Welcome to the middle week of this short, five-week term. Following International Women’s Day yesterday, we will be continuing to celebrate and reflect on the incredible achievements of women during our assemblies across all year groups this week. We are also excited that this week is British Science Week. Mrs Moore has organised a fantastic week of themed lessons and events exploring the subject chosen by our students: What Lies Beneath: Secrets of the Ocean. Today, the Science team will launch a whole-school giant escape room-style game using clues located around the school, with prizes for the fastest solvers. As part of the festivities, the Science team will also be welcoming the Mobile Planetarium back to the school.

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.

Reflecting on last week, it was a period of purposeful activity at The Cottesloe School, centred on our core values of Prepare, Aspire, and Succeed. Our Year 11 students have now begun their mock examinations; seeing them settle into the hall with such focus was a reminder that success is built on rigorous preparation. We saw that same dedication during Thursday’s KS4 Options Evening. It was excellent to see so many Year 9 families engaging with the decisions that shape a young person’s future. By taking the time to explore GCSE and vocational pathways, our students are setting their aspirations and ensuring they have a solid foundation for the years ahead.

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.

Winter arrived last week, delivering a mix of crisp cold, snow, and heavy rain. It's been great to see how prepared our students have been, with coats and warm clothing in full effect. As the cold sets in, please remind your children to continue dressing warmly. To clarify uniform expectations: V-neck black jumpers can be worn as an additional layer, but not instead of the school blazer. A coat is also an addition to the uniform and not a replacement for the blazer.