This week at Bentley...
A big well done to everyone who’s been doing their bit to summon some wet weather with rain dances – the rec is looking much greener and healthier already! Your efforts have clearly worked. I’m meeting with Bentley Archers next week and will be able to share more updates with you after that.
Some of our eagle-eyed parents may have noticed that Mrs Vogel has been wearing slightly looser clothing recently… I’m delighted to let you know (with her blessing) that she is expecting her second child! We’re so pleased for her and her family – such exciting news to share with our school community.
Every year, I have the privilege of supporting Hampshire with the moderation of Key Stage 2 writing. It’s something I really enjoy and find incredibly valuable – it’s always great to see high-quality writing from across the county. That said, I’m also very much looking forward to being back at Bentley and seeing everyone at the gate again soon.
A huge well done to our brilliant Year 4 and Year 1 pupils, who have been taking part in their respective statutory assessments this week. Year 4 have completed their Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) with impressive determination and speed – they gave it their all and we’re incredibly proud of them. Year 1 have tackled their phonics screening checks with fantastic attitudes too – such confident, capable young learners.
This week, our Year 6 children led a powerful and thoughtful worship based on the people our school houses are named after. They researched each figure, explored the values they embodied, and reflected on how we can live those values in the modern day. It was inspiring to see them lead with such maturity and insight.
As a staff and governing body, we are beginning to reflect on the successes of the year and how we can make Bentley even better moving forward. Your voice is an important part of that reflection. A short parent survey will be sent out next week – we’d love to hear what you value most about Bentley and any ideas you have for improvement.
A huge GOOD LUCK to everyone taking part in the sponsored bike ride this weekend! We’re so proud of all of you for taking on the challenge, and I know it’s going to be a brilliant event. There has already been a fantastic amount of money raised – thank you so much to everyone who has donated and supported. A special thank you goes to our wonderful PTFA and all the volunteers who have worked so hard behind the scenes to make it happen. I can’t wait to hear all about it next week!
Wishing you all a restful and sunny weekend,
Mrs Hallett
HOUSEPOINTS
This week’s housepoints totals:
|
161 |
188 |
206 |
141
|
ATTENDANCE
Governors have set the attendance target for the school at 97%. Last week the overall attendance rate for the whole school was 89.92%. The class with the best attendance was Year R, with 98.46% attendance. Well done year R!
Attendance figures for each class for last week are below:
SAFEGUARDING – EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS
With the warmer weather hopefully here to stay for a while, please ensure that your child has a water bottle, hat and suncream (applied before school please). We have noticed an increasing number of children coming to school without a water bottle and we want everyone to stay healthy and hydrated. For safeguarding reasons we do keep a record of when children do not have their own water bottles in school.
MENU CHANGE
From next week, the green option on Thursday will be Quorn with gravy.
SMARTPHONE FREE CHILDHOOD WORKSHOP
All parents and carers are welcome to the workshop on Wednesday, whether your children already have smartphones, or whether you are delaying.
Please contact the school office to book your place.
TJ POWER PARENT TALK
ECO-UPDATE
Pollinator Garden
Over the next few weeks our pollinator garden is going to be transformed as we install our hexagonal planters and fill them with 600 wildflower plug plants! Our wildlife pond is also going to be added to the site, with the status of being the best way to encourage biodiversity into your garden!
If you would like to get involved, we would love to hear from you - we work on Friday mornings. There will be a lot of manual work required over the coming few weeks from moving compost to digging out the pond. We would also be especially interested to hear from anybody who could turn some felled tree trunks into a simple model Bentley village for the bugs! Do contact the school office if you could help us – thank you.
Eco Council Update – Big Bentley Switch Off
Eco Council has a busy few weeks before the summer break. Inspired by Year 6 Eco Leader, Lexi, who was keen to reduce our school’s carbon footprint and electricity use, we are planning our first ‘Big Bentley Switch Off’! Between 30th June and 11th July we will be encouraging everybody in school to switch off lights and whiteboards when not in use or not needed. By having a focused fortnight of switching off, we hope that good habits will form and that lights and whiteboards will be in use when they are really needed. Small actions like this can make a huge difference!
As well as this, our young Eco Warriors are also planning a stall at the upcoming Summer Fair on July 5th. This will be a summer-themed second-hand stall so if you have any unwanted beach and holiday wear and equipment, please keep hold of it for our stall. More details to follow next week.
Alton Community Share
Alton Community Share opens its doors again this Saturday. So, if you are looking for some different toys, games and puzzles that you can borrow, please do come along. It is all free and by participating you are helping to reduce the need for more stuff! Bring the family along for an eco-friendly afternoon out – refreshments and space for children to play available. See poster for more details.
PTFA
The next Frozen Friday is Friday 20th June. 🍦
Please note a slight change of dates - Years 5 and 6 will have their mufti day (in return for a raffle item) on Friday 20th June. All other classes will continue to have their mufti day on Friday 27th June.
Summer Party, Saturday 5th July, 12-4pm. Add this date to your diaries for a fun, music filled afternoon! With music from Key Lime Pi - a 9 piece band performing at Bentley School! A BBQ, bar, inflatables and stalls will be available all afternoon.
This event is open to everyone! Please share around and invite friends and family!
