The Bulmershe Bulletin – Issue 77
17th July 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
Today was Culture Day, which is easily one of my favourite days in the school calendar. Standing at the school gates this morning to welcome everyone was great fun because of the incredible effort our students put into their outfits.
With so many flags wrapped around shoulders, the campus felt more like a World Cup stadium than a school! My favourite part of the morning was overhearing the students chatting, asking each other about their clothing and sharing explanations and stories about the different countries represented.
With over 60 languages spoken in school, the students all share a rich variety of cultural identities. It is incredibly important to me that we celebrate our diverse backgrounds. This heritage is what brings us together as a single school community. Culture Day gives us the chance to learn about each other (and, let us be honest, it is also a brilliant excuse to eat a lot of delicious food!)
I want to say a huge thank you to all the families who supported today. Thank you to everyone who sent in cultural artefacts or helped their children get dressed in their finery this morning, and to those who were busy baking, cooking and packaging the mountains of food that was delivered to school this morning.
Our Summer Term ends on at 12:20pm on Tuesday 21st July – and I want to wish everyone an enjoyable long break… as well as the best of luck to all our students who are awaiting exam results in August.
Amanda Woodfin
Headteacher
Upcoming Events
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 (+Y10 Peer Mentors) and Year 12 only
4/9 – First day of school for all year groups
Production Announcement!
Following the fantastic success of The Addams Family, the Communication and Performing Arts Team are thrilled to announce our next whole-school production: Heathers: The Musical – Teen Edition!
Based on the 1989 cult classic film, this is a powerful, witty coming-of-age story packed with incredible music and dynamic choreography. The plot follows Veronica Sawyer as she navigates the pressures of Westerberg High and its notorious, popular clique: the three Heathers. While this is the modified Teen Edition, the show does still explore some mature, dark themes surrounding identity, belonging and mental health, making it a genuinely thought-provoking production.
With auditions starting in September for a December production, there is a place for everyone in this project. We are looking for onstage performers of all ages for principal roles and a large ensemble, alongside a full backstage team to manage lighting, sound, costumes, props and marketing.
To help students prepare over the summer, we have set up a Heathers Google Classroom. Here, they can access character profiles, audition guidance and approved rehearsal materials before auditions start in September. Anyone interested should join as soon as possible using the code: q3w7zrbi. We cannot wait to see you there!
Culture Day 2026
Today, our school came together for our fourth annual Culture Day, turning the corridors into a lively celebration of our shared heritage. From the moment the gates opened, students arrived wearing a wonderful mix of traditional dress, sports kits and colourful outfits that represented their individual cultural identities.
The sound of Latin drumming echoed from the auditorium and quad all day as students learned about the history of the instruments and tried out complex rhythms. Over in the library, the new Henna workshops proved incredibly popular, while our sixth formers captured the spirit of the day on school cameras.
Break time was a particular highlight, with the canteen hosting a massive array of global dishes. Students (and staff!) queued up to sample the delicious food kindly donated by our families, all while a professional steel pan player provided a fantastic musical backdrop over lunch. Students also performed in the canteen to keep everyone entertained while eating.
We want to say a massive thank you to everyone who contributed £1 via IRIS ParentMail, brought in dishes to share or helped our students prepare their amazing outfits. Your support makes days like this possible.
The Great Year 9 Challenge Bake Off
Over the last academic year, our Year 9 Leadership and Challenge Food Technology students have been busy mastering a whole host of culinary skills. To celebrate the end of the programme, we set them one final challenge: a grand Bulmershe Bake Off.
Students chose from recipes that put their new skills to the test, including pastry, bread, cake or a preserves challenge involving homemade jam or lemon curd. They spent weeks planning their bakes and schedules, which was vital given they had just one hour to prep, bake and decorate… There is definitely no four-hour Great British Bake Off luxury in our school kitchen!
Despite the strict time limit, our cooks did phenomenally well. Staff were invited down to the food rooms to taste the entries and vote. A huge thank you to everyone who dropped by to judge. Your feedback made the event incredibly special for the students.
We are delighted to announce that Robyn P is this year’s winner with her incredible cookies. Congratulations, Robyn! Every single student who took part should be immensely proud of their creativity and effort.
Year 12 Scientists Master VR at UCL
On Tuesday, 20 of our Year 12 biology and chemistry students visited the impressive new UCL developmental labs at the Stratford Olympic Village.
Our students took part in a national VR lab skills training study, using virtual reality headsets to learn how to set up cutting-edge bioreactors. This brilliant hands-on experience means they are now fully certified in this specialist skill while contributing directly to national research.
The group also enjoyed a fascinating presentation from Dr Ivano Luigi Colao from the Department of Biochemical Engineering. He spoke about how engineering is shaping modern medicine: from vaccine development to using stem cells to treat strokes. In a lovely twist, Dr Colao shared his own academic journey, which began right here as a Bulmershe student. Mrs Nath, who led the trip, was actually his A Level biology teacher when she first joined the school!
Dr Colao spoke incredibly highly of his time at Bulmershe and how it gave him his start in science. The day finished with a tour of the active labs, allowing our students to see real scientists using the exact bioreactors they had just studied.
Looking After Mental Health This Summer
While the six-week summer break is a time for excitement, the sudden lack of school routine and feelings of isolation when friends are away can sometimes cause unexpected stress and anxiety for young people.
It is completely normal to feel a little lost during the holidays. To help support your child’s wellbeing, we recommend focusing on a few simple elements of self-care. Encouraging them to connect regularly with friends and family, even via video calls, makes a huge difference. Staying active through sports or local walks is scientifically proven to boost mood, as is spending time outdoors in the fresh air. Finally, getting creative through art or helping out with cooking can offer calm, screen-free moments that actively reduce stress.
Self-care looks different for everyone. It is simply about listening to what we need to feel grounded. We have placed a wealth of wellbeing advice, tips and activities on our school website.
If your child needs extra support over the holidays, excellent free resources are available via the Young Minds website, the Tellmi app, The Mix, or by texting Shout on 85258.
Sports Day Gallery
Results are still being announced to year groups in assembly next week, but in the meantime, here are some photos from last Friday’s Sports Day:
A Message from Wokingham Safer Communities
We have been asked by our local community safety partners in Wokingham to share some important advice to help keep young people safe and happy over the summer holidays.
During the break, students naturally spend more time out in public spaces and online. Please be aware that social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat are often used to organise large gatherings. What seems like a harmless challenge can occasionally escalate into anti-social behaviour. It is worth reminding your children that simply being present when property damage or disruption occurs can carry serious consequences, and filming or sharing these incidents online creates a permanent digital record.
With the warm weather, water safety is also a major priority. Please talk to your children about the hidden dangers of open water, including rivers, lakes and canals. Hidden currents, cold water shock and underwater debris make swimming in unsupervised areas incredibly dangerous, and jumping from bridges or banks can cause life-changing injuries.
We encourage you to always agree on where your child is going, who they are with and when they will be home. If you are worried about your child or need support, you can contact Wokingham Children’s Social Care via MASH on 0118 908 8002.
Connecting Our Bulmershe Alumni Community
As we approach the end of the academic year, we are delighted to share the latest edition of the Bulmershe Alumni Newsletter.
Whether you are a former student, a past parent, a former staff member or a friend of the school, your connection to Bulmershe is what keeps our community so special. We love hearing about where life has taken you since your time with us, and we are always looking to include more of your stories and updates in our future editions. If you would like to be featured, please do get in touch.
In the meantime, you can read the latest updates and catch up on all things Bulmershe by viewing our Alumni Newsletter flipbook.
If you would like to receive this publication directly in the future, please subscribe by emailing alumni@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk.
Mrs Cousins Message for Year 7
As we reach the end of the school year, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of our Year 7 students on a fantastic first year at Bulmershe.
Starting secondary school is a huge milestone, bringing new routines, new teachers, new friendships and many new challenges. It is completely normal for this transition to feel daunting, but our Year 7 students have embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm, resilience and maturity. They have settled into school life exceptionally well, and it has been wonderful to watch their confidence grow throughout the year. They should all be incredibly proud of what they have achieved.
I would also like to thank all of our parents and carers for your continued support over the past year. Working together has helped our students make such a successful start to their secondary school journey, and we truly appreciate everything you do.
As we look ahead to September, please take some time over the summer to ensure your child is ready to return to school. This includes checking that uniform still fits, replacing any worn items and making sure all the necessary equipment is ready for the first day back.
A gentle reminder that, in line with our school uniform policy:
- Nose piercings are not permitted.
- Acrylic nails and other false nails are not allowed.
- Students may wear one pair of plain stud earrings only.
Having these expectations met from the first day helps ensure a smooth and positive start to the new school year.
Finally, I would like to wish all of our Year 7 students and their families a safe, relaxing and well-deserved summer holiday. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in September for another exciting and successful year together.
Have a wonderful summer!
Mrs Cousins, Head of Year 7
Year 10 Work Experience Reminders
Plans for our Year 10 work experience placements are well underway, with the dates confirmed for 27th, 28th and 29th January 2027.
All Year 9 students have now completed their Unifrog introductions. This means they are ready to log their employer details on the system as soon as they have a placement locked in. We know finding a placement can sometimes feel a bit daunting, so we will be running two work experience clinics during the first term to offer extra support to students and families.
You can find more detailed information on our website. If you have any specific questions or need a bit of guidance, please feel free to email Miss Parker at cparker@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk.
Mr Whearity’s Ultimate Thames Challenge
Over the summer, our Head of Year 10, Mr Whearity, will be attempting an extraordinary feat: running the entire 184-mile Thames Path in just four days, starting at the source and finishing at the Thames Barrier in London.
Following a serious accident that left him being rebuilt with various bits of metal, this challenge once seemed impossible. Thanks to the incredible skill, dedication and care of the medical team at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Mr Whearity was given the chance to rebuild his life. This run is his way of showing gratitude and demonstrating true resilience.
He is raising vital funds for the Oxford Hospitals charity to give back to the people who helped him get back on his feet. We wish him the absolute best of luck with this grueling challenge. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a real difference to patient care.
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 Nath would like to give a shout out to all the Year 12 students who joined her for the trip to UCL – they engaged so well, and also to her 10Bi2 class for being a pleasure to teach, enthusiastic, engaged and always cheerful.
Mrs Howe-Jordan would like to say well done to all Media students that have created such wonderful coursework. It was brilliant seeing year 10, 11, 12 and 13’s work displayed at the summer showcase last week. We had many positive comments from parents and the general public about how high the quality was. Please enjoy your well-earned summer holiday! She would also like to say well done to 8XE that have had a brilliant year achieving over 32,500 achievement points. She is so proud of all your hard work. You are a very kind, caring and considerate group that she always looks forward to seeing. Make sure you keep up that brilliant attitude next year!
The Attendance Team would like to give a shout out to the following students: Samara M (Y7) for her resilience and improved attitude in coming into school, Ana M (Y8) for making a great improvement to her attendance this term, well done! Seffi G (Y7) for showing resilience in coming into school each day
Staff Shout Outs
Mrs Sharp would like to thank Miss Lilley and Mr Paudyal for throwing themselves fully into the Lexonic interventions they have been running. Students are really engaging and the impact on their outcomes is looking incredible.
Parent Shout out
Year 12 student Holly C has just returned from an incredible week living in one of the University of Oxford’s colleges and experiencing life as a Material Science Student. Holly found out about the UNIQ residential programme through her teachers at school – which is a programme for state school children with high academic potential. She had such a great time and is very grateful for the opportunity – which will hopefully help her towards her aim to study Engineering or Aeronautics and Astronautics at university.
Cucina Main Meals – w/c 20th July
What’s On
Reading Borough Council Community Safety Survey
Reading Borough Council is conducting its annual survey to gather residents’ views on local safety and anti-social behaviour. The feedback collected helps determine the specific issues and locations that local initiatives will focus on over the coming year. Residents can share their views by completing the online questionnaire at www.reading.gov.uk/cspsurvey26.
Home Support Equipment Recycling Scheme
Residents are being asked to check their homes for unused healthcare equipment, such as crutches, walking frames, sticks and shower stools, provided by Millbrook Healthcare or NRS Healthcare. Clean items bearing an identification sticker can be returned to designated containers at the re3 Recycling Centre on Island Road for reuse. Visits to the centre must be scheduled in advance. Click here to book.
RABBLE Theatre Summer Camps
RABBLE Theatre is hosting two musical summer camps for children based on The Greatest Showman and Moana. The five-day camps run from 10am to 4pm daily, focusing on skill development and theatrical rehearsals. Each camp culminates in a Friday afternoon performance for family and friends.
Library Summer Reading Challenge
Wokingham Borough libraries are launching the 2026 music-themed Summer Reading Challenge, titled Read to the Beat. Registration opens at local libraries on Monday 29 June 2026. Children can borrow themed books for free and earn rewards. Accompanying events will run throughout the summer. Click here to find out more.
Hamlet at Reading Abbey Ruins
Progress Theatre is staging an outdoor production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet at the Reading Abbey Ruins from 15 to 25 July 2026. This specific production is a fast-paced interpretation that highlights the play’s themes of grief, betrayal and dark humour.
Marvellous Festival
The annual Marvellous Festival returns to Dinton Pastures on 18 and 19 July 2026. The weekend outdoor event features a programme of live tribute acts performing music from artists including Queen, Take That, Madness and Olivia Rodrigo.
Community Solar Mural Volunteering
Commando Jugendstil is seeking volunteers to assist with painting a community solar mural this summer. Artistic experience is not required. Painting sessions take place at New Directions College and the Reading Bike Hub, with flexible hours available for participants. Click here to find out more.
Rose Youth Theatre Technical Academy
Registration is open for a new 10-week Technical Theatre course for young people aged 14 to 19. Running on Saturday mornings from 10am to 12pm starting this autumn, the programme covers lighting, sound, stage management and costume design. Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here to book.
