Benhall Infant and Pre-School Parent Portal - 21st April 2023

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Friday Letter - 21st April 2023

Dear Parents,

I can hardly believe that we are in the Summer Term already, some sunshine to go with it would be lovely. It has been a super busy week for everyone with so many exciting experiences for the children.

On Monday, Mrs Spence launched science week and inspired all the children to carry out their own scientific investigation - not surprisingly many of the investigations involved food. On Wednesday, we had a visit from the Science Dome which was a fabulous interactive space experience for all of our children. The staff and children would like to say a huge thank you to the PTA who agreed to fund this invaluable experience for everyone.

This morning we announced our new school council and I am really excited to see how well they work together to ensure the 'pupil voice' is heard. Congratulations to Jacob MC, Millie W, Monty, Mia, Jack, Dotty, Luke, Lois, Chris, Beca, Siddy and Naomi.

Have a lovely weekend everyone,

Love from Miss Morris and team xx

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Pre School News

Welcome back to Pre-School, we hope you all enjoyed the Easter Break. This week we have started a theme of being ‘Mini Scientists.’ We have carried out a range of experiments, Sinking and Floating, The Volcano, Rainbow Skittles and Mentos and Cola. We explored a variety of materials, objects and substances, which in turn help develop the children’s knowledge, vocabulary and encourages them to share their thoughts and make predictions on what might happen. We have also had assorted magnets, diferent switches, and timers that the children have explored. We have enjoyed lots of outdoor play in the sunny weather, on Friday we had Hall time and enjoyed some games. Our Little Wandle letter sound this week has been ‘r.’ We have a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Juliet, Chloe, Zoey, Elsie K and Joshua. Next week we continue with being ‘Mini Scientists,’ but look at seeds and growing. Have a lovely weekend, The Pre-School Team.

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Year Group In Focus - Year 1

This week Year one have been following in the footsteps of the great palaeontologist Mary Anning.

We have found out all about Mary’s life story and what it was like in Georgian England, we were amazed by facts such as only rich boys could go to school - how unfair! The children have created timelines and books all about Mary’s life they have been fascinating to read. We also started out new write stuff unit, Grandads Island and look forward to going adventuring with him and Syd in the coming weeks. What a fabulous first week back!

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Playground Safety Update

As you will be aware, we want to keep all children safe at school. It has come to our attention that children are hanging on the climbing frame and timber trail without holding on. We understand that children need to take risks and this may be something they do out of school at the park but please can we ask you to speak with your child about always holding onto the equipment with their hands whilst at school.

Just a reminder that the timber trail and climbing frame should not be used before or after school. We also ask that the tyres are left stacked up and are not used before the school day or after the school day.

School Lottery - please consider signing up to our weekly lottery draw. Guarantee one person from Benhall will win a small prize each week and entry to the larger £25k too. https://www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/lottery/school/benhall-infant-and-pre-school?fbclid=IwAR0rUMXuSJkEwlSv70blK4UUdKENqdBxoF-bk_MQ1-nfMgxgef-7zEQpwQs

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PTA News

Plans are underway for the Summer Fayre. This year's fayre will be held on 1st July 2023 at Benhall Infant School. Gates open at 12 noon.

The committee are keen to hear from anyone who can volunteer to help set up from 9am on the day or pack away after the event. As always, there are lots of opportunities to volunteer to man a stall for some or all of the Fayre. Please speak to a member of the committee or your class rep if you can help out. The success of the Fayre is very much dependent on the number of volunteers (and of course a drop of sunshine!)

Big Help Out - As part of King Charle's III initiative to raise the profile of volunteering he is asking everyone to use part of the extra bank holiday for his coronation to volunteer to "help out". In conjunction with Benhall Residents Association the PTA are inviting volunteers to help out with a number of outdoor jobs, e.g. painting sheds and fences, litter picking etc at Benhall Infant School on Monday 8th May 2023 between 10am and 12 noon.

Easter Trail Update

A huge thank you to everyone who supported the Easter Egg Trail over Easter. I know there has been some head scratching over what the unscrambled phrase was! Miss Morris picked a winner (from the correct entries) out of a hat during this morning's assembly. Congratulations to Isaac J who won a bag of goodies.

For those of you still wondering the phrase was ......

The Bunny has lost his purple Easter egg.

Lunchtimes

Our lunchtimes have vastly improved since September and we have such a dedicated and nurturing lunchtime team who have come up with lots of superb ideas to make lunchtimes even more enjoyable, thank you to our lunchtime team! As the weather begins to warm up we have planned for a few changes – the children have been made aware in a lunchtime assembly and we will remind them when some of our changes can happen. They are as follows:

The field will be open for the children to enjoy their playtime on
Packed lunches will be able to eat outside on the tyres
Water bottles will go outside – please can we kindly ask you label them
Mrs Smurthwaite is going to be running sports and games for the children to join in with on Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursdays
The staff and School Council are going to be looking for role models with the playpod and children who are chosen to be part of our ‘Pod Squad’ will be able to set up and tidy it away at the start and end of lunchtimes.

If you have any queries then pop Miss Bilton an email to rebeccabilton@benhall.gloucs.sch.uk

Purple Learning

You will see above the weekly purple learning focus for Term 5. The purple learning skill will be introduced on a Monday assembly and then Wednesday assembly looks deeper into these skills. It would be great if you could pop a note on your fridge or pin board and chat with your child about the skill of the week so they can begin to articulate this at school and at home. We will also continue to update our purple learner board which is in the main corridor of school. During Wednesday assemblies with Miss Bilton we will be sharing how we can be purple learners at home and this is where you can help! If your child has celebrated others, put in effort to a task, shown resilience, persevered or listened to feedback then please add to Tapestry or send Miss Bilton an email with the details. We will then share this in assembly and your child will be celebrated and added to the purple learner board in school – we will then send a special purple learner note home. If you prefer to email than add to Tapestry please let Miss Bilton know at any point in the term – rebeccabilton@benhall.gloucs.sch.uk

Thank you 😊

Purple Learners of the Week

Ethan
Elsie
Raine
Rose
Jaxon
Adan
Mrs Norman
Miss Mason

Well done everyone, we are all really proud of you.

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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:

Kieran
Olivia L
Jacob T
Remi
Millie W
Molly
Louis
Hasvi
Ollie J
Pedro
Mrs Bennet
Mrs Seyers

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 or purple 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 - Wednesday and Thursday (Balance Ability)
Forest School Days - 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 - Wednesday and Thursday (Balance Ability)
Forest School Days - 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

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 - every other Tuesday
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 - every other Tuesday
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