Sent to parents and carers on 5/06/2026
Weekly Bulletin for Friday 5 June 2026
It has been a busy start to this half term with Year 11 in the thick of their exams, sitting papers in English, maths, science, geography and history amongst many others. They continue to work hard, arriving before the start of the school day to benefit from the exam warm-ups and breakfasts that we have laid on for them and listening carefully to last minute advice from their teachers who have been on hand to support.
Year 10 have also sat PRE (mock) exams in English and maths this week. I told Year 10 on Tuesday that it is normal to find these exams difficult at this point in their academic journey. The important thing is what they learn from the experience – whether they are on track for a set of 9s in Year 11 or need to adjust their study habits to make sure that the next time they do these exams, they find them more straightforward.
On Monday and Tuesday, Mr Stronach and I led reset assemblies with Years 7-10, reminding them of the importance of punctuality, of behaving well during lessons and of the importance of respecting one another by not using derogatory language. In addition, this term we have introduced a new sanction for swearing, which had become too frequent before half term. Students heard swearing around school will now receive a lunchtime detention either the same day or the next day if the incident is after period 4. I hope you will support us in reinforcing with students that schools should be places where we do not hear swearing.
It has been a pleasure to welcome Miss Morrell this week, who joined us on Monday and is teaching Health and Social Care and PSHE.
As some parents and carers will know, Miss Degville our Deputy SENDCO is due to go on maternity leave towards the end of June. Miss Degville will also be getting married during her maternity and will return to school under her new name, Mrs Scamponi.
Parents/carers who currently liaise with her about non-SEND specific issues will be asked to liaise with the relevant Year Team for their child in the first instance, during her absence. Please send SEND specific queries to Mrs Gant, our SENDCO (debra.gant@attrust.org.uk).
Young Voices: Maple Park
Some months ago, Ipswich Community Media and Ipswich.co.uk came into school to speak to some of our Year 7 students about their experience of living in and around the Maple Park AKA Jubilee Park area. The feature is part of a series exploring life in Maple Park. It has been produced as part of Youth Voices Matter, a youth-led community journalism project delivered in partnership by Ipswich.co.uk and ICM, and part-funded by Ipswich Borough Council.
Here is the article that came out of that:
Life in Maple Park: Young voices and the missing mural
It looks as though a new mural is going to be commissioned for the area and that Westbourne students will have an opportunity to be part of the design.
A big thank you to Mr Mason for coordinating this opportunity for our students and to Mrs Wilson, Miss Farr and Mrs Rockell for their help and support on the day. Young people speaking truth to power – hopefully we can see more positive change.
Parent/Carer Evening for Year 7: Thursday 11 June 2026
Parents and carers of Year 7 students are reminded to book appointments to meet with their child’s teachers between 16:00-19:00 on Thursday 11 June. This in-person event is held in the main hall with entry and exit via the main Reception doors. A copy of the instructions sent to parents and carers by email on 2 June can be found here:
Year 7 Parent & Carer Evening: 11 June 2026 – Westbourne Academy
Parent/Carer Forum: Tuesday 30 June
The forum for this half term takes place on Tuesday 30 June at 18:00 for approx. 45 minutes. During this meeting Mr Higgon will go through the progress we are continuing to make following our Ofsted visit and answer any questions parents/carers may have about our ongoing efforts to improve the school. Entry is via main Reception at 18:00. Staff will meet you on arrival and take you through to the Main Hall.
To give us an idea of the numbers expected, please register your attendance on our online MS Form here:
Registration for Parent/Carer Forum: Tue 30 June 2026 – Fill out form
WA Community Hub Events 2026
The dates of community hub events for 2026 are as follows, all are welcome between 15:15-16:00:
- Monday 29 June
- Monday 13 July
Student Absence
Please ensure if your child is absent from the academy, that you have notified the attendance office at the earliest opportunity on each day they are not going to be in school, in order to prevent the automated text messages being sent or absence calls being made to parents/carers – these commence from 8.35am each day.
The ways in which you can contact the academy to inform us of student absence can be found on our website here.
You can contact the attendance team direct on 01473 466145 or by email wes-attendance@attrust.org.uk
Applying for Free School Meals
You can apply for free school meals online direct with Suffolk County Council. You will get an immediate response and confirmation email after you have completed your application. You will not be able to apply over the phone because you need to provide an email address, password and sign the declaration stating that you have parental responsibility. Follow the link below which will take you to the SCC website:
Contact: freeschoolmeals@suffolk.gov.uk
MyChildAtSchool (MCAS)
If you have not yet registered, please do so at your earliest convenience to ensure you have access to all the academy’s communications and services. We recommend that parents and carers use the website version of MCAS rather than the app as the website offers greater functionality than the app. A copy of the self-sign-up instructions can be found here:
Cashless System – Westbourne Academy
NOTE: If you have MCAS, then you won’t receive SMS messages from school so please remember to turn on notifications on your device because any messages will go through MCAS.
Food Hall Menus
The new menu on offer at break and lunch in our Food Hall can be found here on our website. The menus rotate every three weeks and new menus will be introduced after half term:
Catering & Food Hall – Westbourne Academy
Key Dates 2026
Thursday 11 June – Y7 Parent/Carer Evening 16:00-19:00 (info sent)
Tuesday 16 June – Y11 Leavers Assembly 14:15 (students only)
Wednesday 24 June – Y6 Transition Day 1 of 2
Thursday 25 June ` – Y6 Transition Day 2 of 2
Friday 26 June – Staff PD Day (closed to students)
Monday 29 June – WA Community Hub 15:15-16:00
Tuesday 30 June – Parent/Carer Forum 17:15-18:00
Friday 10 July – Y11 Prom (All Manor of Events 19:00-10:45)
Monday 13 July – WA Community Hub 15:15-16:00
Friday 17 July – Last day of the summer term
You can view our academy events calendar, together with term dates and PD days, on our website here:
Academy Calendar and Term Dates – Westbourne Academy
Kind regards
Mr M Higgon
Principal
Academy vision: Westbourne is an inclusive academy. We support all students, regardless of starting point, to achieve their potential and develop the skills necessary for employment and life.
Academy values: Be Safe, Be Thoughtful, Be Accountable and Be Respectful.
General queries to: wes-office@attrust.org.uk or 01473 742315