Social media icons                      w/c 6 July (WK2)

Sixth Form Newsletter

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Head of Sixth Form Updates

  • Thank you to all current Y12 who helped at the new Y12 Induction Day on Wednesday. We have been delighted with how well Y12 have engaged and contributed this year, and we are very excited about the ongoing progress and impact they will have as Y13s. 

  • Thank you to everyone that attended the picnic in memory of Burak and it was great to be joined by Burak's parents and sister.

  • Next week we have Activities Week. Although the building will be open as normal from 8am (apart from Monday which is an inset day), all students are off-timetable, with some going on trips to Geneva, others working in school on their Geography coursework, but most using the week for work experience.  

  • We then return for a normal week of lessons (WK 13 July) and lessons continue to Wednesday 22 July. Students know that these lessons are really important for preparing for September and that during these lessons students will be given work to complete over the holidays ready to hit the ground running on our return. 

  • In September, current Y12 soon to be Y13, are back in school on Monday 7 September at 11am in the Common Room for enrolment. 

  • And a reminder that Totterdown Hotspur, the football club that Burak loved so dearly, are organising a charity football match in his memory. It will be on Sunday 12th July at Greys Friar Athletic (BS34 8QW), tickets will be £5 on entry. Additionally, there is a donations page and there will be a raffle at the game to also raise money, being £2 a raffle ticket. All money raised will go towards YoungLivesVSCancer (please see the posters below).

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Key Events this week 

  Y12 Y13 Y12 and Y13

Monday 6 July

Activities Week

Study Leave

Inset for staff

Tuesday 7 July

Activities Week

Study Leave

 

 

Wednesday 8 July

Activities Week

Study Leave

 

Thursday 9 July

Activities Week

Study Leave

 

Friday 10 July

Activities Week

Study Leave

 

 
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General Messages

  • Please note all Y12 students with a locker, need to empty their locker before the holiday, return their key to reception to receive their locker key deposit. We will then go through the same process in September. 

  • Counsellor Drop In- Toria from Transforming lives for good, will be offering a counselling drop-off session for anyone who wants to speak to someone confidentially about anything worrying them, on a Wednesday between 12.45pm and 1.45pm in the meeting room opposite G10. Drop in when convenient, no booking required. Any questions see Mrs Apps or Miss Foster.

  • 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 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.
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Year 12

  • It is activities week this coming week so all Y12 are off timetable.

  • Here is information on coursework deadlines for the coming year A Level Subject Coursework Data 2026-7.docx

  • Want to put yourself in a stronger position following mocks? See the  opportunity below the Y12 section of the newsletter for one-to-one learning coaching support, to complement the work your tutor and teachers will be doing.

  • Y12 Work Experience- Please remember that the vast majority of Y12 will be using Activities Week during Wk 6 July for work experience/volunteering. Students will need to upload this information onto Unifrog once the placement is confirmed. Also we have a school opportunity which can be completed alongside other in person or online WEX on Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th July in school

    Civil Service – interview skills and mock interviews

    University South Wales – Personal statement

    We have spaces. Let Mr Jones or Mrs Apps know asap if interested.

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Year 13

  • Here is a link to the letter that was emailed to you, now that exams have finished, with information on results day and progression support: Y13 Results Day and Progression Letter 2026.pdf 

  • And a reminder that students need to see reception for a clearance form once they have finished their last exam. The deadline was Friday 26 June but I have extended that to Tuesday 30 June. Any problems let us know.

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Mental Health Top Tip of the Week

Helen, a learning mentor at our Sixth Form will share a top tip each week…

Social Media  

I can hear you laughing already! You’ve got this, right? Don’t be so sure... There is a fair bit of uncertainty and change right now, in both in our immediate setting and in the wider world, and there is a lot of misinformation and fake news out there. It is normal for us to feel unsure or worried when things are changing, and we like to have answers. However, who we trust to get our answers from is paramount - not just to be well informed, but also so as not to add unnecessary and additional stress to our situation. Social media perpetuates all kinds of information that is unhelpful and increases societal anxiety, often not founded in either fact or truth. Try to be wise about the information you are allowing to have access to your mind – it will affect how you think no matter how much you believe you are in control. Being wise about your social media use promotes good mental health. 

Progression Information and Opportunities

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

  1. Student Finance is still open! Make sure you apply as soon as possible to avoid any delay in getting your maintenance loan. If there is a delay, speak to student services at your university as they will be able to help.

  2. Clearing opens on the 2nd July and may be a useful way to plan around results day anxiety. If you have any questions or issues with any of the above see Mr. Jones.

  3. Zero Gravity £3,000 Scholarship

  4. Have a great summer!!

Year 12 

  1. VIP this week you started drafting your personal statement. At the moment, the aim is to get down examples of things you've done in school and outside of school in Section 2 & 3. Make sure you've begun drafting on Unifrog.

  2. If you've not yet secured work experience for activities week, you need to show your tutor a plan of the virtual WEX you'll do instead.  If you do secure in person WEX, remember to add Work Experience to Unifrog for approval: Here is a how to guide.

Opportunities:

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/ (NEW LISTINGS)

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

  • Next Step Bristol - Programme for GEM Yr13 students run by Uni of Bristol

  • Quantum Physics & Engineering Summer School - Bristol University

  • Summer Residentials at Bath University

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

  • Bristol - Be A Councillor Insight Day

  • Shape My City programme - applications open! (City planning, design, placemaking)

  • Bristol Zoo Volunteering

  • Virtual Work Experience Platforms: SpringPod, FuturesForAll, Forage, 

Super-curricular Challenge

  • 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.  

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Key Support Information

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/ 

Disclaimer

We sometimes share details with you of external clubs and non-school lettings, such as sports groups and clubs that are not necessarily affiliated to the School directly. Please note that we do not endorse these products or services and that if you purchase any of the products or services offered by these external third parties, you are purchasing directly from the third parties, and not from SMRT. We are not responsible for the offerings of these third parties and do not assume any responsibility or liability for the actions, products, or services of these third parties. They may have their own terms and policies which you should review carefully.