20th November 2023
Year 13 bulletin
Morning all,
Hope everyone had a good weekend and is ready for the week ahead.
Weekly
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‘Ted Talk’ Ways to listen better
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‘BBC Ideas’ How to spot a conspiracy theory
Shoutout to the following pupils who were awarded a "Praise Postcard" last week:
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Ashmi (ECO) - great effort with the newsletter
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Eleanor (GDO) - great effort with the newsletter
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India (GDO) - fantastic effort with coursework
Key dates and deadline:
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Internal UCAS deadline is 8th December
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Art and Photography coursework is due on the 31st January 2024 and students will be issued with their exam paper on 1st Feb.
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The Maths Department run a support session every Wednesday for A Level Maths and GCSE resit support every single Monday.
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Chemistry have both Year 12 and 13 chemistry support sessions every Monday after school.
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Tourism Unit 4 coursework is due 5th Feb
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Biology has after school support sessions on Thursdays in H23
A few general announcements:
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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.
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Cambridge University have super-curricular resources created and written by Cambridge students and academics https://myheplus.com/
UCAS
A reminder that checking the entry requirements is a good idea: https://www.whatuni.com/ is a great site to use. To check what your grades add up to for a points offer, use https://www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator
We have more offers now; well done to all those that have offers - places really start to fill up now so the sooner applications are submitted the better chance you have of getting an offer!
Lots of very quick offers last week; places will fill up so you should be getting your applications in order now. Talk to your LCs about them!
A reminder that our internal UCAS deadline is the 8th December.
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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Gresham College has a series of lectures by different Professors; November’s lectures include: The Maths of Sudoku and Latin Squares by Professor Sarah Hart, Tue, 21 Nov 2023 Why 1.5°C Matters Professor Myles Allen, Tue, 21 Nov 2023 Human-led AI Dr Marc Warner, Mon, 27 Nov 2023 Abortion: Law's Ethical Dilemma Professor Leslie Thomas KC, Thu, 30 Nov 2023 Reducing harms after Nuclear, Radiological and Chemical Incidents Professor Chris Whitty FRS Tue, 28 Nov 2023 Iran’s ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ Movement Dr Shabnam Holliday Wed, 29 Nov 2023 |
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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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Reading University has a bespoke opportunity for students to visit their campus on Wednesday 13th December. They are offering a 'Discovery Day' especially for students who are finalising their 5 choices on their UCAS applications. Rather than a school/college group visit, they are offering this opportunity to individuals who would like to know more about Reading. They can support with free travel for students who fulfil our widening participation criteria*, though we welcome interest from all students. What students can expect on the day:
Interested in Business, Management, Accounting or Finance? Alongside the Discovery Day as detailed above, we are also offering the opportunity to experience subjects offered by Henley Business School. This subject taster will run between 1pm and 2:45pm and is an optional activity during the day. Ready to visit? Register here for the Discover Reading Campus day
They also have: Languages and English Webinars which are live, online opportunities in the following areas: Modern Languages – From the Admissions Tutor: Writing a Personal Statement for Languages – Sign up here English Lit/ Creative Writing
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University of South Wales has an interesting online event taking place on Tuesday 21st November, Mark Sedwill, Baron Sedwill of Sherborne is giving a talk about National Security in a Turbulent World. This might be of interest for students who are interested in Politics, History, Sociology, and Law. Details: Tuesday 21 November 3.30pm - 4.30pm
National Security in a Turbulent World with Mark Sedwill, Baron Sedwill of Sherborne UK National Security Adviser 2017-2020. He is President of the Special Forces Club, a member of the IISS Advisory Council, a Trustee of the RNLI, an Honorary Colonel in the Royal Marines and an Honorary Doctor of Laws of St Andrews University.. He is also the recipient of several awards and honours for national and international public service. This is a virtual event. Book your place here<https://forms.office.com/e/jJrMZ7Txpq |
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Bath University may give a lower offer to students in Wales 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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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 have Campus tour films. 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 University Their lecture series is ongoing; https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/community/events
They also have a ‘Questions Live’ session with Dr Margot Rubin who is a Lecturer in Spatial Planning at Cardiff University’s School of Geography and Planning If you have any questions about studying Geography or Geography and Planning please send them to RubinM@Cardiff.ac.uk and they will answer those questions and any others on the day. Details: 6th December at 4pm.
You can also Sign up to get info on all their upcoming opportunities |
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/ New events coming up:
Thu 23rd Nov 10:00AM - 1:00PM Virtual event Students aged 16-21 Tue 5th Dec 10:00AM - 12:30PM Virtual event Students aged 16-21
Gain insights into different industries, develop your essential skills and learn how to ace your future applications. Check out their newest course Introduction to the National Cyber Force! If you're after something different you can also check out courses with J.P. Morgan, Arm and ATAC. |
Apprenticeships/Degree Apprenticeships
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BBC Cardiff - Apprenticeships are advertising further apprenticeship roles that are due to start in Sept 2024 that may be of interest to some of you. Criteria:
Production Apprenticeship - Level 3 - Cardiff https://careers.bbc.co.uk/job/Cardiff-Production-Apprenticeship-Level-3-Cardiff-CF10-1FT/781934302/
Production Coordinator Apprenticeship - Level 4 – Cardiff/Bangor |
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Other local opportunities
Tax Associate ATT/CTA (Apprenticeship) - September 2024 Start- Cardiff CardiffTaxPosted: 1 Oct 2023 ref: 950
Accounts Junior AAT/ACA (Apprenticeship)- September 2024 Start- Cardiff CardiffAccounts & AdvisoryPosted: 1 Oct 2023 ref: 949
Audit Junior AAT/ACA (Apprenticeship)- September 2024 Start- Cardiff Cardiff Audit & Assurance Posted: 1 Oct 2023 ref: 948
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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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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:
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Breathing techniques to calm anxiety Visit now
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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