10 September, 2024
Letter from the Headteacher (2024-25) 1
Ephphatha - Be opened!
At the beginning of every school year, the staff at St Teilo's gather to worship God together. Our theme this year was 'Ephphatha' (which means to 'be opened'). To 'be opened' sums up Christ's entire mission: He became man so that man, made inwardly deaf by sin, would become able to hear the voice of God - the voice of love - and learn to speak in the language of love.
We can all encounter closed places within ourselves. Our attitudes are imperfect, our beliefs flawed. Yet if we remain open to God's Word, we might breathe new life, new possibilities, new wonder into the world.
Our mission is all about love. And you can be assured of our dedication and commitment to the flourishing of every child at St Teilo's.
He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”).
Keeping in touch
Parents and carers are encouraged to be in regular contact with us. The principal points of contact are:
- Year 7, Mr Evans (r.evans@stteilos.com)
- Year 8, Mrs Phillips (j.phillips@stteilos.com)
- Year 9, Mr Smith (n.smith@stteilos.com)
- Year 10, Miss Hallett (k.hallett@stteilos.com)
- Year 11, Mrs Pitt (r.pitt@stteilos.com)
- Years 12 and 13, Mrs Owen (e.owen@stteilos.com)
You are also invited to contact me directly by emailing headteacher@stteilos.com. Please do remember that staff are unlikely to be available without notice in person or by telephone (they are busy working with children); email is by far the most effective way to contact us!
Reporting your child's absence
Supporting the national agenda to improve school attendance is a high priority for St Teilo's. Parents and carers must be sure to report their child's absence online straight away. Simply complete the form found here or click on the 'Absence' link in the main menu. You do not need to telephone the school to report absence.
Nut allergies
St Teilo’s prides itself on its culture of care and compassion. Several of our pupils suffer from extremely severe allergies to nuts. Therefore, any efforts you can make to ensure your child does not bring nuts or nut-based products to school in their packed lunch would be hugely appreciated. A small sacrifice on your child’s part can, potentially, save a life.
Cost of living
I know that many families will be deeply concerned by the increasing cost of living. If you are struggling, please reach out to us and we will help however we are able. To find out if you are eligible for free school meals, click here. You may need to reapply so please do check with the local authority. You should also claim the School Essentials Grant if possible. Check to see if you qualify here. Finally, you may wish to find out a little more about our free food pantry provision, ‘Puffins’, by contacting us.
Frequently asked questions
As always, I have compiled a list of ‘frequently asked questions’ to inform you of our plans for the year ahead. You will find these below.
With every blessing,
Mr I Loynd, Headteacher
- Autumn 1: 2 September 2024 – 25 October 2024
- Autumn 2: 4 November 2024 – 20 December 2024
- Spring 1: 6 January 2025 – 21 February 2025
- Spring 2: 3 March 2025 – 11 April 2025
- Summer 1: 28 April 2025 – 23 May 2025
- Summer 2: 2 June 2025 – 18 July 2025
You will find all important dates here.
- INSET 1: 2 September 2024
- INSET 2: 3 September 2024
- INSET 3: 4 November 2024
- INSET 4: 6 January 2025
- INSET 5: 10 March 2025
- INSET 6: 21 July 2025
You will find all important dates here.
Pupils should be on site no later than 8.30am, ready for registration at 8.40am. Parents and carers must make every effort to ensure children are in school and ready to learn before the start of the school day.
You may drop you child off in the morning on the school site by pulling up to our safe drop-off zone. Please do not exceed the 5mph speed limit and please do not attempt to overtake another vehicle. Your patience will keep children safe. You will not be allowed onto the school site for collection in the afternoon. Instead, you should park sensibly and legally on the roads surrounding the site.
Mobile phones are strictly not permitted inside the school. This is one of our ‘non-negotiables’. If a child is seen to be using their telephone inside the building, it will calmly be removed from them and returned at the end of the school day. Pupils are able to use their telephones in the designated outdoor ‘phone zone’ for their year group. Parental support on this issue is critical.
We expect all student to comply with uniform arrangements. The approach at St Teilo's is unique and offers a great deal of choice and flexibility. You can read all about the requirements for uniform here. Uniform can be purchased at any time from the school uniform shop, located at main reception. Please note, in particular, that shoes must be entirely black and plain.
You can read the Home-School Agreement here.
Good school attendance is a high priority at St Teilo's. If your child is absent from school, you must let us know straight away on the first day of absence. All absence must be reported online here.
We provide a range of progress data for parents and carers, including checkpoints, written reports and standardised scores. Note that National Curriculum Levels are no longer used in Wales. You can read about the assessment arrangements across each year group here.
Progress meetings take place online. If you have a question or concern, please do not wait. You are able to contact your child’s Achievement Leader by email at any time.
- Year 7 pastoral meetings - 24 October 2024
- Year 12 and 13 progress meetings - 14 January 2025
- Year 11 progress meetings - 4 February 2025
- Year 10 progress meetings - 11 March 2025
- Year 9 progress meetings (before options) - 1 April 2025
- Year 8 progress meetings - 29 April 2025
- Year 7 progress meetings - 13 May 2025
Our fantastic caterers offer a range of wholesome, tasty food every day. You can find out more about what we do here. Importantly, parents and carers must ensure that they have charged their ParentPay account in good time, and at least 24 hours before funds are required. It can take up to one day for monies to transfer to the school and be available for children to use in the dining hall.
Yes, for Years 7, 10 and 12 as usual. These individual photographs will take place on 11 September 2024.
School transport is managed by Cardiff Council on behalf of children across the city. You can read more about school transport arrangements and make contact with the council's school transport team here. The school does not directly have oversight of school transport arrangements.
Children can speak with their Achievement Leader, Assistant Achievement Leader(s), Form Tutor or a member of our Wellbeing or Inclusion Team. Our team of Youth Workers are available every day in the student hub.
Please contact us and a member of staff will reply as soon as possible. As always, you will receive regular letters and updates via SMS text message throughout the year. All letters are published here.
