• Well done to Y13 for finishing their mocks. We hope this experience has better prepared students for the summer. Y12 are next for their mocks in late April. 

• We hope students found Thursday’s careers sessions and ex-student talks helpful. The Y12 careers sessions were particularly well-timed as they soon will have their Progression morning. More details to come soon.

• Diane's book of memories will be behind reception all week. If any students would like to write something in this book for Diane's family please come to reception this week. 

• Culture Day is coming up on Wednesday 4 February. We have lots of great things planned with lots of students involved in the planning. If anyone else wants to help organise please see Ella or attend the meeting on Wednesday at 10am in G10.

• And please note we have an Inset Day on Tuesday 3 February which is also a day when some Y12 are going to the Raise the Bar Conference at UWE.

• This Friday 30 January is the deadline for students to enter for a private entry external exam. See previous newsletters for all of the details and you will find the online form here: St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School - Exams

• Only students in Y12 who are considering resitting a GCSE or sitting an AS (or for the very few possibly sitting a Language A Level a year early) and Y13 who again are resitting a GCSE or sitting an AS or sitting something else privately need to worry about this deadline. 

• Culture Day: There is another meeting for Culture Day planning on Wednesday 28 Jan at breaktime in G10. Ella has asked me to share these surveys for students to complete:

  Music Suggestion Link - Culture Day Song suggestions – Fill out form

  Performance Sign up Link - Culture Day - Performances – Fill out form

  Food Link - Culture Day - Dishes – Fill out form

• 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 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 tutor registration on Monday for Group 1 and Tuesday for Group 2.

• Y12 then have assembly on Wednesday. 

• We have a Y12 Student Committee Meeting on Thursday at 12.30pm in 202.

• There is Y12 Maths test on Tuesday at 3.15pm in the main hall.

• We also have an MFL trip to Bath University on Friday and an HE+ trip to St Bedes on Friday.

• Parents/Carers should have received this letter with details of the parental briefing on Wednesday 4 February: Y12 Parental Briefing Feb 2026.pdf

• For those considering sitting an AS in the spring/summer of Y12 this document explains our approach: AS-Level-Options-at-SMRT-Sixth-Form-040925v2.pdf Students should only sit an AS if they are currently studying 4 subjects and wanting to come away with a qualification in the subject they drop at the end of Y12. As explained in the link above, not all subjects offer the AS and not all exam board subject specifications make it easy to deliver alongside the A Level. Any problems/questions though please see Mr. Shaw. The form that students need to complete for AS entry is now on the school website and the deadline for completing this is Friday 30 January. A-Level ENTRY FORM - Summer 2026 (Page 1 of 4)

• Students and parents/carers should have received this letter a few weeks ago with information on a week in July when students are off-timetable for work experience, the Geneva trip or Geography field work: Sixth-Form-Work-Experience-Week letter

• Y13 have tutor registration on Wednesday for Group 1 and Thursday for Group 2. 

• Good luck to the Y13 Music students for their A Level Performance on Tuesday.

• We have a Y13 Student Committee Meeting on Tuesday at 12.30pm in 202.

• We have the Y13 Parental Briefing (final one!) on Wednesday 28 January at 5pm: Y13 Parental Briefing- 28 January 2026.pdf

• Parents/Carers will receive a letter on Monday with all the details for the online subject feedback evening on Tuesday 10 February.

• Students and parents/carers should have received this letter earlier in the week about the ball in June: Y13 Leavers Ball- June 2026.pdf

• We have the Y13 Art/Photography London trip the weekend of 1 Feb.

• Best of luck to all those waiting to hear back from university applications or who have interviews coming up. 

Practical Steps to GMH: Meditation/Reflection 

I am sure many of us find it hard to quiet our whirling thoughts at times, so anything that brings a sense of calm and peace could be beneficial. It might be engaging with your spirituality, using your breath to lower your heart rate, finding a yoga pose that works, even 2-3 mins of humming quietly can settle your mind (it’s to do with your VAGUS nerve!). There are many apps available that give guided meditation which may suit some of us, but the benefits can equally be felt by visiting a place we love, engaging in an enjoyable activity or listening to a favourite piece of music.  Meditating and/or reflecting promote 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 13 - Heard back from all 5 universities? You'll need to respond by 6^th May. Here is a guide on what to do: https://www.ucas.com/applying/after-you-apply/types-of-undergraduate-offers/replying-to-your-offers. Not applied? The blog is full of apprenticeships & gap year opportunities - see Mr. Jones if you have any questions.

Year 12 - You should be planning work experience for the summer so keep an eye on the blog as there are lots of opportunities for you: university taster sessions, summer schools, work experience, extra courses, etc. Keep checking it!

Opportunities:

Gap Year:

• TEFL - Teach English as a Foreign Language and earn as you travel

Apprenticeships:

NEW Higher and Degree Level Apprenticeships have been added: https://www.amazingapprenticeships.com/resources/higher-and-degree-listing/

Latest Apprenticeships on the blog (a full list can be found here):

• Transport Apprenticeships in Bristol

• EDF Apprenticeships

• Warner Brothers. Apprenticeships

University Taster Sessions & Support:

• The Sutton Trust Summer School @ Southampton University

• Bath University Summer School

• Property Management Summer School @ Uni of Reading

• Cambridge University Essay Masterclass

• University Taster Lectures by Cambridge Uni

• Online Law Conference & MORE Online Law Lectures

• Physics Seminar series (online)

• Criminology, Linguistics, Social Work and Sociology online lectures

• Women in Computer Science programme w/ Cambridge Uni

• Northern Universities Q&A 

Work Experience & Insight Events:

• KPMG WEX for Y13 (PAID!)

• Museum Work Experience

• Hospitality & Catering WEX

• Dental & Medical Work Experience

 

 

• 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/