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Sixth Form Bulletin

30 January 2023

Year 13 Bulletin

Morning all,

Hope you’ve all had a good weekend. 

Please note that school is open to 6th Form students on Wednesday; it will be a non-uniform day and I will be expecting you all to attend the lessons that run on Wednesday, but I am happy for you to leave site when you have no lessons.  If you want to stay in school when you have no face-to-face lessons that’s fine and the 6th Form Centre will be available as usual. The usual lunch arrangements will apply and pupils will be able to buy food on site as normal.

Remember that it’s a good idea to attend any ‘Offer Holders’ Days’ you are invited to; they are designed to help you decide which offers to firm and put as insurance. Let me know if you need to chat about your choices and making the decisions about which to firm up and which to put as your insurance.

Weekly 

Shoutout to Dylan who got three positive reports in one day last week;  well done and keep up the good work!

UCAS

  • 60 of you have applied to university
  • 21 (35%) of you have all your offers
  • 2 of you have made your choices and firmed up your offers
  • There is no rush to firm up your choices; you have until the 9th June; take time to visit campuses, speak to current students and generally do your research before making your choices.
  • Also, once the application deadline is gone, you may well find that universities will sometimes revise their offers and lower the grades or offer incentives such as first choice with accommodation or bursaries. Let me know if you need to chat about your decisions.
  • Your main focus should be on the insurance choice - if you do not get the grades for your firm choice you need to ensure your insurance choice is somewhere you’re happy to go. 

Academic support and key deadlines

History coursework

Final Deadline - next Friday, the 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. 

Opportunities/Events

For those of you not planning on Higher Education there is an “Apprenticeships Work” Careers Fair at City Hall, Cathays Park, Cardiff on Thursday 9th March 2023 from 10am to 2:30pm To register please complete the short form in the link  here.

The list of employers exhibiting is growing and there will be information on apprenticeships on arrival, 60+ exhibitors with apprenticeships at all levels (foundation to degree), sector specific workshops taking place in break-out rooms throughout the day and apprenticeship discussion panels.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 are unsure what to do when leaving school.

The National School & College Leavers Show – Wales is taking place at the ICC, Wales in Newport on Monday 6 & Tuesday 7 March 2023. The show is designed for students to discover more about post-school opportunities across the region. Exhibitors include Admiral, BBC, Burtons Biscuit Company, Bluestone Park Resort, Cardiff University, DAF Trucks, Gwent Police, Met Office, Newport City Council, PwC, Fire & Rescue Service, Transport for Wales plus many more. Check the details here. Could you let me know if you are interested - if there are enough pupils keen to go then I’ll organise transport. 

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.

Their February lectures start on Monday and include: ANGLO-SAXON PAGAN GODS Professor Ronald Hutton, Wed, 1st Feb 2023, 6pm register here. And DO WE NEED BARRISTERS? Professor Leslie Thomas KC  Thu, 2nd Feb 2023, 6pm register here.

Universities

The key focus for most of you now will be on deciding on your firm and insurance choice. Attend Open Days, go to Offer Holders Days and generally do your research.

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. 

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

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

There’s a virtual event coming up with Babcock International, who are a world leading engineering company specialising in aerospace, defence, and nuclear engineering. This should be a fascinating and interesting session on a type of engineering they think students may not know too much about. The date is Thursday 9th February Time - 5pm – 6.30pm Registration link – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Babcock-NAW

Have a look at  the attached RAF World Flyer for their virtual event taking place Wednesday 8th February 1800 - 2030 hrs. The theme for this event is RAF Apprenticeships although it will cover all other RAF entry mechanisms as well.

Balfour Beatty Rail Apprenticeships has a Quantity Surveying apprenticeship available. Use the link here.

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. 

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, 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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