Dear Parents and Carers
As we approach the end of the school year, there has been a great deal to celebrate this term. Our older year groups completed their external examinations with confidence, and we look forward to their results later this summer. Younger year groups have been completing their national tests and school examinations and have shown commitment and resilience. It has been delightful to celebrate the academic achievements of so many pupils over the past few weeks with Headteacher Letters of Commendations, and Headteacher Award Assemblies, recognising the hard work, endeavour, and excellence of so many of our pupils.
Our Year 11 prom was a wonderful event, and we marked Year 11 and Year 13 coming to the end of their exams with special leaver events. We have had a successful transition day for Year 6 pupils and are very much looking forward to welcoming them to our school in September. Yesterday we held our Sports Day which was competitive and thoroughly enjoyable. Next week we have our ‘Trips Day’ on Monday, our ‘Fundraising Walk’ on Tuesday, and a whole school assembly on Wednesday. I hope your child has enjoyed these opportunities, and I am sure you will join me in thanking staff across the school who have planned and organised these events.
Our school year ends on Wednesday 19 July 2023 at 1455, the end of the school day.
In readiness for the new autumn term, please note
Thursday 17 August 2023 – A/AS level Results (9am to 11am in the Main Hall)
Thursday 24 August 2023 – GCSE Results (Year 11 9am to 11am / Year 10 10am to 11am in the Main Hall)
Friday 1 September 2023 – INSET Day (Staff only)
Monday 4 September 2023 – Year 7 and Year 12 first day of the autumn term. School photos taken today.
Tuesday 5 September 2023 – Year 8, Year 9, Year 10, Year 11, and Year 13 return
I will write to you early in the new term, including important dates for the school year such as Parents Evenings, INSET Days, and with details of our School Development Plan priorities for 2023-2024.
Attendance and punctuality
Attendance in 2022-23 has not been good enough across the school. If your child has an attendance of 95% or better, thank you for your support. If your child’s attendance is less than 95% then we will work with you to ensure this improves. We monitor attendance closely, as all children should aim to be in school and on time every day.
Improving attendance and punctuality will be a key focus for our school from the first day in September onwards. Rewards for good attendance and punctuality will be readily available; sanctions for poor attendance and punctuality will be issued. Please note that all students are expected to be in school in good time for the start of the school day. The first bell rings at 8.30am and all students should be on site in readiness for assemblies and form time at 8.25am without fail.
School uniform
There are five compulsory parts to the uniform which should be worn every day – our school blazer, school tie, white shirt, black shoes, and black skirt or trousers. Please note that facial piercings are not allowed. Please ensure school uniform complies with our policy which is on our school website. We will be insisting on the highest standards of uniform in September.
You can purchase the school blazer and tie from TSS, 2 Bartlett Street, Caerphilly CF83 1JS. Their telephone number is 029.2086.9452.
You may have heard of the award-winning Caerphilly Uniform Exchange who stock new and preloved school uniform at 43 Attlee Court, Caerphilly CF83 1QU. You can contact them on caerphillyuniformexchange@gmail.com. For those families who qualify for the Welsh Government Schools Essential Grant, you should have received information to your home address from CCBC. If your child is eligible for a free school meal, this grant provides £200 for Year 7 and £125 for all other year groups up to and including Year 11. The grant can be used to buy school uniform, equipment, sports kit, and kit for activities outside of school for your child. Further details are on Caerphilly County Borough Council website.
If you have any unwanted, good quality uniform items, we would very much welcome these as 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.
School buses
If your child is currently in Years 7-12, you should receive a bus pass from CCBC. We understand bus passes for new pupils will be sent out over the summer holidays. Please note all pupils are expected by CCBC Transport to travel on the bus that is designated to them by CCBC. Please contact CCBC if you have any queries about school buses or taxis.
Staff changes
Miss Nicholas, PE Teacher, and Miss Jones, Cover Supervisor, are leaving at the end of the term to take up new posts. We wish them both every success.
We have three teachers joining us in September – Mrs Tate (Maths), Mrs Vallance (RE temporary), and Mrs Pryse (Science temporary).
On behalf of everyone at St Cenydd, I would like to thank you for your continued support, encouragement, and kindness.
I wish you and your family an enjoyable and happy summer.
With thanks
Miss Collins
Headteacher
