Bentley Weekly Update 22/09/17

NSPCC Online Safety Workshop – We had a good turnout in the end of parents from Bentley and Copdock to the free parent workshop organised by the NSPCC. For those of you who were unable to make the workshop, there are a few leaflets and cards in the school office with information about keeping your children safe online. We would also like to share with you a free phone number that you can call to get help with setting up parental controls on any device; it is 0808 800 5002. The helpline is run by O2 but you do not need to be an O2 customer, anyone can call the helpline and get advice.

NSPCC Fundraiser – The children are enthusiastically practicing their spelling for the forthcoming Spelling Bee in aid of this wonderful charity that supports children in all sorts of situations. Just a quick reminder that we will be holding the Spelling Bee on September 29^th; Reception children can either sound out the words or write them depending on what makes them feel more comfortable. All sponsorship money needs to be in by no later than the 9^th October as the NSPCC are coming in to collect it on the 10^th. Thank you.

MacMillan Coffee and Cake – Please come and join us one and all at this year’s coffee and cake to be held next Friday, 29^th September. Donations of cakes of any size would be amazing – please bring them in to the office in the morning if possible so we know how many we have. Children will need to bring in 50p and hand it to their class teacher on the morning of the 29^th, preferably in a named envelope. Each will get a drink and a cake. Mrs North has a fun quiz planned for the grown-ups and we hope to see as many family members and people from the community as possible. Please arrive in good time for a prompt 2:30pm start.

PTA Race Night - The PTA invites you to join us on Friday 13th October at Bentley Village hall for Race Night. Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. For those of you that haven't been before, it is a fun evening of screen projected horse races. Bets start from just 50p with cash prizes to be won! The event is open to all ages. There is a pay bar and a tuck shop for refreshments. Tickets are just £2 each with includes the price of your entry to this fun evening and nibbles on the tables.
Horses are available to purchase for just £5..will yours be the lucky winner and win you a cash prize?! Please pop your £5 in an envelope with your name and your chosen horses name on before the 10th October. These can be handed to any PTA member or the school office. If you can't make Race Night, why not buy a horse and enjoy the evening from afar! We look forward to seeing you there!

Harvest Festival – Thank you sincerely to all those families who contributed food items to the Harvest Festival collection in aid of FIND, the charity who supports homeless families in Ipswich. A few people have said they didn’t have the opportunity to bring their bits in today; if you are in that boat, please don’t fret, we will be adding our contributions to what the church collect at the weekend and they will be taken up to the charity next week. Therefore, if you do have items to bring in, please do still pop them in the early part of next week. Thank you.

In preparation for the Harvest Festival, Wolves class spent the afternoon making apple crumbles and producing beautiful Harvest art. We are very grateful to those parents who came in to lend a hand with the afternoon’s activities.

Stone Age Flint Knapping – Hedgehogs had an exciting afternoon of learning about how Stone Age man lived and the tools they used. They were all taught a bit about how flint was used and all had a go at producing their own flint tools. Some of the children were absolute naturals!!!! We are half expecting Ben C to announce he is going all out cave man. Our thanks to Mr Barker for coming in and showing us how to do this, and for giving us a bit more insight into this period in History.

Voice In A Million – Pupils in years 5 and 6 have had a letter sent home this week about a fantastic opportunity! Bentley and Copdock Schools have registered to take part in the Voice in a Million concert event due to take place at Wembley Arena, London on Wednesday 14^th March 2018. The concert aims to raise awareness of adoption and fostering in the UK. We will be rehearsing the songs in the run up to the event and if the last one we went to in 2013 is anything to go by, the children will experience a day that they will never forget! Please return application forms by 6^th October at the very latest.

Dates for your diary: