Newsletter 16/01/26
cotham gardens primary school
weekly newsletter 16/1/2026
MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
I’d like to start this week’s newsletter by celebrating all the children and families that are making a big effort to get to school in time for the opening of the gates.
- Elmgrove gates: 8:40am
- Cotham Grove gates: 8:45am
Our "soft start" helps children to settle, get organised and begin learning calmly. This first session is used to embed important foundational skills such as handwriting, reading, spelling and maths fluency.
We are proud of our good attendance and punctuality, but we always aim to improve. If your family is finding attendance or punctuality challenging, please contact your child's teacher or our attendance team. We are here to help:
- Danielle Wilson and Shellie Barwick (Office)
- Sophie Dunne and Julie Smith (Learning Mentors)
- Lucy Welsford (SENDCO)
- And myself, as Attendance Lead and Headteacher
It’s been lovely seeing many more book bags coming into school at Cotham Grove. Our new reading books are very precious, and book bags keep them safe and clean. Year 3 are doing really well with the routines, and by the end of next week the whole school, right up to Year 6, will be fully into the swing of things.
Next week, Mr Seaton will be in school and we will hold our termly Community Forum at 9am in the Cotham Grove Hall. As usual there will be an online repeat at 6pm on Thursday – Teams link on ClassDojo.
Lastly, a polite reminder about jewellery and parking. Except for small studs / sleeper earrings, jewellery is not permitted to be worn in school unless essential for religious reasons.
All families who need to drive to school are requested to park and drop off away from Cotham Park North and Elmgrove Road. This reduces congestion and allows blue badge holders to access the marked parking bays safely. Please remember that stopping on double yellow lines or zig‑zags is illegal, even for a moment. Thank you for helping us keep all children safe.
Best wishes for a lovely weekend.
Emmeline Smith
COMING UP NEXT WEEK
MONDAY 19th JANUARY
🏊♂️ YR4 Swimming
Please reminder to bring your swimming kits and snack
TUESDAY 20th JANUARY
SEND Coffee Morning - EG Hall
All Welcome after drop untill 10:00am
The Sirona nurse will be there to chat with parents that have booked a appointment: - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk
🍕 YR4 Pizza Workshop with AIP
WEDNESDAY 21st JANUARY
Community Forum
Cotham Grove Hall - 9:00-10:00
All welcome!
THURSDAY 22nd JANUARY
KS1 Drama Workshop
Online Community Forum
18:00-18:45 - You will find the link on ClassDojo
FRIDAY 23rd JANUARY
🍰ELMGROVE PLAY STREET AND BAKE SALE 🍪
Friday 23rd January 3.15pm
Everyone from both school sites is welcome.
GOLDEN CERTIFICATE WINNERS
ATTENDANCE WINNERS AND REMINDERS
This week’s class attendance winners are:
Ash class with 100% - Well done!
This week’s class punctuality winners are:
Ash and Maple class with 99% - Well done!
🚓 MONDAY'S SPECIAL VISIT FOR RECEPTION 🚓
On Monday morning, our reception class had an exciting visit from the police! The officer brought along a police van and showed the children all the cool things inside it. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to learn about the important role the police play in our community.
The children were particularly fascinated by the sirens and lights, as well as the different equipment used by the police.
COMMUNITY FORUM NEXT WEEK!
Community Forum
📍 In-Person Forum
📅 Date: Wednesday, 21st January
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
📍 Location: Cotham Grove Hall
💻Online Forum
📅 Date: Thursday, 22nd January
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM
📲 Platform: Link will be shared via ClassDojo
📚INDEPENDENT READING IN YEARS 3,4,5,6 📚
Exciting news!
From next week, all classes in KS2 will be taking home books to read. You should have already received a communication about the initiative earlier this week.
For years 3 and 4, please remember to send your child in with their book bag if you still have one, or you can order a new one, please see communication further down for instructions.
For year 4 and 5, the same applies. However, if you don't want a new book bag, we will provide a buttoned plastic wallet.
Children are expected to read at least three times a week. This should be recorded in their reading record and signed by an adult.
Book bags and buttoned wallets should be brought in daily.
Thank you for support. If you need any help, just ask your child's teacher.
Happy reading,
Duncan Brett
ORDERING BOOKS BAGS
If you need to purchase a new book bag, this can be ordered via your child's Arbor account - by navigating to the School Shop, found under 'Quick Actions'. Orders will be processed by the office team, who will deliver book bags to classrooms.
📚AUTHOR VISIT TO YEAR 4/5/6 📚
Storytelling Week: A Special Visit from John Row!
We’re excited to announce that as part of Storytelling Week in early February, our school will welcome the internationally acclaimed storyteller John Row!
On Tuesday, 3rd February, John will lead inspiring storytelling sessions for Years 4, 5, and 6, bringing this wonderful and historic art form to life.
With over 40 years of experience as a poet and storyteller, John has performed at festivals, libraries, and schools all over the world. His visit promises to spark creativity and imagination in our students—we can’t wait for them to experience the magic of his stories!
The cost for this special event is £2.69, payable in the usual way via Arbor.
Thank you for supporting this exciting opportunity.
NURSE DROP IN SESSIONS
The school nurse will be dropping in for some sessions with parents and carers on the dates below - please click on the date to book your lot:
WE STILL HAVE THREE SLOTS FREE FOR THE 20TH JANUARY.
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 15 minute 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.
💻 ONLINE SAFETY WORKSHOP 💻
📢 PTAF NEWS 📢
🏃🏿🏃🏿♀️🏃♂️🏃🏿🏃🏿♀️🏃♂️🏃🏿🏃🏿♀️🏃♂️🏃🏿🏃🏿♀️🏃♂️
ELMGROVE PLAYGROUND MARKINGS
We are excited about relaunching our crowdfunder for new markings in the Elmgrove playground. The Cotham Grove site ones have been a huge hit so now it’s time for our Key Stage One children to be in on the extra fun!
To donate please click on the link below.
Or if you know anyone who might like to sponsor or donate then please get in touch.
https://wonderful.org/fundraisers/79PgL
🔴🔵🔴🔵🔴🔵🔴🔵🔴🔵🔴🔵
ELMGROVE PLAY STREET AND BAKE SALE
Friday 23rd January 3.15pm
Everyone from both school sites is welcome.
🔵🔴🔵🔴🔵🔴🔵🔴🔵🔴🔵🔴
COTHAM GROVE PLAY STREET AND BAKE SALE
Friday 6th February 3.15pm
Everyone from both sites is welcome.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
LAUNCH OF THE SPONSORED READ
Monday 9th February.
All children in the school will be sent home with a sponsored read diary on Monday 9th February. Please look out for it in their book bags. Children are encouraged to read a set number of times between then and World Book Day on Thursday 5th March. There will be an electronic link sent out via Classlist and class dojo which can be used for sponsorship donations. Each child that enters will be awarded a special bookmark, designed by our school librarian Karen George, and be entered in to a prize draw to win a book.
🧶🫙🌷🧶🫙🌷🧶🫙🌷🧶🫙🌷🧶🫙🌷
YEAR 6 CRAFT MARKET
Friday 13th March
The year 6 children will be holding a market in the Cotham Grove hall straight after school. There will be homemade crafts, second hand books, cakes and more. This will be to raise money for the year 6 end of school party.
💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰
YOUR SCHOOL LOTTERY
One very easy way you can help raise money is to buy a lottery ticket through our new school lottery system.
One winner from our school is guaranteed every week!
Click on the link below to buy tickets!
Shine February Half Term Holiday Clubs
Join the Feb Holiday Fun near you! Book now and receive 20% off! Use the code Early Booker.
We have loved seeing so many children come along to Shine Holiday Clubs and look forward to welcoming more of you.
For children at any school from Reception – Year 6, days run from 09:00-15:30 with (early and late hours) available if you need them.
There are load of different activities such as Forest Adventure, Cookery, Wicked! Play in a Day, Mega Mash Ups, K-Pop Dance, Football Fundays, Alice in Wonderland Creative, Crazy Science and Gymnastics & Cheer - there really is a day your child will love.
Shine are Ofsted Registered so you can pay via Childcare Vouchers and the Tax-Free Childcare Scheme.
Click here Shine Holiday Clubs | Sports and creative activities to see what’s on.
See you at Shine!
CREATIVITY CLUB - TUESDAYS @ COTHAM GROVE
The OG Creativity Club is bookable!
Tuesdays @ Cotham Grove for yrs 3-6. Devised by Emma from Chandos Atelier and delivered by a professional maker with years of experience, these are an hour of creative exploration using art materials. Enriching and imaginative, they develop skills and resilience, teaching techniques and methods rather than giving follow-along instructions - perfect for creative kids and art adventurers!
https://www.chandosatelier.co.uk/bookings
“His creativity at home and his attitude to materials and projects has exploded, which includes scientific endeavours, inspired by your materials and attitude to creativity.”
📢COMMUNITY NEWS 📢
Caretaker/Cleaner Vacancy
Caretaker Cleaner - Part time, Fixed term, Term Time Only
Are you looking for a role where you can make a real difference to a vibrant school community? Cotham Gardens Primary School is seeking a reliable and proactive Evening/Weekend Caretaker Cleaner to help ensure our split site school remains a clean, safe, secure and welcoming environment for pupils, staff and visitors.
About the Role:
You’ll play a vital part in ensuring our school site is safe, secure and clean for pupils, staff and visitors during evenings and weekends. Your duties will include security of the premises, regular health & safety checks, supporting after school activities, carrying out minor repairs, and maintaining high standards of cleanliness throughout the school – including deep cleaning during school holidays.
We’re looking for someone with great attention to detail, who takes pride in their work and is committed to keeping our school welcoming and safe. Experience in a similar role is desirable but not essential – training will be provided.
For more information and to apply - please visit: https://www.eteach.com/job/caretaker-cleaner-1529295
Flu Immunisations Still Available
Children’s Flu vaccination (nasal and injection) catch-up clinics are still available for Reception to Year 11 students who did not receive their vaccinations at school. Please book an appointment at https://imms.sirona-cic.org.uk/flu/2025/book?v=4
If you have any queries please contact the Immunisation Team directly on 0300 124 5515 or email sirona.sch-imms@nhs.net
Sunday Year 1 Footballers wanted!
Shine would like to invite footballers in Year 1, to a FREE TRIAL for the Shine Saints Under 6s Football Squad. Get ready to play Sunday league football.
They will:
- Play friendly fixtures on Sundays, until September when we will play competitive fixtures in the Hanham Minor League.
- Training takes place on Wednesday evenings from 17:15-18:15pm at the Shine Sports Ground, BS6
- Official Shine Saints kit for all players
Come and try for the rest of the month and see how you get on...just email us and we will let you know the next session to come to.
To confirm your FREE TRIAL, simply email info@myshine.co.uk. Just email us your child's full name, date of birth and two emergency contact names & telephone numbers.
BRISTOL FAMILY HUBS
Please find the Parenting Groups Information Booklet
KIDS CAPOERIA CLASS
BROWNIES
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