At St James’ we love to read and we try to ensure we have lots of exciting books for children to borrow. Unfortunately, these don’t always make their way back to school. Over time, class libraries, school library, reading books (Big Cat), group novels get depleted so we’re launching a book amnesty over the next week or so. We don’t mind how long you’ve been in possession of a school book; we’d just love to have it back.

Please look under the bed, behind the sofa etc. and dig out any books which belong to school. No one will be counting how many you return – we’ll just be delighted to get them back!

Dear parent/carer,

Our next parent & teacher appointments will take place on Wednesday 22^nd March & Thursday 23^rd March 2023 between 4pm and 6.30pm.

All appointments will take place in person in St James’ Primary School and should be booked via the School Cloud booking system using the following link – https://stjamesrenfrew.schoolcloud.co.uk/ .

The booking system is now open and will close at 11.55pm on Sunday 5^th March 2023.

Each appointment will be strictly 9 minutes in length to allow all appointments to run according to schedule. Please ensure you select a suitable date & time to attend.

Should you have any difficulty when booking an appointment for your child(ren), please refer to the attached user guide or contact the school office on 0300 300 0183.

SchoolCloud – Parent Guide

Kind regards,

St James’ Primary School

10 Brown Street, Renfrew PA4 8HL

Phone: 0300 300 0183 Email: stjamesrenfrewenquiries@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Being A Parent Group starting in Linwood on Wednesday 25 January from 10.00 – 12.00 (at KLAS CARE C.I.C, Gilmartin Road, Linwood, Renfrewshire, PA3 3SG). 

Klas Care, Active Communities, Barnardo’s and Renfrewshire Council are working with local parent volunteers to deliver parenting groups for parents or carers of 2 to 11 year olds as part of a new parenting programme called Empowering Parents Empowering Communities (EPEC).

If any of our parents would be interested in attending, they can e-mail epeclinwood@gmail.com or call 01505 331931 to book a place or for more information. You can also access information about the groups on the Ren10 website.

Being A Parent Groups consist of 9 two hour long weekly sessions led by two trained and accredited local parent volunteers. The sessions are interactive and help parents to become more confident parents and develop their parenting skills. The first session will be a coffee morning which will provide an opportunity for parents to find out more about the programme and to meet the group leaders.

You’ll have the chance to meet and share ideas with other parents and learn different parenting strategies. Sessions are interactive with a blend of group discussions, role play, demonstrations, information sharing and reflection.

Have you applied for an early learning and childcare place for your child?

A free early learning and childcare place for up to 1140 hours is available for every three and four-year-old child who live in Renfrewshire and some two-year-old children are eligible.

Two-year-old children are eligible if their parents are in receipt of eligible benefits, looked after or have been the subject of a kinship or guardianship order in a kinship placement at any time since their 2nd birthday, and children of care experienced parents.

https://www.mygov.scot/childcare-costs-help/funded-early-learning-and-childcare

Places are provided in either Renfrewshire Council nurseries or in private or voluntary sector nurseries and Childminders which have been approved to provide early learning and childcare on behalf of Renfrewshire Council.

What does this mean?

1140 hours of early learning and childcare can be used flexibly; you should discuss your requirements with the setting you wish to attend. The setting you apply to can advise you how best they can meet your needs. Trained and experienced staff organise a stimulating programme of educational experiences based on the Curriculum for Excellence/Pre-Birth to Three and Realising the Ambition.

When does your child become eligible for an early learning and childcare place?

Places for children born on or before 28 February 2020 have already been allocated and these places will continue until the children go to school.

Younger children become eligible for a place as detailed below:

Making an application

You can apply for a free early learning and childcare place once your child is two years old. If you haven’t already done so, you should now apply if your child will turn three on or before 29th February 2024.

If your child is due to start nursery in the session 2023/2024 and we have received your application by 31^st January 2023 you will be informed of your child’s place by the end of April 2023. Applications received after this date will be allocated but may be confirmed at a later date.

Placements for eligible 2 years olds are allocated throughout the year.

You can apply online for an early learning and childcare place or download an application form at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/nurseries

You will need to show the setting proof of your address and your child’s date of birth when you apply. Confirmation of benefits will be required for applications for eligible 2-year-olds.

You can get further information on early learning and childcare, including the availability of nursery provision in your area, at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/nurseries

Family theatre performances, Christmas movie screenings, festive parties and opportunities to work up a sweat, or even make a splash, are some of the fun-filled events that feature within OneRen’s Winter Programme.

The programme is open to all, with a mixture of free, low-cost and tiered price points where people attending can pay what they can, in recognition of the financial challenges faced by many this winter.

Our venues will also provide a warm welcome for anyone who is looking to avoid some of the stresses that can come with the festive period, providing high-quality spaces where you can do as much, or as little, as you want.

View the full programme of events at www.OneRen.org/winter

ESOL classes are starting in the new year which will be useful for some of our families. ESOL stands for English for Speakers of Other Languages and refers to learning English as a new resident in a English-speaking country.

For information on the classes available, please click below.

Renfrewshire Council ESOL class information  (January 2023 – June 2023)

Please see below our ‘St James’ Count Down to Christmas’ reminder for pupils. It contains all the big  events in the school on the run up to Christmas.

Christmas Countdown

Catholic Education Week 2022 begins on 16th November and ends on 30th November. This year’s theme is “Communion, Participation, Mission”. During this period we will celebrate the God given talents and achievements of our pupils. We will acknowledge the hard work and faith witness of the staff in our school. We will mark the unique contribution that Catholic Education makes to our families, our parishes and to wider Scottish society and reflect on the mission of the Catholic school for the future. Our Education Sunday Masses will take place on 27th November at 9.45am in St Columba’s Parish Church and 11am in St James’ Parish Church.

It would be lovely to see as many of our families celebrate with us as Mass. Please feel free to come along to either of the Masses, wear your uniform too if you fancy!

Catholic Education Week – St James’ Primary

The Diocese is encouraging families to come back to Mass this Advent. Please visit http://www.stjames.rcpaisley.org.uk/ for mass times and up-to-date guidelines when visiting the parish.

#hometomass

Spaces have become available for the dance and gymnastics club at Trinity High School (Wednesday 4.15-5.15).

Please sign up using the link below.

https://oneren.class4kids.co.uk/info/350