Whitehouse Weekly Bulletin 203

Friday 16th September 2022

 Message from Mrs Hall

We share in the sadness of the nation on the passing of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II.  Our school and trust will observe the mourning period but continue to support our children, families and staff. We will teach the children about the historical significance of the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II and help them to understand the historic moment we are in.  Whitehouse will be closed on Monday 19^th September as a mark of respect. Thank you for your continued support.  

Assemblies

The theme of our assemblies for next week will be: What is the importance of Pitru Paksha in the Hindu religion?  (UNRC Link: Article 30: If I come from a minority group, because of my race, religion or language, I have the right to enjoy my own culture, practise my own religion and use my own language). 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.

School Photos

Please note due to the Bank Holiday announced by King Charles III on Monday, the school photos have been rescheduled and will now take place on Monday 10^th October 2022. 

Halal Meat

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide halal meat for our school dinners.  Could we please ask parents/carers to remind their children that our meat is not halal, and that they will need to choose a vegetarian meal if halal food is required for your family and beliefs.  Thank you for your support.

Dinner Debt

Please note a number of children have a dinner debt.  It is a policy of Whitehouse that dinners should be paid for in advance.  Please ensure that any debt is cleared as a matter of urgency.  Children with a debt will be expected to bring a packed lunch to school each day until the balance is fully cleared.  Payment can be paid via the Arbor app or by bringing cash to the school office.  Thank you for your support in this matter. If you think your child may be eligible for free school meals, you can apply online at this link:  https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/children-families-and-learning/schools/school-meals-uniforms-and-trips/apply-for-free-school-meals/

Awards

Key Stage 1:

Lower Key Stage 2:

Upper Key Stage 2:

Job Vacancy: School Cleaner

We are currently looking to recruit another cleaner for the school.  For full details of the role please see the following link on our website: https://www.whcps.org/vacancies/ where you can also download a copy of the application form.  Please note applications forms are also available at the Main Office.

The role will be for 2.5 hours a day, 5 days a week for 44 weeks a year (including some holiday work).

Application forms must be completed in full, unfortunately we cannot accept CVs.  The closing date is 9.00am on Friday 23^rd September 2022 and interviews will take place shortly after.

If you have any questions please contact the School Office and ask to speak to Mrs Debbie Whight, HR Office.

Make a Difference Club

You may have noticed that one of the new after-school clubs being offered this year is our ‘Make a Difference’ club which has been created to enable any pupil in Years 4, 5 and 6 to develop valuable life skills such as empathy and citizenship whilst improving their social, communication and leadership skills.  This club would suit children who want to make a difference around them by working with the whole school community to make things better for people living in the Whitehouse area.  This might include:

• Carrying out investigations (for example looking at litter or traffic problems)
• Designing questionnaires
• Carrying out and analysing surveys
• Meeting with Governors, councillors and local businesses to pitch their ideas
• Writing letters to official people
• Designing posters to put around the school
• Writing articles to go into the School Newsletter

The club will have a different focus each half-term depending on the needs of the school.  In Autumn 1, we will be looking at home to improve Road Safety in our community by training Junior Road Safety Officers.  We look forward to seeing what they do over coming months!

Online Safety

Snapchat Family Centre:  One of the most in-demand safety control features of Snapchat is finally here.  Click the link below to read a free guide on how to use the new feature and for top tips on keeping children safe on Snapchat.

https://ineqe.com/2022/09/02/snapchat-family-center/?utm_campaign=Ineqe%20Safeguarding%20Roundup&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=225544751&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9Dr2KbY311x0jrdtWAt4iXudzPa2zQJM4BgMSgvrgsWQiyi4_tIaDuIj2Co-57Ubi9_Fj6Qx_xxOcYKbagK-7O_ZpIrQ&utm_content=225544751&utm_source=hs_email

myON

We were thrilled to have an email from myOn this week, congratulating the school on having one of the highest usages in Suffolk.  We are so pleased to hear that so many of our children are using this to increase their reading.  Well done to you all.

Year 4 Science

In Year 4 this week, the children have been using eggs to test which liquid will decay our teeth the most.  The shell of the egg is like the enamel of our teeth.  We used coke, milk, squash, orange juice and vinegar.  The children covered one of the eggs with toothpaste too, so see if it would stop the decay.  They will now be left for a week and the children will check them every day to see which liquid decays the teeth the most.  The children planned the experiments in groups and have made predictions on which they think will be the best or the worst for their teeth!  We look forward to seeing the results!

Brownies

Did you know that we have a Brownies group who meet at Whitehouse every Monday evening?  If you have any girls aged between 7 -10 years old who might be interested, they have a few spaces at the moment.  The girls get to work towards earning badges, they play games, get creative and make lifelong friendships.

If you would like to learn more, or register to have a space for your child, then please see the following link: https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/information-for-parents/register-your-daughter/

After School Clubs

A reminder that our after-school clubs start next week on Tuesday 20^th September.  You will have received an email confirming if your child has been successful in getting a place.  If you are unsure, please call the office who will be able to confirm.  Pick up from clubs is at 4.15pm. Clubs will run for 5 weeks.

Library News

It is good to see the children back using our libraries.  KS2 library is in full swing and we are looking forward to welcoming back Year 1 and Year 2, where we have lots of new reading books.  We will also be starting story time and borrowing books in the Early Year library from next week.

Following the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the activity in KS2 library this month is a word search and colouring pages all about the Queen and when completed the children will receive a Queen Elizabeth II bookmark.

Dates for the Diary

Friday 16^th September 2022 – Non-Uniform Day for MS-UK

Monday 10^th October 2022 – School Photos

Monday 24^th October 2022 to Friday 28^th October 2022 – Half Term Holiday

Monday 31^st October 2022 – Deadline to Apply for High School Place

Tuesday 1^st November 2022 – Flu Immunisations

Thursday 17^th November 2022 – Parents/Carers Evening

Wednesday 23^rd November 2022 – Parents/Carers Evening

Friday 25^th November 2022 – SMSC Whole School Day: Global Citizenship

Friday 2^nd December 2022 – Flu Immunisations Catch-up Day

Friday 16^th December 2022 – Last day of the Autumn Term

Tuesday 3^rd January 2023 – PD Day (School Closed to Children)

Wednesday 4^th January 2023 – First day back at school for the children