6 September, 2026
Letter from the Headteacher (2026-27) 1
Love in action
It is our staff tradition to begin every new academic year not in training, but in worship. Last week, we gathered together in Llandaff Cathedral, our Mother Church. The Gospel reading was taken from Matthew 18:21-35, the parable of the unforgiving servant, and our theme was forgiveness.
We reflected that our calling as educators is to make a positive difference in the world by paying God's forgiveness forward. To steadfastly believe in the profound goodness of every child. To comfort them, encourage them, involve them, celebrate with them and listen to them. To root consistency in kindness. To make them feel safe, secure and nurtured. To love them without limit, even when they ask for our love in the least loving of ways!
Our calling is to focus on solutions rather than blame, relationships rather than labels, and restoration rather than punishment. To create environments in which young people feel protected enough to participate, resilient enough to persevere, and confident enough to progress. This is what children need from us to flourish – just as, as adults, this is what we need from one another to flourish.
Forgiveness is manifested mercy; it is love in action. That is our collective calling. That is the #TeamTeilo way.
Forgive your brother or sister from your heart.
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.
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.
Mobile phones
The school's new rules regarding mobile telephones are now in effect. From Monday 7 September 2026, pupils bringing phones to school must secure them in a special pouch. Parental support will be essential if we wish to keep children safer, happier, and more able to learn.
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, Miss Hallett (k.hallett@stteilos.com)
- Year 9, Mr Townsend (a.townsend@stteilos.com)
- Year 10, Mrs Phillips (j.phillips@stteilos.com)
- Year 11, Mr Smith (n.smith@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. You may also use the planned absence feature in the Arbor parent app. Please do not telephone the school to report absence.
School buses
School transport is provided by Cardiff Council. There are currently eight bus services operating from across the city to St Teilo's. 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.
School meals
The cost of school meals for the new academic year will be £3.50. As before, all children must purchase the full meal of the day to ensure a nutritionally-balanced plate. Unhealthy snacks are not provided. It is essential to charge your child's ParentPay account in good time. It can take up to 24 hours for monies to appear on tills in school, so pleased be prepared ahead of time.
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: Tuesday 1 September 2026 - Friday 23 October 2026
- Autumn 2: Monday 2 November 2026 - Friday 18 December 2026
- Spring 1: Monday 4 January 2027 - Friday 5 February 2027
- Spring 2: Monday 15 February 2027 - Friday 19 March 2027
- Summer 1: Monday 5 April 2027 - Friday 28 May 2027
- Summer 2: Monday 7 June 2027 - Tuesday 20 July 2027
You will find all important dates here. Note: Monday 3 May 2027 is a Bank Holiday and the school will be closed.
- INSET 1: 1 September 2026
- INSET 2: 2 September 2026
- INSET 3: 4 January 2027
- INSET 4: 11 March 2027
- INSET 5: 19 July 2027
- INSET 6: 20 July 2027
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 are not permitted access to the school site for collection in the afternoon. Instead, you should park sensibly and legally on the roads surrounding the site. Please do not enter the school site after 2.00pm.
Mobile phones are strictly not permitted at school. This is one of our ‘non-negotiables’. If a child is seen to be using their telephone at school, inside or outside, it will calmly be removed from them and returned one week later. If a child brings a phone to school, it must be secured in a 'QuietCase' pouch. Parental support on this issue is critical.
We expect all students 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 during term time from the school uniform shop, located at main reception. Please note, in particular, that shoes must be entirely black and plain. There is no need to 'rush buy' or 'bulk purchase' uniform (for example, at the start of each new year). Items can simply be relaced as and when required.
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.
In 2026-27, the school is trialling a new 'Report Card' system in an attempt to provide richer, more useful information for parents. The report card contains a range of progress data including standardised scores and attainment grades. Note that National Curriculum Levels are no longer used in Wales. Further information will follow about Report Cards.
For Years 11, 12 and 13, progress meetings take place online between 3.30pm-6.30pm:
- Year 11 progress meetings - 5 January 2027
- Year 12 and 13 progress meetings - 12 January 2027
For Years 7, 8, 9 and 10, progress meetings take place in person between 10.30am-6.30pm:
- All years - 11 March 2027
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.
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 meal of the day costs £3.50 for 2026-27.
Yes, for Years 7, 10 and 12 as usual. These individual photographs will take place on 9 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.
Children can speak with their Head of Year, Form Tutor or a member of our Learning Support Team. 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, by email, or via the Arbor Parent App throughout the year. All letters are published here.
