Dear Parents and Carers,

It has been impossible to ignore the heat this week. It has felt completely all-consuming at times, but what has really struck me is how incredibly well our resilient students and staff have handled it.

Everyone adjusted to a sudden new timetable, speedy transitions and umpteen room changes so well. Our merged single break was a success, and it was lovely watching the students playing together on the field (especially in Thursday’s welcome breeze). Students have been sensibly using the extra water stations and, despite the fact that we all feel like we are melting, the mood on campus has remained cheerful. We really are all in this together, and that community spirit has shone through.

While I want to thank all staff for their support and effort this week, a massive thank you must go to our PE department, who put on extra swim sessions for students in the morning and for our very grateful staff in the afternoons.

I also want to give a huge shout-out to our 40 Year 9 Peer Mentors who worked their (sweaty) socks off during our Year 6 transition days. They were an absolute credit to the school, escorting our 240 young visitors to lessons and even standing in the heat at the end of the day to form a “goodbye line” to wave them off. Our transition team quite simply could not have run the days without them.

I hope you agree that the decision to stay open this week was the right one. From my own observations, the condensed days worked well and I am glad we could safely continue your children’s education.

I think we are all looking forward to when this heatwave breaks so we can feel human again. Have a wonderful, restful weekend.

Amanda Woodfin
Headteacher

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Upcoming Events

30/6 – Y7 Tellmi Workshops (in school)
30/6 – Pride Party, after school in the Library
2/7 – Y12 Geography Field Trip
3/7 – Y11 Leavers Assembly 8:30am
3/7 – Y11 Prom – Sindlesham Court
7/7 – Vaccinations Catch up
7/7 – Summer Showcase Arts Festival – 5:30pm – 7:30pm
9/7 – Rising to Year 7 Evening (6pm – 7:30pm)
9/7 – INSET Day – School closed to students
10/7 – Sports Day / Year 12 Destinations Day

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Year 8 Land and Wave success

A lucky group of our Year 8 students have spent the last four days escaping the school heatwave on our first ever Land and Wave outdoor residential trip to Dorset. Arriving in sunny Swanage, the students were greeted by a mercifully cool coastal breeze and got straight down to the beach for sea games and bodyboarding. The first evening set a fantastic tone for the week, featuring a “Mini Olympics” complete with sack races, followed by a sensory, blindfolded “night line” obstacle course.

As the heatwave intensified, staff made sensible adjustments to the schedule to keep everyone safe and comfortable. The group tackled coasteering at Dancing Ledge, kitting up in wetsuits and helmets to scramble over rocks and leap from high ledges. The students showed incredible resilience and responsibility, pushing their personal limits while looking out for one another, though Mr Chandler reckons he lost about 5kg in sweat just keeping up with them all!

The other part of the trip focused on land adventures, including a scenic hike to see the historic ruins of Corfe Castle. To escape the midday sun, the group headed into the cooling shade of the woods for a hands-on bushcraft skills extravaganza. Students tried their hand at a variety of activities, including den building, safe knife handling, axe throwing, whittling wooden mushrooms and fire lighting.

It has been a wonderful week of learning, laughter and adventure, and we are immensely proud of how well our Year 8s represented the school. Thank you to Miss Bishop for organising the trip and to Mr Chandler, Mr Tomas, Miss Hook, Mr Morden and Mr Maree for their support.

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Swimming to beat the heat!

In an effort to cool everyone day, Bulmershe swimming pool was opened during the day for students who had PE on their timetable, and after school for staff.

Each day, more than 150 students took advantage of the opportunity to jump in. Rather than structured fitness lessons, these sessions gave students across different year groups a chance to relax, have fun with friends and take a refreshing break from the sun.

Once students had gone home, around 40 staff members and their families joined our after-school swim sessions to unwind. Our PE team did a fantastic job reorganising schedules to make this happen, ensuring that as many people as possible could take the plunge. This whole-school effort was a brilliant example of our community coming together to support wellbeing and make the absolute best of challenging conditions.

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Year 11 Leavers’ Day

From Mrs Edwards: A huge congratulations to our Year 11 students for completing their GCSEs with outstanding focus, determination and commitment. We are incredibly proud of how calmly they approached this gruelling period. Our thanks go to all the parents and carers at home whose steadfast support made all the difference. It is hard to believe five years have passed since they arrived as eager Year 6s, and we now wish them the very best as they take their next steps into sixth form, college or apprenticeships.

We are looking forward to celebrating together on Leavers’ Day on Friday 3 July. The Leavers’ Assembly starts at 8:45am, with students arriving via the back gate. After shirt signing, all students will leave the site at 10:00am.

Later that evening, the Prom kicks off at Sindlesham Court. Arrival is from 6:30pm for a 7:00pm start, featuring a welcome drink, photo booths and a disco. Food will be served at 8:00pm, and the event finishes promptly at 10:00pm. Please note that parents are welcome to watch arrivals but must park in the main car park to keep the side road clear for prom cars.

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Library News

Dried Flower Art Workshops

On Monday, Ms Warner hosted a beautiful flower art workshop in the library where students explored the historical importance of the plant world to human civilisation. Following the discussion, they got creative by crafting intricate cards using real dried flowers and a traditional glue made from gum arabic.

Ms Warner then repeated this lovely workshop for our visiting Year 6 transition students. The young visitors created their own unique cards to take home to their families. To make the experience extra special, all the sessions were accompanied by relaxing music and the gentle scent of essential oils, creating a peaceful oasis away from the busy school day.

Next Week! The Scholastic Book Fair

From 30th June to 6th July, students will have the opportunity to browse a fantastic selection of 200 books specially chosen for secondary school ages.

The collection includes popular series, brand new titles and a large variety of reading ages to ensure the fair is inclusive for everyone. Even better, there will be exclusive discounts available, and every purchase made helps raise rewards for the school to secure free books for our own library.

The fair will be open for students to explore during breaktime, lunchtime and after school. Please note that because we are a cash-free school, students will need to use a bank card, Google Pay or Apple Pay to make a purchase. Alternatively, they can complete a “wish list” during the day to take home so that parents can easily pay online.

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Coding in the cool

Our Year 10 Computer Science students have been tackling some complex topics this term, focusing closely on Paper 2 of the OCR specification. They have been learning how to modify and interpret logic circuit diagrams for AND, OR and NOT gates, alongside working through detailed truth tables.

Mrs Senthilkumar wanted to give a special shout-out to all the students in her Year 10 class for their exceptional attitude and resilience. With the soaring temperatures outside this week, the students maintained their focus and continued to learn effectively inside their air-conditioned classroom (hurrah!). Their commitment to their studies and their perseverance in testing conditions have been highly impressive.

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Language Students Visit University of Reading

On Wednesday 17 June, a group of our Year 10 Spanish students travelled to the University of Reading as part of a ‘Stories on the Move’ project. Run in partnership with independent publisher The Emma Press, this initiative allowed students to see how languages, translation and publishing connect in the professional world.

Having spent the past few weeks exploring the Spanish picturebook Cuando fuiste nube, students spent the day focusing on marketing, typography and design. Working in teams, they took on real publishing roles like editors, marketing directors and art directors to design a promotional campaign for the English edition.

In the afternoon, our students pitched their campaigns to a panel of publishing professionals. The judges were really impressed by their confidence and original concepts. The Emma Press will even be reviewing their designs for future promotional materials. The day gave our students fantastic insight into how language skills open doors to creative careers, and they represented us brilliantly.

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Looking Ahead to Culture Day

We are busy preparing for our upcoming annual Culture Day next month, which promises to be a fantastic celebration of our diverse school community. We are particularly excited about our Latin drumming workshop, which still has spaces available. This is a brilliant, hands-on opportunity for students to discover the fascinating history behind these traditional instruments and get plenty of practical experience playing them. It promises to be an energetic and loud session. If you’re child would like to have a go please sign them up for drumming here

New for this year, we are also hosting a Henna artistry workshop. Spaces for this session are limited and are being offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Please use this link to book your child on to the henna workshop

To support the event, we are asking for a single £1 contribution per student, which covers everything, including dressing in their own cultural or non-uniform clothes, participating in the henna art sessions or joining the interactive drumming workshops.

Please log into your IRIS account to make this payment ahead of the day. We are looking forward to a vibrant and educational day of sharing our heritages together.

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National Online Apprenticeship Event

Apprenticeships are becoming an increasingly popular option, with 59% of students in Years 9 to 12 now considering them as an excellent alternative to university. Understanding the choices available early can make a massive difference when helping your child make informed decisions about their future career.

Parents and students are invited to join one of the UK’s largest online apprenticeship launch events. Attendees will hear directly from leading employers across various industries, discover opportunities opening from Summer 2026 for September 2027 starts and gain valuable advice on the recruitment process.

The free online webinar takes place on Wednesday 15 July 2026 from 6:00pm to 7:15pm. Whether your child is actively exploring options or you simply want to learn how to support their next steps, this session will provide invaluable insights. Space is limited, so please register in advance to secure your place. Click here to book your free ticket and receive the event access link.

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New Henley College Transport Links

For our students considering their post-16 options, The Henley College has announced new transport arrangements starting in September 2026. Partnering with Carousel Buses, they are introducing a range of public bus services to provide greater independence for students.

Unlike traditional college coaches, these will operate as regular public services throughout the day, including evenings and weekends. This allows students to access enrichment activities, work experience and social opportunities much more easily. The previous AY1, OX1 and BE1 coach services will no longer run, as these stops are being incorporated into Carousel routes 620, 623, 624, 625 and 626.

To view the full list of areas and detailed timetables visit the Henley College website.

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Water Safety Advice

With the arrival of warmer weather, many young people are naturally drawn to rivers, lakes and open water areas. On behalf of Hampshire Fire and Rescue, we want to share some vital safety reminders to help keep our young people safe this summer.

While open water can look inviting, it presents hidden dangers such as strong currents, uneven ground and cold water shock. Tragically, drowning deaths among 13 to 17 year olds have increased by 67% in recent years, with most incidents occurring without adult supervision. We kindly ask all parents to speak with their children about these risks and what to do in an emergency.

The Royal Life Saving Society UK provides practical resources to help you start these important conversations at home. Additionally, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution offers guidance on the essential ‘Float to Live’ technique. Read their step-by-step safety tips. By working together, we can equip our children with the knowledge they need to stay safe.

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PE Kit and boot Donations

To support our school community, we are running a donation drive! If your family has any outgrown football boots that are still in good condition, athletics spikes or branded Bulmershe PE tops 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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Rags2Riches Clothing Donations

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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 Stephenson-Lewis from St John’s Primary: I would just like to say a big thank you to the Bulmershe Sports Leaders who came to St John’s last week. Our children thoroughly enjoyed themselves at the sports day and the sports leaders stepped up to the challenge. They developed a super rapport with many of the children, encouraged good sportsmanship and supported the staff well. They even went out on their lunch break to play some games with some of the older children. It was lovely to see many of our children have these aspirational leaders with them and have the chance to have meaningful conversations! Mr Purvis, our headteacher, has had parents emailing him saying it was our best sports day yet and that was thanks to the amazing Bulmershe students.

Miss Harris would like to say a huge thank you to our incredible Year 9 Peer Mentors for their hard work, grit and cheerfulness during Year 6 Transition days this week. You did so well: Joseph D, Cyril A, David K, Yan P, Jake A, Jyoti F, Celine W, Ivy H, Lexi H, Shamza A, Olivia H, Summer L, Sofia R, Megan R, Swanandee M, Mehr un Nisa M, Isra K, Grace B, Sahana S, Mae P, Bhavisha N, Prisha S, Flora R, Prajesh T, Jayna B, Suzie N, Sophie W, Ali I, Jack M, Millie S, Melinda R, Maya A, Jess C, Emma W, Diya D and Leila R.

Staff Shout Outs

The safeguarding team would like to thank Miss Marr and Miss Parker for letting them camp out in the (air conditioned!) library this week. They are very grateful!

Mrs Woodfin would like to recognise how thoughtful Mr Mullan has been this week by freezing the huge water containers before school so they would be nice and cold for when the students arrived.

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Cucina Main Meals – w/c 29th June

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What’s On

Reading Water Fest

The 37th annual Water Fest takes place on Saturday from 11:30am. The event features four entertainment stages, a decorated boat parade, local charity stalls, 12th-century historical re-enactments and children’s art workshops. A duck race will be held on the River Kennet at 4:00pm. Free drinking water refill points are available in the Abbey Ruins.

New Reading Central Library Open

The new Reading Central Library is now open to the public. The facility includes a large children’s library, a dedicated teen area, a local history section and a community events space. Visitors can access 90 study spaces, free Wi-Fi, relaxed seating and free-to-use digital devices including tablets and laptops.

Designated Local Cool Spaces

Several free indoor venues with seating and drinking water are available for residents seeking relief from the current heatwave. Reading council-run sites include the Reading Civic Centre, Rivermead Leisure Centre and Palmer Park Leisure Centre. Non-council locations include the Whitley Community Development Centre Cafe, The Atrium at Greyfriars and Cafe12 at Lifespring Church.

Thames Water Summer Guidance

Thames Water has issued advice to manage increased demand during the current high temperatures. Residents are asked to use water wisely by using watering cans instead of hoses, reusing paddling pool water for plants, avoiding garden watering during the heat of the day and delaying car washing to protect local supplies.

Free Theatre in the Park

Wokingham Town Council is hosting its annual Theatre in the Park event at Elms Field on Saturday 18 July. The Enchanted Performers Theatre Company will present two free performances of the interactive musical adventure “Letters to the Fairies” at 11:00am and 2:00pm. Each performance lasts approximately 40 minutes.

Wokingham Pride

Wokingham Pride takes place on Saturday 11 July. Gathering for photographs begins outside Wokingham Town Hall at 11:00am, followed by a parade through the town at 11:30am. Live music, community stalls and entertainment will continue at Elms Field from 12:00pm until 5:00pm. Attendees are permitted to bring picnics.

Hurst Show and Country Fayre

The annual Hurst Show and Country Fayre takes place on Saturday 27 June and Sunday 28 June, opening from 10:00am each day. The event features live music, classic country games, craft stalls and the local hobby horse championships. All attractions are situated at the event grounds in Hurst.

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