Whitehouse Weekly Bulletin 221

Friday 10th February 2023

Message from Mrs Hall

It has been great to see so many parents in school this half-term at our share events (Article 5: family guidance as children develop). We have so many more events planned this year, so do check the newsletters carefully for the dates as the children are very keen to share their great work.

Unfortunately, we have had a number of concerns raised from our neighbours about some of the parking at the beginning and end of the school day. Whilst we appreciate that many of you park considerately, please could I remind you not to park on the yellow chevrons outside the school, in front of driveways or up on the pavements. This not only causes a problem for our neighbours but also puts our children at risk on their walk home. Thank you for your continued support. We hope that everyone has a lovely half-term break. School starts back on Monday 20^th February.

Attendance for the previous week:

Class with the best attendance: Ocelots (100%)

Family Breakfast

We are very excited to let you know that starting Monday 27^th February 2023 we will be holding a Family Breakfast each Monday from 8.00am to 8.30am. The first session will be for EYFS and KS1 (Year R, 1 and 2) children to come along with their parents/carers. Siblings are also welcome to come along, but please note children will need to remain under the supervision of parents/carers throughout the session. Together they will be able to enjoy a simple breakfast free of charge.  We think this will be a lovely start to the day for everyone.  Please come in to school via the KS1 playground and Mrs Gotts will be there to show you the way to the dining hall.  On the following Monday 6^th March 2023, the session will be for children in KS2 (Years 3 to 6).  We look forward to seeing lots of you! 

World Book Day – Thursday 2^nd March 2023

It’s coming…World Book Day will be on Thursday 2^nd March this year.  Everyone in school looks forward to this special event where the sharing of books is celebrated.  You can find out more by following the link below on the theme for this year.  Please mark the date on your calendar and start thinking about the book character your child would like to dress up as.

https://www.worldbookday.com/celebrate-world-book-day/ 

Awards

EYFS:

Key Stage 1:

Lower Key Stage 2:

Upper Key Stage 2:

Recommended Reads

A big well done to the following children who have read and passed quizzes on Challenge 1, Challenge 2 and Challenge 3 recommended reads this half term:

Congratulations, this is a big achievement!  Remember to go and see Mrs Hall to claim your non-uniform voucher, if you have not done so already.

Year 4 Parent/Carer Session

We are pleased to let you know that on Friday 3^rd March 2023 Year 4 would like to invite their parents/carers to come into school and join them for a maths lesson!  The session will start at 8.45am with a brief 15-minute talk in the school hall, followed by a session with the children from 9.00-10.00am.  We hope you will be able to come along and join in and see what the children have been learning!

Year 5 Parent/Carer Session

Our Year 5 classes will be looking at the question ‘How is Fairtrade Fair?’ as part of their next curriculum learning.  As part of their lessons they will be designing and making their own Fairtrade flapjack recipe.  Prior to making the flapjack, they will be undertaking some research including tasting flapjacks currently available on the market.  We would therefore like to invite the Year 5 Parent/Carers to join the classes in school on Thursday 2^nd March 2023 from 9.00am-10.00am to join the tasting session.  We look forward to seeing you there and getting your opinion on which flapjack tastes best!

Purple Man Reading Competition

Well done to last week’s winners of the Purple Man competition (a competition that rewards classes with the highest average reading minutes across KS2):

Who will win the prize at the end of the year?

Breakfast Club: Change of Entrance

Please note that when we come back after half term we will be changing the entrance that the children come into Breakfast Club. We are aware the car park can get very busy in the morning with staff arriving and want to be sure we keep all the children safe.  Therefore, from Monday 20^th February, please enter the school site via the KS1 playground, and wait by the bicycle racks.  At 8.00am Mrs Gotts will open the small wooden gate and see the children into the hall via the fire door near the stage.    If any children arrive after 8.15am then you will need to continue to bring them into the school office, where they will be signed in. Thank you for your co-operation.

Assemblies

The theme of our assemblies for the week after half term will be: Safer Internet Day?  Want to talk about it? (UNRC Link: Article 19: I have the right to be protected from being hurt or being badly treated). 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.  

Non Uniform Day: Turkish and Syrian Earthquake

As you will be aware we have today held a non-uniform day to raise funds for the Turkish and Syrian Earthquake disaster.  It has been terrible to see this event unfold on the news each day and we know this may touch the lives of some of our families who either once lived in these countries or who have families who still live there.  Varo and Bana, two of our Year 5 students, felt so strongly about the disaster that they wrote a lovely letter to Dr Hall, sharing how it made them feel and asking if we, as a school community, could do something to help.  We are very proud of our children at Whitehouse, and this is one example where our children have been able to share their views and put actions in place to make a difference to the world!  Well done Varo and Bana. 

News from the House Captains: Results

Hi!  We House Captains hosted an event called the 5 in 1 race a little while ago and would like to thank everyone who took part and was sensible during it.  We have the results for you now:

In 4^th place with 33 points was Ruby

In 3^rd place with 45 points was Emerald

In 2^nd place with 48 points was Sapphire

And in 1^st place with an amazing 54 points was Diamond!

Well done Diamond House!  We hope your house did well and cannot wait to see you all at our next activity.

The House Captains 😊                                                      

Pancake Day

Tuesday 21^st February 2023 is Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day and we are pleased to let you know that the menu for that day will be as follows:

Beef Meatballs in a Tomato Sauce with Rice and Peas OR Vegetable and Bean Burrito with Salad.

American Pancakes with Icing Sugar and Golden Syrup

Half Term Holiday – Assistance Available

For those families whose children are eligible for Free School Meals, you should by now have received the email from Edenred, enabling you to access a £15.00 supermarket voucher for each of your children.  If you have not received this, please send an email to parents@whcps.org and we will resend these to you. 

Dates for the Diary

Monday 13^th February 2023 to Friday 17^th February 2023 – Half Term Holiday

Wednesday 22^nd February 2023 – French for the Family Afternoon – Hedgehogs Class

Monday 27^th February 2023 – Family Breakfast (EYFS / KS1)

Wednesday 1^st March 2023 – French for the Family Afternoon – Squirrels Class

Thursday 2^nd March 2023 – World Book Day

Thursday 2^nd March 2023 – Parent/Carer Fairtrade Session – Year 5

Friday 3^rd March 2023 – Parent/Carer Maths Session – Year 4

Monday 6^th March 2023 – Family Breakfast (KS2)

Thursday 9^th March 2023 – Right Respecting Gold Verification

Tuesday 14^th March 2023 – Colchester Castle Trip – Year 3

Wednesday 15^th March 2023 – French for the Family Afternoon – Foxes Class

Wednesday 15^th March 2023 – Parent/Carers Evening (in person)

Thursday 23^rd March 2023 – Parent/Carers Evening (in person)

Friday 24^th March 2023 – Whole School SMSC Day

Monday 3^rd April 2023 to Friday 14^th April 2023 – Easter Holiday

School Closed – Monday 1^st May (Bank Holiday)

School Closed – Monday 8^th May (Bank Holiday)