Newsletter: 8th November 2024
Newsletter: 8th November 2024
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A Message from Mrs Murphy
A Message from Mrs Murphy
Dear Parents and Carers,
This week we welcomed the children back to school after the half term and it has been lovely to hear about all the exciting things the children did over their break. It is great to see that all children have returned refreshed and ready for the half term ahead.
This week, the Juniors attended St James Church to deliver a Remembrance service. They shared class work of poems, prayers and art and took a moment to reflect on why we remember those who have died in wars across the world.
As we continue our commemoration of Remembrance Sunday, I would like to invite all children who are part of the Scouting and Guiding Movement (Beavers, Rainbows, Cubs, Brownies, Scouts etc.) to wear their uniforms to school on Monday 11th November. We will be holding a special assembly on Monday where the children will be having 1 minute silence at 11am as a mark of respect.
Parenting Puzzle
Mrs Doe has asked me to share the Parenting Puzzle flyer to all parents. This is an incredible parenting course aimed to provide strategies to support with parenting challenges. If you would like to attend, but financial constraints are preventing this, please do get in touch as school may be able to support you with this.
Attendance
To continue our drive to encourage all children to have the best possible attendance, we would like to share this video. Whilst it is produced by another school, it provides and really easy way to discuss the importance of attendance with your child. If you would like any further information about how to promote positive attendance with your child, please get in touch.
When should a child stay at home?
As we are in the season of coughs and colds, we would like to direct parents to the following NHS guidance to outline the rules on when a child should be kept at home from school.
Medical Appointments Authorisation requests
From next week, parents and carers will need to complete an authorisation request form for all child medical appointments. Upon completion, please email this form to the school office, along with evidence of the appointment.
Due to the importance of all lessons in school, we do strongly advise that parents and carers aim to book appointments after school, or in the school holidays where possible.
Pupil Absence Form for Medical.docCommunication
As you know, we do work hard to keep all parents informed of the events at school and have recently reviewed our communication strategy with the introduction of a daily bulletin to help parents with this. We fully understand that sometimes it is hard to keep up with all that is going on. We understand that parents may get worried if their child mentions something that is going on the next day, which parents are not aware of, and that further worry may be caused if there no way of getting clarification as it is past school opening times. Therefore, if you do find yourself in a position that you are unsure if something happening at St James, please do, in the first instance, consult or search the daily communication bulletins sent from no-reply@mail.arbor-education.com. You can also check the last Newsletter on our website here. We always endeavour to post reminders to main events so please do look at these to find the answer. Alternatively, you can check the calendar on the school website here.
With this in mind, we do have the following coming up next week: .
On Monday 11th November - Children who are part of the Scouting and Guide Movement can wear their uniforms.
On Tuesday 12th November - Odd Socks Day
On Friday 15th November - Children in Need Mufti Day
Anti-bullying week
Next week is Anti-bullying week and the focus is Choose Respect. The event, run by the Anti-bullying Alliance has the following aim this year:
From playgrounds to parliament, our homes to our phones, this Anti-Bullying Week let's 'Choose Respect' and bring an end to bullying which negatively impacts millions of young lives. This year, we’ll empower children and young people to not resort to bullying, even when we disagree and remind adults to lead by example, online and offline. Imagine a world where respect and kindness thrives — it’s not just a dream, it's in the choices we make. Join us this Anti-Bullying Week and commit to 'Choose Respect'. What will you choose? ( Antibullying Alliance, 2024)
Next week will be revisiting our work on Anti-bullying with the children.
Wishing you a lovely weekend,
Mrs Murphy
Green Redeem
Green Redeem
Green Redeem
Green Redeem is an exciting fundraising opportunity for schools. Please see the update on our position compared to local schools
Parents are encouraged to sign up and participate in the eco-projects to help the environment and raise money for St James at the same time.
Celebration Awards
Celebration Awards
Y1 Wrens - Naail / Lily
Y1 Wrens - Naail / Lily
Robins - Daisy / Tommy / whole class
Y2 Woodpeckers - Mason / Edie
Kingfishers - Minnie / Caleb
Y3 Barn Owls - Yousef A. / Denise
Snowy Owls - Mia / Emily
Y4 Kestrels - Zoe / Malachi
Merlins - Aaarya / Isla
Y5 Falcons - George D. / Ria
Kites - Joshua B. / Zac
Y6 Eagles - Hudson / Tula
Hawks - Pia / Kenny
Values Certificates and Counter Collection
This week we awarded:
LOVE: Jemima / Mason / Kasper / Mason S. / Noah B.
RESPECT: Phoebe S.
UNITY: Thomas
COURAGE: Oscar S. / Leo I. / Joshua C.
Collective Worship
Collective Worship
W/C : 4th November
Monday: Reducing our Carbon Footprint
Tuesday : Worship by Father Damian
Wednesday: Singing Assembly
Thursday: Picture News
Friday: Celebration Assembly
Attendance and Penalty Notices
Attendance and Penalty Notices
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.
New Autumn/Winter School Menu
New Autumn/Winter School Menu
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.
Family Support
Family Support
Diary Dates
Diary Dates
Autumn Term Clubs
Autumn Term Clubs
2024 Club dates and times Autumn Term.pdfPage updated
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