The Bulmershe Bulletin – Issue 76
10th July 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
It has been another busy seven days at Bulmershe, with an additional focus on welcoming the next generation of students into our community.
We kicked things off with our annual summer showcase. This year, we invited Year 4 and Year 5 families from our local primary schools for a sneak peek of the campus before the formal Open Evening in September. It was wonderful to see so many new faces exploring the grounds in the sunshine, enjoying a relaxed look at our Creative and Performing Arts departments in full action.
On Thursday, we hosted our Rising to Year 7 evening for the families joining us this September. It was a chance for them to meet their tutors, connect with new classmates and chat with their new Head of Year, Mrs Edwards. Having just waved off our Year 11s, Mrs Edwards is dropping back to Year 7. This will be her fourth time leading a year group, so our newcomers are in incredibly experienced hands. Hopefully, answering those final questions in the evening sun yesterday has put a few minds at rest before the official start on 3rd September.
The transition work continues next week as we welcome nearly 500 Year 5 children from local primaries, including Hillside, South Lake and Beechwood, for our “Fishbowl Days”. These taster sessions let younger students experience moving between classrooms, try out lessons like Drama and Music, and get a feel for the size of a secondary school. Our brilliant Year 9 Peer Mentors will be on hand to guide them and answer questions.
Events like these take months of planning. I am incredibly grateful to the many staff who volunteer their evenings to ensure our incoming students feel confident about joining Bulmershe.
Finally, a massive thank you to the team who made Sports Day run so smoothly today. I must give a special mention to Mr Hird. He produced so many versions of the plans based on complicated weather contingencies that he now has a timetable for every possible climate combination. It was a massive effort that ensured everyone could take part and enjoy a proper community day.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Amanda Woodfin
Headteacher
Upcoming Events
17/7 – Culture Day (Own clothes) – click here for more information
20/7 – Headteacher’s Awards from 17:15 (invitation only)
21/7 – Term ends at 12:20
13/8 – A-Level and L3 Btec Results Day
20/8 – GCSE and L2 Btec Results Day
3/9 – First day of the Autumn Term for Year 7 and Year 12 only
4/9 – First day of school for all year groups
Summer Showcase
On Tuesday evening, our campus came alive for our annual summer showcase, celebrating the incredible work of our students. We transformed B-Block and Art into gallery spaces, displaying GCSE and A-level coursework. Visitors could see artwork, sculptures, beautifully crafted lamps, 3D Design, Art and photography portfolios and student-designed media pieces. It was a wonderful way for younger students to see the high standards they can aim for in the future.
Meanwhile, the canteen hosted our dance students who performed solos and group pieces. Over in the drama studio, visitors watched student-devised and scripted plays, while the auditorium hosted a wonderful mix of musical performances. We wrapped up the night with an energetic set from our very own staff band, The Manic Street Teachers, who had everyone clapping along.
To keep everyone going through the evening heat, staff and students stayed busy selling ice creams and cold drinks under the sails. A massive thank you to the CAP-Arts, English and Creative Arts teams for organising such a memorable night, to the staff who helped out, and to our wonderful students for sharing their talents with us all.
A Spectacular Send-Off for Year 11
Friday marked the end of an era for Year 11, celebrated in style at their highly anticipated prom at Sindlesham Court. The arrivals did not disappoint, featuring everything from motorbikes to a hummer and confetti cannons. Mrs Edwards was on hand to welcome students down the red carpet, though she provided plenty of amusement as she struggled to figure out how to open some of the fancier car doors!
Once inside, the year group enjoyed delicious food, with the veggie kebabs proving a particular hit, before hitting the dancefloor. The energy was fantastic all night, featuring the ChaCha Slide, the Macarena and a massive crowd singalong to Sweet Caroline. The boys even led an enthusiastic train around the room to Fireball. Many of the staff were also spotted at the back of the dancefloor busting some moves and the tutors couldn’t resist re-enacting the assembly flash mob when HOTTOGO came on!
Everyone looked magnificent in their suits and dresses, even if many high heels were kicked off by 8pm. Students loved the photo booth and the sweet cart packed with treats. Thank you to the staff who gave up their evening to make this possible. Mrs Edwards was last seen hobbling to her car with leftover sweets and pizza for a well-deserved lie down!
Year 13 Celebrate in Style at Kennet Island
Our Year 13 students marked the conclusion of their school journey with a wonderful evening at the Hilton Hotel on Kennet Island. This was a new venue for us this year, and it proved to be a good choice. The stylish reception area and beautiful decorations set a sophisticated tone for the night.
After looking fabulous on arrival, everyone sat down together to enjoy a three-course meal. It was lovely to see our sixth formers letting their hair down, sharing memories and celebrating their hard work after a busy exam season.
An event like this does not just happen, and we owe a massive thank you to Anaya M, Rosie C, Elizabeth B and the rest of our Student Leadership Team. Their dedication and months of planning ensured the evening was a triumph. Mr Lord and Mr Scott are incredibly proud of this year group and wish them the absolute best for the future.
Sprints and Team Spirit on Sports Day
After plenty of anxious weather watching, we successfully held our annual whole-school Sports Day. It was a scorcher, and we were incredibly grateful to the staff members who brought in gazebos from home to provide some vital shade on the field.
To keep everyone safe in the heat, Mr Hird made several last-minute adjustments to condense the timetable. While this meant pausing our usual team games, the track and field events were as competitive as ever. Students gave their absolute all in the javelin, vortex, long jump, shot put and relays. The support from the sidelines was wonderful, complete with handmade signs cheering on tutor groups. A special shout-out goes to Miss Hudson and her form, 7YM, who fully embraced the spirit of the day with face paint, custom chants and choreographed cheer routines.
Ultimately, Sports Day is about community, teamwork and personal bests. While we all ended the day looking rather hot and sweaty, those goals were definitely achieved. Thank you to everyone involved, and here is hoping for slightly cooler weather in 2027!
Year 10 Explore the Future of Food Science
A Year 10 food science team spent a fascinating day at the University of Reading exploring the chemistry behind what we eat. Hosted by the Royal Society of Chemistry, the event connected our students with specialists from across the UK.
The morning began with a sensory challenge to identify different citrus flavours, followed by a look at the science of chocolate production. Students investigated the chemical compounds in chocolate and discussed how biodiversity impacts global farming. They also explored career paths in food technology, covering everything from logistics to flavour development. The discussion then turned closer to home, looking at UK sustainability initiatives like Scottish hemp and the future of lab-grown meat.
After a delicious, locally sourced lunch with a low carbon footprint, our students put their knowledge to the test. Tasked with planning a mission to Mars, they designed a sustainable food production system. Our team did a brilliant job, presenting an eco-dome built on Martian glaciers using genetically modified seeds and protein fermenters. They even remembered to include flavour development for the astronauts! Well done to our young scientists: Ayomide A, Aarudra A, Berrin C, Josh E, Layla H, Arshpreet K, Michelle L, Krishna K, Sourish S and Wojciech W
INSET day activities
While our students enjoyed a day off, Bulmershe staff were busy on Thursday participating in a productive day of professional development and teambuilding. We welcomed Jenny Baker, Headteacher of Kennel Lane School, who spoke to us about Special Educational Needs and Disabilities reforms. She re-emphasised the concept of Ordinarily Available Provision, which focuses on the baseline, inclusive support that all schools provide to ensure every child can access the curriculum using existing resources.
Alongside this training, our school administration team took part in a practical team-building session spending the day planting a beautiful array of colourful flowers in large pots, helping to brighten up key areas around our campus.
Meanwhile, Mrs Ambrose led an induction session for the new teaching and support staff who will be joining our Bulmershe community this September. She guided them through our core values, behaviour policies and pastoral care systems.
It was a busy, highly successful day for the whole team, and we look forward to introducing our new staff to you in the new term.
Interactive Politics Talk
On Monday, we welcomed university student Joseph Chobart to Bulmershe for an engaging presentation titled “Your Voice, Your Vote”. The session provided our students with an overview of the foundations of the British political system, explaining the political spectrum and summarising the core beliefs of the main parties.
Joseph also shared details about our local MP and the day-to-day work involved in representing our constituency. The presentation was highly interactive, giving students a real insight into how democracy works in practice. To put their new knowledge to the test, the session concluded with a lively mock election, which our students thoroughly enjoyed.
We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who attended and participated so enthusiastically. The talk was a fantastic success, and we are already planning to invite Joseph back next year to deliver this session to our upcoming cohort of A-level Politics students. It is wonderful to see our young people engaging so maturely with the world around them.
3D Printer Success
Our brand-new STEM 3D printer has officially arrived at the school! This addition to our resources is the direct result of the fantastic fundraising efforts of our Year 7 STEM Club during the autumn term.
As part of their project, our young students mastered Tinkercad software to design a range of Addams Family themed keyrings. They then manufactured and sold these creations to fund the purchase of the printer themselves.
We want to extend a massive thank you to everyone who purchased a keyring or championed the student campaign. Your generosity has made this addition to our STEM provision a reality. With this new technology up and running, our students will be able to take their creative, mathematical and engineering projects to a whole new level.
The Big Future Survey
We have received a lovely message from the Children’s Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, thanking the 114 Bulmershe students who have already shared their voices in the national survey, The Big Future.
With the summer holidays fast approaching, there is a final push to ensure as many young people as possible across the country are heard. We would be incredibly grateful if parents and carers could encourage their children to take part before the end of term. The survey is quick to complete and can be accessed directly at The Big Future Survey.
Thank you for helping us support this initiative and ensuring that the thoughts, ideas and concerns of Bulmershe students are well represented on a national stage.
Year 12 Geographers Take to the Streets of Wokingham
Our Year 12 geographers had another highly successful field trip this week, exploring Wokingham town centre to perfect their fieldwork skills. The students spent the day practicing a variety of data collection methods for a human geography investigation. They completed questionnaires, security surveys, environmental quality assessments and clone town surveys.
These trips are essential preparation for Year 13, when students must design and execute their own independent geography investigation. They will need to decide on their own hypotheses, prepare data collection methods entirely on their own and complete an overall write-up. This independent project is a crucial part of their course, contributing 20% toward their final A-level grade.
Throughout the day, the group demonstrated fantastic teamwork and positivity and were a real credit to the school in how they conducted themselves out in public, interacting politely with local residents and business owners.
Year 8 French Phonetics
Our Year 8 French students have been working hard on their pronunciation and spelling accuracy this week using a series of phonetic dominoes. This interactive activity encourages students to match spoken sounds with their correct written letters, helping them master a range of tricky vowel Sound-Spelling Correspondences (SSCs). Working together in pairs and small teams, the classes practiced both their oral production and written recognition of complex French vocabulary. It was lovely to see the students collaborating so enthusiastically, building up their speaking confidence and helping each other perfect their language skills through friendly competition.
Do you recognise these glasses?
Miss Davis has been nurturing this collection of found glasses over the year which still have not been claimed. If they are not reunited with their owners by the end of term she will be donating them to charity. Please send your child to Student Reception before 21st July if you spot one that belongs to them!
Bulmershe Donations
If you are looking to reclaim some wardrobe space, our school shop would be incredibly grateful for any donations of Bulmershe blazers, ties, jumpers and PE tops. Please drop any items off at reception. Just be sure to tell the team that it is uniform intended for resale, rather than for the Rags2Riches clothing recycling pile!
THANK YOU!
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 – A huge shout out to my tutor group, 7YM, for all your effort and enthusiasm on Sports Day! You gave it your all, supported each other, and showed amazing team spirit. Well done, everyone! A special shout out to my team captains and vice captains: Ayaan, Imogen K, Isobelle, and Rephael.
Mr Crane – A huge congratulations to the KS3 Workshop attendees for displaying their fantastic work for the Summer Showcase. A beautiful array of creative outcomes including crotchet, collage and drawings. Aisha A, Keerthana P, Freya-Rose S, Leah F, Layla W, Katie H, John S, Frank B and Emmi Z were dedicated to their creative endeavours and have truly reaped the benefits in producing their work that was enjoyed by all the visitors to the Summer Showcase. Well done guys!
Staff Shout Outs
Everyone at Bulmershe would like to give our incredible site team: Mr Gardiner, Mr Mullan and Mr Wilson a shout out for their constant hard work, consistent flexibility and ongoing good humour no matter what staff or the weather throws at them.
Cucina Main Meals – w/c 13th July
What’s On
Wokingham Musical Events This Weekend
Four local music concerts are scheduled for this weekend. On Saturday 11 July at 7.30pm, South Berkshire Singers perform at Cauldwell Hall (£15, children free), Sing Healthy Choirs host a concert at Wokingham Baptist Church (£14, under 16s £6) and Wokingham Philharmonic Orchestra plays at All Saints Church (£15). On Sunday 12 July at 7pm, St Sebastian Wokingham Band performs at St Paul’s Church (£14, under 18s £6.50, under 2s free).
Wokingham Waterside Centre Summer Programme
Wokingham Waterside Centre is hosting a series of summer events. A Youth Dragon Boat Race for ages 8 to 17 takes place on 11 July, followed by a community open day with water taster sessions on 19 July. August events include a Giant Raft building activity on 13 August and a dog-friendly craft hire day on 23 August. Click here to find out more.
Free Youth Sleep and Mental Health Webinar
A free webinar focusing on the links between poor sleep and youth mental health will take place on Wednesday 22 July from 12.30pm to 1.15pm. Dr Faith Orchard, an Associate Professor in Psychology, will present research on early intervention strategies, online programmes and school workshops. Online registration is required. Click here to book.
Wokingham Children’s Book Festival 2026
The Wokingham Children’s Book Festival returns on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October 2026. Organised by Wokingham Town Council and Wokingham Borough Libraries, the weekend features interactive sessions with authors and illustrators. Tickets cost £3 per seat, and book signings will take place after the presentations. Click here to find out more.
Bastille Day Festival Reading
The annual Bastille Day Festival takes place this weekend at Forbury Gardens in Reading. The event features French food, historical displays, craft stalls and live entertainment. Visitors can view battle re-enactments and weapons demonstrations while learning about the French Revolution. Entry to the festival is free across Saturday and Sunday.
Woodley Concert Band Summer Concert
Woodley Concert Band is hosting a joint summer concert alongside the visiting University of West Virginia Alumni Band. The performance features a selection of British and American concert music with unreserved seating. Free tickets are available for first-time attendees via the organisation’s website, or bookings can be made by calling 0118 211 8261. Click here to book.
