TERM 5 VALUE:

Dignity

Dear Students, Parents and Carers,

Last week, we celebrated Cultural Week, and it was a powerful reminder of what makes St Brendan’s such a special place. Across the week, students and staff came together to celebrate culture, identity, heritage and community. It was not simply about recognising difference, but about embracing diversity in all its forms and seeing it as one of our great strengths. There was a genuine sense of joy, pride and belonging across the College, and it was wonderful to see students sharing aspects of their culture and learning from one another. A particular thank you must go to our Student Union and our Enrichment Officer, whose hard work, creativity and commitment helped make the week such a success. Their leadership ensured that Cultural Week was not only well organised, but also meaningful, inclusive and celebratory.

This Friday, we have also celebrated St Brendan’s Day, marking the occasion with both reflection and, of course, some well-earned fun. Students have taken part in activities across the College, including ice cream and events led by our Chaplain. St Brendan’s Day gives us an important opportunity to pause and reflect on who we are as a Catholic college community: a place of welcome, compassion, hope and aspiration. This week we have also been marking Mental Health Awareness Week. On Thursday, students and staff were invited to take part in Wear it Green Day in support of the Mental Health Foundation. Students have also had the opportunity to engage in a range of wellbeing activities across the College. Looking after our mental health and wellbeing is not something we should think about only once a year, but weeks like this help us to open up important conversations and remind each other that support is always available.

Next Friday 22^nd of May, is the end of term, and also marks the last day in College for our Year 13 students. To our Year 13s: we are incredibly proud of all that you have achieved during your time at St Brendan’s. You have contributed so much to our community, and we know that staff are looking forward to sending you off in style and celebrating your journey with us. As you prepare for your next steps, please know that you leave with our very best wishes, our prayers and our confidence in all that you will go on to do.

For our Year 12 students and parents/carers, you are invited to attend our upcoming Progress Review Evening on Thursday 4 June. This will provide an important opportunity to discuss progress, including mock exam performance, with subject teachers and to plan the next steps in learning. These conversations are a key part of ensuring students are well supported, clear about their strengths, and focused on the areas that will help them continue to improve.

Kind regards

Marian Curran

Principal

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.

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.

St Brendan's is a cashless campus so please make sure you have a card and/or contactless payment on your phone.

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.

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.