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 16 June 2025 is Week A
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
Amazing news to share!
"Malakai won Managers Player and Most Improved Player awards for his Div 2 football team Almondsbury FC at their recent end of season awards ceremony."
Many thanks
Parent of Year 9
Thank you
Many of you will be aware of the almost 15 year legal battle that the school has faced over our school playing field at Stoke Lodge to prevent it being registered as a Town and Village Green. I'm pleased to say that His Honour Judge Matthews has handed down his judgement, which confirms that our school playing fields are not and should not be a Town and Village Green. It is a huge relief that the law has finally prevailed in our case as the school has a 125 year lease on the field and it is classified as an essential part of our school premises.
Please see the press statement released earlier in the week below:
Press release from Cotham School regarding our Playing Fields at Stoke Lodge
Cotham School is absolutely delighted that His Honour Judge Matthews has handed down his judgement, which confirms that our school playing fields are not and should not be a Town and Village Green.
The judge has handed down a 110-page judgement which has been found fully in Cotham School’s favour.
We're absolutely thrilled that justice has prevailed! The rights and opportunities of our 1,700 students will finally be restored. We couldn't be more excited to be able to positively plan to get back onto our Playing Fields as soon as possible.
This decision affirms our commitment and tireless endeavours to resolve this highly challenging issue in pursuit of delivering a high-quality educational experience within a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all our students. It supports the approach we have taken, and we remain dedicated to meeting all statutory obligations, including the provision of Physical Education, in a way that best serves the needs of our students.
Cotham School will now review how the site will be remobilised and will provide further updates on our plans in due course.
Cotham School
Ms Joanne Butler
Many thanks to all the parents and carers who were able to make it to our Yondr presentation this week.
HERE is a link for those of you who missed it along with a Q&A sheet put together as a result of the questions that were asked on the day.
Ms Jo Butler
By supporting this initiative, you have invested in our students' distraction free education and contributed to their wellbeing.
Between us we've raised the huge sum of £2,300.00 towards the purchase of Yondr pouches which have now arrived in school ahead of our launch on Monday 23 June.
Thank you so much for joining our Yondr Pouch community funding effort!
As you know, we are proud to be a School of Sanctuary. In light of World Refugee Day next Friday, we believe this is a great opportunity to raise money for our crowdfunding campaign in support of our refugee and asylum-seeking students and their families, many of whom live in temporary accommodation.
To support their wellbeing, we offer extracurricular activities, including a fortnightly cooking club, local trips, and various school events. These initiatives provide a sense of stability, belonging, and enrichment, helping students feel more at home in our community.
Your generous donations help sustain these vital projects and ensure continued support for our students. Thank you for your kindness and generosity!
Thank you
The EAL Team
Refugee Week runs from Monday 16 June to Sunday 22 June, and this year’s theme is “Community as a Superpower.” In support of this, a range of events will take place throughout the week. These include curriculum-based activities, a clothes donation competition, a cake sale on Wednesday, and a non-uniform day on Friday. Students are invited to bring £1 on the non-uniform day to contribute and help raise money for our School of Sanctuary crowdfunding campaign.
The Bristol Parent Carer Forum invites you to a support session for parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Connect with other families and access valuable support.
A Ukrainian translator will be available.
Date: Tuesday 24 June 2025
Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Location: Inns Court Community Centre
We are excited to share some fantastic news, recently featured on BBC News: children under 16 can enjoy free bus travel across Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, and Bath & North East Somerset this summer!
From Friday 19 July to Thursday 5 September, kids can travel for free, making it easier and more affordable to visit friends, explore local attractions, and enjoy summer activities.
This initiative, supported by the West of England Combined Authority, aims to help families and give children more opportunities during the holidays.
We'll share more details soon on how to access the free travel.
Have a wonderful summer!
Please click below for further information.
We're excited to offer an excellent opportunity for Years 7-9 students to take piano and keyboard lessons right here at Cotham School! These lessons will be taught on our lovely grand piano by our highly experienced teacher, Christina Craig-Jones.
She is a specialist teacher, catering to all levels from beginners to advanced, and offering a diverse range of styles including classical, jazz improvising, and rock and pop.
Limited spaces are available for this term and in preparation for next year. Summer holiday lessons are also an option.
To learn more or to book a free taster lesson, please contact Christina directly at chriscraigjones@hotmail.com.
Please inform the school by 9.00am on the first and subsequent days of absence.
School procedure is as follows:
absence message sent if absences have not been reported.
if no response to the absence message, a follow up letter requesting reason for absence will be sent.
If you haven’t already, please get the free Studybugs app, or register on the Studybugs website, and use it to tell us whenever your child is ill and unable to attend school.
Get the app or register now by clicking here.
Thank you
Cotham School
Poster with Additional Info.pdf
Please see the below information leaflet produced by Bristol City Council, it gives advice about term time absence and the consequences of unauthorised absence from school.
Bristol -PN leaflet 2024 - FINAL.pdfWe are proud to share that our Student Digital Leaders visited Cotham Gardens Primary School to run an Online Safety assembly.
They delivered an engaging and informative session, equipping younger students with key tips on navigating the digital world safely.
Their leadership has been greatly appreciated, and they have been invited back next week to run follow-up workshops, further supporting the pupils in developing their online safety skills.
Hello everyone, just a quick reminder that any outstanding balance for the Thorpe Park Trip is due no later than Friday 20 June 2025.
Payment is preferred via Wisepay but students can bring cash to school and give it to the finance team at breaktime in Student reception.
Many thanks
Mr O Knight
Our first Work Experience assembly is coming up on Monday 16 June. We’re hoping your children will head home that afternoon bursting with questions, ideas and plenty of information to share with you 📝
The Year 9 team, along with our PSHE and careers teams, have set ourselves a lofty goal - we want every single student out on Work Experience in 2026. It’s an ambitious target, but by collaborating with our students, parents and carers, we’re confident we can make it happen👏✨
We are running a Year 9 to Year 10 transition workshop for any child in Year 9 who is feeling particularly worried about the move into KS4 and the challenges that they may face during this time.
There will be 5 sessions which we are hoping to start next week and we have the capacity for 15 students.
If you think your child would benefit from this please contact: espositoc@cotham.bristol.sch.uk
Miss Seavill and Miss Catalina
🎬 Join us for an inspiring evening of film, talent, and conversation and a showcase of creative student work from Access Creative College.
🎥 Get insights from our panel of filmmakers, explore their journeys, and ask your burning questions during the live Q&A.
🕔 Monday 16 June, 5:00pm to 7:00pm
🔗 Secure your place now by clicking here.
Thank you to those who have purchased a Prom ticket. Tickets are selling fast but we still have a limited amount left so we will extend the date to purchase them to Wednesday 18 June.
Please speak to Mrs Arnold if you need financial support with the cost.
IMPORTANT - 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.
A reminder that during exams, revision sessions and when using the library - 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 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.
Prom shop is now open and we have a lovely selection of suits and dresses that are available for our students to borrow or have.
The Prom shop is based in Mrs Arnold's office so if you are passing and would like to have a look, please find Mrs Arnold and Ms Bunka.
Year 11 Yearbooks are still available to order on WisePay for £8 until 18 June 2025.
Students will receive their Yearbooks at the Leavers Assembly on 19 June — please note, only one Yearbook per student will be available, students will not be able to collect a book for other students.
We have kicked of pride month with a visit from Steph from Pride Bristol who spoke to our young people about LGBTQ+ issues and ways to celebrate in Bristol. We are celebrating Pride on 27 June. As ever, we like our events to be as student-led as possible to ensure that they truly represent our community at North Bristol Post 16. Anyone who would like to get involved should contact Mx Sciubba directly.
This week, our Year 8 art students have truly outdone themselves! They've brought their 3D cardboard bug creations to life with vibrant acrylic paints, and we think they look fantastic. Their creativity and effort have really shone through in these amazing pieces.
This week Year 7 made Chicken Fajita Wraps. While practicing their cutting techniques using knife skills, students continue to learn the importance of avoiding cross contamination before preparing, during cooking and after using raw meat and how to add extra protein and nutrients in to our diet in a quick, cost effective way. Tasty!!!
Well Done Year 7!
Tickets for this year's whole school show Guys and Dolls are now on sale via WisePay! Choose from 3 price options at checkout:
£5 Concession – if this suits your budget, we’d love to welcome you.
£8 Standard – helps support our extra-curricular performances.
£15 Pay It Forward – subsidises two concession tickets and helps more people enjoy live theatre.
June 18 is Thank a Teacher Day
In tutor times this week we are encouraging all students to write a short thank you letter to one of their favourite teachers to show their thanks and appreciation.
This can be any teacher they have had at Cotham over the years, or even a teacher that they may have interacted with around the school but may not have taught them.
Prefects will collect the letters from tutors and I will distribute out into teacher trays over the next coming weeks.
Ms. Forbes
Reminder that every Wednesday, from now until the end of the academic year, Ms. Forbes is running a Creative Club in C005 from 2.45pm-3.45pm. Please come along and bring anyone who wants to get creative and meet like minded peers! We will be drawing painting, crocheting and collaging!
Well done to Gamma House for securing the highest attendance!!!
'Sank-schun'
Meaning:
A punishment for not following a rule or law (noun).
Example:
His sanction for running in the corridor is an ASD20.
The sanction for her crime was a large fine.
Synonyms:
Punishment, penalty, deterrent…
'Puh-spek-tiv'
Meaning:
Point of view. What someone thinks or feels about something (noun).
Drawing something that appears to be 3D on a 2D surface, which makes it seem realistic (noun).
Example:
They had different perspectives about the topic.
The art student worked on the depth and distance in their drawing to create a realistic perspective.
Synonyms:
Viewpoint, attitude, aspect
Please find our latest online safety newsletter attached.
This newsletter is intended for adults and includes discussions on online safety, including sensitive topics such as the online exploitation of children. Some of this content may be upsetting to both adults and children.
We strongly encourage parents to prepare themselves before reading and to carefully consider which information to share with their child, based on their age and cognitive ability. The language and explanations used may not always be suitable for younger children, so please use your discretion when deciding what is appropriate for your child.
Your awareness and thoughtful approach is vital in ensuring a safe and informed discussion about online safety.
Online_Safety_Newsletter_2.pdf