have really worked hard in their learning.
EYFS
Early Years Autumn Adventures
🍁 As the vibrant hues of autumn surround us, we're delighted to share the exciting journey our little learners have embarked upon in the first term of the school year.
📚 Library Adventures: Our curious minds took a trip to the library, where enchanting tales unfolded, and the joy of reading blossomed.
🎉 Celebrating Diversity: From the radiant glow of Diwali to the festive cheer of Christmas, our young ones embraced the beauty of diverse celebrations, fostering understanding and unity.
🌺 Honouring Tradition: Together, we remembered the significance of poppies, teaching our budding historians about the importance of remembrance.
📝 Blossoming Literacy and Numeracy Skills: Our classrooms have transformed into lively hubs of learning, with each child emerging as both a reader and writer. Mathematical wonders unfold daily, sparking curiosity and discovery.
👫 Building Friendships: In the spirit of collaboration and shared adventures, lasting friendships have bloomed, creating a supportive community where every child feels seen and heard.
🛠 Builders and Makers: From constructing imaginative structures to crafting unique creations, our little ones have honed their skills as builders and makers, showcasing creativity at its best.
🌱 Growing in Confidence: Each day brings new opportunities for our children to explore, express, and grow. Witnessing their blossoming confidence has been a highlight of the term.
As we approach the winter season, we look forward to more discoveries, laughter, and achievements with your little ones.
Key Stage One
Year One and Two have been very busy this term and produced some wonderful work across the curriculum. Year One have been learning about our local area in Geography, spirals in Art, what life was like for their grandparents in History and animals and seasonal changes in Science. Year Two have been learning about The Great Fire of London in History, reptiles and Joan Procter in Science and been thinking about what God is like to them and why giving is important to Christians in RE. We have all thoroughly enjoyed reinforcing our knowledge of the Nativity story whilst rehearsing for our outstanding production of Born in a Barn.
Lower Key Stage Two
Year Three and Four have been very busy this term and have produced some incredible work in lessons across our curriculum. In Year Three, we have been learning about weather and climate in Geography and identifying the different climate zones from around the world. In Science we have been learning about forces and magnets, investigating how friction works and exploring magnet strength. In RE we have been learning about how Christian artists use their creativity to convey God’s message, the big story in the Bible and how the Bible is like treasure to Christians.
Year Four have been learning about the ancient Egyptians in History, investigating why they were a successful civilisation and how a version of their building techniques are still used in today’s society. In Art, the children have been studying still life, looking at Cezanne and creating their own collages inspired by his work. In Computing, children have been learning how to podcast, record their ideas and edit their recordings.
We have all thoroughly enjoyed reinforcing our knowledge of the Christmas story and rehearsing for our outstanding carol service.
Upper Key Stage Two
Year 5 and 6 have had a fantastic start to the year and a busy term. Year 5 have been learning about the Anglo-Saxons in their history lessons and about changes to our local environment in Geography. They have designed and made bridges and then an electrical doodler in their DT lessons. In Art, Year 5 have learned about topography and maps and have produced some beautiful winter silhouette scenes. In Science they have explored the changes to materials, and carried out scientific investigations, recording their findings carefully in order to reach conclusions. In RE, Year 5 have been exploring salvation and their work has finished with designing and explaining a cross to represent their understanding.
Year 6 have learned about The Amazon in Geography and The Ancient Maya in history. They have worked hard in maths to master methods of long multiplication and long division. Year 5 have created and cooked a Mexican menu in DT and have designed and built model playgrounds. Year 6 Science has focused on the human circulatory system and then evolution and inheritance. In Art, Year 6 have learned how artists can express their views through their art work and explored the work of activists in art. They then created their own art work expressing a viewpoint in the form of a poster to be used to convey their message.
Promoting a love of Reading
Promoting a love of Reading
Reading Challenge
As you know, we are promoting reading at home with our 50 Reads Challenge.
Congratulations to all the children who have received their certificate over the last two weeks. Our Reading Rainbow in the hall is growing nicely.
Autumn/Winter Lunch Menu
Autumn/Winter Lunch Menu
Please find below the Autumn/Winter menu. This is a three week rolling menu. All children choose from one of the three meal options at the start of each school day.
If your child is in KS2 and has a school meal, please remember to pay for and book their meals in advance using the SCOPAY app.
Family Support
Family Support
Parenting Puzzle Course
We have teamed up with Families Thriving together and our Family Suport Worker, Mrs Doe, to offer the Parenting Puzzle Course at St James in January. This is a fantastic opportunity for all parents to learn skills and strategies which will help create a calmer family life. The sessions will run on Tuesday mornings from January.
Please click the link here to register interest. Funding support can be provided by St James if parents are interested but are experiencing financial difficulties.
https://forms.gle/yP7oUzxaU9F6m69X7
Collective Worship at St James
Collective Worship at St James
Week beginning: 11th December
Week beginning: 11th December
Monday: Coco Foundation
Monday: Coco Foundation
Tuesday: Christingle
Wednesday: Class Assembly
Thursday: Singing Assembly
Friday: Celebration Assembly
Celebration Awards
Celebration Awards
Y1 Wrens: Whole class
Y1 Wrens: Whole class
Robins: Whole class
Y2 Woodpeckers: Felix
Kingfishers: Emily
Y3 Barn Owls: Imogen
Snowy Owls: Lorena
Y4 Kestrels: Tilly
Merlins: Sami
Y5 Falcons: Sam
Kites: Henry
Y6 Eagles: Keylie-May
Hawks: Whole class
Hawks: Whole class
Values Certificates and Counter Collection
This week we awarded:
LOVE: Rosie / Hettie x 2 / Anna K. / Evelyn S. / Iyla
RESPECT: Mia
UNITY: Emily / Elizabeth
COURAGE: Georgia / Maya / Henry T. / Summer / Anna / Elizabeth / Poppy / Pia / Aaron / Evelyn S.
St James' Church, Weybridge
Many of you will have participated in the amazing Weybridge Festival, seeing our lovely St James' Primary School choir sing beautifully in the Church and went to the Christingle service; however, it has been brought to my notice that it was not the easiest process to give to 'The Children's Society'. The card readers were not that visible at the end of the service as we were blessed by having a large attendance. If you did not have cash to fill the candle and did not see the card reader, you may like to donate via this link:
The Children's Society | UK children's charity childrenssociety.org.uk
Kind regards,
Jane Mason
Foundation Governor
St James' Church, Weybridge
Spring Term Clubs
Spring Term Clubs
Please fill in the Google form below if you would like to sign your child up to our Spring Term Teacher led clubs.
Please see the school website for the full list of clubs for the Spring Term.
Vacancies
Vacancies
We currently have some vacancies at St James. For further information or to apply, please follow the links below.
Caretaker - https://www.eteach.com/job/school-caretaker-1384576
After School Club Playworker - https://www.eteach.com/job/after-school-club-play-worker-1391809
Sports at St James
Sports at St James
Year 6 Boys Open League Football Match at Home v Burhill
On Thursday 7 December, St James Football team played against Burhill Primary School in the Open League football competition. Our team was a mix of Year 5 and 6 children, some of whom played their debut matches for the school. Burhill started well and St James found it difficult to break forward and were pushed back conceding two goals in the first half. The St James team played the better of the football in the second half, getting forward more passing the ball well and defending excellently. Unfortunately, St James were unable to capitalise on the good play and ended up losing the match 2-0. The Player of the Match went to Stanley P who defended excellently and kept the team in the game.
The team were: Tyler O, Toby S, Ollie W, Ben W, Cole O, Tom G, Stanley P, Patric O.
Diary Dates
Diary Dates
DIARY DATES:
Tues 2 Jan Inset Day (School closed)
Wed 3 Jan START OF SPRING TERM
Thurs 4 Jan Reception 2024 Tour - 9.15 - 10.15am
17, 24, 31 Jan Y5 Swimming
Thurs 18 Jan Y4 Cake sale
Fri 19 Jan Early Years - Open Theatre workshop
7, 21, 28 Feb Y5 Swimming
Tues 6 Feb Y4 'Juniper Hall' day trip
Thurs 8 Feb Y3 Cake sale
W/C 12 Feb HALF TERM
Tues 5 March Y3 Kew Gardens day trip
6, 13 March Y5 Swimming
Friday 15 March Red Nose Day - Mufti / wear anything red.
18 - 20 March Year 4 Residential 'Hindleap Warren'
Wed 27 March Easter Bonnet Competition
Thurs 28 March Last day of Term (Easter) - Normal 3:15pm finish (no After-School Club)
Mon 15 April START OF SUMMER TERM
Tues 16 April Y6 'A Midsummer Nights Dream' workshop. 9 - 11.30am
Wed 17, 24 April Y4 Swimming
Wed 24 April Y1 Wisley Gardens day trip
Wed 1, 8, 15, 22 May Y4 Swimming
Thurs 2nd May Y5 Dorking Halls Primary Music Festival
w/c Mon 13 May Y6 SATS
Tues 21 May Reception - Painshill Park day trip
Thurs 23 May Mufti Day - 'Break The Rules'
Fri 24 May Inset Day - (School closed)
W/C 27 May Half Term.
Mon 3 June Back to School.
Fri 7 June Someone Special stall
Mon 10 - Fri 14 June Y6 Residential - Isle Of Wight
Tues 18 June Y6 - Leavers Service at Guildford Cathedral
Thurs 27 June Y1 Cake sale
Fri 28 June Sports Day
Tues 9 July Y6 Leavers Production.
Wed 10th July Y6 Leavers Production
Fri 12th July Friends Mufti Day
Sat 13th July Summer Fair
Wed 17th July Y6 Leavers Service at St James Church
Friday 19 July End of Summer Term - 1.30pm finish (no After-School Club)
See website for more dates. INSET Days have been set for the academic Year 2023/4. More information can be found on the website here: https://www.stjames-weybridge.surrey.sch.uk/term-dates-1/
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