This week at Bentley...
If I have not seen you in person I wish you a very happy new year and a new decade. I am still getting to grips with remembering to write the correct year in correspondence, but it feels as though we have been back at school for a longer period of time as we have fitted back into everyday routines and school expectations. We also piloted out a ‘Stay Safe Indoors’ intruder test run this week, which was run in eth same way we test for the Fire Safety practices. This was well received by the pupils and staff. Thank you for the positive feedback about this safety procedure.
We have had a super first week back with our own School Prayer Week. Children designed prayer stations which were opened up on Thursday afternoon for the whole school and for families to come and see after school. Click here for the news story.
There is lots happening this term starting with a charity disco next Thursday from 5-6pm in the school hall to raise money for the Kaira Konko charity to support the pupils at Sitahuma School. Please click here for more information, to make a donation, or to pay for the disco.
We have a special invitation from myself and the Governors for parents, carers and friends of the school to hear more about current education expectations and how to support your child whilst they attend Bentley CE Primary School on Tuesday 28th January. There will be welcome drinks from 7pm, for a 7.30pm start in the main school hall. Please let us know if you can come by clicking here, we hope that one adult per family will be able to attend.
We also have a new Resilience Course starting for adults on Wednesday 22nd January from 8-9pm. It will be a fun, reflective and interactive session based on the brilliant work of Maureen Bowes who came to speak to us last academic year. The aim is to create some ‘me time’ to reflect on how to support yourself, your family and build resilience. Click here if you would like to reserve a place on this. All welcome.
All clubs requested have been allocated and you should have received a text today to confirm places. Thank you so much for being so prompt in returning forms and for letting us know about all your child’s external clubs and interesting hobbies. It is great to hear about!
Several clubs were very oversubscribed, so if you have not heard then sorry your child is on the waiting list and you can check in with the office about this as needed. For the clubs which are school led there are a couple of places only remaining in; Chess for Years 2-6, Choir for Years 1-6, Art for Years 4-6, Movie club for Year 6, Ceramics for Years 3-6. Miss Kirby asked me to highlight both hockey clubs as this is a very popular sport at Bentley which she would like to promote to children and parents as our PE Leader. With any external clubs please contact the provider directly and ensure that payments are made promptly to support these small businesses.
Welcome to the new families who joined our school community this term! The children seem to have settled in so well already which is lovely to see.
Mrs Pinchess, Headteacher
SPORTS NEWS
We had a terrific group of young swimmers representing the school at the Alton Schools Swimming Gala this week. It is a particularly memorable event as it is the last day when the old centre is open to the public because the new sports Centre opens tomorrow!
A big well done to Charlie, Idan, Olivia and Holly (Year 6), Megan, Alana, Lewis and Charlie (Year 5), Gabriel, Nicholas, Sophie and Isla (Year 4) and Oliver, Francis, Max, Sophie and Imogen (Year 3) who brought home the trophy for third place!
Mrs Patey, who accompanied the children, was impressed with their determination and support for each other. Thank you to Mrs Mizen for her energy and support poolside and to all the parent supporters for their enthusiasm. We are very proud of our Junior Swimming Team – well done!
SCHOOL ADMISSIONS
We are fast approaching the deadline for applications for Year R places in September 2020. Applications can be made online by clicking here up until midnight on Wednesday, 15 January 2020. If you need a paper application form, please ask at the school office.
THANK YOU TO…
… the Hilken-Garrett family for the magazines
… the Tewkesbury and Drew families for the books
… Jo Dobson for all the fantastic Georgia O'Keeffe resources
COLLECTIVE WORSHIP
Each class will be leading a collective worship this term and parents are welcome to join us to see their child – click here for the school calendar to check the dates. The event will last approximately 20 minutes and will take place in the Main Hall.
Breakfast Club & After School Clubs
Just a reminder these clubs need to be booked and paid for in advance so we can ensure we have the staffing and food for everyone. Bookings and payment should be done online at www.scopay.com. We appreciate there are some instances when you need either club at the last minute - if so, please call or email the school office.
FUNDING INTO SCHOOL
If you think that your child might be eligible for Free School Meals please let us know as this brings additional funding into school. Even if your child is in the infants and no meals are provided we would appreciate you speaking to the Headteacher or the office about this. This is always handled in confidence.
Service Premium
Radian homes
Do you live in a Radian Home? If you do then please consider letting the school know as we have been alerted that Radian have some community grants which we could apply for to support your child and also to benefit the school.
STAFF NEWS
We have teacher training student Mrs Kate Fasham in school with us this half term in Year 1 from the Foundations Teaching School. Next week we have another student joining us in Year 2 called Miss Georgina Seal. Thank you for your support in making them feel welcome whilst they are with us.
SELF-HARM AWARENESS SESSION FOR PARENTS
As you will be aware self-harm is often mentioned in the media. If you would like to know more about this difficult topic Amery Hill have kindly offered out places to parents and carers in the local community. This event is taking place on 2nd April 2020 6:00pm- 7:30pm at Amery Hill School.
With the aim to build knowledge around the subject of self-harm by reducing stigma, anxiety and fear, Amery Hill School would like to invite our parents and those of our feeder schools to join us on Thursday 2nd April 2020 at 6:00pm for a free self-harm awareness session with the highly recommended Satveer Nijjar from Attention Seeker
The session will be held at Amery Hill School and run from 6:00pm - 7:30pm and will cover the following:
• Why people turn to self-harm- triggers and functions
• Myths & language use
• How to support someone who self-harms
• Broaching suspected self-harm
• Alternative strategies, focusing on stopping
Booking a ticket is free but essential – please click here to book
