Sent to parents and carers on 12/12/25
Weekly Bulletin for Friday 12 December 2025
It has been a busy week for Year 11 as they complete their practical exams in art, food and 3D design as well as their speaking exams in languages. Feeding back to my Year 11 history class regarding their mock exam results this week, has highlighted how many hard working diligent students we have here at Westbourne. Many of them are certainly on track to achieving their potential at the end of Year 11 and going on to great college courses in Years 12 and 13.
Our Year 11 Hospitality and Catering students have been challenging themselves this week, preparing, cooking and serving not just one, but two recipes, with accompaniments at once to practice dovetailing and multitasking. By the end of each day, it was safe to say students had learnt a lot, challenged themselves and all went home ready for a well-earned rest and feast for dinner. Unfortunately, photos of their final dishes are not allowed to be published until after their exam grades are awarded next August. The same applies to Year 11 Art students who also took their Controlled Assessment PREs this week. Art teachers, Mrs Roche and Miss Mazur said they produced some fantastic, imaginative and creative pieces of artwork.
Our Year 11 3D Design students stepped into their controlled assessment PREs this week, a crucial moment in their academic journey. It was a test of their creativity, skill, resilience and everything they have learned so far. Controlled Assessment PREs give students a taste of the pressure, time constraints and expectations they will encounter next summer. In 3D Design, students are building, construction, shaping and visualising, transforming abstract ideas into tangible forms using sketches, models and digital simulations.
The U16 Boys had an excellent win in the county cup on Tuesday night against Benjamin Britten School. PE teacher and coach, Mr Compton said the game was hard fought, with Westbourne coming out on top with a 1-0 win thanks to a winner from A Gooding. Onto the quarter finals the boys go!
Year 11 Progression Interviews
Our Year 11 Progression Interviews Day on Tuesday 9 December, was a hugely positive and supportive experience for students as they continue preparing for life beyond GCSEs. Each student met individually with a member of staff to reflect on three key areas: progress with post-16 applications, current performance across their subjects, and overall attendance.
These conversations provided a calm moment to pause, take stock, and celebrate how far they have already come, while also identifying any next steps to help them move forward with confidence. Students were encouraged to think about their aspirations and the pathways available to them, whether that involves sixth form, college courses, apprenticeships, or training programmes.
Staff offered guidance, reassurance, and practical advice, ensuring every student left feeling motivated and better informed about the choices ahead. The atmosphere throughout the day was warm, encouraging, and genuinely centred on student wellbeing and success.
A huge thank-you goes to Mr Payne, Miss Robbie, Mrs Pepper, Mrs Hanson and the members of Leadership Team whose hard work, organisation, and support ensured the day ran smoothly from start to finish. Their commitment helped create a meaningful and uplifting experience for all involved, reinforcing our shared goal of helping every student progress confidently into their post-16 journey. It is great to hear how ambitious they are for the future.
Year 11 NHS Careers Fair
Our Year 11 trip to the regional NHS Careers Fair proved both memorable and inspiring, especially for those interested in the medical profession. Dozens of stalls showcased different healthcare roles – from paramedics and midwives to surgeons and biomedical scientists – giving us a real sense of the variety within the National Health Service.
Trip organiser and Head of Year 11, Mr Payne, said one of the highlights of the day was watching Lynden bravely step into the maternity simulation suit. The demonstration was designed to show the physical demands of pregnancy, and Lynden handled the challenge with impressive dedication (and a few dramatic groans that kept everyone entertained). The midwifery team praised his commitment, and it certainly helped students understand the empathy required in maternal care.
Another standout moment came during an emergency-response workshop, where Mr Payne volunteered to take part in a newborn resuscitation scenario using an infant manikin. With clear focus and steady hands, he followed the instructor’s guidance and successfully “saved” the baby in front of an applauding crowd. The demonstration highlighted how crucial calm decision-making is in real medical emergencies.
Overall, the careers fair gave our Health & Social Care students a valuable insight into the skills, compassion, and teamwork needed in healthcare. Many students left feeling more motivated and perhaps even inspired to pursue a future in medicine themselves.
Nasal Flu Vaccination Mop-ups: 15 December 2025
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.
WA Community Hub: Monday 15 December
Open to all! Our next Westbourne Community Hub event takes place on Monday 15 December 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).
Contact: opal@degville@attrust.org.uk
Year 11 Rewards Trip to Lakeside: 17 December 2025
On Monday, parents and carers of Year 11 students who are eligible for the above rewards trip to Lakeside shopping centre were sent an invitation and a separate consent email from Evolve. A second bus has been booked so there are more spaces available now. Any students not attending the trip will need to attend school as normal on 17 December. Any queries may be sent to: anna.fulcher@attrust.org.uk
Parent/Carer Forum: Wed 17 December
Our next parent/carer forum takes place on Wednesday 17 December at 16:15. To give us an idea of the numbers expected, please register your attendance on our online MS Form here:
Registration for Parent/Carer Forum: Wed 17 Dec 2025 – Fill out form
Entry is via main Reception at 16:15. Staff will meet you on arrival and take you through to the main hall.
Christmas Lunch Pre-Orders Only
Christmas Dinner bookings are now closed for Thursday 18 December. We are not taking any further bookings. Only those students who have signed up will be included in the Christmas Dinner.
We are looking at putting on extra food at break time as there will only be sandwiches and drinks available at lunchtime from the Speedy Bar window. There will be no inside service. Any students who are eligible for Free School Meals, who have not signed up for the Christmas Dinner will need to spend their daily allowance at morning break.
Suffolk Parent/Carer Forum
We are pleased to share that the December 2025 edition of the Suffolk Parent Carer Forum newsletter has been published and is ready to view. There is information and updates from support services operating across Suffolk, alongside a guide to free events and activities scheduled for the upcoming school holidays.
Click here to view – SPCF December 2025 Newsletter
For your information, SPCF will be closed from Friday 19 December, and return on Monday 5 January. Please refer to their newsletter for available support services.
Student Phone Policy from January 2026
We are committed to creating a learning environment where every student can thrive. Our young people are growing up in an increasingly complex world, living their lives on and offline. This presents many exciting opportunities – but also academic, emotional and social challenges. Our goal is to promote a focused and distraction-free learning environment whilst encouraging responsible use of technology. To support this, from January we will be introducing a mobile phone policy that incorporates the Yondr programme:
Earlier today, parents and carers received a separate communication outlining the student phone policy that comes into effect in January 2026 and a copy of the information can be found here on our news page:
Yondr – Student Phone Policy (January 2026) – 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
Inspire Holiday Clubs
Schools have been asked to share information about Inspire Holiday Clubs for 5-12-year-olds on the 22nd and 23rd December. They are a mix of fun activities, new skills, and, overall, a really supportive space for children to spend a couple of days. As a local charity, they keep them as affordable as they can. They also have HAF-funded places available for children who receive benefits-related free school meals. A lot of parents and carers don’t always realise they are eligible, so it is a good chance for them to access something positive at no cost.
Key Dates 2025-26
Monday 15 December – Flu vaccination mop-ups
Monday 15 December – WA Community Hub 15:15-16:15 (Main Hall Foyer)
Wednesday 17 December – Parent/Carer Forum 16:15-17:00 (registration form to follow)
Thursday 18 December – Christmas Lunch (for pre-orders only)
Friday 19 December – Last day of the autumn term with early close at 13:15
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 (info to follow)
Thursday 5 March – Y9 Parent/Carer Evening 16:00-19:00 (info to follow)
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