23rd June 2023
Welcome!
Dear Students, Parents and Carers,
Congratulations to our Performing Arts students who performed at the National Theatre in London on Wednesday, as part of the National Theatre Connections festival. This is an exceptional achievement for everyone involved in this production, shining a spotlight on the talents of our students and staff on the national stage.
A huge well done also goes to the eight Year 12 students who delivered fascinating presentations at the inaugural BEP Youth Talks event this week.
As we approach the time of Hajj, St Brendan’s would like to wish all our students and families who are participating in the observance, a sincere Hajj Mubarak! Eid-al Adha 2023 is currently predicted to fall during w/c 26 June 2023, however we would like to confirm our expectations around attendance, especially as we approach the end of the academic year.
On Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 we will be welcoming next year's Year 12 students to Welcome Fest. Thank you to all those students who have volunteered to help as student ambassadors. Students who are not helping with Welcome Fest will be working remotely from home. Work set will be followed up in lessons. There are more details included in this bulletin.
Finally, a polite reminder to parents to please drop-off and collect students outside of the main entrance, and not on the College site. This is due to the ongoing building works.
Best wishes
Marian Curran
Principal
Future Progression Day 4th July
Future Progression Day is filled with interactive workshops. We've teamed up with an exciting array of prestigious organisations and institutions, all geared towards raising aspirations and boosting student-employer engagement. The workshops are designed to ignite student's passions, broaden their horizons, and inspire them to dream big!
We will be hosting over 200 workshops covering different areas and industries, and every student will get the opportunity to attend 3 sessions. Students will be off timetable and all Year 12s must sign up to attend their chosen workshops in advance.
Please see the timings of the sessions below:
10:15 - 11:15
11:30 - 12:30
13:15 - 14:15
Each session will have multiple workshops. Students need to sign to one workshop per time slot. This means that students will attend 3 workshops each.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK
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.
Donations for St. Nicholas of Tolentino Food Bank
To mark the 25th Anniversary of Refugee Week, we are collecting items for the St Nicholas of Tolentino Food Bank.
What we need:
- Pasta, rice and sauces
- Tinned food
- Cereal
- Sugar, tea and coffee
- Long - life milk
- Pet food
- Soap, shampoo and toothpaste
- Washing powder and washing up liquid
- Sanitary products
If you would like to donate then please bring your donations to the Student Union or your RPE Tutors.
You have until Friday 30th June.
WelcomeFest
On Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th June we are holding our WelcomeFest Event for our soon to arrive new students. As is usual, our current Year 12 students will not be in College on these days (unless you have volunteered to support the event with your teachers).
Instead, students will be expected to work remotely and complete work set by their teachers on Teams. The work, and anything you have been asked to submit, will be followed up in lessons that week so it is vital that you complete this work please.
For students who work closely with our Inclusive Learning team, please liaise with them directly if you have a need to be in College to work with the team on these days.
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.
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
Reading with PRIDE
June is Pride Month.
If you'd like some inspiration for books to read for Pride Month, check out the display that our lovely LRC team have made. All books are available for you to borrow.
Happy Pride Month everyone!
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
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
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.
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
