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Sixth Form Newsletter

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Head of Sixth Form Updates

  • What a fantastic year! We have been delighted with how well Y12 and Y13 have done this year in terms of engagement, contribution, attendance and progress, and well done to all the Y12s who won subject and attendance awards this week in assembly. 

  • We now have just three days before the end of the school year.

  • On Wednesday, the last day of school before the summer, the school day will be slightly different to normal. Due to the end of year church service for main school students, Sixth Form will just have P2 and P3 lessons. The Senior Students are planning an event to mark the end of the year during P1. The Sixth Form building will then close at 12.30pm. 

  • As mentioned in assembly, the summer holidays for Y12 are a perfect time to relax (see the good mental health top tip later in the newsletter) but also to use these 6 weeks to complete work set by teachers, organise folders and fill any gaps in knowledge/skills using Sharepoint, ready to hit the ground running in September. Also this would be a good opportunity to finish a draft of a UCAS personal statement ready to share with tutors on our return. All students should complete this regardless of whether they plan on applying to university this year or not to keep all options open. 

  • And finally a thank you and farewell to some key members of the Sixth Form team. Thank you so much for all you have done over the years to support our students and best of luck in the future; to Mr Wheeler who is retiring from teaching, although it is great that he will continue to support the school in a number of ways. To Mr Jones, our Progression Co-ordinator, who is relocating. To Mrs Kovacs, in our Social Sciences department, who is relocating. To Mrs Sancto-Halpin, in our Social Sciences department, and previously a Deputy Head of Year, who has a promoted post at a different school. And finally to Suella Chapman, our Learning Support Co-ordinator, although Suella will be returning regularly to support with access arrangements testing.

  • Have a great summer everybody (when it comes after Wednesday!) and we look forward to seeing the new Y13 back in school on Monday 7 September at 11am in the Common Room. 

Key Events this week 

  Y12 Y13 Y12 and Y13

Monday 20 July

Y12 Tutor (Group 1)

Senior Student Planned Events afterschool- Football tournament on the Arena 

Study Leave

 Clubs and Societies

Tuesday 21 July

Y12 Tutor (Group 2)

Study Leave

 Clubs and Societies

Wednesday 22 July

Only P2 and P3 lessons 

Senior Student Planned Events for P1- Film in the Common Room 

Study Leave

 Clubs and Societies
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General Messages

  • Locker keys and bike shed keys- Please note all Y12 students with a locker and/or bike shed key, need to empty their locker before the holiday, return their key(s) to reception to receive their locker key/bike shed key deposit. We will then go through the same process in September. 

  • There is an end of year football tournament for Y12 on Monday 20 July. See the Y12 section below to sign up.

  • 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

  • Y12 have registration on Monday (Group 1) and Tuesday (Group 2).

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

  • We will be holding an End of Year Football Tournament on Monday 20 July at 15:30 after Sixth Form. Sign up here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/VB2Tawt2uZ

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 
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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…

Summer off?! Yes please!

Well done for making it to the end of year 12! We are really proud of all that you have achieved this year. We look forward to seeing how you absolutely smash another year from September and in the meantime, here are a few GMH TOP TIPS for your summer: 

  • Boredom is good for your brain – slow down 

  • Fun and laughter improve your mental and physical health  

  • Sunshine gives us Vitamin D which makes us feel more energetic and less sad 

  • Putting things off usually makes us feel worse – like a dark cloud – get stuff done  

  • Connecting with others promotes good mental health 

  • Animals are the best; find one to hang out with! 

Have a great summer!! See you in September.  

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 opened 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. NEW Degree Apprenticeship @ GKN

  5. NEW MOD Apprenticeship

  6. Have a great summer!!

Year 12 

  1. Final task for the term is to continue drafting your personal statement on Unifrog. Everyone should have something in Section 2 & 3. If you're an early applicant you need to finish this term with a finished first draft for your tutor to look at. You should send this draft to them on Unifrog so that they can annotate/edit it with you.

  2. If you'd like to take part in Access to Bristol, the applications open at the start of term 1 of Year 13 so be ready to apply! 

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

  • Summer Residentials at Bath University

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

  • 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.  

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.