• There is a New Revision Hub on the Sixth Form Subject Hub on Sharepoint. The Sixth Form Subject Hub continues to be a great place to find revision resources for each subject, but the New Revision Hub where students can access the specifications for each course, past papers, mark schemes and exam reports will hopefully make these specific resources even more accessible for Y13 in the run-up to their exams and also for Y12s with mocks. There is a link to the revision hub at the top and bottom of the student hub. 

• We had a fantastic event on Thursday with our first ever school Iftar (see photo below). Thank you to all those students who planned, led and attended. We have already started thinking about the planning for the next one.

• With Eid expected to fall at the end of the coming week (Friday 20 March) if students are absent from school on this day please can parents/carers report the absence in the normal way. 

• Well done to our Y12 and Y13 students involved in the Model United Nations debating competition last weekend in Bath which was our most successful ever in terms of commendations (see photo below). Students debated a wide range of topics such as food waste, women's and LGBTQ rights, American actions in Venezuela, conflicts in Palestine, Sudan and Ukraine, gene editing, water scarcity and space exploration etc. For the last session they worked to find resolutions to address the current situation in Iran. 9 of our students were Commended or Highly Commended in their committee and two of our delegations were Commended for their performance across the whole conference, making them equal third (within the top six delegations out of 70 in total).  Thank you to Mr Wheeler and Mrs Billington for supporting.

• Best of luck to all those involved in the school production of 'Six' happening this week. Tickets still available via scopay.

• 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.

• And finally thank you to those students who helped with the tours for new Y12 students on Monday and Wednesday. We have one final event on Monday (16 March), between 3.30pm and 4.30pm. It would be great to have lots of volunteers again so please turn up to the common room for 3.30pm if you can do this.

• Christian Union will continue to meet at lunchtimes on Wednesdays in 202. All are welcome. They will also be running a Bible study on Wednesdays at 3.15pm in Room 102.

• The Christian Union are organising an Easter Egg hunt in Sixth Form. More details to come asap.

• For those in Y12 keen to better understand what an Extended Project Qualification is like, but also for all Sixth Formers interested in the topic, we have one final EPQ presentation happening on Monday in 142 on the topic of 'Should the House of Lords be abolished?'

• Revision Offer from Into University- Hi! We’re running Easter Holiday Revision Sessions at IntoUniversity and would love for you to join us if you’re in Year 11–Year 13 and preparing for exams. On 15th and 16th April, our classroom in the Withywood Centre will be open from 10am–3pm as a quiet space for you to revise.

  During the sessions you’ll have access to:
  • IntoUniversity staff who can help with your work
  • Laptops
  • Free printing (perfect for past papers!)
  • Revision resources like flashcards
  • Free Domino’s pizza at lunchtime

  If you’d like a supportive place to focus on your revision before exams then please get in touch with us. You can email lauren.jones@intouniversity.org or phone us on 0121 803 7505. We’d love to see you there!

• 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 as part of the Lessons from Auschwitz Programme which will be visiting Auschwitz on Tuesday. 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.

• 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.

• Timetables for mocks which happen during the first two weeks at the beginning of next term have now been emailed to both students and parent/carers and students need to now check them carefully. Any problems let Mrs Apps know.

• On Wednesday 18 March Y12 have a Progression morning. All students need to be in the common room for 8.30am and then are off timetable during P1-P3. Information on a variety of different progression routes will be shared, which will hopefully complement the Apprenticeship and University Fair that students attended on Friday.

• 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. 

• The EPQ deadline is Friday 20 March. This is the deadline for submitting the essay and completing the presentation and logbook. 

• On Wednesday 18 March, the Common Room during P1, P2 and P3, will not be accessible to Y13 due to the Y12 Progression Morning, excluding break. Y13 will also have some room changes.

• We are delighted how well Y13 are in full-flow now with revision using the revision booklet. Remember Y13 students should now be using their revision booklet to help structure and record/plan their revision. Parents/carers should ask to see this and tutors will be checking in with students regarding this in tutor registration and ViP/tutorials. 

• University Offer responses- Just to reassure students who have applied to universities and have not yet had responses from some, most, all universities so far. It is very normal that universities and/or some specific courses do take longer to respond than others. So please don't worry if you are in this situation. Lots are.

• Student Finance-  Students had their student finance talk this week which was a very similar presentation to the one parents/carers were invited to in January. Student Finance opens for 2026/27 applications on Monday 23 March.

• Leavers Hoodies-  Students have been sent an email about the option of a hoodie. 

• Now that the deadline for the ball deposit has passed I can confirm that the total cost of a ball ticket will be £37.50. As students have already paid a £10 deposit, there is £27.50 to pay. The deadline for paying this is 1 May and students/parents/carers are welcome to pay the total amount at any point from now until 1 May on scopay, or pay in smaller amounts between now and 1 May. A reminder that the ball is on Wednesday 24 June at the Bristol Harbour Hotel on Corn Street.

Boundaries  

We all have a friend about whom we say, we know where we stand with you, right? That’s probably because that friend has boundaries. They can say no if they don’t like or don’t want something, yes when they do. They are clear about their feelings and say what they mean rather than expecting you to guess. It is a GOOD THING to have boundaries, and you are allowed to set them for yourself. Don’t let others dictate them for you! Think about how much physical touch you are happy with, where you will or won’t go, how much time you want to assign to school/friends/work etc, what kind of behaviour you are willing to tolerate from friends/acquaintances etc. Having clear boundaries 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 180 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 - We hope you enjoyed the Ashton Gate University & Apprenticeship Fair! You'll be able to give your feedback in registration this week. On Wednesday you're off lessons P1-3 again, more information & your timetable of sessions will be in your morning registration. 

Thank you to lots of you who have already logged your work experience on Unifrog. Here is a how to guide if you're not sure.

Opportunities:

Work:

There is the National Apprenticeship & Education Fair on the 27^th April with lots of current apprenticeship & work opportunities being held at Ashton Gate. 

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):

• MORE 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!):

• Food Science & Nutrition Summer School

• Newcastle University Summer School

• Classics Taster Session

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

• Amazon AI Careers in Music, Media, Film, and in Technology

• Allied Healthcare (Nursing, Midwifery, Physiotherapy, Radiography, etc) Work Experience

• Latest WEX opportunities in Bristol

• 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/