Newsletter 11/07/24
cotham gardens primary school
weekly newsletter 11/07/2025
Message from the Head of School
This week began with the Year 6 Carnival troupe making us proud at the St Paul’s Carnival Elders’ Brunch. You can find out more about the day on this ITV news item: News Clip
It feels like we haven't stopped since then! Year 4/5/6 went down the hill to Elmgrove for an inspirational author visit from Charlotte Philby who is a Cotham Gardens parent, novelist and now children’s author. Reading for Pleasure is such an important part of children’s education, and there is always a sense of awe when the children meet ‘real’ authors. I think it has also inspired some fantastic writing this week as there has been a steady procession of writers coming to my office to share their work this week.
On Tuesday, Year 3 spent the day immersed in learning at their Egyptian day which was led by external educators from the Bristol City Musuem service. We have also had YR/Y1 sports day which was organised by our PE lead Emily Young, expertly supported by Hanna, Belle, Eli, Roderick, Gigi, Rory, Gethin, Milla and Andrew from Year 6. We were also very lucky to have Karl from one of our supply agency partners keeping everyone under starters orders.
Year 2 were based at Cotham Grove on Thursday for a day of transition activities to help prepare them for the move from Elmgrove, ‘up the hill’ to Year 3. All children took part in a scooter skills lessons with the Bristol Active Travel team as well as meeting their new teacher. They also visited our library, used the IT suite and ate lunch in the hall. I was very proud of the KS2 children who made them feel so welcome. Active Travel will be back in school tomorrow with Dr Bike at the school Summer Fair and I’m delighted to announce that just this afternoon we heard that we have been shortlisted to forward for a permanent School Street at drop off and pick up time. If you are interested in joining the working group as we take this project forward, please let the office know.
We’ve also had performances from 5MC in this class assembly and the premiere of Year 1’s radio play ‘The lost mongo’. I’ll be sharing the link to the play next week for anyone who was unable to attend. This project was funded by Paul Hamlin foundation and has been a really valuable learning experience for the whole cohort, bringing their oracy, teamwork, and creative skills to the fore.
Finally, I hope to see many of you at the Summer Fair tomorrow. I’m told it’s set to be the BEST EVER with many stalls and activities planned. I shall be running Karaoke Corner from 1-2pm – adults welcome too 😊
Emmeline Smith
COMING UP NEXT WEEK
MONDAY 14TH JULY
5MC / Top up Swimmers
Please remember to bring swimming kits into school for your last session
TUESDAY 15TH JULY
COFFEE MORINING - SIRONA NURSE DROP IN
In the Elmgrove hall after drop off 9.00am - 10am
5MC Tennis 9am-10am
YR6 PRODUCTION Matinee performance
Snow White and the Three Bears - 14.00pm
WEDNESDAY 16TH JULY
SHUFFING UP DAY
Shine bookings for September - https://myshine.co.uk/
THURSDAY 17TH JULY
5MC Tennis 9am-10am
YR3 ANCIENT EGYPT WORKSHOP
YR3 will take a walk down to the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
YR6 PRODUCTION - Evening performance
Snow White and the Three Bears - 18.30pm
YR6 LEAVERS DISCO
Will take place straight after the YR6 Performance between 20:00pm - 21:30pm
FRIDAY 17TH JULY
Poetry Competition
Well done to everyone who took part in the Poetry By Heart competition, and particular congratulations to Year 6 student, Ben who won Best in County.
GOLDEN CERTIFICATE WINNERS
ATTENDANCE WINNERS AND REMINDERS
This week’s class attendance winners are: Ladybirds and 6W both with 99% - Well done!
This week’s class punctuality winners are: 4OB and 5WL both with 100% - Well done!
SUMMER ATTENDANCE CHALLENGE UPDATE
We’re thrilled to see some classes achieving 99% attendance this week, as our Summer Attendance Challenge continues!
Thank you to all our pupils and families for making every day count.
Just 7 school days left until the end of term – let’s finish strong!
Remember:
- Top class treat: The class with the highest attendance at each site during the challenge will earn a special treat on the last day of term!
- Individual prize draw: Every child who achieves 97% attendance or above during this period will be entered into a prize draw for an exciting prize. Winners will be chosen at random on the last day of term.
👏 A huge well done to everyone taking part!
Your commitment makes a real difference.
WATER BOTTLE AND WARM WEATHER REMINDER
Warmer weather is still set for next 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
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!
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
6J BOOK CORNER
6J's favourite book this year was Pig Heart Boy written by Malorie Blackman. We enjoyed this for many different reasons: it prompted lots of class discussions, it had lots of enjoyable twists and turns, it raised awareness and had lots of interesting themes throughout. The children in 6J found that they related to the characters, which made our learning much more fun and easy. We felt inspired by this book since the main character, Cameron, had to go through many challenging struggles, but got through them with a high spirit."
Freya C, 6J
YR3 GROUP WORK
Year 3 have had a fantastic week. The highlight was our Egypt day, where Ali Ball, who is an Egyptian specialist, came in for the day and taught us all about Ancient Egypt. We got to learn about their number system, monsters and hieroglyphics. We also got to watch videos of when Ali visited the pyramids in Egypt. Sticking with the Egyptian theme, we have very nearly finished creating our Egyptian scrolls; it has been great fun. We have also been working hard to consolidate our key Maths learning and have got so good at column addition, column subtraction and finding fractions of an amount.
YEAR 6 PRODUCTION
FINAL CALL FOR BOOKING TICKETS!
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 -BOOKING CLOSES TONIGHT!
YEAR 6 DISCO CONSENTS - FINAL REMINDER
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.
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
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.
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
Bristol City Council are providing Free School Meal vouchers up to the value of £90 per eligible child in order to provide extra support during the summer holidays. Families already in receipt of Pupil Premium will receive these vouchers on Wednesday 16th July.
If your child is eligible for FSM, we want to encourage you to register them.
Children in reception, year 1 or year 2 get free school meals anyway through a different scheme. But if they are eligible for free school meals, we still really want you to register – see why below.
Why register for free school meals?
Children who are registered for free school meals don’t have to eat them if you prefer them to have packed lunches.
But registering them is still important because for every child registered for free school meals in the 2024/25 and 2025/26 academic years, the school gets an extra £1,480 (in 2024/25) and £1,515 (in 2025/26) through ‘pupil premium’ funding.
Every child registered for free school meals makes a big difference to the school.
You can find more information about pupil premium on our website: https://www.cothamgardens.co.uk/Pupil-Premium/
Is my child eligible for free school meals?
If you receive these benefits, your child may be eligible:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (as long as you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit) if you have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190
- Working Tax Credit run-on - but not if you receive Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit, if your earned income after tax is £616.67 per month (£7,400 per year) or less
How do I register?
If you think you may now be eligible for benefit-based Free School Meals and Pupil Premium, please follow the steps below to apply:
- To apply online – please visit https://parent.bristol.gov.uk/web/portal/pages/parents/travel-and-free-school-meals
- Or contact the school office on 0117 3772610, who can apply on your behalf.
Children in households with no recourse to public funds (NRPF)
Children in households with NRPF may be eligible if their household income is less than:
- £22,700 for families with 1 child
- £26,300 for families with 2 or more children
You can find out more about the NRPF condition on GOV.UK.
More information
If you have any questions or specific concerns, please contact the school office.
You can also find more information at www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals.
AIP PRICE INCREASE
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.
FAMILY SUPPORT
To support families within our school, below is a selection of resources available to parents and co parents who may be looking for additional relationship support.
If you have any questions or would like to explore these options further, our learning mentors, Julie Smith and Sophie Dunne are here to help- please don't hesitate to get in touch.
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.)
ADMISSIONS UPDATE
We’re excited by the fantastic interest in joining Cotham Gardens Primary School, and we look forward to welcoming many new families in September!
Current Availability by Year Group for September:
- Reception (Year 1 in September): Now full
- Year 1 (Year 2 in September): Spaces available
- Year 2 (Year 3 in September): Spaces available
- Year 3 (Year 4 in September): Now full
- Year 4 (Year 5 in September): Spaces available
- Year 5 (Year 6 in September): Spaces available
If you, or anyone you know, is interested in a place for their child in one of our available year groups, please visit our In-Year Admissions page for further details and the application process.
Reception 2025 Intake – Spaces Available!
We also have spaces left for children starting Reception in September 2025. To find out more and apply online, please visit the Bristol City Council website.
Arrange a Visit
We know that choosing a school is a big decision. We love welcoming prospective parents and carers to tour our school and see what makes Cotham Gardens special.
To arrange a visit, please contact our school office:
- 📧 office@cothamgardens.co.uk
- 📞 0117 3772610
Thank you for your ongoing support and for considering Cotham Gardens Primary School for your child’s education. We look forward to meeting you soon!
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 Saturday, 12 July, 12 - 3pm
Come and enjoy a BBQ, a bar, refreshments, Candy Floss, sweet cones and Bubble Tea.
Play games and Bottle Tombola, jump on the Bouncy Castle, win a prize donated by the staff, guess the number of balloons in a Mini, take part in Harry Potter themed activities and crafts, talk to the police and fire crew.
Sing karaoke.
Please bring homemade or bought, sweet or savoury cakes and bakes to the fair. NO NUTS.
Free entry.
Please volunteer to help on a stall, the spreadsheet is on Classlist.
See you tomorrow.
Play Street on Friday, 18 July, after school
Cotham Park North will be closed for children to play on and enjoy ice cream and drinks. A great end to the school year!
Easyfundraising
Please use this site for your online shopping for goods and services.
The school gets a percentage at no extra cost to you. The QR code is 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
COMMUNITY NEWS
JULY 2025 SEND NEWSLETTER
Bristol Parent Carers have asked us to share their July 2025 newsletter and have provided the following message: Inside our July SEND newsletter you will find some links to organisations offering activities and support over the holidays (yes we've got you), information on Bristol Parent Carers new wellbeing service that provides FREE 1:1 support to parents / carers of children struggling with their mental health and wellbeing plus MORE!
In addition to our newsletter we wanted to inform or remind everyone of the amazing resource for parents and carers: The Bristol SEND Local Offer. There is a wealth of information here for anyone and everyone at any point on journey.
We are nearly at the end of another academic year, as parents of kids with SEND ourselves, we get it. We want to be in this together, ensuring a sense of community where we are all informed and empowered. Happy summer everyone.
Please click the link below for more.
SIMON PORTER -TENNIS
FREE TRIAL/ BRING A FRIEND
Reception/ year 1 Class
Date: Wednesday 16th July 2025
Time: 16:15 - 17:15
Price: Free
For more information and to book, please visit:
https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/SIMONPORTERTENNIS/Coaching/Session/9d1f114a-8545-4aae-b89b-114d1df7c4da
KINGSDOWN SPORTS CENTRE
BRISTOL SUMMER ACTIVITIES AND BUS ROUTES
Click on the two images below for more information!
SONGTREATS MUSIC CLUB
SUMMER POTTERY HOLIDAY CLUB
AT CREATE CENTRE
Clay at Create! - Children’s Pottery Holiday Workshops in Hotwells
These popular pottery workshops are running again over the summer holidays. The workshops are for children aged 7-16 and each child has a go on the potter’s wheel and a chance to experiment with clay using other techniques. Children get to take their creations home at the end of the session.
The groups are small - up to a maximum of 8 and are held in the safe and homely environment of the Ecohome, a sustainable house at the Create Centre, B Bond, Smeaton Rd, Bristol BS1 6XN. The cost is £26 per child per workshop - morning 10am - 12.30pm or afternoon 1.30pm - 4pm or £52 per child per day, 10am-4pm. These workshops book up quickly, so get in touch as soon as you can to secure your spot.
The dates of the workshops for the Summer Holidays are on the following Wednesdays and Thursdays:
30th-31st July
6th-7th August
14th-15th August
20th-21st August
Tickets are bookable via Eventbrite and here is the link: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/summer-holiday-pottery-club-for-children-2025-4412833?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=odclsxcollection&utm-source=cp&aff=odclsxcollection
Joanna Espiner is a formally trained ceramic artist with a BA Hons degree in Ceramics and has been a practising ceramic artist for over 30 years. She holds a current and valid enhanced DBS certificate. Over the last 9 years she has been leading clay workshops for all ages in schools, care homes and community centres.
Contact Joanna with any queries: claywithjoanna@gmail.com
WINTERBOURNE MEDIEVAL BARN
COTHAM SCHOOL OPEN EVENING
