Monday 19th October | Head of School Letter
With just one week to go before the October half-term break, a well-deserved rest is firmly in sight. Nevertheless, our community continues to uphold the highest expectations, and maintaining that momentum through next week will ensure we finish this opening half-term as strongly as we began. It has been a genuinely purposeful, productive, and rewarding start to the academic year. When we reach 3pm on Friday, I hope everyone in our community enjoys a restful half-term.
Congratulations go to the families of our Year 7 students; your children have made a phenomenal and confident transition into secondary school life. A huge well done goes to our determined Year 11 cohort, who conclude their first major round of mock exams today as they sit their final two papers. Their maturity, focus, and resilience throughout this mock season have been exemplary. Thank you to all the families of Year 11 students for supporting them so well during this time.
Thank you also to all the parents and carers who joined us for our Online Safety Evening. We are immensely grateful to Mrs West and our Safer Schools Police Officers for delivering such an insightful, practical session. Their presentation offered invaluable guidance on helping young people navigate the digital landscape safely, alongside clarity around the legal frameworks and responsibilities when things go wrong online.
Sixth Form Open Evening
We are looking forward to welcoming prospective Year 12 students to our open evening on Monday 9th November. All current Year 11 students are invited to attend one of two sessions at 5pm or 6pm. To book a place, please click here: The Cottesloe School Sixth Form - Open Evening Tickets
ESAA Buckinghamshire Cross Country Cup
After a break of several years, we were thrilled to once again play host to the prestigious Buckinghamshire round of the ESAA Cross Country Cup, welcoming 22 schools from across the county for a spectacular day of competitive racing.
The cross-country course at TCS is widely regarded as both scenic and challenging. Runners took on a true cross-country test: starting on the school field, down and back up the Spinney, out to the farmer's fields, navigating a wooden cattle bridge, and climbing the incline of Castle Hill before heading back onto school grounds for a sprint to the finish line. We are incredibly grateful to our neighbouring farmer, Mr Warren, whose ongoing generosity makes this event possible - he moved his herd of cows ahead of Thursday's races so the course was clear!
A special commendation must go to our entire Senior Boys squad. While the Senior category spans Years 11 to 13, our team was composed entirely of Year 11 students. Lining up at 15 or just turned 16 years old against 18-year-old Year 13s is a formidable challenge on such a demanding course. For our boys to take the race on, holding their own against older athletes, was fantastic to see. To cap off an extraordinary display of stamina and focus, two of these runners crossed the finish line and headed straight into the exam hall to sit a Year 11 mock exam! .
Congratulations to the following students for their standout individual finishes:
- Poppy M. (Year 9) – 6th in Intermediate Girls
- Freya I. (Year 9) – 8th in Intermediate Girls
- Josh I. (Year 11) – 14th in Senior Boys
- Kian H. (Year 10) – 17th in Intermediate Boys
- Alex R. (Year 11) – 20th in Senior Boys
A massive well done to all our student athletes who ran extremely well and represented the school with pride, determination, and sportsmanship:
- Junior Boys: Harry M., Callum Q., Liam W., Luke T., Austin T., Joseph W.
- Junior Girls: Grace E., Ava G., Autumn E., Bonnie C., Freya K., Grace K.
- Intermediate Boys: Theo R., George H., Kian H., Leo F., Teddy W., Micah C.
- Intermediate Girls: Poppy M., Freya I., Phoebe C., Lottie G., Evie R., Isabella K.
- Senior Boys: Alex R., Josh I., Roy B., Harrison R., George S., Josh T.
A huge thank you and well done to our PE department for their excellent organisation and seamless delivery of such a large-scale county event.
Restart a Heart
On Monday, our school community took part in the national Restart a Heart Day initiative, raising vital awareness of cardiac arrest and the importance of bystander CPR. Thanks to the fantastic coordination of Mrs Moore, our Second in Science, and a St John Ambulance volunteer, we welcomed four visiting paramedics who delivered hands-on training to an incredible 548 students. The impact of learning these skills is profound. In the UK, the survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest sits at around 10%; in countries where CPR training is routinely embedded into the curriculum in schools, that figure surges to 40%. Mr Fox provided a sobering and powerful reminder of why this matters, recounting how the swift actions of trained staff and the prompt use of a defibrillator saved a student’s life at his previous school.
While we hope our students never find themselves in such an emergency, knowing over 500 of them now possess the confidence, knowledge, and capability to step in and save a life is immensely reassuring. My sincere thanks to Mrs Moore and the Ambulance Service team for leading such an invaluable event.
Half-Term Uniform Check
As the half-term break approaches, please take a moment during the holiday to check your child’s uniform and ensure every item meets our school's high expectations for their return. We want to highlight three key areas:
- Footwear: All students must wear formal school shoes. Trainers are not permitted unless a medical exemption has been pre-agreed by contacting your child's form tutor. If your child requires a long-term medical exemption, please provide a doctor’s note or equivalent evidence to the school office. As a general rule, if you are unsure whether a style meets the requirements, we strongly advise checking our uniform policy before purchasing (items marketed on the high street as "school shoes" often do not meet TCS school criteria).
- Skirts: Young people wearing skirts should do so without rolling the waistbands, as this compromises the uniform's professional look.
- Blazers: The blazer is a compulsory part of the uniform and must be worn as students move around the school building and grounds (not just carried in their hands, as is the current preference).
- Jumpers: Black V-neck jumpers are optional and should not be worn instead of a blazer but in addition to a blazer.
Our uniform policy promotes equality and fosters a sense of belonging and pride across our school community. If a student arrives without the correct uniform, we will always aim to provide a loaned item. Thank you for your continued support in helping us maintain these standards. You can find the full details of our uniform expectations on the school website here: TCS Uniform and Equipment
ADHD Awareness Month: Understanding and Supporting Our Young People
October is ADHD Awareness Month, a valuable opportunity to increase our knowledge and understanding of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a condition where the brain works differently. Symptoms typically start before age 12 and impact approximately 5% of children and young people, affecting their ability to pay attention (inattentive), control impulses (impulsive), and manage energy levels (hyperactive). ADHD is thought to be recognised less often in girls than boys, as girls more commonly present with the harder-to-spot inattentive symptoms. ADHD presents differently in each child, but the signs usually fall into two categories:
Inattentive Symptoms (Difficulty Managing Attention) These signs relate to a young person's ability to focus, organise, and complete tasks.
- Being easily distracted by background activity or unrelated thoughts.
- Finding it difficult to start or finish tasks (e.g., homework or chores).
- Finding it hard to process or remember what someone is saying or following complex instructions.
- Forgetting things or everyday tasks (like brushing teeth, putting on socks, or having the right equipment).
- Finding it hard to listen or follow instructions.
- Feeling unable to concentrate sometimes.
- Being late or having poor time management.
Hyperactive and Impulsive Symptoms (Differences in Energy and Self-Control) These signs relate to high energy levels, restlessness, and acting without thinking.
- Often fidgeting, squirming, or moving around (e.g. tapping hands and feet).
- Finding it hard to stay still when asked to (e.g. in lessons or at the dinner table).
- Being very talkative or noisy, or frequently interrupting conversations.
- Often being 'on the go' or seeming full of energy.
- Finding it hard to wait their turn (in games or conversations).
- Seeming impulsive or risk-taking; for example, a younger child might find it hard not to climb on things that aren’t safe.
While most young people show signs of both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive types, some may only show one. This means that not every child or young person with a diagnosis will present in the same way; it's about finding the specific strategies that work best for your child. Parenting a child with ADHD can be challenging, but there are highly effective strategies you can use at home to help them thrive. Many of these approaches, such as creating consistency and clarity, will be highly beneficial to all young people, whether neurodivergent or not. As a school, we encourage parents and carers to:
- Implement consistent routines and help develop positive organisational skills by designating specific places for important items like school bags and PE kit.
- Give clear instructions by getting your child's attention and using clear, one-step directions; ask them to repeat the instruction back to check understanding.
- Focus on positive reinforcement because it is so important to praise effort and success, as children with ADHD often receive more criticism than praise.
- Prioritise healthy habits like regular exercise and sleep – areas that all teenagers and young people need guidance and balance.
We are here to support – if you have any questions/concerns about ADHD, or other aspects of SEND, get in touch with our SEND team via SEND@cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk
Sparx Science
Our students have maintained strong engagement with Sparx Science this week, demonstrating great independent learning habits. A special shout-out goes to Year 8, who bucked a slight dip seen across other year groups by increasing their overall completion rate by 3%, a fantastic effort!
Year Group Completion Rates
- Year 7: 83%
- Year 8: 78% (+3% this week)
- Year 9: 70%
- Year 10: 64%
- Year 11: 39%
Top Performing Students
- Rose B. – 6720 XP
- Alex W. – 6320 XP
- Chloe N. – 2070 XP
Sports Report
It’s been another action-packed week of fixtures showcasing fantastic grit, teamwork, and individual determination across all year groups.
Year 10 Boys Football vs. The Chalfonts Community College (2–1 Win)
A tremendous team performance secured a hard-fought 2–1 victory. Emmanuel delivered a powerhouse performance leading the line, using his strength and relentless work rate to constantly trouble the opposition defence. Jenson was outstanding throughout in midfield, while Leo deserves huge credit for stepping into goal as a last-minute substitute, producing a flawless, error-free display between the posts to preserve the win.
Year 9 Boys’ Rugby vs. Royal Latin School (45–5 Loss)
Our Year 9 side faced an exceptionally well-drilled Royal Latin squad in challenging conditions. Despite the 45–5 scoreline, the boys showed immense resilience, battling hard at the breakdown until the final whistle and getting on the scoreboard with a well-worked try.
U14 Girls’ Netball vs. Samuel Whitbread Academy (48–7 Loss)
The final scoreline does not do justice to the quality, effort, and sportsmanship on display. Facing elite competition, our girls competed with remarkable spirit from the first whistle to the last, executing excellent phases of attacking play and demonstrating unwavering teamwork against high-caliber opposition.
Year 9 Boys’ Basketball vs. STFM (47–14 Win)
A dominant and clinical display from start to finish. The team set the tempo early with sharp passing, solid defensive rebounding, and clinical finishing, running out a comfortable 47–14 winners in an impressive showcase of offensive confidence.
Swimming: ESSA Girls’ Team Championships
Earlier this month, our Junior Girls squad competed in the prestigious English Schools' Swimming Association (ESSA) Team Championships, racing in both the Freestyle and Medley relays against strong opposition from across both the state and independent sectors. In a standout collective performance, every swimmer recorded a personal best time on their leg:
- 4x50m Freestyle Relay: 18th place (2:22)
- 4x50m Medley Relay: 19th place (2:42)
Congratulations to the squad: Ava G, Jasmine W, Jessica W, and Eleanor W for representing the school so well. A special thank you to Mr Curtis and Mrs Makin for accompanying the team, and to Mrs Green and Mrs Wyles for their support poolside.
Week Ahead It’s a Week 1 and assemblies this week focus on Careers, including the launch of Work Experience for Year 10.
Monday 19th October
- Year 7 Assembly
- Year 8 National Cup vs. Guilsborough (TCS) – 3pm – 5:30pm
Tuesday 20th October
- Year 8 Assembly
- Year 8B Football vs. John Colet (TCS) – 3pm – 5:00pm
- Year 7A & 7B Netball vs. John Colet (TCS) – 3pm – 5:00pm
Wednesday 21st October
- Year 9 Assembly
- Year 7 Theatre Trip to Wicked – Breaktime - 7:30pm
- U16 Girls Football vs. Denbigh (TCS) – 3pm – 5:30pm
Thursday 22nd October
- Year 10 Assembly – Work Experience Launch
- Year 12 ABC (Alumni Business Career) Talk – period 2
- Bandjam (PA3) – 5pm – 6:30pm
Friday 23rd October
- Year 11 Assembly
- Sixth Form Assembly – Work Experience (Hall) – Registration
- Year 9 History Trip to Bletchley Park – All Day
Have a good week, and enjoy a safe and happy half-term next week. Thanks for your ongoing support.
Best wishes,
Louise Baldwin
Head of School