Latest Newsletter

Friday 9th October 2026

Dear Parents & Carers, 

Another great week in school as we rapidly approach Autumn half term with lots of great French and Relationship & Health Education learning across both sites. The London PE Network has continued to deliver Year 6 girls’ PE sessions and Platform Cricket have attended for Year 4 PE sessions too. Year 6 and Reception children were visited by the school nursing team for their Height/Weight checks and 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 Generosity and ‘Giving to the Needy’ after our Harvest celebrations and donations last week.

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

Another reminder that we begin to welcome parents and carers for tours of our OJR site for 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.

These are also included on the attached dates letter.

 

Year 6 Secondary Schools Applications

If you are a parent/carer of a Year 6 child, a reminder that you need to apply 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’ Bake Sale and Fundraising – Thursday 15^th October

Supporting this charity, in addition to our non-uniform day detailed below, we will be holding a bake sale at Alexis St, after school, next Thursday. If you would like to donate any items please bring them to the office earler in the day with ingredients/allergens where possible. Do come into the playground with your children and a small amount of cash to buy something and support this if you can! Miss Hannaway will also be running the Royal Parks Half Marathon on Sunday 11^th October for this cause too. If you’d like to support her in this way, please follow this link: https://www.justgiving.com/page/niamh-hannaway-5?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL

‘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 .

Kezia's fundraiser for ‘Hope and Homes for Children’

Another very worthy cause we’d like to support and promote is Micah, Shreya, Elena and Yanka’s mummy who is also running the Royal Parks Half on Sunday to raise money for children around the world who are not currently living in safe homes. Do visit her link here if you’d like to lend support: https://www.justgiving.com/page/kezia-smith-2?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL&utm_campaign=lc_frp_share_transaction_fundraiser_page_donation_received_-_nth_donation

Monster Smash Halloween Tennis Camps

National Tennis Association is running its ‘Monster Smash’ Tennis Camps this October half-term at both Burgess Park and Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park. The camps are open to a range of ages and abilities, so whether your child already plays tennis or would simply like to give it a go, they’re welcome to join the fun. Please see the attached flier for full details, dates, times and how to book.

Wild Cats Girls’ Football Sessions in Burgess Park

Please find a flier attached for girls’ football sessions in Burgess Park each Monday during term time. The PE Network has asked us to share this and encourage more of our girls to get involved with this opportunity! Please find information and a QR code attached.

Events Next Week

Monday 12th October	Year 2 Teddy Bear Hospital medical workshops with practitioners from King’s College in school; Violin lessons for KS2 (Years 3-6); Monday after-school extra-curricular clubs continue, ending at 16:15 (Alexis St) and 16:30 (OJR).
Tuesday 13th  October	Tour of OJR site for prospective Reception 2026-2027 parents and carers from 09:30 (details above); Year 4 Cricket session in PE with Platform Cricket.
Wednesday 14th October	Year 6 Scholar’s Programme continues.
Thursday 15th October	Year 6 Junior Citizenship Workshop Trip to New Cross; Bake Sale for ‘Power the Fight’ after school in Alexis St playground – details above; KS2 Soul Concert in Church at 17:00 – details above.
Friday 16th October	‘Power The Fight’ non-uniform day – details above; Break up for Autumn half term at normal school times. 15:30 Old Jamaica Road/15:15 Alexis St.

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