St Brendan's News Bulletin 07.07.23 | St Brendan's Sixth Form College

7th July 2023

Welcome!

Dear Students, Parents and Carers,

As we reach the end of another remarkable academic year, I wanted to thank everyone for all your hard work and determination this year and also to congratulate you on your achievements.

I would also like to thank the students who took part in Welcome Fest last week. All of you will continue to be role models to our new students in September and your support and guidance will be invaluable to them as they begin their own educational journey at St Brendan's.

While you enjoy your well-deserved break, please remember the importance of the summer work assigned to you. It will undoubtedly prepare you for the challenges and rigors of Year 13. Use this time wisely to sharpen your skills, deepen your knowledge, and set a solid foundation for the upcoming academic year. Furthermore, I encourage you to use this Summer break as an opportunity to plan for your future.

I hope that our Future Progression Day has provided you with valuable insights and ideas for your next steps. It brings me great joy to share that the external employers who participated were highly impressed by your talents and potential.

Once again, I wish you a delightful Summer holiday, surrounded by the warm embrace of sunshine and supported by a sense of fulfilment. Take this time to nurture your passions, strengthen your relationships, and return to us in Year 13 refreshed and ready to embrace new challenges.

The new term begins on Wednesday 6 September. Your new timetables should now be available on Student Portal.

Best wishes

Marian Curran

Principal

BURSARY APPLICATIONS FOR 2023-24 ARE NOW OPEN

Students are invited to apply for a bursary for the new academic year. The household earnings threshold has been increased to £30000 (net) this year. In addition to this, if you are planning to take the college coach, we are able to offer a contribution towards costs for households where proven earnings are between £30000 and £55000.

If you received a bursary this year it will stop at the end of term and you will need to reapply for the new academic year. For your bursary to start at the beginning of the new term you must apply by 31^st July 2023. Priority is given to new student applications in August and September and a bursary may not be in place for the start of term if you apply later than 31/07/23.

Check the college website for information about bursary. Applications are online via PayMyStudent using your college email account, you can access it here

If you have any questions, please email bursary@stbrn.ac.uk

New Sports Facilities UPDATE!

Ahead of our new sports facilities becoing available for use in September , we have put together the following usage information.

Expectations of use for both internal and external:

- All student and staff activities to be booked through the Sport Enrichment Co-Ordinator.

- All activities must be supervised by an appropriate adult (member of staff/coach).

- No chewing gum allowed.

- No food to be consumed or taken onto the facilities.

- Only water bottles are permitted to be taken onto the facilities.

- All users to dispose of litter in the bins provided.

- On the 3G pitch, users must not wear metal studs or blades. Recommended footwear are moulded studs, astro trainers or sports trainers.

- On the MUGA courts, users to wear trainers only. No other type of footwear is allowed.

- Rotation of the use of the 3G pitch must take place to maintain wear and tear.

Behaviour expectations:

- All users of the sport facilities must wear appropriate sports clothing at all times.

- We respect our neighbours so no stereos or music equipment to be used.

- To minimize flood light pollution for our neighbours, the following operating hours will be strictly adhered to

o Monday-Friday, 5-10pm

o Saturday, 9-6pm

o Sunday, 9-4pm

- Appropriate use of language always.

- Only college facilities team to move equipment including goals, football posts, netball posts, rugby posts and tennis nets. All other equipment used is to be tidied away by supervising staff.

We are in the process of updating our Complaints Policy to manage any external complaints from local residents. Similarly, our Positive Behaviour Management Policy will be updated to include specific reference to the sporting facilities.

Thursday 17th August is Results Day!

On Thursday 17th August, you will be able to access your results through Portal from 8AM.

We encourage all students to come into College on this day to collect results slips and celebrate with staff, friends and family.

We will have free breakfast for all students and Academic Mentors, Careers Advisors and some teachers will be on site to help or support during the day.

College doors will open at 9:30AM.

Some good bus news!

After huge negotiations, we are very pleased to be able to announce that First have agreed to double the capacity on the SB2 route from September.

They will also be introducing an additional brand new route for us:

The SB3 route will go something like the recently discontinued First 96, minus the retail parks but with the addition of Whitchurch and Stockwood.

Click here for timetable information.

CAREERS

Replying to your UCAS Offers - Deadline!

It's almost time to reply to offers made by universities at UCAS!

Students can check their application to see their personal deadline.

If students receive their last decision on or before 18 May 2023, their reply date is 8 June 2023 (except if using Extra to find a place).

If students receive their last decision on or before 12 July 2023, their reply date is 17 July 2023 (including Extra choices).

More details can be found here

Careers News

APPRENTICESHIP INFORMATION FOR PARENTS & CARERS

There is a series of parent and carer online events being run in early July looking at apprenticeships and how to access them in some different sectors:

Find out about apprenticeships & careers in the NHS & Adult Social care - it isn’t all health care!
Hear about apprenticeships & careers in Construction
Hear about apprenticeships & careers in Hospitality
Hear from and ask questions to 5 employers and apprentices

To find out more including how to register, click here.

Head over to the Careers News for lots more useful resources and opportunities: click here

Year 13 Student & Parents: End of Year Surveys

Year 13s are approaching the end of their journey here at St Brendan's and we would love to hear how your time here has been. Please could you take a few minutes to complete the Year 13 End of Student Year Survey

We would also be hugely grateful if parents and carers of Year 13 students could complete the Year 13 End of Year Parent Survey

Chaplaincy

The Chapel is open every day for quiet reflection.

You can find Lydia (the College Chaplain) and 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.

Chaplaincy Twitter
Chaplaincy Instagram
Chaplaincy Youtube

Reflection:

As we come to end of our academic year, the gospel reflection this Sunday reminds us to look back and have the sense of gratitude within us after all the hustle and bustle a full school year brings with it, Jesus said “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” What a beautiful invitation from Jesus! This passage is worth reading over and over and memorizing so that it can easily be reflected upon during those difficult moments in life. We all have those moments. The moments when we feel overwhelmed and burdened. It could be we are burdened by some tragedy in life, or we are burdened by the small and monotonous aspects of life. One of the greatest daily burdens is that of our own sin. But whatever the case may be, Jesus wants us to hear and believe these words. “Come to me...”. Come to me no matter what is going on in your life. Come to me without hesitation and without fear. He also promises us that His “yoke is easy” and His “burden is light.” What it means is that coming to Jesus will enable us to endure and walk through any hardship we encounter in life. As we reflect upon this gentle and glorious invitation from Jesus. Let Him enter into whatever it is that burdens us. Let Him carry the yoke that you carry and give you, instead, the gentle yoke He has prepared for you. The cross you bear may not go away, but it will be transformed and made light in His grace.

May the holiday be for us a time of rest and recreation to help restore us and recreate us in God’s image and likeness as we enjoy more of the love and presence of our families on whom we ask your blessing. Lord, I surrender my life and all that I am to You. I accept Your invitation to come to You. Thank You for Your unfailing compassion and concern for me. Jesus, I trust in You.