The Cottesloe School in Wing returned in September to some fantastic results.

Firstly, its fundraising jamboree event held on July 4, to an New Orleans, American Independence Day theme raised more than £11,000 – and cash is still coming in.

Deputy headteacher Andy McBurnie ran 40 miles along the Greensand Ridge to help raise funds for a new playground surface at the school. He was accompanied by language teacher Lucy Mayer, Tom Inchley – PE, Rob Bandy, Ian Bishop, and friend of The Cottesloe Barry Comben. Support drivers were Des Coltman, Kay Quainton and Sian Comben.

The second piece of excellent news was that more than 40 students in years 8, 9 and 10 rehearsed at lunchtimes and after school to prepare for Trinity Speech and Drama exams.

All students passed and particularly high results were achieved by the two Grade Eight 'Power' and 'Deceit' groups receiving a distinction and merit respectively giving them 60/65 well deserved UCAS points.

Yet more success for 17 students in Year Nine (aged 13/14) who completed a GCSE two years early in Performing Arts which culminated with an interdisciplinary piece encouraging KS3 students to read entitled Into The Books. The performance took place in Wing Village Church. Anya Fitzgerald said the course was "thoroughly enjoyable" and Harriet Owen said: "It helped prepare me for my GCSE courses in Year 10." Six students achieved grade A.

Three sixth form students worked hard to gain their bronze award, from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art by reciting, sight-reading and performing rehearsed monologues by Shakespeare.

A spokesman for the school said: "With support from the Arts Specialism, we are delighted to be able to offer our students the opportunity to train for these exams which are more commonly taken by students who attend professional drama colleges or stage and private schools.

RADA exam standards are extremely high but Rosanne Murray, Alice Toussaint and Aaron Champion proved their abilities when they travelled to the Royal Academy in London to perform in front of academy examiners and are now thrilled to have received their pass and merit certificates, enabling them to move on to the silver award which they will start work on this term."

Three members of the Cottesloe school netball team, who after extensive trails run by Team Bath Sports Excellence, have been selected for Talent Development Training on the South of England Regional Program.
Katy and Chloe Brown, with Kayleigh Smith, will receive specialist professional training from elite coaches in preparation for a possible career with the England Team.

Kayleigh was particularly delighted as she was unable to take part on the final day due to a serious ankle injury and feared she might be excluded from the selection.

However, it was decided that she should be awarded this prestigious place based on the skill, talent and dedication she had shown throughout the preceding trials.

As part of The Cottesloe's community programme, it will be working closely with new neighbours at Carey Lodge care home after pupils and staff were invited to take part in a range of activities starting with The UK Older People's Day this Thursday (October 1).

A group of gifted and talented students will be entertaining the residence with songs, sketches and dancing.

Carey Lodge is on the look out for an upright piano for its residence hall so if anyone knows of an old piano looking for a good home The Cottesloe would love to hear from you.