003_Years_12_13_15Jan2021_ECI

Friday 15th January 2021

Parent/Carer Bulletin - Years 12 and 13

 

Monday 18th January BTEC exams Week 3
Real-time remote learning

Tuesday 19th January Deep Learning Day:​ no real-time remote timetable

Wednesday 20th January Real-time remote learning

Thursday 21st January Real-time remote learning

Friday 22nd January Real-time remote learning

Future Diary Events

● Wednesday 27th January - Deep Learning Day
● Friday 29th January - new UCAS deadline
● Thursday 4th February - Deep Learning Day
● Friday 12th February - Deep Learning Day

Dear Parents and Carers,

Now at the end of week two of remote learning, the majority of students appear to have settled well into the
new routines and we are really pleased with the levels of engagement and dedication our students have
shown. If students are not working, the sixth form team will contact home to let parents and carers know
and to see what can be put in place to support your son or daughter to keep engaging and learning. If you
have any concerns, please do let one of the Sixth Form team know.

A particular ‘well done’ to all of our students, who have been undertaking trial and BTEC exams over the last
week. We know how hard most of the students have been working towards these assessments and they will
be invaluable in terms of us ascertaining as accurately as possible what students do and don’t know at this
point, and what they still need to learn and develop over the future months. Our ultimate aim is that we do
everything we can to help students keep learning over the next few months, so that Year 13 can be as
successful as possible in their final grades and also that they are as prepared as possible to start their
degree courses next academic year. It is really important too that Year 12 students are not disadvantaged
and their work this year is key in providing a strong base of knowledge skills and understanding, so that they
are ready to move into Year 13 next year confidently and successfully.

To help students manage their workload in this intense period of remote learning, and also to give them an
opportunity to develop their working practices more independently, we will be running a Deep Learning Day
on one day each week over the next five weeks. Next week, this is Tuesday 19th January. This will mean the
real-time remote learning timetable is paused. Students should, however, continue with their studies; they
will have plenty of homework, consolidation and study tasks to complete. This term we will also be
encouraging all sixth form students to explore a subject that they're interested in "beyond the syllabus".
This 'super-curricular' exploration has several benefits: it can help students identify the area in which they

may wish to specialise in the future; it develops important skills; it also significantly enhances personal
statements when applying for courses in the next stage of their education and will also make them stand out
to future employers.

We have collated a number of excellent starting points on this linked document ( S​ uper-curricular
experience)​ , including online courses, and the sixth form team will be directing students to make use of this
on each of the Deep Learning Days this term.

Wishing you all a good weekend and thank you for your ongoing support of your children and the College in
these very difficult times. We always encourage our students to focus on their work and learning as
investment for their futures and that is truer now than ever.

“If we winter this one out, we can summer anywhere” - Seamus Heaney

With very best wishes,

Sara Marshallsay
Head of School

NOTICES

UK University & Apprenticeship Search Virtual Fair, Wednesday 27th January, 12pm - 6pm
This free online event is designed to allow students to explore a wide range of universities, colleges and
apprenticeships, whether they're just starting their research or making your final decisions. It is aimed at
students in Year 11, 12 and 13 and their parents. Students cannot miss lessons to attend the event as it
finishes at 6pm and they will be able to attend it after school. For more information and bookings see
https://ukuniversitysearch.vfairs.com/

Meet the Russell Group Virtual Event Wednesday 10th February 12pm - 7pm
This free virtual event will allow students to explore all 24 Russell Group Universities and chat to their
representatives. They can also take part in live and interactive webinars. There will also be a new Parent
and Teacher Support session. Students cannot miss lessons to attend the event as it finishes at 7pm and
they will be able to attend it after school. For more information and bookings see
https://russellgroup.vfairs.com/

Virtual work experience, university information and apprenticeships
Parents may wish to know that each week Year 12 and Year 13 students are given a range of information
about virtual work experience opportunities, online university open days and webinars and
apprenticeships. This information is given out by mentors in PDt and is shared via the Year 12 and Year
13 Google classrooms.

Stagecoach Service Changes from 17th January
Following the government's recent announcement regarding another national lockdown, Stagecoach
thought it would be useful to up-date you all with what services they will be running during this time.

From Sunday 17th January, following guidance issued by the Department of Transport and consultation
with both Kent County Council and East Sussex Council, they will be reverting to the same level of service
provided pre-September.

Details of services can be found here: h​ ttps://www.stagecoachbus.com/SECovid19

Bus Service Update - Coronavirus (Covid-19) ​from East Sussex.gov.uk
https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/public/buses/bus-service-changes-incl
uding-back-to-school-changes/#subtitle1

Reading Roundup
Please remind your child to keep reading throughout the period of Remote Learning. We
recommend at least 20 minutes a day. Perhaps they could use the time they’d usually
spend travelling to and from school to read instead?

Recommended Read
Miss King recommends ‘Life of Pi’ by Yann Martel for KS4 and up: “It straddles the
boundary between raw, harsh reality and magical spirituality in a way that draws you in
so easily”.

Talking Point​ - Far Horizons
Reading can be a great moment of escapism, allowing us to explore different times and places. This is
even more valuable now, when our ability to travel is so restricted.
For your next read, why not choose something that transports you to a different country? How does the
author create a sense of place? How does it make you feel?

To update any of your personal details with the college please remember to use EDULINK. Or if you are
having problems using that please let us know by emailing o​ [email protected]​.

PREVIOUSLY SHARED INFORMATION:

New signing in arrangements from 11th January
All Sixth Formers must sign in when they arrive in the morning and any other time they enter or re-enter
the College. From January they will do so via a fingerprint scanner. There will be scanners by Reception,
in the Sixth Form and in the I building. They also have to sign out every time they leave using the
fingerprint scanner. This is to improve the college procedures in the event of a fire evacuation or other
critical incident.

Students still attending college must bring a face mask to college every day.
Masks must be worn at all times whilst moving between classrooms and at any other time as
requested by a member of staff. It is really important that students have a good supply of
masks and they have a fresh, clean one every day.

Masks are now being sold at Student Services:-
➢ Disposable medical type masks - 30p each
➢ Reusable, washable cloth masks with a filter - £3.50 each

Please bring correct change where possible.

'All about Apprenticeships' - ​Please see a​ ttached December​ issue for lots of information for parents
and students on apprenticeships.

What Next booklet - advice and tips in an easy to read guide
Here is the brand new W​ hat Next booklet.​ This is a ​really​ useful guide for anyone aged 14 - 18 so please
do take a look and share with your child/ren. It is full of useful advice and practical tips at each stage of
the decision making journey.

Uckfield College Careers Webpage
The C​ areers Plus webpage​ now has a wide range of useful careers resources, information and weblinks
for all students to use to find out about possible career options and to help parents and carers when they
are discussing career choices.

East Sussex Careers Hub Youtube Channel
The East Sussex Careers Hub has produced a number of videos and training sessions to support teachers,
students, parents and carers. These are all available on the ​Careers Hub Youtube.​ channel. Students can
watch ‘Skills to Succeed’ videos and hear employers talk about their career journeys in a number of
sectors, including the NHS, construction, creative and digital, finance and law.

Edulink access for parents/carers
Edulink One is our 'Parent Portal' where you can:

● promptly report to us that your child will be absent when they ill,
● access your child's school reports (called Academic Profiles),
● view your child's timetable,
● view your child's attendance record,
● view details of any visits your child makes to our college medical room,
● view, recent parent information bulletins,
● Booking Parents' Evening appointments,
● inform the college of changes to your phone number, address, email etc,
● view your child's itemised purchasing history from our catering services,
● view details of achievement points given to your child by staff,
● view details of your child's behaviour log.

To access Edulink please go to the 'Parent Zone' on our college website and click the button called

'Edulink'. The direct link is:​ ​https://edulinkone.uctc.org.uk/#!/login?id=2

There is also an easy to use 'Edulink One' app for both Android and iPhones. Please consider downloading
and installing Edulink One from your device's App Store. Once available, you should use the same log in
details for the app as the web browser version. When prompted, you will need to confirm the Site ID as
'uc'.

If you do not currently have access to your Edulink username and password please contact the college,
via [email protected], to request our IT Service's team re-share your login details. Our aim is for
100% of Uckfield College parents/carers to be using EdulinkOne this year so please do join us. If you are
new to the platform, please find l​ inked here​ a guide for Edulink One:

Job Vacancies - ​see link to current vacancies page here for both Support staff and Teachers
https://www.uckfield.college/vacancies

Covid protocols. All the documents below are on our website:

Uckfield College summary of steps to minimise Covid-19 transmission for students and parents /
carers
Staff Covid Protocols
Visitor protocols
Uckfield College: Roles and responsibilities in keeping everyone safe through protocols for
Covid-19

Uckfield College Life​ ​- ​November/December’s Issue

Uckfield College Life will be published once a month. W​ e have attached the Newsletter to the title
above - if you wish you can click on the title to see the newsletter. Please e-mail details to Toni
Fletcher, t​ [email protected].​
 
Term dates​ for the Academic years 20/21 & 21/22 - h​ ttp://www.uckfield.college/termdates

Reporting Absences - S​ ee li​ nk to information on Website

Uckfield College Facebook - ​Uckfield College Facebook page

UCTC TWITTER- Follow us on ​Twitter @​ UckfieldCollege