Sent to parents and carers on 23/05/2025
Weekly Bulletin for Friday 23/05/2025
On Monday Mr Stronach, our new Vice Principal, addressed the students for the first time in a pre-recorded assembly regarding our new behaviour system. Students were then invited to give their feedback on the system which was passed back to the leadership team.
We will be reminding the students of our expectations on the first day back after half term in a series of special year group assemblies led by Mr Stronach and me. We will be writing to you about both the new behaviour system and the arrangements for the first day back separately.
A number of local residents have raised concerns about the actions of a small number of young people in the community. At Westbourne we teach our students about the importance of community and how we co-exist with others around us. This means we show consideration and kindness, especially to those who may be considered vulnerable. Could we please ask you to reinforce this message with your children and that this applies not only in the school community but also in the wider community where they live and on their journey to and from school. It is especially important that we treat other people, animals and the property of others with the respect and consideration we would hope to receive ourselves. The vast majority of us do this willingly, but it is important to remind everyone of how vital this is to a safe and happy community.
Regarding the ongoing industrial action, I would like to reassure you all that communications have remained open with my colleagues in both the NASUWT and the NEU and following a meeting last Friday afternoon, they have agreed to postpone any further strike action to give our new systems the chance to have an impact and to improve behaviour.
We are in the process of finalising the internal appointments for the five Heads of Year and five Assistant Heads of Year, ready for next half term. We will communicate this information and their contact details to parents, carers and students over the half term break.
UK Maths Challenge
Mr Noble is delighted to share that the following students have been recognised for their participation in this year’s UKMT Maths Challenge, with several achieving bronze, silver and gold awards. Participation in this prestigious competition is by nomination only, as it is reserved for the most able mathematicians—an achievement that deserves recognition. Additionally, it is truly impressive that some students have gone even further to earn bronze, silver and gold certificates! One student, Gabriel C, has qualified for the follow-on round – which is a fantastic achievement!
The students who will be receiving a certificate in their next assembly are:
Ramsey:
- Calli L– Bronze
- Mahdi A– Silver
Nightingale:
- Derek N– Bronze
- Archie S – Bronze
- Yadav M– Participation
- Nichola B– Participation
Churchill:
- Eliza M– Bronze
- Lilia P– Silver
- Alfie A– Silver
Ennis:
- Gabriel C – Gold
- Shayaan A– Silver
- Kezia C – Bronze
- Zeenat K – Silver
- Jasmin C – Bronze
- Megan I – Participation
Reminder: Year 11 Photos, Hoodies & Dinner Balances
Free delivery to school for Year 11 photos has been extended to 4 June by Kittle. Any orders received will be collected by Year 11 at their leaver’s assembly on the morning of Wednesday 18 June.
As Year 11 approach their final days in school, please remind them to use up any remaining credit balances in the food hall before 13 June and to be cautious about topping up their dinner accounts with money that they aren’t going to spend. Refunds of any credit balances will be available upon request after 19 June.
Parents, carers and Year 11 students are reminded to place their order for a leavers hoodie by the cut off date of 3 June 2025. Hoodies will be delivered to school and given out during the Year 11 leavers assembly on 18 June at 11:45-13:00. The cost is £25 and sample hoodies are available to try on in Mrs Fulcher’s office at break, lunch or after school. You can find a copy of the flyer here on our website:
Useful Links – Westbourne Academy
Suffolk Onboard: School Travel Opt-in
The deadline to opt-in for SCC funded school travel for the 2025/26 school term is fast approaching.
If your child is eligible for SCC funded school travel you will need to opt-in by 31 May 2025 to receive travel for the start of the 2025/2026 school year. If your child already receives SCC funded school travel you still need to opt-in every year.
If your child is starting primary or secondary school in September 2025 and they are eligible for SCC funded school travel, you will have received an email with details of how to opt-in.
For more information on the SCC school travel policy and getting your child to school, please visit: Opt-in – Suffolkonboard (suffolkonboard.com).
SENDIASS Sessions for Parents and Carers
Booking is open for the following session for families, hosted by SENDIASS and delivered by specialist teachers from the Speech, Language and Communication Service which lies within Suffolk’s Communication and Interaction service.
Understanding Children and Young People’s Behaviour as a Communication Need
11 June 2025 (10am – 11:30am)
View full details/Register for session
Helpline: 01473 265210
Email: enquiries@suffolksendiass.co.uk
Text: ADVICE4ME to 87007
Web: www.suffolksendiass.co.uk
Suffolk Parent Carer Forum News
Please see below the link to the May half term edition of the Suffolk Parent Carer Forum (SPCF) newsletter:
This edition has updates from SPCF, information on upcoming focus groups and helpful information for SEND families. For your information, SPCF will be closed from Monday 26 May and return on Monday 2 June. Please refer to our newsletter for available support services.
New Orthodox Christian Church in Bury St Edmunds
Rdr Christopher Dive has asked schools in Suffolk to share the following information within its community. Bury St Edmunds now has a new and growing Orthodox Christian Church mission. We’re easily accessible for local families even if they have restricted transport, as we’re based from within St Mary’s Anglican Church near the town centre.
Orthodoxy has strong roots in countries such as Romania, Ukraine, & Russia, we also have parishioners and visitors from the UK, Moldova, Bulgaria, Belarus and the Baltic nations. The Orthodox Church is one of the fastest-growing Christian denominations in the UK.
St Edmund’s Orthodox Church Flyer
Appling 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:
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 that the app.
A copy of the email and instructions sent to parents and carers can be found here on our website latest news page:
Cashless System – Westbourne Academy
Key Dates 2025
Monday 2 June – 1st day back for summer term 2
Tuesday 17 June ` – Y10 Geography field trip (10B & 10D)
Wednesday 18 June – Y11 Leavers Assembly 11:45 -13:00 in main hall
Wednesday 18 June – Y10 Food & Farming visit to Hollow Trees Farm
Thursday 19 June – Y8 In-Person Parent/Carer Evening 16:00-19:00
Friday 20 June – Staff PD Day (school closed)
Monday 23 June – Y10 Geography field trip (10A & 10C)
Tuesday 24 June – Y10 post-16 taster day at Northgate 6th Form
Wednesday 25 June – Y10 post-16 taster day at SNC
Wed 25 & Thu 26 June – Year 6 Transition Days for pupils offered a school place for Sep 2025
Friday 27 June – Y11 Prom at All Manor of Events Henley
Monday 7 – Friday 11 July – CCF Central Camp (Cumbria)
Thursday 3 July – Y7 In-Person Parent/Carer Evening 16:00-19:00
Tuesday 8 July – Y10 post-16 taster day at Suffolk One
Thu 17 – Sat 19 July – Y10 History trip to Battlefields
Tuesday 22 July – Last day of 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
Attendance or Absence queries to: wes-attendance@attrust.org.uk
Exam queries to: anna.fulcher@attrust.org.uk
MCAS, online payments and data information queries to: wes-data@attrust.org.uk
Lettings queries to wes-lettings@attrust.org.uk
Safeguarding queries to wes-safe@attrust.org.uk
SEND queries to: opal.degville@attrust.org.uk