23 October 2023
Year 13 bulletin
Morning all,
We’ve made it to the last week of this half-term; a well deserved week off coming up. There are some new opportunities this week, so have a look and remember the more super/extra curriculars you have, the more prepared you’ll feel for whatever the future holds. Use the QR code below to access information about 2023/24 Open Days.
Weekly
- ‘Ted Talk’ Grit; the power of passion and perseverance
- ‘BBC Ideas’ Why water is weird
Shoutouts:
Well done to the following pupils who had a Praise Postcard:
Tess (GDO) - amazing support for the Art Dept during Open Evening
Arina (EDA) - fantastic in supporting younger students to settle in to St Cyres
Key dates and deadline:
- Internal UCAS deadline is 8th December
- Art and Photography coursework is due on the 31st January 2024 and students will be issued with their exam paper on 1st Feb.
- The Maths Department run a support session every Wednesday for A Level Maths and GCSE resit support every single Monday.
- Chemistry have both year 12 and 13 chemistry support sessions every Monday after school.
- Tourism Unit 4 coursework is due 5th Feb
A few general announcements:
The Independent Study activities document has been updated by staff so you can build in some super-curricular activities or get ahead with understanding key topics. Remember that you can use any additional reading or research on your personal statement for university to highlight how you have prepared for undergraduate level study.
UCAS
All our early entry applications have now been submitted; well done and good luck to all those who have applied!
We have two offers already; well done Maisie and Ala on getting those early offers!
A reminder that our internal UCAS deadline is the 8th December and if you’re interested in applying then you should be completing your application and working on your personal statement at the moment.
There’s some information regarding preparing a portfolio for creative subjects, such as Art, Animation or Media here.
Every couple of years, the World Economic Forum publishes their Future of Jobs report, which looks at the impact of these world-wide issues on jobs and the skills needed. The latest version came out in May this year and is based on a large-scale, world-wide survey of employers. Check out the main points here. It is an absolute gold-mine of information, data and insight into the future of careers, and as you make important decisions about your future studies and career, you are going to want to know about it.
Opportunities/Events
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Young Professionals have an upcoming in-person Insight Event with Legal & General in Cardiff on Thursday 2nd November, from 9:30am to 3:00pm. It’s designed to support you in discovering the exciting world of finance in a live and engaging environment. This exclusive event has been specially crafted to provide students with valuable insights into various aspects of the company. From business & finance to customer service opportunities, their expert speakers will share their knowledge and experiences, giving you a broader perspective on the limitless opportunities Legal & General has to offer.
Why should you attend?
1. Engage with industry professionals: This is an excellent opportunity to network with experienced professionals who are eager to share their expertise and provide valuable career advice. Seize this chance to meet potential mentors who can guide you through your journey to success. 2. Gain hands-on experience: Participate in engaging workshops and interactive sessions designed to simulate real-world scenarios. This hands-on experience will sharpen your critical thinking skills, allowing you to explore various financial concepts and understand their practical implications. 3. Career vision: Learn about the diverse range of roles within Legal & General and get a sneak peek into how their employees shape their careers. Discover how their inclusive and supportive work culture can help you excel and unlock opportunities for your personal and professional growth. 4. Key insights into future apprenticeship opportunities with Legal & General: By attending this insight event, you will hear about exclusive apprenticeship opportunities in business, project management, accounting, finance and customer service. Spaces for this event are incredibly limited, so secure your spot as soon as possible. Simply click on the link below and complete the registration form here. |
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Gresham College has a series of lectures by different Professors; October’s lectures include: Astronomy and the Forging of Mathematical Communities by Dr Laure Miolo, which looks at how astronomical practices have been shaped through the activity of a group of 14th century Oxonian scholars. Brain Computer Interfaces, Professor Victoria Baines Tue, 24 Oct which asks; what are the implications of having new hardware in our heads? The Marvels of the Solar System by Professor Chris Lintott, Wed, 25 Oct. which looks at the remarkable diversity of landscapes, from the frozen deserts of Mars, which to the hellish surface of Venus |
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There’s a fantastic opportunity with the organisation tutor2u who are offering a Free Online Course for all Sixth Form students. The course includes a mix of videos, engaging activities and resource downloads and covers:
Use the link here to register: Studentshttps://ondemand.tutor2u.net/students/beyond-sixth-form-skills-booster |
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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, |
Universities
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Struggling with your Personal Statement; use the support from UCAS |
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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. Here’s the best place to check dates for Open Days: https://www.opendays.com/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 about things. |
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Bath University has an upcoming virtual Open Day on the 14th November; use the link here to sign up. For students in Wales they may give a lower offer as a result of their WBQ prediction; read more about their approach to the Welsh Bacc and their alternative offer here. To support students, they are holding a MOOC delivered in partnership with Aberystwyth University ‘How to succeed in your Welsh Bacc: the Individual Project Essentials’. |
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Newcastle University has several events coming up, as well as their PARTNERS programme which supports students to get a lower offer from them. Applications are now open for their supported entry routes: PARTNERS: for Year 13 students/final year of college PARTNERS has helped over 9,000 students study at Newcastle. If you’re eligible to join the programme you could receive a conditional offer that’s typically up to three grades lower than normal entry requirements. You would also take part in an Academic Summer School to prepare them for university study and be supported throughout your journey to Newcastle. Use the link here to find out more.
Head start to Uni (Year 13), 27 October (13:30 – 18:00)
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Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has an amazing opportunity for 15 pupils to be a part of their half day Pharmacy 'Taster Session' on 7th November 2023 at Llandough Pharmacy Department. This opportunity would be ideally suited for a student who is interested in pursuing a career in Pharmacy, specifically:-
For further details on the session plan, along with the learning aims and objectives - please see the attached document 'Taster Session Plan - Pharmacy'. If you are interested in being a part of this exciting opportunity, please complete and an application via the following link:-https://forms.office.com/e/bg0Vdqw3nc |
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Aberystwyth University has a new Higher Education streaming platform, Aberflix and a range of generous scholarships available. |
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Bath Spa has a few Open Days coming up: Bath Spa |
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UWE Bristol Open Days this autumn:
Saturday 4 November and Saturday 18 November are your chance to explore the university and get a real feel for what it’s like to study there. Subject-specific talks and tasters, sessions on accommodation, fees and funding and the application process, are all part of the Open Day: book your place here.
If you can't visit in person, they have virtual tours. They offer a warm welcome from current students and bring their campuses to life. |
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Cardiff Met have a series of Open Days and Campus tours available: |
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Swansea University: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/open-days/ |
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Cardiff Uni: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/open-days-visit |
Work Experience
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Please sign up for Uptree here if you didn’t do so last year. And then check out all the opportunities they have: https://schools.uptree.co/opportunities/ |
Apprenticeships/Degree Apprenticeships
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Apprentice Site Management Programme - https://earlycareersatwates.co.uk/jobs/apprentice-site-management-programme/ Apprentice Quantity Surveying Management Programme - https://earlycareersatwates.co.uk/jobs/apprentice-quantity-surveying-management-programme/ Apprentice Estimator Management Programme - https://earlycareersatwates.co.uk/jobs/apprentice-estimator-management-programme/ Apprentice Design Management Programme - https://earlycareersatwates.co.uk/jobs/apprentice-design-management-programme/
More information with regards to the schemes can be found at: https://earlycareersatwates.co.uk/apprenticeships/ |
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Business & Management Apprentice Essential Qualifications A successful candidate would have, or be expected to achieve by the start of the apprenticeship: A minimum of 5x GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, to include Mathematics, English Language, and Science. Equivalent qualifications or experience may be considered. Desired Qualifications 2 x A Levels, A* - C. A* - B in GCSE English Language and Mathematics. A* - C in GCSE Business Studies or ICT.
Engineering Essential Qualifications/Requirements A successful candidate would have, or be expected to achieve by the start of the apprenticeship: A minimum of 5x GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, to include Mathematics, English Language, and Science. Equivalent qualifications or experience may be considered. |
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Network 75 is a combined work placement and part-time study route to a degree allowing students to Work, Earn and Learn. Network75 Trainees are able to apply their academic knowledge to real-life work within their host company gaining the necessary skills, experience and qualifications that are highly sought after by industry. |
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UCAS has a lot of information about apprenticeships: https://www.ucas.com/apprenticeships |
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Uptree also has lots of information and events relating to Apprenticeships so again, sign up and check them out: https://schools.uptree.co/events/ |
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The company 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 feeling anxious about the UCAS process or anything else, as always we are always available to help. If you feel you need more support here are some useful links:
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