As we continually strive to make Bentley the very best it can be, I would be incredibly grateful if you could spare just a few minutes to complete our annual parent survey. Your feedback really does make a difference and helps us reflect on what we do well and where we can continue to improve.

Complete the survey here: Parent Survey

It was also wonderful to see so many families at our Open Afternoon this week. Walking around the school, I could hear children confidently explaining their learning, proudly sharing their books and talking enthusiastically about all they have achieved this year. Those conversations between children and their families are so valuable, and it was lovely to see the pride on everyone's faces.

As I write this, excitement is building for our Year 6 Leavers' Performance. Whilst I am certainly not ready to say goodbye to this fantastic group of children—Bentley simply won't be the same without them—they are more than ready for the next chapter of their journey. They have grown into kind, confident and resilient young people, and we could not be prouder of everything they have achieved. I know they are going to be amazing in their secondary schools, and I can't wait to see them shine one last time on our stage.

On Monday, I had the pleasure of accompanying a group of our Year 6 pupils to Fair Oak for a cricket tournament. I was incredibly proud to watch them work together as a team, eventually reaching the quarter-finals. Every single player contributed something different, encouraging one another throughout the day and showing outstanding sportsmanship both on and off the pitch. I must also thank them for patiently teaching me the rules of cricket, how to keep score and even the umpire's hand signals—I certainly learnt a lot!

Finally, if you think your child may be eligible for Free School Meals, or your family receives Universal Credit, please do take a few moments to check your eligibility using the link below. Even if your child is already receiving Universal Infant Free School Meals in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2, or you plan to send your child in with a packed lunch, registering could provide the school with valuable additional funding to support children's learning and wellbeing.

Check your eligibility here:
Hampshire FSM application

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I look forward to seeing many of you at the Bentley Fair—it promises to be a fantastic afternoon for the whole community!

Mrs Hallett
Headteacher

HOUSEPOINTS                                                                                                      

This week’s housepoints totals:

446

363

316

237

 

ATTENDANCE

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

Attendance figures for each class for last week are below:

 

SAFEGUARDING

We are please to announce that both Mrs Rhodes and Mrs Blake have now completed their training and are both now Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSL’s). Mrs Hallett is our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). DSL’s and DDSL’s oversee all aspects of safeguarding and child protection in school. The DSL ensures that everyone in our school follows proper policies and procedures to protect students from harm, abuse, and neglect, acting as the main point of contact for safeguarding concerns.

 

THANK YOU…

… to 2^nd Bentley Scouts for allowing us access to the Scout Hut last week for Sports Day, to get water. It was very much appreciated!

 

ARITHMAGICIANS

Don’t forget to spend your points and exchange them for rewards such as house points, extra playtime and even an ice lolly with Mrs Blake. Monday evening is the deadline for claiming rewards.

 

LEAVERS LUNCH – 22^ND JULY

Year 6 have chosen their favourite lunch options from their time at Bentley and the whole school can enjoy their special Leavers Lunch with them on the final day of term, 22^nd July. The red option will be Battered Fish, and the Green option will be Cheese and Tomato Pizza. Please note that there will not be any picnic or jacket potato options on this day.

 

WE ARE RECRUITING!

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our fabulous staff team here at Bentley. We are looking for a kind and capable childcare assistant to work in our popular Breakfast Club every morning. This could suit a local person with a part time job or even a grandparent! If you, or someone you know, are interested, please follow this link to find out more: Bentley Church of England Primary School - We are recruiting!

 

HEALTHY STEPS - FREE PARENT COURSES

Hampshire Healthy Families and Hampshire Healthy Steps are delighted to invite you to join our FREE Healthy Steps online sessions, designed to support families with children aged 2–12 years to build healthy habits around food, activity, sleep, and wellbeing.

 

Whether you're navigating tricky bedtimes, fussy eating, toothbrushing battles, or simply looking for ideas to support your family's wellbeing, we're here to help.

 

🌞 Friday Morning Course

📅 Starts: Friday 24^th July 2026
🕤 Time: 9:30am
📚 Duration: 5 online sessions via Microsoft Teams (Please note there will be no session on 21 August)

🎟️ Book your free place:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/healthy-steps-online-5-sessions-from-240726-tickets-1992562154041

 

🌙 Wednesday Evening Course

📅 Starts: Wednesday 29^th July 2026
🕢 Time: 7:30pm
📚 Duration: 5 online sessions via Microsoft Teams (Please note there will be no session on 19 August)

🎟️ Book your free place:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/healthy-steps-online-5-sessions-from-290726-tickets-1992564061747

 

💬 What Parents Have Said About Healthy Steps

"I went specifically to get some ideas to help with sleep, but it was so good to have little manageable weekly steps to take on everything else. Everything feels so much more positive and manageable now."

 

"Fantastic sessions for all parents – even those who don't feel they need support. There is always something useful to take away from each session. It's also a great opportunity to speak with other parents and get reassurance that you're actually doing a good job!"

"We came away with so many new ideas and approaches that have already had a noticeable positive impact on my family."

Our sessions are friendly, supportive, and completely judgement-free. You'll have the opportunity to learn practical tips, share experiences with other parents, and take small, achievable steps towards a healthier family lifestyle.

They hope you'll join them this summer!

If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Healthy Steps team at healthysteps@barnardos.org.uk

 

BOOK A TOUR FOR YEAR R 2027

 

SCHOOL PLACES STILL AVAILABLE!

 

NORTH 2 SOUTH SUMMER HOLIDAY CAMP

 

ECO-UPDATE

Eco Council – 2025-2026

This year we expanded our Eco Council to 33 children which were then divided into three teams: Team Energy, Team Food and Team Nature.  Every member of Eco Council has made a very important contribution to our school’s eco work and yesterday the team shared their highlights.  This included raising money at our second-hand stalls, attending the Young ACAN Schools’ Eco Conference and helping with the garden.  A huge well done and thank you to every child in Eco Council for demonstrating our school values of Love, Courage and Community and for showing that ‘Nobody is too small to make a difference’.  Next year we will be recruiting a brand-new team of eco warriors to join our Eco Council and already have an exciting year of projects ahead.  More details to follow in September.

Bentley Nature Guardians

Our Nature Guardians have had a very busy year improving our school grounds and welcoming nature of all sizes onto our site, especially butterflies in our beautiful Attenborough Garden. The children have also visited WWF, welcomed many visitors and even been interviewed for television!  A huge thank you and well done to every member of the team and farewell to our Year 6 Nature Guardians. Next year we will be recruiting a couple of new Nature Guardians to join the team – more details to follow in September. 

 

Big Butterfly Count – 17^th July – 9^th August 2026

Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count is a great example of citizen science, providing vital information about the health of our UK butterfly population.  It is free to participate in and you can take part multiple times. You just need to spend 15 minutes in a sunny spot, counting the butterflies!  For more information, please click here

Wanted!  School Garden Volunteers

Pupils at Bentley love gardening!  Next year we have exciting plans to expand our gardening projects in school and are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to come and join us.  You don’t have to be an experienced gardener just willing to get stuck in with the children to help them grow their own food as well as plants for wildlife.  If you or somebody you know is interested, please get in touch with Madame Jones via the school office.  We will be holding an open afternoon in the Autumn Term for interested volunteers – more details to come in September.

 

PTFA

As our time as PTFA Chairs comes to an end, we would like to take this opportunity to thank every parent, carer, staff member and supporter who has helped us along the way. 

It has been a real privilege to serve the school in this role, and we have thoroughly enjoyed being part of so many events, projects and fundraising efforts. The support, enthusiasm and generosity of our school community have made all of it possible. 

Bentley means a great deal to us, and we are incredibly proud of what we have achieved together. As we now hand over the baton to the next PTFA team, we do so with gratitude, confidence and many happy memories. 

Thank you for your continued support, and we wish the new PTFA Chairs every success for the future. 

Molly and Sarah ❤️