Newsletters

Spring 1Newsletter

Spring 1 Newsletter

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Dear All,

We're thrilled to announce that the Department for Education (DfE) has recognised the wonderful things happening at St. James and requested a visit! Miss Cooney and I had the privilege of showcasing our school to Kelly Hughes, a Regional Director of the DfE, who was truly impressed, describing our school as 'superb.' It was brilliant to see our children so engaged and full of enthusiasm during her tour. This visit from the DfE is a significant honour and a testament to our hard work and achievements!

Thanks to the support from our Trust, InMAT, we now have access to IPads which have significantly transformed the children's learning experiences across the curriculum. After several years without new equipment, this has been a welcomed change. Subjects such as computing, maths, and phonics are benefiting greatly, as lessons can now incorporate interactive and engaging activities. The children have been so enthused by their computing lessons, and are also learning life-long skills in how to use technology safely. 

At St. James we are constantly thinking of ways to enhance the children's learning experiences. This term we have added more new clubs to our wider curriculum offer. Mrs Kendall-Kelly is starting a gardening club which will be run on a Friday  lunchtime, and Miss Belton will be running her choir club on a Friday too. Nature Ninjas is hugely popular, and many of the children love spending time with Mr Nixon in the Forest School. 

We have also developed close links with the Suddenly Bookshop. Year 1 children have had the opportunity to visit the shop, and listen to a few stories. We have had feedback from Suddenly saying that the children from St. James were the most polite and the most responsive children they have had to visit. 

Spring 1 has been another action-packed term! So much has happened, and there is still more to come. Have a happy and restful half-term holiday and we'll see you again on Monday 24th February.

Mrs O'Shea

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PreSchool have been blasting off to the moon and having many exciting adventures whilst exploring their key text 'Whatever Next'. They have been using 'FANTASTIC' lenses to develop language linked to emotions and actions. The children are just like Pirate Kat by being really imaginative with their own ideas. 

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Reception have been exploring celebrations around the world. This term they have focused on 'Chinese new year'. They have learnt the story of 'The Great Race' and acted it out themselves. They've explored Chinese cultures, tried traditional Chinese food, created willow-pattern plates, Chinese lanterns and Chinese dragons and carried out dragon dances themselves. There has been so much joy. 

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Year 1 has been benefitting from our new technology. They have been working hard to practice their phonics skills using IPads and headphones. They are also using them in their Reading Ninjas lessons to develop comprehension. 

Year 2 has been exploring many mathematical concepts this term. They are developing their problem-solving and reasoning skills daily. The children have been building their equations with a variety of concrete resources to help deepen their levels of understanding. We are very proud of the mathematicians they are becoming. 

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Our school values are a constant focus throughout life at St. James, but this term we have been thinking really hard about showing our values at lunchtime. Our play and interactions with each other must show respect, kindness, inclusion and teamwork. Positive relationships are key. 

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Next year's term dates are available. Term dates | West Northamptonshire Council Please bear these in mind when booking holidays as the County is fining families for taking term-time holidays.

To have 'good' attendance, the children need to be in school for 96% of the school year. 

This term's Attendance Treasure Chest winners are Dandelion's class! Really well done Dandelions- you have won the treasure chest of goodies for the second half term in a row.

Bluebells class and Daisies class have also won the attendance cup this term so maybe next term they may be the winners of the treasure chest.

 

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This is a great opportunity for you to be involved in the school's life. The Christmas and Summer Fair are our major fund-raisers, but smaller events are held throughout the year, such as discos, cake sales, sponsored events, and film nights. This enables the school to purchase various items to enhance the children’s education and experiences in school. We believe the children all really benefit from the money raised and always enjoy the events we run.

We rely heavily on donations. Please keep checking in with our Amazon Wishlist to see if you are able to help. We currently have a few playground items on the SJIS shopping list. Thank you. 

https://amzn.eu/7CjshUH

During this half term, we have a group of volunteers from the Daventry Rotary Club to help us with a few jobs- Bramble's kitchen is being painted, and we are having some new storage being built at the back of the school.

We have also had some new playground equipment donated to us by Amazon: Basketball hoops, giant Jenga and a big Connect 4. Thank you so much Amazon.

Phone: 01327 702783
Email: FOSJ@SJIS.inmat.org.uk

You would be very welcome if you would like to attend a committee meeting.

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Please remember to order school lunches by 9.30am. Dolce will send out charges if they are not ordered in advance. 

Our children look so smart in their school uniforms. We do have many items for sale so please ask us if you need anything. 

We talk about road and pavement safety with the children. Support them with getting to school safely by using the zebra crossings.

Our school have a FOSJ account with Skitkins. These labels are indestructible for labelling all items- water bottles, clothes, bags. Please use these details: School fundrasing number to add to orders is 19752, as we gain commission. 

The play equipment is not to be used before and after school.

If you know anyone who may be interested in joining our Poppies class in 2025 or 2026, please see the office for a form. We are already so busy for the coming years.

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