The Bulmershe Bulletin – Issue 36
27th June 2025
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we reach the final weeks of term, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the incredible leadership shown by so many of our students this year. There’s something very special about seeing young people step into leadership roles – and absolutely thrive. This week, I’ve been reminded again just how impressive our students are when given the opportunity to lead. They take it seriously, they give it their all and manage to take on the responsibility with such maturity.
On Wednesday, our Year 9 Peer Mentors supported the transition day for 255 Year 6 pupils. It was a humid and busy day, but they were calm, kind and capable throughout. From helping nervous pupils settle in, to running games and escorting to classrooms, they kept the day running smoothly. It genuinely couldn’t happen without them.
Our Sports Leaders have also been out and about supporting local primary school events. The feedback from those schools has been lovely to receive. Time and again, our students are described as friendly, organised and enthusiastic, and it’s a real joy to know they are acting as such positive ambassadors.
Next week, I’ll be interviewing Year 12s for next year’s Head Student roles – one of my favourite headship responsibilities of the year. I am always bowled over by the passion, ideas and drive our students show during their interviews, which makes the final decision so tough. Huge thanks to this year’s brilliant team: Amrit, Angus, Isla, Leilani, Oliver and Ruby. You’ve set the bar high!
I must also thank this year’s student council, library assistants, student runners and the students who go out their way to help departments and teachers. These roles might not always be in the spotlight, but they are vital to school life. These students give their time willing to make our school a community.
Leadership roles aren’t just about building a CV. They’re about becoming part of something bigger – about finding your voice, learning to listen and making a difference. We’re proud to be able to offer so many of these opportunities in school, and even prouder of how our students rise to meet the challenge – again and again!
Amanda Woodfin
Headteacher
Upcoming Events
Fri 4th July – Year 11 Leavers’ Assembly and Prom
4th – 6th July – Duke of Edinburgh Silver Expedition
Tues 8th July – Bulmershe Summer Showcase
Tues 8th July – Year 8 HPV Immunisations – please give consent here
Weds 9th July – INSET – School closed
Fri 11th July – Sports Day – Please come to school in PE Kit
Fri 18th July – Culture Day – Details to follow
18th – 21st July – Duke of Edinburgh Gold Expedition
Mon 21st July – Headteacher’s Awards from 5:30pm
Tues 22nd July – Last day of term – school closes at 12:20pm
24th and 25th July – Summer School for new year 7s
Weds 3rd Sept – First day of school for Year 7 and Year 12
Thurs 4th Sept – First day of term for all other years
Year 8 HPV Vaccinations – Parent Action Needed!
The NHS Immunisation team are visiting Bulmershe on Tuesday 8th July to offer the HPV immunisation to all year 8 students.
Please can all Year 8 parents complete the consent form, whether you give consent or not.
Please click on this link and use the code BK110062
A Special Send-Off for Year 13
On Tuesday, our Year 13 students celebrated the end of their time at Bulmershe with a well-earned prom at Highfield Park. With sunshine, smart suits, beautiful dresses and a stunning backdrop, it was a fitting send-off after weeks of exams.
We’re incredibly proud of this cohort – not just for their academic efforts but for the way they’ve contributed to school life. A huge thank you goes to our Head Student Prom Committee who worked hard behind the scenes to plan the evening and ensure it was one to remember.
Before they left, we asked our Year 13s to reflect on their time at Bulmershe. Here’s what some of them had to say:
“The Sixth Form leadership team is absolutely amazing. I’m honestly going to miss this school so much. They’re always friendly, supportive and willing to help. Mrs Miles is the sweetest person ever.”
“Sixth Form were some of the best years at Bulmershe. Thank you.”
“A lot of the teachers clearly love what they do and make the effort to help us, including offering additional sessions.”
“Maths teachers and Geography teachers have been great, so supportive, not just in lessons but for my wellbeing too.”
These comments reflect the dedication of our Sixth Form team, who work tirelessly to make sure every student feels supported, challenged and ready for the next step – whether that’s university, apprenticeships or employment.
We wish our Year 13s the very best of luck as they move on, and we hope they look back on their time here with real pride. They’ve been a fantastic year group and will be very much missed.
Student Volunteering Recognised by DofE
We are proud to share that students from The Bulmershe School have collectively completed an incredible 1,638 hours of volunteering as part of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award [DofE] between 1st April 2024 and 31st March 2025.
These hours – spent helping in charity shops, coaching teams, supporting clubs and more – represent a real commitment to giving back. In fact, according to the DofE, the social value of this contribution is estimated at £10,483!
Volunteering is a core part of the DofE programme and a key reason we’re pleased to offer Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards at Bulmershe. Not only does it help young people build confidence and develop new skills, it also teaches the value of service, consistency and compassion.
We are incredibly proud of every student who has taken part – and we’d like to thank them for their time, energy and kindness. A big thank you also to the staff who support the programme, and to the local organisations who’ve welcomed our students as volunteers.
And to all you parents who have supported your children in finding and sticking to their volunteering commitments – this recognition belongs just as much to you. Thank you.
A message for year 10
Massive good luck to all Year 10 students for their mock exams! They have worked really hard preparing and I am sure they will do brilliantly.
From their proud Head of Year, Mrs Edwards, Mrs Kola and all the tutors
Year 12 Trip to Reading University
On Friday 20th June, Year 12 students had the opportunity to visit Reading University for its annual open day. The trip provided a valuable insight into university life and allowed students to explore a wide range of academic departments and courses.
Throughout the day, students attended subject-specific talks, toured the campus and engaged with current university students and lecturers. They were also able to explore accommodation options and get a feel for the vibrant student community at Reading.
The visit helped many students to consider their future university choices and understand what to expect from higher education. It was a productive and enjoyable day, and students left feeling more confident and motivated as they plan their next steps after sixth form.
Amber Heat-Health Alert – PE Kits
Wokingham Borough Council’s Public Health Team has shared an updated amber heat-health alert from the UK Health Security Agency, now in place from 12:00pm on Friday 27 June until 6:00pm on Tuesday 1 July.
This alert covers our local area and means that high temperatures could pose a risk, particularly to older people, those with existing health conditions and, in some cases, younger age groups.
Families are advised to:
- Take extra care when travelling and check on those who may need support.
- Keep homes as cool as possible, particularly for those vulnerable to heat.
- Stay hydrated and avoid too much time in direct sun.
Because of this alert, we have taken the decision that students will be allowed to wear their Bulmershe PE Kits instead of their school uniform on Monday and Tuesday next week, if they wish.
This must comprise of the branded Bulmershe T-shirt, and plain, black mid-length shorts. High standards and expectations will still be in place.
Students should also ensure they have a named, refillable water bottle with them each day.
Update on Our Break Time Trial
A few weeks ago, we let you know we were trialling a move from two breaks to one. Last week, we gathered feedback from staff and students to see how it’s going.
Staff have found the new system extremely positive, but we know some students are still unsure, so we are making a few tweaks to help address their concerns.
Students told us that queues in the canteen were too long, leaving little time to eat. In response, we’re opening a new Snack Shack next week, providing another place to grab drinks and snacks. We’ve also added extra water jugs to help students refill bottles more quickly.
Students also shared they need more seating at break. We’re adding more seats near the new Snack Shack and exploring other areas for additional seating, including longer-term plans for more covered spaces as we move towards winter.
We’ve also listened to concerns around ball games at break, and to keep everyone safe, ball games will now be played on the back field only, and not near Chequers Way gate or SIGNAL.
We thank Students for their support as we continue to find the best ways to ensure we have a break time that works for everyone.
Sports Update
Sports Day is Coming!
We’re excited to let you know that Sports Day will take place on Friday 11 July, with the long-range forecast looking promising for a sunny day of fun and teamwork.
The day is designed to celebrate sport, community and Bulmershe values, with all students taking part in at least one track or field event and a team game with their form. Events include running races (100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and relays), high jump, long jump, javelin, shot put, vortex throw, football, netball, rounders, volleyball and a tug of war.
To make the day enjoyable for everyone, students will compete in front of their year groups, with only track events having a larger audience. Students will be involved in selecting events in form time to ensure everyone has a role on the day.
On the 11th July, please ensure your child comes to school in their Bulmershe PE kit, wearing sun cream and bringing a refillable water bottle. Sun hats are welcome as students will be outdoors all day.
We expect the day to end at 2:15pm, and students will be allowed to go home at this time. Mr Coniam will ensure school buses will be at school for this early finish.
Athletics Success for Ellis
The PE department would like to congratulate Ellis D in Year 8 for his fantastic performance at the Berkshire County Schools Athletics competition this week, where he represented Wokingham.
Ellis secured first place in the 150m race and helped his relay team claim another first-place finish. These results follow his earlier success at the Wokingham District Athletics and are a testament to his hard work and dedication.
As a bonus, Ellis also got to meet footballing legend Gareth Bale, making it a day to remember!
We’re very proud of Ellis and grateful for his contributions to the Year 8 athletics team this year. We look forward to seeing what he achieves next.
Culture Day is Coming!
On Friday 18 July, we will be holding our third Bulmershe Cultural Celebration Day – a chance for our school community to celebrate the diversity and uniqueness of our students and learn about each other’s cultures.
What you need to know:
Food: Students are invited to bring in a dish that represents their culture to share with friends. (They will also need to bring a list of ingredients with each dish.)
Clothing: Students can wear clothes that represent their culture, such as traditional dress, sports kits, cadet or scouts uniforms, or flag colours. A £1 contribution will be collected via IRIS Parentmail.
Workshops: Students can sign up for a Bollywood dance workshop or Japanese Taiko drumming workshop (£3 each) via Google Classroom. These were very popular last year, so students should sign up early to secure a place!
There will also be live steel pan music at lunchtime and a cultural artefacts display in the library for students to enjoy.
Full details will be sent via email next week. We look forward to a colourful, joyful day celebrating our wonderful Bulmershe community.
Dr Harris reaches new heights…!
Congratulations to Dr Harris, who has successfully completed and passed his Mountain Training Association assessment to become a qualified Hill and Moorland Leader.
As part of his assessment, Dr Harris had to navigate safely across challenging terrain, including navigating off a hillside in heavy mist with very poor visibility. He demonstrated excellent leadership skills and showed how he would handle emergency situations in remote environments – all with the calm focus we know him for here at Bulmershe.
We’re especially proud to share that Dr Harris passed at such a high level that his assessor has recommended he work towards the prestigious Mountain Leader Award next.
This achievement will support our outdoor education offer for students, including DofE expeditions, helping our young people to learn safely and confidently in the outdoors.
Well done, Dr Harris!
Summer Showcase – A Celebration of Student Talent!
Cucina Main Meals – w/c 30th June
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 Harris and Mr Hood would like to give an enormous shout out to the Year 9 Peer Mentors who did so tremendously well supporting the Year 6 transition day this week. Thank you so much!
Mr Paudyal would like to give a shout out to the following students: Jamila, Dwayne and Frank in year 8 for their excellent work in Maths revision; Natalia, Jasmine, Anson, Avneet, Luca, C Ron, Kristina and Sadeem in year 9 for their excellent work in English and Maths; and Haiden, Erin, Lottie, Benjamin Dexter, Emily, Pola, Aarudra, Philip and Charlie also in year 9 for their good behaviour and work in DofE.
Mrs Marr would like to shout out to Library Assistant Justina O in Year 12 for covering the library for the whole day on Wednesday and doing a brilliant job!
Mr Whearity would like to congratulate the 168 year 9s who undertook their GCSE Statistics mock exam this week. Well done everyone.
Staff Shout Outs
Mrs Toms would like to give a shout out to Miss Potter and Ms Paternoster for their outstanding efforts with their daily phonics intervention, resulting some out of this world progress and impact.
Parent Shout Out
Please could you give an shout out for Miss Lamanna? She has been amazing, supportive, quick and reassuring. She’s an absolute credit to the school and the children.
What’s On
Waterfest
Local acapella group, Radiophonics, led by our own Mrs Sharp and featuring some of our English teachers, will be performing at this year’s Waterfest in Reading on Saturday 28th June!
Waterfest is a festival that celebrates Reading’s Kennet Cannel with a full programme of music, dance and activities happening around the waterway including in the Forbury Gardens, the Abbey Ruins and on the water itself!
It would be great to see a good turn out supporting Readiophonics in the Abbey Ruins at 3pm. It should be a lovely, free day out!
