6th September 2024
TERM 1 VALUE: Justice & Service
Dear Students, Parents, and Careers,
We hope this message finds you well after a lovely Summer break. As we start a new academic year at St Brendan's Sixth Form College, we extend a warm welcome to both our new and returning families. The start of the term is always busy, as we start another exciting year.
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.
Parent/Carer Information Evening - Year 12 & Access To Level 3
We have an information evening for parents and carers of our new Year 12 and Access To Level 3 (ATL3) students on Thursday 12th September. This event will cover how we aim to maximize each student's potential through high-quality teaching and comprehensive pastoral support. Additionally, we'll discuss practical aspects such as tutoring, careers advice, and introduce our ASPIRE and Healthcare Professions programs.
Course and Class Adjustments
As we begin the term, our students may experience adjustments in class sizes and timetables. These changes are part of our commitment to ensure every student is placed in courses and groups that help with their future career paths and achieve their best. While alterations can be expected, especially during the first term, they are made with the utmost care to enhance the educational experience for all.
Attendance Monitoring
Attendance is crucial for success, particularly during these initial weeks. For our Year 12 and ATL3 students, please be aware that we will be closely monitoring attendance. Maintaining regular attendance is important, as it impacts your ability to remain enrolled on your courses. Should there be concerns about your attendance falling below our threshold during the first three weeks, it may affect your place at St Brendan’s.
We are here to support you through these transitions and ensure that your time at St Brendan's is both successful and enjoyable. Our staff, including teachers, progress tutors, inclusive learning team, careers team, mental health team and the senior team, are here to help with any concerns or queries that you may have.
Parent Governor
For our new parents and carers, we now have a vacancy on our governing board for a parent governor. This is a great opportunity to contribute and support the strategic direction of the College and also to be part of a supportive governing board. If you would like to find out more please email our governance professional leanne.sowersby@stbrn.ac.uk to express your interest.
First Buses
We are aware of a couple of issues that arose on Tuesday 3rd September and delays arose due to a burst water drain at Willsbridge and one bus missed a stop which has been addressed and will not happen again.
Kind Regards,
Marian Curran
Principal
Parent & Carer Handbook 2024
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.
Please note: We will issue your Pro-Portal logins next week, this will be sent via email.
Parent/Carer Information Evening - Year 12 & Access To Level 3
When: Thursday 12th September from 17:00
Where: St Brendan's Sixth Form College
Please click the button below to book ticket(s) for this event. The booking system will open at 17:00 today (06/09/24). Do not worry if you are unable to attend, we will share all of the information and recordings shortly after the event.
Please note this event is for parents and carers only (students do not need to attend).
SB Bus Routes
We now have 7 direct bus routes to our College! (SB1, SB2, SB3, SB4, SB5, SB6 & SB7)
The full timetables for all SB routes can be found on our website (please use the button below).
The following routes operate once a day to/from College, arriving at 8:27 and departing at 16:10
- SB3
- SB4
- SB5
- SB6
The following routes operate twice a day to/from College, arriving at 8:27 & 9:44, and departing at 14:55 & 16:10. When you don't have a lesson in the first and/or last period, we would strongly recommend using the 2nd services (9:44 arrival and/or 14:55 departure).
- SB1
- SB2
- SB7
College is a bit different to school, if you don’t have a lesson first thing you don't have to be on site for the first period. You're more than welcome to come in and study or catch up with your friends, but this could be a good opportunity to set off a bit later and travel in at a less busy time. This applies for the end of the day as well; if you don't have a lesson in the last period you can head home when your last lesson ends.
Turning Right during 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.
Please see the letter attached here for directions back to the A4, if needed.
CAREERS
Careers News
Head over to the Careers News page for lots of useful resources and opportunities.
Personal Statement Workshop with Sarah (Teacher of Law)
Join one of our Law Teachers, Sarah, for a Personal Statement workshop!
This will be a LIVE session hosted on her TikTok channel on Friday 13th September 20:30-21:30
RUH Careers Evening (17th October)
We are excited to let you know that the RUH is hosting their next Careers Evening on Thursday 17th October 2024.
Key details:
Date: Thursday 17th October 2024
Time slot 1: 17:00-18:00
Time slot 2: 18:30-19:30
Venue: Education Centre (E7), Combe Park, Bath, BA1 3NG
You can register here - only one ticket is required per person and this will automatically include 1 parent/guardian.
The event is for students from Year 7-13 and provides them with the opportunity to speak to NHS colleagues, find out about careers in health care and take part in interactive activities. Just some of the departments attending will be Maternity, Vascular Studies, Radiology, Apprenticeships and Research & Development.
Burges Salmon Legal Apprenticeship now open for applications
The Burges Salmon Legal apprenticeship provides the opportunity to qualify as a solicitor by completing the Level 3 Paralegal and Level 7 Solicitor apprenticeships over a period of six years, whilst earning a competitive salary.
This is an amazing opportunity for students in Year 13 who are interested in pursuing a legal career and would prefer an alternative to the university route.
Applicants must apply here by midnight on Friday 15th November 2024 to be considered for this apprenticeship: Burges Salmon Careers | Legal Apprenticeship 2025 (burges-salmon.com).
They are holding an open evening for the Legal Apprenticeship at the Bristol office on 2nd October 2024 from 18:00 – applicants can register here: Burges Salmon Careers | Legal Apprenticeship Open Evening - Bristol 2024 (burges-salmon.com).
They are also holding a virtual open evening on 8th October 2024 from 18:00 – applicants can register here: Burges Salmon Careers | Legal Apprenticeship Open Evening - Virtual 2024 (burges-salmon.com).
Calling All Potential Sponsors!
St Brendan's is seeking sponsors to support our sports and health enrichment activities! We have several exciting opportunities where your contribution can make a real difference to our students and College:
- 🏅Team Kit Sponsorship
- ⚽ Training and Equipment
- 🧘♀️ Yoga Classes
- 🚴♂️ Fitness Equipment
- 📚 Health Workshops
- 🎖️ Awards and Trophies
- 🌳 Outdoor Activities
- 🛠️ Facility Upgrades
- 💡 Innovative Programs
We are open to any ideas — no offer is too big or small! In return, we will offer media coverage across all our social platforms and much more. Partner with us to foster a healthier, more active community!
Interested? Get in touch here!
Chaplaincy
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, read more about these here.
If you would like to follow any of Chaplaincy's social media accounts - the links are below.
KEY CONTACTS
Marian Curran Principal
Steve Clayson Vice Principal (Curriculum, Quality & Innovation)
Alexandra Moruzzi Vice Principal (Student Experience & Progression)
Vicki Haigh Head of Pedagogy, Professional Development and Innovation
Shane Blackshaw Executive Finance Director
Laura Howe-Haysom Head of Safeguarding & Support Services
Ross Stone Exam Officer
Sarah Hinder Finance Manager
Claire Woodhouse Attendance Officer
