• Welcome back. This term is obviously a very important one for Y13 as it is the last full term before they sit their exams. It is also an important one for Y12 as they have their mocks immediately on our return after the holiday in Term 5. There will be also be lots of opportunities for Y12 this term to reflect on post-18 progression plans with the Progression Morning and Progression event at Ashton Gate. 

• This weekend our Robotics students, Adil and Kacper, are competing in the National Finals (you will see below in the photo how many awards they have already won in the heats!).

• And next weekend (6 March) Y12 and Y13 students are participating in the MUN Debating Conference in Bath.

• Best of luck to all involved.

• For those in Y12 keen to better understand what an Extended Project Qualification is like, but also for all Sixth Formers interested in the topics, all students are welcome to attend the above EPQ presentations: (and if anyone else in Y13 is happy to present in a similar way let me know).

• Library catch-up intervention- Students should be aware that if they miss a deadline a subject teacher can book them into a library catch-up session at 3.30pm either on a Tuesday or Thursday to complete this work then. This is a supportive intervention to ensure students keep on top of work and therefore are well prepared for assessments and exams. If a student hands in the work before the catch-up session and the teacher confirms this with  Laura, they will not be expected to attend the session. However if a student does not do this and does not attend the session, their Behaviour Level will be reviewed to reflect this.

• Guidance talks/tours-  Students might remember when in Y11 they were invited into Sixth Form to discuss subject options and have a tour of the school from current students. We are planning for this again for new applicants and we need tour guides.  The dates are Monday 9 March, Wednesday 11 March and Monday 16 March. The tours will all be immediately after P5. Please can you email Mr Shaw (shawr@smrt.bristol.sch.uk) if you are interested in doing one, two or all of these sessions. Thank you. 

• 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 5^th March between 1.30-3pm. 

• 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 must attend. But all are welcome. The talk will be in the Common Room.

• A message from our Islamic Society: Ramadan is the 9th month of the lunar Islamic calendar during which Muslims observe a fast from dawn to dusk and break their fast with a date and water followed by a meal called Iftar. Ramadan is an important month for Muslims as it is when the revelation of the Quran took place and it helps Muslims observe self-control, gratitude, compassion for the less fortunate and is overall a communal experience as Muslims emphasise sadaqah (charity) and going to the mosque. Prayers such as taraweeh are also observed after iftar to be conscious of God and make dua (verbal prayers different from regular prayers). After Ramadan, on the 1st of Shawwal, the 10th month of the islamic calendar, muslims celebrate eid-al-fitr going to the mosque and eating with family and friends. To support those fasting around you, ask how to help as everyone has a different experience during Ramadan and please don’t play music too loudly in the common as those fasting may not appreciate it.  

• Bristol City Youth Elections- Students will remember they were encouraged to vote in these recent elections. We received this message from the Youth Elections team this week: 'I would just like to reach out to let you know that you were one of the top polling stations in your area during the Bristol City Youth Elections 2026. We can let you know that you had an exceptional percentage of votes compared to the amount of young people who attend your school or youth organisation. That level of engagement via voting was amazing and absolutely needs to be commended and highlighted'. So thanks to all students for voting and also well done to Joy in Y12 who has been elected (and has asked me to share the posters at the bottom of this newsletter).

• Dominic in Y12 is completing a fundraiser for Cafod this lent and has asked to promote this link: https://walk.cafod.org.uk/fundraising/dominics-fundraiser?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=dssb-CL&utm_content=MPC&utm_ref=UBS

• 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 have assembly on Wednesday.

• Y12 Mocks- A reminder that these happen at the beginning of next term. Next week students will be informed about what they are going to be assessed on and therefore what they need to do to prepare over the coming weeks. In ViP students will get revision advice and support. 

• Access Arrangements- All Y12 parents/carers were sent this letter before half-term. In order to confirm if students have access arrangements for their mocks and in place for external exams, these students will be sent an email confirming this on Monday. If students don't receive an email it means they don't currently have access arrangements. Any problems students should see Suella on the 3rd floor in Learning Support.

• On Friday 13 March Y12 are off timetable from P3 as they will be attending the Apprenticeship and University Fair at Ashton Gate. Here is a copy of the letter that all Y12 Parents/Carers were sent earlier in the week: University and Apprenticeship Exhibition 2026.pdf

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

• Y12 in the coming weeks will be asked to confirm if they would like to start the Extended Project Qualification process. This is an excellent qualification which will help prepare students for further study and universities will take this into consideration with offers. If students decide not to do an EPQ they will need to pick an alternative option which will be shared with students in tutor and Extension Studies lessons. It is absolutely fine to start the EPQ process and then review along the way whether this is something that they would like to continue with.

• Students and parents/carers should have received this letter earlier in the year 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. 

• Y13 should all now be using the revision booklet (that they all received at the end of last term, 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. We talked in assembly again this week about the importance of planning revision, revising in chunks rather than long periods (25 minutes is what the research suggests before a 5 minute break, and after two sessions having a longer break), mixing up revision topics rather than just focusing on one subject a day, revising in a variety of ways, testing regularly and also planning time for rewards.

• This week students will have been given subject specific revision advice in lessons. We will shortly be sharing with students in lessons specific revision advice for students aiming for A*s. In the meantime this is a useful resource for those wanting to improve their writing at this top level which is about the importance of writing critically : Academic Phrasebank | Being critical

• Now that the deadline for the ball deposit has passed we will share the final cost and when this needs to be paid over the coming months.

• On Tuesday 10 March Y13 will have a student finance talk during the extended tutor session before the student finance application process opens up late March.

Gratitude   

It’s easy to get into the habit of noticing the negative things in our lives, and who doesn’t love a good moan!? But making an effort to recognise the things we are grateful for can give us a real boost. Choosing to recognise the big and small aspects in our lives we appreciate is scientifically proven to have a number of benefits on both our physical and mental health. Almost the most important part is taking time each day to be grateful for the tiny or the mundane things that we take for granted. Noticing "life's simple pleasures" can be exactly that – simple, but it's powerful, because they become accumulative – lots of tiny moments of contentment are far more likely to build a picture of overall happiness than a single and irregular large event or moment. PRACTICING BEING GRATEFUL 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 - Over 140 of you have 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 - Over 300 of you have already registered for 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):

• Apprenticeships Fair @ Ashton Gate on Monday 27^th April - current Degree and Higher Apprentiecships

• Free Babysitting Course with Norland

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

• Classics Taster Session

• Crimson Education - Support programme for disadvantaged students considering Oxbridge

• Summer School @ Birmingham University

• Built Environment Summer School

Work Experience & Insight Events (more on the blog inc. paid!):

• Aviva Tech Work Experience

• Women in Business event w/ Deloitte

• Law Work Experience & ULaw Criminal Investigation Day

• Vet Taster Session @ UoB

• Infantry Insight Day

• Medical Mentoring Programme

• Built Environments Careers

• 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/