• I know this has been a tremendously challenging week for students and staff at SMRT as we come to terms with the loss of Burak. Thank you to all for your support and for supporting each other. I will be meeting with students next week to discuss how we can remember Burak so expect more details on this very soon.

• This coming week external exams begin. Best of luck to all that have an exam remembering if these first ones do not go to plan you will still have other exams to put it right! 

• Here is the letter that went to Y13 students and parents/carers this week: Year 13 Exams 2026.pdf and the letter for the small group of Y12s who are sitting an external exam this summer: Year 12 2026 Exams.pdf

• Until Y13 go on study leave (Wk Monday 18 May) and for Y12, if students have an exam in the afternoon we will authorise an absence in the morning for students to revise, if a parent/carer reports this absence in the normal way. If students have an exam in the morning students need to attend lessons as normal in the afternoon. And as soon as Y13 have finished their last exam they need to see reception to complete a clearance form which begins the process for organising repayment of the deposit.

• We hope Y13 are looking forward to the Leavers Service on Friday 15 May starting at 1pm in the Church, for students and staff. 

• Also be aware now that the exam season has started please can students try to keep noise to a minimum when walking through corridors. There might also be room changes but all the details will be Bromcom timetables so students will know where to go instead. 

• And here is a picture of the unsigned leavers board for Y13 students to sign next week. And thanks to Nell for your work on this. Y13 can sign this with just their name during break and lunch next week, ready for this to then go up on the wall in the common room very soon.

• Counsellor Drop In- Toria from Transforming lives for good, will be offering a counselling drop-off session for anyone who wants to speak to someone confidentially about anything worrying them, on a Wednesday between 12.45pm and 1.45pm in the meeting room opposite G10. Drop in when convenient, no booking required. Any questions see Mrs Apps or Miss Foster.

• On Wednesday May 13 from 3:30pm-4:30pm in C13, Professor Stuart Mundell from the Pharmacology dept of Bristol Uni is coming in to school to deliver a talk entitled “Sticky blood and heart attacks- let’s talk about the drugs!”.

  This talk will link really well to the Biology topic 1 studies and would look great on your UCAS application when talking about how you’ve taken learning outside the classroom, and all are welcome.

• Joy in Y12 is running the Bristol 10k for Jacari, which is a charity well known to the school, who provide a free English language support to children and young people from refugee, asylum-seeking and migrant backgrounds in Bristol. If you would like to sponsor Joy here is the link: https://ajbellgreatbristolrun2026.enthuse.com/pf/joy-lin Best of luck Joy!

• Shape My City is a year-long Talent Accelerator Programme running from October 2026 to July 2027, bringing together 15–18 year olds from diverse backgrounds across the South West to explore cities, design, and placemaking. 

  The programme is completely FREE, supported by businesses across the South West region, and is specifically designed to be accessible to young people who might not otherwise have access to this kind of experience. Participants receive £5 towards travel and their evening meal at each session. 

  The programme offers students: 

  • 10 monthly modules on the first Wednesday of each month, 5–7pm 

  • The chance to meet peers from diverse backgrounds across the city 

  • An insight into the wide range of career options in the city design sector 

  • Development of teamwork, confidence, and communication skills 

  • A genuine voice in shaping the built environment of their city 

  Applications are now open and places are competitive, so interested students should apply early and take their time with the application form. 

  Apply here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=YM7-Q4qDG0-TA057HNfaz0X4voURN2JAivP67QoI8stURUtSVUIzUEpUQlJFSDVWNEhENUQ4V1owVyQlQCN0PWcu&route=shorturl 

• 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.

• Last week before study leave begins. We know how hard Y13 are working at the moment to prepare for their exams which for lots of students start next week. There can be a temptation to miss lessons to spend this time on private revision during this last week of lessons. Students that did this last year underachieved. There is a massive value in attending lessons at this key time to get the support of teachers. 

• The Leavers Board will be available to sign from Monday 11 May in the Common Room at break and lunch. Please can students just sign their name. 

• The Leavers Service which is for students and staff will be in the church starting at 1pm on Friday 15 May. There will be no P5 that day. 

• Here is a copy of the letter that was sent to all students and parents/carers this week about exams: Year 13 Exams 2026.pdf

One step at a time - People talk about life being like a journey, but I am not so sure about that. On a journey, you know where you’re going, and the route is planned. I think life is more like a QUEST! There is an objective (it might be to have a great life, or to get to a more specific thing or place) but the route isn’t always clear. It's guaranteed there'll be challenges and bumps in the road along the way and we have no idea who we will come across, but what happens is we set out with some tools and some life experience and the plan is then to learn as much as we can along the way, and that is the quest. Maybe don’t look too far ahead or get hung up on planning too much, but have fun and embrace the unexpected! Taking life one step at a time 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 - Most of you have now replied to your UCAS offers, well done! A few of you have a later deadline to respond: 3^rd June. Here is a guide on what to do: https://www.ucas.com/applying/after-you-apply/types-of-undergraduate-offers/replying-to-your-offers. If you're not sure about which to pick have a chat to your tutor or Mr. Jones. Student Finance is open so make sure you apply soon so we can help with any issues that come up. As mentioned in assembly, Clearing opens on the 2^nd July and may be a useful way to plan around results day anxiety. If you have any questions or issues with any of the above see Mr. Jones!

 

Year 12 - Now is the time for research! Whether you're looking to do a degree, an apprenticeship, or explore different industries, Unifrog has it all so make sure you use the search tools to find what you're looking for. If you're not sure, speak to your tutor, book a careers appointment at reception, or head to the Year Office by reception to chat to Mr. Jones. Also, remember to add Work Experience to Unifrog for approval: Here is a how to guide. There are also lots of summer school and supercurrlcular opportunities on the blog for you, see some highlights below!

 

Opportunities:

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):

• Construction

• Audit

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

• Quantum Physics & Engineering Summer School - Bristol University

• Summer Residentials at Bath University

• Medical Research Summer School - Cambridge University

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

• Arts WEX - Closing date 12^th May!!

• BioBlitz & Belmont Estate - 21st-22nd May

• Psychiatry Summer School

• FutureForAll - Useful tool to find work experience

• Watershed 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/