Achievement | Diversity | Respect
15 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 18 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 👍
"The Cotham Grand Iftar took place yesterday evening. Thank you to all those who attended. It was lovely to see so many families despite the weather. It was an inspirational evening thanks to our guest speakers from different faiths; Farooq Siddique (Muslim Speaker, Lopamudra Ganguly (Hindu Speaker), Andy Paget (Christian Speaker), David Jewell (Jewish Speaker), Chrissie Hackett (Bristol Humanist Organisation), Tom Aditya (Chair of Bristol Multi-Faith Forum), Arif Khan (Community Champion). The event would not have been possible without the support of our generous sponsors; Bristol Sweet Mart, Pak Butchers, Localz Store, MJ Events and Raja Foodstore. And most importantly, not forgetting our caterers, Hotspot, who laid on a fantastic menu for us on the night. There was plenty for all to eat and take home!"
A heartfelt thank you to all of you from all of us at Cotham!
Mrs Khan, Assistant Headteacher
Thank you
Announcements and Reminders
WORLD BOOK DAY WINNERS! STAFF AND STUDENTS
Thank you to all students and staff who joined in the WORLD BOOK DAY fun last week. We had 4 competitions. Design a Bookmark, The Cotham Book Hunt, Student Dress up and Staff Faculty dress up.
Congratulations to the winners and well done to ALL who took part, you have shown some incredible creative skills!
The whole school was talking about books and that was amazing to see and hear.
Keep it up!
Please see the attached photos which show the WINNERS and runners up.
WBD 2024 COMPETITION winners - Della Payne.docxWBD 2024 STUDENT DRESSING UP winners - Della Payne.docx
Cotham School Socials
Welcome to Cotham School's new Tik Tok account!
We're thrilled to launch our official Tik Tok channel, a platform buzzing with creativity and fun. Get ready for a front-row seat to life at Cotham School through engaging and informative Tik Tok videos.
Our student social media team will be the driving force behind this exciting new account. They're passionate about capturing the essence of Cotham School and sharing it with the world. Expect a youthful perspective and authentic energy in every video.
We plan to update the account regularly with a diverse range of content that will give you a well-rounded picture of what Cotham School is all about.
Hit that follow button and join our journey on Tik Tok! We promise a fun and authentic look at Cotham School, where learning meets laughter, and students take centre stage.
Cotham Grand Iftar
Warmest thanks to everyone who came out to our Cotham Grand Iftar yesterday! We were so pleased to see such a great turnout and it was wonderful to share this special evening with you all. The event couldn't have been such a success without your attendance and support.
We hope you had a memorable evening and enjoyed hearing the inspiring speech from our guest speaker.
Thank you to everyone who helped to make the event possible!
We look forward to seeing you at future events!
Year Group News
Year 7
Table Tennis Tournament
The Year 7 Table Tennis Tournament is now underway with over 40 students signing up!
So far, we have seen some fantastic matches during the tournament and students have been creating a great atmosphere!
Year 7 - Movie Night
On Friday evening, (8 March) large number of Year 7 students enjoyed a cinema experience watching Wonka in the Dance Studio with a tuck-shop selling pop corn and drinks.
With fantastic help from the Year 10 SELT, the evening was a great success! All proceeds raised will be donated to St Peters Hospice.
Year 7 - Subject Spotlight - Maths
Mr King - Faculty Leader for Mathematics
In Maths in Term 4, Year 7 will be learning about Transforming Shapes (eg. reflection and rotation), Equations (an introduction) and Probability (eg. using experiments to estimate probability).
Year 8
Movie Night
🎉 Get ready for an amazing Movie Night event with Year 8 on Thursday March 21 from 3.00pm to 5.00pm in the Main Hall!
🍿 Bring your own soft drinks, snacks, and get ready to have an unforgettable time! Let's make this event one of many Year 8 rewards 🎬🍬
Year 9
Summer - Advance Aerospace Residential - Year 9s
Please find the link here to help them excel in STEM with a week residential that we are hosting at Royal Air Force Museum Midlands
This free experience is open to all students interested in aerospace science and is open to the nation!
Year 10
Congratulation to the Year 10 SELT team
A huge congratulations to the Year10 SELT team, Rosie, Gen, Lila, Karina, Vismaya and Zoya who organised a very successful Movie night for Year7. It was a fun evening and great to see Year7's enjoying themselves. We raised a grand total of £134 for their charity St Peters Hospice. Thank you to all who supported and came along.
Year 10 Drama Stars of the week
Congratulations to our Year 10 Drama Stars this week
Roisin - superb characterisation
Martha - excellent sharing of work in progress
Spot light on GCSE Philosophy and Religion
Ms Crimmins-Moore : "GCSE Philosophy and religion is the study of global philosophy + key topical issues, things like Medical ethics, the ethics behind the criminal justice system + Human rights and social Justice. Alongside this they get to study the stark and contrasting beliefs behind Buddhism + Islam, considering how both have encountered challenges and adapted to the cultures they have encountered.
With Mr Buchanan they are studying Crime + punishment - looking at how severe a punishment should be. With me they are studying the merging of Buddhism with Japanese culture and the influence on architecture and worship."
Year 10 student : "I chose Philosophy and Religion for my GCSEs because the fundamental questions of existence, morality, and the human experience interest me. I like how it offers a unique lens through which to explore these inquiries, understanding diverse belief systems, ethical dilemmas, and philosophical arguments. Studying them allows me to critically analyse different perspectives, deepen my understanding of the world, and cultivate empathy by appreciating diverse viewpoints. "
North Bristol Post 16
UCAS Convention
This week the Post16 team took 52 students to the UCAS convention in Exeter. The students were very excited to start thinking about universities and were keen to get all of their questions answered. We look forward to digging a bit deeper into their future plans during our Futures conference later in the academic year.
Students vs Staff - Basketball
The foundation students organised a charity Basketball match against the Post16 staff as part of their Business course. There was a great turn out and the atmosphere was brilliant. The staff were understandably a bit rusty but gave their all. With the students getting s very well deserved win!
Subject Announcements
English
Sparx Reading Homework
We have launched Sparx Reader for KS3. Students are set a weekly homework to gain 300 Sparx Reader Points (roughly 30 mins of careful reading). The platform tailors reading to each student to build crucial academic reading skills. A range of interesting texts are available for students to select. Reading can be completed on devices with internet access. All are expected to complete this homework in line with the school's homework policy and to support their progress in reading.
STEAM
Year 10
We are 1 of 300 schools getting a delivery of canned Alaska pink salmon from @AlaskaSeafoodUK. This week Year 10 made Buddy’s Fishcakes with the Salmon a recipe taken from Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food. Thank you to @FoodTCentr @FishmongersCo #FishHeroes for this opportunity!
Work of the Week
This week, the Year 7 art classes have been using clay to make Mandala hands. They used their own hand as a template and have decorated them with detailed mandala designs. Once dry they'll be ready to fire in the kiln!
House Announcement
Ramadan chocolate covered dates on sale!
The Houses were raising money for Islamic Relief and their aid efforts in Palestine. We were also selling badges so students and staff can celebrate that they are fasting for Ramadan. The prefects were helping and it was a massive success! We are still waiting on the funds raised as we are still getting donations. Thanks everyone!
Starting Monday 18 March 2024
Those pesky Omega House prefects have once again hidden little egg tokens all around the school site.
Find an egg token and swap it with Mr. Burfield or Ms. Madge at the humanities office/under the canopy at break or lunch for an Easter egg! Alternatively swap it with Ms. Forbes or Ms. Ahmed who will give you a yummy egg. Happy Hunting!
Bristol Education Partnership
Chess Tournament Results
Excellent results from our Year 7/8 Chess Teams at the tournament at Bristol Grammar School last Monday - well done to all involved. Our A Team came 6th out of 16, a really impressive effort. Particularly well done to Dylan who won every single one of his games, and Huxley who beat one of his opponents in 4 moves!
Student Leadership Programme - Graduation
Three of our students recently graduated from the Bristol Education Partnership’s Student Leadership Programme. Vismaya (Year 10), Isabelle (Year 11) Ankit ( Year 11) attended the final session at Clifton College. Our students presented in front of all of the other BEP schools on what their social action project will be in May (Culture Day) and how they have used their skills from their 6 months of training. Several staff commented on the ‘humble confidence’ and ‘clarity’ of our students. Well done!
Literacy
KS3
Word of the Week
Remorse
'Ri-maws'
Meaning:
Deep regret or guilt for something (noun).
Example:
They were filled with remorse and shame.
He showed remorse for his crime.
Synonyms:
Guilt, regret, shame....
KS4
Word of the Week
Adverse
'Ad-vurs'
Meaning:
Having a negative or harmful effect on something (adjective).
Example:
We are experiencing adverse weather conditions.
I had an adverse reaction to the medication.
Synonyms:
Harmful, unpleasant, unfavourable....
Digital Literacy Corner
Topic: Avoid and report internet scams and phishing.
Phishing is a type of scam where criminals try to trick you into revealing personal information, such as passwords or credit card details. They often do this by sending emails or texts that look like they are from a legitimate source, such as a bank or government department.
The article explains how to report suspicious emails to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). You can also report suspicious texts and phone calls. It's important to report these scams so that the NCSC can investigate them and take action to stop them.
If you think you've been a victim of a phishing scam, the article also advises you on what to do next, such as reporting it to Action Fraud.
Link to the full article: Link
