The Bulmershe Bulletin – Issue 45
10th October 2025
Dear Parents and Carers,
Today is World Mental Health Day, and I wanted to reinforce a message that has been central to our assemblies this week: ‘Mental Health Never Takes a Day Off.’
In assemblies, led by Miss Chapman, our Mental Health Coordinator, students have been learning about the NHS’s 5 Ways to Wellbeing and where to seek support. These five simple steps are crucial for maintaining positive mental health every day:
Connect : Spend time with friends, family, or community groups. Good relationships are vital for mental wellbeing.
Be Active : Engage in physical activity such as walking, hiking, or dancing. Even small movements, like stretching or a short walk outside, can be beneficial.
Take Notice : Pay attention to the present moment and your surroundings. This includes being mindful, appreciating your experiences, and being aware of the world around you.
Keep Learning : Stay curious and try new skills or hobbies. This can be anything from learning a new language or cooking to taking a course or setting yourself a new challenge.
We are committed to fostering an environment where students feel supported. Should you feel your child needs support with their mental health at school, please do not hesitate to contact our Mental Health Coordinator, Miss Chapman, directly via email: achapman@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership in supporting your child’s emotional and academic health.
Amanda Woodfin
Headteacher
Upcoming Events
Tue 14th Oct – Year 8 Curriculum Evening in the Auditorium
w/c 20th Oct – Year 11 Exam Week
w/c 27th Oct – Half Term Holidays
Answering ‘What Did You Do Today?’
Accessing Your Child’s Curriculum
We know that asking your teenager about their school day can often result in very little feedback! To help you be more informed and engaged with your child’s learning, we encourage you to explore the subject pages on our school website.
Every department has uploaded their Long Term Plans (LTPs). These plans provide a high-level overview of the topics your child will be taught each term and the educational intent behind the planning. For example, the English department’s KS3 plan details the key texts and units to be covered in Years 7, 8 and 9 throughout the year.
By checking the LTPs, you can get a clear understanding of what your child is learning and why, making it much easier to start meaningful conversations at home. Click on each of the subjects you want to explore, then scroll to the bottom of the page to find the LTP documents.
Sixth Form Open Evening – 6th November
Our annual Sixth Form Open Evening will be held on Thursday 6 November, starting at 5:45pm. This is a key event for all Year 11 students and their families to explore their post-16 options.
The evening will include a presentation in the main auditorium. Please note that we will hold two speech times to accommodate all guests: 6:00pm and 7:15pm. The presentation will cover information about our rich Key Stage 5 curriculum entry requirements and the reasons why the Bulmershe Sixth Form is such a popular choice, with over 300 students and excellent progression rates to top universities like Oxford and Cambridge.
Families will be able to explore subject stalls and speak directly with Sixth Form teachers and current students. No booking is required – we look forward to welcoming you to the main reception from 5:45pm.
A-Level Biologists Explore Genetics at Oxford University
This week, Mrs Nath and Mr Morden took the Year 13 Biology students to the University of Oxford’s Natural History Museum Labs. The day started with a taste test to see which students could detect a bitter chemical. Amusingly, some students tasted nothing – meaning they were technically “mutants” for that specific receptor – while others found the chemical quite unpleasant!
This was followed with a series of genetic laboratory techniques to identify any mutations in our DNA for the bitter taste receptor. Students extracted their own DNA then used PCR to amplify the gene before creating a DNA fingerprint using gel electrophoresis. It was fascinating to visually confirm the correlation between the DNA analysis and the initial taste test!
In addition to this practical lab work, the students explored the museum, looking closely at some of the exhibits of arthropods and hominid skulls to discuss convergent and human evolution, and heard from two Biology PhD students about their current research. It was a valuable and inspiring day that showcased the exciting, hands-on careers available in the world of Biology.
Supporting the Ndejje Community Library
This week, Year 7 students were visited by Daniel Muwanguzi Mukiibi from the Ndejje community in Uganda. Daniel spoke to the students about life in Uganda and provided an update on the twin library project that our Geoleaders Club supports. The new library officially opened in August 2024.
Daniel shared the community’s next goal: equipping the library with essential technology. They need computers, chairs and WiFi routers so that children can access online educational apps. We are pleased to share that the Geoleaders have committed to continuing their project for another year and will be launching fundraising activities soon to help meet this new target.
A huge thank you goes to Mr Tomala and Mrs Warner for arranging Daniel’s visit and to Miss Ku and her family for continuing our link with Ndejje. Thanks also to Sam W in Year 12 for opening the presentation.
If your child is interested in joining the Geoleaders club, they should head to H10 on Monday 20 October at 3pm.
Year 7 Explores STEAM Careers at Thorpe Park
This Tuesday, our lucky Year 7 students took part in a fantastic and unique STEAM event (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) held at Thorpe Park. The trip was designed to show students how to translate their classroom skills into real-world careers.
This was certainly not a typical theme park visit! The organisers made the day both fun and educational. Students had to complete a series of STEAM challenges and educational activities focused on career pathways to collect stamps, which they could then exchange for access to the rides.
The event, which was attended by around 10,000 students from various schools, was supported by over 60 companies, including Barclays, Microsoft, Surrey Police and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Students had the chance to meet professionals and engage in hands-on tasks, bringing career possibilities to life.
The students had an incredible day, balancing learning with fun, and we extend a huge thank you to Mrs Sahin for organising such a memorable trip!
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Celebration
A huge congratulations goes out to the 65+ students who were recently presented with their Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards! The presentation evening was a celebration of resilience, responsibility and respect within our student body.
The event served as a reminder that achievement lies not only in the award itself but in what they gave back to their communities and everything they learned about themselves throughout the process. We are incredibly proud of their hard work (and the celebration cake was also amazing!).
Spotlight on Languages
This week in French, to mark Black History Month, our Year 9 students learned about Taïs Vinolo, a contemporary French artist and dancer who explores identity and belonging through movement and photography. Her creative expression mirrors our students’ own curiosity about how language and culture shape who we are. In Spanish, students (virtually) travelled to Mexico, discovering the country’s cultural landmarks, festivals, and artists, all while practising their language skills to describe traditions and routines.
European Day of Languages: Quiz Winners Announced
Following the celebrations for the European Day of Languages, we are delighted to share the results of the inter-form competition and the whole-school language quiz!
Congratulations to the winning form groups:
- 3rd Place: Mrs Zalaki’s form 8XU
- 2nd Place: Miss Patey’s form 9YL
- 1st Place: Miss Hudson’s form 7YM
Mme Gardiner will be delivering the tutor group treat next week.
A fantastic 270 students also competed in the individual quiz to win a French breakfast. Congratulations to our individual winners: Aishwarya G (Key Stage 4 winner), Nistha D (Year 9 winner), Isaac C (Year 8 winner), and Erblina L (Year 7 winner). Mme Gardiner will be in touch with the winning students to organise their special breakfast.
Year 10 Netball Team Triumph
The Year 10 netball team delivered an excellent performance this week in a local netball rally, securing dominant wins against both Piggot School (10-1) and Bohunt School (10-3).
While the scoreboards were impressive, the team’s commitment to The Bulmershe School values stood out. Throughout the matches, the girls demonstrated genuine respect by showing excellent sportsmanship towards their opponents and officials. Their resilience was clear in their determination to maintain focus and energy across both games, even when under pressure.
Furthermore, the players demonstrated strong responsibility by supporting one another and preparing thoroughly for the rally. They were true ambassadors for the school both on and off the court.
Well done to the entire Year 10 team for a successful day!
Production Appeal: The Addams Family Costumes & Props
This week’s call is for mini LED torches… we’re hoping someone might having something like this in their marketing cupboard! We are also still in need of Candlesticks and Candelabras: of any shape, size or colour.
If you have any of these items you can spare, please drop them off at Reception when you can over the next week or so. Thank you in advance for helping the school!
Year 10 Work Experience: Deadline Reminder
This is a reminder to all Year 10 parents and carers that students must secure their work experience placement by 1st December and upload the details to Unifrog.
We understand that students are still exploring their future pathways, so the placement does not need to be linked to a specific career interest. The goal is to provide a valuable experience that helps them develop key soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and responsibility.
Please encourage your child to actively seek out opportunities now. For more details, please see the Work Experience Page of our website. Thank you for your support in helping them prepare for this important step!
[Reminder] New PE Timetables
The PE Rotation Timetables for this year are now available on our school website.
This information is particularly useful for families as it clearly outlines which sport your child will be learning each week, helping you know exactly when they need different kit. This is especially important for swimming, as it confirms the weeks they need to bring their swim kit instead of their usual PE uniform.
To check which specific class your child is in for PE, please refer to the class codes listed for them in ClassCharts or in their subject classrooms on Google Classroom. Please take a moment to look at the new rotation timetable on our website to ensure your child is prepared for their lessons.
Shout Outs
On a Friday we like to shine a spotlight on those who deserve a thank you or have done well over the past week. If you would like to nominate your child, or a member of staff, please use our nomination email address: HeadsPA@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk.
Student Shout Outs
Mrs Senthilkumar: I would like to shout out Maeve M and Kahlia C in year 8 for their excellent work in creating a Google Site tailored to a client’s requirements. Their creativity, attention to detail and ability to turn ideas into a great-looking and functional site really stood out. Well done!
Miss Marr: I’d like to shout out Kayden, Joseph, De’Onte, Dwayne, Caleb, Josh and Simon for the incredible progress they’ve been making on the steel pans. Well done guys!
Mr Chandler: Shout out to the following Year 8 students who are topping the Year 8 achievement points leader board; Yahya S, Olivia W, Eliana G, William H, Vedanth K, Chloe D, Maybel D, Eesa A, Amelia S and Toby CK.
Mr Hird would like to thank the year 10 netball team for their efforts at this week’s netball rally.
Staff Shout Outs
Mrs Sahin would like to thank all the members of staff who helped much the Year 7 trip to Thorpe Park such a success. It was a huge team effort!
Cucina Main Meals – w/c 13th October
What’s On
Community News: Board Game Café at Woodley Library
Woodley Library is hosting a special Board Game Café during Half Term on Thursday 30th October. This event is split into two sessions, with a range of games provided for different age groups:
- 4:45pm to 5:45pm: For ages 9–11 years
- 5:45pm to 6:45pm: For ages 12–16 years
Spaces will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. To book a place, parents should email haf@wokingham.gov.uk with the child’s name, address, school and date of birth. Parents and carers are welcome to remain on site and use the library facilities during the sessions, but are only required to stay if their child requires additional support.
Half Term Activities in Reading
October half-term is right around the corner, but fear not – Reading Council have a growing list of events and activities to keep boredom at bay, featuring dinosaurs, LEGO, pumpkins and penguins!
Wokingham ASD Family Newsletter
If you’d like to read the latest newsletter from Wokingham’s ASD Family Help, click the button below. The newsletter covers upcoming events, available support and training for families.
Sport in Mind at Bulmershe Leisure Centre
Parents may be interested to know that Sport in Mind runs free local community sessions designed to use sport and physical activity to support children and young people’s mental health.
These sessions provide opportunities for young people to get active and have fun in a relaxed, supportive and friendly environment. The goal is to help students build confidence, self-esteem, meet new people and support them through low mood or other mental health challenges.
Sport in Mind runs an after-school Youth Session at Bulmershe Leisure Centre during term time. Young people can be invited or referred to join, but places are limited to a maximum of 10-12 children per session.
To sign up for a session, families should complete this form: https://app.upshot.org.uk/signup/847f0d54/
