Achievement    |    Diversity   |    Respect


27 September 2024

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 30 September 2024 is Week A

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Standing Items are located at the bottom of the mailing

Headteacher's Welcome

Dear Parents and Carers,

Please find our weekly mailing which I hope you will find both useful and interesting. Some highlights this week include Open Evening and mornings news,  an update on Black History Month preparation, House News and Poetry Competition,  the Duke of Edinburgh award and CUE Theatre Group.

With very best wishes for a relaxing weekend.

Kindest regards,  

Ms Jo Butler, Headteacher

Positive Feedback of the Week 👍

Email sent to Heads PA


"On Wednesday we went to the Cotham School Open Day with our youngest.  We were so impressed with how the school presented itself and the enthusiasm of the teachers, supporting staff and current students. It was inspirational, well done!"


Many thanks

Prospective Parent

Thank you

Announcements and Reminders

Please Save these Dates in your Diary!

We warmly invite all prospective parents and carers  to our Open Mornings. Please visit our website and book a place.

Enrichment Club Timetable

Please find the latest copy of the Enrichment activity timetable attached. We have added some new music clubs that will be starting next week! 

Additional clubs have been highlighted on the timetable .

Thank you.

Download link to Extracurricular Timetable:

Year 6 Open Evening!!

We wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who came along to our KS3 Open Evening. It was fantastic to meet so many of you and share what our school has to offer.

Our student digital leadership group has put together a fun TikTok video about the evening. Be sure to follow our socials to check it out!

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Reporting Absence

If you are reporting the absence of your child, you must notify attendance on a daily basis.  Please fill out the Year 7 - 11 absence form which is on our website.  Absence must be reported by 9.00am, otherwise it will result in an absence message still being sent home.  If there is no response to the message, a follow up letter requesting the reason for absence will be sent home.

Travelling to School - By Train

The nearest train station is Redland station which is a 10-minute walk from the school. Next is the Clifton Down train station which is a 12 minute walk from the school. 

School Rail Season Ticket

GWR and the Severnside Community Rail Partnership have been working with Cotham School to ensure the experience of travel to school by train is safe and pleasant for everyone involved in the journey, including students, members of the public and GWR staff working on trains. 

Rather than provide students with a daily fare, we would like to encourage families to purchase a reduced rail season ticket.  GWR has kindly agreed to offer a rail season ticket for just £60.00 to cover the whole academic year. Payment can be made in full (£60.00) for Terms 1 – 6, or by the following payment options: 

Terms 1 and 2 - £21

Terms 3 and 4 - £20

Terms 5 and 6 - £20

GWR School Rail Season Ticket 2024_25

Youth Theatre Opportunities Available Locally

Amazing youth theatre classes are available to build up the confidence in 12-18 year olds through drama techniques.  You can build a network of friendship groups too.  They have a wealth of experience and specially trained teachers who can help to develop public speaking skills to help students and give them a sense of empowerment.

Drama Kids - COLOUR Youth Theatre Letter.pdf
Drama Kids - Adults enrolling now flyer.pdf

Lost Property

A large number of coats have been abandoned in the student reception area.  Please remind your child to visit student reception to look through the lost property cupboard by the end of Friday 11 October 2024.

Year 11 Prom Parent/Carer Committee Needed

The Year 11 Prom is not organised by Cotham School.  A parent/carer committee is needed to organise and oversee the Prom.  If you would like to be part of the committee, please communicate between yourselves and your children to form it.

Once the committee has been formed please contact Mrs Arnold  via email: arnoldl@cotham.bristol.sch.uk

Black History Month at Cotham

We are excited to share with you some exciting events and activities coming up next week as part of our Black History Month celebrations at Cotham:

Amazing Art Classes for Adult Beginners - Coming Soon!!!

See attached flyer for details.  Please call up to book a place for yourself!

Paint and Draw - Adult Art Classes.pdf

Year Group News

Year 7

Year 7 News

We would like to say a massive thank you to the six Year 7 students that spoke at our open evening this week.  All students spoke with so much confidence and enthusiasm about their time at Cotham.  Miss Wellington is very proud of you!  Well done Fatima K, Ruby H, Merryn, Liam M, Bonnie and Zaied. 

Y7 Shoutouts

Congratulations to 7KMA and 7ALE on getting shout outs from their Science and Maths teachers this week.  Both departments have praised these tutor groups for working really hard in lessons. 

Year 8

Update

Year 8 has been firing on all cylinders this week.  Attending clubs, achieving plenty of house points and helping a number of new students to the year group.

I want to give a special mention and celebrate the fantastic work of a large group of our Year 8 students, who played a pivotal role in this week’s Year 6 Open Evening. Acting as tour guides, they showcased both their leadership and communication skills, guiding prospective students and their families around the school with confidence and enthusiasm.  The feedback from visiting families was overwhelmingly positive.  They were impressed not only by the knowledge our students shared but also by the warmth and friendliness with which they welcomed everyone.  A proud moment for the year team seeing Year 8 taking on this responsibility with such professionalism and with pride.

The year team is busy planning inter-tutor activities and celebrations for great attendance and housepoints.  Watch this space over the next few weeks.

Year 9

Welcomes, Tours, and New Beginnings

A big shout-out to Ella and Khalid for stepping up and doing a brilliant job with the Open Evening tours.  They represented Year 9 with real class – thank you both!

We also want to give a warm welcome to our newest students: Rand, Israa, Umeyma, Merina, Maria, Abdirahman, Milav, and Stefano.  They've all settled in wonderfully, and we're thrilled to have them as part of our school community!  Keep up the great work, everyone!

⭐

Year 10

Duke of Edinburgh Launch 

An extra assembly was given this week to launch this year's Duke of Edinburgh award.  An excellent presentation by Mr Barber, who leads the programme at Cotham, saw a large interest from Year 10 students.

Respect 

We continued our focus on the value of respect with an assembly led by Mrs. Leong.  With a key focus on respect to all communities, races, sexualities and religions. This was well received by Year 10 who engaged with an open mind. 

Year 11

Year 11 Shout Outs

With such a positive start to Year 11 it is lovely to share some shout outs from staff for our Year11 students:

Shout out to Alafiyah who has turned a new leaf in Year11 and is smiling and positive.

Shout out to Umer, who despite not feeling very well, worked super hard in class, completed all his tasks, and was amongst the most engaged students in the room, helping the class understand the maths behind working on monthly payments on a loan.

Congratulations to the Year 11 Drama stars of the week:

Lila - for superb team work

Archie - for contributions to discussions

Thank you Year 11 who Supported Open Evening

It was great to see so many Year 11 students give up their time and be school ambassadors  on Open Evening.  They did an amazing job of taking families around on tours of the school  and supporting in faculty areas. Thank you Year 11. 

Year 11 3x3 Basketball Tournament 

From the streets of America, to the Olympics, to Cotham School.  This week the Year 11 3x3 Basketball Tournament will begin! 

With the best basketball players that Cotham School has to offer going head to head - there's a few early favourites already with 11 SME talking the talk, but with the game being so fast, anything is possible!  

Year 11 Period 6

Students are engaged in their learning and attendance has been very good.

Please note that Period 6 will be NOT be running on the following dates:

Please be advised that Parents/Carers will no longer receive Period 6 text reminders the day before but they will receive email reminders.

If your child is not able to attend Period 6 for any reason please can you notify the school in advance so that they are not recorded as absent (please email Year 11 Period 6 email on Year11period6@cotham.bristol.sch.uk ).

Year 11 Attendance Rewards 

Year 11 students are being rewarded for 100% attendance.  This week "Skip the Queue cards" were handed out to students who are in school every day, this will be a weekly reward. 

Year 11 Assessments

Year 11Assesment Calendar and Examination Preparation booklet.

The year 11 mock exams will take place the week prior and after the half term. 

Weeks commencing 21 October and 4 November 2024

Please find links to both the calendar and preparation booklet to help and support students with preparing and revising for their exams.  The exam dates are at the bottom of each subject and exams will take place in the sports hall. 

North Bristol Post 16

Subject Change Week

This week was subject change week.  If your young person has decided to change a subject, you would have signed an orange form to confirm this choice.  This form is also signed by subject teachers and Post 16 Leadership. Once a subject change has been approved, students will receive an email with their new timetable.  Students should attend their lessons until this happens. 

Student Leadership

This week was a very busy week at P16.  The candidates for President and Vice President were hosted, and shortlisted candidates gave a speech to all students on Wednesday at lunchtime.  The ballot opened this morning and we will be announcing the successful candidates next week.  We would like to say huge well done to all candidates, we were blown away by their dedication and passion.  Watch this space for the announcement of our Student Leadership Team 2024/25 next week!

Subject Announcements

English

Oracy at Cotham

One of our school priorities is to develop the oracy (speaking and listening) skills of our students in their learning and through extra-curricular activities.  Ms Wyles has lead a number of amazing events already this term.  To name a few: our first debate club with Year 8-10 students; chairing a meeting of Bristol oracy leaders; and co-ordinating teachers around the school who are 'Oracy Champions' -  looking at how we use speaking and listening in lessons from MFL to Maths, Science to Humanities.  We also have an exciting event in 2 weeks' time: two of our Post 16 students are finalists in the YouthTalks competition taking place at BGS on Thursday 10 October.  Do contact Ms Wyles if you'd like more information or will be able to attend to support the students.

Many thanks.

Jenny Sainsbury
Assistant Headteacher

STEAM

Work of the Week

This week,  year 8 and 11 students have been learning about portraiture and features. Both years will be creating self portraits this term. Prior to creating their portraits, they will be learning how to draw the features of the face. They have beautifully shown their technique of shape, tone and texture through these drawings and are working on proportion and accuracy. 

Performing Arts

Cue Drama Group - Monday Evenings at Cotham from  Monday 7 October 2024

CUE is a popular, fun Drama Club running at Cotham School every Monday Evening.

We have an ACTING session and a MUSICAL THEATRE session.  Members can do one or both sessions every Monday.

New members from all year groups are very welcome to join.  There will be a free, no obligation TASTER SESSION in school on Thursday 3 October 2024.

Interested pupils just need to add their name to the sign up sheet in the Performing Arts Building.

Any questions, please contact: cue.theatrecompany@gmail.com

House Announcement

New Omega House Charity..

Omega house students have the opportunity to vote for a new house charity this week.   Students are shown profiles of the six charities chosen by prefects and asked to vote using an individual voting slip system. 

The six options are South West Children's Hospice, Bristol Age UK, RSPB, Cancer Research UK, Caring in Bristol and Choose Love. 

The prefects will tot up the votes and we will share the results with the house next week! 

House Charity Pp

House Respect Poetry Competition 

Submit a poem to Google classroom (200 words max) inspired by the quote: "My identity doesn’t harm you.  Respect my right to my identity and I will respect your right to yours."  It can be handwritten or electronic, and visuals are welcome! 📝🎨 Four winners will each receive a £10 shopping voucher, chosen by Ms. Leong and Ms. Madge. Deadline: Monday 14 October.  Winners' poems will be displayed in the hub.  Good luck! 🌟

Respect Reward Announcement!

Heads of Houses and SLT will give out certificates for acts of respect in school and lessons by Cotham students.  Every certificate will count as an entry into the reward raffle.  Each month, a raffle will be drawn from recipients, with winners receiving a phone call home, a box of chocolates, and flowers!  Teachers and tutors will help identify deserving students.  Show respect and you could be rewarded!

'Be Present Today, Have Potential for Tomorrow'

Well done to Delta House for securing the highest house attendance for week 3 of term 1.

Literacy

KS3

Word of the Week

Fortnight

'Fawt-nyt'

Meaning:

Two weeks (noun).

Example:

You have a fortnight to do your homework.

See you in a fortnight. 

Synonyms:

Two weeks, half a month…

KS4

Word of the Week

Consensus

'Kuhn-sen-suhs'

Meaning:

Come to an agreement (noun).

Example:

The consensus was that Saturday is the best day of the week.

We need to reach a consensus on this issue. 

Synonyms:

Agreement, acceptance, consent…

Digital Literacy Corner

Topic: Mobile phones: do you know the risks?

We know that children having access to a smartphone can expose children to risks including:

What effects do mobile phones have on children’s mental health?

Compass discuss the research around this important topic, outlining the positive and negative effects that mobile phones have:

https://www.compass-uk.org/services/compass-changing-lives/what-effects-do-mobile-phones-have-on-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health/

EE launches Age Guidance

EE has launched age guidance for smartphone usage to improve children’s digital wellbeing. In summary, they recommend that children under 11 should use non-smart devices, for children aged 11-13, they advise that if a smartphone is used, then parental controls should be enabled and access to social media restricted. Finally, for 13-16-year-olds they still recommend that parental controls are implemented and appropriate restrictions set up.

You can read the full guidance here:

https://newsroom.ee.co.uk/ee-launches-age-guidance-for-smartphone-usage-in-drive-to-improve-childrens-digital-wellbeing/ 


Could you delay when your child is given a smartphone with Smartphone Free Childhood?

The premise behind this movement is that all parents/carers of a class all agree not to give their children smartphones (therefore the level of peer pressure is reduced) for a set time or until a specific age:

https://smartphonefreechildhood.co.uk/ 

Standing Items