15 July, 2026
Letter from the Headteacher (2025-26) 6
A time to flourish...
We come to the end of another very productive and busy academic year. The school continues on an upward trajectory comprising fantastic results, a stable and specialised staffing team and outstanding extra-curricular success. I would like to thank parents and carers, as always, for your ongoing support. Despite the challenges we read about in the news, St Teilo's is in a financially secure position and our inspection findings are wholly positive. That does not make us complacent and we've plenty more to do - the feedback from our annual 'big surveys' plays an important part in our ongoing planning. In September, I will publish 'The Flourish Project', a comprehensive plan for the new triennium. This will set out my ambitions for the school as we further develop a culture of aspiration, a culture of reading, a culture of collaboration and a culture of belonging. I do hope you will join me on the exciting next step of our journey.
'The Flourish Project' will set out my ambitions for the school as we further develop a culture of aspiration, a culture of reading, a culture of collaboration and a culture of belonging.
Sitewide ban on mobile telephones
Following new guidance from the Welsh Government, I am introducing a sitewide ban on all mobile telephones from September 2026. The school is investing significantly in signal-blocking secure pouches so that children may retain their phones on the way to and from school. It is important that families familiarise themselves with the systems being introduced. Further training for children will take place during induction in September.
Find out more about the phone ban
Personalised Assessments
Children in Years 7, 8 and 9 have now completed their annual personalised assessments. The results are available on Hwb. Simply ask your child to log onto their Hwb account and select 'Learner Feedback'.
School Essentials Grant
The School Essentials Grant is open now and supports families with children up to Year 11 on lower incomes. The grant provides £125 per learner and £200 for learners entering year 7 to help with increased costs associated with starting secondary school. Families can check their eligibility and apply through Cardiff Council.
Improving behaviour
The school is always seeking to support children to behave with the highest standards of civility. In the past three weeks, a new approach using Arbor has been trialled to help parents and carers stay more informed about their child's behaviour in school. Thank you to those parents who have provided feedback to us and helped shape the approach. From September, parents and carers will receive a written record by email of all behaviour concerns. It is essential, therefore, that the school has the correct email address for you.
School uniform
There are still two days left to purchase uniform from the school before the September rush! At present, there have been no changes in price and the shop is fully stocked. Students can access the shop before or after school, or during either break time. Cash or contactless payments can be made. It is very likely that you will experience longer queues and supply delays if you only choose to purchase uniform in September. The benefit of the current approach is spreading cost across the year.
Arbor Parent App
If you have not yet downloaded the Arbor App, please do so as a priority. Going forward, the app will be the main source of communication from the school. Without it, you will miss out of key information affecting your child. Full instructions and a dedicated technical support line are provided.
Water safety
Accidental drowning is a real and present risk for young people who seek to play in water (such as rivers and reservoirs) on hot days. Please ensure that you speak with your child about water safety before they spend time out with their friends during the summer recess.
Visit the Canal & River Trust for advice
Support during the summer break
The local authority and third sector services are providing a large number of events and activities for children and families during the summer break. Take some time to browse the activities taking place in your area of the city.
See you in September...
We welcome Year 7 to school for their induction day on Thursday 3 September 2026. All other children return to school on Friday 4 September 2026. As always, future dates will be added to the school calendar here. I will write to parents at the beginning of September with the updates for the new academic year.
With all blessings,
Canon I Loynd, Headteacher
