Whitehouse Weekly Bulletin 365

Friday 23rd October 2026

A Message from Miss Siddall:

Many thanks to all parents and carers who were able to attend the project showcase events this week. It was wonderful to see so many of the children sharing their project work with you. Thank you for supporting our curriculum. The next project showcase is on Tuesday 15^th December 2026 (YR, Y2, Y4 and Y6) and Thursday 17^th December 2026 (YN, Y1, Y3 and Y5). We will send the next homework menus to you before half term so that the children can get started if they wish to, and to give you a chance to complete the family activity if you are able. Please do send us any photos for the newsletter. Thank you for your continued support.

Attendance: Top 3 classes with the best attendance for week ending 16^th October 2026

                                            Jaguars (99%)  Foxes (98%)  Toucans (98%)  

Whole School Attendance: 96%

Congratulations to Olivia in Foxes 🎉

Olivia is the lucky winner of tickets to tonight’s Ipswich Town game against Nottingham Forest! ⚽ We hope you have a fantastic time!

Our next ticket giveaway will be for the game against Bournemouth on Saturday 7^th November.  The lucky winner will be contacted on Monday 2^nd November.  Remember, attend school every day and you will be entered into the draw!  Good luck everyone.   Enjoy your half-term break!  We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday 2^nd November. 

Children in Need: Message from The House Captains

On Friday 13^th November, the House Captains are holding a pyjama day to raise money for Children in Need.  All children are invited to come to school wearing pyjamas and to give a suggested donation of £1.00 per child.  As the temperatures continue to drop, please ensure that the pyjamas worn are appropriately warm.  We ask that children wear pyjamas with full-length trousers and long sleeves.  Oodies and onesies are also welcome.  Thank you for your support. 

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:

Half Term Holiday: Free Breakfasts

We know money can be tight during school holidays, so we wanted to be sure you are aware that during the October half-term holiday families (both adults and children) can enjoy a free ‘Kellogg’s Breakfast’ at the local Morrisons store.  Breakfast includes a bowl of cereal and a piece of fruit. 

Accelerated Reader

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

Ipswich Borough Council: Drawing Competition

Calling all young artists!  Do you care about keeping Ipswich clean and tidy?  If so, why note enter the competition by creating a picture showing why it’s important to pick up and bin litter and help keep Ipswich tidy. This is our town and your drawing could inspire others to be proud of where they live too!

The competition is open to primary school aged children who live in or attend school in Ipswich.

Your entry should show one or more of the below:

• Putting your own litter in the bin
• Picking up litter to help keep Ipswich tidy
• Keeping parks, streets and open spaces clean
• Highlight ‘This is our Town’ message which encourages us to take pride in our local area and help care for the environment.

Email a clear photo or scan of your artwork to communications@ipswich.gov.uk and include the child’s name, age, school and parent/carer contact details.  The closing date is Friday 6^th November 2026.  The winner will receive two tickets to the Premier League fixture between Ipswich Town and Brentford on 26 December 2026, where their artwork will be displayed in the official matchday programme for thousands of fans to see!

Christmas at Whitehouse

With the half term holiday upon us, we have begun our Christmas plans and are pleased to let you know our ever-popular Christmas Fair will take place on Friday 11^th December straight after school.  Please put the date in your diaries and plan to come along, it is always a fabulous event. On Friday 4^th December we will be holding our Christmas Jumper day and would ask that children bring along a donation of chocolate or sweets, which will be used in our tombola at the fair the following week.

PFA Meeting: Christmas Fair

As part of those arrangements we will be holding a PFA (Parents and Friends Association) meeting on Thursday 5^th November at 2.30pm.  This meeting will be to plan the Christmas Fair, so all members are invited to come along, together with any other parents/carers who would like to be involved int eh plans.  We rely on your support and are happy with any level of commitment you are able to give, whether this is planning before hand or helping on the day.  If you wish to speak to Ms Salmon further about being involved please just let the office know.

Special Menu

We are pleased to share our next special menu with you, which will be on Thursday after half-term to celebrate Bonfire Night.  This is always a great time for children to try a school dinner if they have not had one before, as they always have the children’s favourite options on.  Pick and Mix options will also be available.

Allergy Menus

Please note the menus for our children with allergies have been emailed home this week.  If you have not received it, please let us know and we will ensure this is sent again. 

House Points

The House Captains are excited to announce the winners of the House Point competition for this half-term:

In 4^th place was Emerald with 809 points

In 3^rd place was Ruby with 924 points

In 2^nd place was Diamond with 1006 points

And in first place was Sapphire with 1029 points! 

Well done Sapphire.  You have won a non-uniform day on the first Friday back after half-term.

Dates for the Diary

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

Monday 2^nd November 2026 – Children Back to School

Tuesday 3^rd November 2026 – Mobile Dental Visit

Wednesday 4^th November 2026 – Year 4 West Stow Visit

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

Thursday 5^th November 2026 – PFA Meeting – 2.30pm

Friday 6^th November 2026 -

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

Friday 13^th November 2026 – Children in Need: Pyjama Day!

Monday 16^th November 2026 – Year 2 Framlingham Castle Trip

Tuesday 17^th November 2026 – Mobile Dental Visit

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

Monday 23^rd November 2026 – Year 6 Bletchley Park Visit

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

Friday 4^th December 2026 – Christmas Jumper Day (Donation of chocolate or sweets)

Monday 7^th December 2026 - Mobile Dental Visit

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

Friday 11^th December 2026 - Mobile Dental Visit

Friday 11^th December 2026 – Christmas Fair

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

Wednesday 6^th January 2027 - Mobile Dental Visit

Friday 8^th January 2027 - Mobile Dental Visit

Tuesday 26^th January 2027 - Mobile Dental Visit

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