Year 12 Newsletter 06.04.20
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Message from the Sixth Form Team
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Yr 12 Work Experience Cancelled (6th-10th July)
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Explore University Webinar - Wednesday 8th April
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Year 12 A Level Assessment Fortnight 20.4.20 to 01.05.20
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Mr Brackstone and Mrs Sharp's Challenge You...Do You Accept?
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JT Online Easter video quiz
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Wellbeing: NHS Support
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Keeping safe online
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Covid-19: Advice and support
Two weeks have passed since students experienced school closure and perhaps some new routines are beginning to settle in. Although it’s sad that school ended the way it did across the nation (and almost everywhere, overseas, too), the priority is keeping safe, staying at home and protecting the NHS, so it can cope with the numbers requiring treatment.
We recognise that some students are struggling with the lack of structure to their day. Try writing out a timetable or a ‘to do’ list and cross off each item as you complete it. Please make sure that you check in with your Tutor at least once per week by replying to their e-mail and let them how you are getting on. Remember, that this is also new to teachers, therefore, if you are struggling, let them know.
Please remember that you shouldn’t be completing any new learning over the Easter break. This time should be spent recharging your batteries and consolidating what you have leant so far in preparation for the assessments after Easter. Again, you do not need to worry about these; they are an opportunity to receive feedback on exam technique and to identify any gaps in your knowledge, before you embark on Year 13 aspects of the course.
Please take time to read this week’s Newsletter, there are lots of useful articles and links to further information.
Happy Easter from the Sixth Form Team!
Due to these unforeseen circumstances, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the scheduled work experience week (6th-10th July). If we have returned to school by then, students will need this time to catch up and focus on their learning. Miss Spurrier will notify all employers of this decision.
It will be important for students’ UCAS applications to have some experience, even if it is of volunteering (safely) for the community during this crisis. For other students who need specific experiences, we would encourage them to pursue ‘virtual’ opportunities that many organisations are offering, as well as arrange a placement over the summer break. However, we advise students against contacting businesses now and wait for a more appropriate time.
It will be very important to demonstrate to Universities and future employers how students have been creative to help support their Personal Statements/CVs etc. For example, you can research the values of the NHS Constitution and think about how you have demonstrated them. If you are applying for a degree course, speak to the universities for some alternative ideas to support your application. Please remember to use the wealth of resources on Unifrog in the Careers library, Know How library and MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses).
Examples of organisations that offer Virtual Work Experience:
General:
https://www.insidesherpa.com/https://barclayslifeskills.com/i-want-virtual-work-experience/school/virtual-work-experience
Experience of working in a design studio:
Experience the life of a Software Design Engineer at JP Morgan - Virtual Internship:
For Medics:
https://bsmsoutreach.thinkific.com/courses/VWE
https://www.allaboutlaw.co.uk/law-jobs/job/1910021129/training-contracts-virtual-work-experience-
The UK University Search company are providing a free live webinar on Wednesday 8th April, so that students can ask questions to 6 university representatives. We are committed to helping ensure our students make the right higher education decisions during this period. We understand the challenges both Year 12s and 13s are facing, with fairs and open days not running, and changes to grades and 2020 admissions. This webinar will provide the opportunity for students to ask questions and find out the answers they need.
The following topics will be explored, and we will finish with a Q&A session:
- The Benefits of University - Bournemouth University (Rebecca Oliver)
- Choosing a Course - University of Stirling (Ali Clark)
- Virtual Events - University of Leicester (Elliot Newstead)
- Personal Statements - University of South Wales (Rebecca Bowen)
- Student Finance - City, University of London (Andy Cotterill)
- Intro to the Russell Group - University of Liverpool (Jonathan Atkinson)
Students simply need to visit the following link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lTdg2sKwTz2eAk8I-zBqDg to book their free place.
The webinar will also be live-streamed on YouTube. Please ask students to register for the Zoom session, and if they are unable to to join the Zoom on the day, they can easily view the live-stream and submit their questions here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSFaAb1UIrV0PrQKp4YE-Wg
After the Easter break, Year 12 A Level students will complete a series of 'closed book', timed assessments for each subject that they are studying. The purpose of these assessments is to provide an opportunity for students to receive feedback on exam technique and to encourage students to revisit content that has been taught earlier in the year. It also provides evidence of key skills for subject staff when writing student references.
Students are not expected to complete any other work during this period. The teachers will set the assessment as per the timetable linked to this article. If a student has more than one exam on one day, a parent can make the decision to delay an exam until the next free day that the student has (Please ask the student to e-mail their teacher if the exam is to be delayed). No student should have more than 4 assessments in a week. When students do not have an assessment, they may revise. Please could parents ensure that the time allocated to the assessment is adhered to, as this prepares students for writing under timed conditions in the A Level exams. If a student has Access Arrangements in place, these should be applied where possible. Students will be able to view the papers on Go4schools and they may choose whether they type their response to e-mail to their teacher or hand write their response and scan/photo in preparation to e-mail. Ideally, a student's completed assessment should be e-mailed within 12 hours of completion. Please remind students to refrain from discussing the content of the assessments with other students, as this will undermine the process.
All BTEC students should carry on with the work that has been set by their class teacher. If a student studies both A Level and BTEC courses, they should e-mail their teacher if they are unable to complete their BTEC work as they are revising for their A Level assessment.
Watch the video quiz on the link below:
Then complete your answers through the form on this link:
Miss Senior and Mrs Jones will reveal the results after Easter!
Good luck!
This website has been co-funded by the NHS and set up by a group of people who are wanting to help people improve their mental health and wellbeing during the current coronavirus pandemic.
http://learn.4mentalhealth.com/
Some of the activities include creating your own wellbeing plan. There are templates and ideas to support you.
If you need support with staying safe online, remember your teachers are here to support you via email. If you need further advice please have a look at these helpful resources to support you with internet safety.
>CEOP
Please see below for some useful links from DWP contacts, some you may already have seen some of them, but just in case I hope you don’t mind me sharing them with you, particularly the bottom link from Young Minds with advice for Young people about managing their own wellbeing at this time.
- Covid-19 advice and tips for healthy relationships from Relate
- Advice on how to handle arguments from Relate
- A reminder of the resources from OnePlusOne (see it differently videos and click relationships pages in particular)
- For sector-related information and tips for professionals: OnePlusOne.org.uk
- For relationship support and to use our forums: ClickRelationships.org
- Facebook: ClickRelationshipsUK
- Twitter: OnePlusOne_
- Social distancing and self-isolation advice from Young Minds (for young people and parents of teenagers).