• Well done to students who have already sat an external exam and best of luck to all students who have external exams this week. 

• Congratulations to Y13 who have had their last day of normal lessons ever! We hope Y13 enjoyed the Leavers Celebration in the Church (photo below). Y13 are now on study leave so will only be expected in school for exams. Please remember that the building will be open as normal, apart from over half-term (WK 25 May). 

• 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

•  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.

• 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. 

• Exam season can obviously be a stressful time for many students, with pressure to perform potentially taking a toll on their wellbeing. The NHS has put together a helpful guide for parents during exams, with practical advice on building healthy routines and spotting signs of stress: Help your child beat exam stress - NHS

• And here is a picture of the signed leavers board for Y13 which will soon go up on the wall and also a picture of the Y13 leavers ball ticket (all Y13 will be getting there's soon, and thanks to Steven for your fantastic art work. I am assuming that is me!)...

• During the first two weeks in June the University of Law will be coming into Sixth Form during lunchtimes to run a series of careers sessions to help students with their HE options.

• Careers in Computer Science: Wednesday 3 June

  Careers in Business: Thursday 4 June

  Careers in Psychology: Monday 8 June

  Careers in Law: Tuesday 9 June

• All the talks will be in G10 from 12.30pm to 1pm and I would encourage all students to grab this opportunity if they are interested in exploring one or more of the careers above.

• 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.

• CREATIVE YOUTH NETWORK have increased their capacity within their Wellbeing team to support young people at their youth hub The Station (BS1 2AG) with low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). 

  They are currently accepting referrals submitted via the website here: Mental Health And Wellbeing Support  - Creative Youth Network . Referrals can be completed by a professional, parent or young person themselves.

  They support young people (aged 8-17) with mild to moderate mental health difficulties, like anxiety and low mood. They could meet weekly with a Wellbeing Practitioner at The Station for 6-10 sessions, focusing on current mental health challenges and learning techniques to manage and overcome them. 

• 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.

• Please remember that although students are now on study leave and therefore off-timetable we will continue to be available to support students through the coming weeks, and the building remains open as normal for students to use to revise and prepare. Students will then, once they have completed their last exam, need to hand back their locker and bike shed keys and complete a clearance form by Friday 26 June. 

• Students and parents/carers will be sent further details about results day on Thursday 13 August and also the Ball on Wednesday 24 June very soon. 

• Y13 Student and Parent/Carer Feedback- Thanks so much to all students and parents/carers who have already completed the feedback survey that was emailed to all parents/carers earlier in the week. If you haven't completed this yet it would be much appreciated if you could do this asap. This is an anonymous survey, with all individual responses remaining confidential, to gather your feedback on your experience as a student/parent/carer, to help us ensure that we are providing the best standard of education and care. 

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

YARD STICK 

How do we measure success? You might be asking this right now, with mock results coming in and A-levels begun with no measurable outcome for months. But I’m not really talking about reaching certain academic numbers and letters. The truth is, we can damage our mental health if we choose the wrong yard stick with which to hold ourselves accountable. We can feel continuously like we are failing, or that we aren’t good enough, if we choose to compare ourselves to others - our siblings, or friends, or people on social media. A much more useful measurement for success would be our past self – in other words, am I doing better than I was yesterday/last month/last year? Am I a better person, friend, learner...? Any steps you can take to better yourself, even little, shaky steps, are the place to look for your success. Choosing the right yard stick 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 still open! Though tiktok says the deadline to apply is the 15th May this is just to guarrantee your funding will be approved before you start your studies. If you have not, make sure you apply as soon as possible to avoid any delay in getting your maintenance loan. If there is a delay, speak to student services at your university as they will be able to help. 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

• Architecture & Design Summer School

• Online Architecture Insight Event

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

• Civil Engineering Work Experience

• Accounting Work Experience

• Art Work Experience

• Community Farm Work Experience

• Bristol Zoo Volunteering

• English Heritage Young Producers Opportunity

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

• Psychiatry Summer School

• FutureForAll - Useful tool to find work experience

• SpringPod - Virtual 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/