Latest Newsletter

Friday 25th September 2026

Dear Parents & Carers, 

Another productive and busy week at St. James’! Our attention has been focused around Religious Education in light of our SIAMS Inspection on Monday. Year 4 attended Hampstead Heath for their Geography field trip; Year 3 went pond-dipping in Canada Water for their Geography and Science learning; we’ve marked European Day of Languages in school; the London PE Network has delivered Year 6 girls’ PE sessions and Platform Cricket have attended for Year 4 PE sessions too. Clubs have also now started on a Monday 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 the emotion ‘Anger’, thinking of how we can reconcile our differences and forgive.

SIAMS Inspection

I’m pleased to inform we had a super SIAMS Inspection on Monday where some VERY lovely things were fed back to us about our school and community. This remains confidential until our report is published (likely 12^th October) however I just wanted to thank everyone, in particular the parents who came in to speak to the inspector. Your input was so appreciated and I’m sure will be reflected in what will be a great report when it comes. This will be shared when we have it.

‘Run, Canada Water, Run!’ – Sunday 27^th September - PLEASE SIGN UP!

This Sunday sees the return of one of our favourite days of the year, RUN KIDS RUN! This is our fifth year of taking part in the fitness initiative as a way of raising additional funds for the school. It is not too late to sign up and join the fun, we need as many of the children to join Mr Brenta and a number of the teachers at Southwark Park this Sunday in order to qualify for the full funding amount. To register, scan the QR code in the attached flyer or speak to a member of staff at the school gates and they will be happy to help you out. See you all there on Sunday 2:00pm - 4:00pm at Southwark Park Running Track. If you’re still unsure of your attendance, please do register anyway to help us secure our £5,000 funding to help develop our playgrounds and outside spaces.

Harvest Service – Friday 2^nd October, 09:30 in St. James’s Church

As you’ll see from the dates letter, we have our Harvest Festival service next Friday for Years 1-6. Please see the attached list for suggestions of things to donate if you can. As always, please don’t buy anything/much – things in cupboards/unused items at home are fine! Just send them in on the day and children can present to donate in church.

 

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.

 

Flag Football Club

A Flag Football Club for KS2 has commenced each Wednesday. Sessions are with Coach Jonathan, from the BIGKID charity, and will run each week ‘til Christmas. Sessions are only £7 per week! To book, please follow the QR code in the attached flyer. If there are any questions, please speak to Mr Brenta. Places are limited so book now to secure your child’s place. 

Free Street Cricket

Through our partnership with Surrey Cricket and their Chance to Shine programme, our children have been invited to join them for FREE cricket sessions each Friday at Sotuthwark Park. All information is in the attached flyer, contact Alex Hughes, the programme facilitator, ajhughes@surreycricket.com for more information or speak to Mr Brenta, who will be happy to answer any questions you may have. 

Family Lives Newsletter

Please follow this link for this month's Family Lives newsletter: 

https://mailchi.mp/coramfamilylives.org.uk/coram-family-lives-newsletter-sept26?e=82d627eec2

Events for the coming week

Sunday 27th September	‘Run, Canada Water, Run!’ Event in Southwark Park. Please sign up, support us in fundraising and join us for this event in the Southwark Park Athletic track on Sunday!
Monday 28th September	Violin lessons for KS2 (Years 3-6); Monday after-school extra-curricular continue, ending at 16:15 (Alexis St) and 16:30 (OJR).
Tuesday 29th September	Year 4 Cricket session in PE with Platform Cricket.
Wednesday 30th September	No events
Thursday 1st October	Years 5&6 Daily Mile assembly and event in school; London PE Network in delivering PE sessions to Year 6 girls.
Friday 2nd October	Harvest Service in church at 09:30 – donations for the Manna Centre welcome and can be brought to church; Whole school focus on ‘National Poetry Day’ with a P Factor performance poetry competition in the afternoon.

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.