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.Â
Email us: weeklymailing@cotham.bristol.sch.ukÂ
Week commencing Monday 6 January 2025 is Week B
Standing Items are located at the bottom of the mailing
Dear Parents and Carers,
As the festive season approaches, we wish you and your family a joyous Christmas and a prosperous New year. May the holiday season bring you peace, love and happiness.
Kindest regards,
Ms Jo Butler, Headteacher
Email received from the research team at King's College London
"Kate, so great to work with you again. You were so instrumental to the success of the first round [...] We have concluded our initial qualitative phase of the research. We spoke to over 200 young people attending secondary schools in Bristol and London over the past 10 months or so. It was incredible to have so many Cotham students involved (50+) and we hope they found taking part in this research meaningful and interesting."
Research Team
Another email received
"Dear Ms Wellington and Ms Veale
Thank you so much for organising the panto trip today. It sounds as if it was a real success and the Year 7s had a great time.
Many thanks for all your hard work. "
Year 7 Parent
Thank you
We were delighted to be able to host our first Cooking Club of the academic year last Friday, supporting our asylum-seeker students living in hotels.
Students and their families had the opportunity to come together, prepare, and enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal.Â
We are excited to continue this initiative on a regular basis from Term 3, with sessions taking place every other Friday during Week B.
Thank you to Miss Rios for organising and for the staff volunteering.Â
Thank you to all the students who submitted entries for the Cotham Christmas card competition. Our congratulations to the overall winner of the competition, Kazi, who will receive 20 printed copies of the actual Christmas card with their design and a £20 Amazon voucher, and also to the runner up Lena who will receive a £10 Amazon voucher. Well done to everyone!
Christmas cards collage.pdfMonday 6 January 2025 is a NORMAL DAY for all students.Â
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 reason for absence will be sent home.
You will have received an email with instructions about how to make an appointment for parents evening on 9 January. Please contact skinnerk@cotham.bristol.sch.uk if you are experiencing any problems with booking an appointment.
From the 2026 cycle, UCAS Tariff points will be allocated to Level 3 and SCQF Level 6 apprenticeships. Fantastic news for any apprentices that have achieved, or are working towards completing an apprenticeship in understand ing options for their next steps should they wish to enter higher education.
School Poster - NEW Happy Holiday reading everyone. Log onto our ePLATFORM Library which has over 2000 free online books to choose from. And remember the READATHON. There is plenty of time for you to join in and raise money for sick children. If you have forgotten to get your form, no problem! Just make a note of all the books/magazines etc you read over the holiday and let Ms Payne know when you return in January. Please click on the links for more information.Â
2024 weekly mailing eBOOKS holiday WM over the holidays READATHON 2024 25 - Della Payne.docxAs the school holidays approach, it's important to take time for yourself. Use this break to relax, recharge, and focus on your well-being. Whether it's getting enough rest, doing something creative, or spending time with loved ones, make sure you prioritise self-care. Itâs the perfect opportunity to reset, so you can come back feeling refreshed and ready for the new term!
Find out more about self-care here .
We're thrilled to announce upcoming beginner art classes for children in Bristol and Bath! These classes are designed to spark creativity, encourage self-expression and provide a fun and engaging learning experience.
Beginner's Draw Classes - Start Date: Monday 13 January 2025 for 6 weeks
Beginner's Paint Classes - Start Date: Monday 3 March 2025 for 5 weeks
From pencil and paints to pastels and charcoal, your child will have the opportunity to explore different artistic techniques.
We are 2 terms down and the Year 7s continue to be great!
Behaviour and overall attitude to learning and exhibiting our Cotham school values has continued to exceed my expectations.Â
Keep it up guys!
7NJ were fantastic for their assessment in MFL.
It's the first time they've had a formal assessment and they behaved brilliantly, respectfully and tried hard!
Mrs A Bingham
Congratulations to the following students to be one of the first set of students to win an award and recognition for their great achievements since starting at Cotham in our Winter Awards Assembly;
Bella and Lucas - 7AB
Grishma and Zaied - 7DW
Lana and Tomi - 7ALE
Balal and Hailey - 7KMA
Lucas and Maha - 7NJ
Demi and Bailey - 7ZV
Nahla and Zadok - 7PD
Leo and Alana - 7CC
Zubeyr and Melisa - 7CB
KK - 7ALE
Rubi - 7CC
Katia -7PD
7ZV, 7CB and 7AB
From the Year 7 team we wish you a restful winter break and Happy New Year when it comes!!!
See you in Term 3.
The Year 11 student prom committee have been busy organising a Year 7 Disco. This will take place on Wednesday 29 January 2025. Tickets will go on sale in January and will cost £2 and they will be for sale via Wise Pay and in the Hub for cash.
There will also be a cash only tuck shop.Â
A big congratulations to all of those who picked up awards at the Year 8 Winter Awards Assembly on Friday 13 December 2024. Students were recognised with LC Awards, Tutor Awards, a House Point raffle and finally an Extra chocolatey, additional raffle!
Well done to Saanvi, Ollie, Sumaya, Arjun, Elijah, Elmore, Edward, Amaal, Sophia, Emilia, Rasai, Xanthe, Zara, Aishani, Mohammed, Farah, Karim, Lola, Mia, Rachel, Shay, Daniels, Fiza, Vincent, Lara, Dominic, Usman, Lucy, and many more!Â
Well done to all students involved in the Term 2 Attendance challenge - it has been fantastic to see you all working towards reaching your goals! Lets keep this momentum going into Term 3!Â
Mr. DehaanÂ
KS4 Pathways Event: Wednesday 15 January 5.30pm
This is an in-person event for the Year 9 students and their families. The event will explain the KS4 pathways process. This process will allow Year 9 students to select their subject preferences for the subjects they would like to study in Year 10 and Year 11 .
If you have further questions please submit them to the KS4 Pathways email (ks4pathways@cotham.bristol.sch.uk)
A full letter about this will follow in the New Year.
Mrs KhanÂ
It has been a long, but rewarding term and we have made it to the end. I always say that the biggest asset we have in Year 9 are the families that the students come from. Our consistent collaboration makes things so much easier. Thank you all for everything this term, I wish all parents and carers happy holidays.Â
Congratulations to 9JG for becoming Year 9 football tutor league champions.
Congratulations to our Gamma House girls for becoming our girls House football champions.
Four students from each tutor group took part in our end of year rewards quiz this Wednesday.Â
Well done 10EM who won with a fantastic 31 out of 40!Â
On Wednesday 12 February 2024 from 4.30pm â 7.00pm there is an event for students interested in an engineering apprenticeship - come along to the BEMA Training Centre in Yate with parents/carers. Meet potential employers, current apprentices and see the engineering workshops and facilities. Booking your place via the website.
British Engineering Manufacturers' Association Limited,Â
5A Stover Road,
Yate. BS37 5JN
Tel: 01454 321356
Email: Bryan.Young@bema.co.uk
The Year 11 prom committee have lots of fundraising events to look forward to to in Term 3.Â
In January they are running the Year 7 Disco. Â
There will be a doughnut sale and cookie sale.Â
As well as organising the fundraising events, they will be starting work on the year book.Â
A big thank you to Lena who has kindly produced tutor slides advertising the events.Â
As we end another busy term, I want to thank Year 11 for showing how committed they are to their GCSE's. When we return there will be another round of Period 6 sessions and selected students will have now received their letters to let them know what subject they have been selected for.Â
February will see Year 11 sit mock exams during the weeks from Monday 3 February 2025 to Friday 14 February 2025. I hope Year 11 students have a restful break and take time over the holiday to relax and recharge ready for Term 3. Wishing all Year 11 and their families a very happy and restful holiday.Â
The Year 11 students have now received their offers to join North Bristol Post 16 Centre (Cotham) in September 2025 and need to log-in to Applicaa to accept their place. Subject change requests will still be considered later, but it is important to secure their place at the Centre early by accepting the offer.
Mrs ArnoldÂ
As we end Term 2 it is lovely to share lots of positive shoutouts for Year 11.
Ms Brooks would like to give a shout out to the following year 11 students:
Connor - Always seeking to improve in Spanish, polite inside and outside of lessons, a pleasure to teach!
Greta - Brings so much energy to lessons, worked SO hard for speaking and went in confidently and did really well.
Evie - Always very polite and respectful. Works really hard and is a pleasure to have in the class.
Freya - Works really hard in and outside of lessons and very respectful to everyone around her.
Jake - Great work being the moderator in a Spanish class debate on the pros and cons of school uniform.
Ms Kennedy gives a shout out to the following students:
Asma, Nathalie, Evie, Mike, Selena, Rosie, Waad for always working on challenge and independent tasks, for putting some hard work into their French GCSE ! Bravo !
Kuldeep for always being on time, prepared, ready to learn with such a positive attitude !
Mr Burfield gives a shout out to the following students:
Reye for improved hard work in Geography
Maida for consistently hard work in GeographyÂ
Yomna for improved hard work in GeographyÂ
Tristan for improved effort in Geography
Ms Wyles gives a shout out to:
11A2 - English. For making me laugh in spite of myself and being a genuinely charismatic bunch of human beings.
And in particular...
Imran - for a huge turnaround in focus and engagement since Year 10... I am really looking forward to seeing what he does in his next set of mocks.
Yeva - for showing fantastic resilience around English, always pushing herself and making great progress.
Nabiha - for constant maturity and engagement, even when others are behaving very differently.
Mr Worster gives a huge shout out to 11X/Gg2 - some really positive improvement off the back of our mock exam and some huge efforts in class recently. Particular shout out to Ash, Mohammed, Ridwan, Lena, Eliska, Sooniya, Amira, Nadia, Yeva, Seth and Connor for their brilliant work in Upgrade.
A massive happy winter break to 11JWO, they are consistently the best kids in school to spend the morning with! Thank you for being funny and lovely and kind⌠Even when Iâm notâŚ
Period 6 will be resuming as normal on Tuesday 7 January 2025. Students who are selected should have now received their timetable.
Please note that Period 6 will be NOT be running on the following dates:
Thursday 09 January - Year 13 Parents Evening
Wednesday 22 January - Year 9 Parents Evening
Tuesday 28 January - Staff Meeting
Thursday 06 February - Staff Meeting
Thursday 06 March - Year 7 Parents Evening
Thursday 20 March - Year 12 Parents Evening
Thursday 03 April - Year 8 Parents Evening
Year 13 Parents' Evening is taking place on Thursday 9 January 2025.
The event will take place between 3.45pm and 6.45pm.
Parents and carers will have the opportunity to meet your childâs tutor for a 15-minute appointment to discuss your childâs engagement and wellbeing, participation in the wider life of the school, and to set targets for the remainder of the year.
Please visit SchoolCloud website to book your appointment.
You will have received an email with instructions about how to make an appointment for parents evening on 9 January. Please contact skinnerk@cotham.bristol.sch.uk if you are experiencing any problems with booking an appointment.
Year 7 have been inspired by the renowned artist, Hundertwasser, creating stunning environmental posters. The students have channelled their creativity and passion for the environment into vibrant and thought-provoking artworks. There were so many pieces of work to choose from.Â
For the build up to Half Term we have had plenty of fun, tasty sweet bakes. Year 7 mastering Mince Pies- Year 8 mixing Raspberry & White Choc Chip Muffins and Year 9 perfecting Profiteroles with Christmas songs playing in the background.Â
Miss Burt will also be holding the Star Bakers Award. A selection of students were chosen to receive a free Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows for their exemplary behaviour in the Food Science Rooms. Well Done to everyone who have created amazing dishes this term.Â
This term has been filled with incredible sporting achievements for our students across a fixtures in a variety of sports.
Some standout successes include:
đ Year 7 Sports Hall Athletics Team qualifying for the County Finals
đ Year 10 Girls Netball Team going unbeaten throughout their fixtures
A huge congratulations to all our students for their hard work, and team spirit. Weâre excited to see what the next term brings!
Since September, Gamma House has thrived with events raising funds for Bristol and Weston Hospitals Charity. Highlights include a Spookfest Bake Sale, Candy Cane Message Sale, inter-house sports competitions, and history contests. These activities fostered community spirit, brought house members together, and encouraged both fun and friendly competition. Thank you so much for your generous contributions!
A huge congratulations to Mr. Sebana (Omega), Miss Forbes (Delta), and Mr. Vohra (Sigma) from me, Miss Madge, on your incredible leadership! Your hard work in charity fundraising, inter-house competitions, and fostering healthy rivalry has been inspiring. Itâs been a pleasure competing alongside youâthough Iâll be honest, Iâm still trying to beat you for most House Points! Keep up the amazing work; Gamma is proud to have such fantastic house leaders to go up against!
Please check your emails for the termly Bristol Education Partnership letter from Mr Buchanan.
'Rez-uh-loo-shun'
Meaning:
A firm decision to do or not to do something (noun).
Example:
My New Yearâs resolution is to go to sleep earlier.Â
Choose an achievable resolution to work on.
Synonyms:
Intention, aim, pledgeâŚ
Users should be at least 13 years old to use WhatsApp.Â
We frequently receive reports of children not using WhatsApp appropriately, such as sharing images to embarrass others, sending hurtful messages, spreading rumours, or excluding people from group chats to make them feel left out.
Since WhatsApp lacks parental controls, it is important to think about whether it is really the right platform for your child. For example, you should consider if your child has the critical thinking skills to recognise bullying. Furthermore, do they understand how to manage peer pressure and refrain from joining in on harmful behaviour?
If your child is using WhatsApp, it is crucial to have regular conversations with them. Talk about who they are chatting with, encourage them to think carefully about the messages they send and how they might be perceived by others. Finally, make sure to model good digital behaviour yourself, as children often learn by observing the adults around them.
What should I be aware of if my child is using WhatsApp?
Group chats: Everyone within a group, even if they are not one of your childâs contacts, will be able to see all messages within that group. If your child is added to a group with someone that they have previously blocked, that person can still see their messages and send them messages within the group chat. If your child is using WhatsApp, check their group privacy settings to see who can add them to groups. Ensure your child understands that they can leave a chat at any time, and they know how to report users. Find out more here: https://faq.whatsapp.com/424124173736394Â
Inappropriate content: users can be exposed to content that is not suitable for their age.
Location sharing: talk to your child about when this would be appropriate to use and the potential danger of sharing their location.
Chat lock/secret code: users can lock chats as well as apply a secret code setting so a chat does not appear in the main chat.
Blocking/Reporting: Show your child how to block and report other users. Find out how here: https://faq.whatsapp.com/1142481766359885/Â
Further information
Internet Matters have produced a how to guide available here:
