Dear Parents and Carers,
This week has been SATs Week and we are so proud of all the Year 6 pupils! They have all shown great St James courage as they approached each test! Huge congratulations to the Year 6 pupils!
The rest of the school also need congratulating as they have been so respectful as they have moved around the school silently, and calmly, and adapted to different breaktimes to allow us to facilitate the tests. A great demonstration of St James values in action this week!
Sports Hall Athletics Success!
In other news, we are thrilled to announce that our Year 3 and 4 athletes came joint first with Cleves at the Sports Hall Athletics competition last week. Well done everyone!
Choir Performance at Oatlands
On Saturday, the St James choir performed brilliantly to the crowds at Oatlands Village Fair in their first performance of the summer season. It was so lovely to see so many families there supporting St James and to see the choir sing with such enthusiasm. Our thanks to Mrs Cowden who works hard to prepare the children and for all those children who came to perform.
Allotment Area at St James
Our allotment area is looking absolute fabulous thanks to the hard work of Mrs Procter, Mrs Lawrence and their Eco club. We now have a number of raised beds which are now blossoming plants.
Huge thanks to Mr Higgins, Mr Pearce, Mrs Pippa Graeme and Mr Pearse, our caretaker, for all their help in developing this area for the children.
Weybridge Festival
On Saturday 21st June there is a community fayre taking place at Churchfield recreation ground. As part of the festival, the organisers have launched an art competition for primary school aged children from Year 1 to Year 6. If your child would like to participate, please refer to the instructions within the flyer. Artwork needs to be in school by Wednesday 4th June.
And finally, a request from St James team:
On Saturday 21st June, the St James team will be running a stall at the Weybridge Festival. We are looking for keen parent volunteers to help the staff run the stall. The festival is running from 11am to 6pm, so if you are able to offer any time to support on the stall, please get in contact with the Office.
We are also looking for donations for a tombola in our values colours: light blue, dark blue, orange and green. We are looking for a range of gift donations in these colours which could include sweets, new toys, bottles, bubble bath or even books. We would appreciate any kind donations to help us make our stall appealing to the crowds and help us raise funds for St James.
A whole-school non-uniform day is planned on 13th June to gather further donations, however we would be happy to accept any donations from 2nd June. These can be handed in at the Office. Thank you in advance for your support.
Wishing you all lovely weekend.
Mrs Murphy
Y2 Woodpeckers - Rosie / Gracie
Kingfishers - Jessica / Dylan
Y3 Barn Owls - Lyna / Ayanshi
Snowy Owls - Robert / Max
Y4 Kestrels - Lexi / Noah
Merlins - Tom / Rosie
Y5 Falcons - Isabella / Aria
Kites - Phoebe / Seb
Y6 Eagles - Whole class
Hawks - Whole class
Values Certificates and Counter Collection
This week we awarded:
LOVE: Finlay / Natalie / Indi / Mia VT
RESPECT: Katelyn / Isaac
UNITY: Kasper
COURAGE:
Attendance Award
The attendance trophy is being given out every Friday to the class who has the highest attendance each week.
The award has been presented to the following classes:
Friday 9th May: Barn Owls
Friday 16th May: Eagles and Hawks
Well done to all of the children in these classes.
House Points
Well done to all of the children who have received house points this week.
W/C : 5th May
Monday: Bank Holiday
Tuesday : We are going on a journey
Wednesday: Singing
Thursday: Picture News
Friday: Celebration Assembly
W/C : 12th May
Monday: No Assembly - SATs
Tuesday : In Class Assembly
Wednesday: Singing in class
Thursday: Picture News in class
Friday: Celebration Assembly
Supporting Families: Relate’s AI Tools for Better Communication
Relate, the UK's leading relationship support charity, has introduced AI-powered tools designed to support separated parents, co-parents, and carers communicate more effectively and reduce conflict. These tools aim to foster positive relationships and support children's well-being.
Key Tools:
Sounding-board Bot: Assists in drafting messages to ex-partners or current partners by suggesting clearer and more empathetic language, reducing the risk of miscommunication.
In-the-middle Bot: Provides insights into a child's perspective during co-parenting scenarios, helping caregivers understand and respond to their child's needs more effectively.
These tools are part of Relate's commitment to supporting families in navigating complex relationships and ensuring the well-being of children.
For more information and to access local services, please visit: https://www.relate.org.uk/reducing-parental-conflict/find-local-services
Stay safe and enjoy the outdoors - Be wildfire aware
With the warmer weather now upon us, it's the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors. Surrey Fire and Rescue Service is encouraging everyone to be ‘Wildfire Aware’ this season to protect Surrey’s beautiful open spaces.
Recent wildfire at Ash Ranges
Recently, firefighters tackled a wildfire at Ash Ranges, which affected an area equivalent to 30 football pitches!
Smaller open fires across Surrey
In addition to the Ash Ranges fire, there have been smaller open fires in various areas. Many of these caused by BBQs, campfires, and bonfires burning garden waste.
Wildfire statistics
With a dryer than average March, and as the warmer weather continues this month, there’s a heightened risk of wildfire across the UK.
For context, 2022 was the UK’s hottest year and sadly saw 983 wildfires nationally. This year, we've already seen almost 300 wildfires—a 156% increase from the same period in 2022.
Did you know?
Wildfires are common in Surrey due to large areas of heathland near urban areas. Our specialist teams are always ready to respond, but prevention is key!
How you can help prevent wildfires
We can all play a part in preventing wildfires. Here are simple steps to take:
Swap disposable BBQs for a picnic. It only takes one spark from a BBQ to quickly spread and start a fire.
Avoid open fires in the countryside. They can also quickly spread and get out of control.
Dispose of smoking materials properly. Cigarette ends can start wildfires.
Take your rubbish home. Glass bottles can magnify the sun and start fires.
Prepare your home. Clear vegetation and dry leaves to prevent fires from spreading.
If you spot a fire out in the open, don’t attempt to tackle it yourself, leave the area and please call 999.
Our Fire Investigation Officer and wildfire expert, Matt Oakley shares the most common wildfire risks:
“Wildfires are easy to start, and spread very quickly, often through BBQs not being extinguished properly, litter left on commons or heaths, or bonfires burning garden waste. It only takes one ember for the dry grass to ignite.”
For more information, please visit: Wildfire – Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk)
RB Tennis will be running an after school Tennis Club at St James during the summer term.
This club is open to children in Years 2 - 4 .
Tennis club sessions will run from the 1st May - 22nd May.
To sign your child up to this new club, please use the QR code on the tennis club flyer.
Please find below the timetable for all other Summer Term clubs at St James.
Links and information leaflets have been provided to sign up for clubs run by external providers.
Please find below the Summer lunch menu from our school caterers, Twelve15. This is a three week rolling menu. All children choose from one of the three meal options at the start of each school day. There is also a fully stocked salad bar and fresh bread served daily.
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 for next term.
Weekly reminder - for parents/carers, that if they take their children out of school without authority for 5 or more days (which do not have to be consecutive), then you will be liable for a penalty notice fine
1. If you have not incurred a penalty notice relating to this child/children in a rolling 3 year period since 19 August 2024, then the penalty notice will be charged at the rate of £160.00, per parent/carer per child, if paid within 28 days. This will be reduced to £80.00 if paid within 21 days of receipt of the notice. Failure to pay the Penalty Notice will result in Surrey County Council considering legal proceedings against you in the Magistrates Court.
2. If you have incurred a penalty notice relating to this child/children since 19 August 2024, the rolling 3 year period will be activated from the date of the first penalty notice and the second penalty notice will be charged at the flat rate of £160.00, per parent/carer per child, if paid within 28 days. There will be no reduction for payment within 21 days. Failure to pay the Penalty Notice will result in Surrey County Council considering legal proceedings against you in the Magistrates Court.
3. If you have incurred 2 penalty notices relating to this child/children in the rolling 3 year period since the first penalty notice was issued, then you will NOT receive a third penalty notice – Surrey County Council will have no option but to consider a prosecution, per parent/carer per child, in the Magistrates Court under s 444 Education Act 1996.
Surrey County Council is not responsible for authorising pupil absence and therefore cannot withdraw any Penalty Notice requests without the written permission of the Headteacher.
The St James Attendance Policy can be found here..
Leave of Absence form can be found here.
Attendance
The Government released two longitudinal studies on the impact of low attendance on future attainment and on future earning this week. Please see the two posters which demonstrate their findings.
Thank you to all the parents who support us in aiming for positive school attendance. Our current school attendance figure is 95.4% which is above National and Surrey level.
To view our calendar online, please visit:
https://www.stjames-weybridge.surrey.sch.uk/calendar/?calid=1&pid=3&viewid=1