We have sent all the children home this week with two small gifts;

Firstly a seed packet. We would love to see some photos of growing this summer as a tribute to both our amazing Gardening Team and to the work of the Eco group at school too. You may grow the seeds, plant a tree, collect seeds or just grow some cress for egg sandwiches. Whatever your family chooses to get up to will hopefully inspire our young children to value food and the climate.

Secondly, we have sent home a special Bentley reading challenge designed by Mrs Tessendorf our Librarian. It goes hand in hand with the library challenge. We have noticed a drop in our reading outcomes this year. We think the impact of Covid lockdowns, the lure of technology and the busy-ness of life are all contributors. We want to turn this around and urge everyone to KEEP READING over the summer! Comics, picture books snuggled in bed, audible books, a family story around the camp fire, reading a recipe book or racing through a series…whatever your child reads will support their learning at school next year. Please do get involved.

Finally, a huge thank you to everyone who supported the Kaira Konko charity and helped to dye my hair pink. I am not sure it is a colour to keep, but it will certainly make my friends and family laugh as I catch up with them this holiday! Our donations will make a big difference for the children we call friends at Sitahuma School. 

Instead of learning of the week all the classes have chosen a favourite photo from the year. Please see below.

I wish you all a wonderful summer holiday, whatever you are doing.

Mrs Pinchess, Headteacher

 

farewell to Bentley Primary School

I’m ending my association with Bentley School after 20 years as a governor - I was also a parent of two boys at the school from 1997.   That’s a lot of children through the school, a great deal of change over this time, and a lot of Governor meetings!  However, the school has always been a happy place, where children have had a great start to their education and been given a huge variety of activities and experiences which has allowed them to achieve great things.  Two headteachers, many governors and staff have come and gone but the culture and what makes Bentley really special has been maintained throughout, and Ofsted have confirmed that it is, and has been for years, a really good school.  It’s been a privilege to contribute to this community, and to have supported some wonderful people dedicated to doing the best for the school and the children.  I leave it safe in the knowledge that it will continue to thrive and flourish and that children will continue to receive a fabulous education here.   I wish everyone all the very best for the future.

Nick Austin, Chair of Governors

 

What an amazing three years for the PTFA at Bentley!

We did it!! 30 new lap tops for the start of next term! For every ice cream slurped, cupcake scoffed, raffle ticket sold, apple picked, burger eaten, drink drunk, bike pedalled and song sung, I have to say to each and every family - thank you - without your help and everlasting support none of this would be possible.

When I was asked to chair the PTFA my first thought was ‘how can we make amazing life long memories for the children?’ and I think our wonderful team achieved this! Who would have thought the first two years would have been hit by Covid when we really had to think outside the box - Birthday Bonanza events when children couldn’t have normal parties, PTFA Quiz Night over Zoom, Christmas Party bags instead of the Fair – but we all worked together and still raised so much money for our lovely school.

I am enormously grateful to so many people for their help and support - I hope I thanked each and every one of you at the time - you all know who you are.  I also say a huge thanks to all the staff at school for me always asking for your time, you are all absolutely amazing.

I have loved every event (even with the sleepless nights and a note pad at the side of my bed!)  There have been some amazing highlights for me over the years - toffee apples at bonfire night, the wonderful Christmas fairs, but the sound of all the children having fun at all the events this year has been a real joy.  But now I’m looking forward to enjoying the events from the other side! I wish the wonderful new team all the best on their PTFA journey, and know they will continue to create super memories for all our children.

Kathleen Proud, PTFA Chair

 

Well done …

…to all the children – you have worked so hard this year. We are really proud of YOU all.

… to everyone bringing home a certificate in book bags today.

… to everyone who has earnt a S.T.E.P. (Sorry, Thank you, Excuse me, Please) award this term…

Year R – Eleanor, Hannah, Rowen

Year 1 – Annabella, Ellen, Sarmad

Year 2 – Arthur, Emilia, Ted

Year 3 – Arianna, James, Ivy

Year 4 – Annabelle, Dominic, Sophie

Year 5 – Kate, Leni, Oscar

Year 6 – Isaac, Naomi, Nicholas

…to all the Teddy word, diamond and platinum readers – wowser!

 

Thank you…

…to wonderful staff team from the teachers to the Learning Support staff, from the office team to the kitchen crew, to our clubs providers and music teacher, plus all the agencies who support us too. You rock! We wish you all a summer of relaxation (and regeneration!) ready to come back and do it all over again next year!

…to all our super governors and the wonderful retiring Chair of Governors, Nick Austin

…to our amazing retiring PTFA Chair, Kathleen Proud

… to our PTFA Class Reps – Kelly Chrasina, Lisa Prichard, Sarah Cordina, Molly Scotton, Elise Cavanough, Millie Powell, Lucie Hammerton, Amy Wolfe, Claire Arthur, Cat Ogden, Sue Riches, Sara Wood, Georgia Boston, & Sarah Forbes - who have done a sterling job this year!

… to everyone who supported and volunteered at the PTFA events in 2021-22. What a great year of fun!

… to all the volunteers who gave up their time to help our children with reading and weekly additional support. We really appreciate your support.

Thank YOU for supporting our pupils, families and staff! We hope you have enjoyed reading the newsletter and look forward to seeing you next academic year. Happy holidays!

 

Success at Bentley Fete!

It was lovely to see our Year 2 and Year 3 children dancing around the maypole at the Fete on Saturday – they did a super job, despite the heat! Well done Mrs Vogel for the expert tutelage!

We had great success in the Flower Show too with the super gardening team scooping two 1sts, two 2nds, three 3rds and a massive cup for Best in Show for their beautiful exhibit showcasing the best of Year 1 and Year 2’s work in the school.  Great work team!

The children’s exhibits looked fabulous in the tent and we were delighted to see so many of them winning too!  Well done to everyone who entered.

And our great PTFA raised over £550 selling ice creams and soft drinks on the day – thank you to Mr Goddard, George Thurman, Seonaid Scott-Bromley, James Aston, Molly Maxwell, Barbara Sarling, Lucie Hammerton, Josie Elliott, Alan Roach, Alex Oppenheim, Jane Akoshile, Kelly Chrascina, Tegan Hansen, Helen Chandler, Sue Riches, Amy Bingham, and Katherine Bingeman for helping and to Sarah Cordina, Sarah Forbes, and Molly Scotton for organising the stall.

 

Wraparound Childcare Bookings for next academic year

Our Breakfast Club and Afterschool clubs will be running from the first day of term on September 1st.  We will be conducting our school year end process on 30th August and so will not accept any bookings for next academic year until 31st August.

 

Welcome BBQ - date for your diary!

We are delighted to announce the date for the Welcome BBQ next term – Friday 9th September 4.30-7.30pm.  We hope everyone will join us for the PTFA’s first event of the year – it’s a lovely chance to catch up with old friends, meet new ones, and to welcome all our new families to the school.  There will be meat and plant based burgers, sausages, wine, beer, soft drinks and children’s refreshments.  We look forward to seeing you there!

 

Photo of the year...

 

Click here to find out what’s going on in the local area