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Sixth Form Bulletin

9th January 2023

Year 13 Bulletin

January 10th 2023 – Year 13 Bulletin

Morning all,

Happy New Year! I hope everyone has managed to have a restful break and enjoy some time with their families. 

Weekly 

UCAS

The external deadline for this is 25th January and 55 applications have been submitted so far. There are currently 8 applications in various stages of preparation; some are ready to be sent as soon as the Personal Statement is ready - others still have incomplete sections. So can you please check your application form carefully and make sure you have completed the following:

  • check you have put “UK,Chl, IoM or EU Student finance services” where it asks What will be your main source of funding for your studies? unless you are an international student 
  • add your GCSE subjects and the grades you achieved to the Education section - the date for those is August 2021
  • add your AS Levels and the grades you achieved to the Education section - the date for those is August 2022
  • add your A Level subjects to the Education section - put August 2023 and 'pending' as the grades - don't forget to add the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge and put August 2023 and 'pending' for that too
  • Add either me or a parent as your ‘nominated access’ in the Contact and Residency section
  • make sure your choices include one safe, at least two solid and one - or possibly two - aspirational courses. If you're unsure see me or your LC will be happy to chat about your options 

Academic support and key deadlines

History coursework

First draft (with introduction and conclusion) - 12 January

Meetings to take place with teachers between 12 and 20 January

Final Deadline - 10 February

Chemistry

Support sessions are running on Fridays between 8:00 - 8:30am and 2:45 — 3:45pm every week; see Mrs Rowlands for details.

Criminology/Sociology

Support sessions after school on Mondays in I13; see Miss Toozer for details. 

English/Media

Catch up sessions after school on a Monday, but can be more flexible if given notice. They also have an 'A Level Litcast' podcast for A Level on Spotify/iTunes.

English Lit NEA deadlines: 

  • 27th February: Full first draft

Geography

Homework tasks/additional reading are on Google Classroom/ Class Charts. 

Pop and see Miss Tomley for support; she has most time on a Tuesday. 

Maths

Support sessions after school on Wednesdays; see Mr Jones for details

Bursaries

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. 

 

  • Choosing a university can be difficult; here’s an article which tries to look at the various criteria you might apply. Which uk Uni to choose? 

 

Opportunities/Events

 

  • There will be a ‘Youth Event’ for 16-124 year olds, on the 10th Feb 2023 at 2pm at the MEMO Barry. Please see attached flyer for details. It will be a great opportunity for you to talk to various organisations, about courses, employment, apprenticeships etc, if you’re are unsure what to do when leaving school.
  • There is a Black Leaders of the Future Event in London on Tuesday 24th January 5pm - 8pm Details are on the flyer attached. 
  • The LeadHerShip event gives women aged 16-22 from across Wales a unique insight into the day-to-day work of a MS. they bring together young women from across Wales at the Senedd to learn more about how decisions are made in Wales, aiming to dispel some myths about the world of politics and break down barriers to encourage more young women to see a potential future in politics. The one-day event has a number of parts. In the morning, participants will shadow the MS they are paired with before a lunchtime Q&A with a panel of women MSs. In the afternoon, participants will attend First Minister’s Questions before taking part in a debate on the importance of International Women’s Day in 2023. The event will take place on Tuesday 7 March. You can find the application form and additional information about LeadHerShip Senedd on our website (Cymraeg | English). Applications will close at 13:00 next Monday 16 January.

 

  • 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 whether you might need specific subjects/grades for a course you are considering. And please come and talk to me if you need further support. 

 

  • Speakers for Schools has a range of work experience opportunities, just be aware some are aimed at students in England - especially the Healthcare ones which relate to NHS England. Use the link here to see whether there’s anything relevant to you. 

 

  • Gresham College has a series of lectures by different Professors; January’s lectures include: Professor Chris Whitty discussing the causes of Coronary Heart Disease and advances in reducing its effects; Professor Joanna Bourke discussing the cultural history of Breast Cancer, 'one of the most dreaded diseases for women'; Medical Law professor Professor Imogen Goold looking at whether it would be right to make Vaccination mandatory; and Professor Sarah Hart will explore Lottery-Winning Maths. The UK Government has just approved a coal mine for the first time in decades, after 190 countries agreed to phase down coal power in COP26, making Professor Myles Allan’s lecture on the Ocean Physics Behind Net Zero, particularly well-timed. For other lectures which are at undergraduate level use the link here.

 

  • Cyber Security Skills – Over 4,400 job vacancies each month in the UK. The growth in digital technology has brought with it huge demand for Cyber security specialists. The latest data from Lightcast™ reports there were over 4,400 cyber security job vacancies posted each month in the UK in 2021. Watch the recent,  really informative,  Lightcast webinar  Cyber Security Skills in the UK - YouTube – on YouTube  for more detail on which cyber security job roles are in demand, average salaries for Wales and more. 

 

Universities

For those planning to go to university here’s a helpful guide to the things you might be worrying about and some tips on how to get  University Ready. 

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. I’ve just put the links for our most popular destinations’ Open Days below as well as the Open Days calendar. 

Bristol UWE have stated that they will provide contextual offers to eligible applicants for 2023 entry of study. This will apply to all full-time and part-time undergraduate and foundation courses. Their contextual offer will be a tariff point reduction of 16 tariff points for all undergraduate degree courses and 8 tariff points for foundation year courses (below the standard entry requirements). Use the link here to find out more details. They also have Open days coming up: Cardiff Open Days

USW have a range of opportunities coming up, please check their website for information. 

Cardiff Met have a series of Open Days and Campus tours available:
https://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/study/opendays/Pages/default.aspx

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,

Apprenticeships/Degree Apprenticeships

Atkins has Apprenticeship Opportunities coming up:

  • Level 4 Apprenticeship: South West and Wales - Apprenticeship Programme 2023 - Level 4 Apprenticeship Civil Engineer – Cardiff or Swansea 
  • Level 4 Apprenticeship: South West and Wales - Apprenticeship Programme 2023 - Level 4 Apprenticeship Civil Engineer – Cardiff or Swansea
  • Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
  • South West and Wales - Apprenticeship Programme 2023 - Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship Swansea – Civil Engineering

Entry requirements: To apply, you’ll need: 2 A-Levels. The closing date is 22nd February 2023. More information here. 

 

The BBC are advertising their Apprenticeships

Design Apprenticeship Level 6

  • Job Ref: BBC/TP/164481/63586
  • £19,500 per year
  • Must be 18 or over when the course starts in September 2023
  • Must have 120 UCAS tariff points 

Vacancy: Information: VAC-T1D8S5 - Dynamics 365

https://careerssearch.bbc.co.uk/jobs/job/User-Experience-UX-Design-Apprenticeship-Level-6/63586

 

Software Engineering Degree Apprenticeship - Cardiff - Level 6

  • Job Ref: BBC/TP/1777748/64274
  • £19,500 per year
  • One of your A-Levels should be in Maths, English or computer science.

Vacancy: Information: VAC-K0M7F3 - Dynamics 365

https://careerssearch.bbc.co.uk/jobs/job/Software-Engineering-Degree-Apprenticeship-Cardiff--Level-6/64274

 

There are government apprenticeships starting in September 2023, applications are open from today, Monday 19th December, for over 60 vacancies nationwide, with departments such as the HM Treasury and the Department for Work and Pensions. 

This is a brilliant opportunity to work in a central government department or agency on some of the most important social, environmental and economic issues our country faces. Register here.

 

Renishaw has a great opportunity for those looking for apprenticeships at all levels in STEM based subjects.  The talks will also discuss possible work experience opportunities. Here’s the link: Renishaw 

Pathway CTM, a London-based careers advice service, is running online weekly drop-in sessions focused on apprenticeships. Register here. 

Amey PLC  is a leading infrastructure services and engineering company who have a range of opportunities available:

Amey: Degree Apprenticeships (office.com)

Earn while you learn, gain recognised qualifications, and excel in your career (amey.co.uk) Higher level Apprenticeship Programme; you may need up to 3 A-Levels (or equivalent) at Grades A*-C to apply for the Higher Apprenticeship Programmes

Network 75 offers a range of apprenticeship opportunities as well; use the link here: Network 75 

GE Aviation Engineering Apprentice, Wales 

The GE Wales Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship is a three-year programme that provides all the skills an individual would need to kickstart their career in aerospace.

 

GE Aviation Business Apprentice, Wales 

Run in partnership with Coleg y Cymoedd, it’s an opportunity to join a well-established, global aviation company that prides itself on offering career opportunities for talented individuals.

 

PwC has more information for potential accountants, business management or technology students interested in degree apprenticeships with them. Use the link  here to find out more

Support

For those of you who may feel you need support following the Christmas break, as always we are always available to help. If you feel you need more support there are some useful support site links listed:

There are also some useful techniques here for those experiencing feelings of anxiety:

 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 

 

 

 

St Cyres School, Sully Road, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, CF64 2XP

02920 708708

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