Dear Parent/Carer
As we come to the end of a successful autumn term, I want to update you on several matters and look forward to the spring term.
End of term and start of term arrangements
Term ends tomorrow at 2.55pm (Thursday 21 December 2023).
Following our two-week Christmas break, all pupils return to school at 8.30am on Monday 8 January 2024.
Please note that mock examinations for Year 12 and Year 13 start from Monday 8 January 2024. Year 11 mock exams begin a few weeks later, starting on Monday 29 January 2024. All Year 11, 12 and 13 students should be revising for these examinations, particularly in the second week of the Christmas break. Attendance from the start of the spring term will be essential for examination success.
Most pupils in Year 10 will have their first formal GCSE examination on Wednesday 10 January when they sit their ‘real’ English Literature first exam. They too should continue to prepare and revise for this examination over the Christmas break.
Recent school events
It has been a great pleasure to celebrate the success of so many of our pupils with the Headteacher Awards over the past week. The Award Boards in the main corridor are filled with their photos, and citations telling of their engagement in their learning, their effort, and their hard work. I have introduced a new award from this term in memory of Ms Bolton. The ‘Ms Bolton Award’ is to recognise kindness, care, support and nurture, the qualities that Ms Bolton had in abundance herself, and which she valued so highly in others. It has been my honour to make these awards and details of all the worthy award winners are on our school website.
We have also sent out many many Headteacher Letters of Commendation over the past few days, recognising those who have taken part, taken responsibility, taken opportunities, taken care, and taken pride in their work. These should already be landing on door mats this week.
We will have our traditional staff pantomime and ‘Christmas Jumper Day’ tomorrow. Pupils may wear a Christmas themed jumper over their school uniform or accessorise their school uniform, with donations made to charity.
Our Christmas Fayre last week was a huge success. This event is run by our pupils, supported by staff. Pupils from across the school made, crafted and designed items to sell, as well as making donations to the raffle and food stalls. Mrs Ryder and her team sold very tasty turkey rolls and savoury items, and Elliot Jones in Year 10 sold his award-winning bags for Wallich homeless charity. Over £1000 was raised and this, along with donations from the Staff Panto, will be split between Aber Foodbank and St Davids Hospice who cared so well for Ms Bolton.
Our Christmas trips and activities are today with over 400 pupils heading out on off site visits and many more involved in activities on school site. It is a hive of activity!
And finally, our senior students surprised the staff yesterday with a gift of great thought and such kindness. Led by Connor Stone our Deputy Head Boy, our senior students presented the staff with a Christmas Tree absolutely covered in baubles. There was a personalised bauble for every member of staff in the school with an individual thank you message from a pupil in the school. To say we were touched and emotional following the presentation of this ‘Thank you Tree’ would be an understatement! It has pride of place in our staffroom.
Reminders and information
Attendance remains a very important focus for the school and must continue to improve. We continue to reward good attendance and punctuality at school.
When we return to school on Monday 8 January 2024, please ensure your child is in full and correct uniform. There are five items they must wear (blazer, tie, white shirt, black trousers/skirt, and black shoes). They should also have equipment ready for the new term (black pen, pencil, an eraser, ruler and a calculator are required each day).
If you think your child is eligible for free school meals, I urge you to apply. You will find information on Caerphilly Council website (https://www.caerphilly.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals) but please do not hesitate to contact your child’s Head of Year if you would like assistance with this. If your child qualifies for free school meals, you will also qualify for a yearly grant which is worth over £100 for each child and can be used to pay for uniform and school equipment.
As we are now in the winter months, please ensure that your child comes to school prepared for the weather in a warm, waterproof coat that fits over their blazer, and in suitable footwear. You will find details on our website about arrangements for adverse winter weather. Please be assured that the school will always open providing we have sufficient teaching and support staff available for lessons to take place throughout the day. It is always my intention for the school to be open if it is safe to do so.
You will be aware we have changed our processes for reporting to you about your child’s progress and effort using a system called Go4Schools. Thank you for your support as we have set up this new system and for your understanding when there have been teething problems. As in Mr Bown’s letter to you, we would welcome any feedback about this new reporting system.
If your mobile phone number, address, or any other details have changed, please send an email to the school with your up-to-date contact information.
May I take this opportunity to congratulate pupils and staff for the many successes of this term, and to thank you for your continued support.
I wish you and your family a peaceful Christmas and a happy New Year.
Miss Collins
