Whitehouse Weekly Bulletin 298

Friday 7th February 2025

A Message from Miss Siddall

It has been wonderful to see many parents in school this half-term at one of our open sessions. Next week we have our half-termly project showcases (YN, 1, 2 and 5 on Tuesday; YR, 2, 4 and 6 on Thursday) straight after school so we look forward to seeing many of you there (Article 5). 

Unfortunately, we have had a number of concerns raised from our community 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 as this puts our children at risk. Thank you.  

Attendance for last week:

Class with the best attendance:  Foxes (97.33%)

Assemblies

The theme of our assemblies for next week will be based on Online Safety Day which is on Tuesday 11^th February 2025. (UNRC: Article 17 – I have the right to collect information from the media from all around the world.  I should also be protected from information that could harm me.)  The children will be learning how to keep themselves safe online.  Why not look back to last week’s newsletter and book onto the Cyber Course being run by Suffolk Police which can also help you learn more about keeping yourself and your family safe online.

Special Menu

We are pleased to let you know our next special menu is planned for Tuesday 11^th February 2025.  These days are always very popular with the children and often have their favourite dishes on offer!  It is always a good chance for your child to try a school dinner if they have not had one recently.  The dinner is free for all children in Reception to Year 2 and for any child who is eligible for free school meals, otherwise the cost is £2.52.

Price Increases

Unfortunately, from Monday 10^th February 2025 we have had to raise the price on the following items sold in the school office:

Water Bottle - £2.85

Red Bookbag - £4.50

Swimming Hats - £3.00

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 is 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 6: Dentaid Visit

This week in PSHE, the Year 6 classes were visited by a dental nurse from Dentaid who led a session on dental hygiene.  The children were taught all about why teeth are important, how to maintain good dental hygiene and had the opportunity to ask lots of insightful questions.  At the end of the session all the children were given a toothbrush and toothpaste to take home.  The nurse commented on how well-behaved, mature and engaged all the children were throughout the sessions.  Well done Year 6!

Free School Meal Vouchers

We are pleased to confirm that Suffolk County Council will again be providing vouchers to parents/carers of any child who is eligible for free school meals, to help with food costs over the February half term holiday and the Easter holiday.  Please note on this occasion a voucher of £45.00 will be provided for each eligible child but this will cover both holidays, you will not receive another voucher at Easter.  Please look out for an email to arrive by Thursday 13^th February 2025.  If you think your child may be entitled to Free School Meals but you have not yet applied, please click on this link to make an application:  https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/children-families-and-learning/schools/school-meals-uniforms-and-trips/apply-for-free-school-meals. Please note, it is worth applying even if your child does not currently pay for their school meals, as they will remain eligible for their entire time at Primary School.

Online Safety: How Safe is WhatsApp for Children? (NSPCC)

WhatsApp is one of the most popular instant messaging apps, used by over 2 billion people in 180 countries.  It allows you to send and receive messages, as well as make voice and video calls.  You can connect with people individually or join group chats where lots of people can contribute.

All you need to set up a WhatsApp group is a phone number.  However, children and young people can easily subvert the restrictions placed on its access.  Although rated 13+, all it takes is one child in a class to be on WhatsApp and all the others will wish to join!  This can lead to increased vulnerabilities for child users.  The NSPCC has released its own analysis about the dangers of the app which can be viewed here:  https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/online-safety-blog/2023-01-12-is-whatsapp-safe-for-my-child/ 

Attendance: Duck Race Winners

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

Project Showcase

A reminder that our Project Showcase’s are coming up next week, where parents/carers have the opportunity to come into classes at the end of the day and view the wonderful homework projects our children have done.  Details of the dates and times are shown below.  We hope to see you there!

Bags of Taste: Free Cooking Lessons

We know many people are concerned about the rising cost of food or would like some more help on how to cook healthy food for their families.  Bags of Taste have some spaces for their next course, which begins at the end of February, where they not only help you learn new recipes, they even provide the ingredients!  To register just email ipswich@bagsoftaste.org or call/text to 07751 890912.

Year 2 Parent/Carer Session

On Monday Year 2 invited their parents/carers in for an exciting challenge!  Working together the children and their adults tried to create the strongest bridge they could using just one piece of paper.  Everyone got stuck in to the challenge and together they designed some very creative bridges!  They then used cubes to test how strong they really were!  A big thank you to all those parents/carers who were able to come in and support the children’s learning.  We had lots of visitors in and everyone had a really fun session.

Accelerated Reader

We are very pleased to be able to celebrate with the following children who have all earned certificates for their reading.  It is wonderful to celebrate so many of you!  A big well done to you all.

A big well done also to Tilly in Chameleons who recently received her ‘Blue Peter Book Badge’.  Wear your badge with pride, Tilly!

U11s IPSSA Mixed Netball

Last Thursday Ms Salmon took seven Year 5 and 6 pupils to take part in an U11’s IPSSA Mixed Netball Cup match.  This year the cup has taken on a new format with an initial Group Stage.  There are twenty teams which have been split into five groups of four teams.  This will guarantee at least three cup games for each school, with the top teams from each group going through to the next round.  Whitehouse have been placed in Group E along with Morland, Somersham and Britannia Primary Schools.  Our first match was against Morland Primary and this was the first match our children had played together as a team.   Whitehouse got off to a slow start and Morland soon took the lead scoring 3 goals in the first quarter.  However, our team were determined and defended well scoring 2 goals, however Morland also scored 2 goals and the score at half time was 5-2.  During the 3^rd quarter Whitehouse continued to play some fantastic netball, passing the ball beautifully up and down the court.  Morland continued to apply pressure and score goals.  Despite the fantastic play from every member of the team, Whitehouse lost the match 7-3.  Ms Salmon was very impressed with everyone for their effort and perseverance.  Well done to Skye, Ivy, Imogen, Violet, Mia, Dexter and Oliver.  An extra well done to Imogen who received Player of the Match from the Morland team and Mia (who is only in Year 5) who Ms Salmon awarded the coaches Player of the Match too.  This was for her courage to play along with the Year 6’s.  Thank you to all the parents/carers who helped transport the children to the game.

Football Camp

We know a lot of our children love playing football, so please see here details of a football camp which is running through the Half Term holiday.  Please contact ruelfox@btinternet.com to book a space or gather more information.

Reporting Absences

We have had a few questions with regards to procedures on reporting an ongoing absence and how many times you must call in.  We would ask parents/carers to please still call the absence line in the morning or send an email to parents@whcps.org informing us that your child will not be in and the reason why, regardless of whether the illness is a persistent problem such as diarrhoea and vomiting.  If we do not hear from you, please note our Attendance Officer will send a message or call you to check.

Dates for the Diary

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

Tuesday 11^th February 2025 – Online Safety Day

Tuesday 11^th February 2025 – Year 1 Parent/Carer Reading Session – 2.30pm

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

Thursday 13^th February 2025 – Helping Hands Hub

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

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

Monday 24^th February 2025 – Family Breakfast – 8.00am

Tuesday 25^th February 2025 – Class Photos

Thursday 27^th February 2025 – Helping Hands Hub

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

Wednesday 5^th March 2025 – Y6 Walton Trip (Tigers and Toucans)

Thursday 6^th March 2025 – World Book Day

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

Monday 13^th March 2025 – Helping Hands Hub

Friday 21^st March 2025 – Comic Relief – Non-Uniform Day (for small donation)

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)