This week at Bentley...
It was lovely to share our Harvest Collective Worship with children and parents yesterday. We always enjoy our Thursday sessions with Yann and Gemma from St Mary’s Church and it was delightful to hear the children’s prayers, songs and reflections about being thankful for the harvest. With recent worries about petrol and getting to work on top of other concerns, it can be easy to forget how lucky we are. Thank you to everyone for your generous contributions of food, which Mr Lucas delivered safely to the Alton Food Bank. They will help many people.
If you, or any neighbour or friend, is in a situation where you need help or have worries about feeding you family please know you can contact me confidentially at the school to signpost to local support - Alton Foodbank, Fresh Start
In classes there has been lots going on!
Year R have been creating super repeated patterns in maths using natural objects they found in our woods
Year 1 are making a super start on our English learning journey
Year 2 worked hard writing clear and detailed instructions for how to catch a gingerbread man
Year 3 wowed us with their great narratives for re-telling the story of Blue Penguin
Year 4 completed their self-portraits using shading and really enjoyed the apple picking
Year 5 wrote character descriptions of Romeo and Juliet, following the fantastic performance from the Young Shakespeare Company
Year 6 have been recapping their long multiplication skills in maths
Thank you very much to the super PTFA helpers who ensured all our Moviegoers had a fun time last week. I hear the popcorn was much enjoyed and the children loved this Friday special treat.
Have a lovely weekend.
Mrs Katy Pinchess, Headteacher
Thank you to…
… the Turk family, the Barker family, and former pupil Gabriella for the books
Staff News
We were delighted to welcome Miss Ellen Oakey and Miss Jessica Phillips to our staff team this week. Miss Oakley will be working in Year R, supporting Mrs Blake and Miss Pidden as an LSA, and in After School Club on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Miss Phillips will be working alongside Mrs P in After School Club on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Parent/teacher meetings
Parent/Teacher meetings are an invaluable opportunity to hear all about your child’s progress so far this academic year, talk through their targets for the remainder of this term and next, and to discuss any concerns you may have.
We are delighted to be able to welcome parents back into school for Parent/Teacher meetings on Tuesday 19th October for Years R-6 from 3.30pm to 6.00pm, Wednesday 20th for Year 6 only from 5.00pm to 7.30pm, and Thursday 21st for Years R-5 from 5.00pm to 7.30pm.
You will be able to book your appointment time through Scopay from 8pm on Monday 11th October by clicking here. The deadline for online booking is Sunday 17th October at 9pm.
We ask each parent to complete a feedback form detailing any questions they have and return it to school by Monday 18th October at 9am. This information will enable our teaching staff to make the best use of your ten minute appointment! You can print the feedback form from the bottom of this page or complete it online by clicking here.
If you are having trouble accessing your child’s account on Scopay, please let the office know asap.
Charities
The children have nominated and voted for the charities they wish us to support this year. There was lots of thoughtful discussion around options and lots of them had passionate views about which charities they thought deserved whole school focus.
Nominations included local wildlife sanctuaries, support for hospices, charities supporting people with disability and support for vulnerable people in our society, both nationally and globally.
They three charities the pupils have chosen are The World Wildlife Fund, Cancer Research, and Brooke Action for Working Horses and Donkeys. We will also be supporting the Royal British Legion in selling poppies after half term.
On the last day of half term we will be having our first pupil chosen Charity Day, when we will be raising funds for Brooke (Action for working horses and donkeys) by celebrating everything horsey!
Children can donate £1-£2 to wear their home clothes; they may like to wear something linked to horses and donkeys or just some comfy favourite clothes - anything goes as long as they are able to go out to play whatever the weather! We look forward to seeing jodhpurs and favourite dressing up outfits for the truly horse mad.
We will also have a pupil run shop selling animal magazines for 10p and story CDs for a £1. Children may bring their money in a named purse/wallet – a maximum of £3 per child please!
Judo taster sessions
Jason Fraser, our super Judo teacher, will be offering a taster session of Judo to each class next week. Children do not need any special kit and will take part in school time. A warning as you may get some interest from wannabe Black belts! Judo takes place in school at 8am on Tuesdays and Jason will send a flyer to distribute to families next week.
It’s not too late to pop along…
Today EHDC will host its very own COP26 at the Alton Maltings. As well as a wide range of stalls where visitors will be able to talk to local groups about how to tackle the climate crisis, there is also a programme of talks. We are very proud and delighted that our own Eco-Council submitted a video which will be shown as part of the 'Educate Yourself' element of the programme from 4.55pm. The 2-minute video focuses on our participation in the Surfers Against Sewage Plastic Free Schools Award which we are currently working towards.
Please see the attached flyers for more information. If you wish to sign up in advance, please follow the link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cop26-east-hampshire-tickets-169276958941
Click here to find out what’s happening next week and
here to get more information about what’s going on in the local area