• Well done to all of the 50 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 of the students that helped at our Sixth Form Opening Evening last night. So many visitors and staff shared that they thought our students are incredible. Thank you to those who were guides, shared experience/advice in subject rooms, spoke in the main talk and/or Tegan who played the piano on the main hall. Genuinely you were amazing! We have another one on Wednesay 5 November so hopefully lots of you and more are up for doing this again. 
• An updated enrichment timetable- Final Enrichment Timetable 2025.pdf

Key Events This Week

• We have one week to go until half-term. Our last day of school before half-term is Friday 24 October and we return on Monday 3 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 (80 students in total which is a new record!). 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. 

• Thanks to those who attended the Art Foundation Talk this week. There is an Open Day at SGS on 22 November for those that would like to find out more: Open Days | SGS College

• Personal laptops/IPADs- Students are welcome to bring in their own personal laptops for private study, if they have these, and connect to our WIFI in Sixth Form. We do also have some laptops at reception that students can use if the computers in the library and computer rooms are full. Students should only use a laptop in lessons though if they have access arrangements stating that they word process their work in exams. 

• Bike Sheds- Students cannot park their bikes anywhere but the bike sheds. There have been issues with disabled access when students park their bikes by the back door of the Sixth Form and also when students have parked their bikes to the outside of the bikeshed which has impacted on residents parking. We are looking at optios for increasing capacity in the bikesheds.

• Keeping classrooms tidy- When students are using classrooms during break and lunch they must not eat hot food in the rooms and must leave them tidy. 

• Black History Month Celebrations- Well done to our BAME society. Their assembly to Y7, Y8 and Y10, to celebrate Black History Month, was amazing. And a massive thank you to those who supported today during our October Culture Day, and all your donations to the Sickle Cell Society. 

Other Black History Month events:

Art Competition - Submissions to Ella by October 20. 

Spoken Word Competition - Submissions to Ella by October 20 (please see posters below).

Football Match - Monday 20 October, all are invited to take part in a large football match, £1 to play and 50p to watch. The money raised will go to Kick it Out.

• DofE Gold Award- Thank you to all parents and carers as well as students who have completed the online form to register their interest in completing DofE gold. The online form submission deadline date is today, so please if you have not already completed do so now  https://forms.office.com/e/ieR3qWDsgv Please look out for payments which will be available to make on Scopay soon. A reminder, the cost to cover registering to participate in DofE is non refundable.

• Model United Nations: Model UN will be running an MUN conference in December.  Please let Mr Wheeler know if you are interested or if you have any further questions. Don't forget, Model United Nations runs every Thursday after Sixth Form in the Common Room.

• Music Opportunities- We really want to welcome and encourage Sixth formers to be involved in Music at Redcliffe even if you are not taking Music A level.  If you play an orchestral instrument and would like to be involved in the school orchestra, please do Mr Davies know DaviesE@smrt.bristol.sch.uk as he hopes to plan the Orchestra repertoire accordingly. And if you like singing do come and join our Senior Choir on Tuesday lunchtimes at 12.40 in Main school B1.  There are lots of performing opportunities throughout the year and we would love to lots of Sixth formers involved.  Any questions about Orchestra, the School Show or Senior Choir please do contact Mr Davies DaviesE@smrt.bristol.sch.uk  We look forward to seeing many of you in the Music department!

• 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).

• It is then a full Y12 Assembly on Wednesday 22 October in our common room. After half-term assembly will be fortnightly for Y12 on a Wednesday.

• All Y12s should now have their student ID with photo. Any problems see reception.

• Students- Make sure you have followed the redcliffe6thform Instagram feed to be kept up to speed with what is being organised. 

• Y13 have registration on Wednesday (Group 1) or Thursday (Group 2) with a full Y13 assembly on Tuesday.

• Into University talks- Into University are back for one-to-one personal statement/application support this week. If you would like a 30 minute appointment with Into University please let Mr Shaw know as there are a few spaces left.

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

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 rest 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/  

And maybe we should all try out this 10-minute Calm meditation (although there are plenty of other options online if this doesn’t feel like your vibe).  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syx3a1_LeFo 

Learning how to manage our energy levels 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 12: 

• University of Exeter Scholars - programme of online university taster sessions. Completion may lead to lower entry requirements.

• Pathway to Bath - Apply Now! A weekly programme that can lead to a lower entry requirements.  

Year 13

Half term is a key time for drafting your personal statement so please make sure you're working on this. Your tutor will review this with you as soon as its ready. You can find subject specific guides on the UCAS website.

Apprenticeships

Lots of Higher and Degree Level Apprenticeships are now open! Amazing Apprenticeships has compiled them all here: https://www.amazingapprenticeships.com/resources/higher-and-degree-listing/

Our blog also has apprenticeships in Law, Engineering, Finance, Business, and more. Deadlines vary but some close very soon so apply before it's too late!

University

Bristol Scholars is a programme available to students applying to Bristol University who have had life experiences that have adversely impacted your education. Please discuss with your tutor or Mr. Jones. This can include lower entry requirements by up to 4 grades & additional support from Bristol University.

Lots of universities make contextual offers which lower the required grades for courses - use this tool to find out what lower offers you may be eligible for!

All UCAS applications must be paid and submitted for review by December. Info on how all the parts of your UCAS application can be found on the progression website.

University Entry Exams for Y13 (follow the links for more info)

LNAT - deadlines vary depending on the university

TARA - New! UCL now requires an entry exam for 10 courses. Check the website for details.

• 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/