Whitehouse Weekly Bulletin 328

Friday 14th November 2025

A Message from Miss Siddall:  On Tuesday, 11th November at 11:00 a.m., the whole school came together to observe a one-minute silence in honour of Remembrance Day. We are extremely proud of how respectfully the children took part, showing great understanding and thoughtfulness as they reflected on the sacrifices made by those who lost their lives in past wars around the world.  Reflection time is an important part of our curriculum, and occasions like this remind us how vital it is to continue thinking of others.  Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Poppy Appeal through the school, and to our School Parliament members for organising the collection. Your generosity and support are greatly appreciated.

Attendance for the week before half term:

Class with the best attendance: Giraffes (98.00%)

Reception Children: September 2025

A reminder that if you have a child who is due to start school in Reception in September 2026, then you must apply for a space by 15^th January 2026.  You need to do this even if your child already has a space in Nursery.

To make an application, please visit www.suffolk.gov.uk/admissions.  You can also call the admissions team on 0345 600 0981 who are able to assist. 

If you would like to come along with your child and have a tour of the school and meet Miss Siddall, one of our Headteachers, then we have two more tours taking place on Thursday 13^th November 2025 and Monday 1^st December 2025 at 9.30am.  Please call the office on 01473 741249 or email parents@whcps.org to book a place on the tour.

Assemblies

The theme of our assemblies this week was Remembrance Day: Who and why do we remember? (UNRC: Article 38: I have a right to protection in times of war.  If I am under 15 I should never have to be in an army or take part in a battle).  This would make a lovely occasion to chat to your child about the people in your life you have lost but will always remember.

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:

Suffolk SENDIASS

A reminder to our parents/carers who have children with SEND needs of SENDIASS.  This is a local resource which can offer advice on a variety of matters including EHC plans, applying for a school place and a variety of events and training helps.  There website is always worth a look:

https://suffolksendiass.co.uk/

CET Christmas Concert

On Thursday 4^th December 2025, The Children’s Endeavour Trust (CET) have again organised a Christmas Concert in which our choir and the choirs in the other schools

will all perform.  This will take place at the Ipswich Corn Exchange and the doors open at 6.00pm.  Please note tickets can be purchased from the below link.  We look forward to seeing many of you there.

https://ipswichtheatres.ticketsolve.com/shows/1173663515/events

Attendance: Duck Race Winners

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

Climate Action Plan

The Department of Education have requested that from 2025 all schools have a Climate Action Plan to ensure schools have an awareness of environmental issues and strive for greater sustainability.  The plan for Whitehouse can be viewed on our website at the following link:  https://www.whcps.org/climate-action-plan/.  It covers areas including: Decarbonisation, Adaptation and Resilience, Biodiversity and Climate Education and Green Careers.

Accelerated Reader

A big well done to all the children below who have recently received certificates for their reading.  

Celebrating our Children

We are very pleased this week to celebrate the achievements of three of our children, who are siblings and all take part in dance activities. Effie, Bella and Ruby (Years 2, 5 and 6) took part in a dance school showcase last weekend which took place at Chantry High School on behalf of SADPA, Suffolk Academy of Dance and Performing Arts.  They were amazing and showed great skill. Well done girls, we are glad you all enjoyed the day.

Christmas Jumper Day

We are excited to let you know we will be joining in with Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day on Friday 13^th December.  Children (and staff) are invited to come into school that day wearing their favourite festive jumper or a Christmas themed accessory.  We are suggesting a £1.00 donation, which will go directly to Save the Children to help support children around the world.  Please note, children will not be penalised if they choose not to contribute or wear a jumper.  Thank you for your support and festive spirit!

Local Community Groups / Events:

Ipswich Family Bank

Ipswich Family Bank are having a ‘walk in’ used items sale on Tuesday 18^th November from 9.00am to 11.00am at The Meeting Plan, Limerick Close, Ipswich, IP1 5LR (via side door).  Bring your own bags and they will have various items available including clothes, footwear, toys and baby items.  Entry is £1.00 per person 

The Bridge School: Consultation

The Bridge Special School are currently going through a consultation process to increase the pupil numbers at the school and are asking for feedback from interested parties.  The increase would be for pupil numbers to rise to 273 from 1^st December 2026.  If you would like to read further about this and complete a feedback form, please email the school office on parents@whcps.org or pop to the office and the information can be provided.

Dates for the Diary

Monday 17^th November 2025 - Family Breakfast – 8.00am

Monday 24^th November 2025 - Family Breakfast – 8.00am

Tuesday 25^th November 2025 – Year 6 Bletchley Park Visit

Wednesday 26^th November 2025 – Year 5 Parent/Carer Science Session – 9.30am

Friday 28^th November 2025 – Reports Home to Parents/Carers

Monday 1^st December 2025 - Family Breakfast – 8.00am

Monday 1^st December 2025 – Tour for new Reception Children (starting Sept 2026)

Tuesday 2^nd December 2025 – Online Parents/Carers Evening – 3.30pm to 5.30pm

Thursday 4^th December 2025 – CET Christmas Concert

Monday 8^th December 2025 - Family Breakfast – 8.00am

Tuesday 9^th December 2025 – Nursery Nativity Event

Thursday 11^th December 2025 – Reception Nativity Play

Thursday 11^th December 2025 – Year 3 Parent/Carer Arts and Crafts Session – 2.00pm

Thursday 11^th December 2025 – Online Parents/Carers Evening – 3.30pm to 6.30pm

Monday 15^th December 2025 - Family Breakfast – 8.00am

Monday 15^th December 2025 – Year 6 Parent/Carer Reading Session – 9.05am

Tuesday 16^th December 2025 – Autumn 2 Project Showcase – Years Reception, 2, 4 and 6

Thursday 18^th December 2025 – Autumn 2 Project Showcase – Years Nursery, 1, 3 and 5

Friday 19^th December 2025 – Last day in school before Christmas

Monday 22^nd December 2025 to Friday 2^nd January 2026 – Christmas Holiday

Monday 5^th January 2026 – PD Day (School closed to Children)

Tuesday 6^th January 2026 – First day back for the children

Monday 22^nd June to Tuesday 23^rd June 2026 – Year 6 Residential Trip to Mersea