Whitehouse Weekly Bulletin 348

Friday 8th May 2026

A Message from Miss Siddall:     

We are currently in the process of organising classes for next year.  As always, we may reorganise some class groups and will update you on any changes.  We expect to confirm arrangements before transition sessions on 24^th June (afternoon) and 25^th June (morning).  These sessions are important as they provide the opportunity to meet new teachers and familiarise themselves with their new classroom before the summer holidays.  Children who miss the sessions can feel anxious ahead of September as they won't have had the same preparation as their peers.  Therefore, if exceptional circumstances prevent attendance, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can discuss alternative ways to support your child.  

Attendance: Top 3 classes with the best attendance for week ending 1^st May 2026

                                    Ocelots (99%)     Cobras (98%)  Lizards (98%) 

                            Whole School Attendance: 95%

Well done Ocelots, an incredible 99% attendance!  Amazing effort!  We hope you have enjoyed looking after ACE (Attend Class Every Day) Bear this week.  The big question is…who will get to take care of ACE next?

A Message from our Attendance Officer, Mrs Sharkey

Don’t forget, if you come to school every day, you’ll be entered into your class Duck Race!  Every Friday, each class holds its very own duck race.  Every child who has attended school all week is given a duck and takes part in the race, which is run on the classroom whiteboard.  The winner earns a sticker, and of course, the glory of being crowned Duck Race Champion! 🦆🏆 Winners are also announced in our weekly newsletter.

IMPORTANT: Gel / Liquid filled toys

We are having a number of toys being brought into school recently which contain liquid or gel, examples of these are the very popular dumplings and a variety of squishy toys.  Unfortunately, on occasion these do split and may become a health and safety hazard as we are unable to identify what liquid/gel has been used and whether this may be toxic.  Therefore, can we please ask for your support in ensuring that such toys are not brought into school.  Any of these seen in school will be taken away and passed back to parents/carers at the end of the day.  We thank you for your cooperation.

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. Well done to you all.

EYFS:

Key Stage 1:

Lower Key Stage 2:

Upper Key Stage 2:

Year 6: SATs

Next week our Year 6 children will sit their KS2 SATs.  The children have worked extremely hard all year and have shown amazing courage and perseverance in their learning.  They have made fantastic progress and have shown themselves to be a wonderful cohort.  We wish them all the best next week and are very proud of them. 

Free School Meal Vouchers

Please note, we have received confirmation that Suffolk County Council will again be providing parents/carers of children who are eligible for free school meals (due to receiving certain benefits) a supermarket voucher to help with the cost of food during May half term.  As previously, this will be a £15 voucher for each eligible child.  Due to cuts in funding they are unable at this stage to confirm whether this will continue in future holiday periods.  Vouchers must be used within two months or they will expire and will be sent out by email by Thursday 21^st May 2026 (from the email, noresponse@vouchers.pluxee.uk).  Should you not receive your voucher or have any questions, please contact the Free School Meal team at freeschoolsmeals@suffolk.gov.uk who will be able to assist. 

Year Reception: Easton Farm Park

Puffins, Seahorses and Starfish classes had a wonderful first school trip to Easton Farm Park last Thursday.  The children had been learning about farms and farm animals as part of their topic ‘Stuck in the Muck’.  They all had a wonderful time seeing many different animals and were able to touch many of them, including Buddy the goat and Bob the sheep.  The children were also able to stroke the cute young rabbits which was a very popular activity!  The staff were very proud of the excellent behaviour and listening skills that the children demonstrated.  A big thank you must also go to the staff who helped to ensure the day was such a memorable experience for the children.

Accelerated Reader

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

Attendance: Duck Race Winners

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

Parent Friends Association (PFA) / Summer Fair

We would love to hold a Summer Fair this year but in order to do so, we need some help from our parents/carers and families.  Ms Salmon will be holding a PFA meeting on Monday 11^th May at 3.20pm. If you would be willing to volunteer to help arrange the fair, please do come along.  Unfortunately, if we do not have enough helpers we will be unable to hold the fair this year.  Any questions please feel free to contact the school office. 

Celebrating our Children

We were excited to hear that Evie, in Year 3, completed her first 5K race recently.  Evie showed great determination despite it being such a hot day!  She had undertaken lots of training and this definitely paid off.   Evie was thrilled to receive her medal at the finish and we look forward to seeing lots more!  Well done Evie.

We also heard that NJ in Year 3 had a grading recently in her martial arts and has achieved her green belt!  NJ has also been training hard and practising over and over again at home, showing great perseverance.  Well done NJ – that is amazing!

Dates for the Diary

Monday 11^th May 2026 to Thursday 14^th May 2026 – Year 6 SATs Week

Friday 15^th May 2026 – Year 6 Parent/Carer Dreamcatchers Session – 9.05am

Monday 18^th May 2026 – Family Breakfast – 8.00am

Tuesday 19^th May 2026 – Nursery Sports Day - 9.00am to 9.30am

Tuesday 19^th May 2026 – Reception Sports Day – 9.45am to 10.45am

Tuesday 19^th May 2026 – Years 1 and 2 Sports Day – 11.00am to 12.00pm

Tuesday 19^th May 2026 – Year 3 Sports Day – 2.00pm to 3.00pm

Wednesday 20^th May 2026 – Year 4 Sports Day – 9.45am to 10.45am

Wednesday 20^th May 2026 – Year 5 Sports Day – 11,00am to 12.00pm

Wednesday 20^th May 2026 – Year 6 Sports Day – 2.00pm to 3.00pm

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

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

Thursday 4^th June 2026 – Year 3 River Deben Trip – Rabbits Class

Friday 5^th June 2026 – Whole School SMSC Day: Thinking about Thinking

Thursday 11^th June 2026 – Year 3 River Deben Trip – Owls Class

Thursday 18^th June 2026 – Year 3 River Deben Trip – Badgers Class

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

Wednesday 24^th June 2026 – Transition afternoon

Thursday 25^th June 2026 – Transition morning

Friday 10^th July 2026 – Reports home to parents

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

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

Friday 17^th July 2026 – Last day of the Summer Term for the children

Monday 20^th July 2006 – PD Day (School closed to the children)

Tuesday 1^st September 2026 – PD Day (School closed to the children)

Wednesday 2^nd September 2026 – PD Day (School closed to the children)

Thursday 3^rd September 2026 – First day of Autumn Term for the children