9th May 2023

Year 13 Bulletin

Morning all,

Hope you had a good weekend and enjoyed another extra day!

There are staffed revision sessions are ongoing for Chemistry, Biology, Maths and Psychology - make sure you attend - it will help support the revision you are undertaking at home.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Please watch the video here which contains important information about the upcoming exams and ensure you have joined the Exam google classroom, the code is: zxwmgla

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Please make sure you have paid for the Ball, hoodies and yearbooks if you want those.
Our final ‘Leavers Assembly’ will be next Friday the 19th May during period 5. It is a normal day other than that but you might want to bring an extra shirt if you want to get one signed etc.

Student Finance:

A number of you have asked about Student Finance. Use the link here to find out details of how to apply - if you scroll down the page there’s a little tutorial video.

Some key information:

You need to apply by 26 May 2023
It only takes about 30 minutes to complete the process
You will need your Passport details, National Insurance number and Bank details

Uptree is a free careers programme Through Uptree, you can:

Access free online courses and support for career development
Broaden your knowledge of career routes
Meet with leading employers
Access unique opportunities and events, including apprenticeships and work experience

Weekly

‘Ted Talk’: We are all cyborgs now...
‘BBC Ideas’: Medical ethics; should we buy and sell human kidneys?

UCAS

60 of you have applied to university
57 (95%) of you have all your offers
30 of you have made your choices and firmed up your offers; 2 of those are unconditional places
You have until the 8th June; take time to visit campuses, speak to current students and generally do your research before making your choices.
Now is the time to look for bursaries. Let me know if you need to chat about your decisions.

Academic support and key deadlines

There are a range of resources to support your revision on the ‘Power Up Wales’ website. Use the link here to access them.

There are also some revision tips here that have been collated by students for students.

Chemistry

Support sessions are running on:

Friday 26th May with JR in H24

Criminology/Sociology

Support sessions after school on Mondays in I13; see Miss Toozer for details.

Drama

Mr Withers is running Drama rehearsals on Thursdays

English Literature

Thursday in J113 with Ms Hosgood

Media

Catch up sessions after school on a Monday, but can be more flexible if given notice. They also have an 'A Level Litcast' podcast for A Level on Spotify/iTunes.

Geography

Homework tasks/additional reading are on Google Classroom/ Class Charts. Pop and see Miss Tomley for support; she has most time on a Tuesday.

Maths

Support sessions after school on Wednesdays; see Mr Jones for details

Medical Science and Biology

Mrs Collier is running catch up/revision session for Biology and Medical Science for Yr 12 and any year 13 students who are resitting Units, on Thursday's after school from 2.45 to 3.45pm.

Upcoming Opportunities/Events

Network 75 is a sponsored degree scheme based at the University of South Wales, which provides the opportunity to "Work, Earn, and Learn" without incurring student debt.They are currently seeking further applications from students, wishing to pursue careers in the following course areas from September 2023:

-Built Environment (Building Surveying, Construction Project Management, and Quantity Surveying)

-Electrical & Electronic Engineering

A list of the opportunities available can be found on Network75 Placements. This list will likely update throughout the summer months as they continue their company recruitment.

If you would like to apply, you are advised to do so with urgency via Apply for Network75.

UCB & BP Summer Work Experience

Firstly, UCB, a leading multinational biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, is holding a Work in Science Week this coming July. This is a hands-on and immersive week based in the labs undertaking lots of experiments and practical lab work.

Secondly, BP, a British multinational energy company headquartered in London, and one of the world's largest companies, is hosting a work experience day, and a work experience week also in July (in-person). Use the link here.

The British Army are offering a variety of STEM job roles; find out how you can join here. These roles could be within several different units, such as the Army Air Corps, the Royal Signals or the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

Speakers for Schools has a range of work experience opportunities, just be aware some are aimed at students in England - especially the Healthcare ones which relate to NHS England. Use the link here to see whether there’s anything relevant to you.

Gresham College has a series of lectures by different Professors; This month, May, Professor Victoria Baines will address human issues in the IT sector in Cybersecurity for Humans and the representations of cyber threats. Professor Raghavendra Rau will look at the hot topic of AI in Business. In Do We Need the Police?, Professor Leslie Thomas KC will weigh up the state of and alternatives to a police force. By considering The End of the Universe, Professor Katherine Blundell OBE will the examine the critical implications of the expansion of the universe.

Delving into more Unexpected Mathematical Lives Professor Sarah Hart looks at The Mathematical Life of Florence Nightingale by exploring the importance and legacy of her work. Continuing his fascinating series All The World's A Microbe, Professor Robin May will imagine A Microbial Future by proposing how microbes may be the solution we need to venture beyond Earth. Finally Professor Myles Allen will discuss How the World Agreed on Net Zero. For other lectures which are at undergraduate level use the link here.

Universities

The key focus for most of you now will be on deciding on your firm and insurance choice. Attend Open Days, go to Offer Holders Days and generally do your research.

Here’s a helpful guide to the things you might be worrying about and some tips on how to get University Ready.

Many universities have got upcoming Open Days so make sure you have a look at the places you think you may want to study at. I’ve just put the links for our most popular destinations’ Open Days below as well as the Open Days calendar.

USW have a range of opportunities coming up, please check their website for information.

Cardiff University has Open Days coming up on Friday 30 June and Saturday 1 July; keep an eye out for those or for Offer-Holder days for specific courses.

Swansea University wants offer holders to join their Head Start Series. These are virtual student life webinars which introduce students to the key teams at Swansea. Book here.

Sessions available include:

Accommodation at Swansea University
All About Clearing
Student Services: Supporting You
Your Future: Careers Support at the University
Studying With a Year in Industry or Year Abroad

Aspire is a collection of free careers, university and further education resources. It is designed to give state-educated students the tools and knowledge they need to make more informed decisions about their future. Their ‘guide’ is a free resource, full of information and guidance, designed to inform you and help you navigate the range of careers and further education out there. Access the online version of the Guide, alongside other resources, on the Aspire website,

Apprenticeships/Degree Apprenticeships

Information from Careers Wales:

https://careerswales.gov.wales/apprenticeships/employers-who-offer-apprenticeships

Willis Construction is an expanding organisation with new opportunities arising all the time.

They have opportunities for Apprenticeships and Trainees: Training Opportunities - Willis Construction If you would like to register your interest please send an expression of interest or a CV to mail@willisconstruction.co.uk

Amey PLC is a leading infrastructure services and engineering company who have a range of opportunities available:

Amey: Degree Apprenticeships (office.com) Earn while you learn, gain recognised qualifications, and excel in your career (amey.co.uk) Higher level Apprenticeship Programme; you may need up to 3 A-Levels (or equivalent) at Grades A*-C to apply for the Higher Apprenticeship Programmes

PwC has more information for potential accountants, business management or technology students interested in degree apprenticeships with them. Use the link here to find out more

Support

For those of you who may feel you need support, as always we are always available to help. If you feel you need more support there are some useful support sites and links listed here:

There are also some useful techniques here for those experiencing feelings of anxiety:

Breathing techniques to calm anxiety Visit now

Yoga for Anxiety Visit now

Remember it is important that you keep an eye on your emails and our Twitter feed (@stcyres6th). I send out links and tweets regularly so there is a lot of information available, you just need to access it and let me know if there are any problems with you doing that.

As always, if there are any issues get in touch; we’re here to support you.

Take care,

Ms Jones