Newsletter 04/07/24
cotham gardens primary school
weekly newsletter 04/07/2025
Message from the Head of School
Year 6 have been away on camp this week at Kilve Court on the North Somerset coast. They took part in a variety of team building activities and individual challenges. Mr Jarman was responsible for organising the camp and I’d also like to thank Mrs Bush, Miss Walters, Mr Pearce, Mrs MacDonald and Miss Pink for generously giving up their own time to make this residential trip happen.
We have also held two of our three sports days this week. Y2-6 attended Shine Sports ground in the heatwave on Monday and Tuesday. Mr Insall has been the mastermind of trip and enrichment activities this year and told me how lovely it was to see so many of our parent/carer community cheering the children on. Thanks also to Miss Young, our PE Lead, and the Shine staff for their roles in making the days such a success. This week will be the turn of YR and Y1. Their sports day will be held at the Cotham Grove site and we are lucky to have two sports coaches from Teaching Personnel leading the activities.
Many of you have generously offered to contribute to the cost of these sports days. Any donation, however small, will be hugely appreciated.
Contributions can be made via Arbor using the following steps:
- Navigate to the School Shop on your child's Arbor account
- Select 'School Donations'
- Enter the number of items you wish to buy, then click Buy product.
Have a lovely weekend.
Emmeline Smith
COMING UP NEXT WEEK
MONDAY 7TH JULY
Author Visit - YR4/5/6
Charlotte Philby will be talking about her brand new children’s book The Secret History of Women Spies. Scroll down the page for further details on how to order?
5MC / Top up Swimmers
Please remember to bring swimming kits into school
TUESDAY 8TH JULY
6W Tennis 9am-10am
YR3 Egyptian Workshop
Ali Ball is coming in to do an engaging and informative session to help enrich the children’s learning and understanding of Ancient Egypt. It promises to be a fantastic day full of fun and educational activities.
WEDNESDAY 9TH JULY
Reception and YR1 Sports Day
5MC Class Assembly
The hall gates will be open for 14.50pm
THURSDAY 10TH JULY
6W Tennis 9am-10am
YR2 Scooter Skills Workshop
YR1 Shooting Fish Theatre Company Performance
Elmgrove hall at 14.30pm
SATURDAY 12TH JULY
Summer Fayre 12.00-15.00pm
GOLDEN CERTIFICATE WINNERS
ATTENDANCE WINNERS AND REMINDERS
This week’s class attendance winners are: Hedgehogs / Dragonflies / 6J
all with 99% - Well done!
This week’s class punctuality winners are: Honeybees with 100% - Well done!
Our Summer Attendance Challenge has continued this week, with some great attendance across the school.
Don't forget, classes with the highest attendance level from each site during this period will earn a special class treat! Additionally, any child who achieves 97% or more attendance will be entered into a prize draw for a special prize! Winners will be randomly picked on the last day of term.
A HUGE well done to everyone taking part! Keep it up and let's make this summer term one to remember!
SPORTS DAY REMINDER FOR RECEPTION AND YR1
WEDNESDAY 9TH JULY
🎉 Sports Day Reminder! 🎉
Get those trainers ready and your cheering voices warmed up – Sports Day is almost here for Reception and Year 1l!
📅 When:
-
Wednesday, 9th July – for Reception & Year 1 @9.30 -10.30
📍 Where:
Cotham Gardens Playground (9th July for Reception & Year 1)
It’s going to be an action-packed morning full of running, jumping, team games, and lots of smiles.
Warmer weather is still set for next week, please ensure your child comes to sports day with the following:
- A named sun hat
- Sun cream applied before school.
- A refillable water bottle, clearly labelled with name, to keep well hydrated throughout the day.
Reception & Year 1 Sports Day parents can come along to watch, but must stay behind the designated taped off area in the playground.
Thanks for your continued support – let’s make it a fantastic Sports Day for everyone!
AUTHOR VISIT - CHARLOTTE PHILBY
YET ANOTHER WONDERFUL AUTHOR VISITS US ON MONDAY!
We are very excited to announce the visit of author (and Cotham Garden parent) Charlotte Philby on Monday 7th July. She will be talking about her brand new children’s book The Secret History of Women Spies. This fantastic event will cater to children in years 4, 5 and 6 and is free!
Local bookshop Max Minerva has helped us to offer Charlotte’s book for order. Copies will be delivered on the day of the event, and it might be possible for them to be signed by the author herself. If you would like to put in an order, please use this link below (which includes a discount!).
Happy reading,
Duncan Brett
COTHAM GARDENS LOVES READING
WHAT BOOKS HAVE YOU ENJOYED AT HOME?
Plans are already moving for the third edition of our Cotham Gardens Loves Reading newsletter due out at the end of term 6. This time we need your help!
We would like to share book recommendations from you and your child(ren)!
Please send me an email (see below for address) with a few sentences about a favourite book along with a picture of you and your child holding said book. This will then be published in the newsletter to inspire our school community.
It would be especially great to include some books from different cultures and/or languages. (One of my favourite French children's books is called Ma Vie de Courgette, which was translated as My Life as A Courgette. It's an excellent book that was turned into an equally excellent stop-motion animation.)
We look forward to receiving your recommendations soon!
Email: duncan.brett@cothamgardens.co.uk
5B BOOK CORNER
5B (and the whole of year 5 in fact) have just finished The Explorer by Katherine Rundell. This exciting novel is full of memorable characters, humour and peril. It kept us on the edge of our seats and taught us a lot about the rainforest too. Who knew tarantulas could be so tasty?
HEALTHY SNACK REMINDER
We would like to take a moment to remind all parents and carers of our commitment to promoting healthy eating within our school community.
As part of this initiative, we kindly ask that crisps, sweets, and biscuits are not permitted as break time snacks. Instead, here are some tasty and healthy alternatives your child can enjoy:
- Breadsticks, crackers, and plain rice cakes
- Any choice of fruit
- Yoghurt tubes and pouches
- Vegetable sticks, such as carrot, cucumber, and peppers or any other vegetables your child enjoys
Please also remember that we are a NUT FREE school, so no snacks should contain nuts.
If you have any questions regarding appropriate snacks, please do not hesitate to contact the school or speak to your child's class teacher.
Thank you for your support in promoting healthy choices!
WATER BOTTLE AND WARM WEATHER REMINDER
Warmer weather is still set for next week, getting hotter towards the end of the week. Please ensure your child comes to school prepared with the following essentials:
- A named sun hat to wear during outdoor activities.
- Sun cream applied before school.
- A refillable water bottle, clearly labelled with name, to keep well hydrated throughout the day.
- Please refrain from sending your child into school in crocs or flip flops; they are not suitable for the playground.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our pupils safe and comfortable
CONSENT REMINDER
As previously communicated, we want to remind you that there is a CONSENT section within your child’s Arbor account.
If you have not already done so, please take a moment over the weekend to log onto the Arbor ParentPortal or App and review these sections to ensure we have the most up-to-date information for your child:
- PHOTO/VIDEO CONSENT
- LOCOAL TRIP CONSENT
- CLASSDOJO CONSENT
- SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHER CONSENT
- LOCAL MEDIA CONSENT
- YEAR 6 LEAVERS' BOOK CONSENT (YEAR 6 ONLY)
Thank you for taking the time to review and update your consent preferences.
CURRENT YEAR 2 PARENTS - LUNCHES IN YEAR 3
Just a reminder to those parents and carers with a child in Year 2.
From September, when your child is in Year 3, they will no longer be eligible for Universal Free School Meals. Meals will need to be pre-booked and paid for in advance for the week ahead via your child’s Arbor account.
Children in Year 3 and above can apply for free school meals if their parent or guardian gets certain benefits:
- Universal Credit if your household income is less than £7,400 a year or £616.67 a month after tax
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (if you're not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
- Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 199
If you think you may now be eligible for benefit-based Free School Meals and Pupil Premium, please apply online via Bristol City Council’s website: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/schools-learning-early-years/free-school-meals
If you need any help applying, please contact the school office.
TRIP REMINDERS
Please find below some of the trips that are happening over the coming terms. If you have not consented for your child to attend, please head over to Arbor to give consent as soon as possible.
- YR3 Bristol Museum Trip - Thursday 17th July
- YR Teddy Bear Picnic - Monday 21st July
YEAR 6 PRODUCTION
This year we are delighted to present to you
Snow White and The Three Bears
Matinee performance on Tuesday 15th July 2:00-3.30pm
Evening performance on Thursday 17th July 6:30-8:00pm
Entry is FREE
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS
YEAR 6 DISCO CONSENTS
Please find below a consent form for the YR6 Leavers Disco, which is happening on Thursday 17th July 2025 between 20:00 - 21:30pm.
The YR6 teachers have added on an extra question regarding photo booth consent. For the parents that have already filled out the form and did not see the question, we kindly ask you to complete the form again, so we can capture the consent for the photo booth.
Please complete all questions in order for your child to attend this exciting event!
https://forms.office.com/e/DKGAsJBX6M
You will also find below the YR6 Food order form for the disco, please complete via the link if you have not already done so.
YEAR 6 REMINDERS
Medicine Collections
Please can we remind parents of YR6 children who have medication in school to collect it from the school office before the end of term. Please note, we are unable to allow your child to take the medication home themselves. All medication must be signed out by an adult. Any YR6 medication left after the 23rd July will be disposed off.
Outstanding Debts
Please ensure you have checked not only that your child’s balance is cleared for any camps, clubs, music or lunch payments but also that its not in credit. Accounts in credit can be refunded via Arbor, transferred to a sibling account or donated to the school.
Please email the office to let us know what you would prefer - office@cothamgardens.co.uk
LAST DAY OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR
We would like to kindly remind all parents and carers that there are no INSET days remaining in this term. As such, all children are expected to attend school until the very last day of the academic year, which is TUESDAY 22nd July.
Absence Requests
As stated in our school attendance policy, only exceptional circumstances warrant an authorised leave of absence. Generally, a need or desire for a holiday or other absence for the purpose of leisure, recreation or visiting family would not constitute an exceptional circumstance.
If seeking permission for exceptional circumstances leave of absence, the parent/guardian should complete a Leave of Absence Request form in advance. The request should be submitted as soon as possible; and wherever possible, at least four weeks before the absence.
The school will consider each application individually, considering the specific facts and circumstances. Parents may be required to provide the school with additional evidence in order to support the request. The expectation of the school is that term time holidays should not be planned or booked as a matter of course, as they are likely to be unauthorised.
1. A Penalty Notice
The penalty is £80 per parent, per child payable within 21 days, rising to £160 per parent, per child if paid between 22 and 28 days. (Failure to pay will result in prosecution.) If a second Penalty Notice is issued within a rolling 3-year period the penalty is £160 per parent, per child if paid within 28 days. There will be no option to pay a lower amount.
2. Prosecution
Prosecution could lead to fines up to £2500 and /or up to 3 months imprisonment. (See DfE’s statutory guidance on School attendance parental responsibility measures for more information and Bristol City Council’s Penalty Notice Code of Conduct, available here).
Further information can be found in our Attendance Policy and in the Penalty Notice Leaflet from Bristol City Council.
Term Dates
Term 6: Monday 2 June 2025 to Tuesday 22 July 2025
INSET days for next academic year are now confirmed as follows:
Tuesday 2nd September 2025
Friday 24th October 2025
Monday 3rd November 2025
Monday 5th January 2026
Monday 23rd February 2026
Friday 3rd July 2026
Wednesday 22nd July 2026
NURSE DROP IN SESSIONS
We still have sessions with the school nurse available on the below dates - please click the link to book your session.
The school nurse will be dropping in for some sessions with parents and carers on the dates below, please click on the date you would like to book:
The sessions will be about offering support and information around topics such as emotional support and relationships, sleep, healthy eating, exercise, being healthy, smoking/vaping.
The sessions will be running between 9am-10am and are held in the hall at Elmgrove. There are four slots available per session and are offered on a first come, first serve basis. You will be able to join in with coffee morning whilst you wait to be seen.
If you do book a slot with the Sirona Nurse and are then unable to attend, please let us know in advance so we can offer out that sessions to another family.
BRISTOL SAFEGUARDING IN EDUCATION TEAM
Like all schools in Bristol, we can call upon excellent advice and support from our colleagues in the Bristol Safeguarding in Education Team. They have produced a webpage of resources for families on the theme of staying safe especially during the long summer holidays. The resources are grouped into those aimed at younger children, those aimed at teenagers and those aimed at parents/carers. The parents/carers section includes:
Staying Safe During School Holidays Checklists- These checklists offers parents and carers practical tips for keeping their children safe, prepared, and respectful during school holidays.
How to Have Conversations With Your Child About Knife Crime A video created by the Shadow Board of the Keeping Bristol Safe Partnership to support parents to have conversations with their children about knife crime.
Keeping Children Safe: Parental Guidance- a guide from Department of Education on helping parents and carers choose a safe out-of-school setting for their children to attend.
NSPCC's Advice on Leaving Your Child Home Alone NSPCC's Advice on Leaving Your Child Home Alone
Child Safety Parents’ Pack- a summary page for Child Accident Prevention Trust with resources on garden safety for example
Positively online: top tips for online wellbeing by NSPCC- six top tips to help your child feel good about how they use the internet.
We hope the resources are useful. If there is any aspect of safeguarding you would like to discuss please contact any member of the school safeguarding team ( Seth Insall, Deputy Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead or one of our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads: Head of School Emmeline Smith or Deputy Headteacher Lucy Welsford. Learning Mentors Sophie Dunne and Julie Smith are also Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads.)
RECEPTION 2026 OPEN EVENTS
Reception 2026 Open Events – Book Your Place Now! Our fantastic teachers and wonderful facilities are ready to give your child the best possible start to their school journey. Join us at our Information Sessions or Stay & Play Sessions to discover more about life at Cotham Gardens.
Meet our team Explore our classrooms Ask questions about starting ReceptionBook your place:
office@cothamgardens.co.uk
0117 3772610Or scan the QR codes below
We can’t wait to welcome you and your family to our school community!
PTAF NEWS
Summer Fair on 12 July
URGENT! We need volunteers on all stalls! Please look on WhatsApp groups and Classlist and volunteer for an hour. It’s imperative that we have a successful, profitable fair as coffers are running low. I know parents and carers always come good but we need to know NOW if you can help.
Play Street at Cotham on 18 July
The last one of the year with cakes and ice cream. Cakes and bakes (No nuts) can be left in the offices in the morning or brought in the afternoon. We need helpers to set up and serve. Please sign up on Classlist.
Maija’s leaving party on 11 July
Redland Parish Church Hall, 6-9 pm. RSVP Maija.alan@gmail.com
Everyone welcome.
Easyfundraising
If you shop online for goods or services, please register by using the QR code on the banner outside the main gate.
AFTER SCHOOL AND HOLIDAY CLUBS
Shine this Summer!
We have loved seeing so many children come along to Shine Holiday Clubs and look forward to welcoming more of you.
For children aged 5 to 11 years, days run from 09:00-15:30 with extended hours available if you need them. There are loads of different activities running including Creative Workshops, Forest Adventure, Little Steppers Dance, Football and so much more!
Holiday Clubs are located in Horfield, Henleaze, Clifton and Westbury-on-Trym.
Book now using the code: Early Booker for 20% off your Holiday Club activities!
Shine are Ofsted Registered so you can pay via Childcare Vouchers and the Tax-Free Childcare Scheme.
Click Holiday Clubs here to see what’s on.
See you at Shine!
Chandos Atelier's Creativity Club
KINGSDOWN SPORTS CENTRE
COMMUNITY NEWS
BRISTOL SUMMER ACTIVITIES AND BUS ROUTES
Click on the two images below for more information!
SONGTREATS MUSIC CLUB
SIMON PORTER -TENNIS
BRISTOL PARENT CARERS
🌟 Support for families – from Bristol Parent Carers 🌟
Do you need help with understanding how to support your child's health needs, or finding activities in the community? We’ve put together a leaflet full of useful information to make things easier for you.
Find the support that’s right for your family:
- Help with health needs (toileting, sleep, and more) https://bit.ly/bristolhelphealth
- Support with accessing the community – https://bit.ly/bristollocaloffer
- Free support & training for families – https://bit.ly/bristolhelp
Check it out and see what’s available for you! Contact Bristol Parent Carers if you need any more support or information. 💬
BRISTOL FAMILY HUBS
