Please see images on this page for the Breakfast Boost, Lunch and after school intervention sessions to support our Y11 in preparing for their GCSEs.
Sessions start Monday, 20th January.
Dear Parents/Carers,
As we approach examination season, we are reaching out to seek your support in helping your daughter/son prioritise their academic commitments. Achieving the grades necessary for university, apprenticeships, and future employment opportunities requires focus and careful time management.
The Sixth Form Student Guide highlights the impact of part-time work on academic performance:
“Sixth Formers whose part-time jobs take up more than eight hours a week are risking the grades they need for university and apprenticeships. Research shows that teenagers working up to seven or eight hours a week marginally improve on their predicted Level 3 performance; however, results suffer when hours rise above this. Those putting in 15+ hours are scoring, on average, 36 UCAS points below their potential (that is four grades lower) — the equivalent of dropping from BBB to CCD.”
While we recognise and support the value of part-time work in providing students with extra income and valuable skills, it is important that these commitments do not interfere with their studies. Part-time work during college hours is not permitted, and we strongly recommend limiting work commitments to a maximum of eight hours per week.
Excessive working hours can significantly impact academic results, and your guidance and support in helping your daughter/son manage their time effectively will be invaluable. Mock examination results provide an important indicator of progress and should be used to create a focused plan to achieve target grades.
By reducing work commitments where possible, your daughter/son will be in the strongest position to secure their future goals, whether that is university, an apprenticeship, or employment.
If you would like to discuss this further or require additional support, please do not hesitate to contact your daughter/son’s subject and performance and development tutor.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in ensuring your daughter/son’s success.
Yours sincerely
Danny Watkins
Head of Sixth Form
Dear Parents/Carers
I hope you and your family are well and your child is feeling refreshed as we prepare for the start of the new term. College opens to students tomorrow (Tuesday 7th January at 8:30am) and we look forward to welcoming everyone back. The weather forecast is looking OK, and all staff have managed to get into College today.
As students get ready to return to College tomorrow, we understand that it can sometimes be a bit of an adjustment after time off. To help make the transition as smooth as possible for your child, here are a few key pointers:
- Early Night: A restful night’s sleep can make a big difference. Encouraging your child to head to bed a little earlier tonight can help them feel more energised and ready for the first day back.
- Prepare for the Day: It’s a good idea to check Class Charts for classes tomorrow and for the rest of the week. This will help your child feel confident about what to expect when they arrive at College and can help with what equipment they may need too.
- Uniform Reminder: As part of our uniform policy, please ensure that any false nails or eyelashes are removed – please see the Uniform policy for details, this includes our uniform and information on hair styles too.
- Mobile phones: As soon as students enter the College site, their phone will need to be powered down and in their bag.
We know that a positive start can set the tone for the rest of the term, and we’re here to support your child every step of the way.
Please inform the year teams if there are any important family updates that the College should be aware of. If your family is facing any challenges, don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re here to help and support you. Additionally, kindly notify the office if your contact details have changed.
There is a lot happening this term and all key dates for events and Parents’ Evenings are on the website and will be highlighted in Friday’s newsletter that is sent through Class Charts.
We look forward to welcoming your child back to College and to a wonderful start to 2025!
Mr Cormack
Principal
Dear Parent/Carer,
As we approach the end of a very busy term, I would like to take a moment to thank you for your ongoing support of the college and your commitment to your child’s education. It has been a wonderful term, and we appreciate everything you do to help our school community thrive.
Please note that the college will close this Friday at 1:00 PM for the Christmas break See the newsletter for more information and buses 13th-December-1.pdf . The college will reopen on Tuesday, January 7th, at 8:30 AM for all students.
We hope you have a relaxing and joyful holiday season.
Mrs. McKay’s assembly this week was focused on the theme of “Presence, Not Presents” during Christmas. She encouraged our students to take time away from their phones and truly be present with their families during the holiday season. All students have been challenged to disconnect from their devices for some time, and we ask for your support in helping them achieve this. It will no doubt help them enjoy Christmas to the fullest.
Please continue to monitor social media and ClassCharts for any important notices about the new year and ensure your child is prepared for the start of term in January.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Warm regards,
Mr Cormack
Principal
We are running a Y11 Parent event entitled ‘Y11 Preparing for Success’ on Thursday 14th November from 4:30 to 5:30.
The event is open to all Y11 parents and Y11 students can attend too.
Over the course of an hour, there will be a number of GCSE support sessions, including:
- Top tips for effective revision
- How to use GCSE Pod
- Other useful online resources
- How to use past papers and mark schemes to secure top marks
Tea/coffee and a mince pie will be available.
There is no need to book.
23rd October 2024
Dear Parent/Carer,
We are approaching the end of the first half term. It has certainly been a busy and fast paced half term and I hope you are enjoying reading my weekly newsletters and seeing the many great photos: Principal’s Weekly Newsletter – Cowley International College – St Helens.
We have had nearly 200 lessons this half term which have been carefully planned so your child can learn new knowledge and skills. The data shows that 99% of lesson marks each week are ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’. That’s an incredible achievement and reflects their academic aspiration.
The behaviour of students in lessons and around the college is outstanding. You will have seen the number of huge achievement points achieved on Class Charts awarded each week. We have very high expectations of behaviour at Cowley and we will never settle for second best with your children.
We have now introduced the ‘Cowley Way’ that reflects our Cowleian values. Part of the ‘Cowley Way’ is social norms; the manners we use and how we communicate to each other. I am always very proud at the respect to each other, staff and visitors that our Cowley students show. I am fully aware this does not happen by chance, so thank you for developing these social norms at home. As we know, simply saying, “please” and “thank you” goes a long way in life.
It is well publicised that attendance to school is the key factor that will support learning and success at school. Well done to the 630 students at Cowley who currently have full attendance – they have been in every day since September. Please continue to send your child into school and see our website for support: Attendance – Cowley International College – St Helens.
As you will know, we recognise that Cowley has more than the ‘200 lessons’ and doing well in exams. I am so pleased to see the vast majority of students are taking part in extracurricular activities to balance their time spent studying and to support with their wellbeing and mental health. We are all grateful for the time and commitment of Cowley staff who offer these opportunities.
What is coming up next half term?
Next half term is going another busy time as we move swiftly to Christmas. So, here are some events to be aware of:
- Y11 Mock Exams – The GCSE exams are fast approaching and ‘practice makes possible’. These exams are an opportunity for Y11 students to see how their revision is preparing them for the summer and gives an indicator to the Sixth Form about which subjects they may consider studying in September 2025. There is nothing to worry about, but daily revision is required.
- Remembrance Day (11th November) – At Cowley, we recognise this day and remind the students of the sacrifices made for our freedom. Cowley students who are in Cadets, Scouts and Guides attend college in their uniform as a mark of respect on this day.
- Christmas celebrations – Christmas is huge at Cowley; with lights, choir, concerts, reward celebrations and much more. We also work with local charities to support those less fortunate. Please keep a look at my newsletter for events that parents are invited to.
- Antibullying conference (3rd December) – We recognise that we must work together to educate students and respond to any bullying that takes place. We welcome all parents to attend this conference.
- World faiths day (13th December) – A very special day where we welcome visitors into college and students will learn about kindness and different faiths.
Students finish for half term holiday at 3:05pm on Friday 25th October and return at 8:30am on Monday 4th November. I wish you and your family a restful and safe holiday. However, this is the holiday that I worry most about our students. Please ensure your children are safe with their celebrations of Halloween and Bonfire Night.
Once again, thank you for your continued support to the college.
Best wishes,
Mr Cormack
Principal
23rd October 2024
Dear Parent/Carer,
We are approaching the end of the first half term and it has been an incredible start to Cowley for our new Cowleians in Year 7. I am so proud of the new Year 7 cohort, as they have begun to immerse themselves into Cowley life. It has certainly been a busy and fast paced half term and I hope you are enjoying reading my weekly newsletters and seeing the many great photos: Principal’s Weekly Newsletter – Cowley International College – St Helens.
We have had nearly 200 lessons this half term which have been carefully planned so your child can learn new knowledge and skills. In lessons, Year 7s are attentive, involved and working hard with the KS3 curriculum. It is pleasing to report that nearly all students (222) in Year 7 have been good or outstanding in every lesson since September. That’s an incredible achievement and reflects their academic aspiration.
The behaviour of Year 7 students in lessons and around the college is outstanding. You will have seen the huge number of achievement points achieved on Class Charts. We have very high expectations of behaviour at Cowley, and the Year 7 students are consistently demonstrating the kind and respectful behaviours that staff and parents desire for them.
The Year 7s have impeccable manners and show respect to each other, staff and visitors. They have certainly embraced our Cowleian values and the ‘Cowley Way’. I am fully aware that this does not happen by chance, so thank you for developing these social norms at home. As we know, simply saying, “please” and “thank you” goes a long way in life, and each day, I witness Cowley students showing these lovely manners.
As we know, attendance to school is the key factor that will support learning and success at school. Year 7 attendance is very good, we currently have 152 students in Year 7 who have been in every day since September. These students have confidently informed me they are going to maintain this full attendance until Christmas. The determination and commitment is wonderful to see.
As you will have realised, we recognise that Cowley is more than the ‘200 lessons’ and doing well in exams. I am so pleased to see the vast majority of Year 7 students taking part in extracurricular activities and, most importantly, it is magical to see students gaining confidence and building new friendships.
What is coming up next half term?
Next half term is going to be another busy time as we move swiftly to Christmas. So, here are some events to be aware of:
- Parents’ evening (7th November) – Your first opportunity to meet all of your child’s teachers and receive feedback. Parents’ evenings are critical for student success and wellbeing, so we ask parents to prioritise these evenings. We know that the knowledge and information parents receive at parents’ evening enable parents to work closely with school and their children. We also know that if parents come to parents’ evening, their children will be happier, take part in more extracurricular activities and achieve, on average, 2 grades higher in their GCSEs.
- Remembrance Day (11th November) – At Cowley, we recognise this day and remind the students of the sacrifices made for our freedom. Cowley students who are in Cadets, Scouts and Guides attend college in their uniform as a mark of respect on this day.
- Christmas celebrations – Christmas is huge at Cowley; with lights, choir, concerts, reward celebrations and much more. We also work with local charities to support those less fortunate. Please keep a look at my newsletter for events that parents are invited to.
- Antibullying conference (3rd December) – We recognise that we must work together to educate students and respond to any bullying that takes place. We welcome all parents to attend this conference.
- World faiths day (13th December) – A very special day where we welcome visitors into college and students will learn about kindness and different faiths.
- Primary school visits – Some have taken place this first half term and more will continue next half term. Primary staff will be popping into Cowley and some Year 7 children will be visiting their primary school to meet their old teachers and Year 6 students.
Students finish for half term holiday at 3:05pm on Friday 25th October and return at 8:30am on Monday 4th November. I wish you and your family a restful and safe holiday. However, this is the holiday that I worry most about our students. Please ensure your children are safe with their celebrations of Halloween and Bonfire Night.
Once again, thank you for your continued support to the college. I appreciate the enormity of moving to high school, however, the Year 7s have managed this incredibly well and I am immensely proud of how they have become Cowleians.
Best wishes,
Mr Cormack
Fieldwork is an essential component of the GCSE Geography curriculum, providing students with the opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge in real-world settings.
Last week, our GCSE Y11 students embarked on their exciting fieldwork journey, exploring two distinct environments: Formby Beach and Liverpool City Centre.
These locations offered a rich variety of geographical features and human activities, allowing students to deepen their understanding of both physical and human geography.
This hands-on experience allowed them to see the real-world impact of geographical processes they have been studying in class.
Overall, the field trip experience was invaluable in helping our students build key skills such as data collection, analysis, and critical thinking. It not only enriched their learning but also gave them a glimpse of how geography shapes the world around us.
We are incredibly proud that three of our students were recently invited to represent our school at the prestigious Mandarin Excellence Programme (MEP) event, hosted at the Chinese Embassy in London.
Accompanied by Mr Sheeran, our students had the opportunity to share their experiences of learning Mandarin and their memorable trip to China last year. Cowley was one of only ten schools chosen from 61 participating schools across the UK to speak at this event – a remarkable honour!
The Mandarin Excellence Programme is a flagship initiative to boost language skills in the UK. It’s a rigorous and immersive programme, and Cowley has been a proud participant since 2017. The event at the Chinese Embassy was a celebration of the successes of schools and students engaged in this programme, providing an important platform for pupils to share their experiences and demonstrate their progress.
Our students took to the stage at the Chinese Embassy to share their journey of learning Mandarin, a language that has challenged and inspired them, as well as their experience of spending time in China on a once-in-a-lifetime visit last year. Mr Sheeran also gave a speech on the life-changing opportunity this programme brings to our students. Our students represented the school magnificently and we are extremely proud of them.
The event concluded with an inspiring message from the Chinese Ambassador, who commended all participating schools for fostering closer ties between the UK and China through language and cultural exchange.