AchievementĀ Ā |Ā Ā Diversity Ā |Ā Ā Respect
9 February 2024
Parent and Carer Weekly Mailing
Keep us postedĀ - 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.Ā
Email us: weeklymailing@cotham.bristol.sch.ukĀ
Week commencing Monday 19 February 2024 is Week A
Standing Items are located at the bottom of the mailing
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
Please find our weekly mailing which I hope you will find both useful and interesting!Ā Ā
With very best wishes for a relaxing half term break.
Kindest regards,Ā Ā
Ms Jo Butler, Headteacher
Positive Feedback of the Week š
Positive feedback from a parent
"Matthewās (Year 9) enthusiasm coming back from school one day last week has prompted me into providing some feedback.Ā He had been to a talk given by a guy whoād previously worked at Arsenal ...... by on the merits of learning a language.Ā He appeared to have taken on board everything this guy had to say and was ever so impressed.Ā
Patrick (Year 12) is doing German A Level and Matthew German GCSE and Anna has played an important role in their decision making to study German.Ā She is a truly dedicated and inspirational teacher.Ā
Ā We had our first face to face parents evening with Matthew last week and it was great to meet some of his other teachers too.
Ā So many thanks to you and all your staff and best wishes for the rest of the academic year."
Good news from Ms Ahmed
We managed to raise a whopping Ā£450 in just 7 minutes!!
We would like to thank you all so much for your generosity and for making World Hijab Day a memorable and special event for our students.
Congratulations from Headteacher - Ms Butler
We are very pleased to inform you that our students Elias, Miyo and Abby in Year 13 have enrolled in the 'Jala Champ', Japanese Speech Contest for Primary and Secondary schools, organised by the Japan Foundation London.Ā Ā
They have been studying Japanese as a heritage language together at the Bristol Japanese Kids Club since their preschool years.Ā They worked diligentlyĀ with their groupmates from the Bristol Japanese Kids Club for this competition, and submitted a fantastic video for the Video Category, Secondary School Division 2 - B1 level.Ā The assigned topic was 'What we want to save for the future.'
We anticipate receiving the screening results in late February and early March.Ā If they qualify as finalists, they will be invited to the finals day on Saturday 11 May 2024.Ā We wish them lots of luck!
Thank you
Announcements and Reminders
Weekly Mailing Parent Survey Feedback
A big thank you again to the amazing parents and carers who've shared their feedback on our weekly mailing!Ā Your insights are invaluable in helping us shape and improve it to better meet your needs and the needs of your children.
We value your voice, and will act on the feedback you have given us. We will issue another feedback survey next term to allow to help us further develop the weekly mailing.
Cotham Grand Iftar - Thursday 14 March 2024 from 5.00pm to 7.30pm
We warmly welcome our whole school community and their families to the Cotham School Iftar where we will be coming together to celebrate fasting in different faiths.Ā We will also be breaking fast (Iftar) together to celebrate Ramadan.Ā We have an exciting programme planned for the evening and the opportunity to enjoy a meal together.Ā More details to follow soon.
Steel Pans Concert
"Wednesday 7 February I saw almost 200 friends and parents ignore the wet weather to attend our Winter Steel Pans concert. Led by Melvin Ifill, Bands from Year 7 to 10 performed their own renditions of famous songs to the packed house. A fabulous night of music that everyone enjoyed. "
Message from Mr GeogheganĀ
Language of the Month - Cantonese
Celebrate the Chinese Year of the Dragon and Cantonese Language of the month in the library.Ā Come and read some books about Cantonese speaking countries or written by Cantonese speaking authors.Ā
Please take the time to watch a Cotham Student present information about Chinese New Year and Cantonese. This is the full video 8 minute video.
Mental Health Week
The library has really helpful and informative mental health factual books for students to read and take home.Ā There are many amazing fiction story books too, which focus on mental health issues and moving stories about young people who may be struggling.Ā
It has been Mental Health Week this week and my Student Librarians have helped me make a display to showcase some of the many books we have.
2 Authors Are Visiting Cotham School Soon!
Authors JM Joseph and Tia Fisher will be visiting Cotham Students, Year 7 and some Year 9s, respectively during the week of World Book Day.Ā They will talk to them about their amazing books.Ā There is also a chance to pre-order their books before the events in March, please follow the links attached here.Ā Copies also available to borrow in the library NOW.
Link to information about the authors below:
WORLD BOOK DAY AUTHORS VISIT - Della Payne.docxPQA Bristol Wicked the Musical - February Half Term Workshop
Monday 12 February - Wednesday 14 February
10.00am - 4.00pm | Cotham School.
Ā£135
Booking Form - https://forms.gle/csfBCHxxtYNxZMg49Ā
Harris Sports Ltd. - School Uniform Sales on SiteĀ
Dear Parents and Carers
Harris Sports Itd. is coming to our school to sell uniforms.Ā
They will be at school (A107, the room next to the Main Reception) on the following Thursday dates from 2.00pm to 3.00pm. Ā Cash or card payments will be accepted.Ā
Thursday 22 February
Thursday 14 March
Thursday 18 April
Thursday 2 May
Ā Please find the link here.
Year Group News
Please select the Year Group of interest.
Year 7
Year 7 Girls Netball Tournament
As part of their leadership module in PE lessons the Year 9s are running a Year 7 netball tournament.Ā
Wishing good luck to our players and let the strongest win!Ā
Year 7 Shout Outs
From Mrs Kennedy to 7EW - 7EW were great this morning!Ā
They all had their equipment and were all super focused and polite.
Year 8
Weekly News
Well done to all of the Year 8's for completing their First Aid training and thank you to Ms Ingham for organising.
It has been a busy term- finishing off with our trip to Ninja Warrior.
Well done to the Year 8 students who were involved in football training- Mr Moody said you were all amazing and is looking forward to playing you in further matches.
Well done to Nila, Ayat, Ayub, Hazalah and Stan for working so hard in Maths (8A Ma5) this term.
Year 9
KS4 Pathways
Reminder: Deadline for selecting subject preferences closes on Friday 9 February at 5.00pm.Ā If you are experiencing any technical difficulties or require any support please email ks4pathways@cotham.bristol.sch.uk or speak to your child's Head of Year, Mr Farmer. He can be emailed on farmerd@cotham.bristol.sch.uk
Year 9 Exams: Monday 11 March - Friday 22 March
Please find attached an examination timetable and an exam preparation document to support your child.Ā The exam preparation document contains information about the assessments your child will be taking in each subject and useful links to revision resources.
Link to Exam Timetable: Link
Link to Preparation Booklets: Link
Year 10
Year 10 Bake Off
Year 10 had held their 3rd Bake Off.Ā Nine bakers took on the challenge of making a Swiss Roll.Ā They were given their brief and had 1 hour 30 minutes to make bake and present their swiss rolls.Ā The results were amazing.Ā The judges found it very hard to select an overall winner, as all students had met the brief.Ā The overall winner was Darcie.Ā Well done to all that took part.Ā
Spot Light on GCSE English - Miss Bird
We are currently learning about the plot events in 'Macbeth'.Ā We are exploring our interpretations of the characters and what Shakespeare's message may have been.Ā Students are also encouraged to explore the contextual factors in the Jacobean era e.g. gender stereotypes, attitudes towards religion and the monarchy.Ā We are working on our close analysis and inference skills, so that students are prepared for our GCSE English Literature exam.Ā
Spot Light on GCSE English - SelenaĀ
In GCSE English, you study quite a few literary classics such as Macbeth, A Christmas Carol, and An Inspector Calls.Ā At the moment, I am studying Macbeth! a classical tragedy that touches on topics such as morality, karma and manipulation.Ā English may not be everyone's cup of tea, however, I have a strong belief that if you sit down and try to understand what you are reading about, you may come to find that things written 100 or 500 years ago can still apply to our everyday life.
" I enjoy English because there is space for your own interpretations and it can really open your eyes to what is going on around you. Certain books can truly make you think about humanity as a whole.Ā For example, the book I read during the holidays,Ā The Picture of Dorian Gray, really takes its time to show the dark sides of society, whether it would be about the privilege those who have a pretty face may get or the struggle for youth due to how society views the old.Ā Thats why I enjoy English."
Year 10 Inter Tutor Quiz
On Tuesday 6 February, 36 students enjoyed a fun filled afternoon Quiz.Ā Each tutor group entered a team of 4 and they battled it out to see who could become the quiz champions.Ā There were 38 general knowledge questions and it was very close in the scores.Ā But the overall winners were 10KBO. Well done to Reye, Dylan, Yahye and Mubaarak.Ā Thankyou to Rosie and Gen who supported the event.
Year 10 Shout Outs
MS Power - Shout out to Alyssa, making massive improvements and working really hard in English!
Ms Grice - Shout out to students consistently engaging well in English with class and homework: Waad, Aaron, Maya, Naima, Martha, Sadie
Ms Anthony -Ā Shout out to shout outs for Kash, Aaron, Julia, Aya, Iyannah, and Rio for working very hard in maths on reflections.
Mr Cony - Shout out to Amira, Naima, Qasim, Hafizah and Nadin
Year 11
Victory for our Year 11s
A seven goal thriller was the perfect way to start the league season for the Year 11 football team.Ā They beat BFS 4-3 in a very close game, they dug deep until the final whistle and every man played their part.Ā They were a pleasure to coach from the side-lines.Ā Well done boys!Ā
Mr Moody
NAW24 Welcome to National Apprenticeship Week
Welcome to National Apprenticeship week 2024.Ā See the bulletin for lots of webinars to join, videos and apprenticeship opportunities to apply for.Ā
Please click on the link for more information.
Term 4 Revision To Do Sheets
We have created some Year 11 revision support for each subject. Link to the resource folder is here.
North Bristol Post 16
P16 Community Parent Engagement Group
We are inviting all P16 parents and carers to a drop in at St Paulās Learning Centre on Tuesday 20 February at 11.00am.Ā We will be explaining how you can best support your children from home and detailing what is on offer in school to support them to make the best progress possible.Ā If you would like to come along, please contact Yasmin Mohamed - mohamedy@cotham.bristol.sch.uk
Year 13 Re-Mocks (U grades)
Any student who has gained a U grade in their mock examination will be given an opportunity to re-sit.Ā Re-mocks can be scheduled any time from 26 February to allow a period for feedback and response to feedback.Ā Students will be contacted directly by their teachers to let them know when this will happen.
Subject Announcements
Please select the faculty area you are interested in viewing.
MFL
Linguist of the Month - January 2024
The MFL department award the Linguist of the Month certificates to students who have shown tremendous effort in their French, Spanish, or German lessons.Ā They will receive a lolly and a certificate in their next MFL lesson.
Any questions please email Mr Dutton at duttonp@cotham.bristol.sch.ukĀ
STEAM
Work of the Week
Taking inspiration from the works of artist Hundertwasser, who also worked in the field of environmental protection, these year 7 students have designed a 'From Pollution to Solution' poster.Ā They have been entered into an art competition at the Victoria Methodist Church, an Eco church, who are highlighting the climate crisis and how we can respond.Ā
The artworks will be on show Saturdays 10th and 17th March. We wish them all luck!
Year 7 Hydration
Year 7 have been making Fruit Infused Water dinks this week and learning of the importance of Hydration.Ā Students know now that 6-8 glasses are needed each day, that water acts as lubricant for joints, a component of saliva, aids digestion and regulates body temperature.Ā Knife skills were also practised when preparing a range of fruits.
Humanities
First Aid KS3
We're thrilled to announce that all Year 7 and 8 classes have successfully completed their First Aid training!Ā
Our students gained valuable knowledge on how to respond to common injuries like burns and cuts as well as practicing vital skills such as the recovery position, CPR, and had the opportunity to witness a defibrillator in action.Ā
Students can continue learning with the Red Cross app by clicking here.
Bristol Education Partnership
Apprenticeships Parents & Carers Pack
Please find the information to support for parents and guardian here.Ā
Parents_and_Carers-_Pack_January_2024-14- (1) - Suzanne Paice.pdfLiteracy
KS3
Word of the Week
Preventable
'Pre-vent-uh-buhl'
Meaning:
Something that can be avoided (adjective).
Example:
That injury was preventable.
Some crime can be preventable with early support.
Synonyms:
Avoidable, preventable, stoppable
KS4
Word of the Week
Repercussion
'Ree-puh-kush-uhn'
Meaning:
The negative outcome of an event or action (noun).
Example:
A decrease in toursim will have repercussions on the local economy.
Doing extra chores is the repercussion for coming home late.
Synonyms:
Consequence, outcome, result
Digital Literacy Corner
Safer Internet Day 2024
Please take the time to watch our students present an assembly on Safer Internet Day. Our student digital leader team, worked very hard to put this video together and we hope you find it useful š
Safer Internet Day, celebrated annually in February, aims to make the internet a safer place, especially for children and young people. It raises awareness about online safety issues like cyberbullying and sexting, promotes responsible technology use, and encourages collaboration between individuals, governments, and industry. You can help by talking to children about online safety, setting rules, and reporting any harmful content. Together, we can build a better online world.
Our latest: Seneca Learning and GCSE Pod 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.
Total Seneca Learning Assignments Set for Term 3
244
Total Seneca LearningĀ
Study Time for Term 3
1402 Hours
Total SenecaĀ Learning Study Time for this Academic Year
6077 Hours
Welcome! GCSEPod is the perfect resource to help your child learn, retain and recall all the information they need to achieve their GCSE goals.Ā
Pods Watched this Academic Year
1415
Number of Pods Watched so far in Term 3
379
Most Watched Subject This Week
English