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 19 May 2025 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!
With very best wishes for a relaxing weekend.
Kindest regards,
Ms Jo Butler, Headteacher
Email received
"I’ve done my first (pretty much) full week at Cotham Post 16 and it’s been fantastic. All the teachers and everyone around me have been so lovely and welcoming and I feel so comfortable here already. I can see and feel a massive difference."
Student
Thank you
We are delighted to announce the launch of a new, more efficient and secure system for reporting your child’s absence, called Studybugs.
Studybugs will replace our current procedures for reporting your child’s absence, which will be switched off on Monday 26 May 2025. From Monday 2 June 2025 all reporting of absences must be via Studybugs.
So that all parents/carers can start using the Studybugs portal to tell us whenever your child is ill and unable to attend school, we need all parents to download the free Studybugs app, or register on the Studybugs website.
Get the app or register now .
Top 3 reasons to use Studybugs
It’s integrated with our systems so we know right away if your child is unaccounted for.
It’s quick and easy to register and use and automatically reminds you to keep us posted.
You’ll be helping the NHS and other public health organisations improve children’s health.
Please click here for more information.
112 votes were cast! And we have the WINNERS of the 6 WORD STORY COMPETITION.
We have 4 winners as there was a joint vote for 3rd place.
ALL the entries were incredibly clever and though provoking, so congratulations to ALL who participated. Students LOVED debating and deducing what the stories really meant.
For a limited time, enjoy 20% off all orders online and in-store – perfect for getting a head start on back-to-school shopping and saving money!
Offer Dates:
20% Off All Orders
Start Date: Monday 19 May – Limited time Only!
Extended Returns
Start Date: Tuesday 6 May 2025
End Date: Friday 12 September 2025
On Friday 27June (3.00pm - 4.30pm), Cotham School will be hosting it's first ever Pride Picnic. We would like to invite families to come and celebrate with us.
There will be a student parade, family picnic and showcase of student artwork. Some light bites and fizzy pop will be provided, however please feel free to bring in your own snacks too.
Please RSVP here.
Year 7 exams will take place from Monday 19 May 2025 to Friday 6 June 2025.
The Year 7 Exam Preparation Booklet provides information on the format of each subject’s exam, its content, as well as suggested sources of revision.
The Year 7 Exam Timetable provides students with a 2-week schedule of when their exams are taking place in normal lessons.
Preparing for Assessments Portal on the school website has loads of great tips for revision too!
We are pleased to confirm that the Year 8 trip to Thorpe Park will take place on Wednesday 17 July. This will be a great opportunity for students to enjoy a day out together as we approach the end of the school year.
Details of the trip have been sent out via email. Paper copies of the letter are also available from the Year 8 Office.
A deposit is required by Friday 23 May to secure a place and can be paid via WisePay.
We are looking forward to a well-deserved and enjoyable day for Year 8.
As we wrap up Term 5, it's been our calmest one yet since I joined back in Feb 2024 🎉. Let’s keep the positive momentum going, particularly in the lessons some students believe might don’t matter because they won’t be taking them for GCSEs (spoiler: they do 👀). These lessons are about showing respect and allowing everyone the chance to thrive.
In other news, our epic table tennis final is this week 🏓 and the winner gets their moment of fame in next week’s mailing. Plus, our May Rewards Quiz is coming...
A massive well done to all students who took part in their work experience last week. It has been brilliant to have engaging conversations with Year 10 students this week about the amazing opportunities and experiences they had. From working in engineering, hospitality, education and so much more, students gained and developed valuable skills for the future.
Good luck to all students taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award this weekend! You've worked hard to prepare—now enjoy the adventure. Stay positive, support each other, and make the most of every moment. You've got this!
Year 11 Celebration Leavers Assembly will take place on Thursday 19 June - 10.30am - 1.00pm
Students will be able to bring in a shirt to sign, collect Yearbooks and celebrate their time at Cotham.
More information will follow with confirmed times and the entrance to school for Year 11 students.
Thank you to those who have purchased a Prom ticket. Tickets are selling fast.
We have extended the date for purchasing them to Friday 23 May. Please speak to Mrs Arnold if you need financial support with the cost.
Please remember that once you have purchased the ticket you must complete the google consent form that can be found in the letter and on wisepay.
Without this form completed your child will not be able to gain access to the venue and Prom.
Yearbook is now available to preorder from Wisepay - cost per book is £8.00
Year 11 have started their exams and shown that they are organised and on time. Their behaviour to and from exams have been fantastic, thank you Year 11.
Exams, Revision sessions and using the library - Please remember that students need to be in full school uniform and have their lanyards for exams and whenever they are on the school site.
A reminder that all students need a full set of equipment including: at least 2x black pens, 2x pencils , eraser, sharpener, ruler, protractor, compass, highlighter.
Scientific Calculators will be required for the following exams: Maths (calculator paper), Science, Geography.
Only clear pencil cases and transparent water bottles (no label) are permitted in the exam hall/room.
Exams have begun and some of our Year 11s will be feeling the pressure. This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and the library has some brilliant and helpful books to guide you through this important time. We have lots of self help books OR just some wonderful books full of hope and positivity which will give your brain a boost. Good Luck Year 11. Keep up the amazing work AND revision. The library is always here to help. Click below for some book recommendations.
We are inviting all parents and carers of students who achieved a U grade in their mocks and/or have been predicted a U grade in at least one subject to meet with a member of the Post 16 Team at our Year 12 Post Mock and Year 13 Progression Surgery. This will take place between 11.00 am and 1.00pm on Wednesday 4 June in G103. This is by invitation only and you should have already received an invitation. Please contact mohamedy@cotham.bristol.sch.uk with any questions or to make an appointment.
Year 8 ended last week with Bobotie - pronounced "Ba-bo-tea". It is considered to be South Africa's national dish. Made with a delicious mixture of curried mince and dried fruits and topped with a mixture of egg and milk to create a custard type layer once baked in the oven. Flavoursome and filling. The food rooms smell amazing! Well done Year 8.
Miss Burt
This week, Year 9 have been looking at the work of Klari Reis, a sculptor and painter who uses the tools and techniques of science in her creative process. The students have done an artist response to her work with these paintings using watercolour and black ink.
We welcome Year 8 students to sign up for the Germany 2026 trip. This is a popular trip open to all. Students have the chance to visit the mountain region of the Black Forest and to take part in some exciting activities; a toboggan run, a water park, entry to Germany's largest theme park, a visit to the medieval town of Freiburg, a cable car ride, a lake visit and more! A letter has been emailed to parents/carers. Any questions, please email: Germany2026@cotham.bristol.sch.uk
Year 10 students have been eagerly applying to become the new group of prefects, showcasing their leadership, responsibility, and commitment to the school community. We've received a fantastic range of thoughtful applications. The successful applicants have now been shortlisted and will take part in interviews on Monday 19 May. We wish them the very best of luck as they prepare to take the next step in becoming future student leaders!
We’re on the lookout for a bold, inspiring design for the K-Block display—one that reflects the values, creativity, and spirit of Omega House.
Judging criteria: your design will be judged on Creativity, Respect, Diversity, Achievement, and Success.
Prize: Win a Domino’s pizza for you and a friend!
Deadline: Submit by Friday 13 June 2025 via email to Mr. Sebana at sebanad@cotham.bristol.sch.uk or drop it off in the PE Office.
I’m excited to see your creativity and designs!
Mr. Sebana
We have received SO many amazing entries to the Year 7 and Year 8 planner competition to design the front cover of the 2025/26 Student and Teacher planner. We will be announcing the winners once the publishers have given us the final sign off. The winner will be published and receive a voucher and certificate from Ms Butler.
We're creating a Cotham Recipe Book to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures in our school community—and we want students recipes included! Share a dish that represents your culture by completing our Google Form on the houses google classrooms. Winning recipes will receive prizes and be published in the final book. The deadline for entries is Monday 2 June. Don’t miss this chance to share your heritage and cooking skills with the school—get involved!
Well done to Gamma House for securing the highest attendance!!!
'Om-i-nuhs'
Meaning:
Something that suggests something bad will soon happen (adjective).
Example:
Those dark clouds are very ominous. I’m glad I brought my umbrella with me.
There was an ominous silence as she stormed into the room.
Synonyms:
Threatening, unpromising, sinister…
'Plaw-Zuh-Buhl'
Meaning:
When an argument or statement seems reasonable and believable (adjective).
Example:
Claiming that her dog ate her homework was not a plausible excuse.
He expressed a plausible argument.
Synonyms:
Likely, reasonable, believable…
We’re excited to announce the launch of our new Online Safety Newsletter, arriving in your inbox every two weeks starting next week. This newsletter will provide essential insights into online safety topics, keeping you informed on the latest digital trends and potential risks.
Each edition will include easy-to-follow guides on key features across social media platforms, covering parental supervision tools, privacy settings, and general platform functionalities—all designed to help you support your child's safe and responsible internet use.
Viewers of our Weekly Mailing can get an advance issue today. Stay tuned for our first emailed issue next week!
_1.pdf