Tag Archive for: Yearbook

Celebrating Bike Week 2026 in Schools: Pedal Power for Health, Learning and Community

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From 8–14 June 2026, schools across the UK can get involved in Bike Week, an annual initiative organised by Cycling UK for over 100 years. As the country’s biggest celebration of cycling, Bike Week is designed to inspire people of all ages and abilities to experience the benefits of getting on two wheels.

For teachers, Bike Week offers an exciting opportunity to combine physical activity, environmental awareness, and community engagement—all within a fun, accessible framework for pupils.

 

Why Bike Week Matters for Pupils

Cycling is much more than a leisure activity—it plays a vital role in supporting young people’s physical and mental development.

Regular cycling contributes to:

  • Improved fitness and cardiovascular health
  • Enhanced mental wellbeing, helping to reduce stress and boost mood
  • Greater concentration and focus in the classroom

Encouraging active travel is particularly important, with research highlighting that many children are not achieving recommended levels of daily physical activity. Cycling provides an enjoyable and practical way to help meet the NHS guidance of at least 60 minutes of activity per day for young people.

Cycling also supports independence and confidence. Cycling UK notes that promoting cycling can help pupils develop self-worth, navigational skills, and road awareness, while also benefiting the wider community by reducing congestion and pollution.

 

Bringing Bike Week into the School Environment

Bike Week is intentionally flexible, making it easy for both primary and secondary schools to take part. Whether you organise a full programme or a few simple activities, the focus is on celebrating cycling in a way that works for your school.

  1. Encourage Active Travel

Promote cycling to school during the week:

  • Run a “cycle to school” challenge
  • Track participation by class or year group
  • Celebrate achievements in assemblies

Even small increases in cycling can contribute to healthier routines and reduced school-run traffic.

  1. Organise a School Ride or Event

Bike Week is a great time to bring your school community together:

  • Plan a supervised group ride or local route
  • Host a “Bike Week breakfast” or social event
  • Invite families to get involved

Cycling UK encourages informal, sociable events that make participation enjoyable and inclusive.

  1. Build Skills and Confidence

For many pupils, Bike Week is the perfect introduction to cycling:

  • Offer basic bike safety sessions
  • Link with Bikeability or local providers
  • Provide opportunities to practise riding in a safe space

Developing these skills early helps pupils feel confident cycling both in and beyond school.

  1. Link to Learning

Bike Week can easily support curriculum objectives:

  • Science: health, exercise, and the human body
  • Geography: sustainability and reducing carbon emissions
  • PSHE: personal responsibility and wellbeing
  • Maths: tracking distances, speed, or participation data

This cross-curricular approach helps reinforce learning in a meaningful, real-world context.

 

Supporting Healthier, Greener School Communities

Bike Week also aligns with broader school priorities around sustainability and wellbeing. Cycling is a low-carbon mode of transport that helps reduce air pollution and supports cleaner, safer communities.

For pupils, taking part fosters a sense of responsibility—both for their own health and for the environment. Schools that encourage cycling often find it strengthens relationships between staff, pupils and families, creating a shared goal and positive school culture.

 

Capture the Energy of Bike Week

Bike Week is full of memorable moments—from first rides to group challenges and shared achievements. Capturing these experiences is a valuable way to celebrate participation and inspire future cohorts.

Consider:

  • Taking photos during events and activities
  • Collecting pupil quotes and reflections
  • Creating displays around school

These snapshots not only showcase engagement but also reinforce the importance of active lifestyles.

 

Celebrate and Remember Your Bike Week

To make the most of your Bike Week celebrations:

  • Branded hoodies are a fantastic way to bring students and staff together, creating a sense of unity during rides, events, or challenges—while giving pupils a lasting keepsake.
  • Dedicated yearbook pages featuring photos of cycling activities, student achievements and highlights are a brilliant way to capture the energy of the week and look back on fun times in years to come.

 

cyclinguk.org

Hoodies

Yearbooks

Yearbooks Beyond Year 11: Creative Ways Schools Can Capture Memories All Year Round

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When most secondary teachers hear the word yearbook, they automatically think of Year 11 leavers. A glossy end‑of‑school keepsake, packed with tutor group photos, messages and memories before students move on to their next chapter.

But traditional yearbooks don’t have to be limited to school leavers. Increasingly, schools are using yearbook‑style memory books across the school year to celebrate experiences, achievements and shared moments that deserve to be remembered – whatever the age group.

From trips and clubs to sports teams and school productions, yearbooks can become powerful tools for reflection, celebration and student voice.

 

Memory Books for School Trips & Expeditions

Residentials, overseas trips and curriculum visits often create some of the most memorable moments of a student’s school life. A trip‑specific yearbook allows pupils to document the experience in a meaningful way, long after the suitcase is unpacked.

Photos, short reflections, maps, diary entries and group shots can all be included, turning the book into a shared souvenir rather than something lost on a phone. These memory books work particularly well for:

  • Geography and history fieldwork
  • Language exchanges
  • Duke of Edinburgh expeditions
  • International or residential trips

They also offer a natural opportunity to build literacy, reflection and cross‑curricular learning into enrichment activities.

 

Celebrating Sports Teams & School Clubs

Sports teams, music ensembles and after‑school clubs often play a huge role in student wellbeing and school culture. A dedicated yearbook for a team or club gives students a sense of pride and belonging, especially for those who may not otherwise feature prominently in school publications.

A sports team memory book can include:

  • Team photos and match highlights
  • Player profiles and quotes
  • Tournament results
  • End‑of‑season awards

Similarly, clubs such as STEM, eco committees, debating societies or chess clubs can document their journey across the year, helping to recognise commitment and participation rather than just outcomes.

 

Drama, Dance & Performing Arts Keepsakes

Productions and performances take months of hard work, rehearsals and teamwork. A yearbook‑style programme or memory book is an ideal way to capture the behind‑the‑scenes side of school performances that a standard programme can’t.

These books might include cast and crew photos, rehearsal shots, personal reflections, costume designs and thank you messages. For students involved in drama, dance or music, this kind of keepsake becomes a lasting reminder of collaboration, confidence and creativity.

 

Marking Special Events & School Milestones

Schools are full of one‑off events that deserve more than a few photos on social media. Leavers’ assemblies, charity weeks, school anniversaries, enrichment days and themed weeks can all be commemorated with a simple yearbook-style publication.

These memory books help schools:

  • Build a sense of community
  • Document school history
  • Engage students in creative projects
  • Create tangible reminders of shared experiences

They can also be created by students themselves, supporting skills in writing, design, teamwork and organisation.

 

More Than a Book on a Shelf

What makes yearbooks so effective is their permanence. In a digital world, a physical memory book carries weight and meaning. It validates student experiences and creates something that can be revisited years later.

By using traditional yearbook formats more creatively, secondary schools can capture the full life of the school – not just the final year. Whether it’s a sports season, a drama production or an unforgettable trip, a well‑designed memory book ensures those moments are never forgotten.

Yearbooks aren’t just for leavers anymore – they’re for every story worth remembering.

 

Yearbooks

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 Commonwealth Day in Schools: A Chance to Connect, Explore, and Inspire

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Every March, Commonwealth Day offers UK secondary schools a unique opportunity to celebrate global citizenship, explore cultural diversity, and encourage young people to reflect on their place in a fast‑changing world. With 56 member countries spanning Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, Europe, and the Pacific, the Commonwealth represents a remarkable mosaic of cultures, histories, and perspectives. For educators, it is a day rich with possibilities—cross‑curricular learning, assemblies, global awareness activities, and even international school trips.

 

Why Commonwealth Day Matters

Commonwealth Day is centred around values such as cooperation, sustainability, peace, and mutual respect. These themes align naturally with many areas of the secondary curriculum, from Citizenship and Geography to English, History, and the Arts. It’s a perfect chance to help students think critically about the world around them, understand global interdependence, and consider how their actions can contribute to a more connected and compassionate international community.

Many schools choose to mark the day through themed lessons, project‑based learning, or charity initiatives linked to Commonwealth causes. Whether exploring climate change in Fiji, creative industries in Nigeria, or wildlife conservation in India, teachers can use this moment to broaden students’ horizons and foster curiosity about countries beyond the UK.

 

Bringing the Commonwealth to Life in the Classroom

One of the strengths of Commonwealth Day is its flexibility. Schools can tailor activities to suit different year groups and subjects:

  • KS3 Geography: compare the physical landscapes of Commonwealth nations or explore global inequality and development.
  • English and Literature: study poetry, stories, and speeches from Commonwealth authors.
  • History: examine the shared historical ties that shaped the modern Commonwealth.
  • Performing Arts: explore music, dance, and drama traditions from across the member countries.
  • Tutor Time or Assemblies: reflect on the year’s Commonwealth theme and encourage student voice through discussion or debate.

By weaving these elements through the school day—or even dedicating a whole week to international learning—teachers can create impactful and memorable experiences that resonate beyond the classroom.

 

The Value of School Trips to Commonwealth Countries

For some schools, Commonwealth Day also sparks interest in international trips, exchanges, or cultural partnerships. Travel to countries such as Canada, Australia, India, or Malta can deepen students’ understanding in transformative ways. Experiencing new environments and cultures first-hand builds resilience, independence, and confidence—all essential attributes for future study and employment.

When planning such trips, many schools prioritise safety, cohesion, and team spirit. One simple but highly effective addition is personalised school hoodies. Not only do they help students feel part of a unified group, but they also make it easier for staff to identify their cohort quickly when travelling through airports, busy city centres, or large attractions. Personalised hoodies also become treasured keepsakes—reminders of shared learning, friendships, and unforgettable experiences abroad.

 

Personalised Hoodies: Practical, Popular, and Perfect for School Adventures

Custom hoodies for international trips offer both functional and emotional value. They keep students warm on long flights, help promote school identity, and ensure everyone can be spotted instantly. Names or initials can be added for clarity, and colour‑coding by class or group can support smoother organisation during multi‑group tours.

Many schools now order hoodies not just for overseas visits but also for domestic fieldwork, enrichment weeks, sports tours, and residentials. As Commonwealth Day encourages young people to think globally, these garments help build the sense of unity and pride that makes these experiences so powerful.

 

Boomerang Hoodies

Trips Books

 

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

7 Marketing Strategies To Sell Your Yearbook – LOCKDOWN SPECIAL

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Now that you’ve spent time putting together the most awesome yearbook ever, it’s time to actually sell it!

Perhaps you’d normally gather your yearbook team in your office and enthusiastically throw around some marketing strategies as your team slowly back out of your office with a little whistle or a sudden much longed for class to attend?

Or you’d simply pop up a poster announcing the yearbooks are ready, cross your fingers and wait for sales with a slight feeling of desperation?

But not this time!

Lockdown yearbook marketing will be digital, clever and water tight, not letting any sales slip away. 


Telling students to buy a yearbook needs more thought, more emotion and more messaging coming from many different angles. We can’t just pull out our inner Yoda and tell parents what to do.

We’ve put together 7 clear actionable marketing steps to work through, to make sure you sell more yearbooks than ever this year. Carve out one week and work through one strategy each day.

In no particular order…

1] Big, bold and free advertising on Facebook 

Most of the school’s we have daily contact with have rather an active Facebook page. When it’s time to start marketing your yearbook, why not refresh your cover photo – the top banner image that sits behind your profile picture.

It can be tricky popping an image directly on here because of the custom dimension constraints but the simplest way to do this is to design the banner in Canva. Sign up for a free account and simply hit ‘Create Design’ and choose ‘Facebook Cover’. Pick a design template from the left or use a blank canvas and create your own. 

This isn’t just an announcement though, make sure you include a clear CTA (Call to action). What do you want your parents or students to do in order to buy the yearbook? Do you want them to pre-order by leaving their name and details or are you ready to sell? There should be simple clear instructions on the banner with exactly what they need to do next.

2] The Sneaky Peek

Pick out some tantalisers and show them off in a Facebook photo album or simply drip feed them through your social media channels. Use captions to tempt parents to purchase. 

>> ‘The coach ride to the best school trip of the year!’ – for all pics of the outing, order your yearbook here

>> ‘The moment before the whole class ended up in the sea’ – to see more of these, order your yearbook here

>> ‘Polly Temple being awarded Kent School’s Athletic Champion’ – for more awards from our talented sports pupils, order your yearbook here

3] Run a Competition

Now this strategy gives you a triple whammy win. 

Create a competition where the winner receives a free yearbook. Use our idea or just the framework for your own idea.

  1. Create a Photo Caption contest
  2. Announce the contest in the newsletter, in the parent email, on social media or if not in lockdown, on flyers and posters around the school.
  3. Contest: Send in any photo and write a caption. A free school yearbook will be awarded to the best entry. The rest will be shown in the yearbook, after being vetted by the yearbook team 😉
  4. Get the students to share their entries on social media using a specific hashtag #farnhamschoolyearbookcontest

Win #1 – You receive some great content for the yearbook

Win #2 – You create a buzz! Students will be sharing the funniest photos and captions with each other and they’ll be desperate to buy the yearbook whether they win or not, just to see all the funny entries.

Win #3 – Using the hashtag will generate a little hub of images on social media all grouped together. Every student will be desperate to see if they have been included in a funny photo caption! This in turn creates more buzz around the yearbook and more buzz equals more sales!

4] Plan a Sequence of Email Messages Leading To Purchase

Particularly since school closures in lockdown, the email newsletter has become the primary link between schools and parents. If your school sends out an email every Friday, make sure you write a carefully crafted email for 3 or 4 weeks as follows:

Week 1 – It’s time to pre-order the yearbook. Click here to pre-order yours now.

Week 2 – Exciting news! The yearbook has gone to print. It includes some amazing school memories that we know your children will treasure forever. Each and everyone of them is included. Have you ordered your copy yet? Click here to Buy Now.

Week 3 – And the winner of the Photo Caption is Bertie Smith with this photo and caption. Congratulations Bertie! You have won a free yearbook. See all the other hilarious entries in the yearbook. Time is running out, make sure you get your order in!

Week 4 – Last call, the deadline to purchase your yearbook is Monday, don’t miss out. 

5] Refresh The School Website

Use the messages from the sequence above to refresh your website. Include a banner at the top of your website with a clear call to action and align the messaging with the messages going out in the parent email or newsletter. You’ll be amazed at how the ‘Last Call’ email and messaging drives those final sales.

6] Create FOMO

‘Fear Of Missing Out’ is a thing. Use this proven marketing strategy well.

Drip feed tit bits across your school’s social media.

Advertise how many people have pre-ordered the yearbook with posts such as ‘297 students have ordered the 2020 yearbook’ This means that 297 will get to treasure moments like this (include a funny photo with caption). It’s not too late to order yours! Click here to Buy Now.


7] You’re on Page 5!

This particular strategy works well for smaller primary schools where the staff know every single student. It takes time but it works!

The most important part of this strategy is that every single student is included in the yearbook.

Cross check each pupil and mark down each page number in the yearbook where that pupil is featured. Then send out an email to each parent telling them that the yearbook is in print and their child is featured on pages 3 and 5. 

What parent will be able to resist?!

If you haven’t ordered your yearbook yet, there is still time! Use our resources to help you. First of all, get some ideas on how to put together the most awesome yearbook ever and then simply use our online yearbook editor to build yours right now. Get in touch with our team now for a free 10 minute demo.

9 Tips For Creating An Awesome School Yearbook

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With your class spending so much time apart already this year due to the corona virus outbreak, giving each student an extra special yearbook to mark the end of their school year is more important than ever.

Image Credit: Pinterest

 

If you’re the one tasked with the job this year we’re going to help make the whole process a lot more fun. If you get ahead now, while in lockdown, you can create a really personalised and fun yearbook and take away any last minute stress.

 

Image Credit: Pinterest

 

So in no particular order, here are 9 tips for making sure this year’s yearbook is the best yearbook ever!

1] Begin with the right intentions

Teachers face so much admin in their lives and as I write this in April 2020, they are also tasked with virtual learning and marking and keeping their students going during UK lockdown.  But it’s important not to tackle the yearbook like any other piece of admin. 

Yearbooks are treasured forever.

 

Image Credit: Pinterest

 

They tell your school’s unique story and every page is special to all your students. Make it funny, memorable and celebratory.

“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory”

Dr Seuss

2] See it as historical proof that you did actually teach the future Bieber

In years to come, how will you prove that you taught  the future Prime Minister or the latest Justin Bieber? This is where the yearbook becomes vitally important!

 


3] Pick a cool template and let the pages flow

Don’t be put off by the fact that you may not be the world’s best designer. Jump onto our online Yearbook Editor and start by choosing a template out of more than 300 and off you go. Pick one of the covers, designed by our art editors, or personalise it even further with a school photo or perhaps all your students’ names. Choose from 850 fonts and make use of a bank of emojis and icons.

Some of the awesome Yearbook Covers designed by our Art Editors!

 

4] Make it a Team Effort

It needn’t be just you organising the yearbook and chasing images and quotes. Put a team together with everyone that can help. You can all log in to the online editor at the same time and add images, text, emojis and icons. You have full control over which pages each team member can edit so there’ll be no embarrassment at the end when you realise a student has changed a friend’s photo caption!

Image Credit: Pinterest

5] Ask awesome interview questions

To give your yearbook it’s own special uniqueness, you need to steer the ship. By asking the right questions, you will bring out hilarious anecdotes and cultural relevance which you just won’t get with ‘what’s your favourite colour?’ answers. Make it fun for the kids to answer their interview questions. You want them to look back and laugh hysterically as they hold their dusty yearbook in their hands (they’re old at this point). Get creative. Head to Pinterest if you need some ideas. 


Here are some of our favourites…

1] What’s the most embarrassing thing that happened to you in school this year?

2] If you and your friends could get together right now and do one activity, what would it be?

3] What TV show/ blog/video game is most talked about at school?

4] What was your favourite school dinner this year? Or your favourite packed lunch?

5] If there is someone in your class who’ll end up on TV, who would it be and what would they be doing?

6] Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

7] If you had to pick one piece of work that you did this year, where you enjoyed doing it and you thought it was great, what would it be?

8] One teacher has to go with you and your friends trampolining and then for milkshakes, who would you pick?

9] What did you love learning about the most this year?

10] What one song from this year will remind you of your friends and being at school?

6] Let the kids lead

Once you’ve allocated roles and individual logins to the online editor, it’s time to sit back and let the kids take the lead. It’s not just the final yearbook that will bring joy, it’s the process of putting it together and you want the kids to enjoy doing it and create yet another memory in the meantime.

Treat the yearbook production as if it were a business. Here are some suggested roles and job titles:

Your role – Staff Rep 

Your job involves selecting which students have access to edit the yearbook, giving final sign off and paying the production bill.

Editor

This job will be deciding what will be included in the book, sorting the copy and ensuring all deadlines are met.

Art Director

This job will involve overseeing designs, deciding the order of pages and coordinating who works on each page.

Photo Editor

This job will be to take photos at school events and encourage other students to supply their photos on time.

Financier

This job will involve collecting payments from students and sponsors, making sure to keep accurate records. 

Sales and Marketing

This job is to sell and advertise your yearbooks to students, using our promotional material to help you.

7] Write GREAT awards

Put some thought into your awards/surveys before sending them to your students to answer. Make use of online survey programs to send out the questions and easily collate the responses. Google Forms  is a nice simple one and it’s free.

Don’t write obvious awards such as ‘The best runner’ – Go a bit deeper to make them more interesting. ‘Who would be able to get away from a cheetah the fastest on foot?’

Others..

‘Most likely to end up in a band’

‘Most likely to end up running the country’

‘Most likely to end up on stage making people howl laughing’

8] Add an ‘A Year In Review’ page

Include a page with all the highlights of that particular year. Especially when that year consists of a UK lockdown due to a virus outbreak. Ask the kids to give you their stand out points in the year since they’ll be looking at life from a different angle.

9] Give prompts when asking students to write their own captions

Encourage your students to write some great captions and give them some ideas to work with. Writing your caption is like writing that first paragraph in your CV. It always makes people feel instantly uncomfortable. Show some really good examples. There are so many on Pinterest. The best ones are the funniest so encourage some uplifting spirit when tackling this one.

Think about using a virtual signing tool like Kudoboard. Great for hosting virtual yearbook signings, where students can say goodbye to each other and celebrate their achievements in a remote & supportive way.

If you want to get cracking on your yearbook right now, get in touch with our team and book in for a quick demo on the online editor. Then simply put together a team and off you go!

Header Image Photo Credit: Image by Bev from Pixabay

 

Yearbook Process in 5 Easy Steps

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Here at Boomerang, we like to think we know a thing or two about the  yearbook process. So we’re going to share a few of our secrets with you while you’re in that proactive, ‘back to school’ frame of mind. There are all sorts of things to consider when it comes to making a successful yearbook and they’ve been condensed into this handy list for you:

1. Form a yearbook committee

avengers

This is probably the most important part of the process and not enough students do it. Once you’ve cleared everything with your teacher, find out which students are interested in helping to produce the yearbook and get together after school or in a lunchtime. Committees are great because you can divide up the tasks & roles meaning that everything gets done quicker and more efficiently.

You can have as many people as you like on the committee but we would suggest keeping the numbers to a max. of 10 just to stop things from getting confused. Others may want to chip in but it’s good idea to have a core group to keep everything organised.

2. Decide on content

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So now you know who’s going to be organising the yearbook, you have some decisions to make. This part can get slightly tricky as people will have different ideas on what needs to be included. In your first meeting, try and put as many ideas down on paper and then discuss. It can help to come up with say, 3 or 4 things that you definitely want to be in there e.g. student profiles, teacher awards, memorable events, etc. and then go from there. The main thing is that you include the school memories that you want to remember in years to come.

3. Choose a yearbook provider (carefully)

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Finding the right company is vital and it’s important that you don’t just choose the first and cheapest site that you come across. You need to make sure that your provider has all the tools to make your student yearbook a success.

Things to look out for include: help and guidance throughout the process, sample yearbook packs, an easy design/editing process and of course affordability & quality.

4. Don’t forget deadlines & proofing

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Pretty self-explanatory. Make sure you’re clear on all the deadlines – note them down somewhere so you don’t forget! Proofing is key too, Boomerang will proofread each page but doing your best to eliminate mistakes beforehand will make the process much speedier.

5. Spread the word!

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There’s no point putting in the hard yards to create the perfect yearbook if no one knows about it. Make sure you publicise it so that everyone who wants to, has plenty of time to contribute to and purchase one.

Best of luck!

Boom Ed Team x