Friday 22 September 2023

The rain hasn’t dampened our spirits and this week our Environmental Studies students braved the elements in Studland and Wareham to look at sand dunes and the aquatic environment.

On Wednesday the S6C Football Academy team played an intense away game against Exeter City. After 45 minutes they were 3-0 down and looking at a heavy defeat but after a much needed team talk and adjustment in tactics the team fought back to a 3-3 draw. Unfortunately with four minutes left Exeter City grabbed a fourth goal to make it 4-3. After a monumental effort to get back into the game this would have been a huge disappointment for our team but with one minute left they mustered one last chance and they took it! 4-4 after being 3-0 down at half time, demonstrating fantastic team spirit and resilience.

In addition the S6C Rugby Academy team have been continuing their preparations for their forthcoming ‘grudge’ match against Bishops. It will be a huge test but having trained in what can only be described as torrential rain on Wednesday, the team have certainly done all that they can to be ready. 

Dates For Your Diary

• Sunday 24 September
  Geography Field Trip to Leeson House, Dorset
• Wednesday 27 September
  S6C Football Academy Fixture v. Plymouth (home @ Ringwood Football Club)
• Friday 29 September
  Biology Field Trip to Kimmeridge
• Sunday 01 October
  Applications for September 2024 open
• Monday 02 October
  Year 13 DC6 Assessment Week 
• Friday 06 October
  Staff Training Day – college closed
• Wednesday 04 October
  S6C Football Academy Fixture v. Plymouth (home @ Ringwood Football Club)
• Tuesday 10 October
  S6C Mental Health Development Day
• Wednesday 11 October
  S6C Open Evening
• Wednesday 11 October
  S6C Football Academy Fixture v. Portsmouth (away)
• Monday 16 October
  MLP Recruitment Event at S6C
• Wednesday 18 October
  S6C Football Academy Fixture v. Newport County (away)
• Wednesday 18 October
  BTEC Business Charity Fashion Show at S6C
• Thursday 19 October
  Half term begins
• Monday 30 October
  Term begins

Bursary Support

If your financial circumstances have changed since joining S6C and you feel you may be eligible for a bursary, please complete the form in the attached link: https://www.salisbury6c.ac.uk/study-with-us/bursary/

Online Payments on IRIS ParentMail

All parents, please note that we are now using Online Payments on IRIS ParentMail – an online payment service which allows you to pay for college items quickly and easily on your smartphone, tablet or computer. 

We will inform you about items you need to pay through IRIS ParentMail, and you will be able to pay electronically, using credit or debit cards as well as PayPal and PayPoint. 

If you have an Android or Apple smartphone, we would highly recommend you download the free IRIS ParentMail App so that you can make easy, online payments on the go. To do this, simply search for ParentMail in your App store. 

If you do not wish to make payments online, you can of course, continue to make cash, cheque and voucher payments. 

Please note, your bank statement will display either Salisbury 6th Form College or IRISPAY, depending on your payment method. 

If you need any additional information or assistance, please use the help site www.parentmail.co.uk/help/parenthelp/ or please contact someone in our office. 

MLP Recruitment Event

We are always on the look-out for new teachers and leaders to join our thriving and dynamic community of educators dedicated to transforming lives and shaping the future. Come along to our recruitment event here at Salisbury Sixth Form on Monday 16 October from 5.30pm where you can find out more and speak to some of our Early Careers Teachers, experienced staff and Educational Leadership Team. Refreshments will be available.

Friday 15 September 2023

Clubs and Societies
Clubs and Societies launched this week with an impressive array of activities to choose from, including the Peer Education and Change Your Mind Mental Health Programmes, Knitting, LGBTQ+, Volunteering at Schools, Human Rights & Activism, Film, Badminton, Creative Climate Hub, Oral Histories, Gym, Coding, Warhammer & Miniatures, Yoga, Art & Science, Netball, Football, Rugby and Running. Our clubs and societies are such an important part of college life, where students can meet in a safe space, learn new skills, make friends, keep fit, work in a team and boost their CVs and I am hopeful that every one of our students will enjoy taking part.  

Sports Academies
We have seen a fantastic start to our Sports Academies initiative, with S6C Football Academy winning their first league game of the season against Cheltenham Academy. With a 4-2 score, S6C dominated the game and our students played some lovely one touch football. A well deserved win! Netball and Rugby trials were this week so watch this space for news of more wins.  

Forthcoming dates for your diary

• Monday 18 September Year 12 DC1 Assessment Week
• Tuesday 19 September Environmental Science Field Trip to Studland 
• Wednesday 20 September Football Academy Fixture in Exeter 
• Sunday 24 September Geography Field Trip to Leeson House, Dorset
• Friday 29 September Biology Field Trip to Kimmeridge
• Monday 16 October MLP Recruitment Event
• Wednesday 18 October BTEC Business Charity Fashion Show

Online Payments on IRIS ParentMail
All parents, please note that very soon we will be using Online Payments on IRIS ParentMail – an online payment service which allows you to pay for college items quickly and easily on your smartphone, tablet or computer. 

We will inform you about items you need to pay through IRIS ParentMail, and you will be able to pay electronically, using credit or debit cards as well as PayPal and PayPoint. 

If you have an Android or Apple smartphone, we would highly recommend you download the free IRIS ParentMail App so that you can make easy, online payments on the go. To do this, simply search for ParentMail in your App store. 

If you do not wish to make payments online, you can of course, continue to make cash, cheque and voucher payments. 

Please note, your bank statement will display either Salisbury 6th Form College or IRISPAY, depending on your payment method. 

If you need any additional information or assistance, please use the help site www.parentmail.co.uk/help/parenthelp/ or please contact someone in our office. 

MLP Recruitment Event – Monday 16 October 5.30pm
We are always on the look-out for new teachers and leaders to join our thriving and dynamic community of educators dedicated to transforming lives and shaping the future. Come along to our recruitment event here at Salisbury Sixth Form on Monday 16 October from 5.30pm where you can find out more and speak to some of our Early Careers Teachers, experienced staff and Educational Leadership Team. Refreshments will be available.

Friday 08 September 2023

What a brilliant start to the new academic year! The weather has been glorious, the college has been buzzing with energy and enthusiasm and I am delighted to be back, welcoming so many new students to S6C. Over the summer we invested in a new IT system within the college which was finally completed this week, after a few technical issues. Despite this, all of our students have settled in well and I cannot wait to see how they mature during their time at S6C.

I am also immensely proud of our graduating students, with 95% gaining a place at their university of choice. A well deserved reward for all their hard work over the two years they spent with us.     

The newly launched S6C/WSE Football Academy, run by Adam Jones, is already in full swing, with football and rugby trials taking place this week and our first cup match next week. Participants are encouraged to maintain high levels of personal development and professional standards and a place on the team is only guaranteed when a student’s academic work is up to date. This is going to be a very exciting time to be involved in sport at S6C.

And finally, one of our incredibly talented art students spent just over a month last term painting a beautiful mural in the S6C gym. The results are stunning and I am hoping that we can provide even more opportunities for our students to showcase their work in the future.

Forthcoming dates for your diary:

• Study Skills Workshops begin next week on Monday 12 September. These are drop-in workshops that are open to all students who would like to become more confident and effective learners. The focus of next week’s workshop will be using Google Suite. All sessions will be in the Project Room and you have a choice of four sessions to suit your timetable:
  Monday 10:45 – 11:15 / Tuesday 10:00 – 10:30 / Wednesday 10:45 – 11:15 / Thursday 10:00 – 10:30;

• Clubs and Societies start next week at 2.30pm on Wednesday;
• BTEC Business Charity Fashion Show, Wednesday 18 October.

Regards

Ben

Today has been one of those days when you feel so privileged to work in education! I am delighted with the students at S6C who have gained some excellent results this summer. It is worth remembering that COVID has caused a huge disruption to their education, but our students have risen to this challenge and flourished. 

The evidence of this success is in their progression to the next steps in life. With the majority of students going to University including many Russell Group Universities, to study a wide range of courses including Oceanography, Geography, Philosophy and Midwifery to name just a few. We have had over 95% of students who applied for University secure a place.  

It has also been a pleasure to hear time and time again from parents how much they value the all round support from our hugely dedicated staff who consistently go above and beyond to ensure that the students experience at the college really is “All about you”.

Kirsty White – Psychology Teacher

On Thursday 06 July, Psychology students went to Marwell Zoo to attend an Animal Behaviour conference. Students were given the opportunity to see how the concepts we cover in lessons apply to the zoo and how psychology contributes to the conservation efforts made by Marwell. Students then had the opportunity to apply their research method skills to designing and conducting a comparative study on two species of their choice. They then presented their findings to one another and considered the limitations of their studies. Our students were amazing all day and enjoyed their time exploring the zoo independently (and the gift shop!). 

07 July 2023

As we fast approach the end of my first year as Head of College I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone with whom I have worked. This is my first post as a Head, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank staff and Governors at S6C who have been overwhelmingly supportive and everyone throughout the MLP trust who have been welcoming and encouraging. Add to that the immensely enthusiastic and driven students we have at the college and I have to say my first year has been one of the most enjoyable and rewarding of my career. I must also mention the parents and guardians of our students, who I would like to thank for all their hard work behind the scenes, ensuring our students have a nurturing and safe environment in which to live and allowing their young people to grow into unique and talented young adults.  

Next Wednesday we all finish for a well deserved summer break but not before we have our Destinations Development Day on Monday 10 July. In the morning there is a programme of sessions to follow and the afternoon can be spent reflecting on this week’s work experience, UCAS registration or catching up on any gaps in work. There is also a whole host of speakers joining us in the afternoon and students may choose who they go to see. Please make sure you have looked at the list and thought carefully about who it would be useful for you to meet based on what you would like to do after college. Attendance is compulsory and the day has been designed to be of benefit to each and every student. Please click on the link below for more information:

Destinations Development Day

I hope you all have a really restful summer break and I look forward to seeing you on Monday 04 September.

Regards
Ben

Friday 30 June 2023

What a week! We have seen relief at the end of exams, tearful farewells and exciting new beginnings. As the academic year comes to a close I’d like to thank everyone for making my first year as Head of S6C so rewarding. I have learned a lot and cannot wait to see what next year has in store.  

End of Exams

Congratulations to all of our students at the end of exam season. You have all done so well in your two years at S6C, maturing into outstanding young adults of whom we are all incredibly proud. I am really looking forward to seeing our year 13 students at their Prom to say goodbye and wish them luck in their next adventure. Please do keep in touch with us to let us know your successes and remember that we are always here if you need support and advice.

University and Apprenticeships Information Evening

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend the university and apprenticeships information evening we held on Tuesday. We hope that you found it useful and informative and for those who were unable to attend, the slides are available below. There will of course be many more opportunities for discussion surrounding university and apprenticeship applications in the next academic year and our new year 13 students will be fully supported throughout the process.

Applying to University 

Applying for an Apprenticeship

Freshers Day

On Thursday we welcomed over 200 young people into the college! Everyone was enthusiastic and keen to attend their taster lessons and the atmosphere was incredible. I am looking forward to seeing everyone in September and helping our year 12 students make new friends and settle into college life. Please be aware that due to the large numbers of applications we have received this year it is critical you enrol with us quickly on 24 August so you can secure your chosen subjects. If you have any queries regarding enrolment, please contact Teresa Salmon at admissions@s6c.mlp.college

Goodbye Year 13

And finally we said an emotional fond farewell to our Year 13s on Wednesday. It was great to see so many of you make the effort to come into college to say goodbye to teachers and other students and I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who brought in their old textbooks and revision guides. 

Other dates for your diary include:

Monday 03 to Wednesday 05 July

Year 12 work experience days. 

Wednesday 05 July

On Wednesday 05 July we have our first open evening for new students wanting to join us in 2024. If you know anyone who is considering college in 2024, please let them know. The evening is a brilliant way to see our facilities and get a sense of what studying at S6C is all about.  

Thursday 06 July

Psychology trip to Marwell Zoo

Friday 07 July 

Year 12 will be enrolled into Year 13 and if there are any concerns, parents will be contacted. 

Monday 10 July

Year 12 Destinations Development Day, where there will be a programme of speakers covering practical information about applying to different pathways and visiting speakers by subject – a great opportunity to find out more about the wealth of careers available. 

Regards
Ben

Work Experience 03 – 05 July 2023
Rosie Roberts – Careers Lead

Health and Safety information and Risk Assessments have been requested from employers and all information will be shared with students on the first day of their placement to ensure they are aware of how to keep safe in the workplace. Students should also be aware of any dress codes and working hours through the Unifrog form. There is a Safeguarding agreement in place and any safeguarding concerns should be emailed to safeguarding@s6c.mlp.college and our safeguarding team will respond. Each student has agreed to abide by all employer policies and to inform the employer and school as soon as possible if they are going to be absent. 

During the work experience placement students can complete the Unifrog placement journal. Students may wish to start using this journal in advance of the placement to record important things like what to wear, and then continue using it during the placement to work through useful activities like interviewing people at the employer. Download it as a word doc here: https://cdn.unifrog.org/downloads/Placements_journal.docx and as a pdf here: https://cdn.unifrog.org/downloads/Placements_journal.pdf
Once complete, students should remember to upload it to their Unifrog Locker.

For those students who have not secured a placement, they must come into college from 03 to 05 July. On Monday and Tuesday from 9am-4pm we have employers coming into College to run a project with students and on Wednesday 05 July students are to complete an online work experience placement with Springpod. Students may complete the virtual placement from home or at College on Wednesday 05 July.

If you are coming into College for the in-house work experience programme, you will all need to bring laptops on Monday and Tuesday. You may also wish to sign up for a Springpod account in advance, if you don’t already have one, ahead of Wednesday. You can do so here: https://space.springpod.com/sign-up?signUpStep=0 (make sure you say you’re studying at S6C so that it records your work experience)

Friday 23 June 2023

We have all but finished A level exams and all of our year 13 students have been truly amazing in their timekeeping, discipline and work ethic. Thank you for working so hard and thank you to all S6C staff for ensuring our students are fully prepared for their exams and their life beyond college.  

Our year 12 students have been completing their mock exams and I hope that they have found the experience useful. Revision and performing in exam conditions are skills which can be learned but it does require hard work and we are here to support our students in any way we can. 

Tuesday 27 June – Year 12 information evening for parents

We are inviting year 12 parents to an information evening to explain the university application process and how to apply for an apprenticeship. Please click here to reserve your place.

Work Experience 03-05 July 2023

Please speak to Rosie or Rebecca as soon as possible if you need help finding somewhere for your placement. There will be a form of work experience taking place in college over the three days but this will not be as beneficial as going into the workplace and learning more about the work you would like to be doing in the future.

Student Union

As members of our Student Union begin their new roles for the forthcoming academic year, we say a fond farewell to our outgoing members Abbie, Immy, Chloe, Nick, Liv, Tilly and Maddie, who have worked tirelessly in their assigned roles as individuals and as a team. They have continued to keep the S6C student voice at the forefront and have been patient and understanding when changes have taken time or been impossible to make. A number of their endeavours have been behind the scenes, charities have benefited from fundraising and classrooms have been rejuvenated with new plants. A more high profile addition to the calendar has been Friday morning Tea and Toast, a welcome ‘pick me up’ to the end of the week. These young adults are to be highly commended for all their efforts and we sincerely thank them.

To those few students who still have exams there is still help available from the team if exam stress is affecting your wellbeing. Please click here for some really useful advice on how to prepare for exams. Click here for tips for coping with exam stress. If you click here you will find the S6C Exam Handbook and revision guide, along with all the information you need from the Joint Council for Qualifications. Please read everything carefully so that you are fully prepared for your exams.

Please click here for the 2023 A Level and AS Level exam timetable. 

Please click here for the year 12 mock exams timetable. 

Other dates for your diary include:

Tuesday 27 June

Environmental Science trip to Clarendon House and History trip to the Chalke Valley History Festival.

Wednesday 28 June

All Year 13s are invited to S6C at 12.45pm to say goodbye to their cohort and staff. There will be drinks and nibbles and we would like to ask students to donate any of their revision guides and textbooks that they no longer need. We will use these to support disadvantaged students in future years. Click here to let us know you are coming.

Thursday 29 June

Freshers Day

Friday 30 June

Year 13 Prom 

Monday 03 to Wednesday 05 July

Year 12 work experience days. 

Wednesday 05 July

On Wednesday 05 July we have our first open evening for new students wanting to join us in 2024. If you know anyone who is considering college in 2024, please let them know. The evening is a brilliant way to see our facilities and get a sense of what studying at S6C is all about.  

Thursday 06 July

Psychology trip to Marwell Zoo

Friday 07 July 

Year 12 will be enrolled into Year 13 and if there are any concerns, parents will be contacted. 

Monday 10 July

Year 12 Destinations Development Day, where there will be a programme of speakers covering practical information about applying to different pathways and visiting speakers by subject – a great opportunity to find out more about the wealth of careers available. 

And finally, huge congratulations to our Admissions Officer Teresa Salmon, who successfully completed the London to Brighton Bike Ride last weekend!

BTEC Fashion Show 2023
Catherine Pennington – Business Teacher

As a part of their course, the Year 12 BTEC Business students are required to plan and manage an event. As a collective, they have decided to put on a fashion show and have been diligently preparing for this over the past few weeks. This hands-on project allows them to immerse themselves in every aspect of event planning from themes to event production and operation to marketing and promotion. Their goal is not only to showcase their talents but also to raise funds for a worthy cause—the Alabare charity.

Alabare is a local organisation that provides crucial support to homeless and vulnerable individuals in our community. Their services include emergency accommodation, supported housing, mental health support, and employment training. By holding this fashion show, we aim to raise awareness about Alabare’s essential work and contribute to their mission of empowering individuals to rebuild their lives.

The fashion show will take place later in the year on 18 October from 5.00pm until 6.00pm. You are all invited to attend and further details will be released in due course including how to book your place. In the meantime we encourage you to spread the word about the show and its charitable purpose. By attending, you’ll not only have the opportunity to witness the creativity and talent of our students but also contribute to the important work of Alabare in supporting the homeless and vulnerable individuals in our community.

Advice to New Students
Eva Dyson – Study Skills Mentor

I was very impressed with our year 12. I asked them if, with hindsight, there was anything they would have done differently and what would have helped them at the beginning of year 12. They came up with lots of suggestions, so we set up a Jamboard to write all these suggestions and recommendations for the next year 12. Each day we created one board in the Study Skills lessons. All the students were very mature and were happy to share their wisdom. Please click on the links below to see their really useful advice.

ADVICE TO NEW STUDENTS 1/4

ADVICE TO NEW STUDENTS 2/4

ADVICE TO NEW STUDENTS 3/4

ADVICE TO NEW STUDENTS 4/4

Friday 16 June 2023 

With only six more A level exams left in the calendar, staff and students are beginning to reflect on Year 13 and what it has meant to them. There is a hint of sadness at what students will be leaving behind but mostly our students are excited to be starting the next chapter in their lives, something they have been working towards for the past two years.    

To those students who still have exams, and to our Year 12 students who have their mocks next week, if you need help with revision please speak to someone here at the college. Support is also available from the team if exam stress is affecting your wellbeing. Please click here for some really useful advice on how to prepare for exams. This link is also excellent and focused on tips for coping with stress: Study and Exam Tips

If you click here you will find the S6C Exam Handbook and revision guide, along with all the information you need from the Joint Council for Qualifications. Please read everything carefully so that you are fully prepared for your exams.

Please click here for the 2023 A Level and AS Level exam timetable. 

Please click here for the year 12 mock exams timetable which start this Monday 19 June. 

Other dates for the diary include:

Tuesday 27 June

UCAS information evening for parents, more information is below. 

Wednesday 28 June

All Year 13s are invited to S6C at 12.45pm to say goodbye to their cohort and staff. There will be drinks and nibbles and we would like to ask students to donate any of their revision guides and textbooks that they no longer need. We will use these to support disadvantaged students in future years. 

Thursday 29 June

Freshers Day

Friday 30 June

Year 13 Prom 

Monday 03 to Wednesday 05 July

Year 12 work experience days. If there are any students who still need to find a work experience placement, please speak to Rosie Roberts or Rebecca Anderson.

Wednesday 05 July

On Wednesday 05 July we have our first open evening for new students wanting to join us in 2024. If you know anyone who is considering college in 2024, please let them know. The evening is a brilliant way to see our facilities and get a sense of what studying at S6C is all about.  

Thursday 06 July

Psychology trip to Marwell Zoo

Friday 07 July 

Year 12 will be enrolled into Year 13 and if there are any concerns, parents will be contacted. 

Monday 10 July

Year 12 Destinations Development Day, where there will be a programme of speakers covering practical information about applying to different pathways and visiting speakers by subject – a great opportunity to find out more about the wealth of careers available. 

Regards

Ben

Parent Information Evening – University and Apprenticeships 

Rosie Roberts – Careers Lead

We would like to invite you to an information evening for Year 12 parents on next steps after College. Our students will soon be hearing from visiting universities and employers about the range of career options available to them and how to apply. We would like to invite parents to an evening session to summarise these discussions and how you can support your young person to make informed decisions about their future.

The evening will be held in the S6C Theatre on Tuesday 27 June from 6.00pm-7.30pm. We will be joined by a representative from the University of Bath and we will hear from ASK Apprenticeships Service. The evening will also give us an opportunity to talk through the UCAS process and how and when we will be supporting students to make university applications.

Aspire to Excellence 

Rebecca Anderson – Pastoral Lead

A group of Aspire to Excellence students visited Oxford on Monday to enjoy the culture of this university city and have a think about aspirational university applications and courses (not in any way limited to Oxbridge). Everyone had a chance to explore Oxford’s free museums, covered market, botanical gardens, and the famous Blackwells Bookshop. We had a walking tour of the city centre, guided by a physicist completing his masters, who showed us round New College, the university libraries, the alley that inspired Narnia, and talked to us about his own studies at Wadham as we walked. He also asked students to consider the statue of Cecil Rhodes and some of the university debate around how to (or whether to) display statues of historical figures with links to exploitative colonialism. 

We were very pleased to be able to visit S6C alumni Nye, who is at the end of his second year studying History and Politics at University College and to hear a little about his study habits, whilst gathered around the marble statue of the poet Shelley, who had actually been expelled from University College midway through his studies. 

All students on the Aspire Classroom were all sent a reflection on some of the tips surrounding competitive applications and choices, and these will be sent to parents and carers next week.

Charity Fashion Show

Catherine Pennington – BTEC Business Teacher

The year 12 BTEC Business class are organising a charity fashion show in October 2023. This is a unit of study where the students are set an assignment of managing, staging and evaluating an event and as a collective the class have decided to put on a show that will raise money for Alabare, a charity in Salisbury who supported our college on Mental Health Development Day. Our students are encouraging staff and students to model their own outfits to showcase their individuality and take off one item of clothing to donate to Alabare. This hands-on project allows the students to immerse themselves in every aspect of event planning, work experience, teamwork and academic achievement. The event promises to be great fun, involve our whole community, raise money for a good cause and celebrate the act of giving and being kind. More details will be advertised on our social media pages soon. If you would like to be the first person to make a donation please head to our Just Giving Page https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/catherine-pennington