Achievement | Diversity | Respect
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 9 September 2024 is Week B
Standing Items are located at the bottom of the mailing
Dear Parents and Carers,
Please find our weekly mailing which I hope you will find both useful and interesting!
In this week's video, I share exciting updates about Cotton School's new academic year. Year 7s are off to a fantastic start, and we have amazing news about our students' exam results. Plus, I'll talk about the second-hand uniform drive and some important reminders. Don't forget to check out the fundraiser for our refugee children's trip to a farm!
With very best wishes for a relaxing weekend.
Kindest regards,
Ms Jo Butler, Headteacher
Cotham School is proud to announce a remarkable set of GCSE results this year, showcasing the hard work and determination of our students. We have seen a number of students achieving top grades, at grades 9 to 7 across a wide range of subjects.
These results reflect not only the dedication of our students but also the unwavering support from our committed teaching staff. Despite the challenges of the past academic year, our students have risen to the occasion, demonstrating resilience and a strong work ethic.
We are incredibly proud of each student’s achievements, which lay a solid foundation for their future success, whether they continue their education here at Cotham School or pursue new opportunities elsewhere. As a community, we celebrate these accomplishments and look forward to the continued success of our students.
We're excited to announce that the enrichment timetable for Term 1 is now available. This schedule outlines the exciting extracurricular activities and clubs your child can participate in at Cotham School.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our teachers listed on the timetable.
Download Link to Extracurricular Timetable:
For our students at Cotham School to access their full educational entitlement, regular attendance is imperative. We understand that there can be challenges to ensuring your child attends regularly.
It is equally important that all students arrive on time for the start of the school day. There is less chance of success if pupils are late for school. Only 15 minutes late each day adds up to 2 full weeks of education lost in one academic year.
Please find the catering update and menu for this academic year here.
Our school has recently been awarded School of Sanctuary Status in recognition of its dedicated efforts in supporting asylum seekers, refugees, and their families. This achievement highlights the school's commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for students from all backgrounds.
As a diverse educational institution, Cotham School has worked closely with students, staff, and governors to create a safe and welcoming atmosphere for all. The school’s asylum seekers and refugee students feel secure and happy, and they take pride in supporting new arrivals.
The EAL team would like to offer an opportunity for a week's stay on a working farm, Shallowford Farm, in Devon for our asylum seeking and refugee children seeking refuge in Bristol and beyond. Many live with displacement, many in hotels and temporary accommodation. Home cooked food is a rarity due to finances and lack of equipment/kitchen provisions.
This trip would offer the opportunity to stay on a working farm, support cleaning and feeding the animals, and support farmers in day to day roles. Students will be able to take walks in the beautiful countryside, connect with each other away from a classroom environment and in nature and finally enjoy wonderful home cooked meals - three times a day!
We are grateful for any donation, however small, and would also appreciate you sharing this GoFundMe link amongst your networks.
Thank-you!
EAL Team
We are accepting donations of all clean and good condition uniform items. Donations can be dropped off at the school's main reception or student reception. Thank you once again for all your kind support.
The Get into Medicine or Get Into Dentistry Conference is a complete guide to the medical or dental application journey.
Students will be awarded a certificate of attendance which can be listed on their UCAS applications for ‘activities that support higher education’.
Students and parents can register for free here:
Medicine: Please click here.
Dentistry: Please click here.
In our welcome back to school assemblies this week, we have focused on a better understanding of the school values (Achievement, Diversity and Respect) and explained to students that this term's focus will be on 'Respect'. Students will participate in a range of activities to promote the value of respect in assemblies, tutor time, in lessons and social times. Students will be rewarded with achievement points when they actively demonstrate the value of respect in lessons and around the school.
Please select the Year Group of interest.
Our new Year 7's have been with us just under a week and they have made an amazing start. They have really emerged themselves into the Cotham swing of things and finding their feet.
This hasn't gone unnoticed, members of staff have been singing their praises. Well done Year 7!!!
Best wishes
Miss S Wellington
It has been fantastic to welcome our new Year 8 students back into school this week. As students were told in their welcome back assembly, the standards of behaviour and achievement that they set last year will take a lot of beating but I am confident that this amazing group has the ability, maturity and enthusiasm to do just that.
We spoke about the trips and events that took place last year such as camp, Legoland, Treetops Adventure, mural painting, table tennis and football tournaments as well as some of the excellent achievements in the year group including one of the highest number of house points I have ever seen from a single year group.
The start that they have made in lessons this year only reaffirms the pride I have in working with such a fantastic group of young people and reassures me that great things lie ahead for them, this coming year and beyond.
On a separate note, you may be aware that Ms Svitska has moved onto another opportunity in London and we say goodbye to her with fondness and thanks for the hard work she put into supporting your children last year.
As a result, should you wish to contact the school regarding anything, please contact your child’s tutor in the first instance. I can also be reached at knighto@cotham.bristol.sch.uk
Kindest regards
Mr O Knight
I am delighted to welcome back our students as Year 9s. This is a significant year, with many exciting opportunities ahead, including reward trips, personal growth, effective learning, and preparation for GCSEs. We are also pleased to introduce our new Year Team Assistant, Ms Catalina. Together, we look forward to making this academic year a great success.
Best wishes
Mr T Lawrence
It has been great to see the Year 10 students return to Cotham. As expected the first few days have been a great way to catch up with friends and exchange stories of what everybody did over the summer. Students were welcomed back with key messages from staff about key changes as well as the core values of the school. This terms main focus is respect. Year 10 students were challenged to think about respect and what it means to them.
Best wishes
Mr D Farmer
It was lovely to welcome back Year 11 students this week. They all looked refreshed and ready for their final year. I have spent some time speaking to them and finding out what they did in the holidays, it has been nice to hear the things they have been up to. I have been impressed by their attitude and behaviour, they have shown both in the Year11 assembly and fire drill practice. I am looking forward to supporting them for their final part of their journey in Year 11 Mrs Arnold.
Best wishes
Mrs L Arnold
We are celebrating yet another increase in the number of our Post 16 students achieving the top grades, reflecting the hard work and perseverance of our students and the staff at North Bristol Post 16, who have worked tirelessly alongside them.
Results day was a day of celebration, with 90% of Cotham university applicants securing their first choice and many moving on to some of the most competitive institutions, nationally and internationally. We also had a record number of students moving on to apprenticeships, with several who have secured highly competitive degree apprenticeships in fields including engineering and law.
We are so proud to see so many of our students able to move onto their chosen destinations and we are confident that they have built the skills and experience that will enable them to thrive.
'Ri-spekt'
Meaning:
Considering the rights, wishes or feelings of others (noun or verb, depending on use).
Admiring something or someone for their achievements or qualities (noun or verb, depending on use).
Example:
Silently facing the front of the classroom when the teacher is talking shows how respectful you are.
Respect your right to education by working hard in lessons.
Synonyms:
Consideration, thoughtfulness, politeness…
'Ri-spekt'
Meaning:
Considering the rights, wishes or feelings of others (noun or verb, depending on use).
Admiring something or someone for their achievements or qualities (noun or verb, depending on use).
Example:
Silently facing the front of the classroom when the teacher is talking shows how respectful you are.
Respect your right to education by working hard in lessons.
Synonyms:
Consideration, thoughtfulness, politeness…
It can be very easy online for children to behave in a way that they would not if they were face to face with each other.
Talk to your child about how they speak to others online and encourage them to talk to people online with respect and kindness, like they would if they were face-to-face. How they act online should be how they behave on the school playground when they are following school rules. Here are some examples of what being unkind looks like online:
Sending nasty or hurtful messages
Leaving unkind comments
Sharing photographs of somebody else without their permission
Excluding somebody on purpose
Impersonating somebody with a fake account
Telling/sharing lies
The above might happen whilst your child is gaming online or whilst using social media or messaging apps for example.
What should I do if my child is being bullied online?
Ensure that your child understands that if they receive unkind messages or see something that worries them, they should not reply or engage in conversation with the perpetrator. Instead, they should tell a trusted adult. You can use the tools within an app to report any offensive or hurtful content as well as block people so they cannot contact them again in the future.
Starting a conversation with your child
BBC Own It have curated a selection of videos and quizzes with ideas and advice to help make the web a kinder place. You could use these to help you start a conversation with your child.
Support Information Links:
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