5th February 2024
Year 13 bulletin
Morning all,
Quite a few opportunities are coming up for those interested in undergraduate study. Now is the time to be going to Open Days and applying for Summer Schools.
Weekly
- ‘Ted Talk’ Why is it so hard to escape poverty?
- ‘BBC Ideas’ How stories shape our minds
Quote of the week:
“It's a terrible thing, I think, in life to wait until you're ready. I have this feeling now that actually no one is ever ready to do anything. There is almost no such thing as ready. There is only now. And you may as well do it now. Generally speaking, now is as good a time as any.”
Hugh Laurie, Actor
Key dates and deadline:
- The Maths Department run a support session every Wednesday for A Level Maths and GCSE resit support every single Monday.
- Chemistry have both Year 12 and 13 chemistry support sessions every Monday after school.
- Tourism Unit 4 coursework is due today, 5th Feb
- Biology has after school support sessions on Thursdays in H23
- Digital Technology and Computer Science revision sessions/coursework catch-up will be held on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 2.40 till 3.30 in H03
A few general announcements:
- Please make sure you are all signed up to the Exams Google Classroom - this is how you will find out vital information about each exam series, resits, mocks and other details. The classroom code is aj5fjjv
- For those interested in joining the South Wales Police Force, they are now inviting applications for their South Wales Police Student Constable Campaign check out the details here.
- The ERIC App https://www.meet-eric.com/ provides opportunities for school leavers to prepare for a career in creative industries. If students download the app they can take part in Careers events e.f there is an upcoming Warner Bros event for apprenticeships in the UK. Lots of other opportunities for Careers guidance and it's free.
UCAS
We have submitted all this year’s applications now and almost everyone has at least one offer now - 23 people have all five offers.
The next steps now for people are:
- Attend Offer-holder days when you get an invite, especially if you’re unsure which to firm up.
- Firm up offers when you’re ready - if you need help come and see me
- From the end of March you will be apply to apply for funding through Student Finance Wales
- Think about applying for accommodation
- There’s some advice here regarding what you need to do to prepare for uni
Bursaries
There is a new App ‘Blackbullion’ which tries to ensure students have the best experience when searching and applying to scholarships. If you're ready to start applying for funding, then it is best to sign up for a Blackbullion account. Or, if you just want scholarship updates for now, you can sign up to their Scholarships Newsletter. There are no costs associated with ANY aspect of the process - it's all completely free https://www.blackbullion.com/register
Those of you applying to Russell Group universities may be eligible for a bursary if you check as well as Swansea having some academic excellence bursaries available. I’ve included some of the universities here that I know people have applied to. It’s always worth checking/applying - the worst that can happen is that you don’t get anything - doesn’t hurt to try! There are lots available which are focused on household income, STEM (women especially) and engineering. See me if you need any help applying for these.
- Cardiff Bursaries
- Cardiff Scholarships
- Nottingham - a range of scholarships
- Bristol Bursaries
- Birmingham
- Swansea - academic excellence bursaries
- USW Bursaries
- Bangor University
Opportunities/Events
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Gresham College has a series of lectures by different Professors which are really useful to show your proactive engagement with the subject you’re hoping to study: browse the series they have here: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/lecture-series-2023-24 A 300,000-Year History of Human Evolution, Professor Robin May Wed, 7 Feb 2024 Register here Dyslexia and Language - Disorder or Difference? Professor Maggie Snowling, Thu, 8 Feb 2024 Sex and the Internet, Professor Victoria Baines Tue, 13 Feb 2024 Register here Dragons: A History, Professor Ronald Hutton Wed, 14 Feb 2024 Register here Immunotherapy: Cure for Metastatic Cancer? Professor James Larkin Thu, 15 Feb 2024 Register here |
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EDT Placement applications for 2024/25 are open. The YINI application process has been streamlined, making it easier and quicker for students to apply and stay updated.
What is YINI? EDT’s, The Year in Industry (YINI) Placement scheme, helps place school-leaving students into paid 12-month long placements into all areas of engineering, science (particularly physics), technology/electronics, maths, business, marketing and finance across the UK.
How does the application process work? · You register interest via their website here and receive a weekly update of the latest placement opportunities.
Benefits for placed YINI students:
To Register for YINI: Interested students can register via their website here |
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Aspire is a collection of free careers, university and further education resources. It is designed to give state-educated students the tools and knowledge they need to make more informed decisions about their future. Their ‘guide’ is a free resource, full of information and guidance, designed to inform you and help you navigate the range of careers and further education out there. Access the online version of the Guide, alongside other resources, on the Aspire website, |
Universities
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Struggling with your Personal Statement; use the support from UCAS |
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Many universities have got upcoming Open Days so make sure you have a look at the places you think you may want to study at. Here’s the best place to check dates for Open Days: https://www.opendays.com/calendar/ To make sure you understand the grades you might need for courses you’re interested in and confirm entry requirements please use the following website: https://www.whatuni.com/ Ask your LC to look at courses with you if you’re not sure about things. |
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Bath University may give a lower offer to students in Wales as a result of their WBQ prediction; read more about their approach to the Welsh Bacc and their alternative offer here. To support students, they are holding a MOOC delivered in partnership with Aberystwyth University ‘How to succeed in your Welsh Bacc: the Individual Project Essentials’. |
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Aberystwyth University has a new Higher Education streaming platform, Aberflix and a range of generous scholarships available. |
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Swansea University’s next on-campus events are Saturday 17 February and Saturday 23 March. Students will have the opportunity to:-
Take a campus tour of our fantastic campus and department facilities If you’re unsure what subject you’d like to study at University it might be worth booking onto the Masterclass Series below to experience a taster of the courses on offer at Swansea. Each session is presented by their academic staff (the people who would be teaching you) and offers students the chance to:
Use the link here to register. Swansea University: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/open-days/ |
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Cardiff University Their lecture series is ongoing; https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/community/events |
Work Experience
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Please sign up for Uptree here if you didn’t do so last year. And then check out all the opportunities they have: https://schools.uptree.co/opportunities/ Other current Jobs and placements.
Gain insights into different industries, develop your essential skills and learn how to ace your future applications. Check out their newest course Introduction to the National Cyber Force! If you're after something different you can also check out courses with J.P. Morgan, Arm and ATAC. |
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Finance.Opportunity Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) is the UK’s largest digital bank, with roles that include audit, data analyst, customer services, finance and much more. Explore your future at Lloyds Banking Group's Work Experience Day. |
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Professional services. Deloitte is one of the largest, leading professional-services firm in the UK. If you're interested in a career in professional services and looking for an apprenticeship/full time job, apply for Professional Services Application Masterclass |
Apprenticeships/Degree Apprenticeships
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Register your place for Cardiff Metropilitan’s Degree Apprenticeships Online Q&A Session. Hear from their partners how apprenticeships work.
🗓️ Thursday 8th February, 13:00 - 13:45 |
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Professional services. Find out more about WTW's Level 3 apprenticeship in finance by attending their Finance and Insurance Insight Day |
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Mechanical Engineering Apprenticeship – TO START SEPT 2024
CLOSING DATE 11TH MARCH
To apply, please email your CV to Michelle Barrett - michelle.barrett@celanese.com The starting annual salary in year one is £17,325 (paid on a monthly basis) and increases with each year of the apprenticeship.
Applicants should:
• Have or expected to achieve as a minimum, three passes at GCSE, grades A-C (achieved or predicted), including the following subjects: • English Language • Mathematics • A technical subject preferably Physics, Chemistry, CDT, Engineering Science or Product Design |
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Building Services Electrical - Level 6 Apprenticeship - Careers | ARUP Have or expect to achieve: A Levels Grade C or above including Mathematics and Physical Science (or equivalent) |
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RENISHAW APPRENTICESHIPS CLOSING DATE is the 12th FEBRUARY 2024
RENISHAW (Miskin) APPRENTICESHIPS Manufacturing Engineer Apprentice (Level 6) Job in Wales £18500 (earlytalentacademy.co.uk)
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Other local opportunities |
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Network 75 is a combined work placement and part-time study route to a degree allowing students to Work, Earn and Learn. Network75 Trainees are able to apply their academic knowledge to real-life work within their host company gaining the necessary skills, experience and qualifications that are highly sought after by industry. |
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UCAS has a lot of information about apprenticeships: https://www.ucas.com/apprenticeships |
Support
For those of you feeling anxious about the UCAS process or anything else, as always we are always available to help. If you feel you need more support here are some useful links:
There are also some useful techniques here for those experiencing feelings of anxiety:
- Breathing techniques to calm anxiety Visit now
- Yoga for Anxiety Visit now
Remember it is important that you keep an eye on your emails and our Twitter feed (@stcyres6th). I send out links and tweets regularly so there is a lot of information available, you just need to access it and let me know if there are any problems with you doing that.
As always, if there are any issues get in touch; we’re here to support you.
Take care,
Ms Jones