Year 1 and 2 Production – Prickly Hay

We have been utterly wowed by the Year 1 and 2 production of Prickly Hay. The children were truly remarkable, acting with confidence and singing their hearts out. Everyone I have spoken to has shared such glowing feedback about the performance, and I couldn’t be prouder.

A huge thank you to our wonderful parents for providing the stunning costumes and to our dedicated staff team, whose hard work behind the scenes made the production such a success. Your efforts are deeply appreciated!

I am already counting down the days to next week’s Year 3, 4, and 5 production—it promises to be just as spectacular!

KS2 Choir Spreading Joy

This week, I had the immense pleasure of accompanying our KS2 choir to Pax Hill Care Home, where they sang beautifully to the residents. It was heartwarming to see the joy they brought to the residents, and they were rewarded with cupcakes and lovely conversations afterward. I was incredibly proud of how kind, thoughtful, and talented our children were throughout the visit.

Governor’s Perspective

An update from one of our school governors, to share an insight and help paint a picture of life at Bentley from their unique perspective.

Elise Cavanough - Chair of Governors

I joined the School's Governing body in July 2022. I have a background in finance and sit as the Chair of the Resources Committee which oversee the spending of the school's budget. In September 2024, I was appointed as Chair of the Full Governing Body. I have two children at the School - one in Year 5 and one in Year 2. 

I am particularly familiar with our Special Educational Needs provision as my daughter has had an EHCP in place since she joined in Year R. We are incredibly fortunate at Bentley to have such a dedicated staff team who work tirelessly every day to deliver excellent teaching and learning to our children. Where necessary they make adaptations to ensure everyone can access the curriculum, engage fully in their education, and be stretched to achieve their potential. I have seen this first hand. 

I am regularly in School and see how polite and respectful the children are, always stopping to hold a door or have a conversation. For us as Governors, the best part of our role is coming into school and speaking with the children. Pupil Voice is so important and they have such interesting and insightful things to say. 

I also volunteer in school with the Year 1 Gardening team. This is a wonderful tradition at Bentley where the Year 1 children have the responsibility of maintaining the courtyard garden. Getting them out of the classroom and learning about nature, growing plants and food is a fabulous opportunity. We are also blessed to have our wonderful site which includes the woods, offering Forest Explorers to all our classes throughout the year. Varying the learning environment and enriching it with such experiences helps everyone thrive at Bentley. 

I am extremely proud of our School and grateful to every member of staff for making it such a happy and engaging environment for our children to learn.  

Festive Fun Next Week

This week is brimming with Christmassy events!

Key Stage 2 Production – Our talented KS2 children will take the stage for their performance of Tinsel and Teatowels.

Inter-House Christmas Competition – Mrs. Rhodes and I are excited to host a festive-themed competition. Which house will claim the trophy this half term?

Christmas Lunch – On Thursday, we will enjoy a delicious Christmas lunch, and children are welcome to wear their Christmas jumpers or festive outfits to make the occasion even more festive.

Christmas Service at St Mary’s Church – We will close the term with a beautiful Christmas service at St Mary’s Church, led by our Reception and Year 6 classes. It is always a special event, and I am certain it will be a wonderful way to bring our school community together and celebrate the season and welcome the end of term.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support in making our school such a vibrant and caring community.

Mrs Hallett

 

ATTENDANCE

Governors have set the attendance target for the school at 97%. Last week the attendance rate for the whole school was 95.65%.

Last week’s class attendance figures are below:

 

THANK YOU…

…to Froyle Toddler Group for their generous donation. We are very grateful for your donation.

 

YEAR 3,4 AND 5 CHRISTMAS PLAY

Tickets for the performance of Tinsel and Tea Towels on Tuesday 17^th December were sent home on Friday. Tickets for Wednesday’s performance will go out in book bags today (Monday).

 

CHRISTMAS LUNCH

Our Christmas Lunch will be held on Thursday 19th December. Children are welcome to wear their Christmas jumpers on this day if they’d like to (school uniform is absolutely fine if preferred – there is no pressure to buy a new jumper or to wear one).

 

CHRISTMAS CHURCH SERVICE

Year 6 and Year R will lead our church service at St Mary’s Church, Bentley on Friday 20^th December at 11 a.m.  Due to space in the church, only parents of children in Year 6, Year R and the choir are invited to the service.  At the end of the service, these children will be dismissed from the church (along with their siblings).  All other children will return to school to be collected at 12.30 p.m. when school will close for the Christmas holidays.  The bus will still run on this day, leaving school at 12.30 p.m.  There will be no after-school club.

 

ECO UPDATE

Eco Council – Regift-Reuse-Relove Stall

Eco Council will be hosting another Regift-Reuse-Relove stall on Wednesday 18^th December after school.  Once again there will be good quality second-hand children’s books, toys and games in exchange for a cash donation to the PTFA.  So if you are looking for a more sustainable and affordable Christmas present for young family and friends, why not pop along? 

 

Nature Club

This term children from Year 1 to Year 6 have been continuing to create homes for nature in our woodland Nature Reserve.  Every week, in all weathers, they have helped with a range of jobs from pruning to upgrading our paths.  They have also planted woodland bulbs, created a fungi forest and expanded the bug hunting area known as the Bugzone!

Next term the children will be able to apply for the job of a Nature Ranger to continue to look after our Nature Reserve and to develop other areas of our school grounds which are part of the National Education Nature Park.  This will include our Bentley Pollinator Garden which will be created after Christmas following a design competition which will be launched at the start of January.  

 

MENU CHANGE

The week 3 Wednesday menu will be BBQ Chicken Pizza (red) or Cheese and Tomato Pizza (Green). This applies to the weeks beginning 13^th January, 3^rd February, 3^rd March and 24^th March.

 

STARTING SCHOOL – SEPTEMBER 2025

 

Applications are now open for Year R starters in 2024. If you have a younger child who turns 4 between 1^st September 2024 and 31^st August 2025 (or know someone locally who does) we still have one more open event on 7^th January for prospective parents. Click here to find out more. All applications need to be submitted by 15^th January 2025.

 

 

 

 

 

 

HCC SURVEY

As part of Hampshire County Council’s commitment to improve accessibility and enable more people to walk and cycle for short journeys, all Hampshire residents are invited help identify where there are barriers to walking and cycling on local streets. They are particularly keen to hear from people who use mobility aids (including mobility scooters), pushchairs or buggies, people who use cargo bikes and trailers, or other adapted cycles. 

 

The survey is live from noon on Monday 28 October and will close at 11:59pm on Sunday 22 December.

 

Please click here to visit the survey page to read more and participate.

“TIGGY TALK” WALK

A message from Katie Edbrook, mum of Beau (Year R):

“As you may or may not know Beau’s little sister Tiggy was born this year and diagnosed as profoundly deaf. After many audiology appointments, Tiggy has received the wonderful news that she will be receiving bilateral cochlear implants in January 2025. My husband and I are currently fundraising for Tiggys auditory verbal therapy post surgery. We shall be walking 26.2 miles on the Clarendon Way Walk from Salisbury to Winchester in April.”

Please click here to find out more and donate.

 

PTFA

 If you didn’t win at the raffle, don’t worry! More brilliant hampers will be up for grabs at each school play! Cash and card accepted.