23rd September 2022
Welcome!
Dear Students, Parents and Carers,
As we are now three weeks in to the new term, our new students will now begin to receive feedback on their first few weeks of work from their teachers. As mentioned last week, we have begun our course change surgery sessions in order to support those who’d like to change courses.
For our Parents/Carers we will be holding our Settling in Review meeting which is on Friday 14th of October. Read how to book your appointment here! We hold this meeting as an opportunity for parents/carers to learn about their young person’s progression at College and how they can support studies at home, along with celebrating achievements. This is open to all our parents and students; no matter which programme of study they are following.
Covid Absence - As we begin to slowly approach Autumn, we will continue to mitigate against the spread of COVID-19 and ask students to continue to follow good hand hygiene. If a student tests positive for COVID-19, they should not attend College for three days following the day of a positive test. If you are unsure on how to report a student absence click here.
Students should contact their subject teachers regarding any work missed. This will usually be posted on their subject Microsoft TEAMS page. After three days, if the student is well enough and providing they do not have a temperature, they may return to College.
UCAS - For our Year 13 students the UCAS application process is well under way. Please see below for further information.
Best wishes
Marian Curran
Principal
#GreatBigGreenWeek
Eco period product giveaway - Tuesday 27th September, 12:15-1:30
Pick up free environmentally friendly period products from room B26.
Clothes Swap - Wednesday 28th September, 10:00-14:00 in D2/D3.
Bring your clothes to swap to B24 on Monday and Tuesday, get a ticket for each item you bring and pick up some new clothes on Wednesday between 10 and 2 in D2/D3. Scan QR code on posters around College for more info! Sign up here:
Political debate/ Q&A session - Friday 30th September, 12:15-13:00 in D2/D3.
You don’t need to join in the discussion, just turn up to listen to the questions and answers. Find more information here:
Complete the Climate Action Survey.
The results of the survey will impact how we tackle climate change in college. Complete the Survey here:
Any questions contact: laura.marsland@stbrn.ac.uk
Self Study / Free Periods
On your timetable, there are self-study periods allocated. These self-study periods have been added to your timetable to help you structure the 4 ½ hours per subject of independent study time each week. The expectation is that you will use the self-study periods to complete home learning tasks, revisit notes or complete classwork. Getting into good study habits now is essential for your success so you must make use of the self-study periods.
Whilst it is not a requirement that your self-study should take place in college there are many areas around the college that provide a quiet space for you to complete this work.
These include
- Learning Resource Centre - located at the top floor of B building
- Silent Study Area - located on first floor of B building
- Quiet study rooms will be opened daily and the location of these is advertised on the noticeboards on the lower ground floor
- Seated areas located in A and D buildings
Make good use of the self-study periods, and you will reap the rewards! If you require any support with how to best use the self-study periods, please speak with your Academic Mentor or your teachers.
Lanyards
Whilst attending St Brendan's, students are not expected to wear a uniform, however, the one piece of uniform our students are expected to wear at all times when at College, is their student ID and lanyard.
Students are given 3 chances so if they forget their lanyard, they must collect a temporary one from the LRC. Students all know that they must wear their lanyards at all times when they are at college. This includes during lessons, during self-study periods, in social spaces and moving between lessons. They also need it when travelling on public transport to and from college.
Why? – it is necessary for the safeguarding of all our students and staff, that lanyards are worn.
Early entry - UCAS dates
Thursday 1st September – Cambridge assessment registration opens (Closes on 30/09/22 at 6pm)
Friday 9th September – second draft of a personal statement submitted for early applicants
Thursday 22nd September - UCAS registration deadline
Friday 23rd September – Final draft for early applicants and first draft for all other applicants
Friday 30th September – internal deadline for submission of Oxbridge, medical, dental and veterinary applications
Friday 14th October – UCAS early entry application deadline
Thursday 18th October – BMAT assessment date
Wednesday 19th October – Assessment date for University of Cambridge pre-interview assessments
UCAS Early Applications
For our Year 13 students, we are busy supporting with their UCAS applications and this term will see a large number submit an application in readiness for university programmes starting in September 2023. It seems such a long way off but there are number of important deadlines that students need to be working towards.
We have a number of students who are ‘Early UCAS applicants’ because they are applying to Oxford, Cambridge, or for courses in medicine, veterinary medicine/science, dentistry or to a Conservatoire.
Early UCAS applicants must have submitted a draft personal statement to UniFrog by 23rd September and the internal deadline for submission of early applications is Friday 30th September. It is important students meet these deadlines as we need enough time to read through each application, check the qualifications have been entered correctly, write and attach a reference and submit the application before the required deadline which is 14th October.
For all other UCAS applications, students must have uploaded their draft personal statement to UniFrog by Friday 14th October.
National Apprenticeship Show
We are pleased to announce that the National Apprenticeship Show will be held back in its usual face-to-face format:
At Ashton Gate, on Thursday 29th September 2022.
For our students who are applying to university, our UCAS application cycle is well underway. For students who are not applying to university or those who are but want a plan B, we are taking students to the National Apprenticeship Show. This is a great opportunity for our students in any year to obtain more information about opportunities for when they finish college.
Why you should attend:
- The National Apprenticeship Show highlights a variety of Apprenticeship opportunities across the West of England
- It covers all levels of Apprenticeships (entry level through to higher and degree)
- A chance to engage with some of the region's top Apprenticeship employers
- Attendance registers will be taken and you will be excused from any classes that take place during the event!
- Please note we'll be asking students to make their way to and from the event back to college.
Settling in Review - 14th October 2022
As part of our commitment to parental/carer engagement, we are delighted to invite you to our Settling in Review event. This will be held on Friday 14th October from 9am to 4pm and is open to all parents/carers of students attending St Brendan's.
The purpose of this event is to allow you to talk with subject teachers and academic mentors to discuss how your young person is progressing at St Brendan’s Sixth Form College.
How will appointments run? All appointments with subject teachers and academic mentors will take place via Teams video calls, which will be arranged through your young person’s Teams account (teacher/academic mentor will contact you at the time of your appointment(s)).
How do I book an appointment? The booking system will open for bookings on the 26th September at 9am.
Read how to book your appointment here!
Please note that the College will be closed to students on the 14th October and that students will be set work to complete remotely. Further details regarding this will be communicated nearer the time.
Oracy October is coming!
Oracy October is coming and we want everyone to be a part of it! This year’s theme is ‘Speaking like a Specialist’ and explores what high-quality talk looks like in different subject disciplines.
We are asking teachers to use the month to encourage students to talk like subject experts, raising your understanding of oracy by challenging you to speak like specialists in different areas of the curriculum. What does it mean to speak like a scientist? How does this differ from speaking like a historian, or to the expectations of high-quality talk in English or maths?
For more information about the campaign, click the link here
Transport to the College
The College arranged with First Bus for a new service, the SB2, to run from Downend based on the number of students (50-60) using the College Coach last year. The uptake has been very strong (130) and the SB2 was full before reaching all its stops on Wednesday morning 7 September. We are working with First to see if they can deploy a second bus for the route but they have neither a bus nor a driver available at the moment.
In the interim, Turners Coachways have put on a coach to follow the SB2 in the mornings to pick up students that cannot get on the SB2. The Turners’ coach will run 5 minutes behind the SB2. The Turners’ coach (SB2) will also run in the afternoon for the return journey. First Bus tickets will be valid for this Turners’ coach.
If you are travelling from Hengrove Park - Brislington via Imperial Park, Knowle, Tesco and Hungerford Road please click here for the updated route.
Enrichment
Thanks to everyone who came to Freshers’ Fair at the start of term. For those of you who couldn’t make it but are still interested in signing up for clubs or societies, you can sign up in the following ways:
- Using the QR Codes attached or on the posters around College and the SU Hub windows
- Using the MS Forms links below
Sign-ups will stay open for the next couple of weeks so please keep signing up and we’ll be in contact with details of when and where you can attend the clubs and societies you’re interested in.
Choir
Choir is running on a Friday at 8:55am in A4.
Please come along, we’d love to see you!
BAME History
Lamont Dozier
Lamont Dozier was a Motown songwriter and producer who created some of the biggest hits of the 1960s. He drew on the upheavals of his love life as inspiration for his songs.
Chaplaincy
Chapel is open every day for quiet reflection.
You can find Jennine Oldis in room B209, all faiths & no faiths welcome!
If you would like to follow any of the Chaplaincy social media accounts - the links are below.
Important letter for Parents & Carers
Re-visit of Bristol City Council from Tuesday 4th October 2022 to Thursday 6th October 2022.
The re-visit will evaluate how effectively leaders have addressed the areas of significant weaknesses detailed in the written statement of action (WSOA). The re-visit will be carried out in line with updated guidance about the return to Area SEND inspection.
Could you be our next Parent Governor?
The Board of Governors is committed to developing the needs of its aspiring Students and meeting the needs of the wider community, the views of Parent/Carers make an important contribution to these objectives. This is a challenging but exciting opportunity to play a part in the journey of St Brendan’s Sixth Form College to become outstanding. There is a vacancy for one Parent Governor, to serve from now until 31 August 2024.
JOIN OUR TEAM!
We have lots of exciting roles where you are able to make difference to the lives of young adults. To find out more head over to our website!
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
Kerry Mullinder Head of Learning Development & Safeguarding
Laura Howe-Haysom Head of Support Services
Ross Stone Exam Officer
Sarah Hinder Finance Manager
Claire Woodhouse Attendance Officer
