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Sixth Form Bulletin

20th March 2023

Year 12 Bulletin

Morning all,

I hope you all had a good weekend; just one week to your mock exams. Hopefully some of you have looked at your reports and can see you need to improve your focus and work ethic.

 

Please note that TLC is not optional - you will be relying on your LC to support your University application or advise you regarding future plans, including writing your references. 

 

So - your mocks are next week; 27th, 28th and 29th March. They will be used as a measure of progress and potential as we move towards Summer examinations. They will be an important process; it’s your opportunity to undertake a rigorous revision and examination period as preparation for AS-level exams this summer. All students will be expected to sit them. 

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
 

Shoutouts to:

  • Zinzi (ECO) for gaining a place on the Target Oxbridge programme
  • Maisie (AST) for gaining a place on the Oxford Uniq programme

 

And shoutouts for the following who have applied for various Summer School opportunities:


 

  • Rakan (NCA)
  • Dana (GDO)
  • Jemimah (ECO)
  • Ala (EDA)
  • Alameen (ECO)
  • Basmalah (AST)
  • Omar (GDO)
  • Tilly (12EDA)

 

Student Volunteers needed for:

Macmillan Easter Cake Day

Mrs deClaire is organising a fundraising event on Friday 31st March to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. Cakes and coffee will be available all day for staff and cakes and snacks will be sold during breaks and lunch times to pupils. She is looking for volunteers to man a table outside Mrs Berry’s office during the break and lunch times. Please let me know if you can help.

 

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. 

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

 

NHS Allied Healthcare Work Experience is coming up on Sunday 2nd April. Whether you’re  considering nursing, medicine, or any other healthcare profession, this work experience gives you valuable insight to help you make an informed decision. During the work experience day, you follow 2 patients from their initial presentation to recovery, getting an insight into how patients interact with a variety of healthcare professionals and what it’s like to work in an NHS multidisciplinary team. This includes: Nursing, Midwifery, Paramedics, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Radiography, Speech and Language Therapy and Pharmacy

You will have the opportunity to interact with healthcare professionals throughout each day. Once you’ve registered, you will be emailed links to a virtual work experience portal. Register here.  Be aware there is a £10 a session to cover administrative and technological costs.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Youth Summer Volunteering programme (16-25) Dates: 24th July to Friday 1st September (6 weeks)

Visit their webpage for more information on this 6 week volunteering programme using the link here.  

 

You don’t have to be interested in a career in the NHS or medical profession to volunteer on this project. They are interested in young people from all walks of life who are looking to volunteer during the summer and are reliable.

The programme can help you to develop your communication, teamworking and problem-solving skills and it will also boost your confidence as you move through the various areas and volunteer roles.

  • The volunteering duty is two hours per shift, twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays (your times and days will be allocated to you and may not be the same every week).
  • Successful applicants will be allocated their two slots at either University Hospital Wales or University Hospital Llandough. You therefore must be able to get to either Hospital site and be available on those times during the week. We will do our best to make sure that you volunteer in pairs throughout the whole programme.
  • YSP volunteers are required to attend for the duration of the 6-week programme unless illness or other agreed absence prevents attendance.
  • At the end of the programme volunteers will receive certificates and a reference.
  • There will be opportunities for you to continue volunteering after the programme end date and these will be outlined towards the end of the programme.

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 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. 

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. Sign up here. 

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

The students who completed the Discover Bath residential programme last year had early offers which were lower by one grade than the offers for most applicants. 

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. Other opportunities they currently have:

  •  an Open Day, this Saturday the 25 March, 10:00-16:00
  • Their Head Start webinars focused on Student Life. Have a look at the programme here. 
  • A Sociology and Social Policy Webinar. Use the link here to register. 

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

Apprenticeships/Degree Apprenticeships

RAF Apprenticeships are now open. Their upcoming webinar which will highlight the opportunities available. Register 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