Whitehouse Weekly Bulletin 227

Friday 31st March 2023

Message from Mrs Hall

It has been great to see the house captains and prefects supporting children across the school at lunchtimes. They have really enjoyed the opportunity to play games and to help resolve any problems. They are clearly demonstrating excellent leadership skills and are modelling ‘The Whitehouse Way’ – (courage, reflection, perseverance and responsibility) – well done everyone.  I do hope that everyone has a great, relaxing Easter Break. School starts back on Monday 17^th April. Thank you for your continued support.

Attendance for the last week:

Class with the best attendance: Jaguars (98.26%)

Assemblies

The theme of our assemblies for the week after the Easter Holidays will be: What is Neurodivergence and what is Autism?  Who is Jason Arday and what can we learn from his story?  (UNRC Link: Article 23: If I am disabled mentally or physically.  I have the right to special care and education to help me to develop and lead a full life.). 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. 

Advance Warning: Book Fair

We are pleased to let you know that we will be holding our next Scholastic Book Fair on Thursday 11^th May 2023 and Tuesday 16^th May 2023.  This will take place directly after school, so put the dates in your diary and try to pop along! 

Family Breakfasts

We have been very excited to see so many of you come along to our family breakfast mornings on a Monday morning.  Currently we have been opening it up to EYFS and Key Stage 1 on one week and then Key Stage 2 the following week.  However, after Easter we are going to open it up to all families every Monday.  So, if you would like to come along with your family and enjoy a breakfast together, free of charge, on any Monday then you are very welcome to come and join us.  Please note, you do not need to book, just come along for 8.00am and enter school via the Key Stage 1 playground.

Awards

EYFS:

Key Stage 1:

Lower Key Stage 2:

Upper Key Stage 2:

Purple Man Reading Competition

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

Netball Update

On Wednesday 29th March the girls were back on the court again, this time playing against Springfield Juniors. The girls took the court full of confidence and determination and it wasn't long before Jasmin and Sophie had scored 6 goals between them. What a great way to finish the first quarter, 6-0 to the Whitehouse girls. The second quarter the girls carried on pushing, showing high quality play as they passed the ball quickly and confidently to each other.  With lots of supporters on the side-line cheering them on, this boosted the girls even more, with Lilia and Georgia popping another 7 goals in the net between them. Springfield didn't lose hope and during the third quarter they came very close to getting their first goal of the match, however Whitehouse showed great defence skills and managed to get back possession of the ball.   This led to Isla and Ebun scoring 6 more goals. The score going into the last was 19-0 up, so we were looking to be earning a good win.

The supporters continued to cheer on the girls who continued to play some outstanding netball. How the girls have progressed over the year has been exceptional and Ms Salmon is beaming with pride and happiness. This just goes to show perseverance really does pay off in the end! Mylie and Sophie ended the match against Springfield scoring another 3 more goals making the final score an amazing 22-0 to us. This put the girls top of the IPSSA Large Schools Netball League table and playing the way the girls have recently they thoroughly deserve this place. Well played girls and a special well done to Ebun for receiving player of the match.

Online Safety

Livestreaming: What is it and is it dangerous?  Please have a look at the link below to see a comprehensive, informative guide written to support both parents/carers and children. 

https://saferinternet.org.uk/online-issue/livestreaming-2

Bikes and Scooters

We are continuing to have concerns regarding the use of bikes and scooters on the school site.  Whilst we would always encourage this mode of transport to be used by the children, can we please remind parents/carers that if bringing a bike or scooter into school, the children must dismount at the gate and walk the vehicle through school.  We share this message regularly in school so the children are aware but we would ask you to please discuss this with your child and encourage them to follow this procedure.  It is very important so that we can keep every member of our school community safe whilst on site.  Thank you for your assistance.

Dates for the Diary

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

Wednesday 19^th April 2023 – Easton Farm Park – Year 2

Tuesday 25^th April 2023 – Colchester Zoo Trip – Year 1

Monday 1^st May 2023 (Bank Holiday) – School Closed

Monday 8^th May 2023 (Bank Holiday) – School Closed

Thursday 11^th May 2023 – Book Fair – 3.15pm

Tuesday 16^th May 2023 – Book Fair – 3.15pm

Friday 26^th May 2023 – PD Day – School Closed for Children

Monday 29^th May 2023 to Friday 2^nd June 2023 – Half Term Holiday

Monday 5^th June 2023 – PD Day – School Closed for Children

Wednesday 7^th June 2023 – Sports Day - EYFS

Thursday 8^th June 2023 – Sports Day – Years 1, 2 and 3

Friday 9^th June 2023 – Sports Day – Years 4, 5 and 6

Friday 23^rd June 2023 – Whole School SMSC Day

Monday 26^th June 2023 – Mersea Day Trip – Year 6

Tuesday 27^th June 2023 – Mersea Day Trip – Year 6

Wednesday 28^th June 2023 – Transition Morning

Thursday 29^th June 2023 – Transition Morning

Friday 30^th June 2023 – Kentwell Hall – Year 5

Friday 7^th July 2023 – Afternoon Tea for New Reception Intake

Friday 7^th July 2023 – Summer Fair

Monday 17^th July 2023 – Year 6 Production (Cast A)

Tuesday 18^th July 2023 – Year 6 Production (Cast B)

Wednesday 19^th July 2023 – Leavers BBQ

Friday 21^st July 2023 – Leavers Assembly

Friday 21^st July 2023 – Last day of the Summer Term

Monday 24^th July 2023 to Thursday 31^st August 2023 – Summer Holiday

Friday 1^st September 2023 – PD Day – School Closed for Children

Monday 4^th September 2023 – PD Day – School Closed for Children

Tuesday 5^th September 2023 – First day of Autumn Term for Children