01.05.2026
TERM 5 VALUE:
Dignity
Dear Students, Parents and Carers,
Well done to all of our Year 12 students, who will now have sat the majority of their mock examinations. This is a significant milestone and an important opportunity to reflect on the progress made so far. We encourage students to review their performance, recognise what has gone well, and use feedback to focus on any areas for development as they prepare for the transition into Year 13.
As we move into the Summer exam season, we wish all students the very best. Keep studying and ensure you make use of the support available through tutors, teachers, academic coaches and the wellbeing team.
Alongside this focused academic work, we are also looking forward to an important moment in our college calendar. Next Friday, we will be holding our Culture Parade. This event is always a celebration of culture, identity and inclusion, bringing together music, fashion and food from across the world. We would like to thank the Student Union and Culture Week Committee for their continued dedication in planning and supporting Culture Week. Their efforts help to create an inclusive and engaging experience for all members of our college community.
We wish all students the very best as they continue to prepare for their examinations, and thank families for their continued support during this important period.
Kind regards
Marian Curran
Principal
Thought of the Week:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”- Colossians 3:23 - Saint Joseph reminds us of the dignity found in all labour. Remembering his feast day this week, reflect on how work, no matter how small, contributes to the common good. Even when your tasks seem small and insignificant, how can you approach them with dignity and gratitude?
The Chapel is open every day for quiet reflection.
You can find the Chaplaincy team in room B209, all faiths & no faiths are welcome!
There are lots of enrichment activities that you can get involved in via the Chaplaincy, click the button below to find out more.
CHAPLAINCY THIS WEEK
There is a lot going on in Chaplaincy, all aimed at nourishing your soul (as well as your bodies!) Last week we had Mass celebrated by Father Thomas and this week as every week we are continuing with the Tea and Toast initiative as well as the Conversation Corner. During exam time it is important to look after yourself and ensure that you look after both your mind and body.
Each morning before lessons start, some of our lovely members of staff volunteer to provide free hot drinks and toast to ensure a good start to the day. Conversation Corner is also a space where you can grab sweet treats like biscuits and chocolates as well as a minute to relax. Do take advantage of these opportunities!
🏆Service Awards🏆
Exam season is upon us and the hard work continues as we get closer to the end of the academic year. This means that more than ever it is worth celebrating all the acts of service done by those around us. Nominate yourself, a friend or a member of staff today using the link below to spotlight the great acts of service done and celebrate yourself or them!
KEY DATES
Tuesday 5th May - Friday 8th May: Culture Week
Wednesday 6th May: Futures in Health Care Talk
Friday 8th May: Culture Day Runway
Monday 11th May - Friday 15th May: Mental Health Week
Friday 29th May: Netball Trials
EVENTS
CULTURE WEEK CELEBRATIONS🌍💫
Next week we are delighted to be celebrating Culture Week, a chance for students and staff to celebrate, share and belong by exploring cultures from around the world together. There will be exciting activities taking place every day from Tuesday to Friday.
Tuesday – Activities from Around the World👯♀️
Students can get involved in a range of global games and activities including Mölkky, a dance workshop, Ultimate Frisbee and Kho Kho.
Wednesday – Food from Around the World🍜
Students and staff are encouraged to bring, share or sell food from their culture.
- Cash only
- No hot food
- No nuts or sesame seeds
All money made is yours. This is also the day to wear the colours of your culture!
Thursday – Crafts from Around the World🧵
Creative activities will include bracelet making, origami and flag making.
Friday – Culture Week Finale🌟
Students and staff are encouraged to wear flags, cultural colours or traditional dress, which will be showcased on the runway at 12:20. Snacks and decorations will be available as we celebrate together.
There will also be a henna artist all week. This is also CASH ONLY.
We’re looking forward to a vibrant and inclusive week and hope all students will join in wherever they can.
Futures in Health Care🥼
On Wednesday 6th May, students will have the opportunity to attend a Futures in Healthcare event featuring talks from visiting professionals working across the healthcare sector.
Sessions run at 1:00pm and 1:45pm, offering insight into what different healthcare roles are really like, the pathways into these careers, and the skills needed to succeed. The event is compulsory for Year 12 students studying Human Biology, Health & Social Care, Biology, Chemistry or Physics, and optional for all other students. This is a valuable chance to ask questions, gain real-world advice, and explore future career options.
College Photo-shoot Opportunity (May-July)📸
Students are invited to take part in a professional photography and filming photoshoot on campus during May–July (Terms 5 and 6).The images and footage will be used to showcase real student life at the College, featuring on our website, prospectus, advertising campaigns and other marketing materials.
At this stage, students are simply being asked to register their interest. There is no obligation to take part, and full details - including consent information - will be shared in advance if a student is selected. Students should check their College inbox for further details on how to register their interest. Thank you for helping us celebrate what makes St Brendan's such a great place to study.
Netball Trials 🏐💜
The trials will take place on Friday 29th May, 10:00am - 13:00pm and are perfect if you love netball and want to be part of the St Brendan's team!
The day will consist of a short talk in the classroom before a session on our outdoor netball courts.
Purpose of the trials are for team selection for September so only applies to Year 12 & September starters. Attendance is optional but encouraged for anyone wishing to join the squad.
Students will need to bring:
- A suitable netball kit and trainers
- Water bottle
- Any personal medication
Sign up deadline is 20.05.26
Any questions please email PR@stbrn.ac.uk.
5-a-side Football Tournament
As part of mental health week (11th-15th of May) we are hosting a 5-a-side football tournament. Each player on the winning team will win an Amazon voucher.
Team details:
- Teams of 5
- Mixed teams
- Open to all abilities
If you would like to get involved then sign up using the link below👇
CLUBS, SOCIETIES & ENRICHMENT
Enrichment Opportunities – Get Involved!
Our Student Union, alongside key staff, has been working hard to make sure you know all about the exciting enrichment opportunities available.
You can find the full timetable:
- Linked in the weekly bulletin
- On the Enrichment Teams page, where updates and new groups are always posted.
- Please note you can also find out about wider enrichment activities such as work experience and volunteering via the careers teams pages too!
Got an idea for a new group you’d like to run?
Contact Beth Wilson or the Student Union – we’d love to hear from you!
Enrichment Activities
To see the current timetable for all clubs and societies click here
If you'd like to take part you can either turn up on the day, or email bwi@stbrn.ac.uk to be added to the Teams page.
POLICIES
🌤️ Reminder: Smoking and Vaping Expectations on Site
With the welcome return of the sunshine and warmer weather, we would like to take this opportunity to remind students and families of the college’s expectations regarding smoking and vaping.
We strongly encourage all students to reflect on smoking or vaping as a habit and to consider their health and wellbeing. However, we also want to be absolutely clear about what is and is not permitted on site:
- Smoking is only permitted in the designated smoking area near the security gate.
- Vaping is permitted up the drive only, up to the zebra crossing leading to the main college site.
- Vaping or smoking is not permitted anywhere else on site or in any college buildings.
Any student found smoking or vaping outside of these agreed areas will receive an immediate two‑day suspension, in line with college behaviour expectations.
Thank you for supporting us in maintaining a safe, respectful and healthy environment for everyone.
❗️ Lanyards ❗️
The College takes the safety of students and staff very seriously. Students should not invite friends who do not attend St Brendan’s onto the site and must wear their student lanyard and ID at all times on campus. (Students should obtain a temporary student lanyard from the main reception if they do not have their ID card with them.) Our campus personal patrol the site and can be approached if any student is concerned about their own safety or the safety of others.
💳 Cashless Campus 💳
St Brendan's is a cashless campus so please make sure you have a card and/or contactless payment on your phone.
🖨️ Print Credit 🖨️
If you need to purchase print credit you can do this on the College “Store” which you can access on our website or by using this link St Brendan's Sixth Form College Store
When prompted to login, click on the “Sign in with Microsoft” option, where you can use your College email and password. Your print credit account will automatically update after payment has been approved.
🚘 Turning Right at the end of the day 🚘
A reminder to all students, parents and carers to please turn right only, when exiting the College between 15:50 – 16:20 at the end of the College day.
Parent/ Carer Handbook
Our Parent & Carer handbook contains important information about your young person's time at College.
In the handbook you will find key dates and contacts, information about the College, and details for logging in to Pro-Portal so that you can monitor progress and attendance from home.
SUPPORT
College Community Food Bank 💜
The Student Union and Chaplaincy have set up a College Community Food Bank for students and staff. It’s a practical support option for anyone who needs help with food - no labels and no explanations required.
The food bank provides long-life food for meals, along with simple recipe cards to help turn what’s taken into easy, nutritious meals for the week. Menu cards here.
To access the food bank, please complete this form. A food parcel will then be prepared and left at reception for you to collect at a time that suits you.
Use of the food bank is designed to be simple, discreet, and respectful.
The Student Union and The Chaplin
Study Support drop-in sessions
Where: LRC Study Support area
When: Every day between 9 and 10:30am and between 3 and 4pm.
No need to book, just drop in!
We can help with:
- Essay writing
- Get support with structure, formatting and proof reading.
- Manage your files in Onedrive
- Learn some great file management tips to know exactly where to find your files.
- Research skills
- We can help you find journal articles and research papers for your assignments.
- Presentation skills
- If you are feeling a bit anxious about a presentation, we can help you prepare and practise.
- Time management
- We can help you with a plan to manage your time more effectively.
📝Study Skills Support📝
Are you in need of some study skills support?
Click here to find out more about how the LRC can help!
✉️ Weekly Bulletins ✉️
Our weekly bulletin is designed to keep you informed about upcoming events, opportunities, and essential information. Please make sure to keep an eye on these updates to stay informed throughout the College year.
🖥 16-19 Student Bursary 🖥
Bursary Applications are now open for current students to reapply/apply for a bursary for this academic year.
Don’t delay apply today!
Any queries please email bursary@stbrn.ac.uk
There is information in the Bursary Support section of our website and an email has been sent to students with all the details.
CAREERS
Careers News
Head over to the Careers News page for lots of useful resources and opportunities.
Careers SharePoint Site
Our Careers Team have created a Careers SharePoint site to support you in obtaining all the information, advice and guidance for your future plans.
On the site, you will find the following pages:
💬 Careers Guidance Meetings - You will see our calendar of activity and have access to our booking link
🧭 UCAS - Information and guidance on personal statements, open days, taster days, key deadlines and much, much more
📍 Apprenticeships - Guidance on understanding apprenticeships, useful links, and hints/tips for interview
📢 Industry Spotlight - Videos that will inform, educate and empower you to make an informed next step decision
📝 CV and Cover Letters - Useful templates and guidance
🚀 Labour Market Information - Understand more about the growing and declining sectors and industries
🔎 Subject Careers Support - Information and links to subject-related support that can impact your studies
💡 Work Experience - Dates and opportunities to gain ready-life experience of the workplace
Click the link https://stbrn.sharepoint.com/sites/Careers or log onto the jump page and click on the Careers Zone button.
KEY CONTACTS
Marian Curran Principal
David Beesley Vice Principal (Curriculum Quality & Innovation)
Vicki Haigh Assistant Principal (Student Progression, Inclusion and Success)
Shane Blackshaw Executive Finance Director
Tanya Schottlander Head of Student Wellbeing & Safeguarding
Ross Stone Exam Officer
Sarah Hinder Finance Manager
Claire Woodhouse Attendance Officer
