Skip to content ↓

Sixth Form Bulletin

6th March 2023

Year 13 Bulletin 

Morning all,

 

Hope you all had a good weekend and managed to relax as well as complete some revision.

A reminder your mocks are next week, the 13th, 14th and 15th March. These exams 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 A-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. 

 

Weekly


 









 

  • 60 applications
  • 33 (55%) of you have all your offers
  • 12 of you have made your choices and firmed up your offers

There is no rush to firm up your choices; you have until the 8th 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

 

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. 

 

Drama

 

Mr Withers is running Drama rehearsals on Thursdays 

 

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.

 

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

 

Medical Science and Biology

 

Mrs Collier is running catch up/revision session for Biology and Medical Science for Yr 12 and any year 13 students who are resitting Units, on Thursday's after school from 2.45 to 3.45pm. 

 

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? 

 

Upcoming Opportunities/Events

 

 

University of Reading has a talk focused on Student Finance Wales: How it works & when to apply. Register here. 

There’s a Summer Camp USA Virtual Info Session for 2023 with BUNAC & USIT. For anyone interested in working abroad this Summer it might be worth having a look. They are looking for lifeguards, tennis coaches, sailing instructors and anyone with an interest in gymnastics, arts & crafts, archery, horse-riding and lots more outdoor activities in 2023.Find out everything you need to know about the Summer Camp USA Program and how you can secure a place by joining their virtual info session here.

South Wales Police Apprenticeships – TO START SEPT 2023   -  Application Closing Date 30th March

 

Apprenticeship Opportunities | South Wales Police (south-wales.police.uk)

South Wales Police are delighted to announce the following Police Staff opportunities as part of our 2023-2025 apprenticeship programme:

We are hosting an online session specific for the apprenticeship application form.

Anyone who is looking to apply to the South Wales Police Apprenticeship programme is welcome to #JoinUs. You can sign up to this event here

ACCA is launching their very first early careers virtual exhibition, “Careers in Business”, bringing together employers and careers experts from across the UK, including Skills Careers Wales, Your Game Plan, Migrant Leaders, the NHS and many more to share knowledge and expertise on all areas of careers in business.

Throughout the day ACCA will be hosting multiple live and interactive sessions covering topics such as;

  • understanding the types of roles available within business including finance, marketing, HR and more
  • the skills required for various roles and how to acquire them
  • employability sessions such as time management, leadership and application and interview workshops
  • informative sessions on career pathways including apprenticeships and university

Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore partner organisations via their virtual expo booths as well as network with employers via video and chat functions on the event platform to find out more about their sectors and any early careers opportunities available. 

Date: Wednesday 22nd March 2023

Time: 8am-8pm

Register: Use this link to register

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.  

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; 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

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

 

PWC has an exciting opportunity available for students seeking apprenticeships: School and College Leaver Management Consulting Apprenticeship in PwC Cardiff. 

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 

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

A range of apprenticeships available with the closing date of 19th March 2023

 

Tarmac - Aberthaw Cement Plant -

Electrical Apprentice (C&L)

 

 

Electrical Apprentice

 

 

Mechanical Apprentice

 

 Tarmac - Llanddarog Torcoed Asphalt Plant, Carmarthenshire

Apprentice Electrician

 

 Tarmac – Cornelly

Apprentice Fitter

 

 

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