YEAR 11, 17 October 2025 - Weekly  Bulletin #3

17th October 2025

Dear Parents and Carers,

Year 11 Weekly Parent Bulletin no. 3

We are now well into the term, and it has been excellent to see so many of our Year 11 students consistently exceeding expectations and demonstrating a strong commitment to the high standards required for this vital academic year. Below are some key updates and celebrations from this week:

Attendance Matters

Good attendance is a crucial factor in student success. Every lesson missed is a learning opportunity lost, and it can quickly add up. We are encouraging all Year 11 students to aim for 100% attendance where possible. Being present each day and being present in every lesson not only builds strong learning habits but also helps students stay on track with their studies, assessments and revision. This is essential to ensure that every student achieves maximum success this academic year. Additionally, we've recently been talking to students about how their punctuality and attendance records contribute to the references and attendance certificates that are shared with colleges and employers. These are official, legal documents that can significantly influence future opportunities. As a result, we’ve already seen some students choosing to arrive earlier, keen to make a positive impression. We would really appreciate your support in ensuring that all Year 11 students are on site by 08:20am each morning, ready to start the day in the best possible way.

Prep Sessions

We are incredibly proud of the number of students who are consistently attending their Prep sessions each week. These sessions are essential for targeted revision, building confidence, and closing any gaps in understanding. We would like to commend all students who are regularly attending their Prep sessions and we would like to thank you for supporting us by ensuring your child attends each session.

Our Year 11 Core Values: Perseverance, Presentation, and Punctuality

We continue to be impressed by the way our Year 11 students are living out our three core values.

Perseverance: Many students are pushing through challenges and showing resilience, especially in their approach to mock preparations and extended learning.

Presentation: Pride in appearance and the quality of classwork has been noticeable – this attention to detail sets a tone of professionalism and readiness for the future.

Punctuality: Arriving on time to school and lessons ensures valuable learning time is maximised. Punctuality also reflects reliability – a skill valued by all employers and colleges.

These values are not just school expectations – they are habits for life.

Homework

We have collated the Year 11 homework expectations from each faculty into one easy-to-navigate document. This resource outlines what is expected, when, and from which subjects, helping students and families to stay organised and on top of their responsibilities.
Please look out for a separate e-mail coming home with this document attached.

Year 11 Weekly WOWs!

A big congratulations to this week’s Year 11 WOW nominees! These students have been recognised by staff across the school for going above and beyond in demonstrating Perseverance, Presentation, and Punctuality. We are so proud of their efforts.

Year 11 Tutor Programme Update

As part of our Year 11 tutor programme, students are continuing to benefit from a range of informative and engaging sessions to support their post-16 choices and personal development. Last Friday 10th October, students heard from The City of Bristol College in assembly, with this Friday’s assembly led by V6 Sixth Form. In tutor time this week, students have explored topics including Black History Month, climate change, and self-efficacy. Next Friday 24th October, we look forward to welcoming St Brendan’s College in for a Post-16 assembly and shifting our focus in tutor time to explore financial education.

Upcoming Important Events

We’ll continue to keep families updated with reminders, but we recommend making a note of these important upcoming dates.

Open Days:

V6 6th Form – Thursday 23rd October, 5.45 – 8pm

Olympus Trust- Tuesday 4th November at Abbeywood, 5.30 - 7.30pm

Olympus Trust- Wednesday 5th November at Bradley Stoke, 5.30 - 7pm

St Mary Redcliffe 6th Form- Wednesday 5th November, 4.30 – 6.30pm

St Bede’s 6th Form- Thursday 6th November, 6 – 8pm

St Brendan’s 6th Form- Thursday 13th November, from 5pm

Trinity Academy 6th Form- Thursday 6th November 5 – 8pm

Bristol Rovers Community Trust- Thursday 20th November, from 7pm

SGS College- Saturday 22nd November, 10am – 1pm

Upcoming Application Deadlines:

North Bristol Post 16 Centre- Friday 5th December

St Mary Redcliffe 6th Form- Monday 8th December

V6- End of December 2025 (exact date TBC)

Trinity Academy 6th Form- Friday 9th January

Bristol Cathedral Choir School 6th Form- Friday 9th January

St Bede’s 6th Form- Tuesday 13th January

Year 11 Key Milestone Events:

Year 11 Subject Consultation Evening (Students & Parents)- Thursday 6th November. Please note that our online booking appointment portal opened on Friday 10th October for this crucial event and we strongly encourage your child to attend this vital evening with you to ensure we can work collaboratively to maximise their progress.

Year 11 Student and Parent Revision Evening- Wednesday 12th November

Year 11 Mock Exam Cycle 1- December 2025 – January 2026

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all parents and carers for your continued support. Working in partnership is vital to ensuring the success and wellbeing of our students. If you have any questions, concerns, or if there is anything we can assist with, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Year 11 team. Together, we can ensure that every student is supported to achieve their very best.

Yours sincerely,
The Year 11 Team
Orchard School Bristol

Miss Eddy                         Mr Hurran                   Miss Jones
Assistant Headteacher Head of Year 11 Year 11 Pastoral Manager

ieddy@orchard.tila.school phurran@orchard.tila.school bjones@orchard.tila.school