Whitehouse Weekly Bulletin 332

Friday 12th December 2025

A Message from Miss Siddall: 

In school, the children have been carrying out lots of activities to prepare for Christmas and I’m very proud of how well they’ve conducted themselves during these past few busy weeks. Next week is the last week of school so it’s nearly time for everybody to have a rest. However, next week, is also a busy one so please check your diaries carefully – there is a Y2 trip to the church, school Christmas dinners and of course the project showcases (YR, 2, 4 and 6 on Tuesday; YN, 1, 3 and 5 on Thursday) straight after school.  Thank you for your continued support.

Attendance for the previous week:

Classes with the best attendance: Toucans (100%)

Assemblies

The theme of our assemblies this week was World Human Rights Day: How have rights changed over the years? (UNRC: Article 1: Everyone under 18 has all these rights).  Why not ask your child what they have learnt and discuss how things may have been different for their grandparents?

Reception Children: September 2026

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 our final tour taking place on Thursday 8^th January 2026 at 9.30am.

Please call the office on 01473 741249 or email parents@whcps.org to book a place on the tour.

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:

Could you be an ITFC Matchday Reporter?

Do you love Ipswich Town Football Club?  Are you in Years 5 or 6? Do you want to know what it's like to be a sports journalist?

On Saturday 17th January 2026, we will be sending 8 pupils from Years 5 and 6 to Portman Road Stadium to report on the Blackburn Rovers match. Accompanied by a member of school staff, pupils will watch the game from the press area, where they will take notes on the match and experience the life of a sports journalist. After the game, they will be given time in school to write up their own reports which will be published in the school newsletter and shared with all of Years 5 and 6!

If you think you'd make an excellent football reporter, please collect an application sheet from Miss Payne or Mr Jordan. To apply, you need to write a short report on any sporting event of your choice (e.g. a rugby game you've watched on TV), retelling the highlights of the event in an engaging and entertaining way. All applications need to be submitted by Wednesday 7th January 2026 and the winners will be announced on Friday 9^th January 2026. 

On the day, pupils will need to be brought to and collected from Portman Road Stadium by an adult. This adult will receive a ticket to watch the match from the main stands (not the press box).

Attendance: Duck Race Winners

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

Celebrating our Children

A big well done to Scarlett from Year 6 who had the wonderful opportunity to perform an opening act for the Happy Christmas Ipswich show at The Regent last week.  The evening was hosted by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice, which is a wonderful cause.  It was only a short act but Scarlett and her dancing friends shone brightly and performed beautifully.  Well done Scarlett, you have a wonderful talent which you are able to share with those around you!

We are also very pleased to celebrate N J from Year 3 who went to be graded for her karate belt last weekend.  She was extremely happy to be awarded the orange belt.  Not only that but N J also received an award for completing the most training hours in the whole of Suffolk this month!

Well done to both of you!  If you would like us to celebrate your children’s out-of-school achievements please let us know by emailing us on parents@whcps.org.

Accelerated Reader

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

National Year of Reading: Authorfy Newsletter

To celebrate the National Year of Reading 2026, Authorfy is launching a brand new, free, newsletter which will contain book reviews, author interviews, tips on supporting reading for pleasure at home and will showcase some of the latest children’s books.  This is being offered free to all parents/carers who would be interested in receiving this.   The newsletter is published once each half term and you can sign up at the following link: https://mailchi.mp/authorfy/morethanbooks.

CET Christmas Concert

Our KS2 Choir were very excited to perform at the CET Christmas Concert, which took place at the Corn Exchange on Thursday 4^th December.  The children all had a wonderful experience, singing with the other schools from the Trust and performing two songs of their own.  The choir had worked very hard on their musical items and did a fantastic job at not only singing Frosty the Snowman, but performing whilst signing Makaton.  Everyone was very impressed!  Well done to the Choir who demonstrated excellent behaviour and were brilliant representatives of the school throughout the day.

Year 2: Christmas Crafts

Year 2 had a wonderful time at their Christmas Crafts and Carols event this week.  The children enjoyed making festive baubles, colourful cards and adorable penguin decorations before coming together for some wonderful Christmas singing.  Thank you to all the parents/carers and family members who joined us and helped make the afternoon so special.

Dates for the Diary

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 – Year Nursery – Christmas Craft Parent/Carer Session – 10.30am

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 19^th January 2026 – Year 3 DT Parent/Carer Session – 2.15pm

Monday 16^th February 2026 to Friday 20^th February 2026 – Half Term Holiday

Friday 27^th March 2026 – Last day in school before Easter

Monday 30^th March 2026 to Friday 10^th April 2026 – Easter Holiday

Monday 25^th May 2026 to Friday 29^th May 2026 – Half Term Holiday

Friday 22^nd May 2026 – PD Day (School closed to Children)

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