Tag Archive for: student

Why Schools Come Back to Us for Their Yearbooks Every Year

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Every year we ask our schools a simple question: why do you choose to create your yearbook with us?

Reading through the feedback is always one of the highlights of our year. Teachers are incredibly busy people, so knowing they trust us with something as special as their school yearbook really means a lot.

Looking through last year’s responses, a few themes kept appearing again and again. Here are some of the reasons schools tell us they keep coming back.

It’s the Support That Makes the Difference

One of the things schools mention most often is the support they receive from our team.

We know teachers are organising yearbooks on top of their normal workload, so we always try to make sure there’s someone available to help whenever it’s needed.

  • “The Yearbook team have been amazing – super quick at responding to any of my questions and always there to lend a helping hand.”
  • “Amazing support throughout the process.”
  • “…super helpful and answered all my questions by email and phone, right up to the last minute!”

Another school told us:

  • “Boomerang were great to work with, always available for help and support via email or phone call.”

For us, it’s simple — if a school needs help, we’re there. Whether it’s answering a quick question or helping solve a last-minute problem, our team genuinely enjoys helping bring each yearbook together.

We Try to Keep the Process Simple

Teachers also told us they appreciate how straightforward the whole process is.

We know how busy school life can be, so we aim to keep everything as simple and manageable as possible — from designing pages to placing the final order.

As one teacher explained:

  • “…very helpful and made this whole process very easy.”
  • “The book is fab, thank you for your support and making it so easy for us to put this together”

 

Making the process easy means teachers can focus on the fun part — capturing memories from the school year.

Many Schools Turn It Into a Tradition

One of the nicest things we noticed in the feedback was how many schools said they’ve been creating yearbooks with us for several years in a row.

For lots of schools, the yearbook has become a real tradition — something students look forward to as they approach the end of the year.

One teacher told us:

  • “I have used Boomerang for several years now and it is really straightforward to design an impressive book. Pupils can use the portal easily and I can edit it as they work on it.”
  • “Thank you for all your support over the last couple of years.”

Hearing that schools come back to us year after year is something we’re incredibly grateful for.

The Finished Books Make Students Smile

At the end of the day, the most important thing is the finished yearbook itself.

Teachers told us how much students enjoy looking back through the memories, collecting messages from friends and celebrating everything they’ve experienced during the year.

One school shared this lovely feedback:

  • “We are thrilled with our Class of 2025 yearbooks. The quality of the books for the price is outstanding.”

Another simply told us:

  • “Our students loved their yearbooks!”

Those moments when the books arrive and students start flipping through the pages together are exactly why yearbooks are so special.

  • “The yearbooks are of a very good quality and students and families are pleased with the finished product.”

We Love Being Part of It

Reading through the feedback, there were lots of kind words about individual members of the team and the service we provide.

One school summed it up perfectly:

  • “I have always found everyone at Boomerang very helpful and their products are of very good quality.”

And another said:

  • “Fantastic service and extremely helpful”

Comments like these genuinely mean a lot to our team, because we care deeply about helping schools create something that students will treasure long after they’ve left school.

Yearbooks capture moments that might otherwise be forgotten — friendships, school trips, inside jokes and all the little things that make a school year memorable.

And being part of that is something we never take for granted.

If your school is thinking about creating a yearbook this year, we’d love to help you bring it to life.

 

Boomerang Yearbooks

 

 

Celebrating International Maths Day: making the most of Pi Day on 14 March 2026

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This year Pi Day falls on a Saturday but that’s no reason for it not to be celebrated in school, either the week before or week after!

International Maths Day—more commonly known as Pi Day—offers a brilliant opportunity for schools to celebrate the power, creativity, and everyday relevance of mathematics. For teachers and school staff, it’s the perfect moment to engage students in hands-on learning, spark problem‑solving conversations, and highlight how maths underpins so much of what they encounter both inside and outside the classroom.

 

Why Pi Day?

Pi Day falls on 14 March because the date, written numerically in the US as 3/14, reflects the first three digits of π (3.14), the famous mathematical constant, discovered in 250 BC by Archimedes, representing the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter.

Whether students are just beginning to recognise shapes or tackling complex geometry, π provides a vital foundation for understanding the world in mathematical terms.

Beyond its numerical importance, Pi Day gives schools the chance to celebrate maths as a subject that encourages creativity, resilience, and curiosity—qualities that are essential not only academically but in lifelong learning.

 

Using School Planners to Explore π in the Classroom

Many students already carry a valuable maths resource with them every day—the reference pages in their school planners. These pages include essential formulas involving π, supporting learning across Key Stages.

The planner’s maths section includes clear, student‑friendly formulas for calculating:

  • Area of a Circle:
    A = πr², helping pupils explore curved shapes, scale and spatial reasoning.
  • Volume of a Cylinder:
    V = πr²h, showing how circles extend into 3D space—ideal for linking geometry to real‑world objects like cans, tubes and pipes.
  • Volume of a Cone:
    V = (1/3)πr²h, giving learners insight into how shapes change when tapering or narrowing, while strengthening formula‑substitution and problem‑solving skills.

Pi Day is a great opportunity to direct students to these planner pages, encouraging independent learning and helping them understand how mathematics is both accessible and relevant. These tools support learners in applying formulas, checking their understanding, and building confidence when working with π.

 

Creative Ways to Celebrate Pi Day in Your School

  1. Circle‑Themed Treasure Hunts
    Ask pupils to use the formulas from their planners to measure objects around the school. From circular tables to clock faces, learners can calculate circumference, area, or volume, turning the school grounds into a hands‑on geometry lab.
  2. Pi‑themed Assembly or Tutor Activities
    Share fascinating facts about π, its history, and its appearance in nature, architecture, design, and technology. Encourage students to bring examples from home or spot circular shapes in the school environment.
  3. Pi Recitation Challenge
    Invite learners to memorise and recite as many digits of π as they can—a fun, competitive activity that can energise the whole school community.
  4. Cross‑Curricular Opportunities
  • Art: Explore patterns made from circles, spirals, or rotations.
  • Design & Technology: Investigate cylinders and cones in product design.
  • Science: Connect circular motion, waves, or planetary orbits to π.
  1. Planner‑Based Worksheets
    Create quick starter tasks or extension activities directly referencing the maths formulas in the planners. This reinforces good study habits and helps students make the most of the learning tools they already have.

 

Celebrate the Beauty of Maths

International Maths Day is more than a date—it’s a celebration of problem‑solving, critical thinking, and the joy of discovery. By using the planner’s maths reference pages and engaging students in π‑focused activities, schools can turn 14 March 2026 into a time that strengthens confidence, curiosity, and connection across the curriculum.

 

Secondary Academic Planners

Primary Planners

Children’s Mental Health Week 2026

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Children’s Mental Health Week takes place this year from 9–15 February 2026, and it provides a valuable opportunity for schools across the UK to shine a light on the emotional wellbeing of their pupils. Organised annually by the children’s mental health charity Place2Be, the week aims to raise awareness and open up conversations around mental health among young people. [childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk]

 

This Year’s Theme: “This Is My Place”

The official theme for 2026, “This Is My Place”, focuses on the importance of belonging—helping children and young people feel valued, connected, and supported within their school community. Place2Be emphasises that a sense of belonging plays a vital role in children’s mental health, influencing their confidence, relationships, engagement and even academic outcomes. [childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk]

Belonging isn’t simply about fitting in: it’s about feeling safe enough to be yourself. Research in positive psychology highlights how connection, psychological safety, and supportive relationships, can act as protective factors for young people’s wellbeing, helping to buffer against stress and creating the conditions necessary for them to thrive. [worthit.org.uk]

 

Why Children’s Mental Health Week Matters in Schools

Schools sit at the heart of children’s lives, so the environments created in them truly matter. Children’s Mental Health Week encourages teachers and school leaders to consider how they can nurture inclusive, supportive spaces—both socially and emotionally. From class-based activities to whole-school discussions, the week provides rich opportunities for pupils to explore their emotions, reflect on relationships, and understand how to support their own wellbeing and that of others.

 

Using the Mental Wellbeing Pages in Our Student Planners

As part of Children’s Mental Health Week, the Mental Wellbeing pages included in our student planners can be an incredibly helpful tool. These sections are designed to support pupils if they are suffering from anxiety or low mood, or are worried about their eating or self-harm, both giving tips on how to self-help and suggesting when it’s time to ask for more support.

Teachers can use these pages during tutor time, PSHE lessons, or as reflection prompts throughout the week. Encouraging students to engage with the content helps them build practical skills they can continue using long after Mental Health Week has ended.

A Week That Lasts All Year

Children’s Mental Health Week serves as a reminder that wellbeing isn’t a one‑off topic: it’s an ongoing commitment.

Here are some simple ways pupils’ mental health can be supported in their classrooms every day:

  • Belonging Boards: younger pupils can contribute drawings, photos, or words that represent what belonging means to them.
  • Quiet Zones: a calm space where students can take a moment to reset—research shows these wellbeing-friendly environments can support psychological safety. [worthit.org.uk]
  • Student Voice Sessions: short group discussions where pupils can share what helps them feel included and supported at school.
  • Kindness Challenges: small acts of kindness which are shown to boost mood and reduce stress, can be encouraged and praised. [schoolofkindness.org]

 

By using resources available and embedding tools like the Mental Wellbeing planner pages into regular practice, you’ll help create a school culture where every child feels safe enough to be themselves.

 

Secondary Planners

Primary Planners

 

Celebrating World Religion Day

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World Religion Day will be observed this year on Sunday 18 January. It is a wonderful opportunity for schools across the country to celebrate diversity, promote understanding and encourage respect for different faiths and beliefs. In today’s multicultural society, helping children and young people appreciate the richness of world religions is an essential part of fostering empathy and inclusion.

 

What is World Religion Day?

World Religion Day was established in 1950 by the Bahá’í community to highlight the common values shared by all religions and to promote unity among people of different faiths. The day encourages dialogue and learning, reminding us that while beliefs may differ, principles such as kindness, compassion and respect are universal.

For schools, this day offers a chance to introduce pupils to the fascinating traditions, festivals, and practices of major world religions in an age-appropriate way. It’s not about teaching doctrine—it’s about nurturing curiosity and understanding.

 

Why is it important in education?

Children encounter diversity in their classrooms and communities every day. By learning about world religions, they can develop cultural awareness and tolerance—skills that will serve them throughout life. Discussing similarities and differences between faiths can also spark meaningful conversations about shared human values.

World Religion Day aligns perfectly with the RE curriculum and supports the broader goal of promoting British values such as mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

 

Student Planners: Helpful Resources

Boomerang’s Primary Planner includes a dedicated World Religions quick reference information page. This section provides concise summaries of the major faiths—Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Judaism—along with key festivals and symbols.

Key dates for all the major faiths are included on the relevant diary pages in our Academic and Pocket Planners.

 

Final Thoughts

World Religion Day is more than a date on the calendar—it’s an opportunity to celebrate unity in diversity. By incorporating activities and using resources like the Student Planners, pupils can develop understanding and respect for all faiths. Classrooms where curiosity thrives and every child feels valued.

 

Yearbooks

Why Now is the Perfect Time to Organise Your Leavers’ Yearbook

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Now it’s the beginning of a new year and the academic year is moving on, it’s time to start planning one of the most treasured keepsakes for students: the leavers’ yearbook. Whether you’re a head student or part of the school staff, organising a yearbook now ensures you have plenty of time to create something truly memorable.

 

Why Start Now?

Yearbooks take time to design, gather content for, and approve. Starting early means:

  • no last-minute stress: collecting photos, quotes and messages can be time-consuming. Beginning now gives everyone time to contribute.
  • better quality: early planning allows for thoughtful layouts, proofreading and professional printing.
  • inclusive contributions: students and staff can share their memories without feeling rushed, ensuring the yearbook reflects the whole school community.

 

What to Include in a Great Yearbook

A yearbook should capture the spirit of the year and celebrate achievements. Below are some suggested sections.

  • Class and Year Group Photos: these are the heart of any yearbook, giving everyone a place in history.
  • Personal Profiles: short bios or fun facts about each student make the book personal and engaging.
  • Messages from Staff and Head Students: inspirational words and farewell notes add warmth and meaning.
  • Highlights of the Year: include photos and write-ups of key events – sports days, school trips, performances and charity fundraisers.
  • Awards and Achievements: celebrate academic successes, sporting triumphs and unique talents.
  • Fun Extras: maybe include “Most Likely To…” awards, memorable quotes, and candid photos for a touch of humour.
  • Looking Ahead: a section for future aspirations or advice for the next year group can make the yearbook forward-looking and inspiring.

 

Make It Special

Consider adding interactive elements like QR codes linking to videos of school events or digital photo galleries to make the yearbook even more engaging.

 

Start planning today to ensure your leavers’ yearbook is a cherished keepsake for years to come. It’s more than just a book – it’s a celebration of friendships, achievements, and unforgettable moments

 

Yearbooks

Supporting Teen Mental Health During the Festive Season

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The Christmas period is often portrayed as a time of joy, family, and celebration. For many teenagers though, the festive season can bring unique challenges that impact their mental health. As teachers, understanding these pressures is key to supporting students during what can be an emotionally complex time.

 

Why Christmas Can Be Stressful for Teens

While younger children may see Christmas as magical, teenagers often experience heightened stress. Academic pressures, social expectations and family dynamics can all contribute to feelings of anxiety or low mood. For some, financial strain at home or complicated family relationships means the season is far from cheerful. Others may feel isolated if they don’t share the same traditions or if they are coping with loss.

Social media adds another layer of pressure. Teens are bombarded with images of ‘perfect’ celebrations, which can lead to comparison and feelings of inadequacy. This can intensify existing mental health challenges, such as anxiety or low self-esteem.

 

Common Mental Health Challenges at Christmas

  • Anxiety: the disruption of routine during the holidays can be unsettling. Teens who thrive on structure may feel anxious about changes in schedules, social gatherings, or expectations.
  • Low Mood: shorter days and less daylight can contribute to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), while loneliness or family tensions can deepen feelings of sadness.
  • Eating Concerns: festive meals and treats can trigger stress for those struggling with body image or eating disorders. Comments about food or appearance, even well-meaning ones, can be harmful.
  • Managing Mental Health: with school closed, access to regular support networks may be limited. Teens might feel unsure where to turn if they’re struggling.

How Teachers Can Help Before the Holidays

  1. Start Conversations Early: create space for open discussions about mental health in the classroom. Normalising these conversations helps students feel less alone.
  2. Signpost Resources: remind students about the mental well-being pages in their planners. These pages are designed to empower them with practical strategies they can use during the break.
  3. Encourage Routine: suggest that students maintain some structure during the holidays—whether through exercise, hobbies, or regular sleep patterns.
  4. Promote Kindness: encourage students to focus on meaningful connections rather than material expectations. Acts of kindness can boost mood and reduce stress.

 

A Positive Message for the Season

Christmas doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. By acknowledging the challenges and equipping teens with tools to manage their mental wellbeing, we can help them navigate the season with confidence and self-compassion.

As teachers, your role in supporting mental health is invaluable. A simple reminder to check their planner’s well-being pages or downloading an app before school breaks up, could make a big difference for a student who feels overwhelmed when they are alone.

As well as general information about managing mental health, the Mental Wellbeing pages included in Boomerang’s student planners cover worries about anxiety, low mood, eating, and self-harm. Each section gives warning signs to look out for, top tips which may help, and a web address for further advice.

 

Primary Planners

Academic Planners

Teacher Planners

 

World Kindness Day

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World Kindness Day – Thursday 13 November
Every year on 13 November, people around the globe pause to celebrate World Kindness Day — a day dedicated to the simple yet powerful act of being kind. This day offers a unique opportunity to foster empathy, strengthen relationships, and build a culture where kindness is not just encouraged, but expected.

Why Kindness Matters

Kindness isn’t just about being nice — it’s about showing respect, understanding, and care for others.
In schools, encouraging kindness can lead to a safer, more supportive, and academically productive atmosphere. It reduces bullying, builds stronger relationships through empathy and respect, and improves students’ overall well-being and motivation.

Impact on the school climate

  • Reducing negative behaviours: kindness leads to a significant reduction in bullying and creates a safer, more inclusive environment where students feel valued.
  • Promoting positive relationships: it encourages empathy and respect among students, teachers, and staff, leading to a more connected and supportive community.
  • Improving students’ well-being: schools with a culture of kindness see a decrease in symptoms of anxiety and depression and an increase in feelings of positivity, happiness, and self-worth.
  • Increasing safety and engagement: a supportive environment fosters greater student engagement and motivation, making students more interested in learning and more likely to attend school.
  • Boosting academic performance: research shows a strong link between positive social behaviour like kindness and higher academic achievement.

Impact on individuals

  • Building emotional intelligence: kindness helps students understand different perspectives, develop self-acceptance, and build social and emotional skills.
  • Instilling responsibility: acts of kindness empower students to recognize that their actions can make a positive impact, encouraging them to be proactive contributors.
  • Enhancing self-esteem: when students are treated with kindness and encouraged to act kindly, their self-esteem and sense of self-worth increase.

Impact on the school as an institution

Attracting staff and families: a school known for its kind and nurturing environment can improve its reputation, potentially leading to higher enrolment and staff retention rates.
Creating a stronger community: it builds a more cohesive school community where everyone feels welcomed and supported.

Make Kindness Continuous

World Kindness Day is more than just a a date in your student or teacher planner — it’s a reminder that every day holds the potential for compassion and making school a positive place to be.

 

Photo by Adam Nemeroff on Unsplash

How to Pick a Bank Account for University: All You Need to Know

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Here at Boomerang Ed, we’re making it our mission to help students with all things finance.

Banks can be tricky because, despite stating the facts, consultants are effectively salespeople and will often use gimmicks to try and tempt you to accounts that might not actually be the best for you.

So we’ve put together a few factors that should help you figure out how to pick a bank account for university 🙂

how-to-pick-a-bank-account-for-university-pound

How to pick a bank account for university:

First things first, student accounts work just like normal bank accounts but you can only open them if you are in or about to start higher education. They come with extra features so here’s what you should be looking out for:

1) Look out for hidden fees

Bank accounts can come with all sorts of fees that you might not realise at first, such as:

  • Fees for failed standing orders or direct debits
  • Monthly or annual fees for holding the account

Most accounts will also charge you for:

  • Sending money to another country
  • Withdrawing cash abroad
  • Requesting copies of old statements

If you think you’ll be making use of these services frequently, make sure you choose an account with low fees.

how-to-pick-a-bank-account-for-university-credit

2) Find out how you can use the account

Most student bank accounts should be offering you:

  • A debit card
  • ATM withdrawals
  • Telephone banking
  • Online banking
  • A mobile phone app
  • Contactless payments or a service like Apple Pay

how-to-pick-a-bank-account-for-university-app

3) Research the best overdraft

  • Overdrafts allow you to keep spending money, even after the balance in your account reaches zero.
  • If this happens, then your account will show a negative balance. For example, if you withdrew £20 with just £5 left in your account, your new balance would read -£15
  • Look out! Overdrafts tend to charge interest on the money you borrow. However, many student accounts offer interest-free overdrafts of up to £3,000, so make sure you look at all the options.
  • Be careful not to spend beyond the overdraft limit (you can find this out from your bank) because you will be charged fees, which could damage your credit record.

4) Is there a branch nearby?

Having a branch that is local will be useful if you need to:

  • Take out cash if you lose your card
  • Pay in cash
  • Pay in a cheque

 how-to-pick-a-bank-account-for-university-cash

5) Freebies

Student bank accounts will often offer you free stuff which can include:

  • Free software e.g. Microsoft Office
  • Free student railcards e.g. 16-25 railcard
  • Gift vouchers
  • Discount cards like the Tastecard or an NUS extra card

These freebies can be great – just make sure you’ve looked at all the other factors we’ve mentioned first. Finding an account that offers everything you need is more important than the perks!

If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with the Boomerang Team! 🙂

3 Work Experience Hacks: How to Get Work Experience this Summer

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Do you want the good news or the bad news?

The bad news:

No matter what anyone says, getting work experience is not easy. You’ve got to be ready to put in the hard yards and even then, there’s still no foolproof way to secure the placement of your dreams. If only!

The good news:

We’ve put our heads together and come up with our top 3 work experience hacks just for you! If you follow these tips, you’re bound to find work experience this summer 🙂

1. Simplify the CVwork-experience

So you want to prove to whoever’s reading your CV that you’re the person for the job. Great.

You’ve crammed in every last detail and possible skill to showcase your brilliance. Not so great.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to fill your CV with endless lists of all your skills and previous experience. In fact, a more simplified approach demonstrates an ability to select relevant info. and tailor it to your employer – an important workplace skill. Which brings us to our next point.

TAILOR YOUR CV. So if you’re applying for work experience in a law firm, think about whether or not you’ll need to include a paragraph on your part-time babysitting job, for example.

Rather than talking at length about every job/hobby you’ve ever had, in lengthy sentences, just pick the relevant points and condense them. Your CV is going to be skim-read, so the important information needs to be easy to find.

It can still be handy to give an idea of what you’re like as a person though (CVs can be boring) so it doesn’t hurt to include a few personal interests.

steward-for-oxfam

Become a festival steward for Oxfam.

2. Volunteer

Volunteering at a local charity is an excellent way to gain great experience and do some good all at the same time. Charities are almost always looking for volunteers to help out in all sorts of areas, from working behind the till, to campaigning. It’s well worth exploring this online. Here are a few sites to get you started:

Do-It

Oxfam

British Red Cross

3. Apply speculatively & make the most of your contacts

As unfair as it may seem, a lot of work experience placements do come down to who you know.

But what if I don’t have any contacts?Network

You’d be surprised how many contacts you do have actually. Other than the obvious – parents, teachers, neighbours etc, you should also think about other people who you could have in your network without even realising it.

For example, if you’ve got involved in a youth scheme like Young Enterprise, you might be able to contact a couple of industry professionals. It doesn’t hurt to try – employers will value your tenacity and initiative.

Does your school invite outside speakers to give talks to your year group? Make sure you show enthusiasm for their subject and ask for their contact details at the end of the talk. You never know who could be handy to know, so make as many connections as possible, whenever you can.

I STILL don’t have contacts

There’s still hope!

Official work experience programmes can be few and far between, especially if you’ve left it a bit late and missed deadlines already. So apply speculatively i.e. contact local companies that you know of and just ask them. Don’t forget to use social media too – you’d be surprised how many opportunities are available through platforms like Twitter.

It doesn’t matter if they don’t have a ‘work experience’ section on their website. Lots of businesses, especially  some of the smaller ones, might not have a fully-fledged scheme in place but this doesn’t mean they wouldn’t be happy to have you on board for a week or so.

Time to start making those connections! Don’t worry if you get a ‘no’. Everyone’s had them. We know you’re fabulous so just be enthusiastic, friendly and sincere and you’ll bag yourself some amazing experience before you know it.

work-experience-gif

Want more tips? Tweet @BoomEdStudent with any questions/comments. We ALWAYS respond.