Thank you

MenACWY and Td/IP vaccination catch-up clinics are available for all Year 9 students who did not receive their vaccination at school. Please book an appointment here.  If you have any queries please contact the Immunisation Team directly on 03001245515 or email sirona.sch-imms@nhs.net.

• Last day of Term 5 is Friday 24 May at 2.45pm .

• W/c 27 May is a half term. 

• Start of Term 6 is Monday 3 June at 8.30am

• Term 6 begins FOR STAFF and STUDENTS on Monday 3 June 2024 as NORMAL.

Please save the date!

Year 9 / 10 - Thursday 18 July 2024

Year 7 / 8 - Friday 19 July 2024

Year 10 SELT team have organised an ice lolly sale. This will be break time in the HUB on Thursday 23 May.

Everything will be £1 - cash only.

All money raised will go to their charity St Peters Hospice.

Wow! An amazing first Cotham Parents Network Meeting took place on Wednesday 15 May 2024.  36 parents meet together to discuss how parents and carers can get even more involved in their child's learning and the amazing enrichment activities that are planned for the upcoming months.  There was such a diverse wealth of experience and ideas shared and we are very excited about the amazing work that we will continue to do together.  THE NEXT COTHAM PARENTS NETWORK MEETING WILL BE ON THE 19 JUNE 2024.

Year 7 exams will be taking place on Monday 13 May to Friday 24 May.

Please find attached an examination timetable which provides details of which exams are happening when.

Also, please find attached a Year 7 Exam Preparation Booklet which provides details of all the exams with useful links to revision resources.

Year 7 Exam Timetable

Year 7 Exam Preparation Booklet

Throughout this past week, our Year 8 students have been dedicating their morning registration sessions to focus on the "5 Ways of Wellbeing."  These sessions have involved a tailored programme of PSHE, specifically centred around exploring relationships, but not with others.  Instead, the focus has been on fostering a healthy relationship with oneself and understanding the impact of social media on personal wellbeing.

Over the course of the past few weeks, our students have delved into a variety of important topics during their PSHE sessions.  These include discussions on body image, bullying, the importance of sleep, societal beauty standards, and awareness about online safety such as phishing and fraud.

We believe that these discussions are crucial in providing our students with the necessary tools to navigate the complexities of today's world while promoting their overall wellbeing.

Thank you for your continued support in our efforts to provide a comprehensive education for your child.

This week Year 9 student in 9AWA attended the Young hero's awards as a nominee for learning hero.  He will attend two more events including the final in July.  Good luck!

Shout out to the Yellow group of students who took part in the on site WEX.  They had an amazing experience with a visitor making and decorating tote bags, pencils cases and hair bands.  The items they made were fab and they were able to take them home.  Some students filled their pencil cases immediately  to use in school.

Well done to the Year 11s for having such a smooth start to the summer examination period.  We have been really impressed with their sensible attitude, organisation and maturity.  Please continue to remind your child that they must attend school in full school uniform with their lanyards on for all exams and exam preparations sessions.  Thank you for your support and cooperation with this.

We are looking forward to welcoming Jeanette Bain-Burnett as a guest speaker in Core Program next week.  Jeanette has worked in the arts, education, charities and government.  She is currently chair of ACTA Theatre in Bristol, and organisation that champions everyone’s right to be creative citizens.  Jeanette founded a charity called Dream Camp.  It’s a creative leadership programme for African and Caribbean girls in Bristol.  She will be delivering a session to Year 12 on Wednesday 22 May at 11.00am.

Last week we held a leavers assembly for Year 13.  There was music, food, words of wisdom and lots of smiles.  We thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to give Year 13 the send off they deserve and wish them the very best of luck with their exams.

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.

It has been an amazing first few weeks of rounders fixtures at Cotham. All 4 year groups have been in action this week vs St Bedes with 3 of the 4 year groups taking the win. Thank you as always to the incredible students that represent us. 

The Houses have had prefect applications open for the last two weeks now and we have had a FANTASTIC response from Year 10 students.  We have had well over 50 applications which was amazing to see.  The Heads of Houses have met to decide who will be invited to interviews which will be held the w/b the 20th.  Candidates will have a 15 minute interview their head of house which will build on the skills they have acquired during their WEX week.  Look out for the new prefects soon!

There is a lot of information online that is incorrect/fake or misleading and it can sometimes be difficult for adults to distinguish between what is true and what is fake, never mind for younger people. We need to develop digital literacy skills in our children by encouraging them to think critically about what they read online and to fact check. Both the BBC and Channel 4 have fact checking areas on their websites:

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/reality_check 

• https://www.channel4.com/news/factcheck/ 

One way to start the conversation would be to play a game such as ‘Can you spot the signs of fake news?’ from the BBC:

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zwfm8hv 

Further Information

• https://saferinternet.org.uk/online-issue/misinformation