12th June 2023
Year 12 Bulletin
Morning all,
A reminder that A2 content is being delivered over the next three weeks so it is vital that you attend all lessons.
A number of you have been asking about the criteria to come back into Year 13 so please note you need to:
- Achieve passing grades in at least three subjects
- Ensure the completion of all WBQ work
- Have sustained excellent attendance throughout the year
We are now beginning the process of you reducing your academic studies to 3 ALevels and WBQ for next year so please use the link below and complete the google form. https://forms.gle/H8xmTJvd4eC3CCUg7
If you have any concerns about returning to Year 13 or would like a chat about which three A Levels to continue with then please come to the office and speak to me.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for those of you who might be interested in studying Law. Jacob Mills, a Masters Student at Oxford University is co-organising a National Sixth Form mooting event (like a debating competition, but in a legal/court setting) that will run in Wales on 27th June 2023. I’ve attached the document that outlines the process and it sounds like a valuable experience which would also boost any university applications and enable you to see what ‘law’ really entails. They have confirmed attendance from several state and independent schools already. Attendance is entirely free of charge as they are running this purely to encourage students to take an interest in the law and legal profession. The final component of the competition will involve a series of lectures and discussions from law students at the UK’s top institutions and legal professionals; they already have several solicitors, academics and barristers who are really keen on this venture.
UCAS is the platform that you apply to university through.
The 2024 courses are now live on UCAS so you can begin looking carefully at the entry requirements for them. Use the link here.
There is a general site for exploring Universities’ Open Days, which you can use to find dates for the universities you are interested in: https://www.opendays.com/
If you would prefer to get a taste of specific subjects at universities, whether through in-person or virtual events, have a look at Unitasterdays for an amazing array of opportunities: unitasterdays.com
Weekly
‘Ted Talk’: Disappearing computers; a world where you can take AI everywhere
BBC Ideas: Can you spot digital lies?
A few key notices:
Subject Spotlight is a site designed to highlight different subjects and what studying them as an undergraduate might involve. Have a look here.
University Ready is an online resource hosted by the Open University; it has been developed through collaboration with Welsh Universities and is funded by the Welsh Government.
The University Ready hub is easy to use and is for anyone thinking of progressing to University, there are loads of resources available in both English and Welsh and it includes advice for students as well as your parents/guardians. This resource covers all routes into university including degree apprenticeships.
Free course for those interested in a career in the creative industries: https://www.wmc.org.uk/en/young-creatives/creative-voice
Opportunities/Events
For anyone considering Engineering, either as a university course or an apprenticeship this might be a useful site to gain some understanding of what would suit you: I want to study Engingeering |
The British Heart Foundation shop in Barry has some interesting and exciting volunteer and work experience opportunities that have recently become available for students. I’ve attached their digital student volunteering brochure so you can have a look; they also have an online application process and all of the roles available are listed on their website: https://www.bhf.org.uk/volunteering |
Careers Wales have a list of available Summer jobs for anyone who’s looking; https://careerswales.gov.wales/plan-your-career/features/summer-seasonal-jobs/summer-seasonal-jobs-wales-and-uk |
IGD have a range of virtual work experience opportunities coming up: On Monday 10th July from 10.30am-12pm, they have a Work Experience week with industry experts, showcasing a whole range of opportunities and careers - and you'll get skilled up ready for the world of work. This first session is called Industry Insights. Their Virtual Work Experience week is a set of live, interactive and engaging online sessions. Throughout the week you'll meet experts, gain skills and get a certificate as evidence of your participation for your CV. Sign up using this link. , |
Gresham College has a series of lectures by different Professors; This month, This month, Alan Turing: Pioneer of Mathematical Biology by Professor Sarah Hart, will highlight Turing's ground-breaking work in biology. Professor Ronald Hutton will question How Pagan Was Medieval Britain? Through Connecting the Dots: Milestones in Graph Theory, Professor Robin Wilson will examine the development of graph theory in the 20th century. Professor Joanna Bourke will complete her series on A Cultural History of Disease with a lecture on Sickle Cell Disease: A Cultural History, which will explore the importance of racial politics in understanding this disease. There will also be a celebration of her ground-breaking academic work. Rory Stewart OBE will deliver The Annual Sir Thomas Gresham Lecture 2023 in his exploration of Populism, Aristotle and Hope to suggest ways of re-energising the centre ground of politics.For other lectures which are at undergraduate level use the link here. |
Universities
Swansea University has their Medicine, Healthcare and Psychology Summer Conference, on the 4 – 6 July. The Medicine, Healthcare, and Psychology Summer Conference, is an on-campus event showcasing their study opportunities in Medicine, Healthcare and Psychology. You will:
If you're interested in learning more about their Summer Conference, register your interest here to find out more.
As well as this, their next Open Day is on June 17. To book your place and find out more information visit their website here: Undergraduate Open Days - Swansea University. |
USW has a Summer School 2023 coming up Their 2023 Summer School, which is a two-day event in July including a night's stay at the Treforest halls of residence. Students who attend the summer school and then enrol with USW in 2024 will be eligible for a £500 bursary. Use the link here to see how to book a place. andra.Roberts@southwales.ac.uk> directly and quote 'Photography exhibition visit' in the subject line. |
The University of Law is not just about law. Their undergraduate courses in law, business, criminology, policing, psychology and computer science have been specially designed to give students an exciting, practical and academic experience, teaching students real-world skills so they can achieve their career ambitions. They have campuses in 6 locations including London, Birmingham, Bristol, Nottingham, Manchester and Leeds, as well as an online campus (courses vary depending on location). They have Open Days coming up; book here. |
Cardiff University AS Physics Summer School Applications for Cardiff Universities 3 day non-residential Y12 Physics Summer Programme (19-21 June 2023) are open. Further information can be found on their website. They also have Open Days coming up on Friday 30 June and Saturday 1 July. |
Newcastle University has a series of Open Days coming up. Book your event here: |
The University of Sheffield has online subject taster sessions to help students experience what it is like to study there. Register here. |
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:
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Cardiff Met have a series of Open Days and Campus tours available: |
Apprenticeships/Degree Apprenticeships
JCP Solicitors are current recruiting for these opportunities and there is also an open day for parents and students at their Swansea Head office on 5th July in the evening. They have offices in Swansea, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, The Vale of Glamorgan, Pembrokeshire and Rhondda Cynon Taff. They cover the whole of South, East & West Wales. Use the link here to find out more: https://www.jcpsolicitors.co.uk/site/about/vacancies/legal-apprenticeships/ |
Dow Silicones have a Degree Apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering. This is aimed at those with A levels in Maths and Physics, or are due to sit them. https://corporate.dow.com/en-us/careers/jobs/position.R2039560 |
RAF Apprenticeships are now open. Their upcoming webinar which will highlight the opportunities available. Register here. |
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:
- Young Minds
- Young Minds - muslim mental health campaign
- Young British Muslims talk Mental Health
- Mental Health Wales
- Mind
- TogetherAll
- Papyrus
There are also some useful techniques here for those experiencing feelings of anxiety:
- Breathing techniques to calm anxiety Visit now
- Yoga for Anxiety Visit now
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