Whitehouse Weekly Bulletin 331

Friday 5th December 2025

A Message from Miss Siddall: 

Thank you to everyone who joined our online Parents’ Evening on Tuesday. We really appreciate you taking the time to meet with your child's class teacher and engage in conversations about your child’s learning and progress.  These meetings provide a valuable opportunity for you to ask questions about the information on your child's report and to find out how you can help your children.   If you were unable to attend this week, there is another opportunity next week on Thursday 11th, from 3:30–6:30pm. We encourage all families to book a slot and take part. Thank you again for your continued support.

Attendance for the previous week:

Classes with the best attendance: Rabbits and Red Pandas (97.59%)

Assemblies

The theme of our assemblies this week was The Story of Christmas: How is it celebrated around the world.    (UNRC: Article 14: I have the right to think what I like and be whatever religion I want to be, with my parents’ guidance).  Maybe this would be a good week to put your own decorations up if you haven’t already and read a Christmas story together, or you could go out for a drive or a walk and look at the decorations in the neighbourhood.

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 Christmas holiday.  The voucher will be £30.00 per eligible child.

As usual the voucher will be sent by email from noresponse@vouchers.pluxee.uk and will be with you by Thursday 18^th December 2024. If you do not receive the voucher, please email freeschoolmeals@suffolk.gov.uk and they will be able to assist.  Please do not contact the school office as we will be unable to help.  Please be reminded that the voucher must be used within two months or it will expire and cannot be used.

A plea from Reception

If you have any spare socks or underwear which your children have grown out of and are still in good condition that would fit the children in Reception, they would very much appreciate the donation.  They like to have spares in the cupboard just in case of any accidents.  Thank you for your support.

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:

Attendance: Duck Race Winners

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

Year 2: Framlingham Castle Trip

Year 2 had an exciting and enriching trip to Framlingham Castle on Monday. The children explored the impressive stone walls and towers, learning about what life was like in a real medieval fortress. They enjoyed walking along the ramparts, spotting features such as arrow slits, battlements, and the deep moat below. The museum helped bring the history to life, and the children asked fantastic questions throughout the day. It was a wonderful opportunity to link their classroom learning to a real historic site, and the children returned full of enthusiasm and new knowledge about castles and the people who lived in them. They all tried their hand at archery and pretended to defend their castle against the enemies. What a fantastic day of learning and exploration we all had!

Accelerated Reader

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

Pyjama Day

On Friday 23rd January, the House Captains are holding a pyjama day to raise money for Children with Cancer UK.  All children are invited to come to school on that day wearing pyjamas and to give a suggested donation of £1.00 per child.  As the temperatures continue to drop, please ensure that the pyjamas worn are appropriately warm.  We ask that children wear pyjamas with full-length trousers and long sleeves. 

Ipswich FIT

Ipswich Borough Council are again offering access to the Young Person iCard which allows you to book a variety of activities for your child over the Christmas holiday.  For more information please see: https://www.ipswichfit.co.uk/memberships/?utm_medium=web&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_campaign=memberships.  For those families who are eligible for Free School Meals there is also an opportunity to book some activities free of charge including an Ipswichfit Dance Club. 

To see details, go to https://eequ.org/ and search for Ipswich Fit.

Dates for the Diary

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

Tuesday 9^th December 2025 – Nursery Nativity Event

Wednesday 10^th December 2025 – Year 2 Parent/Carer Christmas Crafts and Carols Session – 2.00pm

Thursday 11^th December 2025 – Reception Nativity Play

Thursday 11^th December 2025 - EYFS / KS1 Library Session – 3.10pm

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

Friday 12^th December 2025 – Christmas Jumper Day

Friday 12^th December 2025 – Year 1 Parent/Carer Christmas Craft / Song Session – 2.00pm

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 – Year 2 visit to St Thomas’ Church

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

Wednesday 17^th December 2025 – Year 4 – Christingle Service at St Thomas Church

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

Thursday 18^th December 2025 - EYFS / KS1 Library Session – 3.10pm

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