Cold water shock
Cold water shock can have a dramatic effect on your body, such as causing you to breathe in water, make your muscles weaken, and can even cause your heart to go into abnormal rhythms, ultimately resulting in death.
Anything below 15°C is defined as cold water. Average UK and Ireland sea temperatures are just 12°C.
If you find yourself in trouble in the water
If you find yourself in trouble in the water, float to live. Do not panic, float on your back until the effects of cold water shock pass. When the cold water shock has passed, swim to the edge or call for help.
If someone else is in trouble in the water
If someone else falls into the water, call 999 straight away and ask to speak to the fire service and ambulance.
Never enter the water to try and save someone, even if you are a strong swimmer. Shout to the person in the water ‘swim to me;’ The water can be disorientating, and this can give them a focus. Depending on where you are there might be lifebelts or throw bags – use them. If they are attached to a rope, make sure you have secured or are holding the end of the rope so you can pull them in.
Enjoying the water safely
Spending time in the water
If you are thinking of entering the water, consider your exit point, and any emergency exits, before you get in.
Do not jump into open water as this can cause potentially fatal cold water shock, even on the warmest day. Think twice before swimming in open water such as rivers or lakes. You have no idea what’s beneath the surface, there could be unseen currents and reeds, which could pull you under.
Do a risk assessment on the water for the dangers present, it pays to know any dangers before you go swimming. Always consider your exit point, and any emergency exits, before you get in the water. Make sure you feel fit and well before swimming.
Spending time near the water
When running or walking next to the water, stay clear of the edges. Riverbanks and cliff edges may be unstable and give way – particularly after bad weather. Look out for trip or slip hazards – pay attention to your footing and avoid walking or running next to water if levels are high.
If you are walking the dog and they end up in the water, do not go in after them.
Useful resources
- Further water safety advice is available on the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) Water Safety Advice website page;
- Read more about cold water shock on the RNLI Cold Water Shock – Water Safety Tips website page;
- Further information on winter water safety is available on the RLSS Winter Water Safety website page;
- Watch this RNLI: Float to Live video so you’re prepared if you unexpectedly find yourself in water;
- Stay safe on the beach with this RNLI Beach Safety advice;
- The RLSS website has more Open Water Safety Tips;
- The RNLI website has more Open Water Swimming Advice;
A plaque celebrating the accomplishments of James Roby, a former student and current Saints captain, was unveiled on Tuesday, 18th July.
James Roby, the whole of our Year 7, our Chair of Governors, Mr Anders and staff filled the atrium as Mr Sheeran spoke about James being a student at Cowley and how we all should be inspired by his achievements. Mr Sheeran went on to talk about James’ career highlights.
The plaque, which is displayed in Cowley’s atrium space, has a quote from James that reads:
“Effort and hard work lay the foundation for success”
James was a student at Cowley from 1997 – 2004 and played rugby throughout his seven years with us. James is a great inspiration to many students and this was more than evident when a Year 7 student started singing a chant in honour of James being his favourite player!
On Monday, 10th July, 15 lower school students who are our ‘Millionaire Readers’ enjoyed a reward trip to St Helens SuperBowl.
As part of our way to celebrate the successes in reading, students who read a million words or more are rewarded. We are immensely proud of these students’ approach to reading and congratulate them on this fantastic milestone achievement.
This year, we decided to reward our Millionaire Readers with a trip to St Helens SuperBowl. We saw some dubious bowling strategies as part of the trip; in particular, the students who were determined to beat Mrs. Cunliffe’s score!
Bowling strategies aside, all of these students were a credit to Cowley and their behaviour and attitude during this reward trip was outstanding.
All students enjoyed some time in the arcade before heading back to school.
Mrs Piercy, Literacy Coordinator at Cowley said: “I am so proud of their dedication to reading across the year and have told the Year 7s that I hope to see them next year on the same rewards trip!”
Our Year 7 students participated in our annual Founders Day on Monday, 10th July. Founders Day is an occasion to commemorate our founder, Sarah Cowley’s life and accomplishments, and to educate about the fascinating history of Cowley.
Founders Day was held in our Sixth Form building, which is full of history and was a perfect setting for the occasion.
Our Year 7 took part in a number of entertaining and interesting events, such as a treasure hunt across the Sixth Form campus to discover memorial plaques and other significant details about Cowley. In addition, students had the opportunity to experience 1950s Cowley uniform and typical Victorian food that they would have eaten in class. Students also got the chance to learn what school would have been like in the early 1900s.
Our students were really astounded by the volume of Cowley’s rich history and they particularly enjoyed scouring the photos from past years to try and find members of their own family who attended Cowley. A highlight from the day was definitely trying on the old uniform!
Learn more about Cowley’s history here
A week on from the events at Progression Week, Cowley Sixth Form College Year 12 students today took part in a Progression assembly.
Discussed were the opportunities available in College next year as they progress into Year 13 (including the elections for Head Boy and Head Girl), the UCAS application process and deadlines for universities as well as information about apprenticeships and employment.
There were a number of awards handed out to students who had excelled during Progression Week in the following categories:
- Good communication
- Leadership
- Time management
- Team player
Students were chosen for each of these categories from each tutor group, and a selection of photographs can be found below of our winners. Congratulations to everyone involved!
Photos from our Class of 2023 Prom.
If you want to send over your photos, email: marketing*AT*cowleysthelens.org.uk
Some independent study has been set for all students in Years 7-9 who will not be in College on Wednesday, 5th July and Friday, 7th July due to the industrial action.
Please find links to the two days’ worth of independent study below:
College will be re-open to all students on Thursday, 6th July and Monday, 10th July and it is a requirement that all students attend.
Every year, we offer our Year 12 Cowley Sixth Form College students a Progression Week, a week-long event to help them think about what they’d like to do after sixth form college, and this year was no exception with a fantastic week of events being held on-site this week.
Progression Week takes the form of:
- University Day – featuring a careers fair (market place style) with universities from around the UK, university-based talks and sessions as well as a presentation around UCAS applications.
- Apprenticeship and Employers Day – featuring a careers fair (market place style) of apprenticeship providers and employers from a wide range of different industries plus talks and sessions about apprenticeships and industry-based topics.
- Mock Interview Day – each student sits a mock interview with a professional to help them prepare for university or employment interviews.
- Work Experience – each student partakes in a work experience placement for three days (students in some courses will do more than three days) to gain valuable experience in a workplace.
We were delighted to welcome the following organisations in to Cowley Sixth Form College for the Progression Week events this year and thank them all for their support:
Universities:
- Glyndwr (Wrexham) University
- Edge Hill University
- University of Stirling
- Staffordshire University
- Nottingham Trent University
- University of Northampton
- Loughborough University
- Lancaster University
- Northumbria University
- Bangor University
- University of Essex
- University Centre St Helens
- University of Salford
- Liverpool John Moores University
- Liverpool Hope University
- University of Cumbria
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- Spirit Studios
- University of Huddersfield
- Blackpool College of the Arts
- University of Central Lancashire
- Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts
- University of Chester
- LMA Liverpool (Music, Media, Arts)
- University of the West of Scotland
- University of Hull
Apprenticeship/Employers:
- HMS Works
- Waterside Training
- White Cross Vets
- Co-Op
- Army
- Bluebird Care
- Navy
- Pure Gym
- iTech
- St Helens Chamber
- Merseyside Police
- NHS
- North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust
- McLaren Group
- Seqirus
- Royal Air Force
- Sellafield
- Alcedo Care
- Miguel Doforo
- United Utilities
- Puratos
- Home Office
- Airbus
- Career Connect
- Barclays Bank
Photos from the week’s event:
With the latest Summer Menu 2023 having completed its first 3-week cycle, we are now giving students an opportunity to have their say in developing the next menu and what they would like to see served in the College canteen this winter.
Please can we ask students to complete the following short online survey: Cowley Menu Survey (office.com)
