Year 6 SATs – A Message of Encouragement As we approach SATs week next week, we want to take a moment to say how incredibly proud we are of all our Year 6 pupils. The hard work, dedication, and resilience they have shown throughout the...
As we approach SATs week next week, we want to take a moment to say how incredibly proud we are of all our Year 6 pupils. The hard work, dedication, and resilience they have shown throughout the year has been truly inspiring.
This weekend, we encourage all children to get plenty of rest, relax, and recharge. Having a good night’s sleep will help them feel refreshed and ready for the week ahead.
Each morning, we will be offering a free, special breakfast from 8:30am to help them all start the day calm, focused, and full of energy. This is also a great opportunity for the children to settle in with friends and ease into the day.
Remember, SATs are just one part of your journey – and no matter what, we are already so proud of everything you have achieved.
You’ve got this, Year 6!
We’d like to remind all families of the rules regarding school attendance and the implications of taking your child out of school during term time without authorisation.
Children must attend school every day unless there is a valid reason for absence. Holidays, family trips, or events during term time are not considered valid reasons and will be recorded as unauthorised absences unless exceptional circumstances are agreed in advance by Miss Gladstone (Headteacher).
Taking your child out of school without permission may result in a Fixed Penalty Notice (fine) issued by Hackney Education.
The fine is £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days.
If not paid within 21 days, the fine increases to £160 per parent, per child.
Failure to pay may result in prosecution and a fine of up to £2,500 per parent and/or a criminal record.
Please note: both parents can be fined, even if they are not married, separated, divorced, or living in different households. The law applies to anyone with parental responsibility or day-to-day care of the child.
If you believe there are exceptional circumstances, please speak with the school before making any travel arrangements. Requests must be made in writing and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
We appreciate your support in making sure your child receives the full benefit of their education through regular attendance.
We kindly remind all cyclists using the pathway near the school to slow down and be extra cautious during drop-off and pick-up times. Please be mindful, reduce your speed, and help us to protect our school community during these busy times of day.
Thank you for your cooperation!
We are pleased to inform you that we will be holding this half term’s Oracy Day on Friday 16th May at 3:00PM, and as always, we would love parents and carers to join us. Oracy Day is an opportunity to celebrate the progress our pupils have made in developing their oracy skills, including development of their speaking, listening and techniques for effective communication. As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering confident, articulate public speakers, the children will present or debate a topic relating to their humanities learning from this half term.
To support us with safely dismissing the children at the end of the school day, we kindly ask for you to vacate the classroom when instructed by the class teacher and wait in the designated area in the playground where you collect your child.
Please note, Oracy Day presentations will be for children in Year 1 to Year 5 this half term.
We’re excited to let you know that PTA Green Week has been rescheduled to the week commencing Monday 9th June.
Throughout the week, each class will take part in a special lesson focusing on one of the pillars linked to our Climate Action Plan (CAP). Their learning will be proudly displayed on dedicated boards so everyone can celebrate their contributions!
Highlights of the week will include:
A fashion show featuring creative outfits made from recycled materials.
A PTA plant and second-hand sale – perfect for picking up something eco-friendly and supporting our school.
We’re looking forward to a fun and inspiring week that gets everyone thinking green! Further details about how to enter the fashion show will be shared shortly so watch this space!
A special thank you to Miss Gedney and Ellenor for arranging this event.
Since launching OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) at St John and St James in September, our playgrounds have completely changed and we are thrilled to share how far we’ve come in transforming playtimes for our children.
Over the past few months, the play team, alongside Mr Bartek, has worked incredibly hard to significantly expand the range of activities on offer to all children during play times. It’s been an absolute pleasure to see the children so excited and engaged! Our children now have access to a mud kitchen, sports court, dressing up costumes, water play, a calming spiritual corner, large garden games, a variety of board games, tuff trays with small world figures and building blocks, an arts and crafts station, a lively music wall, a brand new sand pit, table football, soft play equipment, buggies and dolls, a cosy reading shed, trampolines, space hoppers, a stage to perform on and so much more!
These additions aren’t just about having fun—though they certainly are fun! They have been carefully chosen to support the development of the whole child. Whether it’s building social skills in group games, boosting creativity and imagination in the dressing-up and small world areas, or developing coordination and strength through physical play through the use of trampolines and space hoppers, every corner of the playground is helping children to grow in confidence, cooperation, resilience, and independence.
The best part of all for us has been seeing children of different ages building friendships, problem-solving together, expressing themselves through music and art, and discovering a love of outdoor play. Most importantly, they are happy, active, and thriving. We have loved implementing OPaL so far and are excited to continue our journey. Watch this space for a brand new scooter track and permanent play structure which will be coming very soon!
This week in our spiritual corner, we focused on making origami pieces in groups.
Our word of the week was resilience, and the children had to think of ways they had to show resilience, due to having a lack of resources and poor instructions to make their pieces.
We then had some reflection time and discussed what resilience meant and how we can show resilience in other areas of our lives.
We also had a special visit from Keziah, who is a central part of our clergy team, from SAINT Church.
Keziah spoke with the children and took part in the activity. She also shared a prayer with a focus on resilience during on reflection time.
Kings Hall are offering parents of children in years 5&6 the opportunity to sign up for the fully funded free week of swimming lessons during May Half Term at Kings Hall pool – the offer includes free costumes (including modesty swimwear) goggles and swimming caps.
Kings Hall want to support children gain this important life skill to children in year 5 & 6 who aren’t yet confident swimmers.
Places are on a first come first serve notice and families need to sign up their children by 11th May.
Please click the below weblink:
As part of our ongoing efforts to maintain a smart, inclusive and focused learning environment, we’d like to send a friendly reminder about the school uniform policy here at St John and St James.
Our school uniform consists of the following items:
During the summer months, children are also permitted to wear:
Please also be reminded of the following additional guidelines:
We appreciate your support in helping ensure that your child arrives at school in the correct uniform each day. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact the school office.
Thank you for your continued cooperation in maintaining our school’s standards.
Best wishes,
Dear God,
If it weren’t for those hard days or long hours, we wouldn’t be as strong as we are now. Lord, I pray you continue to guide the way for my peers and teachers, as they come up against obstacles. Let them fall into your hands, as you teach us how to keep on going.
In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Thank you to all of the members of our school community who have made very generous donations toward our new school playground equipment on our Just Giving page! The new playground equipment that we intend to buy with the funds raised will have a hugely positive impact on the children’s physical, cognitive, and social development.
If you’d still like to contribute, you can scan the QR code below to make a donation or follow the link below. Every contribution helps and we truly appreciate your generosity and commitment to our school community.
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/opalsjsj?utm_term=25zPkyrYp
Mr Watson is our school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.
If Mr Watson is not available, you can always speak to one of our school’s Deputy Safeguarding Leads:
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