Whitehouse Weekly Bulletin 339

Friday 13th February 2026

A Message from Miss Siddall:

We’ve had another busy half term at Whitehouse, but we’ve achieved a lot and we’re very proud of the hard work the children have put into all their learning, both in the classroom and at home. I hope you enjoyed the opportunity to see some of the children's learning at their project showcases this week. Thank you for your support with the homework projects - there have been some truly amazing examples of creativity and effort with the projects that the children have brought in. Keep an eye out in the newsletter for a photo of the winning projects.

Please remember that school starts back on Monday 23rd February. We look forward to seeing you then.

Attendance for the previous week:

Classes with the best attendance: Owls (97.93%)

Staffing Update

As we move towards the end of Spring 1, we are sad to be saying goodbye to two of our Teaching Assistants who will be leaving us.  Mrs Mayhew has been at the school for seven years and has worked mainly with our Reception children and most recently with our Sea Otters Class.  We will also be saying goodbye to Miss Duncan who has been supporting our Year 5 classes for the last year.  We wish you both much success in your new endeavours.

Teaching Assistant Vacancy

We are currently seeking a new Teaching Assistant.  If you are interested in applying the details can be viewed on our website at the following link: https://www.whcps.org/vacancies/.  Please note the closing date is Tuesday 24^th February 2026.

World Book Day

World Book Day will be with us soon on Thursday 5^th March.  As usual this is a chance for the children to dress up as a favourite book character.  There is no need to spend money on an expensive costume, instead, why not get crafty over half term and together create an outfit all of your own!  The World Book Day team have produced the following to give some ideas of things you could make!  We look forward to seeing your creations!

https://www.worldbookday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/World-Book-Day-2026-Dressing-up-resource-pack.pdf

https://www.worldbookday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/World-Book-Day-low-cost-dressing-up-pack-2025-compressed.pdf

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:

Assemblies

The theme of our assemblies this week was Safer Internet Day: Making Safe Choices (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.  This is the perfect opportunity to have a discussion with your children and check they know how to keep themselves safe online!  Look at past newsletters for lots of resources that can help!

PFA / Summer Fair

Due to a lack of volunteers, we were sadly unable to hold our very popular Christmas Fair this year.  Looking forward, we would love to hold the Summer Fair in July, but this would only be possible if we can gather enough helpers.  If you are willing and able, please let the office or Ms Salmon know.  Ms Salmon will be holding a meeting directly after school on Tuesday 24^th February for anyone who might be interested in helping or learning about what a PFA (Parents and Friends Association) is and what it does.  You are welcome to attend, just come to the school office after collecting your child, where Ms Salmon will meet you.

Online Safety: Google Family Link

Have you heard of Google Family Link?  For children with Android phones, this is a great way for parents/carers to set restrictions.  Internet Matters have released a brand-new video on YouTube, which shows how this works and how to use it to customise content and set screen time restrictions for your family.  The video can be seen here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYRQvANa7OE.

Crocs Footwear

We've noticed an increase in children wearing Crocs to school on non-uniform days. While we understand why these are popular, they pose health and safety risks during school activities.  Crocs don't provide adequate foot support or protection. They can easily slip off, cause trips and falls, and don't protect feet from impacts during PE or playground activities.

From now on, children wearing Crocs will be unable to participate in PE or go out for break/lunch due to these safety concerns.  Children will need to wear secure, closed-toe footwear that stays firmly on their feet for all school activities, even on non-uniform days.

Accelerated Reader

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

French After-School Club Un Goûter

For the last week of French Club, we organised ‘un goûter’ where the children had a traditional French after-school snack. This consisted of freshly backed French baguette with butter and a piece of chocolate.  We also included some other traditional snacks including croissants, apricot jam and apple juice. Some children were creative and even concocted toasts using baguette, brie cheese and jam!  The children learnt to ask for these foods and to reply to questions in French.  Merci beaucoup to those who attended the club: it was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone!

Attendance: Duck Race Winners

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

Netball Reports

Last Monday, the Year 6 Netball team were in action for their first game of the season.  The cup was divided into group stages, with twenty teams having been split into five groups of four, resulting in at least 3 games for each school. We were placed in Group C alongside Moreland, Dale Hall and Sidegate Primaries. 

Our first match was against Morland at home. Whitehouse got off to a slow start and it was not long before Morland took the lead. Morland continued throughout the match to remain in front. However, remembering that this was the first match the mixed netball team had played, Ms Salmon & Miss Last were extremely pleased with how everyone used their perseverance and courage to continue playing. Unfortunately, the match ended up with a win to Morland.  The team consisted of Mia, Alivia, Ruby, Lacie, Idunnu, Ite, Leonardo and Muhamad. Well done to all of you.  A big thank you too for the parents/carers who came to give the team support too. Morland gave their player of the match to Muhamad and Ms Salmon's and Miss Last's player of the match also went to Muhamad who demonstrated not only some amazing netball skills but also determination to carry on playing and encouraging the team at all times.  Well done!

On Monday 9^th February, just a week later, the netball team were back in action again this time against the mighty Sidegate Primary, who have a reputation for their strong sports teams. Sidegate made a strong start and soon took the lead in the 1^st quarter. Our team passed the ball up and down the court beautifully, but it was one of those games that was just not going our way. Whitehouse carried on showing great perseverance despite Sidegate scoring another 6 goals in the 2^nd quarter. The team came to life in the 3^rd quarter and played some fantastic netball, stopping Sidegate from scoring any more goals. The play in the 3^rd and 4^th quarters was superb. Ms Salmon and Miss Last were very pleased with the team’s performance and attitude as they worked together. The game ended with a win for Sidegate and they gave Player of the Match to Idunnu, which was very well deserved. Ms Salmon and Miss Last's player of the match went to Lona for displaying great perseverance. Whitehouse's team consisted of Muhamad, Leonardo, Mia, Idunnu, Lacie, Akorede, Lona. Again, a big thank you to all the parents/carers who came to support the team and a massive well done to the team for displaying the Whitehouse Way throughout the entire game.

Dates for the Diary

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

Monday 23^rd February 2026 – First week of After-School Clubs

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

Tuesday 24^th February 2026 – PFA Information Meeting – 3.20pm

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

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

Thursday 5^th March 2026 – World Book Day

Monday 9^th March 2026 - Family Breakfast – 8.00am

Wednesday 11^th March 2026 – Year 3 Colchester Roman Experience Day

Wednesday 11^th March 2026 – Reports Home to Parents

Thursday 12^th March 2026 – Parents/Carers Evening – 3.30pm to 5.30pm

Monday 16^th March 2026 - Family Breakfast – 8.00am

Tuesday 17^th March 2026 – Parents/Carers Evening – 3.30pm to 6.30pm

Thursday 19^th March 2026 – Year 5 Felixstowe Trip (Groups 1 and 2)

Friday 20^th March 2026 – Comic Relief: Red Nose Day

Monday 23^rd March 2026 - Family Breakfast – 8.00am

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