Friday 09 December
As we draw to the end of the Autumn term I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. This half term has been hugely enjoyable at the College and I would like to thank everyone I have had contact with since starting in September. I have been made to feel so welcome by the community in every interaction I have had, showing what a wonderful place the College is to both work and study. Our students impress me every day as I walk around the site seeing the work that they are producing and we are all very proud of them.
Our students have now all completed their mock exams and I would once again like to say well done to everyone for working so hard and behaving so responsibly in as near to proper exam conditions as possible. Thank you again to S6C staff for the tremendous team effort to organise what is a very tough week of exams.
On Thursday we raised money for Save the Children by wearing our Christmas jumpers and other festive attire including Christmas tree headbands, Santa hats, bauble boppers, musical jumpers and lots of tinsel!
We still have a few places left on our tour day on Monday 12 December. If you know someone who is currently considering their post 16 options we would love to show them what we can offer. Go to https://www.salisbury6c.ac.uk/study-with-us/open-evenings/ to book a place.
The college will be closing for the Christmas break on Wednesday 14 December. Students will be expected to attend lessons in the morning then at 12.15pm there will be a whole college Christmas quiz and celebration in the lecture theatre.
We know that Christmas can be a difficult time for many different reasons. Below we have provided some links which we hope will be useful. I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas break and I look forward to seeing all of our students when term begins again on Wednesday 04 January.
Regards
Ben
S6C Christmas Community Project
Rebecca Anderson – Pastoral Lead
S6C Christmas Community Project: Part One
Alabare have asked if we can donate inexpensive items that would make a lovely small practical Christmas gift for someone – chocolate selection box, chocolate coins, fluffy socks, christmassy toiletries, nice biscuits, hat, scarf etc.
There will be a box by the sliding doors for donations. Alabare run a series of support services in local towns and villages – for street homeless, homeless in temporary housing, sheltered housing for people with learning disabilities, mothers and babies in need, and military veterans.
If you can’t afford to donate something because you and your family are struggling then please speak to us so we can signpost support over Christmas. We all need to look after each other.
S6C Christmas Community Project: Part Two
We are making decorations for Alabare’s Christmas celebrations in one of their houses/centres. Ask around in Year 12 and you will find someone who has been trained in how to make snowflake paper pompoms and they will show you what to do. There is a table in the foyer with the materials. Please give completed pompoms to Reception to go in the bag.
Support contacts for over the Christmas period:
Childline advisors are available throughout Christmas and New Year, including on Christmas day if your young person needs to speak to a counsellor or talk to other young people on the message boards. If you feel you need any support to be put in place at the beginning of term in January, please email the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Mrs Nicky Miller at nmiller@s6c.mlp.college or the Deputy DSL (DDSL), Mrs Rebecca Anderson at randerson@s6c.mlp.college.
Healthy Minds Wiltshire Young People – this is a local number that young people or their parents can ring for mental health advice or to arrange support. https://www.onyourmind.org.uk/children-and-young-people/
Here is a link to Warm and Safe Wiltshire who are supporting those unable to heat their homes sufficiently: https://www.warmandsafewiltshire.org.uk/
The Trussell Trust and Salisbury Pantry are available for anyone experiencing long or short term food poverty – please do also apply to our college Bursary if you are struggling.
SPITFIRES ROCKET LEAGUE REACH NATIONAL DIVISION
Nathan David – Teacher of Esports, Business and Media
A successful Winter period is now (almost) over for the Salisbury Spitfires. Each of the four finished teams have ended the Winter Split with positive records whilst we wait for a rescheduled Overwatch fixture. Valorant 1 and 2 finish with respectable 3-2 records in their Winter groups following a 10-13 defeat and 13-0 forfeit win, respectively. What lies ahead for Spitfires Valorant is yet to be seen but clear progress has been made since the start of the 2021 academic year. Both Rocket League teams earned Division 1 spots for the Winter Split and Rocket League 2 held their own amongst the ‘big guns’ again earning a 3-2 record. Rocket League 1 remains the jewel of the Spitfires crown however and following another 3-0 victory last night vs Kennet School, earned themselves a spot in the National Division for the Spring Split post-christmas with a 5-0 Group Stage record. Huge congratulations to all of the Spitfires players for their hard work and rewards for this split, we all look forward to seeing your progress in the Spring!
Aspire to Excellence
Rebecca Anderson – Pastoral Lead
Don’t forget our S6C Aspire to Excellence programme, which is open to all. Parents and carers are encouraged to read the email we sent with details of opportunities (free or under £10) to boost applications to university, employment and apprenticeships. Students do not need to be doing everything we suggest, but everyone should be doing something. We are here to help with guidance and support so do encourage your young person to keep their tutor updated.
University Applications
Rebecca Anderson – Pastoral Lead
If Year 13s are wanting to apply to university by the January 25th deadline then they really do need to get their applications ready asap so we have time to process them, which typically takes up to two working weeks. They should keep their tutors well informed about their intentions and progress. As ever, we are all here to help.
Careers
Rebecca Anderson – Pastoral Lead
A reminder that we can arrange additional careers appointments with our external careers advisor as well as with a range of staff. Any student needing to do an interview for apprenticeship, employment or university can come and see Rebecca to arrange some guidance and practice. And 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. The most important thing remains making excellent progress in subjects.
Student Enrichment
Knitting and Crochet Club – Christmas Project
Nicola Miller – Assistant Head of College
Every Wednesday at S6C the knitting and crochet club meets to work on their projects. We regularly have 15-20 students attending the group, with a range of skills from complete beginners to very competent knitters and crocheters. Knitting is a great way to socialise and relax and it is also a really useful skill!
This term the club have been making mini Christmas stockings and other Christmas decorations, with the aim of making 60 stockings with treats inside for residents of the Wessex Care homes on Tollgate Road. If you fancy having a go, try websites like loveknitting.com for a free pattern.
https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-gb/p/christmas-stockings-knitting-pattern-by-amanda-berry
Student Enrichment
Baking Club
Sally Tye – Head of Humanities and RS
Baking club ended the year with festive Christmas gingerbread treats! Here are the amazing biscuits from Chloe, Mollie, Alida and Elise.
