YEAR 2 STARTER COURSE
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Year 2 Starter Course Information + Task List

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YEAR 2

welcome to betonica

2025 - 2026

WELCOME

Welcome to Year 2 Starter Course of the Betonica Medical Herbalist Training Programme. You are now ready to enter the world of clinic, where your knowledge starts to crystallise and you see the effects of the herbs on patients in clinic.

Please scroll down to the end of each of these pages to make sure you have carefully read all the preparation material. For example, this page has a set of steps at the end.

This introductory page contains the essential general course information and helps you prepare for the start of the academic year. You will be given access to the full Learning Platform at the start of the 2025 - 2026 academic year on 1st September 2025.

The school year is divided into three terms (Sept-Dec; Jan-May; Jun-August). Course materials are released 2-4 weeks prior to the start of term.

We will be going into more detail in regards to what’s expected of you throughout the year and examples of assignments etc., at your first seminar day on 13th September 2025.

INTERIM HEAD OF YEAR 2

HELEN KEARNEY
Medical Herbalist BSC (HONS)

Helen is a Betonica Director, Lead of Betonica, Clinical Supervisor, Head of Year 4 and teaches Clinical Skills.

Helen has a BSc (Hons) in Herbal Medicine, a background in permaculture, first aid and teaching gardening and growing.

Helen trained for five years in Herbal Medicine in London gaining experience in the dermatology department of Whipps Cross Hospital, Middlesex University Archway Clinic, Westminster University Herbal Medicine Clinic and the University of East London Clinic. She continues to keep up to date with the latest findings on herbal medicine, attending seminars and lectures as well as keeping a connection with the plants she uses as medicine by making many of her own tinctures, creams and ointments, and offering herb walks and teaching workshops.

Helen has gained a lot of experience in acute medicine (both herbal and orthodox) through her work as a festival first aider and community first responder. Helen has also worked in the Calais ‘jungle’ as part of a team of medics.

Welcome! I am PLEASED to support you as you embark on the SECOND STAGE of your HERBAL journey WITH BETONICA. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need any SUPPORT along the way.

— HELEN KEARNEY, HEAD OF YEAR 2

TASKS TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE START OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR

  1. Prepare a dedicated study space for you to go to work in.

  2. Buy a year planner and get planning assignments and study.

  3. Study planning: Start thinking about how you will organise your time and set aside time to study, work and revise over the year. From September you will have access to your assignments and submission dates list in order to add to this plan.

  4. Read through each step of the learning platform to prepare for the year ad complete any important tasks, for example, buying your reading list and working out how you learn best with the study skills handbook.

  5. Make sure you take the necessary steps to whitelist the Betonica emails in your email settings, so that you receive all important school-related emails directly in your inbox without any issues.

  6. Enter the seminar and tutorial dates into your diary (please note that some short (1-2 hour) tutorials dates will be released in August).

  7. Prepare for clinic: Carefully read what you need to do to prepare and complete any time-sensitive tasks.

  8. Get out and start trying to identify plants over summer and review your botany / family videos in order to prepare for the year 2 exam.

  9. Collect and press some herbarium while the summer is in full bloom for your year 2 assignment (Due in May).

  10. At the end of August, come back to review the starter pages.