This week at Bentley...

We share feedback about how your child is getting on throughout the year in the following ways:

• Autumn and Spring Terms – Parents’ evenings with short written reports
• Summer Term – An end-of-year report and our open afternoon

In addition, staff will always contact parents directly if there are any concerns. Mrs Rhodes also holds specific meetings for families of children on the SEN register. If at any point you would like an additional update from your child’s class teacher, please book an appointment through the school office.

Pupil Premium Funding
Pupil Premium is additional funding provided to schools, worth over £1,300 per eligible child. It directly benefits your child and supports the whole school community. Many families do not realise they are entitled to this funding, so we would be grateful if you could check whether your child is eligible by following this link:
👉 Check Eligibility Here

If you would like any support with this process, please contact the school office.

School Dinners Update
We have had some wonderful feedback from the children about the new school dinner choices. Older children are enjoying the larger portion sizes, and all pupils now have access to extra bread and salad each day. The kitchen staff are working incredibly hard to deliver Caterlink’s new menus, much of which is freshly cooked from scratch. The introduction of jacket potato toppings has also been a huge hit! The children can choose from cheese, beans or tuna each day.

PTFA Afternoon Tea
Finally, I hope to see many of you at the PTFA Afternoon Tea after school on Friday. It’s a lovely opportunity for families—both old and new—to meet, chat, and enjoy delicious scones, cakes and sandwiches together. Our PTFA do an incredible job raising money for the school, and last year, with your support, raised over £25,000! A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this possible.

Vicky Hallett

Headteacher

HOUSEPOINTS

This week’s housepoints totals:

289

272

533

2704

 

SAFEGUARDING – PLEASE READ!

Promoting a Smartphone-Free Childhood

Last academic year, our school signed the Smartphone Free Pact to support children in enjoying a smartphone-free childhood. As a community, we are committed to raising awareness of the impact smartphones are having on young people. Together, we have the opportunity to make a real difference—if we act now and support one another.

Did you know…

50% of UK 12-year-olds have viewed hardcore pornography online

46% of teenagers say they use their phones “almost constantly”

24% of UK 17-year-olds have self-harmed in the last 12 months

237 – the average number of notifications a teenager receives daily

84% of bullying involving children with smartphones now takes place online

43% of US teenagers’ waking hours are spent on screens

As a cluster of schools, all of the Headteachers in the surrounding areas of Bentley and Alton have agreed on similar approaches as we recognise the damage that continual access to a device is having to our young people and that is why we urge you to consider this when thinking about purchasing a phone for your child. We know that Amery Hill have heavily invested in phone pouches this year and Eggar’s School are asking all phones to be handed in at the start of the lessons to avoid distractions during learning time.

 

If your child does need a phone, we encourage you to provide either:

• a simple brick phone (not internet-enabled, but still allowing calls and texts), or
• a smartphone-style device with strong parental controls.

A range of suitable options can be found here: Smartphone Free Childhood Alternatives. Some brick phones even look like smartphones, but without internet access.

 

Our school’s approach to phones:

Only Year 6 pupils may bring a phone to school, and only if absolutely necessary.

These phones must be handed in at the school office each morning and collected at the end of the day.

Devices must remain switched off until the child has left the school grounds.

No other year groups are permitted to bring phones into school.

From September 2026, only brick phones will be allowed on school premises.

 

We know this can be a challenging issue, but with your support, change will become the norm—and together we can protect our children’s well-being.

 

ATTENDANCE

Governors have set the attendance target for the school at 97%. The class with the best attendance last week was Year 3. Well done year 3!

Attendance figures for each class for last week are below:

 

THANK YOU…

…to the Cavell family for the educational toys and the Plant family for the books. We really appreciate your generosity!

 

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. 

 

SCHOOL NURSING TEAM

The Community Nursery Nurses from the East Hants School Nurse Team are offering support with your child’s health. Please see the poster below for more information, and details of how to book an appointment slot.

 

 

ALTON CLUSTER ADDITIONAL NEEDS COFFEE MORNINGS

 

HAMPSHIRE MUSIC SERVICE

Hampshire Music Service are delighted to be able to offer places on our next intake of Music Production Online Provision. This course is offered to all Years 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 students across the county that dream of creating music, regardless of abilities and musical background. 

 

What are the benefits of Music Production Online?
• Make your home a music studio 

• Write and record your own music online 

• Expert tuition from Hampshire Music Service staff 

• Flexible learning outside of the school day

• Clear progression routes through learning, including Hampshire Music Service certificates of achievement

 

Students learn how to develop their sequencing, recording and editing skills. Our course is a great insight into the world of creating music for your child to enjoy and to nurture creativity skills. There are a minimum of 30 sessions over the year which are an hour in length each. Further details, as well as a video demo are accessible below. 

 

https://musicproduction.hantsmusic.org.uk/about/ 

 

The session cost for the first year of learning is £70 per term, and sessions are available on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 4pm (weekly commitment on the same day is required).

 

Please sign up by using the link below - places are limited and will be offered on a first come first serve basis.

 

Music Production Online – September 2025 – July 2026

 

PTFA

 

Please see the attached 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.

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 every day

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.




Tickets for the events on this term and Bentley Bash are on sale now!

Www.pta-events.co.uk/bentley

 

 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