Bear in Space!
A company called ‘Sent Into Space’ came into school to run a unique project with a group of 30 Year 9 students. They looked at the science of launching an item into space using a giant weather balloon. Cockburn sent their intrepid astronaut George Cockburn (named after the original founder of Cockburn School). The bear was made by the school’s talented art staff and featured Cockburn uniform and school logos.
Due to the need for correct weather conditions, the company could not let the school know the exact date of the launch until a few days before it took place. Students were selected for consistently demonstrate excellent attitudes towards scientific curiosity. Still to come – an edited video of George leaving the school grounds and ascending all the way into space. They will hopefully get him back as well.
Virtual Dance Competition
Congratulations to Cockburn School’s Year 9 Dance students for coming second place at the Northern Schools Dance Competition with their piece: ‘Women Empowered’. This year’s competition was online with schools sending in videos of their dance pieces. The students involved watched as all of the entries were broadcast on a big screen. There was some stiff competition from the other nine schools in our category, so it is a fantastic achievement!
Race for Life
As a part of National Sports Week, all Cockburn School students were asked to complete the 5k Race for Life in their PE lessons. ‘Together Again’ is an incentive from Race for life encouraging everyone to run together. On completion of the race all students received a Race for Life medal. There was the option for students to make a voluntary contribution of £1 on the day. All students had the option to collect a back sign which they attached to their shirts as they ran in memory of a loved one or with a particular message on their minds.
Living History
Year 9 History students attended a World War 1 Medicine workshop held by Frontline Living History. They were able to learn about the evacuation and treatment of soldiers. Students had the opportunity to speak to these experts in the field as well as observe artefacts from the time period. They were able to examine artefacts and even have a go at being stretcher bearers!
School Mental Health Silver Award
Cockburn School has achieved the School Mental Health Award which is delivered by the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools. They were awarded a Silver standard for its outstanding mental health and wellbeing provision. Nationally, more than 1000 schools have signed up to take part in the mental health award.
Cockburn School provides a wide range of activities to boost the wellbeing of students and staff. The Care, Support and Guidance team is particularly focused on ensuring individual students’ needs are met, including regular consultation with students to find out what they need and why. The Staff Wellbeing Group has provided a huge range of support to staff, especially during the pandemic.
Head of School, Rob Dixon, said:
“I am extremely proud of all of the work that is done in school to support our students and staff and we will continue to place great emphasis on mental health and well-being of all stakeholders in the school and our community.”
Professor Damien Page, Dean of Leeds Beckett’s Carnegie School of Education, said:
“Achieving this award is not just recognition of a whole-school approach to mental health, it’s a recognition of the school’s commitment to improving the life chances of children and engaging with the wider community including staff and parents/carers. We’re truly proud to have worked with Cockburn School in this vital work and look forward to further collaboration.”
Dean Johnstone, founder and CEO of Minds Ahead said:
“This award shines a light on the excellent work schools are doing to promote mental health for their community of children and adults. It is thrilling and humbling to learn about Cockburn School and the many other schools engaged in the quality award process. I’d like to offer my congratulations on this deserved recognition.”
A very busy June at Cockburn School also saw:
- Year 10 Music students had a live online link up to the Wimbo of Africa Children’s Choir in Uganda. The children of Uganda shared their aspirations and performed a series of songs and dances.
- Two Year 10 students were invited to have a paid membership of The Leeds Subscription Library. One of the oldest private subscription libraries in the country, founded in 1768. They had a guided tour, including some very early books, one published in 1494!
- Cockburn School said goodbye to Year 11 with the ‘Cockburn El Classico’ Year 11 football match, leaver’s photos and a Year 11 Leavers Assembly where prizes were awarded for a number of categories to celebrate the success of an exceptional group of young people. Year 11 student, Daniel Morton, was awarded the Kyle Asquith Award in recognition of his resilience and charity work.
- David Roberts, Chair of Nationwide Building Society and Vice Chair of NHS England spoke with Year 10 students about his personal journey to success and the changing world of work. He shared inspirational insights and the Year 10 students asked some fantastic questions.
- Huge flags from all of the competing countries in the Euro 21 tournament were hung across the school Atrium dining space.
