Whitehouse Weekly Bulletin

Friday 18th September 2026

A Message from Miss Siddall:  It's been another busy week in school and I've seen some fantastic work being produced in lessons. The children have been listening well and showing excellent concentration, which is really helping them to make progress with their learning.  It has been fantastic to see many parents attending the 'Meet the Teacher' sessions this week. I hope it was helpful to see your child's classroom, talk to their teacher and look at some of the wonderful work they have already completed. Remember that you can come again for our first project showcase on the 20^th or 22^nd of October.  As we move forward, please continue to support your child with their homework projects. These really do help the children to engage with their learning and to develop both skills and knowledge. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Attendance: Top 3 classes with the best attendance for week ending 11^th September 2026

Seahorses (100%) Toucans (99%)  Badgers (98%)

  Whole School Attendance: 95%

What a fantastic start to the new school year! A special well done goes to Seahorses, not only was it their first full week in school but every child came into school every day, on time all week! As a reward for their fantastic attendance, the children had the very special job of looking after ACE (Attend Class Everyday) bear for the whole week! Congratulations Seahorses! What an amazing achievement!

This week we have started our popular Duck Races!  If your child has come to school every day they will be entered into their class Duck Race.  The winner of each class will be announced in the newsletter the following week.  Happy racing everyone!

Reception 2027: Open Mornings

Do you have a child who is starting in Reception in September 2027?  We are holding 4 tours of the school so that parents/carers and their child can meet our Headteacher and have a look around Whitehouse.  If you would like to come along to any of the dates below, please call the office on 01473 741249 or email parents@whcps.org to book a space.

Dates of Reception Tours:

• Thursday 5^th November 2026 – 9.30am
• Friday 20^th November 2026 – 9.30am
• Tuesday 1^st December 2026 – 9.30am
• Wednesday 6^th January 2027 – 9.30am

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.

Key Stage 1:

Lower Key Stage 2:

Upper Key Stage 2:

Dental Service

We are aware that it can be very difficult to get an NHS dentist for your children, so we are very pleased to let you know that on Tuesday 3^rd November 2026 and Tuesday 17^th November 2026, we will have a mobile dentist on site at school.  The dental team will be offering appointments for your child to have their teeth examined and provide any needed treatment.  Letters have been sent home with the consent forms which must be completed by parents and either returned to the school office or sent directly to snee@cds-cic.co.uk.   These must be received by Tuesday 20^th October 2026.

Regular dental examinations are important for your child’s health, so if you struggle to get a dentist this is a great opportunity we hope you will feel able to take up.

Free School Meal Vouchers

Please note that we have been informed by Suffolk County Council that they will unfortunately no longer be providing supermarket vouchers in the holidays to assist those families whose children are eligible for free school meals.  We know that many of our families relied on these, but Suffolk County Council have made us aware that if you find you are experiencing financial hardship there will be a scheme you can apply to for assistance.  From 1^st October 2026, via their website, https://suffolk.gov.uk/lwas you can apply to Suffolk’s Local Welfare Assistance Scheme.  If eligible, you may be able to receive a cash payment or cash-out voucher to help with essential costs.   Support is also available from Citizen’s Advice.

School Car Parks

Can we please remind parents/carers that the school car parks are only for use by staff members, including when dropping children off for breakfast clubs, or picking up from after-school clubs.   Parents/Carers are not to use these, unless they hold a blue badge, and this is displayed in the vehicle.   Many members of our school community, including our children, use the car park to access the school office, so it is important we keep the car park clear from excess vehicles.  We thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Flu Vaccinations

We will again be hosting the School Vaccination team on Monday 28^th September who will be in school to provide flu vaccinations to our children in Year Groups R-6.  Please note in order to receive this, a parent/carer must provide consent.  This year the team will be contacting you directly with a link which is to be used to give consent.  We would encourage as many families as possible to consent to this, as it allows our children to stay as well as possible in the upcoming winter seasons.  Please watch out for this email (not coming from Whitehouse CP School) and if you have not received it yet, check your junk email folders in case it has gone in there.  If you do not want your child to receive the vaccination, you will still need to complete the form to let them know.

New Policy: Parents/Carers Needed

We are looking to create a new policy, with regards to the use of sensory resources (including concentration aids and ear defenders) within the school.  We would like parents/carers to be involved in this process.  If you would be interested in being a part of this focus group, please email us on parents@whcps.org and mark your email for the attention of Mrs Porter who will be coordinating this.

Dates for the Diary

Monday 21^st September 2026 – Family Breakfast

Monday 28^th September 2026 – Family Breakfast

Monday 5^th October 2026 – Family Breakfast

Tuesday 6^th October 2026 – Year 1 Local Walk

Monday 12^th October 2026 – Family Breakfast

Monday 19^th October 2026 – Family Breakfast

Monday 19^th October 2026 – Year 3 Local Walk (Badgers Class)

Tuesday 20^th October 2026 – Year 3 Local Walk (Owls Class)

Tuesday 20^th October 2026 - Autumn 1 Project Showcase: Years N, 1, 3 and 5

Wednesday 21^st October 2026 – Year 3 Local Walk (Rabbits Class)

Thursday 22^nd October 2026 – Autumn 1 Project Showcase: Years R, 2, 4 and 6

Friday 23^rd October 2026 – Whole School SMSC Day

Monday 26^th October 2026 to Friday 30^th October 2026 – Half Term Holiday

Tuesday 3^rd November 2026 – Mobile Dental Visit

Thursday 5^th November 2026 – New Reception Children’s Tour – 9.30am

Tuesday 10^th November 2026 – Year 3 Stone Age Visitors

Tuesday 17^th November 2026 – Mobile Dental Visit

Friday 20^th November 2026 - New Reception Children’s Tour – 9.30am

Friday 27^th November 2026 – Reports Home to Parents/Carers

Tuesday 1^st December 2026 - New Reception Children’s Tour – 9.30am

Tuesday 1^st December 2026 – Online Parents/Carers Evening 3.30pm to 5.30pm

Tuesday 8^th December 2026 – Nursery Nativity

Thursday 10^th December 2026 – Reception Nativity

Thursday 10^th December 2026 – Online Parents/Carers Evening 3.30pm to 6.30pm

Tuesday 15^th December 2026 – Autumn 2 Project Showcase: Years R, 2,4 and 6

Thursday 17^th December 2026 – Autumn 2 Project Showcase: Years N, 1, 3 and 5

Friday 18^th December 2026 – Last day of the Autumn Term

Monday 21^st December 2026 to Friday 1^st January 2027 – Christmas Holiday

Monday 4^th January 2027 – PD Day (School closed to the children)

Tuesday 5^th January 2027 – Spring Term (first day back for the children)

Wednesday 6^th January 2027 - New Reception Children’s Tour – 9.30am