Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Owls Class' Little Library - Promoting the love of reading.

  Tue 07 Feb 2023

  On Friday 3rd February, Owls class once again opened the doors to their Little Library, when they invited in family members to share their favourite stories and the story books which they had been creating in class. This is a wonderful opportunity for the children to share their love of reading. The Year R team would like to thank all of the families who came along to support the children. 

  

• Children's Hopes for the future part of art installation at God's House Tower in Southampton

  Mon 30 Jan 2023

  As part of our PSHE curriculum and our focus Christian value of 'hope', our key stage 2 pupils were offer the exciting opportunity, by artist Tracy Dovey, to contribute to an art installation called the Maypole of Dreams. The Maypole of Dreams reflects the future hopes and dreams of some of our pupils, alongside those of students at Eastleigh College. The hopes and dreams of children in 2023 are beautifully captured on 120 metres of ribbon as part of the installation.

  The installation is displayed in God's House Tower in Southampton and will be on show between 27th January-5th March, so why not pop along and see if your child can spot their hopes for the future captured for all to see.

  Unfortunately not all of the hopes and dreams made it on to the ribbons, those that didn't are displayed on the wall alongside the installation. The artist Tracy Dovey, would like to pass on her thanks to the children for sharing their hopes and dreams with her.

  

• Sporting success continues at School's Games indoor Kurling event

  Fri 27 Jan 2023

   

  Sports report written by Alfie and Charlie (year 6)

   

  On Wednesday the 18th of January, Two Key Stage 2 teams went to the New Age Kurling tournament at Wyvern St Edmund's school. We entered two teams into the tournament and there were 14 schools competing overall; Both teams played really well as a team and one of the teams managed to win all but two of their games.

   

  The Year 5/6 team progressed to the semi-finals against Morgan’s Vale, where we won 3-0. This put us in the final against Greentrees. Unfortunately, we lost by 1-point but won a second-place medal. The Year 3/4 team played well and took a few of their games to the final few stones but didn't manage to qualify for the finals.

   

  Both teams showed teamwork, resilience and honesty throughout the event. Thank you to Tom for training us in our PE lesson and Mr James for taking us to the event.

  

• Update on proposed strike action by NEU members

  Mon 23 Jan 2023

   

  Dear Parents / Carers,

   

  You will no doubt be aware of the ballot of National Education Union members, returning a majority outcome for taking strike action in their dispute with the Secretary of State for Education over making appropriate funds available to allow a fully funded increase in teachers pay at the rate of inflation (as measured by September 2022 RPI).

   

  The proposed dates for industrial action are:

   

  Wednesday 1^st February 2023

  Thursday 2^nd March 2023

  Wednesday 15^th March 2023

  Thursday 16^th March 2023

   

  This industrial action does not affect all teaching staff, only those that are members of the NEU, as other teaching and leadership unions have not yet met the threshold of their members to agree to industrial action. This position may well change as the Unions look to try to engage with the Education Secretary.

   

  Some members of the Whiteparish teaching staff, although not all, are members of the NEU union. At the time of writing this letter those who are members have indicated that they will not be engaging with strike action. This position may of course change and as their head teacher, I will offer them unequivocal support in which ever course of action they decide to take. I would ask you as a parent body, to also offer the teaching staff your full support. This is not a dispute with you or your children, in fact it is about valuing the work which the teaching staff do every single day to try and support your children along their educational journey. From the point of view of a school leader it is also about being able to secure funding which allows this work to be valued and to secure a level of provision moving forward which is deserved by all of the children in our care.

   

  If the unions remain in dispute with the Secretary of State for Education, this may result in a disruptive impact on your children and their education. We of course apologise for this but school staff are not 20% less valuable than they were 13 years ago and if staff are forced into the very difficult position of withdrawing their labour, then they do so after much consideration and in order to protect the standard of education service which we can provide to your children.

   

  To summarise, there currently will be no disruption to the education of pupils at Whiteparish on the days scheduled for industrial action and the school will be open as usual. All children will be expected to be in attendance. If this situation changes, I will of course communicate the change of circumstances with you immediately and I look forward to your continued support of the school and its staff.

   

  Kind Regards

   

  Jon James

  Head Teacher   

• The medals keep rolling in!

  Tue 06 Dec 2022

  On Wednesday and Thursday of last week school sports teams were out representing the school across 2 different events, both with great success. On Wednesday it was the turn of the High Fives Netball team to compete in the county finals. They ended up finishing level of points with the first placed school, losing out on points scored they ended up as silver medal winners. An amazing achievement. 

  On Thursday a year 4 and a year 5 team took part in an interschools Key Stage 2 Boccia tournament, imagine bowls with soft balls. This was the first time the school had competed at Boccia, both teams did really well in their group pool games with the Year 4 team making it into the semis and then the final, where the title had to be decided by a tie breaker. Again bringing home silver medals, another superb achievement.

  It is wonderful to see sports participation on the up across a range of different sports. Thank you to all the parents who helped with transport to and from these events. Go Team Whiteparish!

  

• Kites Class Perform at St Thomas Tree Festival

  Tue 06 Dec 2022

  Kites class kicked off the Christmas celebrations at Whiteparish, with their performance of 8 traditional carols as part of St Thomas Tree Festival. Not only did they wow visitors to St Thomas Church with their singing, they also displayed a Christmas tree linking to their historical enquiry unit, showing Christmas decorations over time. A huge well done to Kites class. 

  

• Football Team play in Salisbury School's tournament

  Fri 25 Nov 2022

  On Thursday 24th November the Whiteparish football team braved the weather and competed in the Salisbury school's Year 6 football tournament. Playing a total of 6 games the team looked resplendent in the new school football kit. This was the team's first tournament of the year are despite playing aginst much bigger schools they came away with positive results in 4 of their 6 games, a huge achievement ... well done!

  

• Rememberance Day

  Fri 11 Nov 2022

  At 11am on the 11th November the children and staff were joined by Reverend Jane and Vince for a special rememberance worship held outside. The children shared pictures of family members who had served in the armed forces and reflected on the scarifices made, as well as sharing 1st World War poems. The minutes silence was ended by the playing of the Last Post. 

  

• Whiteparish Netball Team

  Fri 11 Nov 2022

  The Whiteparish Netball team, took part in their first competitive matches of the school year at a tournament on Thursday 10th November. They played brilliantly throughout the tournament, showing great team work and commitment to each other finishing in second place overall. A huge well done to the team and thank you to Mr Jenkins for organising the team.

  

• 4 pupils attend School Games Bronze Ambassador training

  Thu 10 Nov 2022

  On Wednesday 9th November 4 pupils from Whiteparish attended Bronze Ambassador training at Wyvern St Edmunds secondary school. The pupils got taught how to lead playground games, manage equipment and promote the core Sports games values of passion, self-belief, respect, honesty, determination and teamwork. Following their training the schools' bronze ambassadors will be meeting with Mr James to put together an action plan to promote the opportunity for all children in the school to be active for at least 60 minutes a day.

  Well done to Khloe, Freddie, George and Faye, it was a really enjoyable morning.