Easter Letter
27 March 2026
Dear Parents/Carers
As we begin our Easter break, and enter into Holy Week, can I first take the opportunity to wish you and your families a happy and Holy Easter, when it finally arrives. Easter is the most important feast in the Catholic Church and so as we conclude our Lenten journey, I pray that we are all touched by the light and hope of the resurrection that we celebrate on Easter Sunday.
I write now to share some important messages with all of you.
Governance
You may, or may not be aware that schools are held to account by a governing body. These bodies consist of a number of persons, who give of their time voluntarily, to support in setting the strategic direction for the school. This body includes a number of parent governors, and I am delighted to announce the recent appointments of: Diann Carlton-Ogunyemi and Marcella Daly to this position. I am equally delighted that we have re-appointed Ruth Asamoa-Frimong to this role, a role that Ruth has given committed service to over a number of years and for which I am truly grateful. Thank you all.
Year 11 and Year 13 Exam Preparation
As we approach the public exams, which begin for many almost immediately after we return from the Easter break, our staff continue to do everything they can to support your child in their final preparations. Most immediately this is in the form of a very substantial Easter study programme that runs across the next two weeks. This has already been sent out to you, and has been shared with your child, but it can also be found by accessing the following link: 2026 Easter Revision
Please support this programme by checking what sessions your child should come in for and ensure they are in attendance and on time.
This programme must be supplemented by your child working hard at home, and I ask that you support them in their endeavours here. As best you are able to, monitor their work, ensure they have a quiet space to work in, and that they are free of electronic devices, not specifically being used to support their revision. Use of phones during revision windows should be an absolute no! All departments are making a wealth of resources in both hard copy and electronic form available to them, so work to do will be in plentiful supply.
Safeguarding
As a parent or carer, you will be aware that for different reasons safeguarding risk increases for some children and families over holiday periods. If for any reason this is the case for you I urge you to use the link below to our website, where a range of resources and support can be accessed. Safeguarding
I also draw your attention to Barnet Integrated Clinical Services (BICS) who will be running various workshops in the coming weeks to support families, with workshops ranging from Managing Exam Stress through to supporting children with Friendship Issues. A list with the workshops details are linked: BICS Workshops
Attendance
Attendance at school continues to be a key focus at St James, and we are pleased that our average attendance across the school has been consistent this year to date and continues to improve over time.
We continue to reward excellent attendance and punctuality in a number of ways, and during the Summer Term there will be an increasing amount of rewards and raffles for pupils with excellent attendance and punctuality. More news on this in our school newsletter and our half termly updates on attendance.
As parents you hold the key to supporting your child in having excellent attendance and punctuality. Please support your child in organising themselves and ensure they leave home on time to make their way to school. Also spend time reinforcing the positive educational, mental and social benefits that excellent attendance to school has. You can support your child in maintaining or improving their attendance with the following strategies:
Maintain a consistent routine: Encourage your child to follow a consistent sleep schedule to ensure they are rested and ready for school each day, including removing your child's mobile phone from their bedroom so that it is not used throughout the night
Plan ahead for appointments: Where possible, try to schedule medical or dental appointments outside of school hours or during school holidays to minimise disruptions to their learning.
Talk to your child about the importance of school: Engage in conversations about the value of education and how attending school regularly contributes to their long-term goals.
Stay in communication with the school: If your child is unwell or there is a concern that might affect their attendance, please contact the school as soon as possible so that we can offer support where needed.
Create a positive learning environment at home: Encourage your child to engage in their homework and any school-related activities to maintain a positive attitude towards their education.
It is important that you communicate with the school regarding any absences that your child has, including any reasons for these absences; this will enable the school to support your child with returning to school. The following NHS guide to illness and school should be considered, when deciding if your child is too ill to attend school.
Expectations and Support
We continue to insist on the highest standards of behaviour and wider adherence to policies, e.g. uniform, and we must rely on your support in this regard. It is essential we work in partnership, as where this is the case, we are able to provide the very best opportunities for your child to fully live out our mission statement. On this note, here are a few reminders:
Full school uniform, including year group specific lanyards, is expected at all times. A link to all our expectations in this regard can be found in the following linked letter: Uniform Expectations
Jewellery is not permitted other than a small single stud in each ear lobe for all pupils. Multiple piercings and those not in the lobe of the ear fall outside of this permission.
Items not permitted or banned will be confiscated.
We continue to maintain a no phone policy and I make two points now in this regard. Firstly we are of the firm opinion that your child is at greater risk when in possession of a mobile phone than they are without one. With up to 70% of all reported robberies being of a smart mobile phone, I would suggest the point I make is hard to argue. Secondly the vast majority of negative interactions between pupils begin outside of school and stem from the use of social media on smartphones that is not being effectively monitored. Below is a link to the safeguarding section of our website, where you can find out how to set up controls and monitor the use of your child’s phone: Setting up Parental Controls
Summer Term Dates
School resumes, after the Easter holidays, on Monday 13 April 2026 at the normal time of 8.30am. This will be Week A on the timetable. We ask you to ensure that
your child has the correct uniform and all the stationery, kit and resources that they need ready for the new term. Please also ensure that there are sufficient funds on your child's canteen account.
Monday 4 May 2026 is a bank holiday and the half-term ends on Friday 22 May 2026. The last half-term of this academic year will then start on Monday 25 May 2026, ending on Friday 17 July 2026.
I conclude by wishing you all a happy and Holy Easter and hope that you are able to spend time with your family and loved ones. Please do open the link below to access our Easter card to you all: Easter E Card
God bless you all.
Anthony Ellul
Headteacher