Monday 15th Dec - Head of School Letter
We’re a third of the way through the academic year, and I’d like to say thank you to you as families for your continued support throughout your child's Cottesloe journey this term. Your active involvement is so important, from assisting with independent learning to collecting children after sports fixtures, trips and after-school clubs and activities, engaging with parents’ evenings, attending drama and music concerts, and supporting in so many other ways to help your own child make progress.
We are incredibly proud of our students for enthusiastically embracing the diverse range of learning opportunities available to them. Recognition should also go to the third part of our home-school partnership, our wonderful team of teachers and staff who have worked tirelessly to create a vibrant and engaging learning environment for all. Together, we have helped students Prepare, Aspire, and Succeed in countless ways this term. We look forward to a rewarding Spring Term filled with more exciting learning adventures!
Wolfson Foundation Funding Success
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that The Cottesloe School has been awarded a significant grant of £54,500 from the prestigious Wolfson Foundation! This major funding has been awarded specifically towards the refurbishment of our science laboratories. This investment is fantastic news for our students and our science department. It will allow us to upgrade our facilities, providing a modern, high-quality environment for Science teaching, by enabling us to bring the remaining two science labs up to the same excellent standard as those recently refurbished. This will have a significant positive impact on the quality of teaching and learning experiences across the Science curriculum. The Wolfson Foundation is an independent charity dedicated to supporting excellence in research and education, and we are incredibly grateful for their support. We look forward to commencing work on this project and sharing updates as the refurbishment progresses!
Governing Body Update
I am delighted to share a recent change in leadership within our Governing Body and introduce our new Chair and Vice-Chair. We warmly welcome Mrs Carolyn Stirk as the new Chair of Governors. Carolyn brings continuity and experience, having previously served on the school’s governing body as Vice-Chair. Joining her in leadership is Mr Ethan Johnstone-Wilson, who has been appointed as the new Vice-Chair. Ethan is equally as experienced, having previously served as a governor at a local primary school. We extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to the outgoing Chair, Mrs Ali McKenna, for her exceptional commitment and dedication. Ali was a fantastic Chair, supporting the school most notably through our recent expansion and the successful construction of the 3G pitch. Mrs Stirk and Mr Johnstone-Wilson will be writing to all families formally in the new year. For more information about the Governing Body’s role and responsibilities, please see the school website: TCS Governors
Christmas Concert
We invite you to join us for our annual Christmas Concert this Wednesday 17th December in PA3. After the spectacular success of our recent High School Musical production, our talented Performing Arts team is producing another evening of musical talent - festive celebrations for you, family and friends to enjoy. Concert tickets are now available to purchase via MCAS. If you have any problems with booking the tickets, please contact the school office.
Celebration of Achievement Evening
On Thursday this week we will be celebrating the achievements of students in last year’s Year 11 and Year 13. Subject Award Nominees and their families have been invited to attend the ceremony in the school hall from 3:45pm. We’re really looking forward to hearing how many of our alumni who are now at university, undertaking apprenticeships or working are getting on since leaving in the summer. We’re thrilled to welcome Dr Jessica Gallagher to present the awards this year. Dr Gallagher, Lecturer and Course Leader for LLB Law at Birmingham City University, is a former student of TCS and was one of our virtual Mock Interviewers in July for Year 12; we are so pleased to welcome her back.
Staffing
We welcome Mr Andrews to the school from January as he joins the Maths department. A huge thank you and good luck for the future to Mr Bullard who is leaving us, after being a valued member of the Maths team over the last term.
Uniform
A reminder that if you are making new uniform purchases this holiday, please ensure the items meet the school’s uniform requirements. A small but increasing number of students have been wearing black trainers recently. Often the reason given by the student is that their shoes broke or that they couldn’t find them in the morning rush. Trainers of any colour are not part of the school uniform, except when worn as part of the PE kit. We understand that sometimes shoes break and it can be tricky to get a new pair quickly. If this is the case, please email your child’s tutor to avoid your child being issued with a uniform sanction.
Sport Fixtures and Results
Our teams enjoyed a highly successful week across basketball and football, securing four wins, one draw, and demonstrating strong performance and depth across all age groups.
Our basketball squads secured two impressive victories, showcasing skill and teamwork. Year 8 Boys: Kicked off the week with a solid performance on Monday, defeating JC with a convincing score of 15-9. Year 9 Boys: Continued the winning streak on Tuesday, achieving a decisive 25-16 victory in their fixture.
The school's football teams had an outstanding run, especially against local rivals TBS and in the U18 category: Monday: The Year 8 football team showed resilience against TBS, playing out a competitive 2-2 draw. Tuesday: The Year 7 team delivered the performance of the week, displaying brilliant attacking football in their match against TBS, resulting in a phenomenal 15-0 victory. This team is definitely one to watch! Well done boys. Wednesday: The U18 team secured a commanding win in their fixture against Walton High, with the final score standing at an emphatic 8-2. Thursday: The Year 9 team rounded off the week's fixtures with another impressive result against TBS, winning convincingly 4-1.
Even though this is the final week of term, we still have a few fixtures scheduled! We wish all competing students the best of luck in achieving their best as they represent Cottesloe. A huge congratulations to every student who participated in sports clubs and training this term, whether you were part of a team or simply enjoying the activities. Being physically active is incredibly important for overall health and wellbeing, and we are proud of the commitment shown by all participants.
Assembly and Christmas Jumper Day
This week’s assembly theme focuses on the history of Christmas Jumper Day, a charitable fundraising event for Save the Children. As a school, we will be participating on Friday 19th December. Donations can be made via MCAS for any student that would like to participate. Students should wear their usual school uniform and replace their blazer/black V-neck jumpers with a winter-themed jumper.
Celebration Assemblies
On Friday, year group celebration assemblies will recognise the efforts of students in each year who have achieved excellence in attendance and achievement points, along with tutor, HoY and Head of School Awards. We’re looking forward to celebrating a really successful term with all our students.
Wing View Care Home Concert
Mrs Pinto will be escorting our musicians to the recently re-opened Care Home on Tuesday, to perform for the residents. Previously, this event has been a wonderfully positive and festive occasion for both the performers and their audience; we’re delighted to be able to perform there again.
Sparx Independent Learning
Update Congratulations to all students on their hard work in Sparx Maths and Sparx Science this term! In Sparx Maths, the collective effort has been outstanding, with the following running totals achieved this term:
- Questions Answered Correctly: 637,333
- Hours Spent Learning: 7244
- Progression: 507 students moving up an XP level.
- Highest Completion w/b 2nd December : 9wx/Ma3
- Biggest Improvement w/b 2nd December: 9yz/Ma3
- Highest Average XP w/b 2nd December: 7y/Ma2
Term 1 Sparx Maths Trophy Leaders
- Year 7: 1. Chloe N, 2. Gracie F, 3. Eleanor W
- Year 8: 1. Rose B, 2. Thalia Y, 3. Penny B
- Year 9: 1. Florence W, 2. Evelina D, 3. Bells K
- Year 10: 1. Alex W, 2. Eloise G, 3. Jack H
- Year 11: 1. Aiden B, 2. Cianna W, 3. Bethany G
Sparx Science engagement has been strong, with positive increases across several year groups, including Year 11 as they prepare for their next set of mock exams.
Average Year Group Science Completion Rates:
- Year 7: 81%
- Year 8: 71%
- Year 9: 75%
- Year 10: 57%
- Year 11: 65%
Top 5 Science classes based on completion rates:
- 9wx/Sc1 (97%)
- 9yz/Sc1 (94%)
- 8y/Sc2 (93%)
- 7w/Sc1 (91%)
- 7y/Sc2 (91%)
Where to find support over the festive period
Even though it’s the holiday, and we will all be having a break, we continue to care about our students and the wider community. We know a lot of services can wind down over the festive period, and this reduced amount of support can feel worrying, particularly to young people who may be uncertain about where they can seek help. Young Minds have put together a list of where young people and/or families can find support over the holidays:
If you feel you or a family member is unsafe and there is no-one to help, dial 999.
- samaritans.org - Open 24/7 for all ages, call 116 123
- mind.org.uk - Helplines are open daytime Mon-Fri 0300 123 3393
- childline.org.uk - Open 24/7 for under-19s, call 0800 1111 or chat online.
- Shout - Open 24/7 for all ages. Text SHOUT to 85258 for support over text message
- Support websites:
Seeking donations of tablets for exam support
Do you have a working tablet tucked away in a drawer? Is someone in your house getting an upgrade for Christmas? Before that old device gathers dust, consider giving it a powerful second life by donating it to the school’s Exams team! Running a smooth, stress-free exam season is a huge logistical challenge. Our Exams team relies on tablets for essential administrative tasks that ensure efficiency and accuracy. We’re looking for working tablets of any brand that are in good, usable condition and can hold a charge without being plugged in. Please bring your donated tablet to the School Main Office during regular school hours (Mon-Fri, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm).
Thank you in advance if you are able to help; your generosity will support the seamless running of our major exam periods and students' academic success.
Term Dates
A reminder that term ends for the holidays at 3pm on Friday 19th December 2025 and all students return to school on Tuesday 6th January 2026. Monday 5th January is an INSET day for staff.
Sending warmest wishes for a peaceful and happy holiday to all students and families. We wish all those who celebrate, a very Happy Christmas! To our Jewish families, we wish you a very Happy Hanukkah!
We extend our deepest sympathy and love to all those affected by the horrendous acts of terror against the Jewish community, celebrating the first night of Hanukkah in Bondi Beach yesterday.
I hope you are able to enjoy time with the people most important to you. See you in 2026.
Best wishes,
Louise Baldwin
Head of School