• Thanks so much to all students and Ella for the Culture Day this week.

• Congratulations to Adil and Kacper for breaking the UK record twice in the most recent Robotics Competition.

• Well done to all the Sixth Form students who have been volunteering at the Redcliffe Hub. Message from the Hub: 'just to let you know how fantastic Redcliffe students were last Tuesday. They brought a new exciting vibe to the place and the kids loved reading and working with them so much. Can't wait for this week. It's the best reading group we have had since it began'.

• Good luck to those at the MUN Debating Competition at Bristol Grammar School on Sunday.

• And finally, students will be aware that this was Ms Olive's last week before she begins her maternity leave. We look forward to welcoming Mr Hutchinson who will be covering some of her teaching classes and her tutor groups. Good luck to Ms Olive. We look forward to hearing news of your new arrival very soon.

• We now have only one week until half-term. We then return on Monday 23 February which is a Week Two.

• SEND support- Parents/carers who would like to chat to the 6th form SEND team regarding any queries/concerns they have relating to their young person's additional learning needs are invited to book an appointment with Suella, our KS5 Learning Support Co-ordinator, via the school booking system (same one as for parents/evenings). 10-minute appointments are available at the following times: Thursday 26^th February between 1.30-3pm and Thursday 5^th March between 1.30-3pm. 

• HPV vaccine drop-in session- Wednesday 25 February 10am – 2pm- The Sirona care & health School Aged Immunisation Team are visiting our Sixth Form. Due to a decline in vaccination uptake since the COVID pandemic they are offering vaccination information and Meningococcal ACWY, Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio and HPV vaccinations to sixth form students who have not received a dose previously. http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations   If you have any questions please contact the School Immunisation Team: 0300 124 5515 or email sirona.sch-imms@nhs.net.  If students would like to receive this vaccination they need to go to the meeting room opposite G10 between 10am and 2pm on Wednesday 25 February. 

• On Friday 6 March between 2.30pm-3pm we have the Deputy Editor for the Financial Times coming into school to talk with students. All students studying Business Studies and/or Economics and those considering journalism as a future career should attend. The talk will be in the Common Room.

• On Thursday 12 February in the afternoon it is Diane Hillman's funeral. For staffing reasons the canteen will be open all morning as normal but will close at 12pm on this day.  The main school canteen will be open earlier from P3 through to the end of lunchtime for Sixth Formers also to get food.

• We will be celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month throughout February and this week we have a Bake Sale on Wednesday.

• 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. 

• Thank you to all that were able to attend the Y12 Parental Briefing on Wednesday. Here is a link to a recording and the slides (scroll down)- St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School - Parent/Carer Information Evenings

• On Friday 13 March Y12 are off timetable from P3 as they will be attending the Apprenticeship and University Fair at Ashton Gate. More details coming soon.

• Then on Wednesday 18 March Y12 have a Progression morning. More details coming soon.

• 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. 

• Students and parents/carers will receive the latest gradesheet on Tuesday 10 February. As shared in the parental briefing and with students in assembly again this week, the most important data on this gradesheet at the moment is attendance and engagement levels.

• Parents/Carers should have received a letter with all the details for the online subject feedback evening on Tuesday 10 February: Y13 Parents and Carers Evening 2026.pdf. Parents/Carers have until 8am on Tuesday to make appointments before they can access them later that day.

• Y13 should all now be using the revision booklet (that they all received this week, see Miss Foster if any problems) to help structure and record/plan their revision. Parents/carers should ask to see this and tutors will be also monitoring weekly.

• Y13 have a folder check week during the first week back after half-term, WK 23 Feb.

• Thank you to all that were able to attend the Y13 Parental Briefing last Wednesday. Here is a link to a recording and the slides (scroll down to the third section)- St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School - Parent/Carer Information Evenings

• Here is the letter about the ball in June again: Y13 Leavers Ball- June 2026.pdf The £10 deposit is due in by Friday 13 February.

Nature is Magic!

 We have probably all experienced being somewhere beautiful; it could be up a mountain with an amazing view, gazing at a gently babbling brook, or stargazing on a clear night. The beauty of nature makes us feel like the whole world is a little bit better. A study carried out by the BBC, in conjunction with Berkley University, California, has shown that even watching nature documentaries shows “...significant increases in positive emotions including awe, contentedness, joy and amusement...and substantial decreases in...nervousness, anxiety, fear, stress and tiredness.” Nature is a wonderful, and free, way to protect our mental health. Get outside this half term, watch a documentary, grow something! Engagement with nature 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 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. Student Finance England applications will be opening late March - you'll get more info on the 10^th March in school.

Year 12 - You'll all be attending the University & Apprenticeship Fair at Ashton Gate on Friday 13^th March. More info about this in registration but you need to register for a ticket here: https://www.ukuniversitysearch.com/fair-signup/bristol-spring-2026/register

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:

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/

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

• Rolls Royce Apprenticeship

• Two Solicitor apprenticeships - Michaelmores & Osborne Clarke

• Transport Apprenticeships in Bristol

• EDF Apprenticeships

• Warner Brothers. Apprenticeships

University Taster Sessions & Support (more on the blog!):

• Crimson Education - Support programme for disadvantaged students considering Oxbridge

• Deconstructing Identity Lecture Series with Cambridge University

• Essay Competition

• Introduction to Oxbridge Series

• Medicine & Dentistry Lecture Series with Kings College London

• The Sutton Trust Summer School @ Southampton University

• Bath University Summer School

Work Experience & Insight Events:

• BBC Work Experience

• Lloyds Bank

• Built Environments Careers

• KPMG WEX for Y13 (PAID!)

• KPMG WEX for Y12 (PAID!)

• 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/