Whitehouse Weekly Bulletin 294

Friday 10th January 2024

A Message from Miss Siddall

Happy New Year!  We hope that you and your families are well and that you were able to enjoy the Christmas break with your families. The term has started positively and the children are eager to learn more about their enquiry questions. To find out more, please refer to the year group newsletters, enquiry homework menus and curriculum overviews which you will receive today.  There will be an opportunity for you to see all of the children’s topic work (writing, geography, history, DT, art and music) at the next project showcase event on Tuesday 11^th February (YN, 1, 3 and 5) or Thursday 13^th February (YR, 2, 4 and 6).   Curriculum information can also be found on our website (https://www.whcps.org/the-whitehouse-curriculum/). Thanks for your support.

Attendance for the week before Christmas:

Class with the best attendance: Tigers (98.1%)

Assemblies

The theme of our assemblies for next week will be Singing!  The children will all be learning a new song about being reliable and a good friend.  (UNRC: Article 31 – I have the right to play and relax by doing things like sports, music and drama).  Why not ask your child to teach you the song at home so you can enjoy this activity together?

Special Menu

We are pleased to let you know we have a special ‘Taste of America’ lunch menu coming up on Thursday 16^th January 2025.  These theme days are a great chance for your child to try a school dinner if they have not tried one before, or have not had one for a little while.  For all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 and for all children eligible for a free school meal there is no cost.  For all other children the cost is £2.52 and can be paid at the office in cash, or on Arbor using a card payment.

Dinner Money

We have a number of children who have outstanding dinner or breakfast club debt.  Could we please remind parents/carers that payment should be made in advance and if you do have a debt this needs to be cleared as a matter of urgency.  Any problems please speak to Miss McCullum, our Office Manager.

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.

Key Stage 1:

Lower Key Stage 2:

Upper Key Stage 2:

Family Breakfasts

A reminder that our popular Family Breakfasts are starting again on Monday 20^th January 2025. This is a lovely way to start the school week, as parents/carers are invited to come into school at 8.00am and enjoy a simple, free breakfast with their children.  Please come in via the Key Stage 1 playground on Marlow Road, where Mrs Gotts will meet you and show you where to go.  We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible.

Competition: Online Safety

We have a new competition running for all children from Reception right through to Year 6 with the theme: Too Good to be True?  The details are shown below.  You can download the entry form from our website: https://www.whcps.org/online-safety/ or your child’s teacher can provide one.

Winning entries will be published in the school newsletter and displayed around the school.   More information can be found here:  https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2025/education-resources.

SEND Meeting Invitation

In April 2024, Suffolk County Council appointed Kathryn Boulton as the new Independent Chair of the Local Area Partnership SEND Improvement Board to help drive forward SEND reform in Suffolk.

The Suffolk Parent Carer Forum would like to invite parents/carers of SEND children to meet with Kathryn on Monday 20^th January 2025 from 12.30pm to 2.00pm.  If you are interested in attending please email info@suffolkpcf.co.uk to confirm.

Attendance: Duck Race Winners

Well done to the winners of our Duck Races the week before Christmas:

Nut Free School

We would like this chance to remind parents/carers that Whitehouse is a nut-free school and we do not allow any nuts or nut products in school.  Please note this also includes Nutella type spreads and some cereal bars. 

We have a number of children and staff who have severe allergies which can lead to potentially life-threatening reactions.  We would therefore ask you to please ensure you adhere to this request on all occasions.  Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Dates for the Diary

Monday 13^th January 2025 – After School Clubs Begin

Thursday 16^th January 2025 – Special ‘Taste of America’ Lunch Menu

Tuesday 14^th January 2025 – Parent/Carer Reading Course Begins (Reception / Y1)

Monday 20^th January 2025 – Family Breakfast – 8.00am

Wednesday 22^nd January 2025 – Year 6 Parent/Carer Session - Mummification

Monday 27^th January 2025 – Family Breakfast – 8.00am

Monday 3^rd February 2025 – Family Breakfast – 8.00am

Monday 10^th February 2025 – Family Breakfast – 8.00am

Tuesday 11^th February 2025 – Project Showcase (YN, 1, 3 and 5)

Thursday 13^th February 2025 – Project Showcase (YR, 2, 4 and 6)

Monday 17^th February 2025 to Friday 21^st February 2025 – Half Term Holiday

Wednesday 2^nd April 2025 – Whole School SMSC Day

Monday 7^th April 2025 to Monday 21^st April 2025 – Easter Holiday

Tuesday 22^nd April 2025 – PD Day (School closed to children)

Monday 5^th May 2025 – Bank Holiday (School Closed)

Friday 23^rd May 2025 – PD Day (School closed to children)

Monday 26^th May to Friday 30^th May – Half Term Holiday

Monday 23^rd-Tuesday 24^th June 2025 – Year 6 Residential (Danbury)