Achievement | Diversity | Respect

8 September 2023

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 11 September 2023 is Week B

Standing Items are now located at the bottom of the mailing.

Headteacher's Welcome

Dear Parents and Carers

You may have heard that our school playing field at Stoke Lodge has been registered as a Town and Village Green following a recent decision by the Bristol City Council Public Rights of Way (PROWG) Committee, this decision was contrary to the legal advice that the committee received which was that the land should not be registered. Not only is this a crushing disappointment to the school but more importantly it means that members of the public now have full and unfettered access to the playing field, including when our students would be taking part in their PE lessons. We deem this to present an unacceptable level of risk to our students and staff and so it is with a heavy heart that we will temporarily halt using the playing field this academic year whilst we seek redress for this unfathomable decision.

We are delighted to announce that we have been able to secure the Shine Sports Ground, at Golden Hill, for this academic year. Without the partnership with Shine we would not have been able to fulfil our curriculum requirements or provide our students with a safe and secure outdoor space to partake in sporting activities, so necessary for their health and wellbeing.

Students will be safely transported to and from the site as they have been previously to our Stoke Lodge playing field and will be able to make use of the changing and sanitary facilities provided.

I wish you all a very restful weekend.

Kindest regards,

Ms Jo Butler, Headteacher

Positive feedback of the week 👍

I want to thank you and your entire team for the tactful and kind attitude towards my child, she was happy to go to school and told me with interest about how the lessons were going and about the good attitude of teachers towards children. I think this is important in adolescence.

I hope this year her English will improve and she will make progress in her studies. We are safe and surrounded by caring and decent people. Thank you

From a Year 10 Parent

Thank you

We wanted to drop you a quick thank you to you and all the staff at Cotham for the amazing support you have given our children over the past 12 years.

My son is delighted that he’s done better in his A Level results than he expected, and is off to Cardiff Uni to study Politics and International Relations.

My other Son has just graduated with a First in Computer Science from Leeds Uni (please thank Terry Watts particularly for that one), and last year my other Son graduated with a First in Politics from Manchester Met…. all testament to the foundation work provided by your staff. It has been a challenging few years in Education, but we are very grateful for your role in helping our children become the adults we hoped they would be.

We hope you have managed a summer break! Good luck for the future.

Parent/Carer Thank You Message

Word of the Week

KS3

Adaptability

"Uh-dap-tuh-bil-uh-tee"

KS4

Resilience

"Ri-zil-ee-uhn-s"

New Announcements

Welcome to the newest members of our Cotham Community

We were delighted to welcome our new Year 7 cohort into Cotham this week. It was fantastic to be a part of the palpable excitement as our newest students met their tutors and experienced their first few days as Cotham students. Students started with a welcome from Ms Butler before moving on to learn about the culture and the way things are done here at Cotham. Their first day culminated in a lovely assembly from Mr Dunkley and Mr Knight reminding them that they can be anything they want to be. The lessons that Year 7 have been to so far have resulted in some fabulous feedback and we look forward to the class of 2028 showing us how amazing they can be on their journey through Cotham.

Welcome Key New Student-Facing Staff To Cotham

Mrs Anilla Khan, Assistant Headteacher

Mrs Khan was appointed as our new Assistant Headteacher last term, replacing Mr Watts who has moved on to a new school in Stroud. Anilla joined Cotham and the Senior Leadership Team in her new role on Friday 1 September and is very ably finding her feet. In particular this year, Mrs Khan will be overseeing the Year 11 pastoral team and supporting our Year 11s in the run up to their exams. As a fantastic Science teacher herself she will also be working to support the Science Team. Mrs Khan is exceptionally well-qualified for the role of Assistant Headteacher as part of the Senior Leadership Team at Cotham having previously worked in senior roles in a number of other Secondary Schools in the city.

Mr Phil Dodd, Faculty Leader of English

We are pleased to announce that Mr Dodd has joined us as the new Faculty Leader of English this year. Mr Dodd is a highly experienced leader of English having led the subject in schools in Weston-super-Mare, Stroud and Gloucestershire, and contributing to the curriculum and assessment development of English faculties in multiple schools within an academy trust. As well as an amatuer carpenter learning to carve utensils and furniture by hand, Mr Dodd is also an accomplished musician, playing the guitar and reaching Grade 8 in the trumpet so we hope to hear him in some of our future school musicals and performances!

Mrs Martina Veale, Year 7 Learning Coordinator

Mrs Veale joins the Year 7 team as Learning Coordinator having supported the school’s Senior Leadership Team for the final term of last year. Mrs Veale comes with a vast amount of experience in schools at various levels including senior management and has also worked in education outside of schools for exam boards and other awarding bodies. Our new Year 7 students are very fortunate to have Mrs Veale overseeing their progress and wellbeing, and we look forward to working with her over the coming weeks.

Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC)

You may have seen recent media coverage regarding Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) and its use in educational settings. Please follow the link to read about RAAC and Cotham School.

Second Hand Uniform

If your child has outgrown their uniform, please consider donating it. Both the Main/Visitor and Student Receptionists are very happy to receive uniform items that are in good condition during the hours of 8am - 4pm, 3.30pm each Friday.

Offering a second-hand uniform service at our school helps parents and carers with the cost of uniforms, while at the same time raising money for the school and keeping perfectly usable items out of landfill. Pre-loved uniform items are available from £1.

Thank you in advance for your support.

School Uniform Suppliers

As a student at Cotham School you are expected to wear full school uniform, including your school lanyard. It is also important to wear the correct PE / Games and Dance kit. Our school uniform suppliers are Monkhouse and Harris Sports. Please visit their shops or websites to view the approved skirts, shorts and trousers.

The school rules will be enforced according to the Uniform Policy. Examples of suitable uniform can be found on the Cotham School website. May we remind you to always label your child’s uniform with their child’s name and Year/Tutor Group.

Young Reporters

Young Reporters are thrilled to announce that they are back for the sixteenth year and cannot wait to get started. Young Reporters welcome students in Years 10-13 to join in this exciting scheme. Sign up now and let us make this year the best one yet! Great news, registration has been extended until 31 October 2023! This means there is still plenty of time to sign up and join in on everything we have to offer. Follow the link to find out more.

Year 10

It was my pleasure to welcome Year 10 back to Cotham on Tuesday, catching up with them about their summer break and seeing how much they had matured over the holiday. Year 10 is a big change for them and it has been good to see them settling back into routine and enjoying their GCSE subjects. We have lots of exciting activities planned for the coming months. We will be following the Rugby World Cup, each tutor group has two teams to support and we will have prizes along the way.

We plan to continue with Bake offs, inter tutor quizzes and tutor football. I look forward to working with the students and supporting them on their journey through Year 10.

Mrs Arnold - Learning Coordinator

Strengthening Families Strengthening Communities Parenting Programme

SFSC is a popular 13-week evidence-based parenting programme for anyone raising children. Starting on Wednesday 20 September 2023, there is a creche available. Places are limited so to avoid disappointment book early.

SFSC welcome parents and carers from all backgrounds who would like to work on their parenting skills and build positive relationships with their children. They can help parents to recognise and respond to the challenges of being a parent and the risks and concerns facing our children. Whether they want to help their child do well at school, deal with bullying, avoid online grooming or getting in with the ‘wrong crowd’, or just feel more confident: SFSC can provide parents with strategies to help them feel equipped as a parent and help them to keep children safe.

The course will help parents to • Build positive family relationships • Manage anger and stress
• Implement effective discipline strategies • Gain confidence and communication skills • Understand child’s development • Recognise and value family and cultural traditions • Meet others and share ideas.

Follow the link for the Professionals Referral Form and this link for Parent Self-Referral. Parents can also use the QR code to refer in.

For further information or to discuss a referral please call 0117 955 6971 ext 161 or 07492 870 557.

SFSC flyer Sept 23 update (2).pdf

SFSC A4 Poster Sept 23.pdf

Bristol Parent Carer Forums

Please follow the link to find out more about Bristol Parent Carer Forums and to receive some helpful information and updates, including access to free courses or talks and other sources of support and information that is available for parent/carers in the school community. This is a great opportunity to stay up-to-date and get the support you need.

BPC School SEND Coffee Morning.jpg

On Line Parenting Classes

Online parenting courses are a great way to get advice and learn new skills in the comfort of your own home and at times to suit you. All of the courses are filled with helpful techniques and ideas that will help you become a confident and happy parent. Crucially, you can do courses whenever and wherever suits you and work through it at your own pace but you will need to complete the course in 60 days from enrolment. Please follow the link to find out more.

On-Line Safety Newsletter - September

Online Safety Newsletter Secondary September 2023_SECONDARY_PDF_Cotham.pdf

(Awaiting updated one from Ed)

Catering Changes: September 2023

From September 2023 our outsourced catering provision will be changing from Caterlink to ABM Catering. The school made the decision to switch to ABM Catering following a competitive tender process in which several companies expressed their interest to provide our catering provision. A panel of students and staff were involved in the process who all unanimously agreed to appoint ABM Catering. New menus will be available at the start of the new term.

MINT_Welcome_leaflet_Cotham.pdf

Post 16

Welcome

We have thoroughly enjoyed welcoming all of our P16 students this week. Lessons started on Thursday and we have been so impressed with the responsibility and maturity all students have demonstrated during this time. We would like to give the following reminders to ensure the best possible start: Here is a link to the Cotham P16 Hub, it is also linked through the 'Student' Menu on the NBP16 website. Students must be logged into their school Google account to access it.

Y12 and Foundation Students

All summer work should now have been completed ready for the first P16 lessons. Please note all Summer Work can be found here.

There was a lot of information covered at Y12 Induction and we would really encourage all students to make sure they have completed all the tasks from their IT Induction.

We will not be processing any subject changes until subject change week on Monday 25 September. However, if students have noticed a genuine error on their timetable they should contact post16@cotham.bristol.sch.uk

Post 16 Futures Bulletin

Post 16 Futures Bulletin will come out to you every Thursday morning ready for tutor time. I hope you enjoy reading about and taking part in the amazing array of activities. All of these are here to help you build your CV and your personal statements for University.

If you are looking for something in particular and cannot find it, please email paices@cotham.bristol.sch.uk

Coming Up Soon...

Open Evening at Cotham School Wednesday 27 September 2023

Please see the attached banner print for Cotham School. We would very much appreciate it if you could share it around with your friends and family especially to those who have children in the current Year 4 and 5!

Don't forget that as well as our Open Evening we also have a significant amount of Open Mornings throughout the year too.

Landscape Banner Print.pdf

Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S)

The Entry Talent Team within Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) is based in North Bristol and is part of the Ministry of Defence. DE&S protect and provide for the UK’s armed forces, all over the world. We procure and maintain the newest protective clothing for those on the front line. Smarter technology for radar systems. Safer vehicles for land, sea and air. We ensure that every individual in the UK military is fully equipped and protected, as they protect life both at home and overseas.

Within DE&S there are a wealth of opportunities to learn and grow. They have a range of apprenticeship and graduate schemes opening for recruitment this autumn across a range of different levels.

Schemes offered in:

· Business Administration

· Corporate Services

· Engineering

· Finance and Accounting

· IM&IT

· Project Delivery

In October, DE&S are hosting a careers event to showcase the apprenticeships and graduate schemes on offer. There will be a range of stalls with interactive displays and current apprentices and graduates who will be able to provide your students with an insight into their experience with us.

Event details:

When: Friday 27 October 2023
Location: MOD Abbey Wood South, Bristol, BS34 8JH
Timings: 12:00 to 17:00pm
Who can attend: school, college or university students with a maximum of two of their parents, guardians or carers.
What you’ll need to bring: a valid form of photographic identification, such as a passport or driving licence.
Further details around transport and parking to follow after the form has been completed.

How to sign up

Please complete this form before Wednesday 20 September. DE&S will need everyone’s details by then so that security passes are available on the day.

And don't forget from last time....

Digital Literacy Corner

Latest Parent Online Safety Cheat Sheet

What Parents and Carers Need to Know About:

Group Chats

Bullying

Sharing Group Content

Exclusion and Isolation

Unknown Members

Inappropriate Content

Notifications and Fomo

Parents - Group Chat.pdf

Our latest GCSE Pod Usage

Welcome! GCSEPod is the perfect resource to help your child learn, retain and recall all the information they need to achieve their GCSE goals.

Learn more about GCSEPod Here

Pods watched this academic year

6,692

Number of Pods watched so far in Term 6

243

Most watched subject this week

Geography

Our latest Seneca Learning Usage

Seneca offers high-quality free online learning courses for students to study from a computer, tablet or phone. The courses are suitable for students aged 13 and above and cover KS3, KS4 GCSE and KS5 A Level subjects.

We are Premium subscribers to this service which unlocks further features of the platform.

Learn more about Seneca Learning Here