S6C Update

04 April 2025
Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Well done to our students who undertook the two day practice expedition for their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE). The DofE is open to any young person aged 14-24. Each young person builds their own DofE programmes – picking their own activities and choosing which cause to volunteer for – in order to achieve a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award. We’re really proud of our students and are also very grateful to Eva Dyson, our Study Skills Mentor, for accompanying them and documenting their experience.

“We had a bit of rain, a bit of wind, lots of sunshine, frost at night and lots of marshmallows! Our students were absolutely amazing, I am so proud of them.”

Eva Dyson

Competition Winner
Congratulations to Freya Eastman, winner of the ‘Reading in unusual places’ competition for World Book Day, who received a well-deserved Waterstones voucher. 

Easter Revision Sessions
During the Easter holidays we will be offering a range of Easter revision activities in college. Please take advantage of these activities and attend the ones which are relevant to you. This can be a great way for students to gain momentum in their preparation for the exams. Please see the list below of sessions that are running and the times these sessions will run.

History Trip to Hampton Court Palace
Yesterday, the History department visited Hampton Court Palace, the famous Tudor residence, to undertake an A level source analysis workshop.

This has been a fantastic opportunity for our students to bring to life their Tudor studies with a workshop which has been designed to complement the syllabus.

During the session, students evaluated the stability of the monarchy and the extent of the religious turbulence under King Edward VI, Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I. They were also able to explore the palace buildings and analyse contemporary sources in order to better understand themes of the Mid-Tudor Crisis.

Sport
Final Rugby Match of the Season
MLP Rugby Academy: “What a journey it has been these last 2 years!

So proud of these lads and everything they have achieved. Been unbelievable! Thank you year 13s.

You leave the shirt in a very good place and hand over to the year 11s & year 12s.

The future of MLP rugby is very bright.

What an evening of local youth rugby in Salisbury!”

S6C/WSE Football Tour
After a very early start, the S6C/WSE Football Tour to Inter-Milan has begun. First stop: KONAMI Youth Development Centre.

Director of Sport, Adam Jones, reports: “Fantastic day in Milan. Students have been absolutely brilliant.

Training was class but the games even better. Against tough Italian opposition we went 2-0 down. We got one back, through Oscar. With time running out, the ball went up to Luke Thorndike who passed to Merritt to curl an absolute screamer. Mayhem. Great scenes.

Then we finished the day walking around the centre of Milan. What a beautiful city.”

What an amazing experience for our students!

Applications for 2025 Entry
We are still accepting applications for some courses so please contact our admissions team if you would like to discuss enrolling with us in September. If you have already applied, once we received your school reference you will have been invited to one of our interview evenings, the last of which takes place on 30 April. Following a successful interview we will offer you a place which is conditional upon achieving the entry requirements for your subject choices and you will be able to log in to your application to accept the offer. We look forward to seeing you in September!

Liz Stavely – Mental Health Lead
As part of a CPD Wellbeing initiative, a group of teaching staff are looking to create an immersive environment to aid with self regulation for some of our students. In order to proceed with the project, we are in need of a short throw projector that can be linked to a laptop or PC, similar to the type used for conference rooms/classrooms. We wondered if any of our parents are able to help with this? Does your workplace have any redundant projectors? If you think you can help, please email sbarrington@s6c.mlp.college

Rebecca Anderson – Pastoral Lead
Diversity and Inclusivity
– If students would like us to mark a faith celebration which is important to them, or a national day which has significance, or need time off for a faith celebration, then please let me know.
– The Reflection Room is open to all needing a quiet space in college for a short break. It has low lighting options, objects and books from different faith traditions, meditation hints, colouring, lego, and nature books, and is a space for those of all faiths and none.
University and Apprenticeships
– Any student needing to do an interview for apprenticeship, employment or university can come and see Rebecca to arrange some guidance and practice;
– Any student needing advice on volunteering, work experience, or wider engagement, to prepare for strong applications, should talk to their teachers, tutor or Rebecca as soon as they know what area they may be interested in;
– We offer a full support service for those applying for apprenticeships, but it has to be responsive to the job market, so there are no set dates for the different stages. This means that students need to show a high level of initiative and independence, but we are here to help and we expect to be involved – we can help search, check applications, and prepare for interviews.
Year 13 University Applicants
– Student finance applications are now open! APPLY HERE!
– For a student toolkit to help with applications CLICK HERE
The University of Bath is hosting the following webinars:
Supporting your child: Accommodation and student support panel discussion (1 May 2025)
Supporting your child’s UCAS application for courses starting in 2026 (29 May 2025)
REGISTER HERE
Please email student-recruitment-team@bath.ac.uk with any questions.
University Bursary Grants
Wiltshire Community Foundation is offering University Bursary grants to support young people in Wiltshire and Swindon with the costs of studying for an undergraduate degree. Each bursary provides £1,600 per year of your course, helping with essential expenses like travel, books, or general living costs. As long as your circumstances remain the same, you’ll continue to receive the grant for each academic year of your degree. To be eligible, you must:
– Have parents/guardians (or yourself) claiming at least 2 Means-Tested Benefits or 2 elements of Universal Credit OR be a Looked After Child (in the care of Wiltshire Council or Swindon Borough Council);
– Be aged between 17–24 years when you apply;
– Have lived in Wiltshire or Swindon for at least 2 years (or have your family home there if you’re already at university);
– Be eligible for funding through Student Finance England;
– Be planning to study (or already studying) for your first undergraduate degree at a UK university, college, or institution.
Don’t Miss Out! Applications close on 11 April 2025 – apply today!
Support Service
Zoe the College Nurse runs a drop in session from 12pm to 1pm every Tuesday in the small meeting room on the first floor. She is able to offer professional guidance and support or signposting for physical, emotional, mental and sexual health. This includes managing long term health conditions (including migraine and period pain or any medical condition), contraception and sexual health consultations (she can give out contraception and testing kits), smoking and vaping, eating issues, sleep, low mood / self harm, anxiety and panic, concerns about ASD, ADHD or mental health conditions, healthy lifestyle and exercise, or any concerns you have about your general health and wellbeing. You can also ask her, or us, if you’d like to be referred for a series of sessions. Zoe will be running a confidential service and will only talk to college or your parents if there is a fear for your safety.
Year 13 Assembly
This week’s Year 13 assembly was a fact and evidence based look at vaping to allow students to draw well informed conclusions. We covered the marketing history of vapes and the ensuing court cases in the US, the mechanism and ingredients that makes vaping pleasurable and addictive, the effect of addiction on the brain, the scientifically proven short term benefits of legal vaping v smoking, and the rise in illegal vapes in UK colleges including those contaminated with the drug Spice and those containing illegal chemicals linked to cancer. We shared resources for finding out more about quitting smoking or vaping. Do talk to your Year 13 students and see what they think. The Netflix documentary The Rise and Fall of Big Vape is fascinating, and the slides we used are on their Information Classroom. Our school nurse is happy to talk to students. And anyone can find excellent non judgemental information on any substance using the Frank website or helpline.

This app gives info on using vaping to quit smoking – which is an excellent idea. And then gives advice on the difficult stage of quitting vaping. Support is always at hand. 

You might also like to try this free app to keep a track of your vaping and find patterns and ideas for cutting down on dependency.
Easter Break
– Have a safe, restful and productive Easter break.
– As ever, actively manage any risks, and be well informed – sun, open water, substances and alcohol, parties, driving and being a passenger …. Look after yourselves and each other.
– If you are taking exams this season, and you get hayfever, start taking tablets now – or you won’t be able to see your exam paper through streaming eyes.
– Do help yourself if you need anything from the pastoral cupboard opposite SF07 – pasta, sauce, rice, some other food items – plenty of period products so do take full packets or boxes for you and your family – toiletries (including sunscreen) – positive message cards to boost your mood – and some smart clothes for interviews or jobs. 
– If you are struggling then please do talk to Liz or myself on your return. The Who Can Help Me posters round college will let you know the sorts of things we can offer support for. Don’t forget we also have our counsellors, the early intervention Mental Health Support Team, Zoe the school nurse (Tuesday lunchtimes) and a whole range of people we can refer to for just about any issue. 
– In the meantime do remember that The Mix (under 25s), Childline (under 18s but they won’t treat you like a baby), Samaritans and Text Shout are all there for you.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Wednesday 02 – Sunday 06 April
Football Trip to Inter Milan
Friday 04 April
Term Ends
Monday 07 April – Monday 21 April
Easter Break
Thursday 10 April
Revision Sessions
Tuesday 15 April
Revision Sessions
Tuesday 22 April
Term Begins
Year 13 Assessment Week
Wednesday 23 April
Year 12 UCAS Discovery Day – Winchester University
AFC Bournemouth S6C v Newport County A
Thursday 24 April
Year 12 Vocational Mock Exams
Friday 25 April
Year 12 Vocational Mock Exams
Monday 28 April
Year 12 Vocational Mock Exams
Tuesday 29 April
Year 12 Vocational Mock Exams
Year 13 Art and Photography A Level Exams 
Wednesday 30 April
Year 12 Vocational Mock Exams
Year 13 Art and Photography A Level Exams 
Interview Afternoon
Thursday 01 May
Year 13 Art and Photography A Level Exams 
Year 13 Applied Law Exam 
Monday 05 May
Bank Holiday
Thursday 08 May
Year 13 Vocational Exams
Creative Showcase! An evening of celebration and screenings of the Year 13 Creative Production Work 5pm-7pm
Friday 09 May
Year 13 Vocational Exams
Monday 12 May
Mental Health Awareness Week
Year 13 Vocational Exams
Year 13 A Level Exams 
Tuesday 13 May
Year 13 Vocational Exams 
Year 13 A Level Exams 
Wednesday 14 May
Year 13 Vocational Exams
Year 13 A Level Exams 
Thursday 15 May
Year 13 Vocational Exams
GCSE Maths Exam 
Year 13 DC9 Reports published on Parent Portal
Friday 16 May
Year 13 Vocational Exams 
Year 13 A Level Exams 
Monday 19 May
Year 13 Vocational Exams 
Year 13 A Level Exams 
Tuesday 20 May
Year 13 Vocational Exams
Year 13 A Level Exams 
Wednesday 21 May
Year 13 Vocational Exams 
Year 13 A Level Exams 
S6C/International Celebrating Cultures Day
Thursday 22 May
Year 13 Vocational Exams
Year 13 A Level Exams 
Friday 23 May
GCSE English Exam 
Year 13 A Level Exams 
Monday 26 May – Friday 30 May
Half Term
Monday 02 June
Term Begins
Year 13 A Level Exams 
Tuesday 03 June
Year 13 A Level Exams 
Wednesday 04 June
GCSE Maths Exam
Year 13 Vocational Exams
Year 13 A Level Exams 
Thursday 05 June
Year 13 A Level Exams 
Friday 06 June
GCSE English Exam
Year 13 A Level Exams 
Monday 09 June
Year 12 Mocks Assessment Week – off timetable
Year 13 A Level Exams
Tuesday 10 June
Year 13 Vocational Exams
Year 13 A Level Exams 
Wednesday 11 June
GCSE Maths Exam
Thursday 12 June
Year 13 A Level Exams
Friday 13 June
Year 13 A Level Exams 
Monday 16 June
Year 13 A Level Exams 
Tuesday 17 June
Year 13 A Level Exams
Wednesday 18 June
Year 13 A Level Exams
Thursday 19 June
Year 13 A Level Exams
Friday 20 June
Year 13 A Level Exams 
Monday 23 June
Year 12 Biology/Environmental Science Trip to Marwell Zoo
Tuesday 24 June
Year 12 History Trip to Chalke History Festival
Year 12 Challenge Work Experience Day
Thursday 26 June
Freshers Day
Friday 27 June
Year 13 PROM
Monday 30 June
Staff Training Day
Wednesday 02 July
Year 12 Psychology Trip to Marwell Zoo
Thursday 03 July
Year 12 Parents Evening
Year 12 DC5 Reports published on Parent Portal
Monday 07 July
MLP Careers Fair at S6C
Tuesday 08 July
Year 12 Destinations Development Day
Wednesday 09 July – Saturday 12 July
Year 12 Geography Trip to Isles of Scilly
Wednesday 16 July
Term Ends
Thursday 17 July – Friday 29 August
Summer Break