Latest Newsletter

Friday 4th September 2026

Dear Parents & Carers,

Welcome back to St. James’ after the Summer break – and welcome to our school community for our many new starters! It’s lovely to see the children and hear about their long holidays. Children seem really happy in their new classes; Year 3 have had a terrific and seamless transition to Alexis St, and our new Nursery and Reception starters continue to begin school gradually to ensure they are happy and settled in their new environments. 

This week we had a lovely ‘Welcome Back’ service on Tuesday with Vicars Katie and Dominic where our Head Girl and Boy, their deputies, and our Junior Faith Committee were announced. 

Do note some important things as we start back for 2026-2027…

Dates for your Diaries

As always, we’re busy booking trips and events and organising our calendar. Initial dates and information are included in this newsletter and a ‘dates for your diaries’ letter will be produced very soon for important events to have in advance.

PE/Performing Arts Days

PE and Performing Arts lessons will commence next week on the following days, each week, unless otherwise informed:

• Tuesday: Years Reception, 3 and 4;
• Wednesday: Years 1 and 2;
• Thursday: Years 5 and 6.

KS2 children in Cezanne class have PE days with the YEAR GROUP they are in as above. Reception will start PE sessions on a Tuesday in a couple of weeks – do watch out for Miss Molly’s newsletter to inform when. Please also find a letter attached from Mr. Brenta regarding kits.

Clubs/Arbor App

Monday after school enrichment clubs for Years 1-6 will be decided soon and we’ll write to you when they are ready to sign up for the Autumn term. Most people will have made themselves familiar with our ‘Arbor’ app – do continue to familiarise yourselves with this as this is how we’ll sign up for clubs/parents’ evening bookings etc. More details to follow.

Hampstead Heath Field Trips

All children from Years 1-6 will visit Hampstead Heath in the next couple of weeks for their first Geography field trips of the year. Waterproof coats with hoods and water bottles required on these days please! Packed lunches will be provided by school. Children will be travelling there and back using the underground. Do note next week:

• Thursday 10^th September: Year 6 attend Field trip in Hampstead Heath;
• Friday 11^th September: Year 5 attend Field trip in Hampstead Heath.

Year 6 PGL Residential Trip – June 2027

Please find a letter attached regarding our Year 6 Residential trip to PGL, Marchant’s Hill, Surrey next June. Deposits of £10.00 are required by Friday 18^th September via the Arbor app to secure your child’s place – alternatively, do make contact so you don’t miss the deadline. We hope as many children as possible can join us for this and look forward to this opportunity for the children.

Term Dates/Holiday Requests

Please find this year’s term dates here following the link below or attached to this e-mail. https://www.stjamesschoolbermondsey.com/_site/data/files/documents/term%20dates/FB17472CF0608B4DB958A46D84457B00.pdf

You’ll notice we have our 5 INSET days in October, meaning an extended Autumn Half Term, breaking up on Friday 16^th October and returning on Monday 2^nd November. This is partly to break up the long Autumn term more and also as a way of suggesting that if anyone is considering time away soon to please book during this time and not in term time. While I continue to be really understanding regarding absence requests, we are put under increasing pressure not to grant any term-time absences when requested. Many schools have this two-week Autumn Half Term which seemed to be beneficial to many families last year. The extended half term could in effect make any travel cheaper when booking. 

‘Run, Canada Water, Run!’ – Sunday 27^th September

We are incredibly excited again to announce that on Sunday 27^th September, we will be taking part in Canada Water’s ‘Run Kids Run’ event at Southwark Park running track. We will be joining children from other local schools who will be taking on the 1km/2km challenge to raise money for their schools and we need your support! We are raising money to continue our work on improving our outside learning spaces to benefit our children. ‘Run Kids Run’ has secured sponsorship from Art Invest, the developers of Canada Water Dockside, they are kick-starting the fundraising with a possible donation of £5,000, but we need your help. The more of our children that sign up to complete the 2km challenge the more of that donation we are entitled to. Please do save the date and encourage children to participate – further details on sponsorship and sign-ups will come soon. Please see flier attached.

Shout Out Youth Theatre

Miss Jess is returning with her Youth Theatre, the primary school age group being held on  Wednesdays for children in Years 3 to 6 from 4:30pm-6:00pm, main hall, St James’ CofE Primary School, Old Jamaica Road, KS1 site. Please find a flier attached with information and contact details for this.

Next Week

Field trips for Years 5 & 6; PE Lessons to start; Violin lessons will recommence for all KS2 children on Mondays; Performing Arts lessons for Years 1-6 will recommence with Miss Hermione as well.

 

Wishing you, along with our whole community, a lovely weekend.

God bless, from the St. James’ team.