Tel: 01744 678 030 cowleyinternationalcollege.com
cowleian times
#2
AUTUMN 2014
From January 2015, milk will be available from the Canteen at break time (free of charge) for 11-16 students.
COWLEY GAINS TOP RE Quality Mark Cowley International College’s Religious Studies department has clinched a prestigious national award. Delighted staff and students have been awarded the Gold standard RE Quality Mark (REQM), which has been developed to recognise outstanding learning in religious education. Head of Religious Studies at Cowley, Mrs Reed, said: “The award recognises the outstanding commitment to excellence in teaching and learning in RE, both in terms of exam results and the great enthusiasm and enjoyment our students have of the subject.
RE at Cowley is not contained within the classroom, we take pride in offering a number of extra-curricular groups and resources that give students the chance to express their beliefs and spirituality through art, debate and meditation.” Gaining the Gold award was no easy feat for Cowley; the college had to achieve above the national results across all Key Stages, teaching staff needed to be graded as ‘outstanding’ when observed, the subject also needed to demonstrate quality of learning and to share good practice across the Local Authority and beyond. It’s not only the teaching staff that worked hard to achieve the award,
Cowley students rise to maths challenge
20 students were selected from across all year groups and interviewed on the religious education delivered at Cowley. The feedback from those interviewed could not have been better with students talking about their passion for the subject, how the lessons have taught them about life and to think about who they are and their place in the world. About the award The REQM has been developed to celebrate quality RE and The Religious Education Council of England and Wales provides support and monitors the quality of the award.
NEW YORK 2016
Four Cowley Sixth Form students (pictured) excelled in the UK Senior Mathematics Trust challenge that took place in November, taking home Gold awards. Three Cowley students also achieved Bronze awards. The ‘Best in School’ award was received by Year 12 student, Luke Doherty, who has been invited to take part in the National follow-on competition. Mr Mercure, Assistant Principal at Cowley said: “These wonderful results are an accurate reflection of the hard work, enthusiasm and determination of our students. Once again, Cowley students have shown how good they are when competing against the best maths brains in the country. For the College to win four gold medals and three bronze is a fantastic achievement.”
We have limited places left on the 3-night trip of a lifetime to New York in February 2016. Included in the £1250 price are all travel costs, tours and evening meals. A deposit of £300 would be needed as soon as possible to secure a place, followed by instalments. The total cost has to be paid by November 2015. Please contact Mr Livesey on 01744 678030 for more information.
SAFEGUARDING FEATURE
ONLINE SAFETY “The Internet and mobile phones have such positive power to transform children’s lives for the better”. Quotation from Childnet International
A question to parents/carers Mr Livesey Designated Senior Officer Head of Care, Guidance and Support
HELP AND ADVICE MAKE A CONFIDENTIAL REPORT TO COWLEY’S SHARP SYSTEM cowleysthelens.thesharpsystem.com COWLEY’S SAFEGUARDING POLICY, INTERNET TIPS & HELP FOR PARENTS cowleyinternationalcollege.com (About > Support & Care) COWLEY’S Designated Senior Persons TO REPORT ISSUES TO: Designated Senior Officer. Head of Care, Guidance and Support Mr Livesey Lower School (Y7-8) Mr Leadbeater Upper School (Y9-11) Mr Dickinson Sixth Form (Y12-13) Mr Hesketh ADVICE, INFORMATION AND MAKE A REPORT www.ceop.police.uk ADVICE AND INFORMATION www.thinkuknow.co.uk
Would you be happy if your child was chatting to a known child sex offender at the local park? Of course the answer is “definitely not”. But, do you know who your child is chatting to on Facebook or other social media sites?
And another question, would you be happy if pictures of your child were being distributed online and available to anyone who wanted to view them? Of course the answer is “definitely not”. And yet this is happening time and again to young people in this area.
What can you do about it? • • • • • •
Ensure your child shares their password with you to enable you to monitor ‘chat’ Educate your child to never put pictures of themselves, members of the family, friends etc on Facebook or other social media sites. If your child has access to a web camera, make sure you know when and what it is being used for. Ensure that the online parental controls are set correctly, and please do not ask your child how to do this, ask a trusted friend or refer to your internet service provider. Use the ‘Report Abuse’ facility on social media sites; they are an excellent way to report any suspicious activity. You can also obtain help and report concerns via our online ‘SHARP’ (Student Help Advice Reporting Page) System. This online tool allows anyone to report any concerns or incidents which occur within the school and local community anonymously. cowleysthelens.thesharpsystem.com
You don’t have to be paranoid, you just have to ensure you know what your child is doing when they are using a computer or internet connected mobile phone. The quotation at the top of this article is very true, modern technology used correctly is a wonderful thing, but it is also a source of great danger to our young people if not used within limits and monitored.
Firefighters stage road rescue
Firefighters showed the impact of a road collision by delivering a powerful rescue demonstration in front of Sixth Form students as part of Brake Road Safety Week. The initiative’s objective is to educate young people on road safety, in particular the dangers of drink driving, distractions and not wearing seatbelts. Two students played the roles of casualties and were freed from a car by firefighters during the simulated rescue in the grounds of the college.
work in the community, firefighters carry out presentations at schools on road safety to show the impact a road collision can have on not only the person involved but their loved ones. Firefighter Kirsty Hornby, of White Watch at Eccleston Community Fire Station, who organised the event, said: “Events such as this are very important in educating young people who are at the age where they may be taking their driving test or thinking about getting a car for the first time.
Sixth Form media students also filmed the demonstration for a production on road safety.
“Wearing a seatbelt and not driving above the speed limit can help to keep people safe and prevent them putting other road users in danger.
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service rescues more people from road collisions than house fires each year. As part of their prevention
“The road rescue demonstration gave the students valuable insight into what could happen if they were involved in a collision
Girls football: Premier League and FA scheme
and had to be freed from a vehicle. The pupils were very engaged during the day and hopefully all the information given will help them to stay safe on the road.” Mr Potter, Leader of Vocational Studies at Cowley International College, said: “Road safety is a year-round challenge for every single road user. “The hard-hitting demonstration brought home the reality of how lives can be destroyed within seconds as the result of a road collision. “As a College, we are fully supportive of any campaign that aims to reduce the numbers of injuries and fatalities on our roads. We would like to thank Newton-le-Willows Community Fire Station and particularly Kirsty Hornby for helping drive home this important message.”
NEWS IN BRIEF Year 9 Rugby news The Year 9 Rugby team won their first game of the year against Rainford on 17th November. The match was tense with Cowley coming from behind to win 23-22 with a last minute conversion from Owain Abel to seal the victory. Student Council - shoebox appeal success Cowley’s Student Council are delighted after securing over 150 shoeboxes in their annual ‘Operation Christmas Child’ appeal. Though led by the Student Council, this initiative was a huge success thanks to the vast number of students and staff that were involved. The shoeboxes that are filled with gifts and school supplies, will be sent to underprivileged children around the world.
On Wednesday, 5th November, Cowley hosted a ‘Women in Football’ event. The event was attended by two England Internationals, Natasha Dowie and England Captain, Fara Williams as well as representatives from the FA, FIFA, Sport England and officials from The Premier League. During the event, Cowley’s girls (pictured) represented Liverpool Football Club and were coached alongside Preston North End and Tranmere Rovers.
The star-studded event was covered by SkySports and the BBC and you can view a short video clip by typing the following URL into your web browser address bar: www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/get-inspired/30112640
Year 12 Barclays Life Skills 16 Year 12 students, who are completing a BTEC in Employability Skills, took part in a day of life skills workshops with Barclays Bank and other local schools at Barclays’ technology centre in Knutsford. Students got the opportunity to develop their money, work, people and communication skills in a variety of ways such as taking part in group debates and mock interviews. The day was very successful and the students were excellent resulting in two of the group being named as ‘Students of the Week’ in Year 12.