Thank you so much. Grand total raised was just over £2200.

This week we have also welcomed two visitors into school. Two ladies from Flip Theatre Workshops joined Year 3 and Year 5 to continue their work on resilience. They were very impressed with the children’s thoughtful responses across both classes, but they shared that they were especially blown away by Year 5. They visit many schools in the area and commented on our pupils’ kindness, sense of community, and reflective ideas. What wonderful feedback to receive.

It has also been a pleasure to award some Agents of Change badges. A special well done to Poppy in Year 1, who took her learning about handwashing further by creating a poster to remind all the children — a brilliant example of spotting a change that is needed and doing something about it.

This also made me think of our fantastic Eco Committee, who work so hard alongside Madame Jones to bring positive, environmentally-focused improvements to our school. They truly embody what it means to be Agents of Change. Well done to all of them.

It has been assessment week across the school, and teachers have been so impressed with the children’s perseverance, positive attitudes, and determination to do their best. Well done to every single child — you make us incredibly proud.

Wishing you all a lovely, restful weekend.

Vicky Hallett

Headteacher

HOUSEPOINTS                                                                                                      

This week’s housepoints totals:

366

461

355

177

 

SAFEGUARDING – PLEASE READ!

This week I need to raise an important safeguarding concern around parking at drop-off and pick-up times. Several parents have approached me about cars parking illegally on the zig-zag lines, which puts children at real risk as it makes it difficult for them to see clearly when crossing the road.

We have contacted the police about this, but I am urging everyone to play their part: I do not want to be writing to you following an avoidable accident of a child getting hurt.

I have also received complaints from local residents about driveways being blocked or used for turning. As a school community, we all need to show care and respect for one another. Please support us in keeping all children safe by parking considerately and legally at all times.

ATTENDANCE

Governors have set the attendance target for the school at 97%. The class with the best attendance last week was Year 2, with 100% attendance. Well done Year 2!

Attendance figures for each class for last week are below:

 

GOLD BOOK/GOLD CARDS

 

Well done to those children who were awarded a gold card or were in the Gold Book. We’re very proud of you!

	Gold Book	Gold Cards
Year R	Cavendish
Year 1	Lissy
Year 2	Robin	Bea, Alice
Year 3	Ruby	Archie, Eli, Flynt, Eva G
Year 4
Year 5	Oliver	Polly, Alice, Anna
Year 6	Freddie	Henry, Holly

 

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR 2025

The book fair is once again visiting school until Monday 17^th November.  Books will be on sale before school, between 8.30 a.m. and 9.15 a.m., and after school, between 3:15 p.m. and 4 p.m.  Please come  and support the school and buy some lovely new books if you can.  For every £10 that is spent, we can earn up to £6 back in rewards to refresh the children’s books in our library!

Mrs Miffling

 

TT ROCKSTARS

Well done to all the children who took part in last week's Times Table Rock Stars competition. At the top of the leaderboard, winning house points for their teams, were:

1. Freddie Y6
2. Max Y6
3. Edward Y4
4. Bertie Y6
5. Edie Y2

 

A new Times Table Rock Stars competition starts today! You have until next Thursday evening to play and see if you can be top of your class! Keep practising, give it your best, and good luck!

 

YEAR R 2026 APPLICATIONS

Is your child starting school in September 2026?

If so, come and visit us here at Bentley to find out all about our lovely community-centred, village primary school and to see if we are the right school for your child. Bentley welcomes children from within our catchment area and beyond.

Applications are now open for Year R starters in 2026. If you have a younger child who turns 4 between 1^st September 20245 and 31^st August 2026 (or know someone locally who does) we are hosting open events for prospective parents on the following dates:

Friday 21st November 25 at 2:00 pm
Wednesday 26th November 25 at 7:00 pm
Wednesday 7th January 26 at 9:30 am

 

Click here to book your place.

 

RESPECTING LOCAL NEIGHBOURS

Unfortunately we have recently had a complaint about cars using local driveways to turn in, and on one occasion a neighbour actually had their fence damaged. Please remember to park respectfully and not use private driveways as turning spaces. Thank you!

 

RAINBOW CLOUDS

Some eagle eyed children (and Mrs Proud) spotted an unusual rainbow cloud above the playground earlier this week! After the weather today it has been lovely to remember that there is blue sky behind the clouds. For more information on this unusual phenomenon please see the following link: Rainbow clouds: What are they and why do they happen? - BBC Newsround

 

 ALTON TOWN MAYOR’S CHRISTMAS CARD

The Town Mayor of Alton, Councillor Annette Eyre, is asking for children to decorate a butterfly.  The reason for the butterfly is that it is this year’s symbol for St Michael’s Hospice, which is the Town Mayor’s charity.  The decorated butterflies will be used as part of the Town Mayor’s Christmas Card and they will also be on display on the Town Council’s Christmas Tree at St Lawrence Church’s Christmas Tree Festival on Saturday 13^th and Sunday 14^th December. 

 

Templates can be collected from the Town Hall. Decorated butterflies should be handed into the Town Hall by Friday 21^st November (Christmas Lights Switch On).  They will have a collection box in Father Christmas’ Grotto which will be in Unit 16 Market Square for the butterflies to be dropped off on the night. 

 

ECO UPDATE

Eco Council

WWF Baby Dolphins

This week all 33 members of Eco Council met with Madame Jones and Miss Bonwitt and were presented with their own Eco Mascot in the shape of a cute baby dolphin plushie which were kindly donated by WWF. 

 

Time for a Sort Out!

Eco Council will be hosting their second Regift-Reuse-Relove Christmas Stall at the upcoming Christmas Fair on Friday 28^th November.  Once again, we are asking everybody to have a sort out and donate CHILDREN’S, GOOD QUALITY BOOKS, GAMES, TOYS AND CHRISTMAS JUMPERS & PYJAMAS.  Please could we ask that the items donated are children’s and in good condition please. They must be suitable for regifting.  There will be a box on the playground for donations.  All money raised will be used for our pollinator garden.  Thank you in advance.   

 

 

 

 

 

Team Energy - Switch Off Fortnight – Quiz and Poster Competition

From switching off lights when they are not needed to making sure devices are not left on standby overnight, Team Energy is doing a brilliant job at empowering the whole school community to reduce our use of electricity through its Switch Off Fortnight campaign.  As well as changing habits, Year 6 Eco Leader Freddie and his team are also hosting a quiz and poster competition for a chance to win one of our very cute WWF baby dolphins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our School Grounds

National Education Nature Park

It is with immense pride that Bentley is featured on the National Education Nature Park website.  We joined the Nature Park in 2023 and since then have continued to wild our school site from our nature reserve to our pollinator garden.  To find out more, please click here.

Pollinator Garden

The Nature Guardians are continuing to work in all weathers to develop our Pollinator Garden.  This week the children made simple and natural pinecone feeders using Trex and bird seed.  Freddie and Alex also constructed a bird feeding station which is already a big hit with the birds (and squirrels!). 

 

 

 

 

 

Calling all Crafters and Makers!

Young ACAN is asking for your help! On Friday 21st November Young ACAN will host a stall at the Alton Christmas Lights Switch On.  The aim is to raise funds through donations for some GOOD QUALITY recycled/natural Christmas crafts - wrapping paper, cards and decorations.  This is an ideal activity that families can get involved in.  The items need to be good quality - we don't want to be left with a box of things that people don't want! There are lots of great ideas online. Please bring your items into school by Wednesday 19^th November and Madame Jones will collect them. Thank you so much!

 

 

 

Eco Christmas Bonanza – Donations Needed

Coming soon to St Lawrence Church in Alton is an exciting Eco Christmas Bonanza.  To make this happen, they are looking for a long list of donations – see poster!  Please do have a sort out and donate if you can.  Then, why not come along to the Eco Christmas Experience on Saturday 29^th November between 9.30am and 11.30am where you’ll find a range of stalls and activities for all ages. Christmas can be such an expensive time of year but there is an alternative which is much cheaper from making your own wrapping paper to gifting pre-loved items. 

 

 

 

 

 

PTFA

Crumble sales! The delicious crumbles are made and ready to be sold. There’s only a limited number available, so if you’d like to reserve one, please message your class reps. Keep an eye out on your class WhatsApp’s for sale/pick up dates.

 

Non-Uniform day for a raffle prize donation - Thursday 20th November. Raffle prizes could be a bottle, sweet treats, chocolates, Christmas treats. Please don’t send in anything that is perishable. 

 

Raffle tickets have been sent home in the children’s book bags. Please return stubs, money and spare tickets by Friday 21st November. 

 

Christmas Fair - Friday 28th November!

We can’t wait to see you all after school for our annual Christmas fair. Expect stalls, singing and a Christmas pony!

Infants can start the fair at 3pm. Juniors will be let out at 3:15pm. The fair finishes at 5pm. 

Class stalls are organised by your class reps. Please support them by keeping an eye on any requests they may ask on the WhatsApp groups.

We will be asking for donations of:

- teddies

- chocolates

- second hand items for the eco-stall 

Buckets will be on the playground to add these donations to. 

 

Christmas trees will be on sale again, ready to collect after school on Friday 5th December. 

Please purchase your tree on www.pta-events.co.uk/bentley

These trees are high quality, last till Christmas, generous in size, great value AND they raise money for the PTFA!

Every person that buys a tree will also be included in a draw to win a Xmas hamper from Peacocks Nursery.

 

 You’re Invited to The Bentley Bash!

Join us for a spectacular evening at the beautiful Bury Court, a stunning local venue, as we celebrate in style with music, dancing, food, and fun.

 When?
Friday 15th May 2026, 7-11:30pm

 What’s Included:
• Live band, music & dancing all night long
• Delicious pizza & dessert (included in your ticket)
• Raffle prizes, games & extra entertainment to keep the fun flowing
• Minibus taxi service available to make your night hassle-free

 Dress Code: Dress to impress!

🎟 Tickets:
• £50 if purchased before 1st December
• £55 after 1st December
• Option to pay in two £25 instalments if booked before 1st December (final payment due by 1st February)

 Venue: Bury Court – a stunning local setting that makes the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable evening.

Don’t miss out on what promises to be a night to remember – music, laughter, dancing, and plenty of surprises along the way!

Tickets on sale now!
Www.pta-events.co.uk/bentley