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Friday Letter - 4th November 2022
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Dear Parents,
I hope you all had a restful half-term. The staff and I are delighted to be back with your children who have had a really positive first week of term. The children in all year groups have focused some of their learning around Bonfire Night and the Gunpowder Plot. Having seen the history teaching in all year groups, I have been blown away by how each year group built on their previous knowledge. The teachers have been very impressed by the depths of conversations they have had with the children based on this topic.
The children are really focused on their learning and enjoying being back together in their classes. They have shown what amazing purple learners they are as they tackled each new learning challenge this week.
We hope that if you are out at a Bonfire this weekend you all stay safe and dry!
Love from Miss Morris and team xx
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A Fond Farewell
This week we heard that Florrie S is leaving us to join a new school closer to her new home. Her friends and teachers are really sorry that she is leaving, but we know that she will continue to be an amazing purple learner and her new school are very lucky to have her. Her friends in year 1 said these things about Florrie when we were chatting about her today. "She plays with me." "I will miss her so much." "She is so smiley." "She chases me around the playground." "She plays phonics in the calm corner" "I miss her. love, love, love."
Have a great time at your new school Florrie xxx
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Pre School News
In Pre-School this week we have welcomed two new children and their families, Miller and Alice have joined gold family. We have started a new theme and we are learning all about Autumn and looking at the different things that happen and take place during this season. The children have watched information on the interactive board showing the changes in Autumn such as getting colder, leaves falling, getting darker earlier and animals get ready for winter to hibernate. Also that we have Halloween and Firework night and how some of us carve a pumpkin and some of us might watch a firework display. We have been learning the story of the Owl babies and the story telling actions that support the story, we will continue to develop this skill throughout the year. In both groups the children explored autumn feely bags with assorted items and took turns to use the sense of touch to describe what they thought the item might be, with great results. We had a dark tent with torches and resources for the children to explore and a Percy Park keeper hut with animal costumes to dress up in and role play. In the water there have been spiders and drain pipes, on the art tables the children have been creating spiders webs, leaf printing and firework pictures. In Silver family we had a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Archie and Abel. Next week we continue to learn about Autumn. A reminder to name lunch boxes, water bottles and coats and spare clothes in bags please. Important News, on Monday 7th November we have the new member of our team join us Miss Quiney who will be based in Silver family, and we welcome her to Benhall Pre-School. Have a pleasant weekend, The Pre-School Team.
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Focus Year Group of the Week
REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE 5TH OF NOVEMBER; GUNPOWDER, TREASON AND PLOT…I wonder if you can guess what Team Year 2 have been learning about this week?? The children have been getting better at being historians this week and have loved every minute of finding out about this dramatic historical event. The Gunpowder Plot really has inspired our little learners and we definitely have some budding historians in our midst. We have learnt how to create a chronological timeline of events as well as how to create an eye-catching fact-file. Year 2 had the chance to handle some historical artefacts dating back to the 1600s which were kindly lent to us by The Wilson Museum in Cheltenham. We got to handle quills, coins, a fascinating set of iron keys, a chamber pot and some replica clothing from the Stuart era. It really has been an incredible week and we have all learnt so much. Ask your child whether they can tell you about the Gunpowder Plot - I am sure their knowledge will amaze you.
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Maths
On that last very wet Friday of the term, the teachers came together for an inset day which was led by our fabulous maths leads - Mrs Norman and Miss Mason. We explored how to deepen the knowledge of our little mathematicians through effective questioning and challenging provision tasks. As you can see we had a lot of fun testing out the games. If you haven't seen the post on your child's Tapestry account have a look at how to play Dotty Six - It is so much fun and a great way to embed your child's understanding of number bonds. You don't have to stick to 6, what would it be like if you did Dotty 12?
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School Council Update
Our wonderful School Council are in the final term as next term we elect new members. School Council have a busy term ahead and already have a meeting planned in with Miss Morris and a meeting with the PTA. We are going to be thinking about our Christmas events as well as completing another litter pick (the children LOVED this last term!) Keep your eyes peeled next week for an up date on our termly plans. 😊
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Lunchtimes
We have really worked hard as a whole school team to make our lunchtimes even more fun, we started last term by introducing a range of zones and are hoping to build on these this term. We have welcomed Mr Williams from Move More who is joining us for three lunchtimes a week and will be leading and initiating lots of fun games and sports, we are excited to see his ideas. Please make sure your child now has a clearly labelled coat in school every day as the weather can so easily take a turn and we try as much as possible to stay outside at lunchtimes rather than having ‘wet play’, as you know it is so important for the brain to have a break and enjoy the fresh air and outdoors. We still have a number of lunchtime vacancies so if you know of anybody then please spread the word and ask them to contact Miss Bilton or Mrs Evans. Thank you to our pupil supervisors who are working hard to ensure lunchtimes are a safe, fun and active time of day, we could not create such a wonderful lunchtime environment without them.
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Police Visit
We were very lucky this week when we were visited by PC Cooper and PC Harris who came into school to share with us what they get up to in their role as police officers. They told us all about their different responsibilities and how they help to keep people safe in the community. They showed us their taser, handcuffs (and we even saw some of the teachers in them!) walkie talkies and we even got to go outside to see the police car and hear the sirens. Thank you PC Cooper and PC Harris for taking the time to come in and inspire us, we had so much fun!
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Purple Learning Focus
Last term we absolutely aced our purple learning skills and it was so prevalent within the school environment. This week our main focus has been ‘Resilience’. The Benhall children and staff have been thinking about how they can recover from setbacks or when they make mistakes. At Benhall, we believe mistakes are marvellous and show a part of the learning cycle so please remind children of this at home too if you can. The children have been thinking about how they can tackle problems with a positive mindset and how they can overcome things with enthusiasm and courage, even when it becomes difficult. Next week, we will be sharing something new for our purple learning this term so please make sure you come back and find out what! 😊
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Purple Learners of the Week
Alex B
Mia
Jake P
Clara
Skyla
Nancy
Well done everyone, we are all really proud of you.
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PE Kit Update
We have had a request to consider adding a plain round necked purple T-Shirt to our PE Kit because the white ones become grubby very quickly. If you wish to swap to a purple T-Shirt for PE this has now been approved as official PE Kit.
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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:
Connor Wa
Henry D
Lily S
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PTA Update
We are looking forward to our Autumn Party this evening. Thank you to all the parents and teaching staff who have volunteered their time to make this such a lovely event for the children.
We are looking ahead to our next events. We have a meeting to plan the Christmas Fayre is on 7th November at 7.45pm at School. Reminder Christmas card ordering deadline is 14th November.
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Just a heads up that we will be wearing spots for Children in Need on the 18th November.
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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).
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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
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