Cockermouth School
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
French Trip
Award Winner
Year 6 Intake Days
Sports Day
Malaga Trip
Year 13 Prom
Daffodil DNA
Berlin Trip
Upcoming Events
Year 11 Prom: A Night to Remember
On Thursday 19 June, the Year 11 Prom was a spectacular celebration of the end of an unforgettable school year. Blessed with glorious weather, 214 students and staff gathered at the beautiful Greenhill Hotel in Wigton for an evening filled with laughter, music and memories
From 7 to 10 pm, the venue was alive with excitement Guests enjoyed a delicious two-course meal, struck poses in the ever-popular photo booth and danced the night away to a fantastic set by student DJ Jackson Jane
The night also featured a special awards presentation, recognising students for their achievements, personalities and contributions to school life
The atmosphere was electric, with smiles all around and a strong sense of community and celebration A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the night such a success! To view the amazing photography captured by Jeanne Rogers, visit https://jeannerogersphotographyzenfolio com/f303715863
Fun in France
Our Year 10 GCSE French students have returned from a truly memorable trip to Paris, where they immersed themselves in French language, culture and history
The adventure began with language lessons designed to build confidence in speaking Students then put their skills into action at the vibrant market in Versailles, trying local foods and chatting with stallholders – even testing their haggling skills!
Cultural highlights included a visit to the spectacular Château de Versailles, where students explored the palace’s grand halls and deepened their understanding of French history, including the Revolution That evening, a scenic cruise on the River Seine offered unforgettable views of Notre-Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and more.
The trip also included a powerful visit north of Paris to explore WWI history At La Caverne du Dragon, students toured underground tunnels used by soldiers, walked the Chemin des Dames battlefield and visited the Armistice Museum in Compiègne –gaining real insight into the events that shaped Europe.
After all the learning, a full day at Parc Astérix brought some well-earned fun and excitement The final evening included visits to the Arc de Triomphe and ChampsÉlysées, before the Eiffel Tower for stunning views over the city
More than just sightseeing, the trip was an incredible opportunity for students to apply their learning in real-life situations, while developing independence, teamwork and cultural understanding
Bravo, Year 10 – you represented the school brilliantly and made the most of every moment!
Richard James Armstrong Award Winner
Congratulations to our Year 12 student Zac S, who has been awarded this year’s Richard James Armstrong Award for Outstanding Chemist Zac becomes the fifth recipient of this prestigious award, which commemorates Richard James Armstrong (a former student of Cockermouth School) and celebrates Zac’s exceptional achievement and enthusiasm for chemistry
The award presentation took place on Wednesday 25 June at Futamura, Wigton, where Richard Armstrong was employed Following the ceremony, Zac was given a tour of the company’s laboratories and its cellulose film manufacturing plant, offering him a unique opportunity to see how the chemistry concepts studied in the classroom are applied in an industrial setting
Year 6 Intake Days
We were thrilled to welcome our incoming Year 7 students for their Intake Days a two-day event filled with fun, learning and new experiences designed to help our newest pupils feel confident, supported and excited for the journey ahead
From the moment students arrived, they were greeted with smiles, encouragement and a vibrant atmosphere The aim was simple: to give every child a real sense of what life is like at Cockermouth School and to ensure they left feeling part of our school community
Across the two days, students took part in a wide range of taster lessons, interactive activities, and team-building challenges From science experiments and drama workshops to PE games and creative arts sessions, the experience showcased just how dynamic and inspiring learning at Cockermouth School can be.
Pastoral care was a key focus throughout Students spent time with their new form tutors and classmates, learning about school routines, expectations and the support available to help them thrive Guided tours, Q&A sessions and plenty of informal time helped ease nerves and build confidence
The students attended a whole-year assembly led by Mr Woodcock, Head of Year 7. With warmth, humour, and a few familiar faces from local primary schools, the assembly reassured students that Cockermouth School is a place where they can grow in confidence, kindness and ambition
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive One Year 6 student shared, “I was really nervous before coming, but now I can’t wait to start! Everyone was so friendly.” Another said, “I loved trying out the lessons especially the science lab!”
A huge thank you to all the staff, student ambassadors, form tutors and our local primary schools for making the transition so smooth and successful
We’re very much looking forward to officially welcoming our new Year 7s in September. If the Intake Days are anything to go by, the year ahead promises to be a fantastic one!
L-R, Martin Cockroft, Trevor Carruthers, Zac S, Joan Armstrong (Richard’s mother), Zac’s parents and David Oldham
Sports Day 2025
Our whole-school Sports Day took place on Thursday 3 July, bringing together students from Years 7 to 10 for a day of traditional track and field events. Now in its 40th year, the event continues Cockermouth School’s proud tradition of celebrating mass participation in sport
Despite challenging weather and track conditions, students gave their all and two new school records were set!
Congratulations to:
Alice M (Y7) – 31.60m in Girls’ Javelin, smashing the previous record by over 11 metres. Alice is currently ranked UK No 1 for Javelin
Alistair S (Y10) – 74 40m in Boys’ Rounders Ball Throw, setting a new benchmark in this newer event
The day was a true team effort, with staff and students coming together to ensure a smooth, spirited, and successful event. Special thanks to Miss Havard and Mr Charters for their outstanding organisation. Well done to everyone who took part and made the day such a memorable celebration of sport and school spirit!
Malaga Trip
64 students set off on an unforgettable three-night adventure to Málaga, in the heart of southern Spain. The trip offered a perfect blend of cultural discovery and language immersion, creating lasting memories and valuable learning experiences
After flying from Leeds Bradford Airport, the group arrived around midday and received a warm welcome at their accommodation Wasting no time, they headed straight to the beachside language school for a relaxed picnic lunch in the sun. The afternoon saw the first Spanish lessons begin two hours delivered entirely in Spanish Despite the early start, students rose to the challenge, impressing their teachers with their focus and enthusiasm
The rest of the trip was packed with engaging and enriching activities. Highlights included more Spanish lessons, a vibrant flamenco show followed by hands-on workshops in flamenco dancing and drumming, visits to nearby caves, a town trail and beach sports
A standout moment was the full-day excursion to Málaga’s historic city centre. Students visited a local secondary school, explored the impressive Alcazaba fortress and enjoyed a guided tour of the old town They also savoured a traditional tapas lunch and had free time to shop and soak up the lively atmosphere of the city.
Throughout the trip, students were praised for their enthusiasm, conduct and engagement Staff at the language school even remarked that this was one of the best groups they had ever hosted a sentiment shared by the accompanying teachers. It was a truly fantastic experience, combining education, cultural immersion and plenty of fun for all involved
On Friday 20 June, our Year 13 students celebrated the end of their school journey in style at the beautiful Green Hill Hotel The evening was filled with laughter, music and unforgettable memories as students came together to mark this special milestone.
Dressed to impress, students enjoyed a wonderful night in a stunning setting complete with great food, dancing and plenty of photo opportunities
You can view the full gallery of photos from the evening here: https://jeannerogersphotography.zenfolio.com/p775282526
A huge thank you to all who helped organise the event and made it such a memorable occasion for our students
Year 13 Prom
Daffodil DNA exhibition at London’s Royal Society
At the beginning of July, students from Cockermouth School headed to the Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of science, for its annual Summer Science Exhibition in London
Over the past year, the students have been conducting research with their STEM partner from Sellafield Ltd on ancestral relatedness of daffodil cultivars by sequencing their DNA enabled through the Royal Society Partnership Grants Scheme Working closely with the University of Dundee and Dr Conor Kelly from Sellafield Ltd, students used cutting edge nanopore DNA sequencing technology to isolate the sequence of different daffodils. This included the Wordsworth Gold daffodil donated by National Trust’s Wordsworth House in Cockermouth
The Year 12 students exhibited their findings to some of the world’s most eminent scientists alongside 13 outstanding research groups and more than 300 scientists from across the UK The students developed a range of activities for their exhibit including building a large working model of the nanopore technology and ‘beat the clock’ sequencing activity, 3D printed models of proteins with help from Eagle labs, Whitehaven and micropipette practice on handmade daffodil paper bookmarks The public and scientists could learn about the ancestry of the daffodil cultivars and how the new generation nanopore-based molecular techniques worked at the Cockermouth School exhibit. The appeal was further enhanced by button badges and a scientific poster made by students Mrs Faria, Biology Teacher said: “This fantastic project has enabled our students to work closely with a STEM partner and understand the science behind nanopore technology while they develop high level practical skills. The students have worked hard over the past year, so it was really exciting for them to be able to present their findings to world class researchers, Fellows and visitors to the exhibition Anya W, Year 12 Student said, “this was a once in a lifetime experience, nerve wracking but amazing.”
Sixth Form trip to Berlin
On Friday 16 May, our Sixth Form students arrived in Berlin and settled into the spacious, modern YHA Berlin Ostkreuz hostel
Saturday began with a traditional German breakfast followed by a three-hour guided bike tour starting at Alexanderplatz Students explored Berlin’s key historical sites while learning about the city’s complex past. They enjoyed lunch lunch along the Ku’damm and a visit to KaDeWe department store, they spent the afternoon at Tempelhofer Feld a unique park on the site of the former Tempelhof airport. The day concluded with an immersive visit to the DDR Museum, providing fascinating insights into life in East Germany, and a group viewing of the Eurovision Song Contest final
On Sunday, the group took a poignant tour of the Stasi Prison Memorial at Hohenschönhausen, which offered a powerful glimpse into life under East Germany’s secret police Following lunch near the Brandenburg Tor, they visited the historic Reichstag building, where they learned about German democracy and enjoyed panoramic views from its glass dome The trip ended with a visit to the East Side Gallery, a vibrant open-air gallery along the Berlin Wall.
The Year 12 students fully embraced Berlin’s vibrant atmosphere and returned with a deeper understanding of the city’s history and culture. One student was so inspired she’s already planning to return later this year!
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Tues 7 Oct: Year 6
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Wed 15