Dear Parents and Carers,
It has been a good end to a successful academic year. Our older pupils have worked hard for their exams, determined to do their best. Y10 and Y12 pupils have returned well to their studies and have made productive use of these final weeks of the summer term. We enjoyed a wonderful Y11 Prom and Leavers Assembly celebrating their many successes, and we are looking forward to seeing many return in September to start their A levels. Y13 pupils have continued to be role models to the younger year groups and we look forward to seeing them again on results days later in the summer. It has been lovely to celebrate the academic achievements of so many pupils from across the school in Headteacher Award Assemblies this week, recognising the hard work, endeavour, and excellence of so many of our pupils.
We welcomed our new Year 6 pupils and are very much looking forward to them starting with us in September. We enjoyed a second hugely successful ‘Pillars Week’ with pupils from across the school making new friends as they enjoyed a wide range of community and passion projects together. Sports Day went very well and pupils enjoyed their activities yesterday as part of trips day. I am sure you will join me in thanking staff across the school who have planned and organised these events.
As the end of the school year now approaches, I confirm our arrangements for the end of term, results days, and the start of the new academic year.
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Our school year ends tomorrow, Friday 17 July 2026 at 2.55pm.
Over the summer break we will hold two results days:
Thursday 13 August 2026 – A/AS level Results (9am to 10am)
Thursday 20 August 2026 – GCSE Results (Year 11 9am to 10.30am / Year 10 9.45am to 10.30am)
In readiness for the new school year, please note:
Tuesday 1 September 2026 – INSET Day (Staff only)
Wednesday 2 September 2026 – all pupils return to school at 8.30am for the first day of the school year
I will write to you early in the new school year and include important dates such as Parents Evenings, INSET Days, and our School Development Plan priorities for 2026-2027.
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Ready to Learn, Quiet Corridors
Our new ‘Ready to Learn, Quiet Corridors’ processes have bedded in well and quickly over the past four weeks. We saw many positive impacts on teaching, learning and behaviour almost immediately and these improvements have been sustained.
You will recall we have trialled new break and lunch timings over the past four weeks. We used to have 60 minutes across break and lunch (15-minute break and 45-minute lunch) alongside five lessons which were unbalanced in timings because, as one lesson finished, the next lesson was scheduled to start immediately, not taking into consideration pupils moving across the site to their next lesson.
In our trial over the past month, scheduling movement time between lessons has meant lessons have been ‘bell to bell’ with learning time not lost to movement time. In the trial we have had a 20-minute break and 30-minute lunch. The increased break time has worked very well and feedback from pupils and staff has been positive. Although the 30-minute lunch time has been sufficient over the past few weeks, it has felt rushed and we do not think it would be sufficient in September with all year groups back. Staff, pupil and parent feedback has also been for us to look at this again.
From September we will return to 60 minutes across break and lunch, maintaining the new 20-minute new break with a 40-minute lunch break with five 58-minute lessons. Staff feedback has been very positive about this and we will review with Governors by the end of the first half term.
School expectations
Most pupils arrive at school on time, in full uniform, and with the equipment they need for the day. These three basic expectations are not new but some pupils have not met them. Therefore, we are introducing a new ‘red card’ system to monitor and insist all pupils are complying with school uniform expectations, all are bringing a bag to school with their equipment for the day, and all arrive on time for assembly/form time. Mr Harrison and Mr Dickinson will write to you at the end of the summer holiday but, in summary, these three expectations are:
- Pupils arrive at school for the first bell at 8.30am so they arrive at form time/assembly on time.
- Pupils are dressed in correct school uniform. School uniform expectations are set out on the school website. Pupils must wear a white shirt, black tailored trousers or skirt with black tights and socks, black shoes, school tie and grey school badged cover top e.g. school quarter zip.
- Pupils bring a bag/rucksack with the equipment they need for their learning that day. All pupils should have a reuseable water bottle and pencil case with them each day in their bag. All pupils must have 2 black pens/biros, 2 pencils, an eraser, and a 15cm ruler in their pencil case. They may also wish to have their own green biro pen, highlighters, coloured pencils, calculator, etc. Pupils will have their timetable on Wednesday 2 September and from then they must also bring the equipment they need for their lessons that day e.g. PE kit (white top, black shorts, trainers or 3G pitch boots), ingredients for food practical, homework assignments, etc
Free School Meals / Schools Essential Grant
I would urge anyone who believes their child may qualify for free school meals to complete an application form so that your child can have a free meal each day as well as receive additional funding towards uniform and equipment. The Welsh Government grant, known as the Schools Essentials Grant, is for pupils who qualify for a free school meal and is additional financial support for uniform, sports kit and equipment. For new Year 7 pupils this year the grant is worth £200, and for Year 8-11 pupils the grant is £125.
If you have good quality uniform items at home that your child has grown out of, we will welcome these preloved donations to the school for us to share with those in need. Thank you in advance for your donations. Please deliver any freshly laundered items to our school reception. We also work in partnership with Caerphilly uniform Exchange who provide a vital service to the community. For more details, please visit their website https://caerphillyuniformexchange.co.uk/home-new/
Caerphilly Council buses / taxis
The school buses and taxis are run by and managed by the council. Please contact CCBC if you have any queries about school buses, taxis or bus passes.
Staff changes
Mrs Hood (Head of Media Studies) and Mr Dodd (Head of DT) are retiring at the end of this year. Both have served our school community for over 30 years! An incredible achievement and we wish them both a happy and healthy retirement and thank them for their many years of dedicated service to our school and pupils.
Mr Chaytor (DT Teacher), Mrs Lippiett (Exams Officer) and Mrs Tate (Maths Teacher) are also leaving to take up new opportunities, to return back to teaching, or for promotion. We thank them and wish them every happiness in their new ventures.
Mrs Jones will be Head of Media Studies and Mrs Barnes will be Head of DT from September. We will welcome four teachers: Miss Fitzgerald (Maths Teacher), Miss Darji (English Teacher), Mr McDonnell (DT Teacher) and Mr Moore (English and Maths Teacher).
On behalf of everyone at St Cenydd, thank you for your support and kindness. I wish you and your family an enjoyable and happy summer.
With thanks
Miss Collins
Headteacher
