This week’s class attendance winners are: 

    class Starlings with 100%  - Well done! 

 

This week’s class punctuality winners are:

Pine, Maple and Ash with 100% - Well done!

                                                                  

 

 

 

We know that sometimes our pupils  cannot come to school because they are really unwell - and that's the right thing to do for them and other students. Medical advice is clear however 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.

 

 
We have had lots of children this week that have not had their lunches prebooked in advance on Arbor. Please can we kindly ask you to confirm your child's lunch choices every weekend for the upcoming week - even if your child is bringing in a packed lunch from home. 

Unbooked lunches create challenges for the school:
- Teachers spend valuable learning time confirming missing meals in the morning instead of teaching
- Kitchen staff can't predict food requirements accurately
- Potential food waste occurs

Please can we also remind you that only children with specific allergens (i.e. dairy/gluten free) can book an 'Allergen Menu' choice on Arbor.

Need help booking? Contact the school office or use this online guide: https://support.arbor-education.com/hc/en-us/articles/6956696271261-Meal-Menu-choices-on-the-Parent-Portal-or-Parent-App

 

  

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 under trips.

Thank you for supporting this exciting opportunity.

 

 

Storytelling Week: A Special Visit from Duncan BEEDIE!

We are thrilled to announce that Duncan Beedie, a super star local author and illustrator, will be visiting our school on Thursday 5th February. During his visit, Duncan will be talking to children in Early Years, Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3 about his exciting book, Heavy Metal Badger, which is one of the titles in year 2’s Golden Bookshelf and has been a big hit with the children! This is a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to learn about the creative process behind writing and illustrating a book, as well as to ask questions and gain inspiration for their own reading, writing, and artistic projects. Meeting a real author and illustrator will no doubt spark their imaginations and encourage a love of stories.

The cost for this visit is £2.07.

Please give consent for your child to attend on Arbor.

Books are also available to order through Max Minerva using the following link: https://maxminervas.co.uk/products/05-02-heavy-metal-badger-cotham-gardens-primary

We are looking forward to an inspiring and enjoyable day!

Happy reading, Duncan Brett

 

 

Kestrels have been getting stuck into lots of brilliant reads from our Golden Bookshelf recently — and their top pick at the moment is The Great Crisp Robbery by Pamela Butchart.

They’ve been completely hooked by Izzy and her friends as they set off on an overnight train for their school trip. But it doesn’t take long before they realise something’s definitely not right… the bunk beds are tiny, the adults are acting oddly, and then — the biggest shock — their teacher suddenly goes missing! Has she disappeared… or has she actually been kidnapped?

 

 

 

 

Reception had such a fantastic day at Bristol Temple Meads!! 🚂 🚊 🚆

We took the train from Redland Station to Bristol Temple Meads, had station tour and played a game of 'I spy'.  We also went to the Wunderground extravaganza which was an interactive theater show where we learnt about the history of trains and Isambard Kingdom Brunel. 

A big thank you to all the parent helpers for making our trip possible!

 

 

 

Yesterday year 3 and year 4 attended  a dodgeball tournament at St.Bedes. We had two teams, Cotham 1 and Cotham 2.

Cotham 2 did and outstanding job in their round of 6 and placed 4th overall. Each player developing teamwork and communication skills.

Placing 3rd in their round of 6, Cotham 1 came away with medals round their necks to boot!

A huge well done to both teams for representing our school and shining so brightly. Shout out to all for managing their reserve switches between themselves, ensuring everyone had a fair turn. That can be really tough when the game is so exciting.

 A quick thank you to the office staff for helping organise and being brilliant; parents for getting the children their in good time and the staff of St Bedes for putting on such a fun event.

 

 

 

Community Forum

📍 In-Person Forum 

📅 Date: Wednesday, 4th March
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
📍 Location: Cotham Grove Hall 

(March online forum date tbc)

 

 

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 17th March 2026
• Tuesday 5th May 2026
• Tuesday 23rd June 2026

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.

 

 

 

We would like to remind all parents and carers that we operate as a nut free school to protect pupils and staff with severe allergies.

Please do not send your child into school with any of the following items:

• Packaged nuts
• Cereal, granola or chocolate bars containing nuts
• Peanut butter or chocolate spreads containing nuts
• Peanut-based sauces, such as satay
• Sesame seeds and foods containing sesame seeds

Thank you for your support.

  

 

🏃🏿🏃🏿‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃🏿🏃🏿‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃🏿🏃🏿‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃🏿🏃🏿‍♀️🏃‍♂️

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

  

🔵🔴🔵🔴🔵🔴🔵🔴🔵🔴🔵🔴

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!

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 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! 

Our after school Creativity Club is bookable for next term now - Tuesdays @ Cotham Grove for yrs 3-6. Devised by Emma from Chandos Atelier and delivered by Olivia ,a professional maker. An hour of creative exploration using art materials, we teach techniques and methods rather than giving follow-along instructions, perfect for developing skills in art, making and building. 

https://www.chandosatelier.co.uk/bookings/p/cotham-gdns-1

 

“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.”

  

READING VOLUNTEERS WANTED 📚 

We're looking for enthusiastic reading volunteers to join our school community at Cotham Gardens Primary School.

Reading volunteers play a vital role in supporting our pupils' literacy development. By spending just a small amount of time each week listening to children read, you can make a real difference to a child's confidence and reading ability.

 

What's Involved?

You don't need any teaching qualifications – just patience, enthusiasm, and a love of reading! We'll provide guidance on how to support our young readers effectively. 

Time commitment: At least one hour per week for a minimum period of 10 weeks

When: During school hours (we'll work around your availability)

Where: Either site

 

How to Apply

If you're interested in becoming a reading volunteer, we'd love to hear from you!

As part of our commitment to safeguarding, all volunteers need to complete a simple application process. This includes providing references from someone who knows you well and completing a Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check.

 

To apply, please click here.

Together, we can help every child become a confident, enthusiastic reader!

 

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

   

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

 

 

 

ROGER GRACIE BRISTOL

Free jui jitsu for the kids! A 6 week foundation trial to get active and explore the sport. The club is https://www.rogergraciebristol.com/

 

 

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