Whitehouse Weekly Bulletin 

Friday 3rd May 2024

A Message from Miss Siddall

We have noticed an increase in the number of children who are coming to school in non-uniform.  If children have PE, they should come to school in their school PE kit (not non-uniform).  If they do not have PE, they should be wearing their school uniform (unless we are having a special day or they have a non-uniform voucher).  Please help us by checking your child’s PE day and ensuring they have the correct uniform / kit.  Thank you for your support. 

Have a wonderful Bank Holiday weekend.  I’m sure many of you will be enjoying the football game and hopefully some sunshine too.

Attendance for the previous week:

Class with the best attendance: Starfish (100%)

Assemblies

The theme of our assemblies for next week will be: African World Heritage Day: What is it and why is it celebrated?  (UNRC: 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, practice my own religion and use my own language).  Resources related to this assembly will soon be available on our website.  To access them, go to Learning and click on our Enquiry Based Assemblies.

Readers’ Cup

Well done to the following classes who won the Readers’ Cup last week:

Eco News

This week, the Eco club took part in a litter pick after school.  We collected two bin bags full of litter from the KS2 playground and field which sparked a wonderful discussion around snack choices.  To help reduce the amount of litter in our school, maybe parents/carers could consider sending in snacks in a reusable container.

Awards

As you may be aware, the children are encouraged to follow ‘The Whitehouse Way’ in school to help them in their learning and in becoming good citizens. Our ‘Wonderful Week’ awards this year will be given as a recognition that the children have worked very hard in one of these areas:  Courage, Perseverance, Reflection or Responsibility.  This will be shown in the colour coded lists below.  We are so proud of our children at Whitehouse and their wonderful achievements.  Well done to you all.

EYFS:

Key Stage 1:

Lower Key Stage 2:

Upper Key Stage 2:

Year 1: Colchester Zoo

Last Thursday, Year 1 went on a fantastic trip to Colchester Zoo.  They thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about animals and make connections between what they had already been learning about in their science lessons.  As they made their way round the zoo, they saw many different animals from around the world, including monkeys, giraffes, lions, penguins, elephants and too many more to mention!  The Lions class particularly loved it when one of the lorikeets decided to use Miss Bias’ hair as a nest!  We are very proud of Year 1 and the way they represented the school showing outstanding behaviour and respect to the other visitors to the zoo.  Well done Year 1.

Attendance: Duck Race Winners

Well done to the winners of our Duck Races last week:

Year 5/6 Girls Netball

On Tuesday 30th April, Ms Salmon took 8 year 5/6 girls to an IPSSA netball match.  The girls got off to a quiet start allowing Springfield Junior girls to take the lead. Going into the second quarter, the Whitehouse girls looked stronger. Their defending was amazing and some great interceptions from Imogen and Grace kept Springfield from scoring anymore goals in that quarter. At half time it was Springfield 2, Whitehouse 0. The third quarter saw Whitehouse again defending amazingly, passing the ball up and down the court fantastically, with our shooters having a few chances of scoring, but it just wasn’t to be as our goals just weren’t going through that net! Springfield slipped another goal in just before the end of the third quarter. Our girls did not once drop their heads even though Springfield were in the lead.  They showed great perseverance, resilience and worked as a team. Throughout the whole game, the girls had smiles on their faces and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Thank you to Mr Parr for coming with us to the match and a big thank you to all the parents/carers who supported us and came to watch. Well done to Dunyin, Grace, Skye, Imogen, Violet, Ivy, Isla and Vicky, and an extra mention to Skye for receiving Player of the match. 

Summer Fair

We are pleased to let you know that we will, once again, be holding a Summer Fair this year, which will take place on Friday 5^th July 2024.  Our PFA, led my Ms Salmon, will soon be meeting to plan the event.  Any parent/carer who would like to help out or be involved would be very welcome.  Keep an eye on future newsletters for the dates of the meetings.

Year 6: Hindu Samaj Trip

Last week, Year 6 visited Ipswich Hindu Samaj to learn how Hindus show commitment to God. Our pupils were able to explore a Hindu temple and ask many interesting questions about Hindu deities, decorations and sacred items. During the experience, the children were particularly impressed by the wide variety of instruments used at the temple; the incredibly loud noise made by the conch shell was especially memorable!   Well done Year 6 for showing the Whitehouse Way whilst you were visiting.

Year 2: Shimpling Farm Trip

Last week, our Year 2 children headed off to Shimpling Park Farm as part of their Enquiry question, ‘Where does our food come from?’  On arriving at the farm, the children met Farmer Alice who introduced her farm and explained to the children what type of farm she runs.  This was followed by hands-on activities looking at the whole process of how bread is made.  Farmer Alice then took us all on a tour of her farm, looking at the big machinery like the combine harvester and also going out into the field and seeing the crops growing.  In the afternoon, the children were treated to Joe the shepherd and Kite the sheepdog putting on a fantastic demonstration of herding sheep.  All of the children had a fantastic time and were a credit to the school!  Many thanks to the parents/carers who gave up their time and supported the children on the trip.

Dates for the Diary

Monday 6^th May 2024 – May Day Bank Holiday

Friday 10^th May 2024 – Year 3 – French Day

Monday 13^th May 2024 to Thursday 16^th May 2024 – Year 6 SATs Week

Thursday 16^th May 2024 – Year 5 Parent/Carer Art Session – 2.15pm

Monday 20^th May 2024 – Family Breakfast – 8.00am

Tuesday 21^st May 2024 – Year 4 Parent/Carer DT Sewing Session – 1.30pm-3.00pm

Thursday 23^rd May 2024 – Reception – Easton Farm Park

Monday 27^th May 2024 to Friday 31^st May 2024 – Half Term Holiday

Monday 3^rd June 2024 – PD Day (Children not in school)

Tuesday 4^th June 2024 – Year 4 Victorian School – Foxes Class

Wednesday 5^th June 2024 – Year 4 Victorian School – Hedgehogs Class

Wednesday 5^th June 2024 – Nursery and Reception Sports Day

Thursday 6^th June 2024 – Year 4 Victorian School – Squirrels Class

Thursday 6^th June 2024 – Years 1, 2 and 3 Sports Day

Friday 7^th June 2024 – Years 4, 5, and 6 Sports Day

Monday 24^th June 2024 to Tuesday 25^th June 2024 – Year 6 Residential Trip at Mersea

Wednesday 26^th June 2024 – School Transition Afternoon

Thursday 27^th June 2024 – School Transition Morning

Friday 5^th July 2024 – EYFS Afternoon Tea for new Reception children (Sept 2024 intake)

Friday 5^th July 2024 – Summer Fair

Friday 12^th July 2024 – End of year reports home

Tuesday 16^th July 2024 – Year 6 Production

Thursday 18^th July 2024 – Y6 Leavers BBQ

Friday 19^th July 2024 – Y6 Leavers Assembly – Parents / Carers invited

Friday 19^th July 2024 – Last day of the Summer Term

Monday 22^nd July 2024 to Friday 30^th August 2024 – Summer Holiday

Monday 2^nd September 2024 – PD Day (Children are not in school)

Tuesday 3^rd September 2024 - PD Day (Children are not in school)

Wednesday 4^th September 2024 – First day of Autumn Term