4 September, 2025
Letter from the Headteacher (2025-26) 1
For God so loved the world...
As is our tradition, staff began the academic year in prayer. We offered to God all of our hopes for the children and families of St Teilo's, in the context of the Holy Eucharist. Our setting was the ancient and beautiful Cathedral Church of St Woolos, Newport. If you have not yet visited, it would most certainly be worth your time.
My sermon focused on one of the most recognisable Bible verses, John 3:16, which church reformer Martin Luther called ‘the heart of the Bible, the Gospel in miniature.’ Revealed in these few words is the unimaginably limitless love of God. A God who, out of His great love, created the world - you and me. And despite our desire to take things into our own hands and neglect the Creator, in love God chose to give His only Son as an act of loving sacrifice.
At St Teilo's, ours is a mission of love. And as the transformative power of God’s eternal love guides our actions and shapes our lives together, it is our prayer that we might be the light in the lives of those we serve - the children whom we cherish so dearly.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”
Quick guide
Our 'quick guide' supports parents and carers in ensuring that children are ready to learn. Please take some time to engage with the checklists and frequently asked questions provided to help ensure that basic standards are met. You can access the quick guide here.
Planning ahead
I encourage families to begin planning for the forthcoming academic year now. You will find all important dates here and updates are posted here. Importantly, you must not book holidays or travel in the months between September and May. Such absences will not be authorised and may incur a Fixed Penalty Notice. For those in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13, you can find indicative dates for examinations and non-examined assessments here.
School buses
School transport is provided by Cardiff Council. There are currently eight bus services operating from across the city to St Teilo's. You can find all bus routes here. Children must be eligible to travel on the bus route and must carry a bus pass (physical or digital) daily. To check your eligibility, or for any other queries, please contact Cardiff Council's School Transport Team.
Parent and Foundation Governor vacancies
There are currently vacancies for parent governors and foundation parent governors on the Governing Body of St Teilo's Church in Wales High School. Are you the right person to help lead us into the exciting next phase of the school's life, worship and mission? Find out more here and apply by 11 September 2025.
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, Mr Townsend (a.townsend@stteilos.com)
- Year 9, Mrs Phillips (j.phillips@stteilos.com)
- Year 10, Mr Smith (n.smith@stteilos.com)
- Year 11, Miss Hallett (k.hallett@stteilos.com)
- Sixth Form, 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. Please do not telephone the school to report absence.
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,
Canon I Loynd, Headteacher
- Autumn 1: 1 September 2025 – 24 October 2025
- Autumn 2: 3 November 2025 – 19 December 2025
- Spring 1: 5 January 2026 – 13 February 2026
- Spring 2: 23 February 2026 – 27 March 2026
- Summer 1: 13 April 2026 – 22 May 2026
- Summer 2: 1 June 2026 – 20 July 2026
You will find all important dates here. Note: 4 May 2026 is a Bank Holiday.
- INSET 1: 1 September 2025
- INSET 2: 2 September 2025
- INSET 3: 5 January 2026
- INSET 4: 9 March 2026
- INSET 5: 29 June 2026
- INSET 6: 20 July 2026
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.
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. Please aim for 100% attendance as far as possible - it really does make all the difference to your child's outcomes and chances of future success.
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 2025
- Year 12 and 13 progress meetings - 13 January 2026
- Year 11 progress meetings - 3 February 2026
- Year 10 progress meetings - 10 March 2026
- Year 9 progress meetings - 21 April 2026
- Year 8 progress meetings - 28 April 2026
- Year 7 progress meetings - 12 May 2026
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. The latest prices can be found here.
Yes, for Years 7, 10 and 12 as usual. These individual photographs will take place on 10 September 2025.
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. Bus routes can be found here.
Children can speak with their Head of Year, Form Tutor or a member of our Learning Support Team. Our team of Youth Workers are available every day on the 'street'. Mrs Pitt (Associate Assistant Headteacher), Mrs Matthews (Assistant Headteacher) and Mr Erickson (Deputy Headteacher) can all meet with children by arrangement. There are many, many adults available to help - please ask!
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.
