Whitehouse Weekly Bulletin 169

Thursday 21st October 2021

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 homework. As you will have noted from Suffolk County Council guidance, Covid-19 has increased in the local area. We are reviewing our risk assessment and will be putting in some additional measures to mitigate the spread of the virus after the break. Therefore, after half-term we will be reducing the number of visitors to school and encouraging parents to wear face coverings on the school site. Teachers will also be wearing face coverings at the classroom doors.   We do hope that you have a great and safe half-term holiday and please remember that school starts back on Monday 1^st November (don’t forget to put your clocks back an hour on Saturday 30th October!)

Attendance for the Previous Week

Class with the Best Attendance – Ocelots (98%)

Assemblies

The theme of our assemblies for the week after half term will be: How did World War 2 affect children’s rights?  UNRC Link: Article 4: I have the right to have my rights made a reality by the government.  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.

Jubilee Celebration

The Queen will celebrate her Platinum Jubilee next year in June 2022. This milestone means Her Majesty will be the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. As the Bank Holiday falls during May half-term we are permitted to select another day during this academic year.  In line with Westbourne Academy, the day selected is Friday 3rd December. Therefore, Whitehouse Community Primary will be closed to children and staff on this date. Thank you for your continued support.

Year 6 High School Places

A reminder to all parents and carers of our Year 6 children, that the deadline to apply for a High School place for September 2022 is Sunday 31^st October 2021.  You should make your application online at www.suffolk.gov.uk/admissions.  If you are unable to make an application online then you can apply on a CAF1 form (which is available from the Admissions Team number below) and send this to Admissions Team, Endeavour house, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich, IP1 2BX.   Please ensure you ask for proof of postage.   If you require any assistance, you can call the Admissions Team on 0345 600 0981 or email them at admissions@suffolk.gov.uk.

Awards

Key Stage 1:

Lower Key Stage 2:

Upper Key Stage 2:

Purple Man Reading Competition

The winners of the Purple Man competition last week were Tigers (UKS2) and Hedgehogs (LKS2).  However, we have also given an extra award to Owls this week as they had the second highest score.  This is an incredible achievement for a Year 3 class who are just starting to get used to using Accelerated Reader.  Well done everyone!

Parking

We are sorry to have to raise the issue of parking again, but we still have a number of parents/carers who are making pick up and drop off times more difficult due to the way they are parking their cars.  Please can we remind you cars may NOT be parked on the yellow zig zag lines outside of the school gates and please can we ask you to park considerately so that all members of the school community are able to remain safe.

Staff Leaving

It is with sadness we say goodbye to Mrs Lisa Anderson this week, as she leaves the school after being a Teaching Assistant with us for over 15 years.  We wish her all the best in her new ventures. 

Pupil Voice and Charities at Whitehouse

At Whitehouse, we are always keen to support individuals who are less fortunate than us and each year we raise between £1,000 and £2,000 for a range of local, national and worldwide charities.  Last year our children said that they would like to have a greater input into which charities we support as a school, so this year we are doing things a little differently.

Over the last few weeks, House Captains have been working with their Head of House to research and choose 3 possible charities which they potentially want peers in their house to support.  They presented them during assembly on Monday after which house members had the opportunity to vote for their preferred one.  Survey results will be released after half-term.  Why not, as a parent or carer, take some time to discuss with your child which one of the charities below they voted for and why.  Also, please do ask your child to explain which Children’s Right they relate to and how.

Christmas Shoeboxes

Whitehouse Baptist Church are again supporting the Christmas Shoebox appeal, where they are gathering items to make up shoeboxes which are sent to boys and girls throughout the world who lack many of the items we take for granted.  If you would like to donate an item or two to help their appeal we are acting as a drop off point for them.  The kinds of items they need are: small cuddly toys, bars of soap, combs, toothbrushes, stationery items, socks, sunglasses and small toys such as yo-yos or skipping ropes.  Items need to arrive at school by Thursday 18^th November at the latest.  Please note there are some items which are not able to be accepted including sweets and chocolate, liquids and toothpaste. More details can be found on the leaflet which we will share with parents/carers by email.  It is a really lovely and easy way to help your child learn about helping those in need.

Free School Meal Vouchers

A reminder that the parents/carers of our children who are eligible for Free School Meals will each be receiving an email on Friday 22^nd October from Edenred.  This will contain a link to claim your £15 shopping voucher per eligible child.  If you have any problems and cannot access the voucher or you do not receive the email, please inform us on parents@whcps.org. 

Poppy Appeal

We are pleased to let you know that last year The School Parliament raised £185.78 for The British Legion from the sale of poppies and other items.  After the half term holiday, they will again be selling poppies and much more!  Keep an eye out on future newsletters where we will be letting you know where and when you can come along and buy items.  Mrs Shalka would like to pass on her thanks for you continued support for The School Parliament and all they do.

Ipswich & South Suffolk Cross Country Event

On Tuesday, Mr Jordan and Mr Bradford took 16 of our Year 6 pupils to the Ipswich & South Suffolk Games Cross Country event.  It was held in the stunning grounds of the Royal Hospital School.  As a result of previous cancellations, this was the very first time that these children had been able to take part in the event.  Despite this, each and every child showed impressive determination and perseverance, with all 16 children completing the 2,200m distance of the race.  Mr Jordan and Mr Bradford could not have been prouder of each of our children, not only for their efforts during the race but also the team spirit they showed as they cheered and encouraged each other over the finishing line!  A special mention to Hayden for finishing an impressive 15^th position in the boys’ race.  It was a fantastic event with an amazing group of children.  Well done to all who took part in the event.

Year 4 Homework Projects

Our Year 4 children have had a very busy term learning about the Anglo Saxons and working on their connected homework projects.  Here are just a few examples of their wonderful work! 

Eliza made a shield, Henry made a helmet, Liyoh made a brooch and Rebecca made a boat.  In addition, Laycee, Sophia, Jayden and Grace also made some delicious Anglo Saxon biscuits and cakes.  Well done Year 4! 

Dates for the Diary

Friday 22^nd October – PD Day (School Closed to Children)

Monday 25^th to Friday 29^th October – Half Term Holiday

Thursday 18^th November – Parents Evening (remote)

Friday 19^th November – Children in Need (Non-uniform day)

Monday 22^nd November – Ipswich Museum – Year 6 Ocelots and Chameleons

Tuesday 23^rd November – Ipswich Museum – Year 6 Tigers and Toucans

Wednesday 24^th November – Parents Evening (remote)

Thursday 25^th November – Flu Immunisation (Year 5 and Catch up Session)

Friday 26^th November – RRSA Whole School Day

Friday 3^rd December – Bank Holiday for Jubilee (School closed)

Friday 17^th December – Last Day of Autumn Term

Monday 20^th December to Monday 3^rd January – Christmas Holiday

Tuesday 4^th January – PD Day (School Closed to Children)

Monday 21^st February to Friday 25^th February – Half Term Holiday

Monday 28^th February – PD Day (School Closed to Children)