Newsletter : Friday 19th January 2024

A Message from Mrs Murphy

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope you have all had a lovely week.

The children have been busy at work across the school and it was lovely in assembly today to read so many celebration certificates showing such a range of successes across the school. From working to improve presentation, learning new maths methods and writing creatively!

I have been out and about in classes this week looking at how much the children are enjoying our book focused curriculum in reading ,and the progress the children are making in phonics. It is always so lovely to see the children engaging in their reading. One child was heard to say " I cannot wait to turn the page to find out what happens next!"

Growth Mindset

During assembly on Monday, we started our theme of Growth Mindset and having courage when learning gets hard to keep going. We talked about what learning is, using learning to ride a bike as an example, and we even touched on some cognitive science to explain that learning is actually a change in the brain. We discussed the difference between fixed and growth mindset and how children need to use their value of courage when work gets hard. We will be continuing to talk about this in the next few weeks as we look at learning from mistakes.

Use of our School grounds

We love to learn outside here at St James and this week Year 4 stepped outside, wrapped up warm in their coats, to reinforce their learning about perimeter. Using trundle wheels and metre sticks, they really grasped this concept. Well done Year 4!

Open Box Theatre

Today Reception loved their Open Box Theatre visit where they were learning about polar regions. The children listened really well and asked some fantastic questions. Well done Reception!

Year 5 also enjoyed their Open Box Theatre workshop where they developed their understanding of how the Vikings lived and their reasons for setting in Britain.

Drumming and Guitar Demonstration

The whole school were treated to a music workshop yesterday where our Surrey Arts guitar and percussion teachers wowed the children with their talent. There was so much enthusiasm for this and loud applause could be heard across the school.

If your child was inspired and you want them to learn to play either the drums or the guitar, lessons are available at St James, in our newly decorated music room, and bookable through Surrey Arts.

Other instruments are also available through Surrey Arts.

For more information about Surrey Art music lessons, click here.

Volunteers

We have a number of small construction projects coming up at school which we are looking for some parents helpers to help with. This includes a reading shed for infant playground and a new enclosed sandpit shed for Reception, both purchased for us by the Friends of St James.

If you are available to help, please do contact the office on office@stjames-weybridge.surrey.sch.uk

World book day

We will be celebrating World Book Day again this year on Thursday 7th March by inviting children to dress up as their favourite book characters. This is optional and if your child does not want to participate, they can wear muftI clothes. Please do not feel that you must purchase a costume, there are lots of costumes that can be easily made or adapted from normal clothes.

This web page here provides some tips for a low cost World Book Day costume.

We may also have some costumes in school so please do make contact if you need any help.

Parking

You may have noticed that some more lines have been repainted outside the school over the last two weeks. This is due to the school highlighting the parking concerns to the council. We will continue to raise this, but thank you to all the parents who are continuing to park respectfully for our neighbours and driving safely by our school.

Rainbow Benches

This week our KS2 playground has been brightened up even more with these new rainbow benches, purchased by the Friends. We are soon expecting further benches, with Chess and Snakes and Ladders tabletops to provide more quiet play options for the children.

Communication Survey Please help us refine our communication methods in school by completing this short survey.

And finally, it is hard to believe that it is a year since we made the change to move to a Google Site Newsletter format. To help us to continue to improve our communication with parents and carers, I would like to ask for any views on how we can improve our newsletter or communication channels further. Please do let us know by completing this quick questionnaire. Thank you for your views.

Wishing you a restful weekend

Best wishes,

Mrs Murphy

Promoting a love of Reading

Reading Challenge

Our Rainbow is filling up and it was amazing to hand out so many 100 read certificates today. Well done to everyone!

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 Referral Form

https://forms.gle/3cg3S7rCiLCbDSJ77

Foodbank referral request

https://forms.gle/sU1L1ZcMX8MU9eYN8

Collective Worship at St James

Week beginning: 15th January 2024

Monday : Growth Mindset

Tuesday: Class Assembly

Wednesday: Reflection time

Thursday: Drumming

Friday: Celebrations

Celebration Awards

Y1 Wrens: Marcus / Jacob

Robins: Harry B / Isla

Y2 Woodpeckers: Alessia / Larissa

Kingfishers: Hannah / Dolcie

Y3 Barn Owls: Arthur R / Noah

Snowy Owls: Olivia / Gracie / Tom

Y4 Kestrels: Annabel / Ivy

Merlins: Raman / Mia

Y5 Falcons: Theo J / Henry

Kites: Oscar / Lincoln

Y6 Eagles: Ella A. / JJ

Hawks: Ava L. / Ella

Values Certificates and Counter Collection

This week we awarded:

LOVE: Olivia P. / Felix S. / Jack S. x 2 / Emily / River / Omar / Ben

RESPECT:

UNITY: Annabelle / Leila / Finley

COURAGE: Mason / Jem / Hannah

Diary Dates

DIARY DATES:

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

Thurs 7 March World Book Day ( optional - dress up as your favourite book character)

13 / 14 / 15 March Parent meetings (times TBC)

Friday 15 March Red Nose Day - Mufti / wear anything red.

18 - 20 March Year 4 Residential 'Hindleap Warren'

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)

Health

St James' Church, Weybridge

St James' Church Weybridge can announce our next assistant Cuarte in training will be Thomas Musson. Tom will be joining us at St James after ordination to the Diaconate on Sunday 30th June. Tom writes: I was born and raised just outside of Nottingham, in a family of five. I studied music for four years up in Durham, before working as an intern for a Church up there. It was during my time as an intern where I began to formally discern a call to priestly ministry and have loved my time so far in Cambridge training for ordination at Ridley Hall. I’m particularly passionate about music and its relationship to theology and the Church, researching and writing into how our sung worship is performed and experienced. Outside of that, I love playing tennis, attempting to bake, and reading far too many books! I’m really excited about coming to join the Weybridge family in June. I’ve been so touched by your support and prayers, and I’m looking forward to what this curacy will bring."

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