SIXTH FORM BULLETIN Week Beginning 28th May 2012

YEAR 12 WORK EXPERIENCE UPDATE With the majority of students in possession of all the necessary paperwork there is now only the simple task of contacting the placement left to do (no later than 31st May). Students should make contact in order to re-introduce themselves and remind the placement that they are coming on the 11th along with confirming final arrangements for Day 1. As previously discussed do not assume they know that you are coming as it is your responsibility to remind/confirm. Make sure you have your list of objectives for the week and keep a daily diary which can be referred to when we meet to review your week later in the term. Please ensure that any outstanding parental, employer or leave of absence forms are returned to me before you go out. Good Luck to all students and I look forward to hearing all about your experiences on your return. Julie Calder, Sixth Form Careers. Tues, Weds, Thurs 8.30 3.30. calderj@simonballe.herts.sch.uk JOB APPLICATIONS and INTERVIEW SKILLS WORKSHOP I am extremely pleased to be able to offer a workshop for any year 12/13 students who would like help with Job Applications/CV writing and Interview skills. Mr Roe who has kindly offered to run the workshop has extensive knowledge and experience in this field and has previously specialised in delivering seminars on this subject. If you would like to reserve a place on the workshop please confirm via email to calderj@simonballe.herts.sch.uk. A great opportunity to polish your skills if you are soon to be seeking employment. Date: Wednesday 27th June, Time: 9am. Venue to be advised. SCHOOL LEAVER OPPORTUNITIES If you are looking for employment post exams and would like to find out more about school leaver programmes and apprenticeships see a list below of just some companies who are advertising to recruit A level students for their trainee programmes: Barclays, RBS, Aviva, Price Waterhouse Cooper, KPMG, Baker Tilly. Log on to their website and have a look at what they are offering. There are some fantastic schemes, most of them asking for a minimum of 260 UCAS points or BBC grades. Alternatively there are numerous apprenticeship schemes on offer, simply register via www.apprenticeships.org.uk , state your area of interests and search results lots of work/training schemes available. FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR FUTURE ENGINEERS Institution of Mechanical Engineers We prize engineers Financial support when you need it If you are looking to study mechanical engineering or are ready to progress your career in the industry, were here to reward you. We are committed to developing, inspiring and encouraging engineers at every stage in their career, with practical, financial help. Each year, we support the educational and development needs of students, graduates and members with grants totalling some 400,000. Go to www.imeche.org.awards for more information. LIBRARY NEWS This week the Library has started taking the i newspaper daily. We also take a range of newspapers: The Times, The Guardian, The Daily Mail, The Mercury and First News (for KS3). Why not call into the Library to catch up on the news? There is also a copy of the London 2012 Festival Official Guide on the Library desk for you to browse. Mrs Syme University of Cambridge Law Residential Course for Y12 Trinity College Cambridge are hosting a Law residential course on 3rd-4th July, for Year 12 students who are considering studying Law at a selective university. The course is free to attend, including food and accommodation. The deadline for applications is 4th June. Please see below for more details about this opportunity, and if you have any questions, please contact Rosie Sharkey at schools.liaison@trin.cam.ac.uk. Criminology Student Conference - 3rd December 2012 - London Places can now be booked for the above conference for any interested Sociology/Psychology students. The conference is designed to help students gain an insight into the academic study of Criminology and is chaired by one of the countries leading criminologists along with high profile speakers presenting throughout the day. To book a place or for more information phone 01869 336410 or emailconferences@philipallan.co.uk There is also a poster advertising the talk on the careers board. Exciting Opportunity! Happy Days is an all inclusive after school club and holiday club based at Pinewood School. We are looking for volunteers that would love to work on our team and get involved in lots of activities with the kids. This is a great opportunity that offers great career paths! If you are interested please contact Andri Goder 07903557036 or agoder@pinewood.herts.sch.uk.

GSK Apprenticeships What is a GSK apprenticeship? GSK apprenticeships offer the chance to study towards nationally recognised qualifications while gaining valuable, paid work experience. Our apprentices work towards a minimum level 3 Advanced apprenticeship. In some instance, a level 4 Higher apprenticeship maybe offered which is equivalent to a foundation degree. What apprenticeships are available and where? Ware site Engineering, Laboratory analyst, IT. For more information please visit our website www.gsk.com/apprenticeships where applications can be made. QA Apprenticeships A QA Apprenticeship is the first step to a real IT job and career. For more info go to qa.com/apprenticeships. See Julie Calder for more information. ARRIVING & LEAVING SITE On the rare occasion that you arrive late to school please ensure that you sign in at the main school reception. It is important that when leaving the school site all sixth form students sign in and out of school at the main reception. PARKING Can we remind students that parking is not permitted on the school site without authorisation. SIXTH FORM IMPORTANT DATES Year 12 Work Experience Year 13 Leavers Assembly & Hoody Collection Sixth Form Induction 11th June 15th June 2012 28th June, 2pm Monday 2nd & Tuesday 3rd July

Year 12 UCAS Convention Wednesday 4th July (Letters have been emailed to students and via parentmail/InTouch) Summer Concert Megadrive (Year 12) Results Day Wednesday 4th July Thursday 5th July A levels Thursday 16th August GCSEs Thursday 23rd August Summer Exams AS exams begin 14th May 2012 and finish on the 1st of June 2012 A2 Exams begin 21st May and finish 26th June 2012 Please contact Mrs C Booth for any exam related enquiries. The summer exam timetable can be found here http://www.simonballe.herts.sch.uk/examinations/ Exam Leave Year 12 - 14th May (exams start this week but many subjects will wish to carry on lessons with any students who can make it) Year 12 have their work experience week 11-15 June then return to school on 18th June Year 13 - 1st June - Half term (there are one or two exams before this but for the majority lessons should be unaffected) - many lessons will run after half term for those students who can make it. Please keep to 6th Form dress code for exams Common Room out of use for exam period. If you need to see the 6th Form Team come between 8:30 & 8:45 Resources Room may be available for SILENT study There is a copy of the exam timetable on the door outside the Common Room DONT BE LATE. (See the Sixth Form webpages for some revision tips)