Benhall Infant and Pre-School Parent Portal - 7th October 2022

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Friday Letter - 7th October 2022

Dear Parents,

Wow, what a busy week we have had, cram packed with purple learning in every classroom. This week I want to celebrate our wonderful reception children joining us for assembly. They have shown that they are ready and respectful throughout all the exciting assemblies we have had this week. On Monday, Mrs Spence kick-started the week with our singing assembly. The children are learning a range of songs and how to perform them. A firm favourite seems to have been "Autumn Leaves" as I have heard children in all year groups singing it as they go about their day. On Tuesday, Mrs Aitken and Mrs Selby joined forces to introduce harvest to the children. The children really enjoyed the assembly and all the props that Mrs Selby had brought it to enhance their understanding of why we give thanks at harvest time. On Wednesday, the whole school joined Miss Bilton and Mrs Smurthwaite as they introduced the new routines and play zones for lunchtime and despite the weather being a bit unpredictable this week, we can already see how much everyone is enjoying the new zones. Dressing up and music is proving to be very popular. On Thursday, Miss Bilton helped everyone to this about being safe at lunchtime and the children shared their ideas. This morning I was sad not to be at school for our celebration assembly but Miss Bilton has already filled me in on who was a purple learner and about all the good work and celebrations from home.

Have a restful weekend and I hope we get to enjoy some autumn sunshine.

From Miss Morris and the Benhall Team xx

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Pre-School News

In Pre-School this week we have continued our theme of learning ‘All About Me.’ The children have been speaking about where they live, what their house is like, they have shared within their groups their favourite thing such as a toy, food or colour. We have also touched on our emotions what might make them happy, sad, scared or worried. Throughout the week the children have created self portraits exploring different coloured paints to represent the colour of their skin, hair and eye colour with some wonderful results. We have listened to stories relating to our topic on the interactive board. Next week we move on to a new theme of learning about Colours, Shapes and Numbers. In Silver family we have a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Aiden, Teddy, Sebastian and Mrs Callaghan. Have a lovely weekend, The Pre-School Team.

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Focus Year Group of the Week

This week in year 2, the children have been perfect purple learners as we have begun to move our focus on from owls to British Birds. Our learning this week has involved the children designing and making some brilliant bird feeders, as well as beginning to look at writing instructions for how to create them. The whole of the year 2 team have been impressed with how creative the designing and building process has been! The children have also began investigating the Benhall magpie problem, which will lead into some superb scientific investigations next week!

Lunchtimes

We are having a real push to make our lunchtimes even more enjoyable for all. On Wednesday, we had a whole school assembly with all of the children and staff, including our wonderful pupil supervisors who support the children at lunchtime. We are trialling a new ‘zone’ system where the children can complete different activities in the zone they choose (they can move freely when they like from zone to zone). We now have a quiet zone, a play pod zone, a music/dancing zone, a free play zone and the field zone. As the children become more confident with these zones our aim is to have a games zone where the fabulous Mrs Smurthwaite will be leading and teaching games to the children. We still have pupil supervisor roles so if you know anybody or fancy working at Benhall over lunchtime please contact Mrs Evans in the office.

As we are changing our lunchtimes to these wonderful zones we have a slight plea, if you have any crayons, paper or clipboards then we would love to have them for our quiet zone. Please drop them at the office to Mrs Evans or Mrs Wintle and they will pass onto Miss Bilton. 😊

School Council

Our litter pick is planned for 13.10.22 and the School Council will be bringing a friend along to help them. Our next meeting is on 12.10.22 where we will be preparing things for the Autumn disco on 4.11.22.

Purple Learning

There has been a real buzz this week of purple learning. It is so evident that this is naturally embedded in our school and the children and staff are all committed to supporting each other in becoming a better purple learner all the time. Just a reminder of our purple learning skills:

I can celebrate others
I can learn from feedback
I understand that effort is the key to success
I can embrace challenges
I can persevere

This week we have seen Reception embracing the challenge of joining us in our morning assemblies which has really given us our ‘full family’ feel. Year 1 have been celebrating others in PSHE thinking about how they are similar and different to their friends and Year 2 have been persevering to create incredible bird boxes. Well done everyone.

Purple Learners of the Week

Landon P
Skyla
Ollie T
Felicity
Hannah
Gniewomir
Oscar
Pedro
Memphis
Mrs Aitken

Well done everyone, we are all really proud of you

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PTA

Thank you to all who attended the AGM.

We have a new Treasurer- Kim Tyler - welcome to the team. We didn’t have anyone come forward as Secretary, so get in touch if you fancy taking on this role.

We also need class reps for Blue class. Please let us know if you are interested or want to find out more.

Get in touch if you can help with future fundraisers pta@benhall.gloucs.co.uk

Our next meeting is on 20th October 7.30 at The Hatherly Pub. Everyone is welcome.

Friday 4th November the PTA are hosting a party for the children.

Tickets are £3 per child including free drink and a temporary tattoo. Tickets available to buy on parent pay.

4.30-5.30pm Reception and Pre-School* children 5.45-6.30pm Year 1 and Year 2

Arrive and leave via hall door at rear of school.

*preschool children need to be accompanied by a parent please.

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Roses Theatre Trip - 6/12/22

We are all looking forward to taking the whole school to The Roses Theatre to see Snow White on Tuesday 6th December. The cost per pupil is £18.00 which can be found on your Parent Pay account.

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We would like to wish members of our Benhall Family who have celebrated their birthday a really happy birthday. Happy birthday to:

James G
Pia
Beca

Class Routines

PE Kit

What a great start to wearing school PE kit on PE days – thank you parents for your help with this.

PE Kit reminder:

Navy blue shorts or tracksuit bottoms
Plain white T-shirt
Navy blue hoody or sweatshirt
Trainers

If your child has joined an after school sports club they can wear their school PE Kit on club days too (no football strips).

Orange Class
PE Days - Monday and Wednesday
Forest School Days Starts 27/9/22 - every other Tuesday
Book Bags - Every day please
Book Changes - Bring in on Wednesday go home on Friday
Sound Books - Back in on Wednesday
PPA Day and Cover - Weds am by Miss Everett

Yellow Class
PE Days - Monday and Wednesday
Forest School Days Starts 27/9/22 - every other Tuesday
Book Bags - Every day please
Book Changes - Bring in on Wednesday go home on Friday
Sound Books - Back in on Wednesday
PPA Day and Cover - Weds am by Miss Bilton

Green Class
PE Days - Wednesday and Thursday
Forest School Days - Starting on 29th September then every other Thursday
Book Bags - Every day please
Book Changes - Friday
PPA Day and Cover - Weds pm by Miss Bilton and Mrs Smurthwaite

Blue Class
PE Days - Wednesday and Thursday
Forest School Days - Starting on 29th September then every other Thursday
Book Bags - Every day please
Book Changes - Friday
PPA Day and Cover - Weds pm by Miss Bilton and Mrs Smurthwaite

Indigo Class
PE Days - Monday and Friday
Forest School Days - Starting on 28th September then every other Wednesday
Book Bags - Every day please
Book Changes - Friday
Homework - Thursday (Tapestry)
PPA Day and Cover - Tues by Mrs Aitken

Violet Class
PE Days - Monday and Friday
Forest School Days - Starting on 28th September then every other Wednesday
Book Bags - Every day please
Book Changes - Thursday
Homework - Thursday (Tapestry)
PPA Day and Cover - Tues am by Miss Morris