*Text from the NHS Measles / MMR Back to School Communications Toolkit*
Over 102,000 children starting primary school in England are at risk of catching measles.
With millions of children across the country going back to school this week, NHS England is urging parents to check that their children are up to date with their MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccinations in the wake of measles cases rising across the country.
Childhood vaccination rates have fallen over the past ten years and this week statistics show that over 102,000 children aged four and five years old starting in reception are not protected against catching measles, mumps and rubella.
Measles is highly infectious and if left unvaccinated nine out of ten children in a classroom can catch the disease if just one child is infectious.
If you are unsure if you or your child are up to date, check your child’s red book or GP records and make an appointment to catch up any missed doses.
For more information on the NHS vaccination schedule, visit
The Year 7 Forum event will take place on Thursday, 28th September 2023, 3.30pm – 4.00 p.m. The event is designed to give parents and carers of our new intake the opportunity to come into college, meet their daughter/son’s form tutor and discuss any issues or concerns which might have arisen since the start of term.
The afternoon will begin at 3.30 p.m. with a brief welcome from senior staff on the Atrium steps, followed by a more informal meeting and a chance to chat with your daughter/son’s team tutor.
To confirm your attendance, please complete and return the tear off slip from the bottom of the letter that has been sent home.
If you wish to discuss any matter on an individual basis, please complete the relevant section on the slip and return it to your daughter/son’s team tutor no later than Monday, 25th September.
Cowley Sixth Form College had the honour of hosting the live broadcast of BBC Radio 4’s ‘Any Questions’ on Friday, 15th September.
The panel on the night was made up of Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Dame Meg Hillier MP, the TV producer and screenwriter, Sir Phil Redmond, Food and Farming Minister, Mark Spencer MP and the CEO of the Society of Chemical Industry, Sharon Todd.
Under the guidance of presenter, James Cook, the panel delved into a wide range of topics in response to questions posed by the audience.
Some of the topics discussed included the ban on American XL Bully Dogs, China’s relationship with the UK, the Pension triple lock and road traffic speed limits.
Cowley Sixth Form College students played an active role in ensuring the smooth running of the event by directing guests on where to park, as well as to help sign in visitors.
Prior to the broadcast, the Head Boy and Head Girl met the panelists in the Green Room, and spoke about their future aspirations, which was met with insightful and valuable advice.
The long-running current affairs debate, is broadcast live on Friday evenings. Members of the public can attend the broadcast and have the opportunity to ask the panel of politicians, journalists and commentators a topical question.
St Helens Council Music Service are delighted to share their range of ensemble for 23/24 that they continue to provide for FREE for all students who live in the Borough.
Any students that learn an musical instrument, from the real beginners right through to the more advanced musicians are welcome. The Vocal Group on Tuesday is open to any student who enjoys or would like to explore singing.
Please see below a letter from Mr Cormack regarding the return to college.
There is also a video to watch, where Mr Cormack speaks about what’s been going on during the summer and some advice for students ahead of the return to College in September. Please watch.
Cowley Sixth Form College to host BBC Any Questions?
Cowley Sixth Form College is delighted to be hosting the BBC Radio 4 programme, Any Questions? The programme is a long-running current affairs debate, broadcast live on Friday evenings. Members of the public can attend the broadcast and have the opportunity to ask the panel of politicians, journalists and commentators a topical question.
The broadcast will take place on Friday 15th September. If you would like to attend, you can follow the link below to reserve tickets.
“We are delighted to welcome BBC Any Questions to Cowley and to St Helens and look forward to hear the community challenge the panel with their questions,” said Principal, Russell Cormack.
The link to reserve tickets is now live here.
2023 has proved to be another successful year for GCSE students at Cowley International College with many achieving the results which will enable them to progress onto their chosen learning pathway.
There were many outstanding individual performances. Daisy Ward achieved seven grade 9s and two grade 8s, a student attained three grade 9s, five grade 8s and a grade 7, Sophie Avison collected two grade 9s, three grade 8s and a grade 7, while Julia Gostelow earned six grade 8s, a grade 7 and a grade 6, in an impressive sets of results.
There was wonderful success across the year group, with an overwhelming majority of students achieving their expected grades or better.
Many of our students are progressing to Cowley Sixth Form College, studying courses including Maths, Law, Physics, Chemistry and English.
Reflecting on the results, Principal, Russell Cormack, said: “I am extremely proud of this cohort and the academic and personal achievements that they have made, not just today but over the past five years. The academic aspirations we’ve seen from this year group has been outstanding.
“To be able to celebrate with students as they open that envelope to see the outcome of all their hard work is a real privilege.
“I’d like to thank staff and parents for the important role they have played in this success too in helping students achieve these fantastic results.”
Cowley students have done themselves proud. Gatsby, our Therapy Dog joined in with the celebrations. He’s really missed everyone over the summer!
Staff and students at Cowley Sixth Form College are celebrating A-Level and vocational results day with some exceptional individual performances.
Among those who received outstanding results is Tanishka Tiwari who achieved A* in Biology, A in Chemistry, A in Mathematics and an A in Law. Tanishka is now looking forward to studying Medicine at the University of Exeter.
Callum Smith also excelled, achieving A* in Chemistry, A* in Mathematics and an A in Physics. He will be attending the University of Liverpool to study Physics.
Rose Springford achieved A’s across the board in Geography, Chemistry, Biology and Maths. Her next plans are to study Biochemistry at the University of Liverpool.
Deborah Faulkner, Director of Sixth Form, commented on the college’s success this year: “We have seen some strong performances from this cohort; their hard work over the last two years has truly paid off. This year, our students are heading in so many different directions, including university, employment and apprenticeships. In my opinion, this speaks volumes about how this cohort have shown great resilience and determination in working hard to achieve their goals.
“This is a very happy day for Cowley Sixth Form College and we couldn’t be happier for our students who have the results they require for the next steps in their journey.”
Cowley International College is delighted and proud to have retained the prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag Award.
The Green Flag Award is an internationally recognised accreditation that is the highest award from Eco-Schools, given to schools that are working hard towards making and keeping their schools sustainable. It is based on 10 areas of sustainability: healthy living, waste, school grounds, litter, transport, marine, biodiversity, energy, global citizenship and water.
Eco-Schools reported back to the College, remarking: “You have embedded environmental topics into your curriculum with great enthusiasm and these issues are being used to enrich learning in your school whilst engaging your pupils with important environmental concepts, such as composting and climate change.
“Your waste topic, in particular, is a great example of your whole-school approach to environmental education.
“The projects outlined in your Action Plan, such as allotment visits and litter-picks, show that you have thought carefully about how you can involve the whole school and wider community to achieve maximum impacts and raise awareness.”
The award was first achieved by the College in 2021. To retain this award, the College’s Eco-Committee has put together an action plan for how the College can work on each of the 10 areas of sustainability and monitor them going forward.
There was a thorough Environmental Review conducted to see which sections of sustainability the College was already good at, such as a move to remove single-use plastic bottles from sale in the canteen and an increased knowledge and understanding of ways to save energy, while areas to further improve were suggested.
The College has also started an allotment for an extracurricular Gardening Club where the students have been composting all the food waste from the Food Technology department, as well as all the compostable waste from the staff rooms, which has drastically reduced the amount going to landfill and will continue to provide compost for Gardening Club in the years to come.
Cowley’s Principal, Mr Cormack, said: “Cowley is extremely proud to have achieved this award again. It is a reflection of the hard work of our Eco Committee, students and staff in caring for the environment in and around College.
“We are constantly introducing more measures to be as eco-friendly as we possibly can in order to help keep Cowley as sustainable as possible for future generations of Cowleians.”
The Green Flag Award is valid for two years, after which time the College must reapply for the accolade.
In the meantime, Cowley remains committed to running regular events, competitions and campaigns to make sure everyone knows about sustainability at the College, with an Eco-Committee functioning on both the 11-16 and Sixth Form sites for all students to be able to get involved with.
There will be an opportunity to meet the Cowley Eco-Committee and find out more about what they do at the College’s Open Evening on Thursday 14th September.
For more information about Eco-Schools, please visit www.eco-schools.org.uk.
Link:
Sustainability at Cowley
A-Level and BTEC results are published on Thursday 17th August 2023.
Year 13 students can collect their results in person at College from 8:30-10:00am in Cowley Hall. Entrance will be via the double doors leading towards the offices and Y13 students are required to bring their student lanyards which will be collected from you when your results are issued.
If you are unable to collect in person on 17th August, you can authorise someone to collect them on your behalf. If this is the case, please email Mrs Faulkner in advance so that we are aware who is collecting your results and, if possible, please give them a signed note to authorise them to collect both results and certificates. If at all possible, please give them your college lanyard to drop off too.
Year 12 students who sat external examinations in May/June for all A-Level and BTEC courses can collect results from 11:00am-12:00noon, also in Cowley Hall.
Staff will be on hand to help celebrate your success and offer any support you might require.
Students awaiting results from GCSE resits will be able to collect them on Thursday 24th August between 12:00noon-1:00pm from the Sixth Form reception.
