8^th September 2025

Dear Parents

 

A warm welcome back to our pupils, parents, and staff. I hope you all enjoyed your summer holidays.  As we begin the new school year, you will find attached the Consent and Medical questionnaires as well as a Data Capture Sheet.  Please complete both forms and return to school signed and dated (please do this at the bottom of the data sheet) by WEDNESDAY September 10^th 2025. These forms are personal to your child and need to be completed to update all our records. If your child is new to the school, you will already have received this pack and if you haven’t done so already, please return it by Monday.  A Home-School Agreement will follow for you to sign.

 

It is extremely important that you keep us up to date of any changes in circumstances throughout the year e.g., change of home address, new telephone numbers or any medical conditions.  Our data privacy notice is available upon request and on our school website. Thank you in advance for your cooperation on this matter.

 

Some general information:

Access to school car park – thank you for your support and cooperation on safe use of the carpark.

 

School start: Your child needs to be in school before 9:10am as this is when children are in class ready for registration. Arrival after this time is marked as late which is monitored by the school and local authority attendance officers. If you arrive late, please escort your child into the main reception area so that you can sign them in to the Late Register on the iPad. We do understand that there may be one off occasions where lateness happens however, we need to record reasons for all late arrivals. Persistent late arrivals will be monitored, and the school will need to follow the appropriate procedures. Late arrivals not only impact your child’s learning but also the others in class who’s learning is disrupted.  

 

The school attendance target for the year is 95% which is attending for 180 days out of a possible 190 days. We encourage all our pupils to become a “HERO - Here, Every day, Ready, On time”. Please read the information on the school attendance letter attached  for our school procedures in relation to absence and attendance.

 

Uniform: As you already know, the school uniform consists of a white polo t-shirt, dark bottoms and a royal blue jumper or cardigan with the school logo and black school shoes. PE Kit consists of a blue crew neck t-shirt and dark bottoms with trainers. We kindly ask that children adhere to the school uniform policy.  PE forms part of the curriculum and pupils are to wear a school PE t-shirt with dark shorts/bottoms.

 

There are several items of free pre-loved uniform available throughout the year at school if you require any.  New uniform can be bought at Picton Sports, Heol Aur, Dafen Industrial Estate. Book bags can be purchased from the school or from Picton.

In the interests of health and safety children are discouraged from wearing jewellery at school. If jewellery is worn, it must be removed during PE sessions. The school will accept no responsibility for the loss or damage of items of jewellery.  

 

Please write your child’s name on ALL uniform (and reapply after washes) to help reduce the amount of lost and found and to make it easier to return to the correct owner if lost.   

Water bottles: Pupils are to bring their own water bottles to school daily which can be filled up at our cold-water dispensers to stay hydrated. Please write your child’s name on their bottle.

 

Snacks: We are a NUT FREE school due to a few children suffering with serious nut allergies. We ask for everyone’s cooperation on this matter.  We encourage children to bring in healthy snacks such as fruit and water, instead of fizzy drinks, sweets, crisps. Energy drinks are not permitted. This will help with your child’s health and their development and goes hand in hand with the Healthy Schools Award Scheme.

 

A reminder for Years 3-6 as per end of term letter, all pupils in Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6) need to bring their own pencil case to school daily. A pencil case will need pens (black ink), pencils, rubber, sharpener and a ruler. Thank you in advance for helping us with this request.

 

School Meals: Meals can be pre booked and paid for on the school meal website www.parentpay.com

Parent Pay is also used for school trips. If you have not received your log in, please let us know. Any pupils new to the school will have their log ins soon as possible - it takes a few days for the system to set up.  Universal Free School Meals are currently available for all full-time pupils in Nursery, Reception, Years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Some pupils may be eligible for Free School Meals which also allows access to other grants and provides additional funding to the school. If you think you qualify, please visit https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/home/council-services/education-schools/school-meals/free-school-meals/

 

The After-school club letter will be issued next week with clubs starting the following week commencing Monday September 15^th 2025. Please return the club booking letter asap. Spaces are allocated on a first come first serve basis. If you are successful in being allocated a place in your chosen club, your child will be added to the club list on Parent pay which will be open for you to complete the consent and payment information to secure your space prior to its start.  Refunds will only be issued if the club is cancelled by the school.  

 

Our school Website https://www.stmarysllanelli.org/  has a range of information on it. Class information is in the process of being updated so please check it throughout the term. Our website also has the option to be translated into multiple languages (click on the British flag at the top right of the screen for different language). 

 

Own clothes days will continue to be held on the last Friday of the month. We kindly ask for a donation of £1 per child on these days. The option to pay in full for the year is available on Parent Pay.

 

The school calendar on the website will be updated over the next week. See overleaf for a snapshot of dates.

 

National Roald Dahl Day is on Friday 12^th September. During the first two weeks of term, all pupils are taking part in different classroom activities based on Roald Dahl’s vast collection of books and stories.

TOMORROW Tuesday 9^th September 2025: We have arranged for Shine Drama to attend to lead pupils from Year 1 to 6 in a performing arts day and kindly ask for a small contribution of £2 each towards the cost of this day via parent pay. All pupils are invited to dress up in their favourite costume on Friday 12^th September.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this detailed letter. Please remember to return your completed data forms by Wednesday so that we can update your child’s records.

 

Wishing you all a warm welcome at the beginning of a new school year.

 

Yours Sincerely

Mrs Howells,

Headteacher

School Calendar (more dates will be added – please check the website throughout the year)