Whitehouse Weekly Bulletin 363

Friday 9th October 2026

A Message from Miss Siddall: This week, as the weather has turned much colder, please make sure your child brings a warm coat to school every day. We spend time outside during break times and PE lessons, and it's important that the children are dressed appropriately to stay comfortable and healthy throughout the day.

I've been delighted to hear about the wonderful school trips that some of our classes have been enjoying recently. These visits really bring learning to life and create memorable experiences for the children. If your child has a trip coming up, please remember to return permission slips and any payments in good time – this helps us to finalise arrangements and ensure everything runs smoothly. 

Attendance: Top 3 classes with the best attendance for week ending 2^nd October 2026

                              Owls (98%)  Hedgehogs (97%)  Jaguars (97%)   

Whole School Attendance: 95%

ITFC Tickets

The winner is…Nikolas from Chameleons class. 🎉   Congratulations on winning Ipswich Town tickets for Saturday’s game. 💙⚽

Another draw will be made next week!  If your child has 100% attendance next week, they could win tickets to the Ipswich Town v Nottingham Forest game on Friday 23^rd October.   Keep up that great attendance!

Pride in Place

The Pride in Place programme puts power into the hands of local communities and the Government recently announced that the Whitehouse Ward will be getting £20 million over the next decade and are asking residents to help decide how this will be invested in the area. Neighbourhood Boards, made up of local people will come together to come up with a plan and drive work to make it happen!  Everyone in the community has an opportunity to shape this plan and get involved.  As part of this project, all parents/carers are invited to take part in a survey to share their thoughts.  To do so, please just use the QR code shown.  This is a great opportunity to have a say, so do take a few moments to complete the survey.

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:

Attendance: Duck Race Winners

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

Staffing News

We are sad to say that after being at Whitehouse since 2005, Mrs Garwood, has taken early retirement from the school.  Mrs Garwood has worked as a Teaching Assistant and also over 10 years as a School Governor and she will be very missed by everyone.  We would like to wish her all the very best.

Flu Immunisations

We are pleased to confirm the flu immunisation team will be returning to the school on Thursday 26^th November 2026 to complete the rest of the immunisations.

Author Visit

Last week, Year 1 and 2 were treated to a visit by children’s picture book author, Harriet Howe.  The visit was made possible through the support of the Ipswich Book Festival.  During her visit, Harriet shared her latest book, ‘Little Wolf’s Big Huff’ a heartfelt story about a wolf cub who learns to recognise and manage his BIG FEELINGS. The children also enjoyed recreating their very own ‘Little Wolf’ through participation in a step by step draw along.  We have purchased a number of Harriet’s books, so please encourage your child to borrow one from the Key Stage 1 library to share with you at home.

Accelerated Reader

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

Nut Free School

Allergens are taken very seriously by the school and as part of our procedures the school is a nut free school, so can we please remind all parents/carers to not send in any product containing nuts for snack or in a packed lunch.  Thank you for your co-operation.

Reception 2027: Open Mornings / Nursery Spaces

If you have a child starting in Reception in 2027, please do book to come along to one of our Reception Open Days where you will be able to meet our Headteacher and have a look around the school.   Please note we also currently have some spaces in our Morning Nursery.  If you are interested in either please contact the school office on 01473 741249 or parents@whcps.org.

Half Term: Ipswich Fit

For more details of the below please see the following link: https://www.ipswichfit.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/October-Half-Term-26.pdf

Government Morning Survey: Your Voice Matters!

Whitehouse is taking part in a national study about morning routines, breakfast and before school childcare.  To take the 5-10 minutes survey, scan the QR code.

We need your help.  Independent researchers at Ipsos want to hear from parents/carers about what your family’s morning looks like.  Researchers have worked closely with parents to make sure this survey asks the right questions and doesn’t take up too much of your time.

• The ask: complete a 5-10 minute survey
• The thank you: a chance to win a £100 voucher
• Who: Everyone!  We’d like to hear from you whatever your mornings looks like!

Please complete the survey by 23^rd October 2026.  Your answers will help inform the national rollout of free breakfast clubs.

Dates for the Diary

Monday 12^th October 2026 – Family Breakfast

Monday 12^th October 2026 – Year 5 Gurdwara Trip

Tuesday 13^th October 2026 – Reception Photos in Ipswich Star

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 – Year 1 Local Walk

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

Thursday 26^th November 2026 – Flu Immunisations

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

Monday 21^st June 2027 to Tuesday 22^nd June 2027 – Year 6 Residential Trip to Mersea