A Message from Mrs Murphy

Dear Parents and Carers,

We have all loved the sunshine over the last few weeks and it has been so lovely to see the children enjoying the outside grounds. As the weather forecast returns to average temperatures for June/July next week, we will returning to normal uniform expectations from Monday. We will continue to monitor our notifications for hot weather spells and will inform parents if this changes using the normal channels. 

Other sports successes this week

Over the last two weeks we have attended more sporting events. Year 4 girls attended the Surrey Cricket Foundation at Vandals and all played very well. They were extremely excited to return with medals for coming 2nd in this competition. Well done girls! 

This week, Year 6 Athletics Squad attended the Quad Kids Competition. The children took part in a range of activities including:75m Sprint, 600m Run, Vortex Howler Throw, Standing Long Jump and Shuttle Relay. We are immensely proud of them all as St James came 2nd in this event, missing out on first by only a small margin to Cleves. Congratulations to all the children on this achievement. 

Music Day 

On Friday 21st June, St James had its first Music Day.  There was a real buzz around the school as the children enjoyed many different music-based activities. The Infants all had great fun playing djembe drums, repeating and learning drumming patterns. The Juniors were lucky enough to explore body percussion with a former performer in Stomp. All children found out about a musician, which varied from the percussionist Evelyn Glennie to Taylor Swift, and listened to their music. The children put their own vocal skills to the test by learning and performing a song within their class.  We were fortunate that we also had guitar playing demonstrations, the children loved trying to guess what song they were listening to. Staff and children commented on what a fun day they had had and what a positive experience the day had been.  Thank you to Mrs Herbert who put in so much hard work to coordinate such an enjoyable event. 

Weybridge Festival 

On Saturday, our fabulous choir entertained the crowds at Weybridge Festival. They sung so confidently on the stage and received huge applause. Well done everyone and thank you to Mrs Cowden who dedicates her time to organising and providing the children with these amazing performance opportunities.

In other events this week, 

• Year 2 visited Brooklands to consolidate their learning on our local heroes, John Cobb, Malcolm Campbell and Sir Henry Seagrave. The children's behaviour was once again commented on by the community which demonstrates that the children extend their school values, even when off site. Well done Year 2. 

• Year 6 have also attended their leavers service at Guildford Cathedral. Hosted by the Diocese of Guildford, the children rotate around different activities which help them to reflect on their primary school years. This is always a lovely afternoon where children can take a moment to think about their development at St James, with the backdrop of Guildford Cathedral. 

• Selected children in Years 3 and 4 participated in the Maths Challenge, where they answered a range of mathematical problems in this national challenge. We cannot wait to hear the results. 

• This week we were treated to two fabulous assemblies from Year 3 and Year 5. Both displayed their musical talents by performing a number of songs. Year 3 also took us on a whistlestop journey for their learning across the year. Well done to all the children and thank you to all the parents who attended.

Just a reminder that these year group assemblies are taking place over the next few weeks 

Year R - 12th July at 9am

Year 1 - 18th July at 9.15am

Year 2 - 5th July at 9.15am

Year 6 - Leavers Service at St James' Church - 17th July at 9am

Wishing you a lovely weekend, 

Mrs Murphy  

Just to remind 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. 

From 19th August, there are changes to this and from this date, the following will apply:

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.

Please find below the new Summer 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.