• A reminder for students that all Sixth Form students must wear their lanyards at all times in the buildings for safeguarding reasons, considering Sixth Form students don't have to wear a school uniform and our city centre location. Otherwise our offer including Sixth Formers not having to wear a school uniform will need to be reviewed.

  Also a reminder that mobile phones should never be out in lessons and students in the main school building cannot have mobile phones out on show in corridors, even if it is to check Bromcom. Members of staff have to follow our school policy and government guidance as 'all schools should be mobile phone-free environments'. Staff are fully entitled to confiscate mobile phones of Sixth Formers if needed.

• Good luck to our Y12 and Y13 students involved in the Model United Nations debating competition this weekend in Bath. We will update everybody on how this goes in next week’s newsletter. 

• Amazing news from our Robotics students, Adil and Kacper. Last weekend they competed in the National Finals in Telford. My understanding is that they were the only state school represented out of 180 schools. They achieved 1st place in Robot Skills/Building, 1st place for Autonomous programming, and won the Amaze Award, which is given to the team that "demonstrates high-quality engineering, effective, consistent programming, and strong teamwork". As a result they have qualified for the World Championships next month. We are now working hard to secure funding to ensure this trip can happen.

• Thank you to our Business Studies and Economics students who gave up some of their Friday afternoon to meet with Partick Jenkins, Deputy Editor of the Financial Times on Friday.

• And finally thank you to those students who have already offered to help with the tours for new Y12 students on Monday (9 March) and Wednesday (11 March) next week, and then the following Monday (16 March), between 3.30pm and 4.30pm. It would be great for more volunteers so please let me know if you can do this.

• 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).

• SMRT Iftar- Thursday 12 March, 5:45pm- We would like to invite our Muslim students and their families to participate in an Iftar at SMRT on Thursday 12 March at 5:45pm.  As we only have space for 100 people at this event, we are limiting numbers so you can only book up to 2 tickets per SMRT student - so you can bring along a 'plus one'.  Please click on the link below to book your tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/smrt-iftar-tickets-1984465716378?aff=oddtdtcreator

• As we build up to the exams for Y13 and mocks for Y12, and the library will begin to get very busy, remember there are other rooms that students can use to work. A timetable showing free rooms for private study is on the library door and TVs. Students also often find using the central library in College Green helpful at this time of the year, just make sure you keep an eye on the time so you are back on time for lessons. 

• Four of our Y12 students this week will be starting the Lessons from Auschwitz Programme which will result in a visit to Auschwitz. They will be sharing their experiences with others on their return.

• Please can I promote the work of ‘Not Impossible’ again to Y13 and now also to Y12. They are an organisation that provides high-impact work experience placements. Not Impossible (Not Impossible) has a mission of helping all young people find work that matters to them and has relationships with many of the best employers across Bristol and Bath as they know not all schools/parents have connections with employers in the areas their young people are interested in. Students should go to their website and register.

• Boomsatusma are interested in offering workshops at their Tobacco Factory campus to engage with Year 12s and any Year 13s that might not have decided their course of action for the future yet. Boomsatsuma are 'Independent, creative and rooted in Bristol and the South West, we deliver hands-on degrees designed around real industry needs. Whether it’s filmmaking, photography, or game design, our courses are flexible, forward-thinking, and built with care — helping students grow the skills, confidence and resilience to thrive in creative industries and life. 

  We have courses in Photography and Print, Filmmaking: Post Production and Filmmaking: Production, and Game Design, and it would be great to build relationships with teachers in relevant subjects. Please see our website for more information on each of our degree courses: https://www.boomsatsuma.com/degrees/ '

• 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 are then with their tutor on Tuesday 10 March for P1 before lessons continue as normal from P2 onwards.

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

• 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

• Y12 Mocks- A reminder that these happen at the beginning of next term. Students have been emailed the general timetable (Year-12-Mock-Timetable-2026.pdf) and also the topic list for revision (Year-12-Mock-Revision-Topic-List-2026.pdf) In ViP students will get revision advice and support. 

• Access Arrangements- Students were sent an email on Monday to confirm if they have access arrangement in place. If students did not receive an email and were expecting this they were told to see Suella on the 3rd floor in Learning Support asap.

• Y12 over 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.

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

• Y13 students who have applied or are applying to university in the future need to be in the Common Room for 9am on Tuesday for a student finance talk. This is extended tutor time so no P1 lesson.

• 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.

• 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. Sorry for the delay. We had a last minute flurry of interest from students saying they wanted to attend which is great but needed their deposit.

Silencing the Inner Critic 

We would never say out loud to someone we love “you’re such an idiot – you don’t deserve love or anything good!’, or ‘You’re so stupid, you are never going to succeed at anything in life’, and yet it is the kind of thing we might say to ourselves – or worse. This is not OK! How we speak to ourselves shapes how we see ourselves in the same way how others speak to us shapes our view. Try some positive affirmations like ‘I am as valuable and worthy of love as everyone else’, or ‘I make mistakes, but I can learn from them and do things differently next time.’  Our inner monologue matters - speaking kindly to ourselves 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 - You have a Student Finance Talk in the Common Room on Tuesday P1 instead of your lesson. This is very important for anyone going to university next year or in the future. You could pre-read this article & come with some questions.

Over 160 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. 

Year 12 - On Friday we're off to the University & Apprenticeship Fair at Ashton Gate on Friday 13^th March! More info about this in registration but we will be going P3-5 on Friday. You need to sign-in with Mr. Jones or Ms. Apps before you go in so we know you've attended. If you still need to register for a ticket, use this link: 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):

• Finance & Business apprenticeships at KPMG, GKN Aerospace

• More Legal Apprenticeships

• 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!):

• Newcastle University Summer School

• Classics Taster Session

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

• Latest WEX opportunities in Bristol

• Medicine & Dentistry Guidance

• Aviva Tech Work Experience

• Law Work Experience & ULaw Criminal Investigation Day

• 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/