Sent to parents and carers on 14/11/25
Weekly Bulletin for Friday 14 November 2025
I wanted to start by sharing how proud I felt as Principal on Tuesday when I attended our Remembrance service at the memorial to former student Private Aaron McClure. It was a truly moving occasion and a powerful reminder of the importance of Remembrance in our culture.
I was especially proud to see nearly 70 of our current and former students parade from the school playground, along Marlow Road, and gather at the memorial. Their respect and sense of duty were evident throughout. We listened to an inspiring and heartfelt speech delivered by Mr Farinos before observing a two-minute silence and laying a wreath.
Our cadets play an integral role in our school community at Westbourne, and their commitment to these traditions is something we value deeply. Thank you to everyone involved for your continued support in helping us uphold these important values.
You can find a compilation of the photographs that were taken here:
CCF Remembance Day Parade 2025 – Westbourne Academy
Congratulations to the students who entered the writing competition last term. Students were invited to create a piece of writing about their Oikos, an Ancient Greek word meaning home and community. It was a real pleasure reading the entries. Out of some wonderful submissions, we selected the following winners who received their awards from me in assemblies this week:
1st Prize £125 Amazon Voucher Deena R in Year 9
2nd Prize £80 Amazon Voucher Lexie W in Year 10
3rd Prize £40 Amazon Voucher Poppy S in Year 9
Thank you to those parents/carers who have supported the recent drive to improve punctuality to school. We have seen a significant reduction in the number of students arriving after the gates are closed at 8:25, meaning more students are on time for tutor time and are ready to start their day.
I have asked the staff team to really challenge those students who are choosing to act defiantly since we returned from half term. Early reports from staff around the school are that this has had a positive effect on the number of students who are routinely behaving well and connecting with our expectations. We will continue to focus on reducing defiance as this is absolutely critical in moving our school to where we want to be, with all of our learners making the most of their school and setting themselves up to succeed in their education.
This week, we said goodbye to Mr Sharpe, one of our DT Technicians and to Miss Hale, one of our Teaching Assistants. We would like to thank them for their commitment and dedication to Westbourne and wish them all the very best in their new roles.
Wet Weather Plans for Break and Lunch
With the changing weather, and following feedback from the student council, we will be making a number of changes to break and lunchtime arrangements from Monday:
- The 3G pitch will be open every lunchtime to all Y8-11 students who would like to play football
- Students who wish to play on the 3G surface will need to bring their own football boots. If you are in financial difficulty and are unable to afford to buy football boots for your child, please contact Mrs Clarke at the school and we will do our best to help.
- Unfortunately, football is no longer allowed on A or B playgrounds. This will allow students who are wanting to eat their lunches with their friends to do so in peace and without footballs moving near them at pace. Unfortunately, a small number of windows have been broken around the playgrounds and we do need to stop this happening again.
- For now, basketball continues to be allowed on A and B playgrounds.
- Finally, as the weather has changed, all grass areas are now off limits to avoid students getting muddy and traipsing it into the buildings/sliding over and getting it on their uniform.
- Year 7 students are no longer allowed on the grassy areas for the same reason outlined above. Other Year 7 arrangements for break and lunchtime will continue as they are now.
Christmas Lunch
Earlier today, parents and carers were sent information about the two-course Christmas Lunch on offer on Thursday 18 December in the food hall. Any students who wish to have the Christmas Lunch will need to have been signed up by the deadline of 16:00 on 1st December. This includes any students who are eligible for Free School Meals. There will be no other hot food on offer at lunch time. You can find a copy of the information here on our website news page:
Christmas Lunch: Thursday 18 December 2025 – Westbourne Academy
Year 11 Progress Review Exams
Starting on Monday 17 November and finishing on Friday 28 November, our Year 11 students will take their PREs in the sports hall during periods 1-2 and 3-4. They will be in their timetabled lessons period 5 as normal. Students have all been given copies of their individual timetables. Morning exams start at 8:30am and period 3 exams at 11:20. You can find a generic copy of the timetable on our website here:
Exams Information – Westbourne Academy
Teaching Young People the Power of Kindness
This week, we have been focusing on the importance of kindness – online, in school and in the wider community. We continue to encourage all our young people to look out for one another, show empathy, and understand how small positive actions can make a big difference to someone’s day.
Talking about Bullying
Bullying can take many forms – verbal, physical, emotional, and online. Please take a moment to remind your child that:
- Everyone deserves to be treated with respect
- It is okay to walk away from unkind behaviour
- Speaking up when something feels wrong is an act of courage
- Being a bystander who chooses kindness can help someone feel safe
Encourage them to think about how their words and actions affect others and reassure them that it’s always the right choice to ask for help when needed.
We Are Here to Help
If you or your child have any concerns – however small they may seem – please reach out to a member of staff or another trusted adult in school. We are here to listen, support and work together to keep every young person safe. Thank you for your continued partnership in creating a caring and respectful school community.
Email: WES-safe@attrust.org.uk
Westbourne Community Hub
Our next Westbourne Community Hub event takes place on Monday 24 November 2025 between 15:15 – 16:10. Entry is through the main entrance doors to Reception. Bags of non-perishable food items and feminine hygiene products are available in exchange for a £3 donation (exact change please). The contact in school is our Deputy SENDCO: opal@degville@attrust.org.uk
New Assistant Head of Year 7
At the start of this half term, we welcomed Mrs Rockell to the academy as our new Assistant Head of Year for Year 7, working alongside Miss Farr. Parents and carers of Year 7 students can contact Miss Rockell by email here: gabrielle.rockell@attrust.org.uk
Parent/Carer Forum
Our next parent and carer forum takes place on Wednesday 26 November at 16:15. To register your attendance please sign up on the MS Form below:
Registration for Parent/Carer Forum: Wed 26 Nov 2025 – Fill out form
Whitehouse School Streets Proposal
Please look out for information from Suffolk County Council about the Whitehouse School Street Proposal which was sent on Tuesday 11 November to parents and carers as well as our own staff and students. The whole community, as well as local residents, are invited to have their say and share their views on the changes being made to the streets outside Whitehouse Primary School. You can find a copy of the proposal information here on our website:
SCC School Street Proposal – Westbourne Academy
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.
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:
Catering & Food Hall – Westbourne Academy
Nasal Flu Vaccination Mop-ups
Monday 15 December is the date when students in all years have an opportunity to get the nasal flu vaccine if they missed it in October. Students with parental consent will be collected from class by a member of staff. Please ensure your child knows beforehand if you have given consent for them to have the vaccination. A copy of the email sent to parents and carers with instructions on how to give consent online can be found here on our website:
Flu Vaccination for Years 7 to 11 – Westbourne Academy
Any queries about the vaccine or giving/declining consent should be made direct to Vaccination UK on 01449 701430 or by email to suffolk@v-uk.co.uk. Their online form does not always work properly for some devices.
Key Dates 2025-26
Monday 24 November – WA Community Hub 15:15-16:15
Wednesday 26 November – Parent/Carer Forum 16:15-17:00
Monday 1st December – deadline for sign-up for Christmas Lunch by 4pm
Monday 15 December – Flu vaccination mop-ups
Wednesday 17 December – Parent/Carer Forum 16:15-17:00 (registration form to follow)
Thursday 18 December – Christmas Lunch (see email sent 14/11/25)
Friday 19 December – Last day of the autumn term with early close at 13:20
Monday 5 January – Staff PD Day (school is closed)
Tuesday 6 January – First day back for all students
Monday 12 January – Y9 MENACWY+DTP vaccinations (info to follow)
Thursday 15 January – Y11 Parent/Carer Evening No 2 16:00-19:00
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
Attendance or Absence queries to: wes-attendance@attrust.org.uk
Exam queries to: anna.fulcher@attrust.org.uk
Lettings queries to wes-lettings@attrust.org.uk
MCAS, online payments and data information queries to: wes-data@attrust.org.uk
Safeguarding queries to wes-safe@attrust.org.uk
SEND queries to: willow.piper@attrust.org.uk