This week’s class punctuality winners are:

             Ladybirds with 100% - Well done!

 Also a big well done to all other classes this week!

 

 

                                                

 

 

 

A big thank you for your fantastic support with Comic Relief today! It was amazing to see so many children rocking their red outfits. Thank you to your generosity, we've raised a brilliant £174.90 so far! Don't worry if you haven't donated yet – donations are still open!

If you would like to donate online here:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rnd26-cotham-gardens-primary-school?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL&utm_campaign=02

Your donation could support incredible projects which help children to be happier, families stronger, women safer, communities prouder, and millions of lives fairer. Please give today, if you can.

Don't forget to tick the Gift Aid option, if you can, so Comic Relief can claim an extra 25% from the government.

 

 

 

 

Year 6 Parents and Carers,

As we leap over the half way point of Year 6, we have several exciting plans and important pieces of information to share as we celebrate the children’s time at Cotham Gardens.

Yearbook
This year’s Yearbook is being generously funded by the PTAF. Over the next few weeks, the children will be completing questionnaires in school and contributing to the creation of the cover artwork. We hope this will make the book a wonderful keepsake of their time here.

A photographer will also be visiting school to take individual photos for the Yearbook. Please ensure you provide your consent for these photographs on Arbor. This consent box is already there.

In addition, we would love to include a photo of your child on their very first day of school. This could be their first day at Cotham Gardens (regardless of which year they joined) or their first day in Reception. If you would like this included, please send in the photo at your earliest convenience to josette.bush@cothamgardens.co.uk with the subject heading of FIRST DAY.

 

 

Year 6 Leavers’ Disco
We are beginning to plan the Year 6 Leavers’ Disco and warmly welcome any parents/carers who would like to help. If you’re interested, please join me in Birch on Tuesday 24th March at 6pm for a planning meeting.

Thank you for your continued support as we make Year 6 a memorable and meaningful time for the children. We are looking forward to celebrating their achievements together.

 

 

📍 Online Forum 

📅 Date: Monday, 30th March
🕘 Time: 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM
📍 Location: Online

 

Community Forum

📍 In-Person Forum 

📅 Date: Wednesday, 1st April
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
📍 Location: Cotham Grove Hall 

  

We are excited to announce the return of our

Easter Attendance Challenge! 

The Challenge: 100% attendance and perfect punctuality from Monday 23rd March – Thursday 2nd April 2026 (9 school days)

Win: Entry to our Easter Raffle + special attendance certificate

---

Every Day Counts for Learning

• Missing 1 day every 2 weeks = 4 weeks lost per year
• Spring term consolidates key learning from the whole year
• Good attendance = better progress and achievement
• These final 9 days set the foundation for summer term success

---

How Parents Can Help

✅ Set routines - regular bedtimes, prepare clothes the night before
✅ Arrive 10 minutes early each morning
✅ Minor sniffles? Send them in - we'll care for them
✅ Book appointments during holidays or after school
✅ Contact us before 9am if your child is absent
✅ Talk positively about school and celebrate their learning

  

 

EASTER MENU

We're excited to announce our special Easter menu for Wednesday 1st April featuring some delicious options for the day! 

In a change to the advertised menu, your child can choose from:

Roast Chicken and Gravy (including halal option)

or
Farmhouse Puff Pastry Pie 

or
Jacket Potato 

All served with a Rice Krispie Cake

Please note, if you child would like the Farmhouse Puff Pastry Pie  - you will need to select 'Sausage roll ' on Arbor, as we are unable to change or amend a live menu) 

Don't forget to book lunches via Arbor for the week ahead, even if your child will be bringing a packed lunch from home. 

 

 

Bristol City Council are providing Free School Meal vouchers up to the value of £30 per eligible child in order to provide extra support during the Easter half-term. Families already in receipt of Pupil Premium will receive these vouchers the last week of term. Please check you inbox and junk mail.

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.

 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.

 

 

Parents Evening

📍 In-Person / Online

📅 Date: Wednesday, 22nd April
🕘 Time: 15:30 PM – 18:00 PM 

Or

📍 In-Person / Online

📅 Date: Thursday, 23rd April
🕘 Time: 15:30 PM – 19:00 PM

 

Keep an eye out for when booking will go live on Arbor.

 

Open morning will take place on Wednesday 22nd April and Thursday 23rd April from 08:45am - 09:15am.

All parents welcome to view their child work ahead of parent evening.

 

 

 

 Please find a link to our term dates and inset days - https://www.cothamgardens.co.uk/Term-Dates/

Term dates for 2026 /2027

Term 1: 3 September 2026 to 23 October 2026

Term 2: 2 November 2026 to 18 December 2026

Term 3: 4 January 2027 to 12 February 2027

Term 4: 22 February 2027 to 25 March 2027

Term 5: 12 April 2027 to 28 May 2027

Term 6: 7 June 2027 23 July 2027

 

2026/2027 INSET DAYS

Term 1: 

Thursday 3rd September 2026

Friday 4th September 2026

Friday 23rd October 2026

Term 2:

Monday 2nd November 2026

Tuesday 3rd November 2026

Term 3:

Monday 4th January 2027

Term 6:

Monday 28th June 2027

Friday 23rd July 2027 

 

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:

• Tuesday 5th May 2026 - 4 tickets still up for grabs!
• Tuesday 23rd June 2026 -  4 tickets still up for grabs!

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.

 

Since the start of term we have begun our work with the shootingfish theatre company. We began by brain storming some ideas for what our radio play could be about and even had a go at creating short stories in freeze frames.
We are keeping a map of all our ideas.

Here are some photos of the work we have created so far.

 

  

 

Birch have been loving their free World Book Day books!

Our top pick has to be Against All Odds by Nathanael Lessore

Noranto thinks he’s got life sorted: he’s a footballer, a hustler, and definitely not the kind of guy who writes poems - except he totally does, secretly, on the bus or between goals. His world flips when a teacher discovers his hidden talent and urges him to enter a writing competition, even though the deadline is just three days away and he’s already busy planning a surprise party for his mum. With friends insisting poetry is pointless and his weekend spinning into chaos, Noranto can’t ignore the rhymes buzzing in his head. 

  

 Year 6 worked fantastically alongside the PTAF to raise funds for the best leaving party EVER! Year 6 are so grateful for your support and hope you enjoyed their makes!

Everybody was so impressed with their dedication to creating items, selling skills and organisation. Well done!

A thank you to all those parents supporting at home or in person at the event with a special shout out to Jim and Helen for motivating the children so fantastically and helping to make all the cogs turn on the day.

 

 

  

 Our new (optional) school jumpers are available to order via the school shop on Arbor. We are also selling iron-on embroidered badges that can be attached to a plain green sweatshirt and/or white polo/T shirt. We would like to thank the school council for their input in deciding colour and for advocating for a T shirt option.

We know that our school community has a wide range of views about school clothing. Some families would appreciate a consistent school item to help children feel part of a team, while others value the freedom and individuality that comes with not having a uniform.

A school jumper can help promote the following:

• Equality: Reduces visible differences between pupils, helping prevent peer pressure based on clothing.
• Sense of belonging: Creates a shared identity and promotes school pride.
• Focus on learning: Minimises distractions from fashion trends and peer pressure.
• Safety: Makes it easier to identify pupils on trips or in public spaces, especially at sports events
• Cost: Can be cheaper for families compared to buying multiple outfits for school.
• Time-saving: Simplifies morning routines for parents and children.

You can find the school shop under the "Quick Actions" section on Arbor. Once you place your order, it will be delivered straight to your child's class, so that they can bring it home with them.

If your child receives pupil premium funding, you can order one school jumper free of charge through the school shop.

 

Not sure what size to order?

Jumpers are also available to try on for size at both school offices before you order.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

Please note, due to popular demand - stock is running low but don't worry - more is on the way! 

   

 

You may have seen the Government's announcement of proposed reforms to SEND in the news last week.

The Government has announced its proposed reforms to SEND in the new white paper Every Child Achieving and Thriving. This long‑term plan outlines the Government’s ambitions to improve provision and outcomes for children and young people with SEND. There are no immediate changes for schools or families. Any reforms will be introduced gradually and only after a period of consultation.

You can read the full white paper here: Every child achieving and thriving (HTML version) - GOV.UK

A shorter parent guide, which summarises the key proposals and expected timescales, is als

 

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

A huge thank you to everyone who took part in the Sponsored Read. You raised over £1000

 

🐣🐣🥚🥚🪺🪺🐣🐣🥚🥚🪺🪺

PTAF EASTER EGG HUNT

**NEXT FRIDAY** 27th March 

3.45pm Cotham Grove Playground (all families, from both sites are invited)

Tickets are an sale now on Classlist.

£3 each

Please get your tickets early to guarantee you’re prize egg 

 

👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟

The amazing Ms Smith and the awesome Miss Bayat are both going to be running the Bristol 10k in May. Watch this space for information on sponsoring them so the PTAF can work with the school to buy more Chromebooks to enhance the children’s computing education 

 

💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰

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!

 

https://www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/lottery/school/cotham-gardens-primary-school?utm_campaign=you-went-live&utm_source=cause-admin&utm_medium=social&utm_content=Hyperlink

 

 

Shine April to July Club bookings open next week!

Launch Date: All Shine After School Clubs will be open for booking on Wednesday 25^th March at 10:00am. 

Link to book: Shine | Cotham Gardens Primary School

After School Club Cancellation: If your plans or requirements change after booking any clubs, you can cancel any booking with 6 days notice for a credit or refund.  This can be done via your Shine account.

 

Childcare Vouchers: Shine accept Childcare Vouchers and the Government Tax Free Voucher Scheme.  You can choose your method of payment via your Shine account.

 

Contact: Shine can be contacted by 01174 033 033 or info@MyShine.co.uk. 

Places are limited and can sell out, so book early to avoid disappointment. 

See you at Shine! 

PS – Don’t forget to book your Easter Holiday Clubs by Sunday 29^th March to save 20% using our Early Booker offer! Shine Holiday Clubs | Sports and creative activities

 

 

 

CREATIVITY CLUB

Tuesdays at Cotham Grove: 

Our after school Creativity Club is bookable for terms 5&6 now. Devised by Emma from Chandos Atelier and delivered by professional makers with years of experience, it is 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.”

  

 

Caretaker Cleaner

Caretaker Cleaner - Part time, Fixed term, Term Time Only + INSET days

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.

Candidates must demonstrate good communication skills in spoken and written English to effectively engage with children, parents, and colleagues.

Contract: Part-time hours, 26.75 hours in week 1 / 22.75 hours in week 2

 To apply, visit: https://www.eteach.com/job/caretaker-cleaner---part-time-fixed-term-term-time-only-inset-days-1539135

 

 

 

 

 

  

EMBEDDED_PDF_{/docs/Parenting_Groups_Infortmation_Booklet.pdf}