Social media icons                      w/c 29 June (WK1)

Sixth Form Newsletter

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Head of Sixth Form Updates

Firstly a message from Burak's family...

'Dear Mr Shaw and Everyone at SMRT – staff, students and parents, 
We wanted to write and say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the part you played in our son's life and for the kindness you have shown our family. 
Since losing Burak, we have spent so much time thinking about the things that brought him happiness, and one of those things was undoubtedly being at sixth form. He genuinely loved coming to school. He loved learning, but most of all he loved being with his friends. He would come home talking about the people he had spent time with, the laughs they had shared, and everything that was going on in his day. School was a place where he felt happy, valued, and connected, and that means so much to us. 

As parents, there is great comfort in knowing that Burak was surrounded by such caring staff and wonderful friends. The support, encouragement, and opportunities you gave him helped him grow into the young man we were so proud of. The friendships he made and the memories he created at sixth form will always be a cherished part of his life. 

We would also like to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended Burak`s funeral. Seeing so many staff, students, friends, and members of the school community there was incredibly moving and meant more to us than we can put into words. At such a difficult time, your presence, your kindness, and the love shown for our son brought us great comfort. It was clear to see how many lives he had touched and how much he was cared for. 

Please pass on our thanks to his friends. Knowing how much they meant to him and hearing the stories and memories they shared has been a source of comfort for us. We will always be grateful that he had such special people in his life. 
Thank you all for helping to make his time at sixth form such a happy chapter of his life and for the support you have shown our family. We will never forget it. 

With love, gratitude, and warmest wishes, 

Shen, Erol and Elif'

  • I hope this newsletter finds you well as I appreciate the past few days have probably been quite challenging with the heat (trying to work alongside supervising my three primary school aged children has not been easy!). Sorry that the school was not able to open on Wednesday or Thursday and then the Sixth Form building on Friday. It was great that the Birmingham University trip was able to go ahead as planned though as well as the Theatre Studies trip on Friday. 

  • I am looking forward to hopefully returning to more of a normal week next week although on Wednesday Y12 are off timetable for the new Y12 Induction Day, some are attending the University of Oxford Open Day on Thursday and then on Friday it is P1-P4 as normal, but students are off timetable P5 to give them an opportunity to attend the picnic in memory of Burak at Victoria Park.

  • Thank you to all the Y13s and staff that attended the ball on Wednesday. Thankfully the venue had air conditioning so the ball was able to go ahead and it was a great send off for our students.

  • New Y12 Induction Day-  The current Y12 will be off-timetable on Wednesday 1 July and are very much encouraged to come into school to support the new Y12s in subject sessions or a pastoral session. Thank you to those students who have already signed up to help via the survey link. The more helpers the better so if students have not done this yet there is definitely still space.

  • And a reminder that Totterdown Hotspur, the football club that Burak loved so dearly, are organising a charity football match in his memory. It will be on Sunday 12th July at Greys Friar Athletic (BS34 8QW), tickets will be £5 on entry. Additionally, there is a donations page and there will be a raffle at the game to also raise money, being £2 a raffle ticket. All money raised will go towards YoungLivesVSCancer (please see the posters below).
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Key Events this week 

  Y12 Y13 Y12 and Y13

Monday 29 June

Y12 Tutor (Group 1)

Study Leave

Clubs and Societies

Tuesday 30 June

Y12 Tutor (Group 2)

Y12 Student Committee- Room 202- 12.30pm 

Study Leave

Deadline for Y13 completing a clearance form (following extension)

Clubs and Societies

Bake sale for Pride

12 hour prayer event (P5 opportunity for Y12)

Wednesday 1 July

 New Y12 Induction Day New Y12 Induction Day

New Y12 Induction Day

Thursday 2 July

Y12 Oxford Uni trip

Study Leave

Clubs and Societies

MUN

Friday 3 July

 P5- Picnic for Burak

Study Leave

 

Clubs and Societies
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General Messages

  • Our Student Chaplain Team is leading a special 12-Hour Prayer Event on Tuesday, 30th June. They have dedicated this entire day, from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, to actively praying for our school, our families, and for all of you. Throughout the day, groups of students will be actively engaging in prayer and reflection during their break times, lunch, and designated slots (P5 for Y12). We are also incredibly blessed to have our global community standing with us, as students and staff from Ikoba School in Uganda will be joining us in prayer from afar.

  • 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. Thank you to those students who have completed the survey to confirm that they would like to attend.

  • There will be a bake sale for Pride on Tuesday.

  • Soulstice is a free event open to anyone in secondary school or sixth form. Come and enjoy music, creative activities, food, nature, a clothes swap, and practical ways to make a difference. Whether you’re passionate about the environment or simply looking for a fun afternoon with friends, there’s something for everyone.

    ?? Saturday 27 June | 2–5pm

    ?? Hazelnut Community, St Leonard’s Road, Greenbank, Bristol BS5 6JN

    Bring your friends, get creative, enjoy some great food, and discover simple ways to care for the world around us.

  • For Art and Design students, please see this link (Schools 2026 Christmas card competition A4 flyer_FOR TEACHERS v3.pdf)detailing information about a competition to design a Christmas card for local law firm Burges Salmon. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to take part in a real-world brief and could be included in a portfolio for those of you pursuing art foundation or a degree course next year. First prize is £1000 art supplies voucher and second prize is a £250 voucher.

  • 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.

  • 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 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.

  • The student committee meeting that was supposed to happen last week is now happening on Tuesday 30 June at 12.30pm in Room 202.

  • Here is the letter that was emailed to students and parents/carers earlier last week in regards to the picnic for Burak on Friday 3 July.

  • 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.

  • 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. Also we have a school opportunity which can be completed alongside other in person or online WEX on Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th July in school

    Civil Service – interview skills and mock interviews

    University South Wales – Personal statement

    We have spaces. Let Mr Jones or Mrs Apps know asap if interested.

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Year 13

  • Here is a link to the letter that was emailed to you, now that exams have finished, with information on results day and progression support: Y13 Results Day and Progression Letter 2026.pdf 

  • And a reminder that students need to see reception for a clearance form once they have finished their last exam. The deadline was Friday 26 June but I have extended that to Tuesday 30 June. Any problems let us know.

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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…

Finishing Strong 

Some things in life are just for a moment; some are for the long haul. This is the last term of what has felt like a long year, with lots of new responsibilities and challenges for you all. I want to encourage you that it is possible for us to finish strong, not just crawl over the finish line into summer, in good mental and physical shape. Make a plan for how you’re going to balance your time between schoolwork, social fun, chasing the sunshine and sleep. Eat enough and drink enough water. Notice where you’re getting a bit sloppy in your organisation, tidiness or note-taking and make a mental note to keep standards up. Your future self will thank you for those efforts! Make fun plans for the summer to look forward to. And most of all, keep going! Finishing strong means we leave here in July feeling proud and satisfied and therefore much more ready for what comes in September – and that is good for our 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

  1. Student Finance is still open! 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Zero Gravity £3,000 Scholarship

  4. Have a great summer!!

Year 12 

  1. VIP this week you started drafting your personal statement. At the moment, the aim is to get down examples of things you've done in school and outside of school in Section 2 & 3. Make sure you've begun drafting on Unifrog.

  2. 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.  If you do secure in person WEX, remember to add Work Experience to Unifrog for approval: Here is a how to guide.

  3. Oxford Trip - Thursday 2nd July. Meet outside Pickled Jill's at 7.15am.

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)

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

  • Next Step Bristol - Programme for GEM Yr13 students run by Uni of Bristol

  • Quantum Physics & Engineering Summer School - Bristol University

  • Summer Residentials at Bath University

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

  • Bristol - Be A Councillor Insight Day

  • Shape My City programme - applications open! (City planning, design, placemaking)

  • Bristol Zoo Volunteering

  • Virtual Work Experience Platforms: SpringPod, FuturesForAll, Forage, 

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.