1. Dear Parents, Value for the term: Determination Welcome back, I hope that you all enjoyed the half-term break! A huge thank you to everyone this week, for their efforts to make World Book Day a success. Alex Keller, the visiting author inspired the children to write fantasy, superhero and science fiction stories. A big thank you to Mrs Mottram for organising all the events. The children looked fantastic in their costumes and it was lovely to feel the buzz of excitement around the school. Thank you to those parents who came to our Parents as Partners Workshop. I do hope you found the afternoon informative. Parents Evening We look forward to welcoming you to our Parents Evenings. There will be a letter sent out next week providing you with information about the new assessment procedures and our reporting arrangements. Head Teacher, Mrs Helen Crolla Benson C of E School, Oxford Road, Benson, Wallingford, OX10 6LX. Tel: 01491 202502 www.bensoncofeprimary.org.uk ISSUE 4

2. BENSON C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER ISSUE 4 Benson C of E School, Oxford Road, Benson, Wallingford, OX10 6LX. Tel: 01491 202502 www.bensoncofeprimary.org.uk Every organisation, whether it be a large corporate business, small local charity or school, should be clear on what its aims and aspirations are and how they plan to achieve them. Developing a strategy (plan) is a means of giving coherence and direction to an organisation, its employees and stakeholders. The Governors and Senior Leadership Team (Mrs. Crolla and Mrs. Mottram) have therefore devised a strategy for Benson C of E Primary School to ensure all our teachers, parents, sponsors, children and community are engaged in what we are aiming to achieve. Our pupils are our number one priority and are therefore at the heart of our strategy. We want to ensure that they receive the best education we can provide in a safe and welcoming environment in order to prepare them for their adult life. As with any strategy, it is imperative that all parties understand it, accept it and are engaged in it. The Governors, Senior Leadership Team and Teachers are committed to deliver against this plan and encourage you, the parents, to be part of this plan too. If we all work together in one direction for our shared common goal we will achieve it. Please click on the link below to see our School Strategy. http://www.bensoncofeprimary.org.uk/perch/resources/benson-c-of-e-strategy-2016.pdf

3. 01/03/16 - Sycamore Class trip to Dorchester Abbey 04/03/16 - Maple Class Care & Share Assembly 07/03/16 - Parents Evening (not Chestnut class) 08/03/16 - Parents Evening (Chestnut Class only) 09/03/16 - Parents Evening (all classes) 11/03/16 - Chestnut Class Care & Share Assembly 14/03/16 - Yr6 and Yr2 SATS Parents Meeting - 5.30pm 18/03/16 - Sport Relief Day 23/03/16 – Willow & Elm Trip to Earth Trust (am only) 24/03/16 - End of Term 4 @ 2.15pm 11/04/16 - Beginning of Term 5 22/04/16 - Oak Class Care & Share Assembly BENSON C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER ISSUE 4 Benson C of E School, Oxford Road, Benson, Wallingford, OX10 6LX. Tel: 01491 202502 www.bensoncofeprimary.org.uk Lunch Money and Nursery Fees Please ensure your child's lunch account is kept in credit. Also, could we ask all nursery parents to pay their nursery fees within 14 days. If at anytime you are unsure of your child's lunch balance please contact the office. Thank you. Reminder: Please call the school office by 10am if your child is unwell and will be absent from school. If your child has a medical appointment, please let the office know asap so your child can be marked with the relevant medical code in the school register.

4. BENSON C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER ISSUE 4 Benson C of E School, Oxford Road, Benson, Wallingford, OX10 6LX. Tel: 01491 202502 www.bensoncofeprimary.org.uk Parents as Partners We are fortunate to have skilled professionals at school working to improve outcomes for all children. We value the support from parents because this enables children to reinforce their learning at home, which increases their confidence when faced with new tasks. However, children learn in many different ways. All children require support, encouragement and opportunities to apply their learning in real contexts; e.g. writing for a specific purpose, calculating costs when shopping, holding conversations or increasing their general knowledge through days out. Recently, Sarahjane Gilles has shared practical ways that parents can ensure children develop the necessary skills for learning. This is often as simple as good routines, high expectations and good communication. Good behaviour, both in school and out, is vital for children to flourish and be confident in a variety of social situations. I would like to thank parents for all the support you give us as staff, to ensure that children aspire to being the best they can be. With such a strong partnership, we can aspire to outstanding outcomes for the children of Benson.

5. BENSON C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER ISSUE 4 Benson C of E School, Oxford Road, Benson, Wallingford, OX10 6LX. Tel: 01491 202502 www.bensoncofeprimary.org.uk Skipping Workshop This was a great day where each class was taught different skipping skills and then we came together at the end of the day for a skipping show. Children had been chosen through the day to demonstrate acquired skills and were challenged to improve their performance from earlier in the day. It was lovely to see the growth in self esteem and confidence as they exceeded their own expectations, and achieved where previously they had struggled. Play leaders and lunchtime supervisors have continued to lead playtime activities and it is great to see the continued enthusiasm for skipping games in the playground! ROPES! – there are still a small number of ropes available for sale in the school office - £4 each (£6 for a colour change one). First come, first served until Friday 4 th March. Sport Relief is coming up on Friday 18 th March. A letter and sponsorship form will be coming home soon. Play leaders will lead skipping competitions at playtimes! Year 3/4 Mixed Football Tournament Another great display of determination, teamwork and confidence building from Benson children. All the children gave their best and enjoyed the event – well done! Sainsbury's Active Kids Please bring in your vouchers as you collect them – thank you This term – 7 more tournaments, Sports Relief and Inter-House Netball (KS1 and KS2)! Cross Country – Chiltern Edge School this Saturday 27 th February. Sportshall Athletics Team 2016

6. BENSON C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER ISSUE 4 Benson C of E School, Oxford Road, Benson, Wallingford, OX10 6LX. Tel: 01491 202502 www.bensoncofeprimary.org.uk Earth Trust Lambing Weekends 12 th -13 th March 19 th -20 th March Enjoy a baa-rilliant day out down on the Earth Trust Farm! Our annual Lambing Weekends are a fantastic opportunity to visit a working farm and meet some of the residents. This year there’s even more farmyard fun to be had: as well as the sheep and their lambs, there’ll be pigs, piglets, goats and more! Plus spring craft activities, bale climbing and a sheep hunt. 11am-4pm each day; refreshments available. Adults £6, children £3, family £15, free for Earth Trust Friends. We hope to see ewe there! More info at www.earthtrust.org.ukwww.earthtrust.org.uk A big thank you! At Christmas, FoBS was given a very generous donation of £100. A little late but we would like to thank that person (who wished to remain anonymous) for this. We have lots of plans as to what to spend the money on... one of which is the development of the outside space. We are currently conducting a survey with the teachers and children as to ascertain what improvements could be made... watch this space! Uniform sale - Friday 4th March Summer uniform will be sold, along with all the regular items before and after school. If you have any non-fitting uniform at home that you would like to donate, please bring to the office. Thank you! Date for your diary - Film club - Thursday 14th April 3.15-5pm Film choice tbc. Look for a letter coming soon in book bags.