Achievement | Diversity | Respect

1 March 2024

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 4 March 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!

With very best wishes for a relaxing weekend.

Kindest regards,

Ms Jo Butler, Headteacher

Positive Feedback of the Week 👍

Email sent to Mr Arnold and the Performing Arts Faculty

"I just wanted to take a moment to say a massive thank you and well done for the incredible Year 9 performance of Twelfth Night last night.

It was so wonderful to see our students perform so excellently and it really was a brilliant production. I know that you put huge amounts of work into producing and directing this and it was so amazing to watch our students shine! I am looking forward to your future shows and I know how grateful the students are for these opportunities!

Big thanks to Ross and Simon for supporting and facilitating too! I feel so proud to work with you all as a team."

Ms A van der Berg

Assistant Headteacher

Thank you

Announcements and Reminders

Keeping the School Informed

Please inform the school in advance of any medical appointments or planned treatment so that we could update the attendance registers in advance and your child could be picked up on time to avoid any lateness.

And....don't forget to let us know about your child's achievements outside of school. We'd love to celebrate them too!

Cotham School Socials

Have a look at our Instagram to see what's happening in school. We would like to keep parents, carers and the wider community regularly updated with our school activities and showcase all of the amazing work produced by our students and staff.

Also have a look at our other social media platforms. We have recently created a new YouTube channel.

Cotham Grand Iftar

Places are now fully booked for Cotham Schools Grand Iftar on Thursday 14 March 5.00pm-7.30pm. You must book your place in order to attend. Thank you all for the participating in our Iftar event. We look forward to welcoming you into our school during the month of Ramadan!

Sing for Happiness

Sing for Happiness is a really exciting opportunity for anyone who loves to sing and who knows the joy that it can bring! The Singing for Happiness initiative will contribute to cutting edge research at UWE into the effect of group singing on happiness and brain health and overall wellbeing. Ms Griffin one of our teachers has always sung and been part of the Melody Makers choir in Henleaze for about 8 years now. She feels the benefit every single week. Participants do not need to be over 18 so children nad adults are all welcome.

There is a cost but Ms Griffin could talk to the organisers if there was a financial barrier for a student who wanted to participate. Please click here to find more details.

Charity Swimathon

Sunday 3 March 10.30am - 11.30am
A Just Giving page has been set up, if you would like to support the team, please click here.
Wishing all the swimmers good luck in the St Peters Hospice Charity Sponsored Swimathon!

Enrolment for Youth Theatre and Adult Classes are Available!

Exciting opportunity for youth and adults!

If you are interested to book a place for you or your child in expert youth theatre or adult theatre classes which are designed to build confidence through drama techniques, please contact Sky Young on 07821855523.

Adults enrol now DK adults.pdf

COLOUR Youth Theatre Letter.pdf

Young Enterprise Business Event - Saturday 2 March 2024

Ecoedge, Cotham's own Young Enterprise Company, will be at a selling event in Cabot Circus from 9.30am on Saturday 2 March 2024. They will be showcasing and selling their student designed range of bespoke, handmade, ethically sourced chopping boards to the public. There are a range of boards for sale each featuring an iconic Bristol landmark. They have all worked so hard so please show your support and pop by with your wallets and purses!

World Book Day Visits

Authors JM Joseph and Tia Fisher will be talking to the Year 7s and Year 9s, respectively next week. All their books are available in the library and there is also a chance to buy signed copies on the day. Please read the links for more information.

WORLD BOOK DAY AUTHORS VISIT - Della Payne.docx

Creative Careers Week

CreaBritish creative industries are booming?

Creative Careers programme led by ScreenSkills and supported by employers from across the creative sector to deliver a week of FREE virtual sessions, with some in-person opportunities, to state schools and colleges – during Discover! Creative Careers Week 2024,

Young people will be able to access 3-5-hour insight days and longer work experience placements, 1-hour industry spotlight career talks and inspirational talks with speakers – all advertised on the Speakers for Schools website.

LTA Youth Tennis Competitions

The PE department are going to be entering teams for the upcoming LTA youth tennis competitions. If you have a passion for tennis, play competitively outside of school and are in Year 7, 8, 9 or 10 please contact Mr Moody or Mrs Ferris to express your interest in playing.

Year Group News

Year 7

Year 7 Movie Night

Year 7 Movie Night showing WONKA.

Friday 8 March: 4.45pm - 7.00pm.
Students will need to be seated by 5.00 pm for a prompt start.
Cost of the ticket is £1.
Tickets will be available on WisePay from Tuesday 27 February 2024.
Tickets will also be available to buy at lunchtime (cash only) in the HUB from Wednesday 28 February.
There will be a tuck shop available at the event, and this will be cash only.

All money raised will go to the Year 10 SELT charity, the St Peters Hospice.

Year 7 Football

It was another big step in the right direction for our Year 7 football team, although the opposition took three points it was a much improved performance. Elijah and Eliza were strong in defence while going forward Josh scored an incredible going which had both sets of supporters and parents clapping. As always, the attitude and behaviour of our students on the pitch was excellent. Mr Moody

Year 8

A warm welcome from Mr Lawrence

I'm Mr Lawrence, the new Learning Co-Ordinator for Year 8. I am excited about collaborating with you to ensure the academic success, personal development, and wellbeing of our students. I am big on students feeling safe in school, feeling a sense of belonging, meeting my high standards and understanding the firm boundaries that are in place for their benefit. Please feel free to reach out to me with any queries: lawrencet@cotham.bristol.sch.uk. I look forward to working together with you.

Year 8 Information

Year 8s have had a fairly settled start back after half term after experiencing more change in leadership. Please urge any girls interested in playing sports that the AWP is open just for Year 8 girls on a Tuesday and Thursday Week B.

Things to look forward to:

Thursday 21 March 2024 - Year 8 Movie Night. More information on that pending.
Wednesday 27 March 2024 - Year 8 Parent / Carer Evening.

Year 9

Health Related Careers Events - University of Bristol

The Dentistry Careers Day will take place in July at the new Dental School (all info including link to sign up form is in the attached flyer here) and is open to students from year 9-11. Places are limited for this event so best to encourage early applications!

Year 9 Update

Year 9 had a very successful trip to East Shallowford Farm this week. We took 11 students who learned about conservation, teamwork and farming! It was a great experience for all involved!

Year 9 Drama Star of the Week

BEN for excellent naturalistic performance.

Year 9 Exams

Year 9 Exams take place on Monday 11 March - Friday 22 March. Please find attached the examination timetable and an exam preparation booklet which contains links to resources to support your child's revision.

Year 10

An Incredible Start of the Term

It has been so lovely to see Year 10 returning after the half term, fully engaged and ready to learn. The behaviour has been very good and it is good to see so many students attending after school clubs. Tutor football is in full swing, with a few surprises along the way; 10SME may need to win a few more games if they want to win the cup! We are looking forward to more reward activities again this term; The Bake Off is booked for Wednesday 20 March 2024.

Year 10 SELT team are busy preparing for more fundraising events, including an Easter Raffle, Year 7 Movie Night, Easter Bake Sale and a Year 7 egg and Spoon race.

It's quarter-finals for the Year 10 boys!

Congratulations to the Year 10 football team for reaching the quarter-finals of the Woodcock Shield Cup after beating St Bernadette 8-2. Special mention goes to Imad for his Hat-trick and Imran for his Man of the Match performance. Overall a great performance from everyone.

Year 10 SELT

The Year 10 SELT team had two very successful fundraising events last term. They held a pancake dale and flipping competition and they baked heart shaped cookies for their Valentine bake sale.

Raising £170 for their Charity St Peters Hospice.

Thanks to all who supported the events.

Year 11

Parent Information Event Presentation Slides

Please find attached the slides from the Year 11 Parent Information Event that took place on Wednesday 28 February. Thank you for attending. It was great to see so many parents. Please find the link here.

North Bristol Post 16

Year 12

Mock Timetables

Year 12s will shortly receive their mock exam timetables. If they have any questions or concerns please encourage them to make contact with a member of the P16 team who will be able to support them.

Year 13

Post Mock Surgery

If your child received a U in their Y13 mock, you will shortly be contacted and invited to a the Post Mock Surgery. The purpose of this meeting is to review progress to date and discuss how we can support your child to maximise their progress in the lead up to their summer exams. This may include signposting to already available support, discussion of SEND arrangements, independent learning strategies and putting you in direct contact with subject teachers.

Early Applicants

We will shortly be starting our Early Applicant Support Programme for those of you who are considering applying for one of the following university or course choices

Oxford University
Cambridge University
Medicine
Dentistry
Veterinary Science

Students should complete the form sent out by Ms Beaver this week to register their interest.

Post - 16 Money Management Course

P16 students have been attending a Money Management course led by Economics students from Bristol University.Students have been exploring themes such as:

Saving and borrowing, Investing and risk, the economics of going to university, setting up a business, the government's role in the economy, the cost of living crisis, inflation and the role of the Bank of England, money around the world - trade and colonialism, currency, income distribution, poverty.

Subject Announcements

STEAM

Work of the Week

This week Year 7 have been practicing drawing their design ideas in preparation to decorate a clay Mandala hand. Inspired by Zen Tangle and henna design, they've used intricate patterns and symmetry to create these decorative hands. Year 8 have also begun their Bug project! Starting by working on their drawing skills with these illustrations of various insects.

A-Level Computer Science

Year 12 Computer Science students have recently been learning about different software classifications. They were asked to create a multimedia product to demonstrate their understanding of the topic. Here is one of the projects.

GCSE Food Fibre February

Year 10 Students in GCSE Food have made sticky toffee cookies. These cookies are part of Fibre February encouraging us to incorporate more fibre rich foods into our diets. The dates, oats, wholemeal flour and oats are a great source of soluble and insoluble Fibre in our diets. They were very popular with the Year 10 students. Please find the adapted school version of the recipe here with picture guides. We would love to see student outcomes made at home.

Social Sciences

Young Enterprise Business Event on Saturday 2 March 2024

Ecoedge, Cotham's own Young Enterprise Company, will be at a selling event in Cabot Circus from 9.30 am on Saturday 2March 2024. They will be showcasing and selling their student designed range of bespoke, handmade, ethically sourced chopping boards to the public. There are a range of boards for sale each featuring an iconic Bristol landmark. They have all worked so hard so please show your support and pop by with your wallets and purses!

MFL

Language of the Month: Cantonese

We are in the final week for this months language. Here is a follow up video going over foods eaten in the Cantonese culture.

Bristol Education Partnership

BEP Philosophy Society 7 February 2024

NBP16 Year 13 Philosophers hosted the BEP Philosophy Society on AI. 50+ students = fantastic debate! Well done to our main presenter Hattie, ably assisted by Fabio, Yasmin, and Ella. Lovely feedback below:

The students presenting the session were inspiring - great potential teachers I think! It was so nice to see such a range of students interested in Philosophy and the atmosphere meant that they all felt comfortable sharing their ideas and chatting with each other with confidence.

Literacy

KS3

Word of the Week

Convenient

'Kuhn-vee-nee-uhnt'

Meaning:

Something that doesn't involve any trouble and fits in with a person's plans / needs or located in a useful place (adjective).

Example:

Is it convenient if I meet you tomorrow?

The school's location is convenient to me because it's near my house.

Synonyms:

Suitable, appropriate, advantageous....

KS4

Word of the Week

Deter

'Di-tur'

Meaning:

To prevent something or discourage someone from doing something (verb).

Example:

The walls are topped with spikes to deter intruders.

Sadly, the rising cost of university might deter some students.

Synonyms:

Discourage, prevent, dissuade...

Digital Literacy Corner

Topic: Talking to your child about online safety.

The NSPCC, a UK charity dedicated to child protection, offers advice on how to talk to your child about online safety. Here is a link to their website: Link

Here are the key points from the article:

Treat online safety discussions like part of everyday conversations, similar to how you might talk about their day at school. This fosters an open environment where children feel comfortable coming to you with concerns.
Tailor the conversation to your child's age and understanding. Use language and explanations appropriate for their developmental level.
Be a good digital role model. Your own online behaviour heavily influences your child. Be mindful of what you share, how you use technology, and how you handle situations online.
Focus on open communication and trust. Encourage your child to ask questions and share openly about their online experiences.

Remember, you're not alone! The NSPCC provides various resources and support, including a helpline, email support, and online courses, to help you navigate online safety with your child.

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.

Learn more about Seneca Learning Here

Total Seneca Learning Assignments Set for Term 4

Total Seneca Learning

Study Time for Term 4

351 Hours

Total Seneca Learning Study Time for this Academic Year

6506 Hours