• Eid Mubarak to our Muslim students and parents/carers. I hope you are enjoying the celebrations.

• Well done to both Y12 and Y13 for all they are doing at the moment to prepare for external exams and/or mocks. With now two weeks to go before the Easter holidays, we appreciate how busy a time this is for students. Keep on going! It will be worth it! 

• This week was an important one for Y12 to reflect on their progression plans, with last week’s Ashton Gate University and Apprenticeship Fair and then the SMRT Progression Morning on Wednesday. ViP will become very progression planning related following mocks. Thank you to Mr Jones, our Progression Co-ordinator, for organising these events. 

• A reminder that there is a New Revision Hub on the Sixth Form Subject Hub on Sharepoint. The Sixth Form Subject Hub continues to be a great place to find revision resources for each subject, but the New Revision Hub where students can access the specifications for each course, past papers, mark schemes and exam reports will hopefully make these specific resources even more accessible for Y13 in the run-up to their exams and also for Y12s with mocks. There is a link to the revision hub at the top and bottom of the student hub. 

• Well done to all those involved in the school production of 'Six' happening this week. Tickets still available to buy on the door.

• Good luck to all students involved in the Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition this weekend.

• Church yard- A reminder to students that we are lucky to have access to the church yard especially now we have had some nice weather. I have emailed students with a reminder about church yard expectations including students needing to make sure any rubbish goes in the bin.

• A reminder for students that all Sixth Form students must wear their lanyards at all times in the buildings for safeguarding reasons, considering Sixth Form students don't have to wear a school uniform and our city centre location. Otherwise our offer including Sixth Formers not having to wear a school uniform will need to be reviewed.

• Also a reminder that mobile phones should never be out in lessons and students in the main school building cannot have mobile phones out on show in corridors, even if it is to check Bromcom. Members of staff have to follow our school policy and government guidance as 'all schools should be mobile phone-free environments'. Staff are fully entitled to confiscate mobile phones of Sixth Formers if needed.

• All parents/carers should have received an email from the Bristol Safeguarding in Education Team this week in response to the recent meningitis cases in Kent providing this information: Following news reports of a number of meningitis cases in Kent, which has resulted in 2 deaths, Public Health are reminding all parents and students of the importance of Meningitis vaccination. MenACWY is routinely offered to all students during Year 9. We encourage all parents to respond to the invitation and consent process, which will come from the school age immunisation service, Sirona, in the coming weeks. In Bristol around 35% of older students, in school Years 10 to 13, have not had their MenACWY vaccination. Please can you to check your child’s vaccination record and book an appointment if needed. You can do this via sirona.sch-imms@nhs.net or 0300 1245 515 for students in Years 10 to 13, or alternatively for students in Year 12 or 13 (and other individuals up to the age of 25), via their GP.

  Meningitis is an uncommon but serious disease and, in many cases, can be prevented through vaccination which is safe and available. More information about MenACWY vaccination can be found here Meningococcal ACWY and diphtheria, tetanus and polio – Children and Young People’s Services”

• A message from our IT department: An update on the Bromcom Student Portal issue. It won't be possible to provide students with their timetables via the Student Portal app until April 3 at the earliest. All students will be emailed another copy of their timetable again ready for the week ahead.

• Christian Union will continue to meet at lunchtimes on Wednesdays in 202. All are welcome. They will also be running a Bible study on Wednesdays at 3.15pm in Room 102.

• The Christian Union are organising an Easter Egg hunt in Sixth Form. More details to come asap.

• Revision Offer from Into University- Hi! We’re running Easter Holiday Revision Sessions at IntoUniversity and would love for you to join us if you’re in Year 11–Year 13 and preparing for exams. On 15th and 16th April, our classroom in the Withywood Centre will be open from 10am–3pm as a quiet space for you to revise.

  During the sessions you’ll have access to:
  • IntoUniversity staff who can help with your work
  • Laptops
  • Free printing (perfect for past papers!)
  • Revision resources like flashcards
  • Free Domino’s pizza at lunchtime

  If you’d like a supportive place to focus on your revision before exams then please get in touch with us. You can email lauren.jones@intouniversity.org or phone us on 0121 803 7505. We’d love to see you there!

• As we build up to the exams for Y13 and mocks for Y12, and the library will begin to get very busy, remember there are other rooms that students can use to work. A timetable showing free rooms for private study is on the library door and TVs. Students also often find using the central library in College Green helpful at this time of the year, just make sure you keep an eye on the time so you are back on time for lessons. 

• An updated enrichment timetable: Final Enrichment Timetable 2025.pdf

• Please remember that if students are ill or absent we do expect parents/carers to phone or email and tell us or leave a message BEFORE the start of the school day where possible. Have the 6th form number (0117 3532073) and the attendance officer direct line (0117 3773465) on your phone. Also call if you are significantly delayed in traffic. If it is easier then email 6thform@smrt.bristol.sch.uk . Absences known in advance require a form to be completed which is available from reception.

• Y12 have tutor registration on Monday for Group 1 and Tuesday for Group 2.

• Timetables for mocks which happen during the first two weeks at the beginning of next term have now been emailed to both students and parent/carers and students need to now check them carefully. Any problems let Mrs Apps know.

• Year 12 Volunteering Opportunity - Would you like to volunteer on a Tuesday morning 8.30am -8.55am in Main school with year 11 students? This will last for 5 weeks next term, supporting students with revision and build up to their GCSE exams. Speak to Mrs Apps if you have questions and sign up here - Volunteering with Year 11 – Fill out form

• Y12 over the coming weeks will be asked to confirm if they would like to start the Extended Project Qualification process. This is an excellent qualification which will help prepare students for further study and universities will take this into consideration with offers. If students decide not to do an EPQ they will need to pick an alternative option which will be shared with students in tutor and Extension Studies lessons. It is absolutely fine to start the EPQ process and then review along the way whether this is something that they would like to continue with.

• Y13 have tutor registration on Wednesday for Group 1 and Thursday for Group 2. 

• Y13 have an assembly on Tuesday.

• From JCQ who oversee the exam boards: Fake paper scammers
  Each summer there are individuals who claim to have question papers on social media: almost all of these are fake. Candidates who think they will get an advantage by buying a paper online or by making money from selling a question paper or confidential exam-related information are at a serious risk of being disqualified. If a candidate sees something which appears to be a question paper leak, they must report it immediately to their school or college exams officer or to the relevant awarding organisation if that would be quicker. It can also be reported directly to the social media platform where it was seen.

• Well done to all Y13 students who submitted their EPQ on Friday.

• Student Finance-  Students had their student finance talk this week which was a very similar presentation to the one parents/carers were invited to in January. Student Finance opens for 2026/27 applications on Monday 23 March.

• Leavers Hoodies- Students have been sent an email about the option of a hoodie.  Here is the attachment that there were sent: Hoodie link 

• Y13 Ball- Here is the letter that parents/carers were sent this week: Y13 Leavers Ball- June 2026 Update

Being ourselves 

The wider the gap between who we are inside and the person we show to others, the more likely we are to experience poor mental health. It can be scary to show the ‘real you’ to others, because of the possibility of being rejected – we all want connection and losing it is a primal fear. However, if we only let people see a projection of who we are, the ‘real us’ actually ends up lonely and isolated, unsure of people’s friendship or love. It is ok to not know exactly who you are, that evolves over our whole lives, but it is important that we feel ok to express what we really think or feel now, in this moment, with our family, friends and people we see every day.   

Being a truer version of ourselves promotes good mental health. 

All of our live progression opportunities from the Newsletter are accessible in our Progression Site at www.6thformprog.blogspot.com, including more detail on the items below, and if you would like an appointment with Steve James, our careers advisor, then please contact reception or speak to your tutor to book a slot.

Year 13 - Most of you that have applied to university need to respond to your offers by the 6^th May. Here is a guide on what to do: https://www.ucas.com/applying/after-you-apply/types-of-undergraduate-offers/replying-to-your-offers. If you're not sure about which to pick have a chat to your tutor or Mr. Jones. Student Finance opens at the end of the month & applying early is recommended to ensure you get paid on time! 

Year 12 - Well done for organising work experience! If you're stuck, speak to your tutor or Mr. Jones. There are lots of current opportunities on the blog (link above). When it is locked in you need to log it on Unifrog: Here is a how to guide.

Opportunities:

Work:

There is the National Apprenticeship & Education Fair on the 27^th April with lots of current apprenticeship & work opportunities being held at Ashton Gate. 

Hospitality jobs in Bristol

Apprenticeships:

Key Information for parents and students on apprenticeships, including first-hand experiences

NEW Higher and Degree Level Apprenticeships have been added: https://www.amazingapprenticeships.com/resources/higher-and-degree-listing/

Latest Apprenticeships on the blog (a full list can be found here):

• MORE Finance & Business apprenticeships at KPMG, GKN Aerospace

• More Legal Apprenticeships

• Apprenticeships Fair @ Ashton Gate on Monday 27^th April - current Degree and Higher Apprenticeships

• Free Babysitting Course with Norland

University Taster Sessions & Support (more on the blog!):

• Junior Water Prize  - STEM students

• Food Science & Nutrition Summer School

• Newcastle University Summer School

• Classics Taster Session

Work Experience & Insight Events (more on the blog inc. paid!):

• KPMG Work Experience - last few places remaining!

• Aon Work Experience applications open

• Get Hired in Health & Social Care

• 3-day Medicine Shadowing & Doctor Insight Day

• Amazon AI Careers in Music, Media, Film, and in Technology

• Allied Healthcare (Nursing, Midwifery, Physiotherapy, Radiography, etc) Work Experience

• Latest WEX opportunities in Bristol

• Super-curricular is different from extra-curricular (hobbies and activities) in that it is about stretching yourself academically beyond the narrow A Level syllabus, and it is something all the best A Level students will be doing. You can find our recommended reading list on our website at: St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School - Study Links (smrt.bristol.sch.uk) 

• If you are a science A Level student you should absolutely be flipping through the New Scientist magazine every week to keep up with research. We have a hard copy in the library and a login you can access with the email address 6thformlibrary@smrt.bristol.sch.uk and the password Redcliffe.  

• Bristol University have produced lots of resources, including online lectures, to support students in exploring HE options or super-curricular research, You can sign up for access to these at Virtual resources for students | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol 

• Bristol Festival of Ideas rumbles on, which the full index of talks at https://www.bristolideas.co.uk/attend/?pageNumber=1  

• Another fantastic reservoir of free on-line lectures to add power to your University personal statement can be found through Gresham College at https://www.gresham.ac.uk/  

• Swansea University has a great range of webinars related to the full range of Uni course they offer and wider issues at https://www.swansea.ac.uk/study/webinar-series/  

• Speakers for Schools run an excellent series of online talks relating to particular areas of work through the year. The full list is at Upcoming Broadcasts - Speakers for Schools.  

Key support information 

• Mental Health support page on our website - Health-and-Wellbeing-Sources-of-Support.pdf (smrt.bristol.sch.uk) 

• For really well pitched advice on mental health for young people check out this podcast, recommended by the Senior Students - https://linktr.ee/unboxedpodcast  

• Another great resource on Self-Care with loads of suggestions and ideas to try out to help build new habits which can support our wellbeing is here: https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/self-care/  

• The Centre has sanitary products available if you ever need them. We try and keep a stock in toilets, with mentors and Millie and at reception if you need anything. 

• Condom Cards: Redcliffe Sixth Form have now been linked onto the C-Card scheme because practising SAFE sex is important. C-Card is a free and confidential condom distribution scheme for young people aged 13-25 living in Bristol. Once signed up you can collect condoms and lube for free from several outlets. Millie will be your C-Card representative in the Sixth Form, and you can collect them from her at any time during the day. Collecting condoms will be private, free, and completely confidential. Please drop her an email at feldmanm@smrt.bristol.sch.uk  or just pop by the office opposite G10 to have a private chat.  

• Remember you can always speak to our learning mentors, and Millie, for help or visit the Brook website for more information about sexual health, contraception, pregnancies, counselling, PREP (help with HIV) and more. https://www.brook.org.uk/