Bentley Weekly Update 05/02/21

Good afternoon all,

Mothers' Day Messages

Traditionally we have taken part in the Mothers' Day Messages Ipswich Star Special, and this year is no different. If your child would like to write a special message to go in the paper, get them to write one short sentence to be included. Perhaps a different family member might like to organise this so the message stays as a nice surprise for Mum / Nan 🙂

Policy updates

We have now updated a number of policies as per our schedule of review.  These can be found on the website Bentley CEVC & Copdock Primary Federation: Policies (bentleycopdock.co.uk) and include:

• Educational Visits
• Pupil Premium
• Relationships Education - updated to include statutory changes but consulted aspects of provision have remained the same.
• Equalities
• Recruitment

Parent Questionnaire

Thank you so much to those who managed to complete our questionnaire.  It was great to hear so many positive comments about the support you are receiving from staff.  We are discussing some of the areas which you are finding a challenge and will share any agreed changes as soon as possible.  From next week, all teachers will be making sure uploaded files clearly identify which day they are for.  This may help you to locate resources more readily. 

We do appreciate that every family has different challenges or circumstances.  Feedback on the amount of learning expected each day was for most considered 'just the right amount'.  We have set work following the Government expectations/guidelines of between 3-4 hours a day.  If you have been finding this a challenge, please try to complete the identified learning requested by the teacher each day and focus predominantly on reading, writing and maths.  Older children should be able to do this quite independently and teachers are available to help guide where needed, so please do contact us at school.  If you would like additional learning, then please remember you can access a range of activities online. See our website for further links and information Bentley CEVC & Copdock Primary Federation: REMOTE LEARNING JAN 2021 (bentleycopdock.co.uk) 

Thank you for your commitment to supporting your children where you can. We know it is difficult and that they are missing their friends (and teachers) a great deal.

Safer Internet Day, Tuesday 9th February

Next Tuesday all the children, at home and in school, will be learning about how to use the internet responsibly and will be being asked to question the reliability of the information they find online.

Next week's homework due by Friday 12th February will be to read through the Acceptable Use Agreement with your child and discuss what this means, so they understand what is expected of them when they go online in school.  This is a good time to discuss screen time at home too and your expectations of how they use the internet at home. 

Advice for parents on parental controls, the latest issues and how to have this conversation, can be found at https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers. There are also useful leaflets available on our website Bentley CEVC & Copdock Primary Federation: Online Safety (bentleycopdock.co.uk)

You will need to read the Acceptable Use Agreement for Parents too and then complete a form to say that you and your child/ children have read and agreed to both of the Acceptable Use Agreements.

Click on the form below:

EY and KS1 Form 

KS2 Form 

This form needs to be completed by Friday 12th February please.

Important Reminders

• Please remember when logging into the live sessions to enter your name in the format as expressed in the agreement at the start of term.  Please do not add any other messages in the name.  You can refer to the guidance here for further information. 

• We will be discussing the safe use of cameras during our class sessions. Please do not join a live event in a bedroom but find a comfortable place to sit. Please blur the background or have the camera turned off if this is not possible.

• When dropping your child/ren at school in the mornings please remember to wear a mask despite not coming onto site.  Thank you for wearing them on the school grounds.

Links to share

There is a campaign afoot to Keep Moving Suffolk - please follow the link for suggestions of how you can achieve this through dance and exercise.  Home Schooling | Keep Moving Suffolk

PTA Update

There is a PTA meeting tonight at 8pm on Zoom. If you would like to join, please contact Aimee via the PTA Facebook page (the link is on the page already). Exciting news! The East of England Coop have donated £200 to the PTA as they are unable to run their token scheme at the moment. We are very grateful to them for their generous donation.

Have a lovely weekend, enjoy the snow (if it comes)

The Bentley Team