 Westende Junior School nominated for award
Westende Junior School in Wokingham is a candidate for the Modeshift South East Region school of the year award.
The primary has been using the Modeshift STARS for many years and has achieved Excellent level accreditation. They have completed 48 initiatives to encourage active travel and 51 supporting initiatives. These include:
- An anti-idling banner competition
- Air quality monitoring
- Pedestrian skills training
- A healthy travel workshop
- Linking with other schools in the Circle Education Trust to reduce the school’s carbon footprint.
The award winners will be announced in March 2026.
School Survey Winners
We recently asked the schools in Wokingham to take part in a hands-up survey to determine the way that their pupils travel to school and they were entered into a prize draw for taking part. We are delighted to announce that the winners were:
- Highwood Primary School, Woodley - first prize of £300
- The Hawthorns Primary School, Wokingham - second prize of £200
- Wescott Infant School, Wokingham - third prize of £100
 Be Bright Be Seen
We need to be visible to keep us safe and to let other road users know that we are there. Being seen is very important for our safety.
Many serious accidents happen because drivers do not see other road users until it is too late and twice as many collisions happen with pedestrians in November when the hour goes back, compared to October.
Always wear or carry something bright that will help us to be seen more easily during the day, and at night. The photos above show you how visible you are with or without high-vis clothing.
By day...
During the day always wear clothes with bright colours. Fluorescent material (high vis) is even better as it helps us to really stand out and be seen during the day.
This material also helps us to be seen in the evening before it is dark.
By night...
Fluorescent material (high vis) does not work in the dark!
We need to wear something reflective so we can be seen when car headlights are shining towards us.
Even a small patch of reflective material can help drivers to see us from very far away.
Things to remember!
Fluorescent material (high vis) is effective outside during daytime because it reacts to the ultra-violet rays in sunlight. It could be a stripe on your jacket, patches on your bag or an armband.
Reflective material works in the dark because the special surface reflects light (such as street lights or car headlights) and is often in stripes on accessories or tags.
Visit the Dft Think! website to teach your child about wearing high visibility and reflective clothing while out walking or cycling.
 Schools step up to the challenge for Walktober
Our new Walktober initiative celebrates International Walk to School Month by rewarding pupils, families and staff for adopting a sustainable school run.
Walktober finishes on 31 October so this a reminder for all schools and any individual pupils who have taken part to send your entry to us by Friday 7 November to make sure you are in with a chance to win a prize.
Walktober is all part of our efforts to encourage sustainable travel, ranging from schemes like this to improving walking, cycling and bus provision.
The My Journey team attended a family fun event earlier this month at Trinity Church in Lower Earley.
We engaged with a lot of parents who were struggling with getting their child to ride a bike and signposted them to both our balance bike and learn to ride activities.
Dr Bike also fixed ten bikes and gave advice for those ones which needed more attention.
 Come along and try out Nordic walking
My Journey are trialing two sessions in November starting from Swallowfield.
Nordic walking uses specially designed poles, which offers a wide range of benefits.
It's more than just walking. It engages the upper body and turns a simple walk into a full body workout!
There are physical, mental and emotional benefits as well as social and lifestyle perks too. To take part you need to be able to walk two miles at 3mph or more pace.
Email us if you would be interested in taking part.
 New bus route from Twyford to Reading
Starting on Monday (3 November) Reading Buses will be operating a brand new route 12 between Twyford and central Reading, via Shepherds Hill and London Road.
Special introductory fare
For the first two weeks until Saturday 15 November there is an introductory special ticket price of £1.50 for a single and £2.30 for a return.
The buses will run every 30 minutes from Monday to Friday, between 9am and 2.30pm, and on Saturdays between 9am and 5pm taking 20 to 30 minutes to get into Reading.
Departure times and stop information of Route 12 can be found on Reading Buses website.
 Upcoming activities and events
- Free Balance Bike Club at FBC in Finchampstead (Wednesdays)
- Free Balance Bike Club at Woodford Park Leisure Centre in Woodley (Thursdays)
- Learn to Ride sessions (£10) at FBC in Finchampstead (Wednesdays)
- Learn to Ride sessions (£10) at Woodford Park Leisure Centre in Woodley (Thursdays)
- Adult Cycle Training for Beginners (£11) at Alder Grove Primary School in Shinfield at 10am on Saturdays
- Adult Cycle Training for Improvers (£11) at Alder Grove Primary School in Shinfield at 11am on Saturdays
- Dr Bike (free bike checks) at Woodford Park Leisure Centre (starting on Thursdays 6 November to 11 December between 2.30pm to 3.30pm)
- Dr Bike (free bike checks) at Woodford Park Leisure Centre on Sunday, 16 November between 10am to 12pm. The Police will also be there carrying out free bike security marking too.
For more information on our regular cycle training and activities or to book, visit our website. or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
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