This week at Bentley...

This week, Mrs Rhodes led a whole-school worship on the Zones of Regulation. We were so impressed with how much the children remembered and how confidently they could explain what it feels like to be in each zone. They also thought carefully about strategies to help themselves when their emotions feel tricky to manage. Every classroom now has opportunities for children to share which zone they are in, helping staff and friends to support one another throughout the day.

Alongside this, we have been reinforcing our school rules—Ready, Respectful, Safe—as a foundation for learning and play. It has been lovely to see so many children modelling these so clearly, whether in the classroom, on the playground, or moving around school.

We are also really looking forward to seeing lots of you at the first PTFA event of the year. Next Friday (19^th) is our Welcome Afternoon Tea. The children will be busy making invitations, decorations, sandwiches, and scones in preparation, and I am certain it will be a huge success. Events like this are such a lovely way to bring our community together, and we hope you can join us.

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support. Working in partnership with you makes such a difference to our school community.

Vicky Hallett

Headteacher

 

HOUSEPOINTS

This week’s housepoints totals:

155

141

115

115

 

SAFEGUARDING

At the start of every academic year, safeguarding remains our highest priority. All staff have recently undertaken safeguarding training, which is closely linked to the government’s statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education. In addition, we have invested in training more staff in paediatric first aid so that we have full coverage across all areas of school life, including breakfast club and after-school provision. This ensures that we continue to provide a safe and secure environment for every child in our care.

 

A FEW REMINDERS AS WE START THE YEAR...

Meet the teacher Dates

This is a great opportunity to chat to your child’s new teacher, learn about what the school day will look like in their new class and get information about the curriculum, homework and reading expectations. You will also be able to ask any questions you might have about the year ahead.

Some classes have already held their meet the teacher sessions, but for the remaining classes please come along on the following dates:-

Yr 4 – Monday 15^th September at 2.45pm

Yr 6 – Tuesday 16^th September 2.45pm

Yr 5 – Thursday 18^th September 2.45pm

Uniform

Children are not permitted to wear jewellery to school unless for religious or medical reasons.

Children are allowed to wear a small pair of stud earrings if they have their ears pierced.  No hoops or large earrings please.  Children must remove their earrings or cover them with tape when they have PE.  This is for health and safety reasons.

Children are allowed to wear a watch but this must not be internet enabled or have the ability to take photographs.

Children are not allowed to wear nail varnish to school.

Black school shoes only (no sandals with open toes, as this is not safe for playing in the woods).

All children should have a green school book-bag.  Rucksacks/backpacks are not allowed.

A link to our uniform policy can be found here:

https://www.bentleyprimaryschool.co.uk/page/?title=Uniform&pid=39

Please also remember to ensure your children’s clothing and possessions are named.  This will help us keep lost property to a minimum.  If you are ordering labels from Stikins please quote the school number 1777 as they donate a percentage to the school.

 

 

 

Snacks

Years R-2 Infant children are given a fruit or vegetable snack at morning break.

Years 3 – 6 Junior children are welcome to bring in a healthy snack for break time.

If you are providing your child with a snack this must only be fruit or vegetables.  Plain, dried fruit such as raisins is fine.  Children are not allowed to have biscuits, cakes, cereal bars, fruit winders, crisps etc. at break time.  They are allowed to have these in their lunch box for lunchtime.

Please send your child with plain water only in water bottles to keep them hydrated throughout the day.

No nut products please as we have some children in school with severe allergies.

Parking

Please do not park, or stop your car to drop off or pick children up, on the yellow zigzag lines or the double yellow lines surrounding the school.  These lines are in place to keep our children and families safe as they start and finish school, and road visibility is significantly reduced if cars are parked there.

 

SUMMER READING CHALLENGE

The summer reading challenge, Story Garden, comes to an end tomorrow, Saturday 13^th September and Alton Library have been in touch to say that lots of children from Bentley have taken part this year.  If your child has taken part, make sure you head to the library as soon as possible so your child can collect their medal and certificate, as we will be celebrating the reading challenge in Collective Worship on Friday 19^th September.

HEAD LICE

Head lice are a pest all year round and, as we return to school, life will become much easier for them to find a head to take up residence in, so please make sure you regularly check your child’s hair for these pesky pests!  Although lice can be seen in dry hair, the best way to check is by combing wet hair with a fine toothed ‘detector’ comb. Treatment, if necessary, can then be done by using either the wet-combing method or a special lotion available from chemists over the counter or on prescription for children.  If lice are found, it is important to check the head of everyone in the household and treat them too if they are also found hiding there.  Regular wet-combing with a fine toothed comb as part of routine hair washing is the best way to prevent the problem recurring. If you would like further information, the school nurse is available for advice.  Let’s stop making life too easy for the louse! 

APPLE PICKING

It’s that time of year again, but unfortunately our normal press is not accepting apples this year, so we’re doing things a little bit differently… Let’s get ready to crumble! More details to follow from the PTFA shortly.

 

 

GARDENING TEAM – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Each Friday afternoon, the Gardening Team help the Year 1s look after the Courtyard Garden. They learn how to plant bulbs and grow seeds along with activities inspired by nature and the seasons. The children love the opportunity to learn outside the classroom in a very hands-on way. 

We would love some more volunteers to join our small team so this important experience can continue. You don't have to commit to every week and no gardening experience is needed, just enthusiasm. If you would like to know more, contact the Office who will put you in touch with the Gardening Team. 

 

ECO UPDATE

Eco Council – 2025-2026

It was great to meet up with the Year 6 Eco Council Leaders, Henry, Rafe and Freddie, this week to talk about their roles leading Team Nature, Team Energy and Team Food.  Our newly expanded Eco Council will meet on 24^th September during the school day to get started in their new roles.  Watch this space for information, including news of our Sustainability at Bentley workshop for parents on 20^th October at 9am.

Alton Community Share – this Saturday

Alton Community Share is a free library of jigsaws, games, toys and activities, powered by the generosity of our community. Currently run every two weeks in St Lawrence’s Parish Centre, it helps people of all ages to banish boredom while saving money and supporting sustainable living by re-using preloved stuff – which reduces waste and carbon emissions. 

ACAN is now searching for one or more new people to lead Community Share into the future. There is flexibility for the new leader(s) to shape the role, but it essentially involves working with a fantastic group of fellow volunteers to make Community Share happen on a regular basis. 

No special skills are needed to become the new leader(s) of Community Share. All you need is energy, a bit of time and willingness to give it a go. If you are interested, drop a line to Jenny Griffiths, ACAN Trustee, via AltonClimateNetwork@gmail.com

 

PTFA

Hi all,

We hope everyone had a brilliant summer holidays. We’ve been busy planning over the last few weeks and we have some exciting plans for the year ahead. From crumbles to a Bentley b, to colour runs, discos and parties, we can’t wait to share the fun with you all. 

Please see the poster for first term’s dates. 

 

Apples

Our normal press is not accepting apples this year, so we’re doing things a little bit differently. Let’s get ready to crumble!

Children will still do class picks and then crumble sales will follow. 

Keep an eye out for more information on our crumble creating evenings and sales. 

 

Our first event is the Afternoon Tea, it’s on Friday 19th Sept, straight after school. Everyone is welcome! It’s a great way to say hi to everyone after the summer holidays and welcome our new families!

We will need some volunteers to help with set up and running the stalls, more to follow on this soon.



PTFA AGM - Wednesday 1st October, via zoom.

Everyone is invited. This will be the way to find out our fundraising goals for this year, how we plan to meet those targets and how last year’s efforts have been spent. 

School uniform

Our uniform shed is available everyday

Pop to the office and ask for the key, there’s a QR code on the left wall as you walk in to pay, along with the price list, you can also give cash to the office. 

Please make sure you leave it tidy and also turn the light off if used so it doesn’t drain the battery.