15 September, 2025
Letter from the Headteacher (2025-26) 2
Angels in our own homes
In our worship this week, we are paying attention to the plight of our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. Our theme has been inspired by the writings of one of our students, himself a refugee having fled Odesa in 2022. His lived experience - at such a young age - brings issues of war and human suffering closer to our community here, at St Teilo's.
We are members of one human family, nurtured by the beautiful garden that we call Earth. Our life and our future are inextricably connected with one another, with our planet, and with our Creator. God commands us to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger and clothe the naked. It is our mission to honour and provide for the vulnerable as if they were angels in our own homes.
I am the vine, and you are the branches. If any remain in me and I remain in them, they produce much fruit. But without me they can do nothing.
Access to the school site
A reminder that parents and carers are not permitted to drive onto the school site after 2pm. Only a very small number of parents have special permission to collect on site by arrangement. If you wish to collect you child in person, please enter by foot and wait at the school gates (you should not gather by the main building).
Home learning
A weekly literacy and numeracy homework is set for Years 7-11 on our partner platform Sparx Maths and Sparx Reader. In addition, tasks from each subject area are set fortnightly (Years 7-9) and weekly (Years 10-11) for completion via SAM Learning. You can find necessary links and further advice here. Rewards are given weekly for high levels of participation or improvement.
Helpful reminders
Please find quick links to key information and advice to prepare for the academic year ahead:
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!
Familia Teliavi: The St Teilo’s prayer
You may find comfort in the words of our school prayer, said daily at St Teilo's:
Teach me Lord,
to heal and not to injure;
to cherish people and not to harm them.
Nurture within me the gifts you have planted
so that I might become the person you are calling me to be.
Amen
Frequently asked questions
Our usual list of frequently asked questions are included 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.
