Latest Newsletter

Friday 2nd October 2026

Dear Parents & Carers, 

A great week in school with lots of super Design Technology learning across both sites. Years 5&6 had an assembly and Daily Mile event promoting a healthy and active lifestyle; we had a lovely Harvest service in Church this morning and we’re all celebrating National Poetry Day with our ‘P Factor’ competition and performances this afternoon. The London PE Network has delivered Year 6 girls’ PE sessions and Platform Cricket have attended for Year 4 PE sessions too. A huge highlight was our ‘Run, Kids, Run’ event on Sunday which was attended by many families – thank you so much for coming along and showing your support! Clubs continue to be enjoyed by all for the Autumn term.

In Collective Worship we are continuing to look at our termly theme of The Sermon on the Mount; this week we’ve thought about ‘Loving our Enemies’, thinking of how we can reconcile our differences and forgive.

Reception and Year 6 Height and Weight Checks

Children in Reception and Year 6 have their annual NHS checks in school which are scheduled at St. James’ on Tuesday (6^th October) at both sites. Please find attached all the necessary information on this. These are conducted by school nurses. If for any reason you don’t want your child to take part, you’ll notice an ‘opt-out’ part at the end of the letter. Do return this, signed, to the office should you not wish your child/ren to participate. We can assist you with a copy of this on request should you need it.

Reception 2027-2028 Open Mornings – 09:30, Old Jamaica Road

It’s that time of year again when we begin to welcome parents and carers for tours of our OJR site as we’re holding a series of Open Mornings for existing and prospective parents of Reception children starting school in September 2027. Please spread the word to any parents you know, or join us yourselves, for these on one of the following mornings:

• Tuesday 13^th October, 09:30 @ OJR;
• Tuesday 17^th November, 09:30 @ OJR;
• Tuesday 1^st December, 09:30 @ OJR;
• Tuesday 5^th January, 09:30 @ OJR.

Year 6 Secondary Schools Applications

Another reminder that if you are a parent/carer of a Year 6 child, now is the time you need to think about applying to secondary schools before the deadline. Mrs Brenta has already been there to to assist with applications; let us know if you need some help too. Do remember – all applications need to be with Southwark Council by 31^st October. We’d advise doing these before we break up for Autumn half term on 16^th October as we won’t be able to assist during the time we are away from school.

Soul Concert – Thursday 15^th October, 17:00 in St. James’s Church

Miss Hermione is delighted to present ‘A Celebration of Soul & Song’ where children in years 3, 4, 5 & 6 will perform a showcase of their Autumn Performing Arts learning in addition to celebrating Black History Month. This will be held in St. James’s Church at 17:00. Entry fee will be a small contribution towards the school fund if you can. Children will need to be brought to church ready to perform for 16:30 to prepare. It’d be lovely to have all/as many children performing as possible and of course have a large audience to cheer the children on! Children will be seated on the ground floor, parents, carers and audience upstairs in church.

‘Power The Fight’ Non-uniform Day – Friday 16^th October

A reminder that on the final day of term we’re inviting everyone to join us with a non-uniform day where children can wear anything they like and bring a donation to the charity Power The Fight. This award winning charity works in the local community to support families and workers in reducing youth violence. Find out more at https://www.powerthefight.org.uk.

Events for the coming week

Monday 5th October	Violin lessons for KS2 (Years 3-6); Year 6 Scholar’s Programme online event; Monday after-school extra-curricular clubs, ending at 16:15 (Alexis St) and 16:30 (OJR).
Tuesday 6th October	Reception and Year 6 Height & Weight checks in school – details above; YeLondon PE Network in delivering PE sessions to Year 6 girlsr 4 Cricket session in PE with Platform Cricket.
Wednesday 7th October	No events.
Thursday 8th October	London PE Network in delivering PE sessions to Year 6 girls.
Friday 9th October	No events.

Another reminder to look at our term dates and to utilise our long Autumn half-term should you be thinking about holidays to avoid term-time requests…! https://www.stjamesschoolbermondsey.com/_site/data/files/documents/term%20dates/FB17472CF0608B4DB958A46D84457B00.pdf 

Wishing you, along with our whole community, a lovely weekend 
God bless,  from the St. James’ team.