Achievement | Diversity | Respect

19 May 2023

Parent and Carer Weekly Mailing

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 22 May 2023 is Week B

Standing Items are now located at the bottom of the mailing.

Headteacher's Welcome

Dear Parents and Carers

Please find this week’s mailing with important information for parents/carers and students as well as updates on school events, activities and opportunities for your reference below.

Kindest regards, Ms Jo Butler, Headteacher

Positive feedback of the week 👍

Lovely feedback:

We just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all the support and guidance you have given A in preparation for his GCSEs. We’re very grateful for all the additional support made available to him, from the Easter revision sessions to the study buddy trial, the booster sessions starting next week and exam access arrangements from the SEN team. It’s up to him now!

I can’t quite believe that we’ve got to the last day of school for the Year 11s. It seems to have come round so fast. Seeing A head off to school this morning happy, calm and relaxed is testament to the excellent support you and your colleagues have given him at Cotham.

Thanks again and best wishes for the exam period and the summer that follows"

Year 11 Parent

Thank you

Do you know our three school values?

Word of the Week

KS3

Word of the Week Quiz

Week 6: T5 KS3 Word of the Week Quiz

KS4

Word of the Week Quiz

Week 6: T5 KS4 Word of the Week Quiz

New Announcements

Attendance Matters

Attendance Fact

Every study comparing attendance to achievement indicates the higher the attendance rate, the better the achievement in exams and as a result more qualifications of a better standard. But what does this really look like?

Here are some averages of earnings per hour based on qualifications achieved:

No qualifications - £7.44 per hour

GCSEs - £9.02 per hour

A Levels - £10.25 per hour

Degree - £15.02 per hour

Attendance Tip

A varied and balanced diet is important to overall health and wellbeing but what we eat and when we eat are important. Eating late at night can result in a poor night's sleep and lead to tiredness in the mornings. Similarly, eating a lot of refined processed sugar in the morning can result in an energy crash before you even leave home. Make sure that you are meeting your bodies needs and giving yourself the best chance of being in school.

Year 11 Maths Equipment

A reminder that it is essential that Year 11 students bring the correct equipment to their Maths GCSE exams. As well as pen, pencil, and ruler they must make sure they have their own compass and protractor, and a scientific calculator. These can be purchased from most big supermarkets as well as stationery shops. The school does not have the capacity to provide these so students must ensure they bring their own and know how to use them. The next two Maths exam dates are Wednesday 7 June (calculator exam), and Wednesday 14 June (calculator exam). Thank you for your support with this.

House News - Prefect Applications

We have had lots of wonderful prefect applications so far for our new Student Leaders from Year 10. We encourage any Year 10s who want to take advantage of this opportunity to put in their forms as soon as possible as the deadline is Tuesday 23 May. For those of you who are unsure of our current system. We have 4 prefects per house, with one of these taking the lead as a House Captain.

It is an excellent opportunity for our students to grow in confidence by taking a lead role in our school community. Prefect responsibilities include:
> Developing the House identity for their house. Including contributing regularly to the Google Classroom feed and social media presence
> Modelling good manners and habits expected from all Cotham School learners
> Supporting Heads of Houses at House Assembly, leading at least one House assembly during the year.
> Organising inter-house competitions
> Carrying out a duty within school
> Help promote the school during open evenings
> Make regular contributions to the weekly mailing home to parents / carers
> Help during whole school assemblies.
> Taking an active role in Student Voice
> Work with the Head of House and House Charity Ambassadors to raise awareness and develop House Charity events
> House Captain will lead on communication between Prefects and Head of House and collect awards and trophies on House Day.

Applications are on google classroom. Paper versions are also available from the Humanities office.

Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award

Gold DofE had a stunning 4 days of sunshine in the Black mountains. The team of students worked brilliantly well, despite losing half a day's food to a sneaky fox in the night.

IMG20230515074405.jpg

School Fixtures Week Commencing Monday 22nd May

Tuesday 23 May

Year 7, 8 & 9/10 Rounders vs St Bedes (a)

Junior Cricket vs Trinity Academy (a)

Thursday 25 May

Year 9 & 10 boys & girls athletics @ RGS

Friday 26 May

Year 7 girls cricket festival @ Bedminster Cricket Club 9:45-2:15pm

A great start to our rounders season - Rounders results

On Tuesday 16 May the Year 7, 8 & 9/10 rounders teams played against Oasis Brightstowe (Away).

All three teams won! The Year 7 Team won 16.5 - 13, Year 8 Team 29 - 9 & Year 9/10 17.5 - 15.5. Well Done Girls!

Great Britain Skeleton Athlete - Milly Kellyman

Milly Kellyman came and delivered a talk on her career as GB Skeleton athlete. She discussed the motivation and determination that is required to succeed as an elite athlete, as well as sharing tips with the students, specifically citing intrinsic motivation, even when the going gets tough. She spoke with some of the Year 9 Sports students as well as the Year 8 Executive Student Leadership Team.

Both the Year 9 students and the Year 8 Executive Student Leadership Team had an opportunity to meet the athlete and ask her questions. Milly listened to their aspirations and gave advice to each student on their chosen path.

Milly discussed the hardship of missing out on her dream to compete at the Olympics following a significant injury and spoke of how she moved past to go on and have a successful career still working in Elite sport helping to support current athletes.

Millie commented on how impressed she was with all the students and wishes them the best for the future. Thank you Milly for giving up your time and inspiring our students!

@millykellyman

@Britishalthetes

Year 9 Photo_Edited.jpg

Cotham School Trips facilitated by Careers

Envision

Tuesday 9 May 2023, Year 9 students visited the Wills Conference centre to deliver their final presentation for their social action project. The students dedication to their project of offering a "buddying" programme to incoming Year 7 students was evidenced by their professional communication style, passion and creativity when devising their plans and brilliant teamwork when answering panel questions. Well done Cotham you are amazing.

High Fliers

Congratulations to Vismaya, Zoya, Karina, Phoenix of Year 9 who on Tuesday 9 May 2023 took part in the Flying start Challenge Final at Bristol University's annual event which was against many schools in the South West Region. This group of young engineers and designers worked incredibly hard in preparation towards the final, on the day itself preparing their final presentation and ensuring that their glider could improve on its flight distance by making modifications to its wing span and weighting. On the day itself the groups had a tour of the Engineering Faculty and experienced the flight simulator. Feedback from the graduate volunteers and Bristol University staff commented on the superb behaviour and enthusiasm demonstrated by this group. We look forward to running the school heats in the Autumn for current Year 8 students.

Well done we are so very proud of you.

Hydrock

Thursday 11 May 2023, Year 9 young women of science visited Hydrock for a second time. Following on from the previous visit which saw students designing new towns; Students were able to see the plans for how the "WAVE" was planned and constructed. Students visited the WAVE to see the science in action, and then returned to consider and test out their models for how to construct a modern and efficient building whilst giving consideration to the prevention of flooding of existing waterways and maintain equilibrium in the natural surroundings. We all realised that the study of Geography is definitely a super power for all Civil and Structural engineering projects. Hydrock are recruiting Apprentices directly from Year 11 - we hope we have given Cotham Students an excellent chance of success.

Cambridge University Open Days, Thursday 6 July and Friday 7 July

This is a great opportunity for prospective applicants to visit the University, including departments, most colleges, and other facilities. It is primarily aimed at Year 12 students, but interested students of all ages are more than welcome!

Please register your attendance with the central University here: Cambridge Open Days | Undergraduate Study

Mental Health Awareness Week Monday 15 May - Sunday 21 May 2023

The official theme for this year, as set by the Mental Health Foundation, is ‘anxiety’. Off The Record offer services and resources that you may find helpful if your young people are struggling with anxiety. Please see their latest May Newsletter here:

Year 9 - Surprise Me Homework

Year 9 were set Surprise Me Homework during Easter and this is what they came up with ..

SURPRISE ME HOMEWORK ! French Y9 2023

Year 9 Art

Continuing to look at the work of Klari Reis, this week class 9YA came up with these wonderful experimental responses.

WOTW Y9 9YA Klari Reis.pdf

Post 16

Lanyards

We would like to ask for your support to encourage all P16 students to wear their lanyards at all times for the safety of all of our students. If students need a new lanyard, you can order one on Wisepay, If students get the bursary, they should see Ms Lugg Williams who will order them one at no cost. If they need a new string or plastic casing, they can drop into Charnwood reception and we will provide one. This is an especially timely reminder for Year 13 as they will not be able to get into their summer exams on time without one.

Exams

Please see our NBP16 Summer exams FAQ page which should answer any questions you may have.

Coming Up Soon...

Have a Big Night Out & Support Young Bristol - Saturday 10 June 2023 at The Jam Jar!

Follow the link to book your tickets

Oracy Project - Bristol Education Partnership

On Tuesday 27 June, Cotham will be hosting an event on behalf of Bristol Educational Partnership and their collaborative project, Oracy Pioneers. The project has involved Year 9 students from all the participating schools attending oracy workshops run by Unique Voice, and then designing and delivering their own oracy workshops to younger students. The aim of the project is to raise the profile of oracy in schools, and provide our students with more opportunities to develop their oracy skills. On the day we will be taking feedback and ideas from all the brilliant Year 9 students who participated, so that they can have their say in how we move forward with teaching high quality oracy skills across all our schools.

Tuesday 4 July - Apprenticeships & careers in the NHS & Adult Social care - it isn’t all health care!

There are many different apprenticeships on offer in a whole host of departments, all with similar progression opportunities accessible via an apprenticeship.

We will be joined by Louisa Pinkstone, Apprenticeship Manager at United Hospitals Bristol & Weston (UHBW), Healthier Together and Brunel Care.

Follow the link to come and hear about what apprenticeships look like with these employers, the different opportunities available and how to support your child through that all important application process, be that now or in the future!

Thursday 6 July - Apprenticeships & careers in Construction

Please join as we explore the different construction apprenticeship opportunities available in the region, the progression pathways, how to secure one and the reality of working in industry.

We will be joined by Onsite, a Bristol based construction training provider. Building Bristol who work with employers in the region looking at redevelopment to support with creating new employment opportunities, including apprenticeships, and Shared Apprenticeships an employer of apprenticeships from entry level to degree, all within the construction sector.

Please follow the link to book, ask questions and learn how to support your child through that all important application process, be that now or in the future!

Tuesday 11 July - Apprenticeships & careers in Hospitality

Hospitality is an industry that can often be forgotten and seen as a stop gap for moving on elsewhere. There are so many different avenues you can pursue once you get your foot through the door by the means of an apprenticeship.

We will be joined by the School of Food, the Hotelier’s Association and Nando’s. Who will share their insight into industry, progression routes available and remove some of the myths associated with this sector. Follow the link to book and come and listen, ask questions, and learn how to support your child through that all important application process.

And don't forget from last time....

Y11 Leavers Party/Prom 2023

Year 11 are holding their Leavers Party/Prom at:

The Bristol Hotel,
Prince Street,
Bristol,
BS1 4QF

on Wednesday 28 June from 7:30pm – 11:30pm

Tickets £35 -This price covers the hire of the venue, food, DJ and unlimited visits to the photo booth. The organising committee have worked hard to keep the price reasonable. If anyone thinks they will struggle to pay the ticket price please contact buckleyb@cotham.bristol.sch.uk at the school for help.

This date has been chosen as it is the same day as the North Bristol Post 16 transition day. There are 170 tickets which will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Please follow the link to refer to letters that were sent to Parents/Carers last week.

Young Enterprise Support:

Next year we will be running the Young Enterprise Company Programme for our Post 16 students and would like a Business Mentor to support us. This would entail using your business experience to help students set up and run a successful business over an academic year; mentoring, facilitation, instilling business acumen and encouraging them to overcome and learn from various challenges and setbacks. You work closely with a member of the teaching staff from the Social Sciences faculty. This role requires an enhanced disclosure with the DBS Update Service and online safeguarding training (which the school can facilitate).

The commitment would be to attend the weekly team meetings for at least one hour during term time (perhaps 20-25 meetings over the course of an academic year). These may be during the school day, or run as extra-curricular activities after school. We intend to operate the scheme from September through to May. The experience of helping a young company develop and grow over several months, encountering and tackling a variety of real business issues, can be very rewarding indeed.

We would be especially interested to hear from BAME business leaders in the local area. If you or any of your contacts might be able to assist us, please email: post16@cotham.bristol.sch.uk and mark your message for the attention of Hannah Radford Hines.

Digital Literacy Corner

Latest Parent Online Safety Cheat Sheet

What Parents & Carers Need to Know about Age-Inappropriate Content

Social Media

Gaming

Streaming

Adverts

Parents - Age Inappropiate.pdf

Our latest GCSE Pod Usage

Welcome! GCSEPod is the perfect resource to help your child learn, retain and recall all the information they need to achieve their GCSE goals.

Learn more about GCSEPod Here

Pods watched this academic year

6,274

Number of Pods watched so far in Term 4

693

Most watched subject this week

History!

Our latest Seneca Learning Usage

Seneca offers high-quality free online learning courses for students to study from a computer, tablet or phone. The courses are suitable for students aged 13 and above and cover KS3, KS4 GCSE and KS5 A Level subjects.

We are Premium subscribers to this service which unlocks further features of the platform.

Learn more about Seneca Learning Here