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28th April 2023

Welcome!

Dear Students, Parents/Carers,

As the majority of our Year 12 students have completed their mock examinations, they will now begin to think about their next steps. Some students attended the UCAS exhibition in Newport yesterday and this will have helped them to think about possible courses and careers they would like to pursue after St Brendan’s. To support parents and carers through this process, we will be holding a Careers and University event with talks focusing on careers and the university application process on Thursday 4 May at 6pm - gates open from 5:30pm - more information will be emailed to you shortly.

Please may I remind students about the standard of behaviour expected of them when they are travelling to and from college and when using public transport. We receive complaints about individual students at times and it’s important that students represent themselves and the College in the best possible way.

There is further industrial action planned by the National Education Union (NEU) for Tuesday 2 May. This national action is in response to a dispute between the NEU and the Secretary of State for Education, and not against the College. We have decided that the College site should remain open for both staff and students. Students will be guided by their teachers who will tell you in advance if lessons are running. We know that there are planned examinations on the 2 May and these will go ahead as normal.

We will keep our current response to industrial action under review.

Kind regards

Marian


Principal

Important Performing Arts exam information!

There are planned BTEC exams in Performing Arts on the 2nd and 3rd of May - we can confirm the teachers will not be taking part in industrial action (Tuesday) and will be supporting students.

The exams taking place are as follows:

Tuesday am

Unit 1 (Year 12 & resits),written paper. Start 9am in B111 and B115

Tuesday pm

Unit 3 (Year 13 Acting and Musical Theatre Extended Diploma students), Practical Exam. Starts at 1pm for technical rehearsal (2:30pm practical exam starts) in Theatre.

Wednesday

Unit 5 (Year 13 Diploma students), Practical Exam. Dress rehearsal starts 10:40 am (1:00pm practical exam starts) in the Theatre.

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Skills Booster with Tutor2U

We are delighted to share with all students, but in particular those about to embark on exam season, this great free resource from Tutor2U.

From the features of an effective revision environment to the science of how we learn, you'll find everything you need in this self-paced course to make your revision effective.

Apply here for Skills Booster course.

Students are also reminded of our very own Exam Toolkit area of the website, full of resources created by our Academic Coaches and Progress to Success team that you can use to help you get the most from your revision. These can be found by clicking here

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Free Revision Masterclass!

A-level revision can be difficult, so Liverpool John Moores University are holding an Insight Webinar.

Postgraduate students will guide you through hint and tips to prepare for your exams.

You can find the schedule below:

18:30 - 18:35: An introduction from Success at School

18:35 - 19:15: Revision Workshop

Learn how to plan your revision, produce a revision timetable, advice on mental health maintenance, discover memory strategies, learn effective revision techniques, enhance your study skills, improve your attainment.

19:15 - 19:30: Live Q&A session hosted by Success at School

Click here to register!

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Oxbridge Access Programme

Take advantage of the free support for applications to Oxbridge, Imperial, Medicine, and LSE.

  • Students rate the programmes on average at 8.7/10, while 98% would recommend it to a friend.
  • Delivered online by world-class admissions consultants from Oxford and Cambridge.
  • The advice and materials are derived from data-driven research into the Oxbridge Application Process.

Find out more here

Cashless

We're going CASHLESS!

Café Max & Min will no longer be accepting notes or coins from Monday 5th June 2023! All forms of card payment will be accepted.

If you have any worries or concerns please contact Laura Howe-Haysomin via email or in B3A.

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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.

Revision support

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.

Revision support

Take us with you!

Calling all Year 13s - as a student of St Brendan's Sixth Form College you have access to many benefits even after you have completed your courses with us. We have a growing Alumni community on our FutureFirst channel and LinkedIn profile which we would love for you to join.

Our Alumni Network allows you to:

  • Keep in the loop with classmates and teachers
  • Network with others
  • Opens you to a range of career opportunities
  • Mentor current St Brendan's students
  • Keep up to date on what companies we are working with and what activities and events are currently taking place at the College.

It also means we get to follow you on your unique journey and learn the amazing things you will go on to accomplish. Join us on FutureFirst and LinkedIn today!

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Careers News

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

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University Next Steps Drop Ins

Has your young person applied to university but needs help with their next steps or Student Finance?

Students can join the Careers Team for University Next Steps Drop-In on Wednesday, 3 May, 12:30-13:30 (Room A12) and Friday, 12 May, 12:30-13:30 (Room B225). No need to book!

Student Finance - Deadline!

Students planning to apply for Student Finance to cover University fees or maintenance loan to help with living costs, the deadline is 19 May 2023. Find out more and apply here.

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.

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.

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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.

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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!

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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

Sign up here!

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.

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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.

Chaplaincy Twitter
Chaplaincy Instagram
Chaplaincy Youtube

KEY CONTACTS

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Ross Stone
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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

Term dates 2023 2024