Whitehouse Weekly Bulletin 138

Friday 23rd October 2020

Message from Mrs Hall

This half-term has been super busy and I have been very proud of how the children have demonstrated ‘The Whitehouse Way’ at school and with their home learning, where we have needed to close some classes due to Coronavirus. It has been lovely to see so many children engage with their learning on ‘google classrooms’ and ‘Tapestry’; your support is greatly appreciated by everyone. Have a great and safe half-term holiday and please remember that school starts back on Tuesday 3^rd November (don’t forget to put your clocks back an hour on Sunday 25th October!)

Attendance for the Previous Week

Class with the Best Attendance – Frogs (99.6%)

Class that needs to improve their Attendance – Chameleons (84.1%)

Assemblies

The theme of our assemblies for the week after the half term holiday will be: Remembrance Sunday: What was it like for families who had loved ones on the front line?  (UNRC Link: Article 38: I have a right to protection in times of war. If I am under 15, I should never have to be in an army or take part in a battle).  Resources related to this assembly will soon be available on our website.  To access them, simply go to Learning and click on our Enquiry Based Assemblies.

COVID-19 – Holiday Arrangements

If your child is tested for Covid-19 during the half term holidays and receives a positive result, can we please ask that parents/carers to inform the school as soon as possible.  Please send a text or email us at parents@whcps.org.  We will then be able to ensure that any action that is required can be taken immediately.   We very much appreciate your assistance in this matter and enabling us to keep everyone in the school community as safe as possible.

Reception – Hot Dinners

We are very pleased to let you know that after half-term we will be able to offer the children in our Reception classes the opportunity to have the choice of a hot dinner as well as a pick and mix meal at lunchtime.  The children will continue to eat lunch in their corridor in bubbles and meals will continue to be brought down to them so they will not be going to the dining hall.  Please note the menus are available on the website at the following link: https://www.whcps.org/school-dinners/. 

High School Places – Year 6

Please note the deadline to apply for a High School Place for our Year 6 pupils is on Saturday 31^st October 2020.  Applications should be made online at www.suffolk.gov.uk/admissions.   If you are unable to make the application online, then a paper application should be completed (CAF1 form) and sent by email to admissions@suffolk.gov.uk or by post to Admissions Team, Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich, IP1 2BX.  If you post the application please ask the post office to give you proof of posting.  Please note if you have already completed your application, no further action is required.  If you need help regarding the admissions process, please call the team on 0345 600 0981 or email them on admissions@suffolk.gov.uk.

Key Stage 1:

Lower Key Stage 2:

Upper Key Stage 2:

‘Breaking the Mould Day’ – How to take your place in the world

On Friday 27^th November our whole school community will take part in a Diversity Day during which pupils will hear the amazing stories of some incredible individuals who, in spite of challenging circumstances ‘dreamt it and achieved it.’  Children will be encouraged to reflect on how much courage and perseverance it often requires just ‘to be yourself’.  They will also take responsibility in sometimes challenging the views they may have regarding disability, culture and gender.

Reading Awards

Last week the Purple Man reading award was given to Foxes in LKS2 who had a total of 45 minutes and Ocelots again in UKS2 with a fantastic 54 minutes.  Well done to you all.

Year 3

The children in Year 3 have been very busy this half term learning about the Stone Age.  This week, they had a chance to create their own Stone Age cave art, using inspiration from real Stone Age cave paintings!  They have been learning to use charcoal and a variety of natural materials to create their images using various patterns and designs. 

Payments

Can we remind parents/carers that due to the current circumstances we are unable to take money in school.  We would encourage where possible that payment is made online using either a debit or credit card, through Suffolk County Council using the following links:

Dinner Money: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/children-families-and-learning/schools/school-meals-uniforms-and-trips/school-meals/.  Please note you will be asked which days your child will be eating a school dinner.  You can enter any dates as we do not use this information, but will continue to ask your child each day what they would like for lunch.   There is a minimum payment of £11.50 which is the price of five school meals.

Breakfast Club: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/children-families-and-learning/schools/school-meals-uniforms-and-trips/pay-for-a-school-trip/

Dates for the Diary

Monday 26^th October – Friday 30^th October – Half Term Holiday

Monday 2^nd November – PD Day (No school for children)

Friday 13^th November – Children in Need (non-uniform day)

Thursday 19^th November – Parent/Carer Evening

Wednesday 25^th November – Parent/Carer Evening

Friday 27^th November – Breaking the Mould Day

Monday 7^th December – Flu Immunisations

Monday 21^st December – Friday 1^st January – Christmas Holiday

Monday 4^th January – PD Day (No school for children)

Friday 12^th February – PD Day (No school for children)

Monday 15^th February – Friday 19^th February – Half Term Holiday

Thursday 4^th March – Parent/Carer Evening

Wednesday 10^th March – Parent/Carer Evening

Friday 19^th March – Whole School SMSC Event

Monday 29^th March – Friday 9^th April – Easter Holiday