Magazine Winter 2013

the last Wishing all of our readersW a HappyO ChristmasRD and Peace ful New Year Switch On Sunday success – Town Council praise for students Cockermouth students raised

over £2322 for a variety of Children’s Heart Unit & charities at the Christmas Lights Juvenile Diabetes Research Switch On in November and have received praise from the Town Council for their generosity, organisation and fundraising enterprise. Groups of mainly lower school students between them ran 10 stalls selling a variety of goods including pottery, cakes, jewellery, toys, books, tombolas and other goods. Red Cross Amnesty A record £2226 raised by students and staff for BBC Children in Need

CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT TUESDAY 17 DECEMBER AT 7PM IN CHRIST CHURCH CHOIRS, ENSEMBLES, Pudsey, Cracker eating competition and Mokython ORCHESTRA AND READERS Hairy boys’ screams heard in school REFRESHMENTS The screams of hairy 6th Form boys were heard throughout the school when Matthew ALL WELCOME Holliday, Kieran Spence, Lewis Horsley and Calvin Hodgson had their legs, arms and backs waxed to raise money for the BBC Children in Need appeal. (Cont. on page 2)

Cockermouth School is very grateful to Caterite and Caterlink for their very generous sponsorship of the Christmas edition of the Last Word.

“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world” Nelson Mandela. 1918 to 2013 HEAD’S LINES To meet the print schedule for the Christmas edition of Last Word, this is being written in November. Our TV screens are already dominated by Xmas ads, the lights are looking gorgeous in Cockermouth – the festive season is officially here! Leadership, rather than tinsel, has been uppermost in my mind over recent months. I have spent a great deal of time this term launching the Western Lakes Teaching School Alliance, in which Cockermouth School plays a major role. It has been such a positive experience as, in implementing it, we have forged new levels of collaboration between many secondary and primary schools, and to support this process, senior leaders at our school have had to take on additional roles and responsibilities. Subject and pastoral leaders have had a busy term managing a new timetable, and planning for major changes in curriculum and assessment. Their experience and advice has been invaluable. Support staff leaders and their teams are the crucial backbone of the school as they plan and undertake a myriad of tasks, allowing teaching staff to concentrate their focus on teaching. Teachers, of course, are leaders within their own classroom, and the atmosphere and levels of interest and innovation has been outstanding. Kids’ Lit Quiz Team wins I have also been impressed by the leadership skills of our students. Students in the 6th form are leading and organising Regional Final many of our school activities (running the school all too well on Takeover Day for example!), the Student Council, as ever, The Cockermouth team comprising two Y8s, Eve Westwood and Alex Tyrrell, and two Y7s, emerges with real credit, and there are constant reminders Rosie Spencer and Leo Morgan, won 1st place at the North West heat of the Quiz and will of students taking the lead on the sports field, within drama be travelling to Wimbledon, London as we go to print where they will pit their wits against productions and in many other enrichment activities. winning teams from each of the 17 regional heats – and hopefully win the UK final. We are all leading ever onwards and upwards! I wish all With full marks in the first round, where they played their Joker and thus doubled their students, staff, families, friends and supporters of our school a score, the Kids’ Lit Quiz Team produced the highest score in this year’s heats so far in very happy Christmas and a peaceful new year. categories such as Numbers in Titles, Rodents, Royalty and Owls and scored an amazing 91.5 points out of a possible 110. This is the 5th year our team has won the local heat! Next summer the world finals will be held in Cornwall where the winning UK team will meet the Mr Walker, Headteacher best teams representing the USA, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, and each will compete for the title of Kids’ Lit Quiz champions of 2014.

CHILDREN IN NEED (Continued rom page 1) This was one of many activities that the students organised. Other events included the Non Uniform Day, where the students and staff paid £1 not to wear their school uniforms and wear casual and fancy dress and onesies. Cake sales were held throughout the school. Staff and students showed off their footballing skills in a Cross Bar Challenge on the all-weather pitch. In the Gym, students and staff created Pudsey’s face out of coins – all of which will then be donated. A cracker eating competition was held in the Common Room and a Mokython took place in the Eco Centre with 43 students participating. “The students and staff are very supportive of the BBC Children in Need appeal and are very generous,” said Headteacher Geoff Walker. “I was very impressed by the waxed boys’ bravery and the efforts of all students and staff in their fundraising activities. They are a credit to the school and the day was a huge success.” Cockermouth School has supported the appeal since it started a number of years ago. Waxing

2 STOP PRESS: THE CSA RAISED £971.90 FROM BAG PACKING AT SAINSBURY’S ON 7 DECEMBER. THANKS TO ALL WHO HELPED.

NEWS FROM COCKERMOUTH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION Another half-term races to a close and I still haven’t finished my Christmas shopping! I’m busy, you’re busy, and your CSA, (and very able Parent Helpers) is also very busy. Parents’ evenings, New Intake evenings, school performances, bag packing: we have been there, raising money for your children and their school. No one is paid to do this; all time is given freely and with a smile. My thanks as ever to all those who lend a hand, especially the very kind parent at the Kids’ Lit evening in the Eco Centre in October, who came to our overwhelmed refreshments team’s help. I’m sorry but we didn’t get your name. The CSA is 25 years old this year, so happy birthday to us. We are bucking the national trend of secondary school PTA’s closing all over the country. A very small committee, we are still going strong. In fact, one of our members Pauline, our deputy chair, was at the founding meeting, so a very big thank you to her for her dedication and support. We always need more help though so if you would like to join our committee (6 one hour long meetings a year), our Parent Helper list (for parents who could occasionally lend a hand selling refreshments), our 100 Club (£1 a month!) or donate chocolate or wine to our raffle prize cache, please email Joan Ellis on [email protected] or call her on direct line 01900 829753 for a chat. Merry Christmas everyone, and a peaceful New Year. Mel Avery, Chair, CSA

Students Celebrate Reading SENIOR MATHS A Celebration of Reading and Year 7 Lit Quiz event took place in October in the Eco Centre. The event was organised by the school’s librarian, Mrs Farrar, who is the coach for the highly CHALLENGE TEAM successful Cockermouth School Kids’ Lit Quiz teams, which have taken part in international competitions in the past in New Zealand, and earlier this year in South Africa. THROUGH TO FINALS The evening was a celebration of reading with competitions and prizes for 11 and 12 year old youngsters and their families and friends. The event was sponsored by Community IN LONDON Foundation and the Lamont Pridmore Community Grassroots Fund to encourage the love of reading at home and at school, not just by students but by whole families. The winning maths team of 4 students including Joe Wayne Mills, the founder of the global Kids’ Lit Quiz, has given Mrs Farrar permission to run Welford and Katherine Miller from Year 13, and Annie the event and the quiz followed a similar format to the international competition. Paine and Stephen Cole from Year 12 will travel to London in February with Mr Ely for the national competition. Book wholesaler Hill’s provided books for sale and refreshments were provided by the Cockermouth School Association, the school’s charity. The winning team after a sudden The Senior Maths Challenge Team sealed their place in death play-off was 7AWA. the final by beating 11 other schools from across Cumbria and Southern Scotland in the regional final, which was held in November at in . The final will take place at the Camden Centre in London in February, where the team will be up against the winners of various other regional heats across the country. The Team Maths Challenge is an annual competition jointly organised by the UK Maths Trust and the Further Mathematics Support Programme, and aims to promote enjoyment of maths as well as teamwork and communication skills. Maths teacher, Mr Ely accompanied the team on the day as well as running practice sessions in the lead-up to the competition.

Stephen Coles, Associate Editor

to the Europe Prize Scholarship Fund Committee for their awards and stated IMPRESSIVE PRESENTATIONS FROM the benefits of the visits to their studies. The Fund was established by Cockermouth Town Council in 2000 and has EUROPEAN PRIZE SCHOLARS been supported with grants from local charities and organisations. David Bertram, Chair of the committee hopes that funding will continue in the Students who had been awarded Europe Prize Scholarship Fund grants future as the scholarships enable the students to expand their knowledge earlier in the year gave impressive presentations to the committee of their for their studies. The awards will be open again to students in January. See study tours to various European cities, which included Rome, Barcelona, Mrs Dumbill for details. Basel and Prague. The 6 groups of Year 13 students expressed their thanks

3 EDUCATION FOR ALL -NOT IF YOU’RE A GIRL Students and staff from the 6th Form supported Girl Rising, a global campaign to raise the profile of education for girls. The school campaign was launched in the Eco Centre recently with the showing of a new feature film of the same title. The event was organised by 6th Form students and the Head of 6th Form, Mrs Dumbill. The film focuses on the lives of 9 girls from 9 countries and uses the power of story-telling and partnership to convey the message that educating girls will change the world. “When the campaign was introduced to 6th Form, many were shocked to discover that many countries do not provide equality of education for girls. We heard that in a number of countries girls missed out on even the most basic education. Increasing educational opportunities for girls would result in fewer child marriages, fewer early pregnancies, less HIV infection and over-all, less hardship towards adolescent girls,” said 6th Former, Rebecca Armstrong-Fleming. “This led to many Cockermouth students volunteering to help promote the film and raise awareness of the Girl Rising campaign.” Girl Rising is also a movement that embraces the words of activist Malala Yousafzai who was shot by the Taliban in Afghanistan: “0ne child, one teacher, one pen, and one book can change the world. Education is the only solution.” The movement is built on a foundation of partnerships with NGOs, corporations, policy makers and grassroots organisations – all working to change minds, lives and policy.

CHRISTMAS MUFFINS Try out these easy to make tasty Christmas Muffins – recipe provided by Miss Dennis, the Catering Manager with Caterlink, the school’s caterers. Ingredients: 200g/7oz self-raising flour, sifted 100g/3½oz golden caster sugar 100ml/3½fl oz sunflower oil 75ml/2½fl oz milk 1 large free-range egg 50g/1¾oz dark chocolate, chopped 1 heaped tablespoon high quality mincemeat 50g/1 ¾oz good quality white chocolate, chopped 50g/1¾oz dried (or fresh) cranberries

Preparation method: 1. Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5 and put 24 mini-muffin cases inside a mini-muffin tin. 2. Mix the flour and sugar in a bowl, then make a well in the centre. Whisk together the oil, milk and egg and slowly pour into the bowl, stirring gently. Divide this mixture between two bowls. In one bowl add the dark chocolate and mincemeat. Add the white chocolate and cranberries to the other bowl. Stir very gently. 3. Divide the two mixtures among the 24 muffin cases and bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown and risen. 4. Remove the muffins to a cooling tray and eat warm. Steph Dennis Catering Manager Caterlink at Cockermouth School Award Winning Caterer

4 Young My Guide training for Yr7s Congratulations to: Charlotte Andrews & Lewis Shield Karina Scott & Heather Palmer Jasmine Bragg & Bella Fulton Emma Foy & Amy Boyd Rachel Kellet & Poppy Gannon This group of students from 7MSL have received Young My Guide training with the organisation Guide Dogs for the Blind, with a view to helping fellow student Aaron Hewitt gain more independence around school and allow him the freedom to integrate with his friends. This training has gone very well with a 100% pass so far. A further 2 students will be assessed in January. All the students involved will wear ID when it is their guide day identifying them as a ‘Sighted Guide’.

Mrs Tiffin

As we go to press, Yr 13 Callum Morley will be shaving his head to a Number 3 Buzz Cut for the role of James in a play entitled Blackout by Davey Anderson for his Performing Arts A A Number 3 Buzz level. This serious play is about the effects of social exclusion and bullying. The character is taken to a secure care unit where he shaves off all his hair. Callum has turned his head shaving into a charity sponsored event for West Cumbria Hospice at Home and there are sponsorship forms in school and a website for anyone who would like to contribute: www. Cut for Callum justgiving.com/Callum-Morley 5 Earth provides enough to satisfy every Christmas person’s need, but not every person’s greed. Green thought: Mahatma Gandhi 1869-1948 From Seeds to Forests Comenius is a European funded project which connects schools from different countries throughout Europe. Our partner nations include Croatia, France, Greece, Cyprus, Lithuania Bulgaria, Romania and Spain. Lithuania: At the end of September, 2 Geowatch students, Matthew Benson and Matthew South, travelled to Vilnius, Lithuania with Mr Richards to meet students and staff from our partner schools. The 2 Year 9 students presented work they had done building a herbarium of local plants and trees, made lots of new friends from around Europe, learnt some Lithuanian language and folk dancing. Bulgaria: 6th Form students and Mrs Haslam visited Bulgaria as part of the Comenius project, where they met with students and staff from other partner schools to discuss joint environment projects.

Eco Primary Schools Conference The Eco Centre was buzzing recently with over 60 excited pupils from local primary schools. We were pleased to welcome pupils and staff from All Saints, Bridekirk Dovenby, Brigham, Fairfield and St Joseph’s primary schools and guest school Blennerhasset to an Eco conference, especially designed for them by Miss Ellis, Mrs Haslam and Geowatch. Jenny Sides from the Tidy Britain Group which manages the Eco Schools Movement was one of the guest speakers and , said that she would be happy help any of the primary schools to become Eco Schools. Judith Bradshaw from the Recycling Department at was also a guest speaker and offered her help and support to primary schools. Geowatch members and Comenius students spoke about recycling and energy conservation. Former student Naomi Thomas and Geowatch members also helped with workshops making Tetra Pak wallets, posters and planting projects. Chair of Governors, Mrs Mansfield closed the conference and thanked the primaries for attending. It was a successful event and much appreciated by the primary schools.

GEOWATCH MEMBERS AT THE ECO PRIMARY SCHOOL CONFERENCE

Switch On to Switch Off Fortnight Join Thousands of schools including Cockermouth School and millions of young people including Geowatch took part in Switch off Fortnight. Eighty per cent of our energy is Geowatch generated by burning gas, oil and coal. Burning these fossil fuels increases the CO2 This group is growing from in the atmosphere, trapping heat and causing climate change and global warming. strength to strength and Switching off lights, phone chargers, other appliances and turning down the central meets every Friday with Mrs heating and showers by just a couple of degrees can make a big difference. So Haslam and Mrs Tyson in imagine thousands of schools and millions of young people switching off during Switch G13. The students undertake Off fortnight. If enough people switch off, these small changes can make a very big some great projects such as difference. Switch off fortnight – switch off all year – and switch onto switch off. making bird and bat boxes, Christmas Eco Pledge: Don’t use plastic carrier bags; switch off your Christmas tree planting apple trees, planting lights overnight, recycle your wrapping paper and your Christmas cards; buy local to wild flowers seeds so that our reduce air miles; walk and cycle over the holidays and come to school on a bike or bees can survive. Geowatch walk if possible; make your New Year’s resolution green. members get the chance to travel. REMEMBER REMEMBER RECYCLE - REUSE - REBUY - REDUCE - REFUSE

6 HOPES FOR NEW DEVELOPMENTS CLASSROOMS FOR Crossing now in place SEPTEMBER Cumbria County Council has funded the development of a £65k crossing for students and A new permanent classroom block should be in place staff at the school. This will provide a safe route from St Helen’s Street across the road at the start of the new academic year replacing the to the entrance of the school. The crossing has been supported by local councillors and old temporary classrooms behind the bungalow. with funds from CCC Local Area Committee budgets managed by Cllrs Nicholson and The £800k classroom block, which is funded by the Kennon. Cumbria County Council will comprise 8 classrooms over 2 floors, lavatories and 2 offices in addition to a The crossing has been part of a campaign by the Cockermouth Rural Safety Group platform lift and will provide excellent teaching and which includes the membership of students. Current member Yr 13 student Callum learning space for staff and students. Pearson is delighted that the crossing is now in place.

ALL WEATHER PITCH REPLACEMENT An application is being prepared for submission to Sport for Lottery match funding for a replacement Astro all-weather pitch. The current facility has been very well maintained by Site Management staff and has lasted for more years than expected. It is hoped that the pitch will be in place for September.

School shortlisted for Adams Activities On Monday we go to the Golden Apples awards Calvert Trust riding centre and we ride a horse. Congratulations to the Rock Challenge Crew who On Tuesday we go to were shortlisted in the top 3 for the CN Group’s swimming at Arkeby Pool. Golden Apples awards in the Fit for Life category. On Friday, which is the Mrs Moffatt represented the school at the awards best activity, is Whinlatter, ceremony at Carlisle Race Course in October. we go for a walk and Mrs Jill Bell, Senior Teaching Assistant now with a drink and toast. On Cockermouth School was nominated by her former Wednesday Kieran, Liam, school, Broughton Primary, in the Teaching Assistant Oliver and Jamie go to the of the Year category. walled garden. (Stop press: The Hadfield Trust has awarded a grant of £1500 towards the costs of preparation and Adam Burland 8KB /CT production of Cockermouth School’s Rock Challenge One of the horses at for 2014/15. We are very grateful to the Trust.) the Calvert Trust

Film Review: The Santa Clause Rating: PG. Length: 1 hr. 37 min. Tim Allen stars in this family-friendly Christmas comedy. Allen plays Scott Calvin, the divorced dad of Charlie (Eric Lloyd). Scott is saddened to learn that his ex-wife Laura and Charlie’s stepfather Neal have told his son there is no such thing as Santa Claus. While a miserable Charlie comes to stay with his dad on Christmas Eve, they hear a noise on the roof and go to investigate, where Scott accidentally scares the intruder, who tumbles from the roof. It turns out that the intruder was actually Santa, and Scott has just accidentally killed him. Because of a legal technicality known as “the Santa clause,” Scott inherits the job of Santa. Through the next year, Scott gains weight, grows a beard and just generally morphs into a Santa like figure. He also meets the elf Bernard -- who is the one who really runs the North Pole -- while Charlie starts to believe in Christmas once more. However, Neal becomes concerned about Scott’s sudden change in appearance thinks this is confusing Charlie and he wants to stop Scott from seeing his son. This light-hearted fantastical comedy will entertain the whole family and fill your entire home with festive cheer. While the film breaks no new ground, it offers the kind of warm, well-meaning, universal entertainment that is synonymous with Disney studios. Amanda Astall, Associate Editor

7 BIG DRAW A BIG HIT AGAIN

The Big Draw is an international festival which takes place every October, aiming to inspire people to draw. The Cockermouth community event, which was launched in October in the school’s Eco Centre, was organised by art teacher Mrs Tinkler. The theme of this year’s event was “draw the future”, so members of the community were invited to look at the Biomes to inspire them to draw a picture entitled “sowing the seed”, looking at nature and how the landscape could change in the future. Throughout the week, pupils from local primary schools were invited to take part, as well as students at Cockermouth School. The Derwent Company provided some quality materials to support the Big Draw. The event was successful, and displays are exhibited in the auditorium in the Eco Centre. “The Big Draw encourages peopleof all ages including the community, parents and students to draw – draw for fun, draw for excitement,” said Mrs Tinkler. “We were very encouraged by the amount of drawing that took place.” Following the theme of the future and environment, Year 9 PD pupils will ask community members to make a pledge as to how to make the planet more sustainable, which art students will use to make honesty seeds as part of a sculpture project. Stephen Cole, Yr 12

Arts and Allsorts at ART STUDENTS AT AQUARIUM Year 10 Art Students visited Maryport Aquarium. The visit was part of BTEC and the GCSE classes’ first portfolio assignment, ‘Aquatic’. The visit provided valuable first hand experience of drawing and recording the Kirkgate from direct observation and the challenge of capturing a moving target! As the day progressed, students Arts and Allsorts is a musical event held visited different parts of the aquarium to collect sketches that focused on details, colours and patterns. Students made notes about certain characteristics and movements of the fish and were encouraged to at the Kirkgate Centre in Cockermouth consider marine life in new ways. BTEC students were also able to gain a valuable insight into merchandising for over 60s. This year, Cockermouth and graphic communication. We would like to express our thanks to the staff at the aquarium for their School was asked to take part. There support and allowing our students to gain so much inspiration from such an unforgettable day. were performances from the boys’ choir and several soloists, with song choices ranging from Wonderwall Mrs Tinkler, Art Dept by Oasis from Connor McClenan to Hannah Lewis’ rendition of Popular from Wicked. I really enjoyed the event, and afterwards people came up to us saying how much they loved the performances and that we were a credit to the school. I definitely find that opportunities like this make the effort of choir so worthwhile and rewarding. If anyone is hesitant about joining the boys’, girls, post 16 or staff choir I would recommend that you do – just speak to Mr Ulyatt for more information! Stephen Coles, Associate Editor 8 Art Club support local church The school was contacted by supporters of St Bridget’s Church, Brigham in a quest to raise awareness and funding for the restoration of some very unique artwork. The Church at Brigham hosts the best example of the delicate painted plaster by William Butterfield. However 150 years of dirt and dust - together with a leak in the roof - have taken their toll on the beautifully painted plasterwork of the ceiling. Students from the Art Lunch Club took inspiration from the work of William Butterfield and designed artwork to be made into notelets, sold to support the funding of the restoration. The lucky winners were Bethan Haney, Samantha Riglin, Mabel Symonds and Charlotte Winfindale. The bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund has now been approved and one of the most important church ceilings in Cumbria is to be restored with a grant. Mrs Tinkler. Art Dept Ceiling at St Bridget’s Church, Brigham

Opportunity Knocks Twelve Go for all talent Ape in France Inspired by the popular UK TV series of the same name, Opportunity Knocks is the In September, 12 of us from Year 11, 12 and school’s talent show which has been run for the last 4 years by the Head of Music, 13 – along with Mrs Campion and Mrs Farrar – Mr Ulyatt. Pupils from all year groups audition and perform solo or group acts embarked on a French Exchange trip to Marvejols. and are awarded a score out of 100 by a panel of guest judges. This year’s show Each of us stayed with a French partner for comprised 18 acts including solo singers, dancers and duets. the week, and during the day participated in activities such as an orienteering course and an It was an evening event, with friends and families coming along to support and vote Accrobranche (an outdoor activity similar to Go for their favourites, and Mr McArdle as usual providing a certain element of “comic Ape). relief” as the compere. The standard of the acts was high, and I didn’t envy the job of the judges having to choose between them! The winner of the judge’s vote was We also toured the town of Marvejols and visited Laura Cousins from Year 9, who gave an excellent rendition of Dalmatian Cradle nearby Nîmes, which was captivating as we learnt Song. The audience vote was won by Luke Brown and Jack Moore from Year 7 and a lot about the history of Nîmes, particularly when Eve Westwood from Year 8, who performed Radioactive by Imagine Dragons with we went to the amphitheatre. We also went to Luke on lead vocals and guitar, Eve on backing vocals and guitar and Jack on drums. school in the mornings and participated in lessons including Maths and English. It was interesting to Luke, Eve and Jack, who won the audience vote at Opportunity Knocks, are see how different the French education system was members of a band called “The Underlined”, who were united three years ago by to our own. Rock School with a mutual interest in music and performing. They meet up once a We spent the weekend with our host families, and week for band practice as well as attending Rock School. I got to visit a cheese factory, a knife factory and This was their first time participating in the school talent show. “We’ve done a wolf park – at one point I was about 10 metres performances before,” said Eve. “We’ve done some with Rock School, and one away from a wolf! On the Saturday evening, I went at the Kirkgate Centre for Soundfest.” The band chose Radioactive by Imagine bowling with some my English friends and their Dragons for their performance at the talent show, as it is a well-known song which partners. The whole week was really informal and they had practised a lot. enjoyable, and I hope that our partners will enjoy themselves just as much when they come to stay Despite being nervous at the start, by the end of the song they had the audience in March. To anyone considering taking part in an clapping and singing along. Not knowing that there was an audience vote as well exchange trip, I would encourage you to go for it, as a judge’s vote, the three had a pleasant surprise when they won! “It was just whatever reservations you may have, as it is one of incredible,” said Luke. “Our first time entering Opportunity Knocks and we won the the best experiences you can have. audience vote.” Stephen Cole, Associate Editor Stephen Coles, Associate Editor

9 REMEMBER THE INDIVIDUALS: STUDENT COUNCIL - A VISIT TO AUSCHWITZ STUDENT VOICE (This is a lengthy article for the Last Word, but it is one that is impossible to edit as every word is significant and worthy of Sets being read and remembered. Editor) In Year 7, we were only set for Maths, this meant that we were almost always with other people in our form, people we knew. This, however, On the bus journey to Auschwitz Camp I and II, you visit the Old Jewish has changed now due to the fact that we are set for nearly everything. town Oswiecim which was renamed Auschwitz under Nazi occupation, You may not know many people in these new sets, but that makes it on this bus journey on the left hand side there was a huge wood with long a perfect opportunity to meet new people and make friends in other tall trees, it was here I got the first glimpse of the rail way track, it then forms. Chances are, you will already know some people from your old became clear that my memory of Auschwitz would never disappear, or school or various after school activities, and if not, there are always leave me. other people in your form to work with. Also on the matter of sets, if On arrival of Auschwitz I, one of the most peculiar things about the camp you’re not in a set you’re particularly pleased with, try not to dwell is its location; it’s located in the middle of the community. Nothing like my on it too long. Sets are there as a guide line to help you work expectations, I imagined it to be in the middle of nowhere, hidden away. better at your rate of learning - not to try to separate you from your When we reached Auschwitz I, it was much smaller than my expectations, friends! this only added to the horror of the camp as it was then you realised how packed and claustrophobic it would have been for the refugees, how easy Billy Robinson 8DTA disease would have spread. We were lead into Auschwitz I, and walking under the famous ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’ sign, which translates to ‘Work sets us free’ this sign couldn’t of been more deceiving. SETTLING IN TO SCHOOL We entered one of the old brick barracks which were used as housing I came from Lorton Primary School which is a quite a small for the refugees. They had been renovated into museums which all had school, so coming to Cockermouth is a massive change. There different aspects and evidence of what happened within Auschwitz I. One were only 60 pupils at Lorton. On the 1st intake day I was VERY of the most disturbing things we witnessed was a room filled with human nervous because I didn’t know what it would be like. I was hair. Roughly ¼ of the room was filled with human hair sealed behind glass surprised by the lunches because we had so much choice, which had been shaved off the dead women and children after being unlike my primary school. In September, everything was new: murdered in the gas chambers. These are things that cannot be conveyed school uniform, school bag, and transport to school! (My first in photographs and they are things that cannot be unseen. The human hair time on a bus to school.) I had my first settling meeting in was used to make blankets and other objects and was deported and sold October and got a progress report which I did really well in! My in Germany. Other rooms had other evidence such as all the remaining experience of starting at a new school has been both thrilling shoes found after liberation which belonged to refugees. and nerve racking, I am thoroughly looking forward to playing After being led around the brick barracks and roll call court yards, hockey and other sports later in the year. and gallows, we were led into a small, low black block with a huge chimney. This block did not need explanation; we were in a gas chamber Rachel Armstrong 7KR/SMI in Auschwitz I. The room was cold, so much colder than the rest of the camp. Our tour guide told us if we looked at the walls you could see the scratches on the wall from past victims. On one wall I found a Star of David. This to me was most powerful moment of my Auschwitz experience. Stressful tests Auschwitz II – Birkenau was a purpose built death camp as Auschwitz With so many members of the school approaching important I wasn’t big enough for the mass genocide which was happening in this exams, stress levels are on the rise. The funny thing about community. The scale of Auschwitz II was overwhelming, remains of stress is that everyone handles it. Across the country there building were everywhere. It just seemed to go on for miles. Looking are compulsive tea makers and compulsive drinkers and down from the Watch tower you could the vast remains of what was occasionally reluctant tea drinkers. There are those that spend Auschwitz II. The Nazi’s destroyed the gas chambers and many other hours on the perfect playlist. Pencils being sharpened, desks building to get rid of evidence or the cruel goings on. The train track ran rearranged and even those who might rather be in bed. Stress is right through Auschwitz II this was to speed up the selection process. unique to everyone that suffers it, but is also abundant; if you The selection process was where Dr. Josef Mengele, decided who was feel like you’re suffering, look around - talk to another worrier fit enough to work and who will be used for experiments and who should you’ll see that you not alone, it may even help! be sent straight to the gas chambers. This was decided purely on their appearances. Around 90% of Jews sent to Auschwitz II were killed that Conall McDowell 11MPi is 1 in 6 Jews. Around 70% were sent straight to the gas chambers on arrival. The two huge gas chambers in Auschwitz II – Birkenau were destroyed NEW RIVERS however the remains are still there, and can be visited. When looking at the scale of these gas chambers where incomparable to the ones we seen in Auschwitz I, it was extremely overwhelming. The gas chamber RIDE DATE in Auschwitz II – Birkenau had fake shower heads installed to deceive victims who had been sent to their death. ANNOUNCED One of the most important things about going to Auschwitz is to make sure Cumbria Community Foundation has appealed to Cockermouth you remember all the individuals instead of looking at the statics. You have students, staff and parents to take part in the rescheduled to humanise the dehumanized, and reflect on all the many of different lives Jennings Rivers Ride on Sunday 25 May 2014. The Foundation is a that were affected. big supporter of Cockermouth School and awards grants through the through the school’s charity. Please support the Rivers Ride Georgia Taylor, Year 13 and sign up via the website: [email protected]

10 Foyle’s Young Poet of the Year The 4th of September was an incredible day for me. Two months prior I submitted 4 poems Fox Chase to the prestigious, international Foyle’s Young Poet of the Year competition; with no thoughts that six weeks later I would get a phone call from The Poetry Society to tell me that I had won. Last Winter, in dim lit candlelight Upon hearing the news the only syllables I could muster were an unbelievable “wow”. From I would sit out on the iced terrace 7,478 submissions from 75 countries worldwide, I had been selected as one of the top winners. cloaked in my Gran’s old fur coat A month later I found myself on a train heading down to London to perform my poem. It was a silence was soaked up by the late pleasant day of celebrating poetry in London’s artistic Southbank Centre; and I had the chance night traffic on the high street after to see other poets perform, including the very inspiring Simon Armitage. In February When the clock struck midnight next year, I will be travelling to Shropshire to attend the reputable Arvon Centre for a poetry the chime could be heard from workshop with the judges and winners. I confidently can say writing will continue to revolve in Grandfather’s ancient clock my life for quite some time, and I hope to find more successes with it during my life. it was then that two foxes would Jessica Walker, Yr 13 push their whiskered faces through hedges dancing into the frosted garden caught between snowflakes and the waning moonlight red stained tails tipped with white my Mother would call me in but I would stay out all night eyes fixed to the beauty of this fox chase, he would join me around one thirty in the morning my friend, the haunted ghost with a jagged scar up his wrist he would sing to me, and it was bliss

by Jessica Walker

Yr 13 English student, Jessica Walker and There’s A Creature in the Lake one of the finalists in the Foyle’s International by Maddy Smith, Yr 7 FOYLE’S YOUNG Young Poets competition organised a poetry competition for the students at the school Down by the Water to celebrate National Poetry Day in October. by Christopher Potter, Yr 8 POET ORGANISES United Utilities PLC sponsored the competition Glass Water by providing prizes of £50 for the winner by Madeleine Wynne, Yr 9 from each of the year groups, which Jessica COMPETITION presented at Year assemblies. The New Book Water Shop on Cockermouth’s Main Street provided by Steph Jarman, Yr 10 book vouchers for the overall winner, Madeleine

Wynne from Year 9. Here are the winners of the The Storm FOR NATIONAL by Stephen Coles, Yr 12 school competition and the winning poems are on the school website: Water POETRY DAY www.cockemrouthschool.org/poetry by Holly Stainton, Yr 13 please take a look.

Spiders Web Challenge in Borrowdale The annual Year 12 trip to Borrowdale took place in September: armoured with waterproofs, wellies and spare clothes, half of the year went to Seatoller to do ghyll scrambling and slide down a zipwire over a quarry; and the other half carried out a series of activities around the lake, designed to be physically challenging and to promote team skills. Despite heavy downpours earlier that week, the weather brightened up for us and the day was a success. Our group, led by Mr Bradley, started by canoeing across Derwentwater, followed by a problem-solving challenge in which we had to fish a capsule out of a pipe using only limited resources. The other activities we did were gorge walking, rock climbing, and a “spider’s web” challenge. My personal favourite was the rock climbing: although it was quite scary, it provided a surge of adrenaline and a real sense of achievement. I was glad to hear people who had expected not to like the experience say that they had enjoyed the day, as well. I would encourage pupils who get the opportunity to go on this trip in future years to take part and to make the most of it! Stephen Cole, Associate Editor

11 STOKES IN AUSTRALIA Congratulations and good luck to former Cockermouth old boy Ben Stokes playing cricket for Takeover Day England in Australia. Cockermouth School is thrilled and proud that England has given former student and old boy Ben Stokes his Test debut in Australia. The students and staff wish Ben the very best of luck and will watch the series with excitement.

STUDENTS Space balloon to be TAKEOVER launched by Year 11s Following last year’s success, another team from Cockermouth School is taking SCHOOL part in the REACT Engineering competition to send a giant balloon and a camera into space to photograph the curvature of the earth and the blackness of space. Cockermouth students found themselves in the hot seat Team Ascend was selected by local company REACT, based at Cleator Moor, recently when they took over the duties of Mr Walker on as one of the 2 teams out of the 4 schools who entered the competition. The National Takeover Day. The day gives young people the selected teams are given £400 each by REACT to complete the project. This year’s chance to work with adults and get involved in decision Cockermouth School team consists of sixteen Year 11s, including 7girls and 9 boys, making. who will release the balloon in January 2014. The team will be filming, recording The team, including Head Girl, Emmy Richardson, and taking photos throughout their journey; so like them on Facebook at Team Deputy Head Girl, Emily Howard and Deputy Head Boy, Ascend to be a part of it of this amazing and exciting project. Alex Wilcock, took over the Head’s duties throughout Catherine Dumbill, Year 11 the Takeover Day, which has been designated by the Children’s Commissioner and has been running for a number of years. Book Seniors win trophy Students meet now for at music festival Early last month, Mr Ulyatt took the boys’ choir and local lord February senior choir to the Carnegie Theatre to compete in Lord Inglewood visited the school recently as part the Workington Music Festival. Our class was in the of the Peers in Schools Outreach Programme. Chance Camp afternoon, and we sang Wake Up Little Susie and The local peers owns nearby historic house Sealed with a Kiss. Hutton in the Forest and considerable agricultural The legendary school holiday We came first with a merit score of 84, but sadly land in the area as well as the Pheasant Hotel sports Chance Camp there was no trophy. The senior choir, who at Bassenthwaite. The Peer met with the Head at Cockermouth School performed in the evening, also won their class and Student Team as part of their role in Takeover Day, 17 to 23 February 2014 received a trophy. The event was good fun and before speaking to the students from Years 11, 12 For bookings and details we hope to continue our winning streak at future and 13 in the Eco Centre, where he spoke about www.chancecamp.co.uk competitions! his work in the House of Lords. He had lunch with [email protected] Mrs Dumbill, Head of Sixth and Mrs Mansfield, Chair of Governors. 07789 991 774 Stephen Cole, Associate Editor

Sixth form rugby success This year the 6th Form rugby team has had a fantastic season. With only 1 loss and some emphatic victories, we have exceeded our expectations. We have beaten teams such as Keswick, Nelson Thomlinson and Sedburgh School. We lost to in the 1st round of the Daily Mail Cup, which meant we were placed into the Daily Mail Vase. We took victory against Nelson Thomlinson, before our most recent game against Keswick. We had beaten Keswick earlier in the season at home; therefore we went into this away cup match in good spirit. We were much improved in the second half, with some very good performances all round. We quickly got a penalty and scored it before getting a converted try to make it 18-5. Towards the end nerves started to press in for both sides but in a ferocious encounter Cockermouth progressed to the next round with an 18-5 win. We start to go out of county now and we are looking forward to every game. Luke Skillbeck, Yr 12

The Last Word is the Cockermouth School magazine compiled by students and staff the last Associate student editors for this edition are: Stephen Cole Yr12 and Amanda Astall Yr12 Please forwardW allO articlesR andD photographs to Joan Ellis, the editor, for the spring 2014 edition to [email protected] Tel: 01900 898888 www.cockermouthschool.org. See us on Twitter: twitter.com/cockermouthsch Design and print by Firpress Printers Tel: 01900 68141 www.firpressprinters.co.uk

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