Year 13! Join our Alumni so we can keep in touch with you and your classmates after you’ve moved on to new adventures.

Week 5 - Key Student Messages

Please read through the following key messages for Week 5: 

A message from Mrs Clare

A month has flown by very quickly! A huge thank you to those of you who helped at the Open Evening. I was very proud of the 6th Formers representing their subject, welcoming parents and students, running the House stands, organising the tour guides and not least speaking in the hall in front of a packed audience. There was a lovely warm, welcoming buzz throughout the school and I know it was appreciated by those who came to visit. There are details below of the 6th Form Open Evening when I need as many of you as possible to help- save the date! Have a good week!

Mr Wilder’s Quote of the Week

“The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win Everyone wants to win but not everyone wants to prepare to win” - Coach Bobby Knight

6th Form Open Evening: Wed 21st Oct

Advance notice that the 6th Form Open Evening takes place on the last evening of the term, Wednesday 21st Oct 4.45-7.45pm.

Please save this date and make a note in your diaries as we will need all School Officers and all Subject Reps to help, plus anyone else who would like to come along and lend a hand. 

Year 12/13 Absences- ongoing 

If you are absent your parent should ring the attendance hotline to notify the school: 01635 576372. If you have any particular issues or concerns please email attendanceofficer@stbarts.co.uk. Also, please arrange doctor and dentist appointments outside of lessons as far as possible so as not to miss out on valuable teaching.

Y12/13 Punctuality & Attendance- ongoing

Attendance is the greatest indicator of A-level success. Please ensure you attend all your lessons, tutor times and enrichment sessions. AM tutor time starts at 8:30am. Friday P5s will be issued for frequent tutor absences or lateness. Get in on time and start your day positively. If you have any major logistical issues with this please do inform your tutor. 

Y12/Y13 Phones- LAST REMINDER

 You are very privileged to be able to use your mobile phone in the Common Room and on the 6th Form balcony. The rest of the school has a complete ban on phones. For this reason, remember that even at the start and the end of the day, you are not allowed to use your phone outside of the 6th Form areas. If teachers see your phone, it will be taken from you.

Y12/Y13 Important Lanyard Reminders- 2nd week

All Sixth Form students MUST sign in and out of the building using their photo ID lanyard for fire regulation purposes.

• What do I do if I arrive without my photo ID lanyard?

1. Sign in at reception to pick up a temporary lanyard.

2. Enter your PIN to sign in and out at the panel instead of swiping your card.

3. If you need a PIN reminder, please speak with the team in Main Reception, or come to the Sixth Form office W134.

PINs were communicated to students directly via Arbor earlier this week. If you did not receive this, please contact sixthform@stbarts.co.uk.

Please keep your PIN safe and do not share it with others.

• Why is it important that I swipe in/out of the building with my photo ID card/enter my PIN?

 The process of swiping your card or entering your PIN means that we can hold your name on the fire register whilst you are in the building. If the fire alarm sounds, the register is printed showing who is signed in at that point. If you have left the building without signing out, your name will be called at the fire assembly point and if you are not there, the fire services will be sent into the building to search for you. Therefore, if you have left the building and not signed out, this could cause injury or loss of life to others.

• What do I do if I have permanently lost my photo ID lanyard?

 If you lose your photo ID lanyard, please report this to sixthform@stbarts.co.uk and purchase a new one via the ParentPay shop on the school website here. The charge for a replacement is £5.00.

You MUST sign in and out at reception each day and use your PIN until your replacement lanyard is ready; temporary pink lanyards cannot be taken home overnight.

If you fail to return/lose the temporary lanyard, you will be charged £5 to cover the cost of replacement.

Wearing your lanyard is essential for keeping everyone on site safe, please support the school by doing your part.

Y12/13 Upcoming trip reminders sign up:

Y13 Sociology Conference – cancelled due to lack of uptake – refunds have been issued

Y12 Spanish Immersion – deadline 27th Sep

Y12 French Immersion – deadline 30th Sep

Y12 Bruges Music – deadline 13th October (if a Y13 wishes to be added to this trip, please email finance@stbarts.co.uk)

Y12 PE Bath Uni – deadline 18th Oct

Y12 German Exchange - deadline 18th Oct

Y13 Drama Watermill – deadline 1st Nov

Y12/13 ELIGIBLE FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS? FINAL week

ELIGIBLE FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS? Please note that from 1 September, any family receiving Universal Credit is now eligible to apply for Free School Meals. We encourage anyone who may benefit to submit an application. The process is quick and can be completed online through the West Berkshire Council website here. Applications must be submitted before the end of September, so that support can be in place as soon as possible for the new term. If you have any questions or need assistance, please do get in touch with the West Berks Free School Meals team on freeschoolmeals@westberks.gov.uk.

Year 12/13 Reading books- FINAL REMINDER

As part of the tutor time programme on a Wednesday morning, we will be promoting reading your own book. Preferably we would like this to be a paper back book or on a Kindle. The book can be fiction or non-fiction but just reading through your homework on Arbor or on Google Classroom is not classed as reading! Reading lists of suggested books have been passed onto tutors so you can ask them for advice.

Y12/13 16-19 Bursary- ongoing 

Please check if you are eligible for our Sixth Form Bursary on the website: 16-19 Bursary St Bart's School The Bursary is there to offer financial support for educational purposes such as equipment, trips and books. If you have any questions with this please email Mrs Clare directly: sclare@stbarts.co.uk  Y13 please renew your bursary: please see email from Mrs Clare. 

Y12/13 Sixth Form Games/Sixth Form Cup - Wednesday P5 

See table below. 

Y12/13 Exam Access Arrangements- ongoing

If you have a diagnosis or any access arrangements that we need to be aware of, please complete the survey that was sent out to all year 12 students on Friday P3. If you are in year 12 or year 13 and would like to discuss SEND access arrangements or any further support with CAHMS please email Mrs Hastings jhastings@stbarts.co.uk.

Y12/13 Maths Students: ordering calculators FINAL REMINDER

Maths and Further Maths students: Make sure you order your calculator via ParentyPay shop (letter sent to parents on 16th Sept) by the deadline of Monday 28th September. You will NOT be able to order one through school after this deadline. 

A few moans and reminders

Y12/13 W213- Use of the silent study space. 

Please respect that this is a silent study space, including at Activity Time. It is important that students who want to work at any time of the day are able to go to a place that allows them to concentrate and complete work without distractions. Please do not eat in this space or use your phone. Please be mindful of those who want to be left in peace.

Y12/13 The Curnock top floor Art table.

This is a quiet working space for students who have lessons on the top floor of Curnock (Art, Film, Graphics, Media, Photography) – we welcome and encourage you to use it during the day in order to get things done!  Please remember that it’s not a social space for crowds to gather, especially during Activity Time when other groups have tutor sessions – other spaces are available for eating and lunchtime chat.  It’s also not a place where you are allowed to use your phone – if you do, you should expect to be challenged, and potentially moved on. Thanks very much! Mr Evans

Y12/13: Joggers

Joggers with elastic, gathered bottoms are not permitted. Please save these for the sports field!

Y12 Subject Changes- 1st week

This week the official swapping window is open. Teachers will need to approve any subject changes and entry requirements for those subjects must still be adhered to. Please see the email sent with the 6th Form bulletin. 

Y12 Mentoring

Year 12 PP mentors please can you meet with Miss Ostinelli on Tuesday 29th September at 12.10 in CO14. 

Y12 Update from the Library - new notice

We will be doing the last week of Year 12 Library inductions this week. Some of you may have found us already, but this is a great opportunity to learn about how the Library can help you in the next two years of your studies, in terms of resources to support your EPQ or coursework, wider reading and where to borrow textbooks from if it’s applicable to your course. 

We also have ongoing volunteering opportunities in the library which you can talk about on your personal statement / CV, from helping with Manga Club on Wednesdays at activity time (starting this week), to doing useful regular tasks in the library which can happen any day of the working week. Please let me know if you can help by filling in this google form. 

St Bart’s Library is here to help you- please come in to talk to us if you have any questions, or email library@stbarts.co.uk

Y12 Parent Pay- 3rd week

External Y12 starters - ParentPay

Parents of external Y12 students should have received a ParentPay activation letter. The letter will have come from platform@parentpay.com and may have gone into your junk folder.

If you have not received your letter or have any issues activating your account, please email finance@stbarts.co.uk stating pupil name and tutor group.

Y12 Catering App- 2nd week

You have been issued a letter from the catering team with your individual QR code to allow you to download and set-up the catering app. This will allow you to pre-order hot food and drinks from the Sixth Form Café and help to reduce queues during busy times.

• You can order anytime up to 9:30am on the day of collection, or up to three days in advance,

• Choose to collect at break or lunchtime (from the Sixth Form Café),

• All payments are linked to ParentPay and will be automatically deducted when orders are confirmed.

More information can be found here.

You can also pre-order via the self-service kiosk located in the café. In this case, please remember to hand your ticket straight the kiosk once you have paid to ensure they know what they need to prepare for you.

Y13 LNAT- 3rd week

LNAT support group is running at Wednesday activity time in D110. Anyone thinking of taking the LNAT should attend. 

Y13 Early Entrants- ongoing

Drop in sessions for personal statements and advice will be at the following times in the sixth form area:  08:15- 08:50 Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. 12:40- 13:10. Mr Castel. The deadline for submitting your UCAS application is this Friday 2nd October. 

Y13 House Captains 3rd week

Sport, Arts and Charity - please check your email from Miss Ostinelli and be ready for the first round of House reps meetings. 

Y13 Careers - drop ins. Ongoing

Mrs Garrety is usually in her office (P033) during period 4 and 5 on a Friday if you want to drop in. 

Y12/13 Clubs & Societies

As promised, please find the full list of Sixth Form Clubs & Societies 26-27 for this year. We have so many opportunities coming up this year and I encourage everyone to get involved in your hobbies and passions, or try something new completely. Joining a club/society is a great way to meet new people and be part of the community. If you have any questions about any of the opportunities, please contact the organiser of that club/society as listed.

NEW  Faith Clubs starting this week!

For the first time in the 560-year history of our school, there will now be a greater emphasis and representation of the different faiths in our society. 

If you want to learn more about your faith, make new friends and spend some fun time together, please come along to the following lunchtime clubs starting this week in W111. 

Monday  -  Christianity 

Tuesday - Islam

Wednesday - Sanātana Dharma (Hinduism)

We look forward to seeing you there!

If you have any questions, please contact Mr Tylee: RTylee@stbarts.co.uk

Y12/13 Pride Club -ongoing

St Bart's Pride Club is officially relaunched! A space like this can have a brilliant impact - students who may otherwise feel like they don't quite fit in are given an opportunity to meet for chats and games with people who accept and support them just as they are. If you'd like to get involved, come to C215 on Friday lunchtimes for the first session, or if you can't be there email the Diversity and Campaigns team through 20TCook@stbarts.co.uk to let us know! Best wishes, The Diversity & Campaigns team.

Black History Month education - get involved!

Y13 ONLY - On the 8th October, the Diversity & Campaigns team will be leading an Enrichment session for Y12 around Black History Month. We've already got some ideas, but would love any Y13 who's interested to join us in planning/delivering the session. If you'd like to contribute at all, either email me (20TCook@stbarts.co.uk) or come find me in person - please do this soon though as we don't have loads of time! Thanks :)

Black History Month Multimedia Competition

As part of our school’s celebration of Black History Month, the Diversity and Campaigns team are inviting you to do something creative inspired by this year’s theme - ‘Honouring Our Communities’. This is a multimedia competition, meaning any entry type is welcome! For example, you could write a short story or poem, make a short film, create a piece of artwork, or compose a piece of music. To submit your entry, please upload it to this Google Form by the 22nd October. Good luck!

Y12/13 Rugby

Well done to the Senior Rugby Team who kicked off their season with a 26-5 win against QMC. Next game is Wednesday 30th September, away at Leighton Park in the County Cup

All players - make sure you are at training Tuesday after school.

Y12/13 House Music Competition- 3rd week

The fiercely fought House Music competition is now underway and the Year 13 House Music Captains are working very hard to promote, prepare and rehearse from this week onwards.  But they cannot do this alone.  Your House Needs You!  Please go along to as many of the rehearsals for your house as you are able - you can join the choir, the band or both as you wish.  Having older students involved helps to support the younger students and you may even wish to volunteer for an assistant leadership role in your house too which looks great on any future references. 

For those who have not taken part before, there will be an all-day rehearsal on Wednesday 14th October and the competition itself will start at 6.30pm on Thursday 15th October.  You don't need to be an expert musician, just a willing volunteer so we look forward to seeing you there. Have fun! Mrs Robertson

Y12/13 Curnock House Music rehearsals start this week!-3rd week

Choir: Tuesday after school and Friday lunch

Instrumental: Wednesday lunch and Thursday after school

Please come along to Patterson block at these times to get involved, biscuits and house points will be provided! Go Curnock! 

Curnock Music House Captains

Don’t forget about our wider reading initiative- Five to Thrive- where you get rewarded for reading, whether it is for your A level subjects or reading for pleasure. Collect one of our Five to Thrive cards in the Library and when you have read/listened to five things (fiction or non-fiction books, newspaper articles, JSTOR articles/ journals, NEA research, even a Podcast eg PoliTips), get them signed off by a teacher or the Librarians. Then put them in the box on the Library desk and be in with a chance of winning some Amazon gift cards! 

We also wanted to remind you about the research resources available to you through RMUnify and in the Library- apart from all the fiction and non fiction books we have. Here is a brief guide about what is available at your fingertips and login details where necessary. Please remember to use your school login credentials where possible when accessing these resources/databases to ensure full access, even when working at home. 

Need help with tech? There are some very helpful student videos on RMUnify - click on this tile:

The Purple Press - first issue

More information here: MASSOLIT video essay competition