21st April 2023
Welcome to Term 5!
Dear Students, Parents/Carers,
We hope that all of our staff and students are well rested after the Easter break.
I am extremely proud of our Year 12 students who have sat their progress exams this week, and wish all students who are taking exams next week good luck! I'd like to remind our Year 12 and ATL3 students that you are studying from home on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 April.
We understand that the exam period can be stressful for students and parents/carers as many evenings and weekends are spent revising. For adults supporting their young person with revision, we thought we would share this video about reducing exam stress - you can find the video here.
Preparing for next steps.
To support our Year 12 students with their next steps, our Careers team have organised a trip to the UCAS Exhibition in Newport on Thursday 27th April. There will also be a parent/carer talk on Wednesday 4th May from 6pm - 8:30pm which will provide information about student's next steps - more information re this will follow shortly.
Industrial Action
The National Education Union has indicated its intention to strike on Thursday 27 April and Tuesday 2nd May. This strike is based on an ongoing dispute with the Secretary of State for Education concerning teachers’ pay. All Sixth Form Colleges will be affected by this industrial action. Teachers will communicate directly to students if this has any impact on their classes.
The College will remain open on both of these days.
Kind regards
Marian
Principal
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Help Sharon raise money for CAFOD!
Sharon Dorling (one of the college's Directors of Faculty), is running the London Marathon in aid of CAFOD this weekend!
CAFOD is the official aid agency for the Catholic Church in England and Wales: 'With your help, we reach out to people living in hard-to-reach places, in war zones and those who are discriminated against We believe that if one of us is hurt, hungry or abandoned, we all are hurt, hungry and abandoned. No one should be beyond the love and support they need to live a dignified life.'
If you would like to donate, please click on the JustGiving link below. Your support would be greatly appreciated, thank you!
Academic Honesty
With the increasing use of AI technology, we are required by JCQ, the body that oversees all examinations and assessment in the country, to update our plagiarism policy. The updated policy can be read by clicking on this link. As we know policies can sometimes be long and a bit confusing so we have also made this one-page infographic that details to you the essential information you need to know and follow when undertaking any coursework or non-examined assessment. It is imperative that you know that we have software for checking all submissions here at College and this has AI detection functionality built in. Any attempt to use the work of another as your own is a very serious offence and, as such, is treated seriously. It is your journey and therefore it must be your work.
Study Skills / Revision Support (3Y2 and ATL3)
We are running a series of study skills/revision support workshops for all ATL3 and identified Year 13 students over the next few weeks. These sessions are running at the same time and location as your RPE lessons are run and will be supported by the RPE team. The sessions are designed to give you a space to complete some much-needed revision and study as we edge ever closer to your exams. The teachers have a range of resources and strategies that they can share which is provided by our Progress to Success programme to ensure your revision is organised and effective.
For students who have received a letter regarding these workshops, this is a reminder that these sessions are timetabled and registered. Attendance is mandatory. For all other students, the space is open and available for drop-in support and/or simply a quiet space for revision during your College day.
Eat, sleep, row & repeat!
We are so proud of our Vice Principal Alexandra, as she successfully completed the 2023 BRIT Challenge! The British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) supports young adult mental health and fitness in the UK through the delivery of their annual BRIT Challenge. UK universities, colleges, specialist colleges and Students' Unions around the UK unite with BRIT to improve mental health and fitness, all whilst raising funds for BRIT.
"The aim was to do something involving the number ‘23’ as the challenge took place between 23rd Jan – 23rd March 2023. Activities were not prescribed, so anyone taking part could design their own challenge such as reading for 23 minutes a day, undertaking a 23-hour art project or walking for 23 minutes a day. I really liked the fact it was an all-inclusive event and meant anyone could take part. I, therefore, chose to row 2300 metres every day for 60 days."
Learn more about Alexandra's 2023 BRIT Challenge here or if you are a student or member of staff who would like to register your interest for the 2024 Challenge, click here
LRC Reading Competition
Get reading books that celebrate cultural diversity and write a brilliant review to win a £25 Amazon gift card! Have a look at our reading list for ideas. Your review needs to include a brief summary of the book, what you liked an disliked about it, and why you would or would not recommend it. Submit your review via the Library Catalogue, or email it to lrc@stbrn.ac.uk no later than the 25th of April.
You can find more information here.
The lucky winner will be announced at the Culture Day Fashion Show on the 26th of April.
UCAS and KPMG National Webinar
Book your place for this webinar for parents/carers and students.
Siobhan Williams from UCAS will talk about apprenticeships and the application process. Also speaking will be Nerisa Anwar from audit, tax and advisory service KPMG.
Book your place here
Student Drop off & Pick up
We have been approached recently by a number of organisations surrounding the College with regards to dropping off and picking up of students. It appears that our car park is being used extensively as a collection and drop off point for students attending your college. Our car park is privately owned and solely for the use of our employees and customers. Please instruct your students and their parents not to trespass on our car park.
We would like to ask parents & carers to not use these car parks for drop off and pick up.
Welfare support
Many of our students receive welfare support here at college and we have a number of students on the waiting list. Students are able to access up to 6 welfare sessions and we also strongly encourage our students to see their GP and seek a referral to specialist mental health services wherever possible. Students will be informed when they are coming to the end of their 6 sessions, as we seek to offer students on our waiting list an appointment. We will continue to offer drop-in sessions at morning break, Monday-Friday with Sian Blatchly and Sarah Oliver, our Welfare Officers. Students can access support by speaking to their Academic Mentor in C5 or Student Welfare and Engagement Assistants who are based in B25. We do offer a re-referral process for students who wish to engage and feel they would benefit from further sessions.
Careers News
Head over to the Careers News for lots of useful resources and opportunities: click here!
Non-Examination (Coursework) Appeals policy
For many Year 13 students (and Year 12 Criminologists) you will have completed pieces of non-examination work as part of your course, typically known as coursework. As per JCQ guidelines we must inform you of the process to review marks once they have been published should you wish to. It is very unusual for a student to do this as often, having spoken to their teacher, the marks awarded are understood. However, there is a process should you need it. All of the details of the policy and process, including deadlines for marks release and review/appeal dates, can be found by clicking here!
TalkCampus
TalkCampus provides a safe and non-judgmental space for students to connect and support each other.
Download TalkCampus today to support other students worldwide through their academic journey
Save the Date: Progress Review
As part of our commitment to parental/carer engagement, we are delighted to invite you to our Progress Review event. This will be held on Thursday 8th June 3pm to 8pm and is open to parents/carers of Y12 students at our College.
You can find out more information here.
Chaplaincy
The Chapel is open every day for quiet reflection.
You can find Jennine Oldis in room B209, all faiths & no faiths are welcome!
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
Phillip Berry Assistant Principal
Laura Howe-Haysom Head of Safeguarding & Support Services
Ross Stone Exam Officer
Sarah Hinder Finance Manager
Claire Woodhouse Attendance Officer
