Cotham School
Weekly Mailing
23 January 2026
Embedded Files
Keep us posted - It would be great if parents/carers could let the school know of any student achievements outside of school. We would like to find out what students are doing in their own time and celebrate their achievements.
Email us: weeklymailing@cotham.bristol.sch.uk
Week commencing Monday 26 January 2026 is Week A
Headteacher's Welcome! 👩🏫
Headteacher's Welcome! 👩🏫
Dear Parents and Carers,
Please find our weekly mailing which I hope you will find both useful and interesting!
With very best wishes for a relaxing weekend.
Kindest regards,
Ms Jo Butler
Headteacher
Positive Feedback of the Week 👍
Positive Feedback of the Week 👍
Email received
Dear Mr Moody and the Cotham team,
It was the Avon Schools Cross Country Championships in Bath on Saturday - and Sam ran in the 'Minor Boys' age group along with Finn Collins.
There were 36 boys running in the group and Sam did really well, coming 13th overall in a time of 12mins 9 secs. He was the first Bristol boy back, and although he narrowly missed out on being selected for the next round (by one place!) he enjoyed the whole experience and gave it his absolute all, as did Finn!
We were really proud of them both!
Best wishes,
Laura Witham
Parent and Carer Calendar 🗓️
Parent and Carer Calendar 🗓️
Announcements 📢
Announcements 📢
Last Chance to Enter the Poet Laureate Competition
Last Chance to Enter the Poet Laureate Competition
DEADLINE EXTENDED FRIDAY 30 JANUARY - There is still time to enter the YOUNG POET LAUREATE competition. (Year 7, 8 or 9 ONLY) This programme provides young people with new & exciting opportunities to explore and discover poetry in their school and other communities. All you need to do is write a POEM on any topic and submit a statement about WHY you want to become a POET ambassador. Please encourage your budding POET to enter. It is an amazing opportunity! ALL the information is included below.
WM YPL poetry poster and info sheet .pdf2026 is the National Year of Reading
2026 is the National Year of Reading
We are happy to announce that 2026 is the NATIONAL YEAR OF READING. The theme is GO ALL IN. Meaning 'If you are INTO it, READ into it' Cotham are planning lots of great READING events throughout the year so please continue to read the weekly mailing or visit the Library App for all the information you need. We have lots of Author visits and workshops planned, World Book Week is going BIG again and we will have competitions galore!! In the meantime please come to the library and READ some NEW BOOKS.
WM GO ALL IN POSTER.pdf
New Mental Health Support via Anna Freud Centre
New Mental Health Support via Anna Freud Centre
We are pleased to announce that we have started a new partnership with the Anna Freud Centre, a world leading mental health charity supporting children and families.
The attached document provides a full summary of what this exciting new service will offer.
Cotham School parents/carers will also have access to webinars delivered by the Anna Freud Centre. The attached pdfs shows upcoming live webinars you can sign up for and pre-recorded webinars that you can download and watch anytime.
Anna Freud Service - Parent and Caregiver Summary.pdfLive parent and carer resources Spring term 25-26.pdfParent and carer on-demand webinars - guide 25-26Year Group News 🏫
Year Group News 🏫
Year 7
Year 7
Update
This week 36 Year 7 girls joined the Girlhood Reclaimed focus group workshop.
The workshops focus on: safe spaces for girls, students of marginalised genders, and women staff to share their experiences of misogyny.
The students engaged and enjoyed the session. Here is some feedback from some of those involved:
It was fun and a place where we could explain our feelings without being judged.
It was good, it was fun, It was entertaining and informative, it was a safe space where we could say how we were feeling and express ourselves.
Art Lessons
In the first two terms Year 7 were introduced to the Formal Elements of art (line, shape, tone, texture and colour). They are now putting this knowledge into our new project focusing on Mandalas and Zentangle designs. We have been so far exploring the history of Mandalas and the purpose behind drawing/creating patterns to calm the mind. Year 7 classes designed their own full mandala patterns!
Football
Year 7 Tutor Football has got off to a great start this term!
We have already seen some fantastic matches, and the competition is heating up as teams battle it out to become the overall winners of the Year 7 league later this year.
Today’s match saw 7SME take on 7DSE, with an exciting 2–2 draw.
Cotham Shout Outs
Student Shout Outs continue to come in daily, with students being recognised for their hard work and commitment to school. We have had over 140 so far since the initiative started!
Well done to all those who have received a Shout Out – you are all amazing!
We are also receiving Tutor groups Shout Outs;
Mr Dignan: 7LB were fab yesterday in our Literacy lesson, as were 7DSE today.
Lots of great ideas and writing about forest fires.
Ms Dawson: 7KD have been excellent in music lessons. Really engaged, picking up and reading rhythm notation really quickly. Keep it up!
Year 7 Disco
Wednesday 4 February 5.00pm-7.00pm
Tickets £2
Tuck shop - cash only
Tickets are still available through via WisePay and cash at lunch times in the HUB
Mrs L Arnold
Year 7 Learning Coordinator
Year 8
Year 8
Update
On Thursday and Friday some of the Year 8 girls took part in a focus group run by Girlhood Reclaimed who are a community interest company that aims to disrupt the growing dominance of misogynistic narratives through research, awareness training and creating safe spaces for girls to make sense of their experiences and ensure they enjoy their 'girlhood'. The girls really engaged and showed a mature approach to the group.
Next week there are some opportunities for students to buy some yummy treats at break in aid of the Grand Iftar. If students want to buy some they will need a little cash on Tuesday.
Ms D Dickerson
Year 8 Learning Coordinator
English Shout Outs
Zaied and Archie in 8YE for some fantastic creative writing today and to Elliott and Shiloh for some brilliant writing in 8ZE.
Claire Grice
English Teacher
Year 9
Year 9
Parents Evening and Pathways
Thank you to everyone who attended parents evening last week. It was lovely to see so many parents and carers there. I hope that you found it useful and that the conversations you had not only informed you about the progress your child is making but also addressed any subject specific questions around options for GCSE.
The conversations around subject choices are ongoing in school and students either have, or are in the process of activating their online accounts to help with this.
Mr O Knight
Year 9 Learning Coordinator
Year 10
Year 10
Uniform Reminder
A quick reminder about school uniform expectations. Students must wear tailored trousers or knee length skirts. Joggers, leggings, or similar items must not be worn underneath trousers, as this does not meet uniform requirements. Thank you for your continued support in helping Year 10 students arrive at school dressed correctly and ready to learn. The Cotham School Uniform is easy to get right!
Mr T Lawrence
Year 10 Learning Coordinator
Year 11
Year 11
Update
A reminder that the final mock exams begin on Monday 2 February and run until the last day of term on Friday 13 February.
This week the Year 11 assembly focused on providing students with effective exam preparation strategies and techniques in readiness for the upcoming mock exams, with specific guidance from the English, Maths and Science Faculty Leads. Students were also reminded of the importance of taking care of their wellbeing and mental health throughout the exam period and various strategies to support this. All students showed great engagement throughout.
As a reminder, timetables, revision guides and preparation materials are on the Year 11 Google Classroom. Please contact the Year 11 Team if you have any queries or concerns.
Final reminder:
Be on time (8:30am start) and silent.
Equipped and facing forward.
Ready to do your best.
Mr H Arnold
Year 11 Learning Coordinator
North Bristol Post 16 🚀
North Bristol Post 16 🚀
A busy week at Post 16!
A busy week at Post 16!
This week has seen Year 13 take their Mock exams. Students have been working hard to prepare and have put in a lot of effort this week at such an important time of year. Thanks to Year 12 also who have been respectful of the students in exams to allow everyone the opportunity to do their best. In the coming weeks we have an enrichment re-launch, World Hijab Day, Foundation Business Work Experience and much more!
Mr G Buchanan
Deputy Director of Post 16
Subjects 📖 ✏️ 🔢 🧪 🌍 🏛️ 🖥️🧮 🎨 🎭 🎵 🔨 🧑🍳 🏃♂️
Subjects 📖 ✏️ 🔢 🧪 🌍 🏛️ 🖥️🧮 🎨 🎭 🎵 🔨 🧑🍳 🏃♂️
MATHS
MATHS
Year 11 Maths Mocks - Equipment
A reminder that it is essential that Y11 students have the correct equipment for their GCSE Maths mock exams (starting 2nd February). They will need a pen, pencil, ruler, protractor, compass and (for Paper 2) a scientific calculator. These can be bought from larger supermarkets or stationary shops. Students should NOT expect to borrow equipment on the day.
STEAM
STEAM
Art of the Week
The Year 11 Art students get the chance to express themselves during a project about IDENTITY. The project explores objects and possessions, self-portraits, and locations, to which the students get to tailor uniquely to themselves.
The work here has been made by a prospective Year 11 student, who has demonstrated outstanding use of a range materials including acrylic paint, watercolour paint and pen. This student has now gone on to studying A Level Art here at Cotham.
PE
PE
Boys Football Clubs Starting!
Monday after school - Year 7 football
Tuesday after school - Year 8/9 football
Friday after school - Year 10/11 football
Bristol Education Partnership 🤝
Bristol Education Partnership 🤝
Update
Update
It has been a great week for BEP, with Cotham hosting the first BEP Pride Network event on Tuesday, and Student Leaders visiting Clifton High School on Wednesday. I would like to extend my personal thanks to Miss Ingham, who has been leading on the Pride group, and ran the partnership-wide event this week. This is real progress for the LGBTQAI+ students and their allies across our city. Ideas about identity, inclusivity, challenges and opportunities were discussed openly. It was a wonderful occasion to celebrate experiences and also offer a safe space to be seen and heard. The students are working on plans for a pride event later in the year, which I am looking forward to.
The Cotham Student Leaders visited Clifton High on Wednesday for an all day workshop with Bristol Creative Youth Network. They gave presentations that they had been working on independently, and received glowing feedback from students across the BEP. They also offered really constructive comments on the other students’ presentations. It was a pleasure to watch them present so confidently among such a strong cohort of young people. They spent the afternoon thinking about creative storytelling and considering the best way to get the Cotham community supporting their social action project. Plans are well underway, and the teamwork is exceptional. Well done all!
Careers 💼
Careers 💼
Update
Update
Career of the Week.....is DJ
Could this be a career for your child?
Does your child love music? Are they very creative and like making different playlists? A career as a DJ might be a perfect fit!
The world of Professional Disc Jockeying is more than just playing music—it’s a blend of performance art, technical skill, and creative branding. From live events and clubs to radio broadcasting and music production, the opportunities for a talented "selector" are vast.
House Announcement 🏠
House Announcement 🏠
Holocaust Memorial Day Assemblies
Students at Cotham School marked Holocaust Memorial Day with assemblies led by Miss Madge. Students learned about the Holocaust, the targeting of Jewish people and other groups, and how hatred and discrimination led to genocide. The assemblies highlighted other genocides, the importance of remembrance, and how challenging prejudice and stereotypes today can help build a fairer future for all.
World Hijab Day Cookie Sale
To celebrate World Hijab Day we will be holding a cookie sale. This will take place on Tuesday 27 February at break time, in the Hub. All of the money raised will be going towards funding the Grand Iftaar.
WHD Cookie Sale.pdfValentine's Day Sale
Send a Valentine Message and Chocolate to someone special; a friend, a teacher, or even yourself! All money raised will go to Charity! Spread love and joy this Valentine's Day!
Messages and Chocolate's to be delivered on Friday 13 February ♥️♥️♥️
WildEd Workshop
Last week we had the first WildEd workshop. Students had the opportunity to work with expert conservationists and learn about different habitats, the problems animals are facing there and some solutions to these problems. In the next workshop, we will look into more detail of how we can support the environment in and around Cotham.
Literacy 📖
Literacy 📖
KS3
KS3
Word of the Week
Word of the Week
Summarise
Summarise
'Sum - uh - rise'
Meaning:
Give a brief statement about the main point of something (verb).
Example:
In English, you might be asked to summarise what happened in a novel.
Summarise the main reasons that WW1 started.
Synonyms:
Sum up, outline, condense…
KS4
KS4
Word of the Week
Word of the Week
Ambiguous
Ambiguous
'Am-big - you - us'
Meaning:
Not clear or decided. Open to more than one interpretation (adjective).
Example:
It’s ambiguous whether it will rain tomorrow.
The politician’s view on climate change is ambiguous.
Synonyms:
Unclear, uncertain, inconclusive…
Digital Literacy Corner 💻
Digital Literacy Corner 💻
Online Safety Newsletter
Online Safety Newsletter
Please find our latest online safety newsletter attached.
Important Notice:
This newsletter is intended for adults and includes discussions on online safety, including sensitive topics such as the online exploitation of children. Some of this content may be upsetting to both adults and children.
We strongly encourage parents and carers to prepare themselves before reading and to carefully consider which information to share with their child, based on their age and cognitive ability. The language and explanations used may not always be suitable for younger children, so please use your discretion when deciding what is appropriate for your child.
Your awareness and thoughtful approach is vital in ensuring a safe and informed discussion about online safety.
Kind regards
Farhan Ahmed
Digital Strategy Lead
Email: AhmedF@cotham.bristol.sch.uk
_Online_Saftey_Newsletter_14.pdfCommunity 🏘️
Community 🏘️
Bristol Parent Carers: February "What’s On" Guide!
Bristol Parent Carers: February "What’s On" Guide!
We are pleased to share the latest monthly update from Bristol Parent Carers. They offer various free support services and sessions for families of children with additional needs or disabilities.
To aid accessibility, the February poster is available in English, Somali, and Polish.
View the attached posters to find details on this month’s upcoming sessions and support groups. We encourage our parent carer community to explore these free resources.
Community Spotlight: Cotham Club 2026 Season
Community Spotlight: Cotham Club 2026 Season
We are delighted to share the upcoming season for Cotham Club, a monthly live global music club right here in the heart of our community. Known for its "epic gigs and grassroots vibes", the club celebrates the diverse sounds that unite us.
Upcoming Event: Friday 30 January Cotham Club Presents: Eastern Strings
Tango/Klezmer Quintet Join us for a transcendent evening of Argentinian Tango and Eastern European Klezmer. Featuring a world-class quintet, this performance blends oud, double bass, and strings into a mesmerizing musical journey.
Venue: Cotham Parish Church, BS6 6DR
Tickets: Under-18s £2 | Concessions £5 | Standard £14 (advance)
Please click here for further information.
Performing Arts Opportunity: British Youth Music Theatre (BYMT) Auditions
Performing Arts Opportunity: British Youth Music Theatre (BYMT) Auditions
We are pleased to share an opportunity for students interested in performing arts. British Youth Music Theatre, a national charity, is holding auditions in Bristol this weekend for their 2026 summer season of professional residential productions.
Date: Sunday 25 January 2026
Venue: Bristol Conservatoire Theatre Arts
Times: 10:00–13:00 or 14:00–17:00
Ages: 11–21 (Students aged 10 may audition if they turn 11 by Friday 17 July 2026).
About the Audition: The session is a friendly, collaborative workshop covering acting, singing, and movement. No prepared pieces are required. Successful participants will be invited to join a two-week summer residential project to create and perform a new musical in a professional theatre.
Booking & Fees:
Standard Fee: £45
Pupil Premium Rate: £30
Please click here to book. For further information please click here.
For information regarding financial support, please contact BYMT team by emailing - mail@bymt.org.
Parent/Relationship Counselling
Parent/Relationship Counselling
We know that parenting can sometimes put a strain on even the strongest relationships. To support our school community, we want to highlight Relationship Works (formerly Relate Avon). With over 80 years of experience in Bristol and Bath, they provide expert relationship counselling to help parents navigate challenges. Because children thrive when family relationships are positive, their services—available both in-person and online—can make a real difference. Visit relationship-works.co.uk to learn more or see the attached flyer.
Sparks Film School Bristol Central Update
Sparks Film School Bristol Central Update
Sparks Film School Bristol Central starts this Saturday the 10 January with an exciting new theme! ‘Raising the Stakes’ will see our young film makers make tense, thrilling films with edge-of-your-seat action! Why not get in on the action and book a Free Trial class today!
Saturdays 10.00am to 12pm
Cotham School, Bristol, BS6
Ages 7-14
To book a free trial filmmaking class please visit.
Reminders 🔔
Reminders 🔔
Reporting Student Absence - Studybugs
Reporting Student Absence - Studybugs
Please inform the school by 9.00am on the first and subsequent days of absence.
School procedure is as follows:
absence message sent if absences have not been reported.
if no response to the absence message, a follow up letter requesting reason for absence will be sent.
If you haven’t already, please download the free Studybugs app, or register on the Studybugs website, and use it to tell us whenever your child is ill and unable to attend school.
Get the app or register now by clicking here.
Thank you
Cotham School
Poster with Additional Info.pdf
Key Dates - Term Dates 2025/2026
Key Dates - Term Dates 2025/2026
Term 1 Monday 1 September 2025 to Friday 24 October 2025
Term 2 Monday 3 November 2025 to Friday 19 December 2025
Term 3 Monday 5 January 2026 to Friday 13 February 2026
Term 4 Monday 23 February 2026 to Thursday 2 April 2026
Term 5 Monday 20 April 2026 to Friday 22 May 2026
Term 6 Monday 1 June 2026 to Friday 17 July 2026
INSET Days - 2025/2026
INSET Days - 2025/2026
Monday 1 September 2025
Friday 26 September 2025
Friday 14 November 2025
Monday 30 March 2026
Monday 20 April 2026
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