Newsletter #4

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COWLEIAN TIMES

COWLEY INTRODUCES DEFIBRILLATORS It is estimated that 270 children die of a sudden cardiac arrest while at school in the UK every year. Cowley International College has a student with Long QT Syndrome and for whom an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) could mean the difference between life and death.

Following governor approval and a site survey undertaken by NW Ambulance Service, 10 potentially life-saving Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) have been installed across the College site.

Although the units are designed to be operated by any member of the public, NW Ambulance Service has given free of charge training to members of staff at Cowley and Rob Sharples from North West Ambulance Service is seen in the picture training Andy Fairhurst, Access and Inclusion Manager, Ray Mason, Year Co-ordinator and a Year 10 student in how to use AEDs and how to perform CPR. These staff will now share their expertise and train staff and students in the use of AEDs and in how to perform CPR.

Chances of survival decreases 10% for

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#4 SUMMER 2013

BUILDING STRONG FOUNDATIONS BOOK AWARDS ST HELENS (BASH) STUDENTS LEARN FIRST AID BEAT BULLYING YEAR 7 GET CYCLING BUDDING ENTREPRENEURS READING ACTIVISTS NUT ALLERGIES NEW DARTS CLUB

BUILDING STRONG FOUNDATIONS

BOOK AWARDS ST HELENS (BASH)

Cowley was delighted to welcome back PLACED, an organisation which is passionate about teaching young people about architecture, design and the built environment.

Cowley, along with other local high schools recently reviewed and voted for their favourite book as part of an awards scheme run by St Helens Libraries.

PLACED challenged our students to redesign a classroom to make the ideal learning environment. The participating students had fantastic ideas and worked exceptionally hard, developing well thought out 3D classrooms.

Celebrated teen author, Paula Rawsthorne (pictured with Mayor, Geoff Almond and a Year 10 student from Cowley) announced the winner of the BASH 2013 – Mister Creecher by Chris Priestley, during a special celebration event in Central Library.

Julie Wright, Work Related Learning Manager said: “The engaging and creative workshop has given Cowley students a wonderful insight into architecture and the built environment. The cross curricular workshop supported key aims in Art, Design Technology, Enterprise, Geography and Mathematics.”

BEAT BULLYING

Mrs Basinger, Cowley International College’s Librarian said: “It’s truly wonderful to be part of an event like this which not only encourages young people to read, but to passionately discuss books.”

Bullying’ postboxes to be placed at strategic points around the College. The boxes will enable any student who is being bullied, or is aware of bullying taking place in the College to discreetly inform members of staff and to be assured that any action deemed necessary, will be taken.

An assembly will be held for each year group to support this initiative. The assembly will focus on bullying and the steps that students need to take to help themselves and others.

Mr Livesey, Head of Upper College said: “This is an excellent initiative from the student and she has the support of all the staff in this valuable work to expose bullies and deal with them.”

At Cowley, we take the issue of bullying very seriously. Reports of incidents are dealt with promptly and actions taken are followed up to ensure that the situation is resolved.

The use of Restorative Justice techniques are proving very positive. However, incidents can only be dealt with when they are brought to our attention. Students do not always want to tell us about issues for a variety of reasons.

A Year 12 student (pictured) knows only too well what can happen and so she has decided to take action against anyone at Cowley who thinks that bullying is OK. The Year 12 student, who is a Young Ambassador for the charity BulliesOut, is arranging for ‘Say No to

Linda James, CEO of BulliesOut adds: “Our Young Ambassadors are official spokespersons that represent BulliesOut in their local area. The programme was developed to ensure the voice of the youth of today is heard by everyone.”

“For anyone who is being bullied, it is so important to tell someone. Bullying won’t go away on its own and the more the bullies get away with, the more they do. I understand how hard it can be to tell, but it’s so important they do as this will ensure they receive the help and support they need.”

STUDENTS LEARN VITAL FIRST AID

Groups of students from all year groups received training in ‘Emergency Life Support Skills’ recently.

The training was provided by Major Howard McGee MBE (Retd.), Knowsley Skills Academy.

Students were taught a variety of skills, including how to stem the flow of blood from a wound; how to deal with shock; how to resuscitate an unconscious person and how to perform CPR. The students involved enjoyed the experience and felt confident that they could use the skills developed in an emergency.

Following this successful pilot programme, training will be rolled out to other students.

Pictured are some of the students receiving certificates from Major McGee and Mr Livesey.

UNDERSTANDING BULLYING What is bullying?

Bullying is when someone intimidates or causes harm to another person on purpose. The victims of bullying can be verbally, physically or emotionally assaulted and are often threatened and made to feel frightened.

Bullying can include: • verbal harassment - face to face, by phone, text or over the internet • hitting, hair-pulling and kicking • teasing and name-calling • spreading rumours • damaging possessions What should you do if you, or if someone you know is being bullied?

As Linda James explained, bullying will not go away by itself and it’s important to tell someone if you, or someone that you know is being bullied.

How to report bullying: • Use a ‘Say No to Bullying’ postbox • Speak to a member of staff • Use the College’s online SHARP system - visit: cowleysthelens.thesharpsystem.com or follow the link on the College’s website.

YEAR 7 GET CYCLING! Cycle to College on a Wednesday for your free cinema ticket!* *Sign-up with Mr Foster to qualify.

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Over 200 Year 7 students braved the snow to take part in Bikeability training before Easter.

The qualification will enable students to ride on the roads safely and with improved confidence.

Most students achieved Level 3, which involved dealing with junctions, traffic lights and major roundabouts in the town centre.

NEW DARTS CLUB FOR STUDENTS

If any pupils want to take their cycling skills to the next level and do the Level 3 Plus, then see Mr Foster for details.

A new Darts Club will be starting shortly and those that are interested in playing should speak with Mr Raines.

We will be giving out free cinema tickets for those that cycle to College on a Wednesday, but you need to sign up with Mr Foster first to qualify.

The darts club will be based in the canteen near the 3G pitch and students from all year groups are welcome to attend at lunchtime and after College.

BUDDING ENTREPRENEURS

St Helens Council Initiative

READING ACTIVISTS • Are you aged 11 to 19?

• Do you want to increase your volunteering hours?

There will be regular competitions and hopefully some matches against other schools.

The official opening of the club will include a darts exhibition by a darts professional, where you may get the chance to play the pro.

Look out for more information on the Darts Club in the daily Student Bulletin. Alternatively, please see Mr Raines.

• Do you want to gain skills to put on your CV? • Would you like to organise events, plan budgets and meet authors and artists?

If the answer is ‘Yes’ – then come along to the ‘Reading Activists’ group based within St Helens Central Library every Wednesday at 4 pm. Find out more: 01744 677 573.

DATES FOR THE DIARY

WHO’S BEEN WHERE?

Just some of the educational activities and trips that students have recently enjoyed:

Year 9 students from Cowley made it to the regional final of an enterprise competition that saw students pitch their business idea to a panel of experts at a Helena Partnerships Dragons Den-style event.

Cowley’s budding young entrepreneurs (pictured) impressed the judges with their well thought out idea of ‘Do’s, Discos and Dates To Remember’ personalised items, such as key rings and mugs at pocket money prices. The students confidently presented their business idea and were praised for their marketable product range, that demonstrated a good balance of creative, financial and marketing skills.

The Starship Enterprise competition is part of a five year initiative by Helena Partnerships to support work, learning and training opportunities for young people.

NUT ALLERGY We have several members of our community with severe allergies to nuts, so much so that even contact through the air can make them susceptible to allergic reactions.

Our goal is to ensure a safe environment for all our community and we ask that you refrain from sending peanut or tree nut products with your child to help keep the College “nut free”.

We appreciate your co-operation and understanding.

For more food allergy information, visit www.food.gov.uk.

Students from Year 10 and Year 11 attended a Focus Day at Liverpool John Moores University.

Year 9 students attended the Northwest Careers and Skills Event at Event City, Manchester.

Year 10 GCSE Geography pupils visited Blackpool in order to collect data for their controlled assessment.

Year 7 pupils watched gymnasts of the future take part in the British Gymnastics Competition at Liverpool Echo Arena.

ICT pupils attended an educational conference with Blackpool Pleasure Beach staff to look at how IT has affected the resort and its customers.

A diverse group of students from Years 8 to 12 enjoyed a skiing trip to Val di Fiemme, Italy.

3 IB German students and 9 NVQ Year 11 students participated in a cultural trip to Berlin, Germany.

We are organising a trip to Disneyland Paris that is open to pupils starting Cowley (Year 7) in September 2013. ®

Trip dates: Saturday 19th October, returning Tuesday 22nd October.

Trip includes: 3 nights in a hotel near Disneyland® Paris, full day in central Paris, including a visit to the Eiffel Tower and a full day in Disneyland®.

For more details about this trip, including costs and registering an interest, please email cowley@sthelens.org.uk. Alternatively, Mr Hargreaves, the trip organiser, will be at the Year 6 Parents’ Evening on Thursday 4th July, 7 pm.