• Well done to all of the 55 students who have now sent off their early entry UCAS application, and thanks to all the staff who have supported with this.
• Thank you to all students that helped at our Sixth Form Opening Evening on Tuesday. Thank you to those who were guides, shared experience/advice in subject rooms, spoke in the main talk and Kuba who played the piano in the main hall. You were all amazing! We have another one on Wednesday 4 November so hopefully lots of you and more are up for doing this again. 
• Over the course of this month we will be acknowledging and celebrating Black History Month. I know we have/had lots of events planned, including this Friday's 90s day (see photos below) and then 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. And well done to the students leading on Y7-Y11 assemblies next week.
• Feminist Society have organised a Breast Cancer Awareness day on Friday 23 October (see posters below).
• And congratulations to Miss Foster who gave birth to a baby girl this week!

Key Events This Week

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

• All students and parents/carers will receive an attendance report for this term this week. 

• 6th Form Rising Stars- Once again we will be running our Rising Stars rewards system in 6th form and are keen to acknowledge the fantastic effort, progress, and achievement of our young people.  This will work by each subject/faculty writing a short commendation for one student in their department per week, with Y12s & Y13s nominated on alternate weeks.  Parents/carers will receive these commendations via email. We will be maintaining a log of the commendations, and they will be celebrated in assemblies and there will be prizes for those receiving multiple nominations over the course of the academic year. 

• Access to Bristol- We know lots of Y12s and some Y13s will have found out if they have been successful for their application for Access to Bristol (67 students in total). For those that have been accepted you don’t need to complete an absence form, but you do need to let your teachers know so you don’t miss out on the work. 

• For those interested in finding out more about the Art Foundation option after A Level there is an Open Day at SGS on 14 November: Open Days | SGS College

• Basketball Club- This will now be on Tuesday lunchtimes in the sports hall. 

• 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 6^th 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.

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

• And a Y12 Assembly on Wednesday.

• Thank you to all the Parents and Carers that were able to attend the Y12 Parental Briefing a few weeks ago. 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

• Y13 have registration on Wednesday (Group 1) or Thursday (Group 2).

• Folder Checks- There will be a Y13 Folder Check the first week back after half-term.

• Thank you to all the Parents and Carers that were able to attend the Y13 Parental Briefing a few weeks ago. 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

Rest  

Learning how to match your personal energy and time with appropriate activities and work is a key skill in life. In order to perform at our best, we need to allow our bodies and minds to rest. Take some time over half term to think about how much rest you need (this will be different for everyone) and choose to make time to stop and relax. For any of you interested in the science of what happens to our brain during downtime and why it is so important, check out this article and skip to the bit titled “The rest is history”: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mental-downtime/ which talks about how our resting the brain is anything but “.. purposeless or unproductive” and how “downtime is in fact essential to mental processes that affirm our identities, develop our understanding of human behaviour and instil an internal code of ethics”. And it is where some of our most powerful learning happens. It’s an interesting read and a good reminder as to why learning how to manage our energy levels to include rest promotes good mental health. 

Well done to all early entry UCAS applicants - 55 applications were successfully sent off to UCAS. I could see how much time and effort you spent in putting together brilliant applications and personal statements.

Please continue to check the Progression Blog for more opportunities at: https://6thformprog.blogspot.com/

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/

• Pathway to Bath - Yr12 only - an enrichment opportunity at the University of Bath, where students can study an undergraduate subject of their choice during an optional residential, whilst being mentored by current students. Students would also become eligible for a guaranteed conditional offer. Applications close 7^th January. https://www.bath.ac.uk/campaigns/pathway-to-bath-programme/

• Architecture Work Placement - Allford Hall Monaghan Morris Architects is offering a three-day work experience placement during October half term, for students who are interested in architecture. Deadline is: Wednesday, 21 October 2027 at 5:00 pm. See the Progression Blog for more information. 

Apprenticeship highlights:

• KPMG Apprenticeships - In areas including audit, tax and corporate services. https://www.kpmgcareers.co.uk/search/vacancies/?experienceLevels[0]=Apprenticeships&intakeType=null&searchText=Apprenticeships

• 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 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/