The children really enjoyed their shopping experience at the ‘pop up shop’ today. They made some sensible decisions about how to spend their money and everyone appeared to go away happy, whether they spent 10p or a little more! We think it is important to support children with this type of everyday maths, in a world of ‘virtual’ money; so would encourage you to let them earn some pocket money and make small purchases, in order they can start to understand the value of coins and notes.

Could I ask that if you purchased a retired Library book at the shop, you remove the Bentley C of E Primary label.

Very much linked to finance, I have let the children know that we have made the decision to ban Air Up bottles from our school. Please save them for home only from now on. Children have been very vocal in sharing their concerns about them with me this week. Not only are they terribly expensive, but the flavour pods encourage some silly behaviour, such as trading and even sniffing! As the mother of young teens, I am very aware of the high numbers of young people now vaping and to my thinking, the Vaping flavours are extremely similar to the ones in these ‘innocent’ child targeted Air Ups.  Personally, I would urge parents to think carefully about encouraging children to drink flavoured water rather than ‘normal’ water, however it is marketed.

In the classrooms this week;

Year R have enjoyed reading, exploring and re-telling the story of Owl Babies by Martin Waddell.

Year 1 have written fabulous descriptions about our own imaginary dinosaurs!

Year 2 wrote super recounts about their wonderful visit to the Titanic museum.

Year 3 made amazing clay sculptures inspired by the Anthony Gormley sculpture ‘Field of People’.

Year 4 really enjoyed making circuits in Science, in preparation for creating our own torches.

Year 5 enjoyed a class debate about Fairtrade linked to global trade with The Gambia.

Year 6 have learnt about the different classification groups for living things and became fascinated by annelids.

I wish you all a good weekend. Don’t forget there are no teacher clubs next week and to double-check your appointment times for Parents Evenings next week on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Mrs Pinchess 

 

TABLE TENNIS EVENT

We all love a game of ping-pong at break-times and last Wednesday we had an opportunity to play against children from other schools. A small group of us from Years 5 and 6, went to The Petersfield School with Mr Goddard and Mrs Wellstead, for some fun activities, skill practice and games in this event.  We really enjoyed ‘Round the World’ where we had to run around the table to keep a rally going and there were other games to develop our aiming, balance and ball control. Although it was not a competition, it was good to play with other people.

The Gambia

Activity	When?	Cost?
Donate a writing pencil from home to donate to a child in The Gambia.	Any day before Wednesday 9th February	Children are very welcome to bring in a pencil you do not need, rather than buying new ones.
We have some special greeting cards you may purchase to make a donation.	See the letter with order form coming home tonight. Purchase before 6th February so funds can be transferred to the Kaira Konko charity.	£3 Sponsor a community project; sports, soap-making, garden. £5 Sponsor a child to go to school.
Colourful clothes day. The whole school is welcome to come into school in their brightest, most happy clothes to celebrate our links to Africa!	Wednesday 8th February – all day at school.	Bring in a donation to support the Kaira Konko charity. All money will go towards school projects. Suggested donation of £2.80 but every penny makes a difference!
Quiz night for grown-ups. Come along for some fun on your own, with a friend or bring a team of 8.	Friday 24th February 7-10.30pm	£12.50 per person for Fish and Chip supper, lots of fun games. Bring some extra money for the bar, games and dessert.

Friday Breakfasts

Join us for our traditional spring year group Social Breakfasts! Bring the whole family or come along for a 'date' with one child or to chat to other class parents. Click here to order and pay

10^th February Year 3

24^th February Year 2

3rd March Year 1 

10^th March Year R

CLUBS

Due to Parents evening there are no teacher clubs running next week. These are the green clubs on the clubs schedule below. All the other clubs are running as usual. 

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Forest Explorers Volunteer Opportunity

Do you know somebody who loves being outside and is passionate about nature?  Forest Explorers is our new weekly ‘Forest School’ session every

Monday afternoon in our lovely school woodland.  We are currently seeking a nature-loving volunteer – parent, grandparent, uncle, auntie - who loves being outside in all weathers to support Madame Jones with the weekly sessions. Experience is not necessary, as full training will be given.  For more details, please contact the school office. 

Solent Mind

Solent Mind are in the process of launching a brand new service to support families and carers supporting children and young people that are affected by self-harm. This service will cover Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Solent Mind are currently collecting input from potential service users and would be grateful if you would complete their survey if this is something you can do. The poster is on our Community page. On the poster you’ll see a QR code which will take you directly to the survey.

There is a lot going on and support available to help families. Please look on our website at the Community pages to see what is new. Click here.

                                                                                                                                                                      

PTFA

Thank you to everyone who ordered the pizza and cookie kits! We hope you enjoy them tonight or over the weekend. It raised an amazing £139! Although this is not as much as some of our big events raise, this all adds up and makes a huge difference.

We are really excited to announce Mrs Pinchess’ leaving party! Put the date in your diary and look out for more information soon! Let’s send her off in style