Welcome back to the second half of the Spring term. I hope that all of our students and their families enjoyed a restful and restorative half-term break – even if the weather meant you couldn’t get out and about as much as you’d have liked. As we return to school, we continue through a significant time of year for members of our community, with the holy month of Ramadan and the season of Lent both having begun last week. For families of all faiths and none, the approaching transition into Spring is a wonderful time for renewed focus, quiet reflection, and giving back to others. These shared values of empathy, discipline, and community spirit are central to everything we encourage and respect at The Cottesloe School. I would like to wish a peaceful Ramadan Mubarak and a meaningful Lent to all those observing, and a very positive half-term ahead to our whole school community.

As we move into February, navigating the inevitable mix of rain and fluctuating temperatures, it has been great to spot the first green shoots of bulbs emerging across the school grounds. These small signs of resilience serve as a reminder that Spring is just around the corner, carrying with it a renewed sense of hope and positivity. This spirit of forward-looking preparation has been reflected in our year groups over the past week. Year 11 have displayed commendable focus as they near the completion of their second round of mock exams, while Year 9 are currently in the thick of the decision-making process for their Key Stage 4 Options. Looking ahead to after half-term, the baton will pass to Year 8, who will begin to consider which creative subjects they wish to pursue for their Year 9 Choices.

Today is often labelled ‘Blue Monday’ - supposedly the gloomiest day of the year. While social media might suggest January is a month to simply endure, my own experience is a little different as January is a month of birthdays in my house, so the mid-winter gloom is usually offset by celebration and cake. It is a helpful reminder that there can be more to this month than the ‘depressing’ narrative suggests.

Welcome back and Happy New Year! We hope you had a wonderful Christmas break and are ready for all of the opportunities that 2026 will bring. At The Cottesloe School, we are committed to providing the support and challenge necessary for every student to Prepare, Aspire, and Succeed. We look forward to working closely with you throughout this term to ensure your child reaches their full potential.

It was an incredible week last week with three sell-out shows from our students for the school's production of High School Musical! After months of preparation, the cast and crew delivered three outstanding performances.