Head of School Letter 20th May 202420/05/2024

Dear Parents/Carers,

Although this has been a short half-term, we have packed many things into the six weeks. This week is no different and will see the start of the very long-awaited building work. Construction company, Morgan Sindall will be on site for a number of months building four additional classrooms, a new Science lab, two new sets of toilets and a much improved and extended Sixth-Form study space with coffee shop-style seating areas and workspaces. More on this below. 

 

Building Work

The work on the new classrooms has begun this morning. Inevitably there will be disruption to the site during the works, however as I explained in a virtual assembly on Friday to all students, the short-term inconvenience will make way for much longer-term benefits for everyone. In recent weeks, we have worked closely with Morgan Sindall to ensure that the challenges created are minimised. We will be in daily contact with the Site Foreman to ensure the exams are not impacted. A big challenge will be the loss of a number of parking spaces across the site, particularly in the first week (this week) as the site compound and welfare units are sited. We have been fortunate to secure the use of the parking spaces at Carey Lodge for this week only for some staff to use. Carey Lodge is planned to re-open as a Care Home in June. 

During the building works, we would ask that you support the disruption, particularly in terms of safely accessing the school site to drop off/pick up children via the coach park. A considerable number of staff will be parking on the school field via the coach park entrance so please be patient if this impacts on your journey.  

 

Year 11

Celebration Assembly We say a formal farewell to our brilliant Year 11 students on Friday as they will begin study leave after the half-term holiday. A letter has gone out to parents about the logistics of study leave - please complete the Google Form so we can coordinate study rooms and ensure that students are registered correctly, whether in school or revising at home. 

The majority of Year 11 joined the school as new Year 7 students at the same time that I did, as Deputy Head. I remember some of them as much smaller Year 7 students back in September 2019, unsure about where to wait for the ‘late bus’ to get home. On my first after-school bus duty, I didn’t know either, so we learnt together. Fast-forward five years to last week when I talked to those same students, taller, wiser and with so much confidence, discussing the Maths exam they’d taken that morning and their plans for revision when they got home to prepare for the following day’s Chemistry exam. It is a privilege to play a role, alongside parents and families, in helping students develop into such wonderful young people, with bright futures ahead. Whether their next steps are with us, staying at The Cottesloe School for sixth form or heading elsewhere, we know they will succeed.  

 

Uniform

The weather has continued to be as we might expect for late Spring/early Summer and looks set to remain good into this week. As a reminder, students need to wear their full school uniform including blazers to school, and around the site, unless it is their day to wear a PE kit to school. Students are able to remove blazers in classrooms if they need to. Coats and other tops should not be worn in place of a blazer, if it’s warm enough just one thing, needs to be the school blazer. If a period of very warm weather is forecast, we will advise students and families about any adjustments to the uniform expectations. 

 

Friends of The Cottesloe School Easyfundraising

Friends of The Cottesloe School is registered with easyfundraising, which means you can raise donations for us every time you shop online. Over 7,000 brands will donate to us when you use easyfundraising to shop with them – at no extra cost to yourself. These donations mount up and make a big difference to the school, so we’d really appreciate it if you could take a moment to sign up and support us. The easyfundraising page at Friends of The Cottesloe School Fundraising | Easyfundraising The Donation Reminder reminds you to donate when you shop on your laptop or computer, it’s also available on iPhone and iPad: Easyfundraising on the App Store

 

Blue Lollies

We have seen a new phenomenon take a small hold within pockets of our community where students, mainly in KS3, are selling blue lollies at school.  These lollies are widely available for bulk purchase from Amazon or TikTok Shop and are then being sold for profit to other students. Whilst entrepreneurship is admirable, it’s not permitted for students to buy or sell items from other students,  in school, unless part of a planned event such as a charity bake sale. Any items being sold outside of a planned school event will be confiscated and where appropriate, students sanctioned. 

 

Wing Family Fest

Saturday 6th July 2024 A reminder that tickets can be purchased for the Colour Run at Wing Family Fest - here’s the link to book tickets:  Friends of Cottesloe PTA Colour Run This is a community event open to everyone, not just families with children attending either school so share with your friends and neighbours to encourage them to come along for what looks to be a brilliant day.  

 

Families and Learners’ Careers Evening

On Wednesday 26th June 2024, from 6 pm - 7:30 pm, we’re hosting a careers event open to all year groups, from Years 7 to 13. To confirm attendance please register via Eventbrite:   Families and Learners'  Careers Evening 

 

Sports Fixtures and Results

Just one fixture to report again this week with our U15 Girls Cricket Team travelling to Ascott House to play against The Buckingham School. Unfortunately, despite the wonderful setting, the girls lost this game but are very keen to play again! 

 

Sports Day

Students will be attending assemblies led by the PE team this week about the plans for Sports Day on 18th June, so tutor groups can begin preparing team sheets. 

 

Year 10

Year 10 GCSE Drama students will be performing a Showcase on Thursday at 4pm, to demonstrate their work in progress, working towards their assessed performances next year. 

 

Vacancies

We are advertising for a number of new colleagues to join us from September. Please share with family and friends who might be interested in a new role with us in the new academic year.  Vacancies 

 

Have a wonderful week and thank you for your ongoing support.

Best wishes, 

Louise Baldwin

Head of School