A group of students, who are currently studying BTEC Music at Cowley Sixth Form, have come together to organise Soundwaves, a live music festival celebrating the amazing talents of young vocalists and student bands from across St Helens.
Venue: Windle Labour Club
Date: Friday, 9th May
Time: Doors open at 7:00 PM
All ages welcome!
Come and enjoy a night of live performances, good vibes, and community spirit—all brought to you by the rising stars of our local schools.
Your support would mean a great deal to the students.
Tickets are priced at £7.70 and can be purchased here:
Sound waves festival Tickets, Fri 9 May 2025 at 19:00 | Eventbrite
View PDF by event organisers, Chameleon
More about the Soundwaves event
In a passionate push for sustainability, members of Cowley’s Eco-Committee participated in the nationwide Big School Clean. Armed with litter pickers and bin bags, our students spent an hour cleaning up the local neighbourhood — and their efforts were both impressive and eye-opening.
In just 60 minutes, students collected ten full bags of litter from an area within a 10-minute walk of the school. The activity highlighted the severity of local waste issues, with students even discovering instances of fly-tipping.
The initiative, while productive, served as a stark reminder of the environmental challenges facing the community. In response, Eco-Committee members are planning to raise awareness through the school’s social media platforms and are preparing to write to local MPs and councillors to share their findings and advocate for change.
Want to do your part for the environment?
For those looking to reduce their own environmental impact, the Eco-Committee recommends exploring sustainable living practices. A great place to start is this guide:
How to Reduce Waste: 21 Ideas for Zero Waste Living – One Tree Planted.
Stay tuned for more updates from the Eco-Committee as they continue to champion a cleaner, greener future for all.
The St Helens Immunisation Team has provided a revised school pack which contains all the up-to-date information on high school vaccines. see PDF attachment below.
If you would like to discuss these vaccines, require a translator, more information or support completing the consent form, please call your local immunisation team:
St Helens School Immunisation Team
0174 441 5645
mcn-tr.immssth@nhs.net
Dear Parents/Carers of Year 11 Students,
It has been reassuring to see students who have attended the extra revision classes this week. I am confident that those who have participated are benefiting greatly from these sessions, and we encourage continued commitment in the lead-up to the exams at home and at College.
As we all know, time is precious, and we cannot afford to waste it in the final weeks before exams. It’s reassuring to know that if your child is revising each day and prioritising their studies—such as following a revision timetable at home—they are on the right path.
To help you support your child in managing time, motivation, and distractions, I’ve outlined some key points below. I hope these will address and misconceptions and guide you in ensuring they are making the most of their time:
- If your child says they’ve ‘done enough’ or need ‘a break’—they are mistaken.
Yes, rest is important, but it should be part of a structured revision routine. If they are truly working hard, then a break is deserved. As Mr Westhead says, “Revise, Rest, Repeat”. However, rest only comes after focused revision. - If your child says “no one else is revising”—they are wrong.
The vast majority of students across the country are working hard in preparation for their exams. They know that these exams are crucial for their future. - If your child says “I don’t know how to revise—they are wrong.
We’ve provided resources and shared tips that are easy to follow. Please continue to encourage your child to make use of these materials and ask their teachers for support if needed. Some useful points can be found on our website here: Year 11 Exam Hub – Cowley International College – St Helens and on other online resources like BBC Bitesize here Top revision techniques for exams – BBC Bitesize - If your child is distracted by phones, friends, or video games, this is normal.
However, it’s important for us as adults to help manage these distractions. Time can easily be wasted on social media or gaming. Discipline is key to ensuring success. - If your child is staying up late and sleeping in the next day, it will impact their performance.
Maintaining a consistent routine, including regular bedtimes and wake-up times, is crucial until the exams are over. - If your child isn’t going outside and getting some fresh air, it will impact their wellbeing.
Encourage them to take short breaks outdoors, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Physical movement and daylight are important for both physical and mental health. - If your child turns short breaks into long ones, this is normal but not helpful.
As adults, we must help them stay on track. Time is incredibly valuable, and keeping to a schedule is essential in the final stretch. - If your child spends long hours in their room claiming to be “revising,” it’s worth checking in on their progress.
It’s possible they may be distracted and not as focused as they claim. Regularly checking in can help ensure they’re staying on task. If they’re taking their phone with them to study, it’s likely a source of distraction. - If your child is worried about the exams, this is completely normal.
Their concerns are a sign that they care about their performance. The best way to combat exam worry is through preparation. Encourage them to revise regularly, and remind them that they are capable of succeeding.
We all want the best for your child, and as the exams approach, time is of the essence. By supporting your child in staying focused, disciplined, and healthy, we can help them make the most of the time remaining. I believe in your child’s ability and can succeed this summer. There isn’t a great deal of time, but every extra moment spent revising will help them to achieve.
Thank you for your continued support.
Mr Cormack
Principal
Take a read of this letter from Mr Cormack for our Y11 students
Our Year 7 students have been working hard since September to earn the coveted Bronze Award as part of their Cowley Experience. This award is a recognition of their hard work, determination, and dedication to embodying the core Cowley Values: Independent, Positive Contributor, Good Communicator, Aspirational, Healthy, and Considerate.
To earn the award, students are required to provide evidence that they have exceeded the expectations set for them, both at school and at home. This often involves going above and beyond to meet the criteria associated with each of the Cowley Values.
We are thrilled to celebrate the achievements of our first three students to earn the prestigious Bronze Award. Amelia achieved her award on Friday, 14th March, followed closely by Heidi and Joshua during Team Time. The students were presented with their well-earned certificates, badges, and additional prizes by Mr. Dickinson and Mr. Action during this week’s assembly.
The entire Year 7 cohort shared in the pride and excitement as these three students were recognised for their outstanding efforts. It is clear that the dedication and hard work they put into achieving this milestone has inspired others in the year group to follow suit.
Congratulations once again to Amelia, Heidi, and Joshua – we look forward to celebrating even more Bronze Award achievements in the near future!
Blue Plaque Unveiled at Cowley Sixth Form in Honour of Sarah Cowley
On 5th March, a beautiful spring day, Cowley Sixth Form celebrated a historic moment with the unveiling of a blue plaque dedicated to Sarah Cowley. The ceremony, attended by the Mayor, former staff, students, and the current Head Boy and Head Girl, paid tribute to Sarah Cowley’s legacy.
Former staff member, Rita Allcock, spoke passionately about Sarah Cowley’s lasting impact on both the school and its students. Rita’s words painted a vivid picture of Sarah’s dedication and unwavering support for all children in St Helens.
The plaque was unveiled by the Mayor. This significant moment in Cowley Sixth Form’s history is particularly timely, occurring just days before International Women’s Day. The unveiling serves as a powerful reminder of the contributions women like Sarah Cowley have made in shaping our community and inspiring those who follow.
This blue plaque will now stand as a lasting tribute to Sarah Cowley, ensuring that her legacy remains an integral part of Cowley for years to come.
Take a read of the official press release from St Helens Council here:
We are celebrating World Book Day with Hot Chocolate and Stories!
In celebration of World Book Day, we are excited to host our annual Hot Chocolate Reward Lunch for Year 7 and Year 8 students in the library!
World Book Day is an annual event that encourages students to discover the joy of reading, celebrate books, and share their love for literature. This year, we are continuing our tradition of celebrating by bringing together students and staff to share the magic of reading.
As part of the celebration, we are inviting staff from all departments to join us in reading short extracts from books to our students. This is a wonderful opportunity for staff to show their support for reading across the curriculum, and last year, we had volunteers from PE, History, and Modern Foreign Languages—all of whom brought a unique flavour to the event.
In addition to the Hot Chocolate Reward Lunch and the readings, we’re thrilled to share that the library has recently invested in a wide selection of new books based on student requests! We believe in giving our students a voice when it comes to the books they read, and this investment ensures they have access to fresh, exciting titles that spark their interest and fuel their imaginations. Take a look at some of our new books here!
Uniform and footwear
On Wednesday, 5th February, the college had the privilege of hosting the Million Meal Miracle, a charitable initiative dedicated to combating global hunger. The event saw Year 8 students roll up their sleeves and work alongside volunteers to pack over 7,000 meals.
The meals, which will be sent to trusted partners in Zimbabwe and Somaliland, aim to provide essential warm meals for children in schools and orphanages.
The Million Meal Miracle project is on a mission to engage 200 schools in meal-packing events to address the critical issue of hunger faced by children around the world. As part of an assembly, representatives from the project educated our students about the ongoing global hunger challenges, highlighting the struggles that children their age are facing in other parts of the world.
In addition to the hands-on experience, the event provided our students with an important lesson on the significance of charitable work and the global issues that affect millions. The event was generously sponsored by Rotary St Helens, whose support made the day possible.
The experience aims not only to contribute to the fight against hunger but also to help our students develop a greater awareness of the impact they can have on the world. With a new found understanding of global issues, our students are now better equipped to take part in future charitable endeavors and make a positive difference in the world