cotham gardens primary school

weekly newsletter  19/09/2025

 

 

We’ve had another lovely week of learning at Cotham Gardens. Today marks the end of the transition period for our two new Reception classes and all children are now in school every day for full days. Their phonics lessons are well underway, and we are looking forward to sharing information about how we teach Phonics and Early Reading at our information session on Thursday 25th September between 17.00om -18.00pm in the Elmgrove Hall.

This week in our values assembly we discussed belonging through the eyes of a child with disabilities. We want everyone to feel welcome at our school and are using the No Outsiders programme to support this. Sometimes  children can learn that difference is a barrier to friendship and belonging and we want children to see difference as a positive. After all, our school motto is ‘Celebrating diversity, learning together’.  

We are delighted that Elmtree Preschool is now open at our Elmgrove site and extend a warm welcome to Becky, Caroline and all the staff and families at the nursery. The nursery caters for 2-5 year olds and you find out more here: Elmtree Preschool  

 

Our events calendar is now live on the school website here. There are still a few trips to confirm but we hope this information helps you plan ahead. At the moment there appears to be a glitch with events beyond April 26 but our website host are rectifying this asap.  

Finally, estates and teaching staff have been working hard at sprucing up our learning environments, especially at the Cotham Grove site. We think the plants in Birch class really help to create a calm and nurturing environment. If you are able to donate an indoor plant to your child’s class, please liaise with the class teacher. Your support would be very welcome. 

 

 

 

MONDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER

YR5 Swimming

Please remember to bring in swimming kits and a snack for afterwards.

 

TUESDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER

Coffee Morning

All welcome at the Elmgrove Hall @ 9.00am

 

WEDNESDAY 24th SEPTEMBER

Community Forum (POSTPONED)

In the Cotham Grove Hall between 9am-10.00am

 

THURSDAY 25th SEPTEMBER

Community Forum (POSTPONED)

Online at 18.00pm - Link will be shared on ClassDojo

 

Phonics and Early Reading Information Session

17.00om -18.00pm in the Elmgrove Hall.

 

FRIDAY 26th SEPTEMBER

YR4 Boat Trip

Please remember, packed lunches are need and appropriate walking gear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This week’s class attendance winners are:  Ladybirds with 100% with   - Well done! 

This week’s class punctuality winners are:

Ladybirds and Foxes with 100%  - Well done! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’re excited to welcome all parents, carers to our upcoming Community Forum events;

📍 In-Person Forum 

📅 Date: Tuesday, 24th September
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
📍 Location: Cotham Grove Hall 

 

💻Online Forum

📅 Date: Wednesday, 25th September
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM
📲 Platform: Link will be shared via ClassDojo

 

                       

We know that sometimes our pupils  cannot come to school because they are very unwell - and that's the right thing to do for them and other students.

However, medical advice is clear that children with mild illness will often be well enough to attend - for example if they have a cough, or cold, without a temperature. The NHS guidance Is my child too ill for school? - NHS (www.nhs.uk) is designed to support parents in their decision making about mild illness. 

Reporting Absence

Sickness can be reported via the new Arbor Parent Portal or Arbor App - as well as our usual absence line (0117 3772610 option 1)

To do this on Arbor, go to:
- Quick Actions
- Attendance
- Log Absence
- Input the absence details, ensuring you provide a detailed reason for the absence
- Submit the request by clicking Log Absence

School staff will then approve or reject the absence. Once approved, it will be visible in the Attendance tab.

Medical Appointments

Parents should try to make appointments outside of school hours wherever possible. Where appointments during school time are unavoidable, the pupil should only be out of school for the minimum amount of time necessary for the appointment.

It is not acceptable for a child to miss a whole day’s schooling for an appointment, unless absolutely necessary, in which case the school will need an explanation as to why this is. If a pupil must attend a medical appointment during the school day, they must be collected from the school office by the parent or another authorised adult, and signed out. No pupil will be allowed to leave the school site without parental confirmation.

Advance notice is required for medical or dental appointments, unless it’s an emergency appointment, and must be supported by providing the school with sight of, or a copy of, the appointment card or letter – only then will the absence be authorised.

  

Don’t forget, all lunch choices must be pre-booked and paid for in advance using Arbor, even if you plan to send your child into school with a packed lunch. 

We would also like to remind all families of the importance of ensuring that your child’s lunch account is sufficiently topped up when booking school meals in advance.

If you are booking lunches for multiple days or weeks in advance (e.g., 3 weeks), please ensure your account has enough funds to cover the full cost of those meals at the time of booking.

Unfortunately, if the account does not have the correct balance:

• The system will automatically cancel your child’s lunch choice each day until there are sufficient funds.

• This may result in your child not receiving their preferred lunch option.

We kindly ask that you check your account balance regularly and top up as needed to avoid any inconvenience.

If you have any questions or need support with your account, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

 My child receives Free School Meals

If your child receives Free School Meals, you still need to pre-book their lunches for the upcoming week via Arbor but you will not be charged anything during the checkout process.

If you need instructions on how to make bookings via the Arbor app or Parent Portal, please visit: https://support.arbor-education.com/hc/en-us/articles/6956696271261-Meal-Menu-choices-on-the-Parent-Portal-or-Parent-App

For more information about school lunches and to view the new menu – please visit:  https://www.cothamgardens.co.uk/docs/School_Website_menu_Autum-Winter.pdf

 

Sirona will be here to do the Flu Vaccinations on Thursday 16th October, communication was sent out this week along with the link to fill out your consent form. 

Please complete the consent form as soon as possible:

https://imms.sirona-cic.org.uk/flu/2025/consent?v=4 

How is the vaccine given?

The flu vaccine is usually given using a quick and easy nasal spray, this is the best flu vaccine for children. If your child cannot have the nasal spray due to the porcine gelatine content or for medical reasons, you can consent for your child to have an injection instead. If we cannot offer the injection at your child’s school, you will be able to book a clinic appointment.

Important deadlines:

• The consent system closes 2 working days before the vaccination session at school.
• If you complete your form after the deadline we may not be able to see your child at the school session

Want to learn more?

Flu vaccination for children: leaflets and posters - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Questions?

Contact the School Immunisation Team: 0300 124 5515 or email sirona.sch-imms@nhs.net

 

 

This term in RE, Ash and Maple class are learning about Judaism. Our enquiry question is 'Are Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur important to Jewish children?' So far, we have learnt the importance of the pomegranate, challah bread, and apples and honey and what each of these foods represent to Jewish people. We also learnt about a Jewish ritual called Tashlich, and when a shofar might be used. 

 

 

Pine Class have been reading Katherine Rundell's adventure set in Paris, aptly titled 'Rooftoppers' after the rebellious characters who live high above the streets of this stunning city. Our protagonist, Sophie, is hunting for a mother she lost as a baby in a shipwreck. Her only clue so far is a brief memory of a pair of trousers and a cello. With her unusual, loveable guardian, Charles, whose philosophy is to 'never ignore a possible', she is on a journey of bravery, hope and boldness.

 

Lots of Pine Class have enjoyed Rundell's 'The Explorer', so it is interesting to compare this with 'Rooftoppers'. What if there really were people living secret rooftop lives all over the world? Seeing the world when it can't see them? Never ignore a possible!