2nd October 2023
Year 12 bulletin
Morning all,
There are some new opportunities this week, so have a look and remember the more super/extra curriculars you have, the better informed and prepared you’ll feel for whatever the future holds.
Weekly
- ‘Ted Talk’ The one thing stopping jellyfish from taking over
- ‘BBC Ideas’ What does it take to be a spy?
A few general announcements:
- The Independent Study activities document has been updated by staff so you can build in some super-curricular activities or get ahead with understanding key topics. Remember that you can use any additional reading or research on your personal statement for university to highlight how you have prepared for undergraduate level study.
- Mrs Morgan will be running a BSL (British Sign Language) club during Monday lunch times. This is a brilliant opportunity and especially useful for pupils who are considering applying for any healthcare courses. There are only a few places available so you will need to let me know asap if you’re interested.
Opportunities/Events
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Cymraeg - Welsh Virtual Sessions Ymlaen Gyda’r Dysgu / Onwards with Welsh provides Welsh sessions to build confidence in speaking the language to 16-18 year olds. The offer is for learners in years 12 and 13 who are not continuing studying Welsh in A Level. This is a great opportunity to build confidence in speaking Welsh that will be beneficial when applying for further education, university or jobs. Further information can be found here: https://e-sgol.cymru/onwards-with-welsh/ |
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For anyone considering taking on a Christmas job, Careers Wales have collated some opportunities: Christmas seasonal jobs | Careers Wales (gov.wales). |
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The Welsh Government has worked with Young Wales to set up the Keeping safe online youth group to hear directly from young people about the realities of being online. The first project is looking at AI and recent technology developments from a young person’s perspective. Group members will have the opportunity to shape and participate in a national event taking place on Safer Internet Day 2024. If you are interested, please use the link and get involved: Children in Wales | Keeping Safe Online Youth Group |
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There’s a fantastic opportunity with the organisation tutor2u who are offering a new Free Online Course for all Sixth Form students. The course includes a mix of videos, engaging activities and resource downloads and covers:
Use the link here to register: Studentshttps://ondemand.tutor2u.net/students/beyond-sixth-form-skills-booster |
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To begin the preparation for university, you could have a look at when university Open Days are happening this half-term. Use the link here to check: https://www.opendays.com/calendar/ |
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Student Volunteers needed for: The Forget-me-not Chorus The ‘Forget-me-not Chorus’ involves community sessions for people living with and alongside dementia in Penarth. It’s a great opportunity to support a good cause and add to your extracurricular activities, especially if you are considering any type of healthcare route in the future. Their Cardiff South & Vale sessions run on Thursday evenings, 6:30pm-8:30pm at Elfed Avenue Church, Penarth CF64 3LX. If you want to find out more use the link here and please come and see me if you’re interested. This was really helpful for two students who applied to Medicine. |
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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. |
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Gresham College has a series of lectures by different Professors; September’s lectures include: Island Universes: Discovering Galaxies Beyond the Milky Way by Professor Chris Lintott, will look at how galaxies like our own formed and evolved. Why Music Moves Us by Professor Milton Mermikides will look at how music elicits joy, sorrow, consolation and the chills.Meet the Cybercriminals Professor Victoria Baines 19 September 2023, 6pm Register Now Ancient Goddesses of Sex and War Professor Ronald Hutton 20 September 2023, 6pm Register Now Can AI Protect Children Online?Professor Andy Phippen 21 September2023, 6pmRegister NowTheDeath Penalty: A Colonial Relic?Professor Leslie Thomas28 September 2023, 6pm Register Now For other lectures which are at undergraduate level use the link here. |
Universities
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General advice
Discover Uni is a government-funded facility which has data on nearly every university and their courses. You can find the entry data of students who joined a degree course and the percentage of those students who entered with particular grades - if you have the same grades then your chances are higher than if you have lower grades.try the website here: Discover Uni. 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. To make sure you understand the grades you might need for courses you’re interested in and confirm entry requirements please use the following website: https://www.whatuni.com/ Ask your LC to look at courses with you if you’re not sure whether you might need specific subjects/grades for a course you are considering. |
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The Social Mobility Foundation will be coming in to talk to you about their programme in the next few weeks but before then you can familiarise yourself with the programme and think about any questions you may have for them when they come in.
Applications for the Social Mobility Foundation’s free Aspiring Professionals Programme are now open for 2024. Please be aware there are eligibility criteria in terms of pupils’ demographic and academic (grade) profile. Check whether you meet the eligibility criteria details here. Aspiring Professionals Programme (APP) The APP supports high achieving Year 12 students from low income backgrounds across the UK to access top universities and careers. We offer support through our four pillars:
How students receive our four pillars of support is dependent on where they live. Please see below for further details of the programmes they offer.
Students must apply by 12 noon, Friday 15th December 2023 by completing the application form here.
Application form and resources Click the links below to access information and resources. Watch our video to hear from SMF students |
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Cardiff Metropolitan They have an Open Day coming up on the 7th October, use the link here to register. |
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Swansea University They have an Open Day coming up on the 21st October, use the link here to register. |
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Cardiff University They have an Open Day coming up on the 21st October, use the link here to register. |
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Cardiff University and The Sutton Trust have some upcoming opportunities: Pathways to Law Their Pathways to Law programme is in partnership with the Sutton Trust, a social mobility charity which offers students the opportunity to complete work experience with law firms, take part in academic workshops with academics at Cardiff University Law School, visit Cardiff University, take part in the Pathways to Law National Conference and lots more! Read the eligibility criteria and apply here.
Pathways to Engineering In addition to Pathways to Law, they also offer a Pathways to Engineering programme.
Over the course of the programme participants will get the opportunity to experience teaching from Cardiff University’s School of Engineering and meet current students. Student’s will gain an insight into university life with interactive sessions on topics like student finance, societies and exploring the campus. Industry professionals and companies will offer students an insight into the world of engineering through panels and the chance to apply for work experience. Apply here.
Applications for both programmes have just under 1 month to go and will close on Friday 27th October 📅 The Sutton Trust also has a range of excellent online courses for students interested in Banking & Finance, Consulting (business and project management), Law, or Veterinary Medicine? They have places available on their fully virtual programmes (Pathways to Banking & Finance, Pathways to Consulting, Pathways to Law, and Pathways to Veterinary Medicine). What are the Pathways Online programmes?
Unlike their in-person programmes which are restricted by proximity to partner universities, their virtual programmes can be applied to from anywhere in the UK. So if you are interested in their programmes but don't have any on offer nearby, these still have available spaces. Use the links below to find out more: |
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Reading University Open Days: Reading is a campus university and they offer a wide range of subjects, which you can find out about on their website. They’re offering the option of free transport to individual students from disadvantaged backgrounds - you can sign up using the QR code on the attached poster. The Open Day dates are this Saturday 7th October and next Saturday 14th October. |
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You might also want to check out the advice given on the ‘Better uni choices’ site which has some helpful tips on how to get the best out of attending Open Days. |
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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
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Please sign up for Uptree here and then check out all the opportunities they have: https://schools.uptree.co/opportunities/ and also the different events they have on offer https://schools.uptree.co/events/ |
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Army Apprenticeships Opportunities: Check them out now. For anyone interested in apprenticeships with the British Army, they have a lot of information about upcoming opportunities or general advice on their website. Have a look, using the link here. |
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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 feeling anxious or struggling with the adjustment to 6th Form, as always, we are always available to help. If you feel you need more support here are some useful links:
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