Social media icons                      w/c 12 October (WK2)

Sixth Form Newsletter

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Head of Sixth Form Welcome and Updates

  • Thank you to all the Y13s who contributed to the Subject Mentor event on Wednesday and also who visited Y12 tutor groups on Monday/Tuesday. I have had lots of amazing feedback from the Y12s who were very appreciative.
  • Sixth Form Open Evenings- On Tuesday 13 October and Wednesday 4 November we have our two open evenings when lots of prospective students and parents/carers will be having a tour of the school. It runs from 4.30pm until 6.30pm and we need lots of tour guides. If students would like to help please email Mr Shaw shawr@smrt.bristol.sch.uk. The more the merrier and a great way of evidencing your contribution to the school/wider community!
  • Over the course of this month we will be acknowledging and celebrating Black History Month. I know we have lots of events planned and well done to the students leading on Y7-Y11 assemblies soon. Some of these events include: Friday 16 Oct - Black Excellence Day - 90s theme dress, Monday 19 Oct - Pyjama Day. Tuesday 20 Oct - Bring anything but your bag, Wednesday 21 Oct - Dress as a meme day, and Thursday 22 - Quiz at Lunchtime in the common room. More information on these events to come soon.

And as already communicated with students...

There has been progress with the school's internet, but we are not back to normal yet.

  • Staff should have access to the internet on the school wifi in the first step in getting the school's connectivity and routines back (although we are waiting for Bristol City Council to unblock microsoft). Staff should be able to take registers on Bromcom rather than paper registers.

  • For the moment Sixth Form students will not have access to school computers/laptops and access to the school wifi, unless they have a lesson in a computer room and they are under the supervision of a teacher, for example Y13 ViP/tutorials, Y13 EPQ and some coursework subjects. Students cannot use the school computers including those in the library and/or school internet at any other point. And be aware that microsoft is down for students as well as staff until this is unblocked by the council.

  • I will let you know when there are changes to the above plan.

Thank you for your ongoing patience.

Mr. Shaw

Key Events This Week

  Y12 Y13 Y12 and Y13
Monday 12 Oct

Y12 Reg (Gp1)

 

  

Clubs and Societies

Tuesday 13 Oct

Y12 Reg (Gp2)

 

Y13 Assembly

Y13 Student Committee Meeting at 12.30pm in Room 202

Clubs and Societies

Sixth Form Open Evening 4.30pm-6.30pm
Wednesday 14 Oct

INSET

INSET

 

INSET

Thursday 15 Oct

Y12 Assembly

Full Y13 Tutor Reg

UCAS Early Entry- External Deadline

Clubs and Societies
Friday 16 Oct

 

  

Clubs and Societies

General Messages

  • We have an Inset Day on Wednesday 14 October. The buildings on this day will be closed to students. 

  • If students would like to sign up for Gold Dofe, they will need to complete the microsoft form emailed to them alongside a parent or carer. This needs to be completed by Friday 16 October. 

  • Our last day of school before the half-term holiday is Friday 23 October. We then return on Monday 2 November.

  • Y11 assembles- Thanks to all the students who have contributed to various Y11 assemblies across a number of schools in recent weeks.

  • We hope that the Y12 Art and Photography students who attended the St Ives trip had a great time. Thank you to the staff who are supporting this trip.

  • Parents and Carers – do you know someone who works at a University, or has experience of Oxford or Cambridge University or works in a profession such as Law, Engineering, Veterinary or Medicine which are taught at University and who might be suitable and willing to help us out? Every year we have a large number of students who apply to Oxford and Cambridge and we give them all a mock interview with someone outside the school who can stretch them academically in their chosen subject area. We are always in need of new volunteers for our pool of interviewers. They do not need to be local as interviews are done online in early December. If so, then check with them they would be willing to consider it and then contact Mr Wheeler at the 6th Form with their details at wheelerr@smrt.bristol.sch.uk . Feel free to volunteer yourself if you feel you think you are a good fit for this.

  • Y11 assembles- Thanks to all the students who have contributed to various Y11 assemblies across a number of schools in recent weeks.

  • 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.

Year 12

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

  • And a Y12 Assembly on Thursday (not Wednesday) due to the inset on the Wednesday.

  • Thank you to all the Parents and Carers that were able to attend the Y12 Parental Briefing on Wednesday. You will find a recording of the presentation and a copy of the slides on this section of our website: St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School - Parent/Carer Information Evenings

  • Student Voice- Thank you to all Y12 students who attended the committee meeting on Monday.

Year 13

  • Both Y13 Group 1 and 2 have registration on Thursday (due to the inset on the Wednesday).

  • Y13 have assembly on Tuesday 13 October.

  • Thank you to all the Parents and Carers that were able to attend the Y13 Parental Briefing last Wednesday. You will find a recording of the presentation and a copy of the slides on this section of our website: St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School - Parent/Carer Information Evenings

  • Supplementary options - If you are not doing a supplementary course, such as Maths Studies or EPQ and so are planning to do volunteering or work-experience then you should be completing a form for Ella – by far the simplest and probably the most valuable option is to do some in-class support of younger students at main school. Talking to your teachers to see how and when you could help them for an hour or two per week is a great way to sort this out quickly. 

  • Student Voice- This is very important to us. There will be a student committee meeting on Tuesday 13 October in Room 202 at 12.30pm but if in the meantime there is anything we can do to ensure you have a really positive experience at SMRT please let us know. 

Mental Health Top Tip of the Week

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

Reclaim your narrative 

When we think about Black History Month, we usually think about history books and the incredible leaders who changed the world. But history isn’t just about the battles won on the outside; it’s about how people protected their minds, their peace, and their joy on the inside. For generations, Black communities have had to navigate immense pressure, stress, and unfair systems. When asked how they survived and thrived, the answer is often about radical self-care, deep community, and refusing to let anyone else define their worth. We can all learn from this - Reclaim your narrative. More than ever, social media, the news, and even people around you might try to tell you who you are or what you can achieve. Don't let them. Your mind is your ultimate boundary. Protect it. Take time to log off when the world feels heavy. Seek out stories of excellence, joy, and creativity that inspire you instead. Most importantly, remind yourself that taking care of your mental health isn’t a sign of weakness—it is an act of strength. It is a continuation of the resilience of those who came before us. Remember you belong and your voice will always matter. 

Progression Information and Opportunities

Another busy progression related week, especially for Year 13 early entry UCAS applicants. Please continue to check the Progression Blog at  https://6thformprog.blogspot.com/ for more opportunities. 

Year 12 and 13:

  • Pathways to Veterinary Medicine with University of Nottingham - YR12 only - an initiative for students interested in a career related to Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science; providing opportunities to experience the sector and receive ongoing application and transition support. Apply here: https://www.suttontrust.com/our-programmes/

Year 13:

  • Early entry applications are well underway. Well done to those of you who have submitted your UCAS early entry application. This is not sent to universities straight away, and will be checked multiple times by the Progression Team. Your application will be reviewed, with UCAS predicted grades entered, alongside the reference. Our aim is to ensure that your UCAS is not sent off until your tutor has confirmed that you have read your reference and checked your UCAS predicted grades. 

  • Please keep logging in to UCAS, as some applications have been 'returned to applicant' with changes that need to be made. 

  • The UCAS early entry deadline is the 15th October at 18:00. 

Apprenticeship highlights:

  • Legal Apprenticeship with Burges Salmon. If you are interested in working in the legal sector, this is for you! Application deadline is the 9th November. Apply here: https://www.burges-salmon.com/jobs/legal-apprenticeship-2027/

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.