Monday 12th May | Head of School Letter
End of another era for Year 13s
It was Year 13’s last official day at school on Friday as they go on study leave. They looked fantastic in their costumes - we had the basketball team from High School Musical, the gang from Toy Story and the Mario Brothers to name but a few. The villains from Despicable Me were that incredible, it took people some time to recognise Harrison as Vector and Ralph, Head Student, as El Macho. Well done everyone for such a happy and positive last day. A special mention to Nataniel and Ollie who completed part of their Art A Level practical exam during the day.
It marks the end of an era for some Cottesloe families, with many of the students having been at The Cottesloe School since Year 7 in 2018. Whether they’ve been with us for seven years, joined during KS3 or KS4 or for sixth form, we have loved watching them grow into the incredible young adults they are, all unique and all destined for great things beyond school. We wish them the very best of luck in the exams and are looking forward to celebrating some wonderful results in August. Teachers and support staff remain available in school to help with academic or pastoral challenges; they just need to reach out at any point during the exam season. Thanks go to our brilliant sixth form teachers, led so well by Mr Youngs, Mrs Smith, and Mrs McMonagle who keeps things running smoothly, known to Year 12 and 13 as Mel.
Alongside the continued support of Years 11 and 13, as we enter the final nine and a bit weeks of the academic year, our focus remains on ensuring all Year 7 to 12 students continue to make excellent progress. This term provides a wealth of opportunities to extend learning, address misconceptions, and embed key concepts. Alongside these academic goals, we will continue to promote students' personal development through our Healthy Relationships and 6Cs frameworks, supporting every student to Prepare, Aspire, and Succeed.
VE Day
The Cottesloe School joined the nation in the two minute silence to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day on Thursday. Thanks to Mrs Pinto for organising and accompanying a group of musicians to perform at Eaton Bray Academy’s VE Day Afternoon Tea, where they provided the tea party guests with some 1940s style musical entertainment. We received this fabulous feedback from staff at EBA: I am extremely grateful to all of you for the superb performance yesterday. We (the staff) had many positive comments from parents yesterday regarding your beautiful performance. Once again, many thanks.
Music Help Needed
Do you or someone you know have the skills to restring guitars or ukuleles? Our Performing Arts department has a number of instruments that need to be restrung and are looking for people that have the skills and the time to help. Strings will be provided. If you can help, please contact the school office office@cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk and they will connect you with Performing Arts.
3G Pitch Boot Bank
The new 3G pitch is taking shape, and we're looking forward to being able to use it later in the year. To keep everyone safe and ensure our pitch stays in top condition for years to come, all users must wear the correct footwear. The cost of 3G-compliant trainers/astro boots can be expensive, so we're launching a Boot Bank to help out. Could you donate any pre-owned 3G-compliant trainers/astro football boots that are still in good shape – perhaps your child has outgrown theirs, or you have a pair you no longer use? We are aiming to stock a range of sizes. We already run a similar scheme for trainers used in PE lessons and lunchtime sport. If you have any boots you'd like to donate, please drop them off at the Main Reception. We're grateful for your support with this, making our 3G pitch accessible to everyone.
The Halo Code
We’re committed to celebrating the diverse identities of our students and colleagues and in support of this commitment, although our uniform policy has included information about afro-textured hair for some time, we have taken more decisive action and signed the Halo Code pledge. This ensures that members of our Black community have the freedom and security to wear all afro-hairstyles without restriction or judgment.
As a school, we recognise that Afro-textured hair is a significant aspect of racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious identity for our Black staff and students, and often requires specific styling for optimal hair health and maintenance. As such, we welcome Afro-textured hair worn in all styles, including afros, locs, twists, braids, cornrows, fades, straightened hair (through heat or chemical application), weaves, wigs, headscarves, and wraps. For more information about the Halo Code and its important work championing the rights of individuals with Afro-textured hair, please visit Halo Code: Black hair guide launched to stop discrimination - BBC News
In line with our school dress code, we ask that students do not wear hats, bandanas, bonnets, or durags when in school uniform (with the exception of outdoor hats in cold or hot weather), and that hairbands or other discreet accessories are plain. Headscarves should also be plain and worn only for religious purposes.
STEAM End of Year Trips
Parents of students in Year 7, 8 and 9 will have received letters about the end of year STEAM trips, and the new payment process. As a reminder, the trips all take place on Tuesday 22nd July, with Year 9 visiting Chessington, Year 8 going to Thorpe Park and Year 7 heading to Legoland. The uptake from families has been excellent. As a reminder please ensure you have completed the mandatory Google form. The link is conveniently located within the MCAS app under the 'trips' section. If you've already made a payment, you can access the trip details in the 'enrolled' section, where the Google form will be available as an attachment. All students attending any trip must have a completed Google form.
Sports Fixtures and Results
Congratulations go to Poppy, a Year 7 student, for her outstanding performance at the Bedfordshire AAA Championship 800m race on Saturday. Poppy achieved an impressive 5-second personal best (PB) in the race. This victory means Poppy now holds both the Under 13 Girls 800m and 1500m titles at the Bedfordshire AAA Championship races. Her coaches are extremely impressed with her development and achievements since joining the running club last September.
Our summer sport fixtures begin this week! We’ve got Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 Rounders matches against Waddesdon and U15 Girls’ Cricket against Abbots Hill, and U13 Girls’ Cricket against Aylesbury High School. All fixtures are away matches this week. Good luck to all players!
Vacancies
Attracting and retaining quality qualified educators is crucial for maintaining educational standards and ensuring the best possible outcomes for our students. If you know of any teachers thinking of moving schools, or completing their teacher training in the coming months, please ask them to consider joining us! We have vacancies for the following teaching positions:
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Teacher of Science
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Teacher of Business and Economics
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Teacher of English
For more information see our website Join Our Team or the MyNewTerm website where we advertise all of our job roles: The Cottesloe School, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire | Teaching Jobs & Education Jobs | MyNewTerm
Assemblies
Assemblies this week focus on Mental Health to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week which runs from 12th to 18th May. For more information or support please click here: Mental Health Foundation
Year 13
Good luck in the exams, you’re going to be brilliant.
Year 12
Good luck to students taking Further Maths AS Level and Level 3 Core Maths exams this week. On Friday, Year 12 Business and Economics students will attend a talk with a guest speaker from the Bank of England to enhance their understanding of Economics in action.
Year 11
Good luck as the majority of students start their written exams this week, kicking off with everyone taking English Literature Paper 1 today. Congratulations to our GCSE Drama students who have completed their GCSE already with the written exam last week; our GCSE Business students are also 50% of the way through after their exam on Friday.
Year 10
Drama Rehearsal is taking place during p2 on Tuesday. It’s the Year 10 Parents Evening on Thursday evening. Good luck to the Rounders team on Thursday afternoon.
Year 9
Good luck to the Rounders team on Thursday afternoon.
Year 8
Good luck to the Year 8 Rounders team this afternoon! The Action For Youth students are visiting Ford End Watermill this afternoon; this is the only remaining working watermill in Buckinghamshire with original machinery.
Year 7
Good luck to the Year 7 Rounders team this afternoon!
Have a wonderful week whatever your plans, and thank you, as ever, for your ongoing support.
Best wishes,
Louise Baldwin
Head of School