Dear Parents and Carers,

As you may have read in my email earlier this week, we have been busy setting the scene for the new term. While that message focused on the “what” of our school standards, I wanted to take a moment here to reflect on the “why.”

I often think of our school as a practice run for life. Small habits, like remembering a blazer, arriving on time or resisting the urge to check a phone, might seem minor in isolation, but together they build the resilience and reliability that our students will need once they leave us. We want our young people to be the ones who arrive at a job interview or a new project feeling prepared, confident and ready to engage.

I know that the morning routine at home can sometimes feel like a tactical operation. Whether it is the disappearance of a school shoe or the last-minute hunt for a black pen, I am very grateful for the effort you put in to get your children through our doors before 8:30am. A good start to the day is so beneficial; it means students can settle into their tutor rooms and start their learning without feeling rushed or flustered.

The same goes for our “away for the day” phone policy. It isn’t just about avoiding distractions in class; it is about protecting the art of conversation during break times. It is wonderful to see our students actually talking, laughing (and occasionally disagreeing) in person, rather than through a screen.

Finally, thank you for the polite and professional way you communicate with our staff. Modelling kindness and respect is the best way we can teach our students to do the same. We won’t always get everything perfectly right, but we are always committed to working with you to find the best outcome for your child.

Thank you for your continued partnership and for helping us help your children become the very best versions of themselves.

Amanda Woodfin
Headteacher

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Upcoming Events

w/c 12/1 -GCSE Mock Exams (until 21st Jan)
Fri 23/1 – Holocaust Remembrance Day
Mon 26/1 – INSET Day – School Closed
28-30/1 – Year 10 Work Experience
Fri 30/1 – Year 11 Science Live Trip to Oxford
Mon 2/2 – Year 10 mock Interviews
Thu 5/2 – Year 9 Vaccinations – CONSENT HERE using code BK110062
Thu 12/2 – Rags2Riches clothing donation drop off deadline

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Notices:

January INSET Day: Please note that school will be closed on Monday 26th January for an INSET day.

PE Lessons & Winter Kit Reminder Due to mock exams, some PE lessons will move outdoors this January. Please ensure students bring warm layers, such as the school-branded kit or plain black/red jumpers and tracksuit tops (no hoodies or large logos).

Major Roadworks on Woodlands Avenue: Families are advised that significant highway construction is scheduled for Woodlands Avenue, beginning on 26th January 2026 and expected to last until mid-August 2026. These works will be completed in sections and will likely involve temporary traffic lights and short-term road closures. We anticipate that this will significantly impact journeys to and from Bulmershe throughout the spring and summer terms. Live information and diversions can be found on the One Network website or via Wokingham Borough Council.

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Exploring Conflict

This week, students began a new curriculum theme: Conflict. Far from just being about “arguments,” we are exploring how individuals and groups respond to opposing forces, ideas and challenges.

In her assemblies, Mrs Woodfin shared a powerful perspective: life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react. Conflict is an inevitable part of life, whether in the classroom, on the sports field, or in future workplaces. Our goal this term is to move away from “unhealthy” responses, such as shouting or blaming, and towards “healthy” strategies like active listening and finding common ground.

Key assembly takeaways for students included:

• Strength in Calm: Not arguing during a conflict is a sign of strength and maturity, not weakness.
• The “Pause”: Taking a breath before reacting to avoid escalation.
• Respectful Dialogue: Using “I” statements to express feelings without attacking others.
• Agreeing to Disagree: Understanding that everyone is entitled to an opinion, even if it differs from our own.

By mastering these strategies now, our students are building the resilience and interpersonal skills they need for a successful future.

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Festive Fun Runs

We wanted to look back at our Festive Fun Run from the end of December. We know that a 2km run on a cold morning can be hard work, so our PE team tried to make it as fun as possible to get everyone moving.

It was great to see so many students joining in with such a positive attitude. Many wore fantastic costumes, including Santas, elves and even a giant chicken! (What else?!). Whether racing for a personal best or enjoying a festive jog with friends, the emphasis was on participation and supporting our local community. Thanks to your incredible generosity, we collected a significant volume of donations for the Woodley Foodbank, providing essential support for local families.

A huge thank you to Mr. Hird and the PE department for their organisation, and to all the parents and carers who helped with the brilliant costumes and foodbank contributions. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the end of 2025 together.

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Y6 History detectives

Our Sixth Form students recently demonstrated exceptional leadership skills during our “History Detective Day.” Twelve of our Humanities students took on the role of mentors, guiding thirty Year 6 pupils from local Woodley primary schools through a complex archaeological mystery.

Throughout the day, our Sixth Formers acted as project managers and academic role models. They supported the younger students in analyzing ancient artefacts, interpreting evidence from the University of Reading and collaborating to build museum-style displays. By facilitating historical debate and encouraging teamwork, our older students were instrumental in building the confidence of our visitors.

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Dyslexia Screening Update

We are really pleased to share that we have successfully screened 99% of students in Year 9 this week as part of our Dyslexia screening initiative. Thank you for your support in helping the process run so smoothly. We hope the experience has been helpful and has given students a positive and reassuring start to the screening journey.

We will now move on to screening Year 10 next week on Tuesday 13th January. Students will be taken from their timetabled lessons at their allocated time to complete the screening in OASIS, and appointment times will be shared with them in advance so they know exactly when to attend.

Once all students have taken part, we will carefully compile the information and share the screening outcomes with families.

If you have any questions or would like further clarification, please do not hesitate to get in touch at: Ktoms@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk

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Alumni Visit

At the end of last term, we were delighted to welcome back two of our former Head Students, Oscar and Mikka, to speak with our Year 11 pupils about studying English Literature at A-Level.

With one now studying English at Exeter and the other studying History at Cambridge, both were able to offer fascinating insight into where this course can lead. They provided excellent advice for revising English this year and also stayed to speak with our current A-Level students about coursework, revision and university life.

Bulmershe do our best to provide external opportunities for students to hear about different career and education pathways. It was particularly wonderful to see how the leadership opportunities Oscar and Mikka held while at school have helped set them up for such bright futures. It was a pleasure to see how well they are doing and we thank them for giving back to our community.

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Year 9 Vaccinations – Consent needed

The Berkshire Immunisation Team will be visiting The Bulmershe School on Thursday 5th February 2026 to administer two important vaccinations to our Year 9 students.

What are the vaccinations for?

These vaccinations are part of the national immunisation programme and protect your child against serious illnesses:

• Meningococcal ACWY: Protects against four types of bacteria that can cause meningitis and septicaemia.
• 3-in-1 Teenage Booster: This is the fifth and final dose to provide long-term protection against Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Polio, all of which can cause significant illness.

Please follow the link below and use our school’s unique code to register your decision before 9am on 4th February 2026:

• Consent Link: https://www.berkshireimmunisations.co.uk/Forms/DTP
• School Code: BK110062

It is important that a form is completed for every Year 9 student, even if you are declining the vaccination, to ensure the nursing team has an accurate record for the session.

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Student Charity Projects

Last term, a group of Year 9 and 10 Design and Technology students ran a student-led initiative to support Reading’s local community. The project focused on collecting, organising and wrapping gift boxes for Launchpad, a charity supporting those experiencing homelessness.

Dozens of boxes were filled with essential winter items. Contributions included warm hats and blankets, travel mugs, toiletries and festive treats. This project allowed our students to demonstrate organisational skills and genuine compassion, ensuring local residents felt supported during the winter.

Meanwhile our Geo Leaders Club also run a donation drive to collect food and supplies to donate to the Woodley Foodbank. Sam W, the president of Geo Leaders would like to thank all the families who brought in donations. Last term a few members of the club commandeered Mr McArdle and the school mini bus to deliver the boxes to the food bank offices.

Woodley Foodbank responded to say “Well done Geo-leaders for making this possible. A great effort from Bulmershe School with a big collection for us. Christmas and the New Year always sees an increase in the demand for our services as people feel the pressure of the festive season and the high energy bills fully kick in. So your collection helped us manage in meeting the needs of the local community.”

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Spotlight on Languages

Well done to all our Year 11s who undertook their language mock exams this week. Here are some tips to help you revise for the real things!

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Rags2Riches Clothing Donations

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Life Sciences Work Experience with Bayer

We are pleased to share a face-to-face work experience opportunity for students aged 16–18. Bayer UK, a global leader in pharmaceuticals and crop science, is hosting an “Insights into the Life Science Sector” placement at their Green Park office in Reading during the Easter holidays.

This four-day immersive programme (9am – 4pm) offers a deep dive into both scientific and non-scientific roles. Students will participate in hands-on activities, including radiology workshops, product design challenges and a local farm visit to see agricultural science in action. The week also provides valuable career guidance on CV writing and application processes.

Key Details:

• Ages: 16–18
• Location: Green Park, Reading (RG2 6AD). Students must be able to commute daily.
• Dates: Easter Holidays
• Apply: Click here to apply

Applications may close early if a high volume is received, so we encourage interested students to apply as soon as possible.

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Library Update

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Navigating Children’s Digital Lives

The Children’s Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, has released an insightful new guide titled: “What I wish my parents or carers knew: A guide for parents on managing children’s digital lives.”

In a world where children’s lives are deeply intertwined with the digital landscape, balancing online safety with the benefits of technology can feel increasingly complex. This guide is unique because it was written with the direct involvement of children across England. Their message to parents is surprisingly clear: they value firm, protective boundaries. In fact, when asked if they would give a smartphone to their own future teenagers, most young people said no, expressing a wish to be protected from online pressures for as long as possible.

We encourage all our families to read this guide to help navigate daily online habits and difficult conversations. You can access the guide via the link below.

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Good Luck William

William H in Y11 has submitted his manifesto to Wokingham Borough Council in the hope of being selected as the new member of Youth Parliament for Wokingham.

He was selected as the Bulmershe School candidate and will be presenting to a a group of Student peers and councillors on Monday 19^th January for their consideration.

His manifesto includes:

• Reducing knife and drugs crimes in the local area through education and increased police visibility
• Improving mental health support, especially during exam times, through helplines and new initiative
• Addressing the cost of living crisis through better budget management across the borough

We wish William the best of luck!

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Nominate Your Woodley Community Hero!

Do you know a young person who goes above and beyond for others? Or perhaps a neighbour who has been a lifeline to those around them?

Woodley Town Council is looking for nominations for the Woodley Community Heroes Awards. There are several categories available for nomination:

• Young Person of the Year: For those aged 19 or under who have made an exceptional contribution to Woodley through voluntary activities.
• Neighbour of the Year: For individuals providing independent care and support to local residents.
• Volunteer of the Year: For those working within a charity or voluntary organisation.
• Voluntary Group of the Year: For organisations providing exceptional services to Woodley.
• Climate Champion of the Year: For significant contributions to fighting climate change or local green initiatives.
• Mayor’s Outstanding Contribution Award: For an individual or organisation that has made a truly stand-out impact.

How to Nominate If you know a student, a local volunteer, or a group that deserves national recognition, please click the link below to submit your nomination.

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Lunar New Year Competition

Local MP Yuan Yang is inviting all school-age children under 16 in the Earley and Woodley constituency to showcase their creativity in a special Lunar New Year card design competition.

The winning design will be professionally printed and sent to the Prime Minister, senior cabinet ministers and local community representatives. In addition to seeing their artwork in the hands of the country’s leaders, the winner and runner-up will be invited to visit the Houses of Parliament alongside a parent, guardian or teacher.

About the Lunar New Year This year, the Lunar New Year falls on 29th January, with celebrations continuing until the Lantern Festival on 12th February. It is a significant time of celebration and family reunions for communities from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia.

How to Enter:

• Eligibility: Open to all students under 16.
• Artwork: Designs should be on A4 or A5 paper.
• Deadline: Wednesday 21st January.
• Submission: Email a clear scan or photo to yuan.yang.mp@parliament.uk with the subject “Lunar New Year card competition”. Alternatively, artwork can be posted to: Yuan Yang MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.

This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to celebrate cultural diversity and represent our school at a national level. We wish all our young artists the best of luck! Below are the winning designs from 2025 to inspire you!

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Cold Weather Alert

Wokingham Borough Council has issued an amber cold-health alert for the South East which remains in effect until 12pm on 12th January. This alert indicates that the forecast weather is likely to have a significant impact on health and social care services as well as local transport.

The council recommends that residents take extra care to keep warm and well during this period. They encourage families to check on vulnerable neighbours and ensure indoor temperatures are kept at a safe level. Please also be aware that the cold weather may cause some travel delays for students and staff. Further advice on staying healthy during cold spells can be found on the Government website.

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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 a huge well done to all Year 11 French and Spanish students for doing their mock speaking exam this week.

Mrs Coombes would like to thank all the Sixth Form Students who helped at last term’s Year 6 History Detectives day. They did a fantastic job displaying their love of history as well as excellent leadership skills. Thank you to Sam W, Ulia L, Kajaani U, Hassan K, Fran H, Laurie A, Zennor T, Elsie C, Shyla S, Ella B and Hannah TC.

Mr Chandler would like to give a shout to Year 8 as they have gained more achievement points this term than they did at this point in Year 7! In particular I would like to congratulate the following students; Eliana G, Olivia W, Amelia S, Lewis F, Odara WG, Toby CK, Yahya S, Audrey M, Ivy H and Eesa A for being at the top of the leaderboard.

Staff Shout Outs

Mrs Cousins would like to give a shout out to Miss Webb for bringing her breakfast to the cold, wet and windy School Gate this morning!

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Cucina Main Meals – w/c 12th January

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What’s On

Glide, kayak or paddle under the moonlight

The Full Moon Glow Paddle is taking place on Sunday 25 January on Black Swan Lake. Bring your glow sticks and fairy lights and immerse yourself in the tranquil atmosphere, whether you are gliding on a stand-up paddleboard, kayak, canoe or pedalo. The event runs from 5.30pm to 7.30pm and tickets cost £30 for adults and £25 for children, which includes the use of your chosen watercraft.

Click here to book

Comedy Tonight

The Mad Monkey team are back for another night of improv, turning your suggestions into comedy gold. If you loved Who’s Line Is It Anyway, this is for you.

Brewdog Reading, 9th Jan, 8pm

Calling David Bowie Fans…

It’s a decade since we lost David Bowie, and there are events coming up this week in Reading to mark his life and music.

Tonight, Friday 9 January, Heavy Pop are behind the decks at Milk Reading, spinning the best of Bowie (and his collaborators) and raising a bit of money for Laura’s Lasting Legacy – Find out more.
And on Saturday 10 January, top Bowie tribute Moonage will be bringing Bowie’s songs to life at South Street. Find out more

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