A Message from Mrs Murphy

Dear Parents and Carers, 

Thank you to all the parents and carers who attended parent consultations last week. We hope that these were valuable meetings and provided you with an overview of your child's attainment at school. If you were unable to make the appointments, the class teachers will be making phone calls and sending home your child's target sheet. Please look out for this. 

There has been so much going on at St James over last two weeks. 

Hindleap Warren 

Earlier this week, Year 4 headed to Hindleap Warren on their school residential. From all accounts, they had an amazing time full of excellent activities led by the Hindleap team. These included high ropes, climbing, archery and very muddy team building activities. All children showed St James courage as they stayed away from home for two nights and were so well behaved. Well done to all the children, we are so proud of you all!   This trip could not have gone ahead without the dedication of the staff team who accompanied and supported the children to create these lasting memories. Thank you to Mrs Rao, Miss Batterbee, Mrs Martinez, Mrs Bull, Miss Boyle, Miss Punter and Mrs Lawrence for their hard work in making this such a successful trip. 

Fond Farewell 

Finally, we are wishing Miss Peacock a fond farewell as she takes up a new teaching position at another school, closer to her home. Miss Peacock has been a dedicated member of the St James team and we wish her all the best for the future.

Wishing you a lovely weekend. 

Mrs Murphy 

Please find below the timetable for Summer Term clubs at St James. Links and information leaflets have been provided to sign up for clubs run by external providers. 

Bookings will open for teacher led clubs on Sunday 23rd March at 6pm. An email will be sent out to all parents and carers at this time with the link to the online booking form. Places for teacher led clubs will be offered on a first come first served basis. You will be notified by email, before the end of term, if your child has been given a place at a teacher led club. 

Please find below links to view and apply for current vacancies at St James:

After School Club Playworker - Part time positions available -  https://www.eteach.com/job/after-school-club-play-worker-1473110 

Class Teacher (Maternity Cover) - https://www.eteach.com/job/class-teacher-1472876

Local Opportunity - we have been asked to share this with our community by Oatland Infant School

Caretaker at Oatlands Infant School - https://www.eteach.com/jobs?empNo=8020 

Please find below the 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.  

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.

Parenting Courses 

We have been sent the following informnation about parenting courses to support families. 

4-week Talking Teens programme: Wednesday evenings 1830-2000,  23 April-14 May 2025, online - fully funded for anyone parenting that lives in Elmbridge & Spelthorne Boroughs

What is the 4-week Talking Teens Programme? 

Teenagers are rewarding, stimulating and fun, but being a parent of one can be stressful and challenging. The Talking Teens Parent Group helps deal with those challenges so you can have a calmer, happier family life. A tried and tested Programme, it helps us think about what we do, why we do it and how it makes us feel and looks at questions that many parents have, like: How can I stop my child always getting the last word? Why do they always sleep in so late? Can I do anything to help them argue less? What’s normal? Why don’t they want to tell me how they’re feeling? Inside every teenager is a child and an adult.

The Four Sessions: 

1. Being a parent of a teenager ; The role of parents for teenagers ; Responding to difficult feelings 

2. Understanding your teenager ; Understanding teenage development ; Parenting styles ; Praise and criticism 

3. Communicating with your teenager ; Talking and listening ; Communicating clearly ; Handling difficult issues 

4. Managing conflict ; Rules and boundaries ; Choosing how to respond ; Problem solving

10-week Nurturing programme: Tuesday evenings 1900-2045,  22 April-1 July 2025, online - fully funded for anyone parenting that lives in Elmbridge Borough.

 What is the 10-week Nurturing Programme? 

 Children are rewarding, stimulating and fun, but looking after them can be stressful and challenging. The Nurturing Programme helps deal with those challenges so that you can have a calmer, happier life. A tried and tested programme, it helps us think about what we do, why we do it and how it makes us feel. 

What does it cover? 

Over the 10-week Programme, you will look at lots of different topics, including: Understanding why children behave as they do, Recognising the feelings behind behaviour (ours and theirs), Exploring different approaches to discipline, Finding ways to develop co-operation and self-discipline.

If you are interested in attending the form to complete can be downloaded from here or contact Mrs Doe for further information. 

 Free Parenting Courses: 

Family Learning - First Steps to Understanding Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance - Surrey County Council