The Bulmershe Bulletin – Issue 19
31st January 2025
Dear Parents and Carers,
I am delighted to share some truly exciting news this week—well, perhaps most exciting for me! At last, a student has chosen to spend their well-earned achievement points on having cake with me! Lucy in Year 7 made this excellent decision, and I couldn’t have been more thrilled when she selected a Victoria Sponge as her cake of choice. We spent a lovely half-hour chatting about cake, caving, and how she’s settling into school.
I must admit, I didn’t expect to be one of the rewards on ClassCharts, and to be fair, most students have opted for more practical items like queue jump passes and pens! After a little investigation, I discovered that, so far this year, our students have collectively spent 84,780 achievement points on rewards, with fidget toys being the most popular purchase. Interestingly, only a small proportion of our students have spent points so far – in fact 70% of students have chosen to save their points, holding out for a bigger reward.
It’s fantastic to see our new rewards system taking off, and I love handing out points to students who demonstrate our school values, or show kindness in unexpected moments. Giving recognition feels just as rewarding as receiving it.
As ClassCharts is still new to our school, we’d really appreciate your feedback on how it’s working from a parent’s perspective. Mrs Cousins has set up a survey to help us understand what’s going well and where we can improve. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts here: https://forms.gle/M5Zgv4Hw5TV9F5YN9
Thank you, as always, for your support—and a special thank you to Lucy for a truly delightful tea break! I hope she and her family enjoy the rest of that delicious Victoria Sponge.
Have a great weekend!
Amanda Woodfin
Headteacher
Upcoming Events
Wed 29th Jan – SEND Drop in from 3:15 – 4:00
Thu 6th Feb – Wellbeing Day – wear what you want… but remember to bring PE Kit if you have PE!
Thu 13th Feb – Year 12 Parents’ Evening (online)
w/c 17th Feb – Half Term
Year 10 Work Experience
This week, our Year 10 students stepped into the world of work, gaining valuable insights into life beyond the classroom. The week kicked off with a Careers Workshop Day on Tuesday, where students rotated through sessions on writing personal statements, growth mindset, and interview techniques— as well as other essential skills for their future.
On Wednesday and Thursday, students ventured off-site for their work placements, experiencing roles in a wide range of industries, from Co-Op stores and pet groomers to council offices and legal firms. Work experience provides students with a taste of professional life, helping them build confidence, develop key workplace skills and explore potential career paths. It also encourages independence and resilience—qualities that will serve them well in any future role.
Returning to school on Friday, students completed a 20-minute mock interview with real-life business professionals, arranged by the Education Business Partnership. These interviews offered a fantastic opportunity for students to practise articulating their skills and aspirations in a supportive setting.
We hope all students made the most of this experience and took something valuable from it. A huge thank you to the families who helped organise placements—we couldn’t have done it without you! In order to ensure we provide the best experiences for students, we ask if families could complete the following survey about their child’s work placement:
Year 11 – Countdown to the 4th July
The next few months are a big milestone for our Year 11s as they prepare for their GCSEs and the end of their time at Bulmershe in July. There’s lots happening to support and celebrate them along the way!
Bulmershe Ascent
Yesterday, Mrs Sharp launched this year’s Bulmershe Ascent—our reward programme designed to keep students motivated in the final stretch. It’s all about recognising their hard work, sparking positive conversations and encouraging attendance at after-school revision sessions. We know this journey can feel like climbing a mountain, but we’re in it together every step of the way!
Year 11 Prom
This year, for the first time, we will be holding the event off-site at Sindlesham Court on 4th July. Prom tickets are now available for purchase on sQuid. A deposit is required by 28th February 2025 with the outstanding balance due no later than 16th May 2025. If you need help with making the deposit payment, please let Mrs Cousins know as we do have an inclusion fund to support with this.
Year 11 Leavers Hoodies
Leavers hoodies can be purchased here: https://shop.fizz-group.co.uk/ The school ID number is 27144YR11
All orders must be placed by 13th May 2025 and will be delivered in time to collect at the leavers assembly.
UCAS Applications
This week marked the national deadline for UCAS applications, a significant milestone for students across the country. We’re incredibly proud of our Year 13 students, who have been working hard on their applications with the support of our Sixth Form team. Over the past few months, we have successfully submitted 84 university applications, with many students already receiving offers from their chosen institutions.
Choosing the right university is an important decision, and our students are now considering their firm and insurance choices. Whether they are heading to university, applying for apprenticeships, or planning other pathways, we continue to support them in making informed decisions about their futures.
For younger students and their families, this is a great reminder that future pathways start early. We encourage all students to make the most of the opportunities available—whether through careers events, university visits, or speaking to our Sixth Form team—to start thinking about their next steps.
We look forward to celebrating the achievements of all our students as they move towards their exciting futures!
An Inspector Calls Theatre Trip
This week, members of the English and Drama teams took a group of 60 Year 10s to An Inspector Calls at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton. This was a rare and fantastic opportunity to see a text studied both for GCSE Literature and GCSE Drama. It was brilliant to be able to see an innovative adaptation of J.B. Priestley’s play and to take the learning beyond the classroom.
The production had dramatic staging and great performances which meant the show moved quickly and kept students engaged throughout. They all really enjoyed the experience and the chance to understand the characters and the key themes of social responsibility, class and morality in more depth.
A huge well done to all our students for their impeccable behaviour throughout the evening – they were a delight – and a special thank you to the staff who gave up their time to accompany the trip, making this invaluable experience possible.
Exploring Conflict Through Drama
This term’s whole-school theme is Conflict, and few subjects explore this concept more naturally than Drama! In theatre, conflict is essential—it’s what makes a story compelling. Whether it’s romantic, comedic, or tragic, conflict drives every scene and performance.
Our Year 10 GCSE Drama students are currently devising their own original pieces of theatre, drawing inspiration from this theme. To support their creativity, Mr Hood led a workshop exploring conflict in different forms. A key focus was The American Dream, examining the contrasting ideas and emotions that symbols like the American flag can represent.
The photographs capture some of the thought-provoking still images our students created as part of this exploration. Their work shows how drama can bring abstract themes to life, helping us to question, reflect, and understand conflict in all its forms.
New Books for the Library!
We’ve been busy adding new books to our school library—many of them chosen based on student requests and interests! Our student librarians have also picked some of their favourite recommendations, all now displayed on our “New” spinner.
Encourage your child to visit the library and explore the latest arrivals—there’s something for everyone, whether they love fantasy, mystery, history or adventure. We’re always updating our collection, so if they have a book in mind, they can even request it for next time!
Happy reading!
NHS Careers – online events
[REMINDER] Crème Egg Collection
Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service need your help! They are hoping families can donate Crème Eggs (or similar size chocolate eggs) to be used as part of their Big Chick Knit fundraiser! Every year knitters from across the local community make hundreds of adorable knitted chicks and bunnies, that will each house a chocolate egg inside, to be sold to help raise the vital funds needed for the children’s hospice in Maidenhead.
If you are willing and able to do so, please can chocolate egg donations be dropped off at reception before Friday 14th February 2025.
Cucina Main Meals – w/c 3rd February
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 Edwards would like to give a shout out to all 60 Y10s who went on the An Inspector Calls trip for their impeccable behaviour and making us really proud – we hope they enjoyed it!
Mrs Mehdi is very proud of 7Y1 and 7X5 for their amazing work in Biology creating 2D and 3D models of cell.
Mrs Garrard would like to shout out to Shamza A in year 8 who has worked really hard in geography since she joined the school. She has settled in really well, and you can see her confidence growing. Well done Shamza!
Ms Wray would like to shout out to 10y/En2 for their exemplary behaviour and fantastic effort and support with the English Department’s interview lessons.
Mr Hird would like to thank all of the GCSE PE students who participated in the PE mock practical moderation. They showed lots of respect and resilience during this event.
Staff Shout Outs
Miss Webb would like to give a massive shout out to the English Department in general for their tireless efforts marking and their amazing support of one another.
Mr Hird would like to thank Miss Cronin for organising a superb mock PE practical moderation. As always it was prepared and run well.
What’s On
The Company of Trees – Theatre Production
Berzerk Productions Youth Theatre is excited to share that they will be performing The Company of Trees by Jane Bodie at the Reading Rep Theatre in February, featuring Bulmershe’s Alice F! It would mean so much for the young performers to have your support, they are excited to showcase their talent and hard work.
Performance Details:
📅 Date: 26th & 27th February 2025
📍 Venue: Reading Rep Theatre, Kings Rd, Reading, RG1 4LY
🎟 Tickets: https://www.readingrep.com/the-company-of-trees/
