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Sixth Form Bulletin

6th March 2023

Year 12 Bulletin

Morning all,

I hope you all had a good weekend; hopefully you’ve started revising for your mock exams. 

Remember the mock exams will be on the 27th, 28th and 29th March. They will be used as a measure of progress and potential as we move through the end of the Spring Term and towards Summer examinations. These exams will be an important process for you; it’s your opportunity to undertake a rigorous revision and examination period as preparation for the AS-level examination period this summer. The exams will take place in the Main Hall or Sports Hall and all students will be expected to sit them. Individual exam timetables are available from the 6th Form Office. 

Please be aware that exam access arrangements, such as extra time, cannot be given unless you have been assessed as having an academic need for such arrangements. 

For those wishing to revise or simply complete work after school please remember the 6th Form Centre is open until 3.30 every day and can be kept open until 4 or later on request. 

There are A3 sized calendars in the office if you want to plot out your revision - and I’m happy to chat about revision styles with you if that would be helpful.

Shoutout to the following pupils who received a Praise Postcard last week; well done and keep up the good work. 

Tess (12GDO)

Tom (12GDO)

Owain  (12ECO)

Weekly

Student Volunteers needed for:

The Forget-me-not Chorus

A reminder about the ‘Forget-me-not Chorus’ community sessions for people living with and alongside dementia in Penarth. I’ve had one expression of interest so far; it’s a great opportunity to support a good cause and add to your extracurricular activities. 

Their Cardiff South & Vale sessions run on Thursday evenings, 6:30pm-8:30pm at Elfed Avenue Church, Penarth CF64 3LX. If you want to find out more use the link here and please come and see me if you’re interested. 

A Kiva Cluster workshop at Cogan Primary on 21st March 2023 9:15-2:45pm is looking for female volunteers. (You’ll need to take a packed lunch and snack/drink for the day).  The workshop is run by many ex-teachers and has been very successful in teaching students about World trade and developing businesses in Third World countries. It looks great on your uni applications too! See me if you’d like to volunteer. 

Academic support and deadlines

Chemistry

Support sessions are running on Mondays 2:45 — 3:45pm 

Criminology/Sociology

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

Drama

Mr Withers is running Drama rehearsals on Mondays 

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.

Maths

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

Medical Science and Biology

Catch up/Revision sessions are running on Thursdays from 2.45 to 3.45; see Mrs Collier for further details

Opportunities/Events

 

The In2science summer programme is a free programme for Year 12 students consisting of an in-person work experience placement, live online workshops and competitions. By taking part, students gain hands-on experience working with leading scientists, researchers and professionals, and expand their personal and professional skills.

You can learn more about the In2science summer programme on their website and submit an application form. The deadline for all applications is Friday 31 March 2023 and students must meet their eligibility criteria in order for your application to be considered.

You might want to enter The Day’s Global Young Journalist Awards. The aim is to inspire more future journalists to build a better world through storytelling. This free, global competition is open to anyone who is under 19 on 1st January 2023. You can pick from a wide range of categories and choose any format of journalism you wish. This year, students can win:

  • Feedback on your entry from a team of journalists.
  • A celebration at a virtual live ceremony featuring celebrity judges.
  • Your work published on The Day’s website.
  • A trophy engraved with your name and a certificate.

Register your interest here. 

Bad Wolf Productions have vacancies for new trainee positions. Have a look here to see if you might be interested.  

The Sutton Trust Summer School Programme offers school-age students the opportunity to immerse themselves in university life. You walk away with the confidence and skills to choose where to apply and what to study, be a competitive applicant wherever that is, and find support with a network of like-minded peers. Students apply to one of 13 top-tier UK university partners where they take part in:

  • Social activities
  • Taster academic sessions
  • Application skills workshops

Alongside the in-person programme, students gain access to long-term support with university applications via their online portal STO. All costs including travel, accommodation, food and activities are covered by the Trust and our partners which means it is completely free of charge for students to attend. Find out more and apply here

The global investment bank, Macquarie, has an array of brilliant opportunities for year 12 students, including a university scholarship programme, an in-person insight day, and a work experience week. 

Opportunity 1: University Scholarship: Rise To It With Macquarie

Macquarie’s scholarship programme represents a life-changing opportunity for academic Year 12 students from low socio-economic backgrounds and under-represented communities. Successful candidates will receive:

  • A scholarship covering full tuition fees and maintenance loans;
  • A work experience week;
  • A guaranteed place on Macquarie’s Intern and Graduate Programmes;
  • Career development resources, including access to a mentor, hands-on assistance to set goals and objectives, and a tailored development programme.

Opportunity 2: Work Experience Day in London on 4th April & Work Experience week October half term. Taking place on the 4th of April, this opportunity is for Year 12 students to network with finance professionals, undertake industry project tasks, and learn about pathways into the finance sector. At the work experience day, they will be given the ability to apply for the scholarship and the one week work experience programme in October.  Please apply ASAP for the work experience day via the link before the deadline of March 17th. 

The Nuffield Research Placements for Year 12 - Summer 2023. Over the years several of our students have completed the Nuffield placement and Laibah from Yr 13 won a £1000 prize for her report this year. Be aware there are eligibility criteria. The closing date is 30th March 2023: Link to get more information and apply: Apply 

  • Nuffield are particularly looking for Year 12 students who meet at least ONE of the criteria below to apply:
  • From a household with an income of less than £30,000
  • Receiving free school meals or have done in last 6 years
  • Receiving EMA
  • Living or have lived in social care
  • First in your immediate family to participate in higher education

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. 

Cardiff University’s Science in Health series of public lectures are being held on the Cathays Park campus. Their new home is the Sir Stanley Thomas OBE Lecture Theatre at the Centre for Student Life. Use the link here to see the programme of lectures. 

Gresham College has a series of lectures by different Professors; March’s lectures include: Professor John Mullan will be looking at Historical Fiction and why Georgette Heyer is so undervalued; Professor Myles Allen will examine the Carbon Cycle Behind Net Zero, Professor Leslie Thomas KC asks, Does the Adversarial System Serve Us Well? and IT Professor Victoria Baines will look at Defeating Digital Viruses: Lessons from the Pandemic. 

Professor Robin May will look at the fascinating ways that Microbes Manipulate Life - which may even make us want to re-evaluate the concept of free will. Professor Katherine Blundell will be speaking on The End of Life on Earth. Finally Professor Marina Frolova-Walker will discuss Famous Chords. They have the first lectures in a new series on archaeology, a series on engineering, and an art history series.  For other lectures which are at undergraduate level use the link here.

  

Universities

General advice

 

Discover Uni is a government-funded facility which has data on nearly every university and their courses. You can find the entry data of students who joined a degree course and the percentage of those students who entered with particular grades - if you have the same grades then your chances are higher than if you have lower grades.try the website here: Discover Uni

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. 

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.

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,

Lots of Summer School opportunities are coming up. Use the links here to see whether you meet the criteria. I only highlight the Summer Schools which are free so be aware that there are other opportunities which would involve a cost; look for those on the university websites. 

UCL Summer schools

Southampton Summer school

Gloucester Summer School

Bath Summer School

Birmingham Summer School

Imperial London

There is a big Discover University of Reading Science event at the Clayton Hotel Cardiff on 3rd April. There will be taster lectures from academics, University students to chat with, and more general university sessions. Please see the flyer attached.

Next Steps for Y12 Conferences 2023

Join representatives from the University of Exeter, University of Bath, Cardiff University, Keele University, Lancaster University and the University of Warwick to find out more about applying to, and studying at, university. Please complete the form here and select the events you wish to attend to register your place.

Bath University is now accepting applications for both of these free-to-attend residentials.

 

Discover Bath

Discover Bath is a 3 night summer residential for Year 12 students from Widening Participation backgrounds and aims to give prospective students a taste of first-year life and study at Bath. Discover Bath is free, including on-campus accommodation, meals for the duration of your stay, a programme of academic sessions (lectures, seminars, workshops) and fun social activities.

Discover Bath is available to all Year 12 students who are academically able to study at Bath in their chosen subject and who meet our widening participation criteria.

Applications are now open via their website.

 

Bath Sports Summer School

Their Sports Summer School is a 2 night summer residential for Year 12 students from Widening Participation backgrounds who want to learn about competitive sport at Bath and gain experience of studying at Bath as an athlete. This event is free-of-charge, including on-campus accommodation and meals for the duration of your stay.

Applications are now open via their website.

Swansea University has a series of subject-specific webinars designed to support you as you begin thinking about which subject/s you might want to study at undergraduate level. Book your place on one here. 

They also have an Open Day on the 25 March, 10:00-16:00

Nottingham University Summer School application is now open. It will support you to: 

·         experience life at a leading university 

·         try out a range of course options related to your interests 

·         develop a better academic focus and motivation 

Participants will enjoy a 5-day residential Nottingham experience in their choice of subjects and will also receive support with the UCAS application process and HE transition through Year 13. The university are particularly encouraging applications for the following academic streams which are usually under-subscribed (and less competition for places): 

  • Chemistry
  • Environmental Sciences 
  • Geography 
  • Historical Studies
  • Literature, Language and Culture 
  • Philosophy, Theology and Ethics 

 

 Applications are now open until 10th March; for further details, watch the info talk and apply at www.nottingham.ac.uk/suttontrust.

The London School of Economics has an upcoming opportunity: LSE Explore – Year 12 (or equivalent) students – applications are now open. This is a series of online academic taster events for Year 12 students which offer insight into selected undergraduate degree subjects at LSE. 

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

Newcastle University have their FREE Bitesize Uni (BSU) Summer School from 18-21 July 2023. Aimed at students currently in Year 12, you’ll spend four days/three nights on campus, staying in their student accommodation.You’ll get the chance to:

  • try out subjects they may want to study at university
  • get a taste of life on campus
  • chat to current undergraduates and hear about their experiences
  • explore the city  
  • meet student peers from all over the UK

Applications are now open, but places are limited, so apply quickly. The deadline for applications is 12 March, 2023 (6pm). Apply here. 

Apprenticeships/Degree Apprenticeships

The Sutton Trust Apprenticeship Summer School programme?

High-quality apprenticeships not only offer young people the opportunity to earn while they learn but also ensure they gain valuable skills and get a foot on the career ladder. The Sutton Trust Apprenticeship Summer School is a three-day residential where students can meet leading employers and like-minded peers and learn more about how to access top apprenticeships.

At the end of the programme, you walk away with:

 

  • An in depth understanding of apprenticeships and whether it may be the right route for you.
  • Networking opportunities for future career opportunities.
  • Access to their online portal STO for ongoing application support and career advice.
  • Application guidance, including learning where to find current apprenticeships and understanding different application processes.

For more information and to apply click here.

Deloitte's ASPIRE programme: Deloitte’s ASPIRE program is your chance to see how different career paths align to your unique talents and strengths. Register your interest here.

 

  • Use the website here to explore Degree Apprenticeships
  • Use the website here to explore Degree Apprenticeships
  • Network 75 offers a range of apprenticeship opportunities as well; use the link here: 

Network 75 

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 sites and links listed here:

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