Our staff-led clubs have started this week, and it is lovely to see the amazing range of activities available through both school staff and external providers. There are so many opportunities for children to try something new, develop an interest and enjoy spending time together. A big thank you to Mrs Hamid in the office for organising our club programme. Some clubs still have a few places available, so please contact the office if your child would like to join.

Thank you to everyone who has already booked an appointment for parents’ evening. We would love to achieve 100% attendance, as these conversations are an important opportunity for teachers to share how your child has settled into their class, their attitudes to learning and their next steps. If you have not yet booked, please do so. If you are having difficulty attending, please contact the office so we can help arrange a suitable opportunity to speak with your child’s teacher.

Finally, a reminder that our open days for children starting Year R next September are coming up. If you know any families looking for a school place, please encourage them to come along. We would love to welcome them, show them our school and share what makes Bentley special.

HOUSEPOINTS

This week’s housepoints totals:

179

180

249

293

SAFEGUARDING

Thank you to all parents who have returned the data collection sheets. Please ensure that you sign and return any still outstanding on Monday, even if there are no changes. It is essential that our records are up to date so that we are fully aware of any allergies, health conditions and emergency contact details.

ATTENDANCE

Governors have set the attendance target for the school at 97%. The class with the best attendance this week were Year 4! Well done Year 4!

Attendance figures for each class for this week are below:

GOLD BOOK/GOLD CARDS

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

	Gold book	Gold Card
Year R		Jimmy, Donna Marie, Austin
Year 1	Ava	Ada, Charlie, Albie, Mollie
Year 2	Jessica	Amelie, Jesse x2, Beau
Year 3	Harlie	Tony, Amelia, Elara
Year 4	Jemima	Cohen, Eli, Heidi, Finn, George, Sophia
Year 5	Lily	Hugo, Rowen, Finn, Dermot, Caleb, Owen, Seth
Year 6	Pippa	Sophia, Anna

HEAD LICE

Some cases of head lice have been reported recently. Please could we take extra care when checking children’s hair. Although lice can been seen in dry hair, the best way to check is by combing wet hair with a fine toothed ‘detector’ comb.

Treatment, if necessary can be done by either:

Wet-combing method

· Wash the hair in the normal way with an ordinary shampoo.

· Use lots of hair conditioner and while the hair is very wet, comb through from the roots with a wide toothed comb to remove tangles, and then use a fine toothed comb. Make sure the teeth of the comb slot in at the roots with every stroke and do this over a pale surface, such as a paper towel or the bath.

· Wet lice find it difficult to escape and hair that is slippery from conditioner makes it hard for them to keep a grip – so removal with a comb is easier.

· Clear the comb of lice between each stroke. If you find any lice then repeat this routine every three to four days for two weeks, so that any lice emerging from eggs are removed before they can spread.

Using lotions

These are available from the chemists over the counter or on prescription for children. The chemist will advise on which lotion to use. It is important to follow the instructions on the packet. If lice are found, it is most important to check and if necessary, treat the rest of the household.

Regular wet - combing as part of routine hair washing is the best way to prevent the problem recurring. The school nurse is available for advice and can supply further information and leaflets. Let’s stop making life too easy for the louse!

RESIDENTIALS

We hope all the children in Years 3-6 are excited for their residential trips this year. A reminder that all deposits need to be paid by 19^th October please.

ONLINE SAFETY

Keeping Children Safe in the Age of AI

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of everyday life. Children are encountering AI through search engines, homework tools, chatbots, games, social media and image creation tools, often without realising that they are using it.

We would like to invite parents and carers to an Online Safety Meeting, with a particular focus on AI and the new challenges it brings.

The session will explore:

• What AI actually is and how children are already encountering it
• The risks of AI generated images, including deepfakes
• Why AI chatbots do not always give safe or accurate answers
• Privacy and personal information

There will also be an opportunity to ask questions and discuss any concerns.

Please look out for a link to the online meeting which will come by email.

 

ECO UPDATE

Team Ocean

This week Team Ocean met to get our litter picker backpacks ready for weekend hire!  Each class has its very own backpack containing a foldable litter picker, hi-viz jacket, gloves, a bag and a notebook to record your litter picks.  The scheme is in its 3^rd year and is part of project led by Young ACAN (Alton Climate Action Network) with funding from EHDC. 

Litter picking has so many benefits and is a great way of helping make your community a nicer place to live in. If your child brings home a litter picker, please get involved – but make sure you keep yourselves safe by following the guidelines in the book.  Please dispose of the litter carefully and safely, recycling bottles and cans if possible. Team Ocean is really keen to reward the children for litter picking so please do complete the notebook so that they can award a certificate.  Any photos would be gratefully received too! The litter picker backpacks are for weekend hire only. Please aim to return the backpacks on Monday morning so that they can be checked ready for hire the following Friday.  Thank you for your support.

News from ACAN

Cycle Alton

 

NORTH2SOUTH OCTOBER HALF TERM

PTFA