The Ofsted and Diocesan inspections this term were very positive about the teaching and the progress made by children at St James. The inspections came at the end of a very successful year for the school. Our long awaited building project has been agreed and is on task to start in November, and Year R is oversubscribed this September for the first time, which reflects the growing popularity of St James. 

Thanks to the incredible generosity of Elstead villagers, we have had over £7000 in personal donations and our Target 50K fund now stands at £25,000. The Midsummer Ball last month was a wonderful occasion and raised a magnificent £9,000. However, we are still only half way towards our total and we have many other events planned. Car Boot and Table Top Sale in the school grounds on Sunday 17^th September from 12 noon to 3 pm. Pitches and tables can be booked through Jackie Spring on 702635 or the school on 703248.

Adult 5-a-side Football Tournament on Saturday 23^rd September 1.30-5.00 pm. Why not get a team together? Further details from Peter O'Donnell on 702579 or the school.

The summer term is always a busy one. Year 4 and 5 spent a memorably wet week in Swanage, but they seemed to enjoy it all the same. The Year 6 residential to Marchants Hill was also very successful with children making, for example, their own animation films in the ICT sessions (Information and Communication Technology) as well as learning new skills such as abseiling, archery or the trapeze. Key Stage 1 went to Bocketts Farm as part of their growing topic and they have visited some of the older houses in Elstead as part of their history project. The KS2 orchestra and choir performed at our Summer Soiree, along with our musicians who played a range of instrumental pieces. Year 2 recorded their songs written by a parent to reinforce their maths skills and they sang at the Farmers' Market in Guildford High Street. Drum for Fun worked with 3 classes. Year 1 walked to Spar to buy foods to prepare for their healthy picnic on the Common during our Food Week. The polytunnel has been producing salad vegetables for our school meals for some weeks now. Year 3 continue to tend the plants and pick lettuces and cucumbers each day which they proudly give to our cook. It has been noticeable how many more children are taking food from the salad bar this term. There is nothing like a piece of sweet fresh cucumber, picked only hours before, to have with your lunch. The tomatoes have not enjoyed being in the damp heat of the polytunnel so we have learnt that we should start them off in pots next year, and take them outside as soon as the weather improves. The courgettes, cabbages and onions are looking healthy and will soon be ready to harvest. It has been a great learning curve for us and the children have really enjoyed "growing their own".

We are very sad that our wonderful caretaker, Nigel Sorensen is to leave us at the beginning of September, for a much larger school in Bedfordshire. Nigel has done an immense amount to improve the building and school grounds in the last three years and he has contributed so much to the life of the school. Amongst many other things, he organised our very successful Midsummer Ball last month and he erected and manages our polytunnel. His new position is a form of promotion which carries far more responsibility and he, Mary and Ephie go with all our love and best wishes for the future.

Do you know what happens in school today?  We should love to show you our school. We have an Open Morning on Wednesday 27^th September from 9.15-11.00 am. Come to see the children at work and finish the tour with a cake and coffee with teaching staff in the hall. Visitors will be shown round by members of the School Council and our children will love to talk to you about their work. I hope you will be able to visit us during the morning.