The Bulmershe Bulletin – Issue 16
10th January 2025
Dear Parents and Carers,
This week, I had the privilege of speaking to our students about aspiration—what it means, why it’s important and how it can shape their future. To help bring this message to life, I invited Mr Thompson, one of our PE teachers, to share his own inspiring story.
Mr Thompson spoke about how his sporting ambition and determination shaped his education journey, starting with studying Sports Science at college, where he competed in athletics and cross country. His dedication led him to Brunel University, where he continued to excel in athletics, eventually earning the chance to compete internationally for Great Britain. Beyond his sporting achievements, he became an Ambassador for Sport at the University of East London and a role model for young athletes.
Mr Thompson’s mantra, “Keep Moving Forward“, was a key message to our students this week. He encouraged them to channel this mindset to make the right choices—whether for GCSE options, college pathways or work experience opportunities. Aspiration, he explained, gives direction and purpose.
At The Bulmershe School, we believe aspiration is a superpower — a strong ambition to achieve and a will to succeed. We challenge our students to shift their thinking from “I hope I pass this test” to “I am determined to pass this test.” It’s about believing in their ability to succeed, no matter what obstacles they face.
As teachers, we have high aspirations for every student and work hard to support them in reaching their full potential. We hope they have equally high aspirations for themselves. Whether their goals are academic, sporting, or personal, the most important thing is to believe in themselves and their ability to achieve.
Aspiration isn’t just about dreaming big—it’s about taking the steps to turn those dreams into reality. As Mr Thompson showed us, with focus, hard work and self-belief, amazing things are possible. Let’s encourage our young people to embrace this mindset and keep moving forward.
Amanda Woodfin
Headteacher
Upcoming Events
Mon 13th Jan – Year 11 GCSE Mock exams start
Mon 27th Jan – INSET DAY – School is closed
Tue 28th – Mon 3rd Feb – Year 10 Work Experience
Wed 29th Jan – SEND Drop in from 3:15 – 4:00
Thu 6th Feb – Wellbeing Day
Spring Term Club Timetable
The new timetable for all the extra curricular activity clubs and sports club is now live on our website. These opportunities are not just about having fun; they play a crucial role in enriching our students’ lives, helping them develop new skills, build confidence and form lasting friendships. If your child has not yet participated in a club this academic year, we strongly encourage them to get involved. These activities offer significant benefits that will help them grow both personally and academically.
New Clubs to try this term
Band Workshop
Wednesday 3-4pm in Mu2. Come solo – or with friends – and start your band. Learn some songs, play together, and get ready for a performance! Practice spaces available. All year groups welcome.
Music Theory Club
Tuesdays 3-4pm in Mu2. Join this club to get an introduction to MuseScore or improve your music theory and receive composition support. Great for preparing for Music GCSE or for GCSE revision, but all year groups and students are welcome.
Jazz Class
Mondays 3:15 – 4:45pm in the Dance Studio. This is a mixed ability dance class for all years and abilities. The Club will focus on developing skills and techniques so, no matter your ability, you will be both welcomed and challenged. Come along for a trial lesson to see if it is for you!
Competition Dance Team Club
Wednesdays 3:15 – 5pm – by audition/invite only. To join this club, come along to Monday’s Jazz club to be considered for the team. This club is for more advanced students wanting to compete and perform.
No Labels Club
Tuesdays 3-3:30pm in the Sixth Form Café for our LGBTQ+ community and their allies to meet and chat. Week A’s club is for years 7-9. Week B’s club is for years 10 and 11.
Click below to see the full timetable of sports clubs and activities clubs for the Spring Term:
Conflict – Curriculum Theme
This term, Bulmershe students will be exploring the theme of “Conflict” across the curriculum, looking at global, community and personal conflicts. Through lessons, assemblies and discussions, students will develop skills in empathy, resilience and constructive problem-solving. By analysing current events, debating local issues and learning to manage personal challenges, students will discover how conflict can lead to growth and positive change.
To learn more this term’s thought-provoking theme, read the full article here.
New Year’s Goals
This week in the Library, students have been writing down their goals for the new year and sticking them up on display. We are also showcasing a range of inspiring self development books to get motivated for the new year ahead!
Lessons in Binary
This term, Year 8 students have been diving into the fascinating world of binary numbers in their Computer Science lessons. Across three classes, students have been learning how computers work by exploring why they use binary to count.
The lessons have been hands-on and engaging, with students tackling the challenge of converting denary (everyday) numbers into binary. It’s been wonderful to see them so focused and curious to understand this key concept of computer science. By the end of the unit, students could confidently represent denary numbers in binary—a fantastic achievement that sets them up for more advanced computing topics in the future.
Well done to all our Year 8 students for their excellent effort and enthusiasm!
Roadworks in the area
Sorry to deliver bad news in our first newsletter of the year, but we have been advised by SGN Gas that they will be working on Church Road again. From Mon 20th Jan there will be 3-way traffic lights at the junction of Eastcourt Avenue, which will move to Palmerstone Road. Then, from Mon 17th Feb Church Road will be closed between Woodlands Avenue and Culver Lane for approximately six weeks.
This will impact travel to and from school, including those who take public transport. Please factor this into your morning routine so that students still arrive on time.
Any updates will be on the SGN webpage at https://sgn.co.uk/our-gas-works/major-planned-projects/earley-church-road
Cucina Main Meals – w/c 13th January
Lunar New Year Card Competition
Yuan Yang MP is inviting school-age children in her Earley and Woodley constituency to take part in a Lunar New Year card design competition. The winning design will be printed onto a series of Lunar New Year cards to be sent to the Prime Minister, senior cabinet ministers and local community representatives.
Artwork should be on either A5 or A4-sized paper and made by under-16s. Please enter before the end of Sun 19th January by scanning or emailing a photo of the artwork to yuan.yang.mp@parliament.uk with the subject title “Lunar New Year card competition”. Alternatively artwork can be posted to Yuan Yang MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.
The winner and runner up will be invited to visit parliament later this year!
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
Miss Hudson would like to say well done to the Year 11 French and Spanish students for doing their GCSE mock speaking exam this week.
Staff Shout Outs
Mrs Martin would like to thank Miss Skelton, Mr McAlaney, Mr Lord and Mr Scott for their help and support running the Year 13 Mock exams this week.
What’s On
Discount Cinema in Shinfield
Have you been to the new Shinfield Cinema yet? It has been set up by Shinfield Studios and is run by Shinfield Parish Council at the School Green Centre. Upcoming films include:
- Toy Story (Friday 10 January, 4pm)
- Splash (Friday 10 January, 7.30pm)
- Sing (Friday 17 January, 4pm)
- Barbie (Friday 17 January, 7.30pm)
- Brave (Friday 24 January, 4pm)
- Sunshine on Leith (Friday 24 January, 7.30pm)
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Friday 31 January, 4pm)
The Crumbs café is currently available for the 4pm showings, selling popcorn, snacks and drinks. You are welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks. Tickets are £5 for adults, £3 for children under the age of 16 and £4 for concessions.
Code Club at Wokingham Libraries
Is your child between the ages of nine and 13 and interested in coding? Spaces are available at Wokingham and Lower Earley libraries. Code club membership is compulsory. Please email them to find out more about this club.
Free Bike Check
Dr Bike will be outside Woodford Park Leisure Centre on Thursday 16 January from 2.30pm to 3.30pm.
Book a slot and he will be able to tell you if there are any issues that need fixing. If there are any parts needed beyond the scope of the session, he can give you advice on the options to get your bike ready to ride.
