Dear Parent/Carer
The autumn term at St Cenydd has been very successful. We have been delighted with the start that Year 7 pupils have made, and I have been impressed with the attitude, effort, attendance and commitment demonstrated by so many of our pupils each day. Before the end of 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 19 December 2024).
Following our two-week Christmas break, all pupils return to school at 8.30am on Monday 6 January 2025.
Please note that mock examinations for Year 12 and Year 13 start from Monday 13 January 2025. Year 11 mock exams begin a few weeks later, starting on Monday 27 January 2025. 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 as from the end of January onwards external final exams begin in practical subjects.
We will hold a Year 11 Parents Information Evening early in the term on Tuesday 14 January at 5.30pm in the Main Hall. There will be presentations from senior and pastoral staff as we talk through the spring term preparations as pupils prepare for their examinations.
Reminders
- When we return to school on Monday 6 January 2025, please ensure that your child returns in full and correct uniform, and with equipment ready for the new term (black pen, pencil, an eraser, ruler and a calculator are required each day).
- 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 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.
- Attendance remains an important focus for the school and continues to improve. We will continue to reward good attendance and punctuality at school.
- Classcharts is now our main way of communicating with you. Please ensure you have downloaded the Classcharts app for reporting if your child is absent, attendance monitoring, and so you can track the reward and behaviour points of your child. You will also need the app to receive up to date messages and information from the school.
- Termly reports from teachers about academic progress and effort continue to be on Go4Schools.
- Thank you to the many parents who have already signed up to the ipayment app for trips and events.
- If you think your child is eligible for a free school meal, I urge you to apply. You will find information on Caerphilly Council website but please do not hesitate to contact your child’s Head of Year if you would like assistance with this.
- If your mobile phone number, address or any other details have changed, please send an email to the main school email account with your up-to-date contact information.
Information
You may have seen the hive of activity on our redgra pitch as you drive past the school. We are very excited about the new 3G pitch which is being built on our school site and which we hope will be ready around Easter time. This will be a fantastic sports facility and will be very well used.
Mrs. McGregor (Maths Teacher), Mr. Mills (English Teacher), Mrs. Park (English/Media Teacher), and Mrs. Shipp (Tech Assistant) are leaving at the end of this term. We wish them every success and happiness in their new roles.
Pupils, staff and Governors have considered and agreed upon an alternative item to our school uniform requirements. As you know, all pupils are required to wear a grey school blazer or a grey school cardigan, jumper or tank top. From September 2025, we will be adding an alternative with a grey school three quarter zip top with a fleecy inner lining. These will be available from our usual uniform supplier. Pupils can continue to wear the blazer and existing school jumper or cardigan. This is an alternative, not a replacement.
Recent school events
Our Christmas Fayre was, yet again, a huge success. The event is planned by and run by our sixth form 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. Over £950 was raised and donated to the Aber Foodbank.
Christmas trips and activities are taking place today with off site visits and school activities.
It has been my great pleasure to present the Headteacher Awards over the past week. These include the Scholars Award as well as the Ms Boulton Award. My congratulations to all the award winners. Our Award Boards in the main corridor are now filled with the photos of the award winners, along with the citations telling of their engagement in their learning, their effort, and their hard work. It has been my honour to make these awards and details of all the worthy award winners are also on our school website.
You may remember that last year our senior students surprised the staff with a ‘Thank you Tree’ with a personalised bauble for every member of staff in the school with an individual thank you message from a pupil in the school. We were very touched to receive a tree from the pupils once again this year and this has pride of place in our staffroom.
And of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas at St Cenydd without our staff pantomime and ‘Christmas Jumper Day’ which will take place tomorrow. Pupils may wear a Christmas themed jumper over their school uniform or accessorise their school uniform, with donations made to charity.
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
