Whitehouse Weekly Bulletin

30th January 2026

A Message from Miss Siddall:

This week, our attendance has been impacted by illness. Please remember to phone the school if your child is ill. Good attendance is really important to enable the children to access the high-quality teaching that we offer every day. Gaps in learning can have a significant impact on a child’s progress and attainment. We are delighted to welcome our new attendance officer, Mrs Sharkey, to Whitehouse.  She will be able to support you with any attendance matters.  To find out more about attendance you can visit our website: https://www.whcps.org/attendance/ or speak to Mrs Sharkey (01473 741249, extension 1). Thank you.

Attendance for the previous week:

Classes with the best attendance: Foxes (99%)

A Message from the Attendance Officer: Mrs Sharkey

What a fantastic first two weeks I have had at Whitehouse!  It has been wonderful greeting you all in the morning and getting to know you on the playground at lunchtime.

We are pleased to let you know this week The Attendance Kiosk is back!  If you achieve 100% attendance for one week, you will receive one stamp!  We have lots of options for smaller prizes, or will you save for a bigger prize?  Remember a late mark will not count as 100% attendance.

The school gates open at 8.30am every day and close promptly at 8.55am.  If you arrive after the gates close, this will go down as a late mark.

Be an Attendance Hero!

Here

Every day

Ready

On Time

Assemblies

The theme of our assemblies this week was Forgiveness: What does it mean and why is it important? (UNRC: Article 12: I have the right to an opinion and for it to be listened to and taken seriously).  This would be a wonderful chance to chat with your child about anything that has upset them and learn and practice this vital skill.  Maybe they could reach out and do a kind deed for that person, or have a chat and resolve a difference.

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:

Accelerated Reader

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

False Nails

The safety and wellbeing of all our pupils to our top priority.  False nails, including acrylic nails and stick on nails, can pose several risks in a primary school setting:

Health and Safety Concerns

• Injury Risk – false nails can easily catch on equipment, doors, or during play, potentially causing painful injuries to fingers
• Hygiene – the gaps between false nails and natural nails can harbour bacteria and germs, making effective handwashing more difficult
• Allergic reactions – The chemicals used in false nail application can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in young children

Practical Concerns

• Learning Activities – false nails can make it difficult for children to hold pencils properly, use scissors safely, manipulate small objects and participate fully in PE, art and other practical activities.
• Age-Appropriateness – Primary school is a time for children to focus on learning and development in an age-appropriate environment

Please ensure your child does not wear false nails to school.  If your child arrives at school wearing false nails, we will contact you to arrange for their removal as soon as possible.

Attendance: Duck Race Winners

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

Inclusive Visit from The Bridge School

As part of our Inclusion Quality Mark (IQM) and Centre of Excellence Status, we have been able to continue to develop our links with The Bridge School this term.  This began by welcoming The Bridge to a stay and share session with us at Whitehouse.

Last Friday, ten students from The Bridge School joined six of our prefects in the Alpacas classroom. The room was set out with a range of books, games and activities including a cosy den area which proved very popular!  The students who joined us were very excited to meet the prefects and to share a snack whilst they were here.  It was a very positive session with lots of engagement from the students. 

As always, our pupils demonstrated exemplary behaviour throughout the visit and it was wonderful to see their inclusive approach as they played and engaged with our visitors.  As the year progresses, we hope to welcome The Bridge students back to Whitehouse for more inclusive activities, as well as returning as visitors to The Bridge School.

Stay and Play

Do you have children under 5 years of age who would enjoy playing with other children?  Highfield Nursery will be running a free Stay and Play each Thursday afternoon in our Nursery starting after half term, on Thursday 5^th March.  For more details see the poster in the main newsletter.

Dates for the Diary

Monday 2^nd February 2026 – Family Breakfast – 8.00am

Thursday 5^th February 2026 – Year 4 Parent/Carer Music Session – 2.30pm

Monday 9^th February 2026 – Family Breakfast – 8.00am

Tuesday 10^th February 2026 – School Photographer: Class Photos

Tuesday 10^th February 2026 – Spring 1 Project Showcase – Years Nursery, 1, 3 and 5

Thursday 12^th February 2026 – Spring 1 Project Showcase – Years Reception, 2, 4 and 6

Friday 13^th February 2026 – Whole School SMSC Day: Oracy

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

Tuesday 24^th February 2026 – Year 6 Walton Trip – Toucans and Ocelots

Wednesday 25^th February 2026 – Year 6 Walton Trip – Tigers and Chameleons

Thursday 5^th March 2026 – World Book Day

Wednesday 11^th March 2026 – Reports Home to Parents

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

Tuesday 14th July 2026 – Year 6 Production- 9.30am and 6.00pm

Friday 17th July 2026 – Year 6 Leavers Picnic and Assembly – 1.50pm