Quadcopter Team Secures Second Place in National Competition!

We are thrilled to announce that our Year 9 team, ‘CEQuadcopter’, has achieved an outstanding second-place finish in a prestigious national STEM competition, organised by RTX, the parent company of aerospace giants Raytheon, Pratt & Whitney Engines, and Collins Aerospace.

Comprising Stevie, Ben, Seb, Oliver, David and Joe, the team competed against 174 teams from across the UK, in local and regional competitions,  demonstrating exceptional skills in design, engineering, and presentation to gain a place to compete against fifteen other finalist teams that came face to face at RAF Cosford last Tuesday. The team was mentored by Katherine, Jonathan, Matt and Ben, engineers from Pratt & Whitney (based in Leighton Buzzard), who provided invaluable guidance and support by helping them develop their ideas, presentation skills and engineering processes. The mentors were at the final to support the team. 

Thanks goes to Mr Clawson for leading the team throughout the various stages of the competition, and to Mr Fox and Miss Turner for taking the team to RAF Cosford in Shropshire for the final. It was a very long day, leaving school at 6:30am and getting back after 8pm. However, it was a brilliant experience and becoming runners-up made the long journey home a happy one. At the final, the team impressed the judges with their confident and informative presentation. Additionally, Joe showcased exceptional piloting skills, completing a lap of the course in under 60 seconds, without any errors.

Despite facing tough competition from Hitchin Boys' School, who ultimately claimed the top spot, our team's performance is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the supportive learning environment at The Cottesloe School. Incidentally, Hitchin were runners-up last year and so Mr Clawson is hopeful that that pattern of success will continue for next year. The CEQuadcopter team are keen to help mentor next year’s Cottesloe team to overall victory. Congratulations to them all; gold thumbs up badges will be awarded this week!

Aladdin

It was simply incredible. I was so proud of everyone involved in the production, from the cast, crew, backstage team and adults involved in putting on such a special show, epitomising what is just so great about The Cottesloe School. Students from Year 7 to Year 13 captivated audiences across three nights with their incredible performances, showcasing talent in singing, dancing, and acting. The show was a vibrant celebration of music, drama, and creativity, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended. Some of the performers auditioned in their first weeks of secondary school, whilst others have managed GCSE and A Level mock exams and UCAS university interviews alongside rehearsals. A huge thank you to our marvellous Performing Arts teachers: Miss Mayhew, Mrs Pinto, Mrs Holmes and Miss Noble for supporting all the students to create something so uplifting. 

Below are the programme notes from Miss Mayhew, our Head of Performing Arts. She has captured just what made last week so special:

Year 10 Outward Bounds Trip

We welcome back our Year 10 Sports Leaders group from their five-day Outward Bound experience in Aberdovey, Wales. Students took part in a range of outdoor activities including gorge scrambling, trekking, jetty jumping, canoeing and team-building activities. Thanks to Mr Curtis and Mr Brooke for accompanying them on their adventures.

Christmas Concert

We invite you to join us for our annual Christmas Concert on Wednesday 18th December in the school hall. After the spectacular success of our recent Aladdin 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 ParentPay. If you have any problems with booking the tickets, please contact the school office. 

Friends of Cottesloe PTA

One area where families can support the school, for example at events such as Aladdin or the Christmas Concert, is by volunteering.  Friends of Cottesloe, our PTA, is a dedicated group of parents and carers who work together to enhance the school experience for all children. With school budgets becoming increasingly constrained, PTAs play a crucial role in raising much-needed funds to support specific school resources, extracurricular activities, and school improvements. Funds are raised in many ways, from refreshments at open evenings and performances, to arranging social occasions for students and parents. Amongst the many ways the PTA has been able to help the school, they’ve purchased Chromebooks, mini-buses, sports equipment and outdoor classrooms, and contributed towards trips and visits! The Friends of Cottesloe are always looking for new members to join the team, to contribute either as a one-off or a bigger commitment. For more information see the website: TCS Fundraising  

Why join Friends of Cottesloe?

• Support your child's school: Contribute to fundraising initiatives that will directly benefit your child's secondary school education.
• Meet other parents: Connect with like-minded adults and build lasting friendships, something that can be more challenging at secondary school.
• Make a difference: Volunteer your time and talents to create a positive impact.

Interested in helping? There’s a short form to register interest: Friends of Cottesloe Joining Form

Sport Fixtures and results

Only one fixture took place last week. Our 6th Form football team had a thrilling match against John Hampden Grammar School in the County Cup this week. Despite a challenging game, our boys emerged victorious with a 5-3 win. The match was filled with drama, including three penalty kicks. 

This coming week there are fixtures for Year 7 and 9 Netballers, Year 10 boys’ football and U16 girls’ football. Wishing all our teams the very best!

Assembly Theme

This week’s assembly theme focuses on Human Rights. Human Rights Day is marked every year on 10th December to commemorate the day in 1948 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Human rights play a critical role as a preventative, protective and transformative force for good and can empower people and communities to build a better future. The theme for Human Rights Day 2024, “Our rights, our future, right now.” shows how human rights affect people everywhere, every day. By embracing the full power of human rights as the path to the future we want, the world can become more peaceful and equal. The assemblies will be delivered by Miss Gray and Mrs Redman.