Dear Parents and Carers,

As we head into our four-day INSET weekend, I want to reflect on the importance of learning how to stop and look after oneself. This ability should not be a luxury – it is a vital life skill that needs to be actively learned and practised. This is why I feel our November INSET days are so important, giving both staff and students a four-day weekend to rest, recuperate and hopefully have some fun in the middle of a busy, full-on term.

It is crucial for our young people to learn to recognise when they need to step away from their work or phones and engage in mindfulness or restorative activities. Taking a moment to rest and consider one’s mental health is essential for long-term productivity and well-being. By taking a few moments each day for quiet contemplation or simply observing the world, young people can significantly reduce stress and improve their focus. Knowing what is best for yourself and how to achieve genuine rest will be one of the greatest skills that sets our students up for a resilient future.

I have been so excited to hear about what our staff plan to get up to this weekend, from spa days and Christmas shopping to weekend trips away to Scotland and beyond. Whatever your child plans to do, I hope they remember to take a moment to breathe and engage in some well-deserved rest. I look forward to speaking to students next week to hear what they got up to.

Amanda Woodfin
Headteacher

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Upcoming Events

Fri 21st Nov – INSET DAY – School will be closed
Mon 24th Nov – INSET DAY – School will be closed
Wed 26th Nov – Lille Christmas Market trip – Parent meeting – 5pm (Library)
Thu 27th Nov – Year 11 Parents’ Evening (online)
Fri 28th Nov – Addams Family rehearsal day
2nd – 4th Dec – Addams Family production

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Don’t forget – School will be closed on Friday 21st and Monday 24th November, giving students a well-deserved break. We hope everyone takes this opportunity to rest, recharge and enjoy some downtime. We look forward to welcoming students back after the long weekend, refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of the term with energy and focus!

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Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month

November is recognised as Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, a dedicated time to highlight the challenges men often face in discussing their mental health and to encourage more open conversations within our community.

Mental health affects everyone, but research shows that men often encounter specific barriers when seeking support. Statistics indicate that one in eight men in England experience a mental health problem, and men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women. Complicating these figures, men are also less likely than women to open up to friends or seek professional psychological support.

These figures demonstrate that men’s mental health problems are not isolated; they are common but too frequently go unspoken. Social pressures, cultural expectations, or the ingrained belief that discussing emotions is a sign of weakness can make it incredibly difficult for men to reach out. However, mental health difficulties are a normal part of life, and seeking help is always a positive and courageous step.

Useful Organisations for Support:

If you or a man you know is struggling, the following organisations offer support:
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): https://www.thecalmzone.net/
Andy’s Man Club: https://andysmanclub.co.uk/ (Nearest meeting is in Bracknell)
Men’s Shed: https://menssheds.org.uk/
Samaritans: Tel 116 123 (free and 24/7) https://www.samaritans.org/

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Year 7 Inter-form Football Tournament

The rescheduled Year 7 Inter-form 5-a-side football tournament finally took place on Tuesday, and the conditions were perfect for the pupils. Over 60 enthusiastic students laced up their boots and proudly represented their forms.

The tournament began with group stages, and the action was fast and competitive. Every form put in a united team effort, demonstrating fantastic sportsmanship throughout the matches. The focus was firmly on fair play and respect.

After the group stages, XU (topping the Bundesliga group) and XB (first in the Serie A group) qualified for the final. The match was tightly contested. XB broke the deadlock first, but XU fought back hard, finding the equalising goal in the final minutes to send the game straight to penalties. The tense shootout went into sudden death. Both teams showed composure, but in the final round, XB slotted the ball home to claim the victory.

The PE department thanks all the pupils who took part. Everyone demonstrated the values we are proud to see at The Bulmershe School, including responsibility, respect and a love of healthy competition. A special thank you also goes to Miss Hudson and Mr Poll for supporting their forms from the sidelines.

The next inter-form competitions will take place closer to Christmas, with the sport to be confirmed soon.

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New to the school shop!
You can now purchase Gum Shields via IRIS ParentMail. Once in IRIS, go to Payments>Shop>Uniform

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Embedding British Values Across School Life

At our school, British Values are embedded throughout our culture. They help to shape our curriculum, guide our behaviour policy and support our students in growing into respectful, responsible citizens. These values are not taught in isolation; they are woven into everyday learning, classroom discussions, extracurricular activities and the way we interact with one another.

This week, our Sixth Form Leadership Team delivered an engaging whole-school assembly focused on the five core British Values, helping students understand how these principles support positive communities both in and beyond school. The values explored were:

• Democracy
• The Rule of Law
• Individual Liberty
• Mutual Respect
• Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

During the assembly, Mr Scott shared real examples of how these values are demonstrated across school life, from student voice opportunities and restorative approaches to behaviour, to the diverse perspectives explored across the curriculum.

As a school, we remain committed to ensuring that every student understands and experiences these values daily, preparing them for life in modern Britain.

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Can you help support Woodley Food Bank

Our student-led environment and sustainability club, Geo-Leaders (who meet every Wednesday), are organising a community collection drive to support the Woodley Food Bank. They are collecting tinned and dried goods to deliver to the food bank at South Lake Crescent before we break up for the Christmas holidays.

We are asking families, if you are able, to donate items to help local families in need this festive season. Your child can bring donated items into school next week and add them to one of the various collection boxes.

Collection boxes will be placed in the Library, Geography and Student Reception starting Tuesday. The final day for donating food is Friday 12th December.

The Geo-Leaders are specifically requesting the following items:

This week, the Geo-Leaders spent their club time creating the boxes:

Thank you in advance for your generosity and for supporting the Geo-Leaders in this important community effort!

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Students Explore STEAM Careers at EXPO Reading

On Monday 17 November, 55 of our Sixth Form students attended the EXPO Reading STEAM Interactive Careers Fair at Reading Town Hall. The event showcased a wide variety of employers and sectors, offering hands-on exhibits, advice and valuable insight into the world of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) careers. We are also pleased to share that one of our Sixth Form students, Maria, won a prize cup from Trellis Works Wireless Connectivity.

Students provided positive feedback about the day, noting that the event was informative and helped them gain clarity on their future job aspirations and apprenticeship opportunities:

• “Very informative and helped me to be more clear on what I want to do for my future job!”
• “The exhibitors were very nice and helped influence my future decisions.”
• “Amazing range of exhibitors and stalls that educated me on many different careers.”
• “I learnt about different companies and what apprenticeships do before signing up.”

A big thank you to EXPO Reading STEAM and all the exhibitors for providing such an impactful event for our students.

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RSE Curriculum Consultation Feedback

We would like to thank the families who contributed to our Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) curriculum and policy consultation. Your input is invaluable as we work to ensure our RSE provision is appropriate for all pupils, considering their age, maturity and diverse backgrounds.

For those parents who were unable to attend this morning’s consultation, but still wish to have their voice heard, there is still time to provide your feedback. You can complete the parent survey using the link below, which focuses on developing the RSE curriculum taught during tutor time:

🔗 Survey Link: https://forms.gle/Zu5CdspTiAL1hWrw8

Please ensure you submit your feedback via the survey before Wednesday 26th November. Thank you for helping us shape this important area of our students’ personal development.

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Pride Network: Transgender Awareness and Student Voice

This week, the network celebrated Transgender Awareness Week. Students worked on a project to create mini magazines celebrating transgender heroes, a positive activity designed to promote understanding and visibility.

Next week, the network will host a Pride Network Voice session. This is a dedicated time for students who are part of the LGBTQ+ community to share their experiences and offer feedback on issues that affect them within the school environment.

We encourage you to talk to your child about this opportunity if they are part of the community and would like their voice heard. The session takes place on Tuesday 25 November at 3:00 pm in the Sixth Form Café.

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SEND Coffee Morning with Reading College

This week, we were pleased to host a coffee morning specifically for our Year 11 Parents of students with SEND. The event provided a direct link to the SEND Department at Reading College.

Parents had the opportunity to meet with course leaders and staff from the College’s support team and discuss in detail the various educational and vocational courses on offer, alongside the specific support mechanisms and provisions the College provides. The coffee morning aimed to ensure a successful transition and learning experience for all students. It was an excellent chance to gather practical information about post-16 opportunities and support available.

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[Reminder] Tickets Now on Sale: The Addams Family Musical!

We are pleased to announce that tickets for our whole-school production, the musical comedy ‘The Addams Family,’ are now available!

Join us for a hilarious and fateful dinner as Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, introduces her new, surprisingly respectable boyfriend to her family…

How to Secure Your Tickets (£9 for adults, £6 for students and seniors):

1. Order Online: Complete the order form for your chosen date:
   • Tuesday 2nd Dec: https://forms.gle/jgrQ8JuYj82vJxgx5
   • Wednesday 3rd Dec: https://forms.gle/Lp9dtL8NuncRG2CJ6
   • Thursday 4th Dec: https://forms.gle/uzEKSiUS7ko7MssS8
     
2. Pay via ParentMail: Log in to IRIS ParentMail and pay the exact amount to match your order.
3. Collect Tickets: Ask your child to collect the paid-for tickets from the school shop. Your seat numbers are printed on the tickets, which you must bring on the night.

Please come along and support our incredibly talented students! Doors will open at 6:30pm each night, with the show starting at 7pm.

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[Reminder] Boot Donations

Due to the nature of PE lessons and the current weather conditions, many PE sessions will be taking place on the school field. Please make sure your child comes to school prepared for their PE lessons with appropriate footwear (football or astro-turf boots) and a change of socks. This is essential for safety and comfort when using the pitches in colder, wetter conditions.

To support our school community, we are also running a donation drive! If your family has any outgrown boots that are still in good condition, we would be incredibly grateful if you could donate them to the PE department. Your contributions will help ensure every pupil has the chance to fully participate in their lessons. Thank you for your support!

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HOT CHOCOLATE INVITATIONS
I like to welcome deserving students to my office to share a cup of hot chocolate with me on a Friday during registration. These students are nominated by staff who have been impressed by progress, achievement or attitude.
This week, I would like to invite Sadeem A, Kiana P, Ali A and Preeya S in year 11 to join me for a celebratory cup of hot chocolate on Friday 28th November at 8:35am.

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 Ambrose: Bryony A was a superstar representing the school during a netball tournament. Bryony was disheartened after the first game and was being harsh on herself, but she listened to feedback making a few changes to her game. She went on to play an excellent final game, being awarded player of the match by the opposing team!

Miss Harris would like to thank Ava M, Emily W and Sam W for supporting Mr Tomala and Miss Keenan at today’s Woodley Climate Change event with year 3.

Staff Shout Outs

We are sad to say that Miss Walker, our Year 9 Engagement Manager, leaves Bulmershe today. She will leave the Year 9s in the very capable hands of Miss Doci, who many of our students already know. Before she leaves Miss Walker would like to give a big shout out to Mr Williams for being the best team member she could have asked for. Good Luck in your new role Miss Walker!

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Cucina Main Meals – w/c 24th November

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Wokingham Cold-Health Alert: Staying Warm This Week

Following the recent snowfall and the overall chilly conditions we are all well aware of, we are passing on important information from the Wokingham Public Health Team regarding the current cold snap.

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a Yellow Cold-Health Alert for the South East, which is in effect from Monday 17 November until Saturday 22 November 2025.

This alert means there is potential for significant impact on health, particularly for those aged 65 and over or those with existing health conditions. Cold weather can also place pressure on local health and care services.

Many of the risks associated with cold weather are predictable and preventable. We encourage all families to take simple steps to keep warm and well throughout the week. This includes ensuring your home remains warm and knowing how to access support if needed.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact public.health@wokingham.gov.uk .

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A Message from Thames Valley Police: ‘Yule Regret It’

The school has been asked by Thames Valley Police (TVP) to share an important message with our families regarding retail crime as the Christmas shopping season begins. TVP is urging the public to be mindful of the consequences of shoplifting, noting they are working closely with retailers to actively crack down on retail crime.

TVP reports that charges for shoplifting offences increased by 21% in October 2025 compared to the previous year. They acknowledge that the festive period can bring financial pressures and increased temptation, but they warn that shoplifting is a criminal offence, and those caught will be arrested.

The police emphasise that this crime hurts local businesses and puts retail staff at risk. They are actively using CCTV and increasing patrols to identify offenders quickly and effectively.

We encourage all parents and carers to talk to their children about this message, reinforcing the importance of responsible and honest behaviour both in and out of school. Let’s work together to help keep the season safe, fair and festive for everyone in our community.

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What’s On

Snow Window Trail

From Friday 21 November, shopfronts across Reading town centre will be transformed with unique, hand-painted snow designs, each one a magical creation designed by the talented Tom Baker.

Wander through the town centre and spot these enchanting festive scenes, from snowy villages and twinkling trees to joyful characters and Christmas cheer. It’s a great free activity for families or anyone looking to soak up more of the festivities as they explore the town’s shops, cafes and Christmas market.

Download a trail map here, wrap up warm and see how many snow windows you can find before Christmas!

Illuminate Reading

Reading will host its newest winter light trail this year, offering families a magical seasonal display around the historic grounds of Forbury Gardens and Abbey Ruins.

The trail provides a 30 to 50-minute route filled with beautiful light installations that transform the park and ruins into a glowing seasonal experience. Visitors can explore different areas designed to highlight the historic landscape and surroundings.

Food and drink will be available along the route. Towards the middle of the trail, a court will offer sweet treats and hot drinks, including mulled wine, hot chocolate, and soft drinks. Visitors can also enjoy marshmallow toasting and warming beverages at the start of the trail.

Tickets are limited for each session, and families are advised to book in advance to secure their spot.

Reading Town Hall Christmas Market

Families are invited to experience the annual Reading Town Hall Christmas Market, running from 10:30am to 4:30pm on Saturday 22nd November.

This is set to be the biggest market yet, offering a chance to get into the festive spirit and enjoy Christmas shopping from local stall holders and the Reading Museum shop.

Entry to the market is FREE. The event will be held across several key areas: the Town Hall Reception, The Soane Space in Reading Museum, The Concert Hall, and the Concert Hall Foyer.

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New Musical Theatre Choir to Launch in Woodley

A new community musical theatre choir is launching in Woodley, specifically designed for young people aged 7 to 17.

The aim of the new choir is to make musical theatre accessible to children who might otherwise miss out due to the high costs often associated with such clubs. To achieve this, the choir will operate on a donation-only basis. Families are encouraged to contribute when and if they are able, but there will never be any expectation or obligation to pay.

The founders hope the choir will quickly become a safe, fun community space where young people can explore their passion for musical theatre in the heart of Woodley.

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