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Sixth Form Newsletter

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Head of Sixth Form Welcome and Updates

  • Welcome back. I hope everyone had a good half-term although I appreciate this is a stressful time for Y13. We have been delighted with how well Y13 have tackled their A Levels so far and no doubt they are counting down the days/exams until their holiday!

  • A reminder that as soon as Y13 students have their last exam they need to see reception to complete a clearance form which begins the process for organising repayment of the deposit. 

  • On Friday 3 July we are organising an SMRT picnic in memory of Burak. This will be at Victoria Park and lessons will finish at the end of P4 to ensure all students that would like to attend can. More details coming soon.

  • Well done to Adil and Kacper who were on BBC Points West this week and also in a BBC online news article, acknowledging their fantastic robotics success: Bristol students take top prize in global robotics competition - BBC News

  • At the time of writing there are 11 places left on the Y12 Birmingham University Open Day trip. Let Mr Jones though asap if interested (jonesl@smrt.bristol.sch.uk). 

  • As this is Pride Month we have lots of things planned over the coming weeks to acknowledge and celebrate this.

  • Y12 heard in assembly this week from a Y9 student called George about his story and the importance of donating blood. Here is a link to the 'my blood' website and you can find out where you can donate if interested: Access your donor account - NHS Give Blood

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Key Events this week 

  Y12 Y13 Y12 and Y13

Monday 8 June

Y12 Tutor (Group 1)

Careers in Psychology-12.30pm- G10

Study Leave

Clubs and Societies

Tuesday 9 June

Y12 Tutor (Group 2)

Careers in Law- 12.30pm- G10

Study Leave

Clubs and Societies

 

Wednesday 10 June

 

 

Study Leave

 

Clubs and Societies

Counsellor Drop-in

Thursday 11 June

Gold DOE

Trip to LSE and Bank of England

Study Leave

Clubs and Societies

MUN

Friday 12 June

Gold DOE

Study Leave

Clubs and Societies

General Messages

  • Thank you to all students who attended the Computer Science and Business careers sessions last week led by the University of Law. There are two final ones to go:

  • Careers in Psychology: Monday 8 June

    Careers in Law: Tuesday 9 June

  • These 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.

Year 12

  • Y12 have tutor registration on Monday for Group 1 and Tuesday for Group 2.

  • Y12 have a folder check week during Wk beginning 15 June.

  • Y12 students and parents/carers should now have received the latest gradesheet with mock results and updated predicted grades. As explained in assembly we think the most important data at this point on the gradesheet are the Engagement Levels and the overall Behaviour Level that mostly links in with student attendance. We are looking for As and A*s now in these areas as students should be clearer on what is expected at A Level and the importance of the 'hour for an hour' time.

  • Want to put yourself in a stronger position following mocks? See the  opportunity below the Y12 section of the newsletter for one-to-one learning coaching support, to complement the work your tutor and teachers will be doing.

  • Thank you to all those that applied to be a Senior Student. We received lots of applications and well done to those who made it through to the next stage in the group interviews this week. We will share the outcome asap but please remember there will be lots of opportunities for leadership in Y13 including subject mentors, transition mentors, leading on clubs and societies. So if you are not successful in becoming a Senior Student you still will have an important role.

  • Y12 Work Experience- Please remember that the vast majority of Y12 will be using Activities Week during Wk 6 July for work experience/volunteering. Students will need to upload this information onto Unifrog once the placement is confirmed. 

  • As lots of students I know are starting to make university open day plans, this is a useful website: Search the Opendays.com calendar of university and college open days - search for an open day to find out when they are. We cannot authorise time off for students to attend these. We expect students to attend on a Saturday. 

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Year 13

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

  • And a reminder that students need to see reception for a clearance form once they have finished their last exam.

  • 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. 

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Mental Health Top Tip of the Week

Helen, a learning mentor at our Sixth Form will share a top tip each week…

The shifting ‘I’/ Experimenting  

We will always be changing, adapting who we are and adding new roles throughout our lives. One minute you’re a student, then an employee or a traveller, a partner, a parent… or a million other possibilities. Sometimes you are a multitude of these things all at the same time. We won’t be able to perform perfectly in each new role from the offset! No one can. We learn as we go and as we grow into things. We do that by experimenting, learning from our successes and understanding our failures. Being okay with not getting things right all the time, but remaining inquisitive and learning instead through our lived experience, promotes good mental health. 

Progression Information and Opportunities

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 - 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 2nd 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 - Your teachers have begun writing your subject references that will be used in your references for UCAS, Apprenticeships, or any jobs you apply for in the future. You need to leave notes on Unifrog to make sure the reference is as good as possible.

If you've not yet secured work experience for activities week, you need to show your tutor a plan of the virtual WEX you'll do instead. There are lots on SpringPod.com If you do secure in person WEX, remember to add Work Experience to Unifrog for approval: Here is a how to guide.

If you're on the Oxford Trip, Mr Wheeler will be contacting you soon about a meeting next week to ensure you are well prepared to make the most of the open day - make sure you attend as this is really useful & important.

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/ (NEW LISTINGS)

Latest Apprenticeships on the blog (a full list can be found here):

  • NatWest

  • Hospitality & Events

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

  • Quantum Physics & Engineering Summer School - Bristol University

  • Summer Residentials at Bath University

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

  • FutureForAll - Useful tool to find work experience

  • SpringPod - Virtual Work Experience

Super-curricular Challenge

  • 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.  

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Key Support Information

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/ 

Disclaimer

We sometimes share details with you of external clubs and non-school lettings, such as sports groups and clubs that are not necessarily affiliated to the School directly. Please note that we do not endorse these products or services and that if you purchase any of the products or services offered by these external third parties, you are purchasing directly from the third parties, and not from SMRT. We are not responsible for the offerings of these third parties and do not assume any responsibility or liability for the actions, products, or services of these third parties. They may have their own terms and policies which you should review carefully.