Thank you to everyone who donated a bottle for the Summer Fayre last week. We’re looking forward to welcoming our school community to the event tomorrow at 11.30am. There’s still time to buy wristbands and raffle tickets or you can just turn up on the day and join in the fun.
Our Living and Learning statement this week…
…has been I can say one good thing about myself.
Self-esteem is how you feel about yourself. These feelings can change as things in your life change, such as going to a new school or becoming a brother or sister. Does your child recognise their strengths? Do they know subjects at school they’re strongest at? Outside school, do they know what skills are they especially good at? Just as importantly, what are their strengths in their character?
At home this weekend, have a chat about strengths. Think about questions such as:
- What are they?
- How did they become strengths – practise or a natural talent or luck?
- How can we maintain them?
Attendance matters
This year, the government introduced new measures to tackle unnecessary term-time absence.
- Since August 2024, the fine for school absences across the country has been £80 if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days.
- If a parent receives a second fine for the same child within any three-year period, this will be charged at the higher rate of £160.
- If there’s a third time, other action like a parenting order or prosecution will be considered. If you’re prosecuted and attend court because your child hasn’t been attending school, you could get a fine of up to £2,500.
Leeds has issued 7,410 penalty notices so far this year and will continue to issue notices across Summer. This figure includes second fines for some parents following two separate periods of absence in the year. It doesn’t include situations where there is a third instance because this results in legal action.
At St James’ CE Primary, attendance for the majority of pupils is good and our whole-school average is much improved. Thank you for avoiding unnecessary term-time absence.
Our Summer competition
It’s time to get your thinking caps on for the return of our Summer competition. This year, it’s the return of smiley faces to sum up our happy and healthy place to achieve and believe!
Over the Summer weeks, we want you to stay alert to happy and healthy faces all around you… and take a pic of any hidden smiley faces in your surroundings: a day out at the beach might include creating a smiley face, for example! Here’s our suggestion (look for the smiling face!)…
…but we’re sure you can do better!
Look out for things around you that show a hidden smiley face – a happy and healthy face – or encourage your child to create their own from things around them (pebbles, leaves, Lego…).
To help you get started, look out for some intended smiling faces like McCain Potato Smiles or commercial logos with a hidden smile but they’ll be too obvious to win the competition!
To enter, email your pics to stjamesoffice@spherefederation.org by Monday 08 September. Enter ‘Summer competition’ as the subject.
All entries will be displayed in a happy and healthy display in school, and there are prizes for our favourites.
Have a happy and healthy weekend.
As we approach the end of the year, the next few weeks are busy ones – please keep an eye on our calendar. Next week…
- the annual report for your child will be emailed – the day for this depends on your child’s year group
- on Thursday, your child will meet their 2025-26 teacher
- also on Thursday, for parents of pupils in Year 2, there’s a Ready to Read celebration assembly
Have a happy and healthy weekend.