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Headteacher's Blog

Mr Griffiths' weekly blog, you can find out what has been taking place in Romilly this week and what is happening soon.

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  • Last Newsletter of the 2025–2026 School Year

    Published 17/07/26, by James Griffiths

     

    As we reach the end of another incredible year at Romilly Primary School, I want to take a moment to simply say thank you.

    Thank you to every child who has walked through our gates each day with enthusiasm, curiosity and determination. Thank you to our wonderful staff, who go above and beyond every single day to care for, inspire and nurture our children. And thank you to you—our parents, carers and families—for the trust, encouragement and support you show our school. Together, we have made this another truly memorable year.

    ROMFest – The Perfect Way to End the Year

    What an unforgettable way to finish the school year!

    Today our school came alive with ROMFest, a celebration of everything that makes Romilly such a special place. There were smiles everywhere as children enjoyed five inflatable attractions, football challenges led by Barry Town , visits from Darth Vader and our local Police Community Support Officers, as well as a sports barn packed with crafts, glitter tattoos, face painting and creative activities.

    Children kept cool with ice lollies before enjoying doughnuts, biscuits and squash, while candy floss was carefully bagged to take home. For those wanting a quieter moment, our woodland area became a magical retreat where children could explore nature, enjoy Forest School activities and listen to stories in the shade.

    Events like this simply don't happen by accident.

    They happen because of an extraordinary community of people who are willing to give their time, energy and enthusiasm for our children.

    A heartfelt thank you goes to our incredible PTA, whose dedication, planning and generosity made this fantastic free event possible. With more than 30 parent volunteers supporting throughout the day, they created memories that our children will talk about for years to come.

    Thank you also to Mrs King and parent volunteers for transforming our woodland into such a calm and magical space, to Mrs Hughes for leading the Forest School experiences and storytelling, to Barry Town, our local police, every volunteer, and to everyone who helped make today such a huge success.

    Today was a wonderful reminder of what can be achieved when a school community comes together.

    Goodbye Year 6

    Today is also one filled with mixed emotions as we say goodbye to our wonderful Year 6 pupils.

    Watching you leave this afternoon through the traditional Romilly Guard of Honour was a truly special moment. Surrounded by your families, friends, staff and younger pupils, you left as role models who have helped shape our school community.

    You arrived at Romilly as young children, full of curiosity and excitement. Today, you leave as thoughtful, kind, resilient and confident young people, ready for the next chapter of your lives.

    This week your leavers' production, "I'm an 11-Year-Old... Get Me Out of Here!", had us laughing from beginning to end. It perfectly captured your humour, personalities and memories of life at Romilly, while reminding us just how much you've grown during your time here.

    Your special Year 6 lunch on Thursday, followed by today's celebrations, was our small way of saying thank you for everything you have brought to our school. We hope you enjoy your Prom Tonight!

     

    Wherever life takes you next, remember that you will always be part of the Romilly family. We are incredibly proud of every single one of you and cannot wait to hear about all the amazing things you go on to achieve.

    Good luck—you'll always have a home at Romilly.

    To Our Families Leaving Us

    This year we also say goodbye to a number of families whose children have reached the end of their journey at Romilly.

    Some of you have been part of our school community for many years. You've supported school events, volunteered your time, cheered from the sidelines, trusted us with your children and helped make Romilly the welcoming school it is today.

    Schools are built on relationships, and your partnership has meant more than you will ever know.

    Thank you for allowing us to be part of your children's lives and for becoming such an important part of ours.

    We wish every one of your families happiness, success and exciting adventures in the years ahead. Once Romilly is part of your story, you will always remain part of ours.

    Farewell to Staff

    Today we also say goodbye to several valued members of staff.

    After many years of dedicated service, we thank Mrs Dobbs, Mrs Walsh and Mrs Sargent for the enormous contribution they have made to generations of Romilly children. Between them, they have supported, encouraged and inspired countless pupils, and their impact on our school community will be felt for many years to come.

    We also wish Miss Owen every success as she leaves the school office after a year with us, as we welcome back her mum whom she has been covering during a career break.

    To each of them—we thank you sincerely for everything you have done for our school and wish you every happiness in the future.

    Summer Reading Challenge – Read to the Beat!

    Why not make reading part of your family's summer adventure?

    Vale Libraries are inviting children aged 4–11 to take part in the Summer Reading Challenge 2026 – Read to the Beat!

    This year's musical theme celebrates how stories and music can inspire imagination, creativity and confidence. Children can borrow books, collect free activity packs and enjoy exciting events throughout the summer at their local library.

    Reading little and often over the holidays makes a huge difference and helps children return to school feeling confident and ready to learn.

    We would love to hear all about the books you've enjoyed when we return in September!

    Looking Ahead to September

    We look forward to welcoming everyone back to school in September, refreshed and ready for another exciting year together. 

    Finally…

    As I finish my first term as Headteacher of Romilly Primary School, I simply want to say what a privilege it has been.

    Over the past few months I have seen extraordinary kindness, resilience, ambition and community spirit. Every day I have been reminded what a special place Romilly is.

    Schools are far more than buildings—they are communities built on people. Children, families, staff, governors and volunteers all play their part, and together we continue to make Romilly a place where children can thrive.

    Thank you for your continued support throughout the year.

    On behalf of everyone at Romilly Primary School, I wish you all a wonderful, relaxing and well-deserved summer holiday. Stay safe, make precious memories together and enjoy every moment.

    We can't wait to welcome you back in September for another exciting year at Romilly.

    Have a fantastic summer!

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  • Friday 10th July 2026

    Published 10/07/26, by James Griffiths

    As we head into the final week of another busy and successful school year, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank our wonderful children, families and staff for everything they have contributed this year. It has been a year full of learning, achievements, new opportunities and memorable moments, and I couldn't be prouder of what our school community has accomplished together.

    The final week is always a special one, with plenty happening before we break for the summer holidays.

    Transition Morning

    On Wednesday morning, children will spend time with their new teacher in their new classroom to help them feel excited and confident about September. This is an important part of helping everyone have a positive start to the new academic year. A small number of classes will meet their new teacher at a different time as we welcome colleagues who are returning to school after a period away.

    Celebrating Our Year 6 Pupils

    Our Year 6 pupils are preparing to leave Romilly and begin an exciting new chapter at secondary school.

    Their Leavers' Concert will take place on Tuesday at 9:30am and 1:45pm, and we are looking forward to celebrating their many achievements with families.

    On Thursday, Year 6 will enjoy a special fish and chips lunch followed by ice cream on the field, kindly funded by the Year 6 Prom Committee. It is a lovely way to celebrate their time at Romilly before they say their goodbyes.

    We wish every one of our Year 6 children every success and happiness as they move on. They will always be part of the Romilly family.

    PTA Meeting

    Our final PTA Meeting of the year will take place on Tuesday at 3:40pm in the school canteen. Everyone is very welcome to come along. Whether you've attended before or would like to get involved for the first time, we'd love to see you there.

    ROMFest - The Last Day of Term

    We are all looking forward to ROMFest on the last day of term! Children can come to school dressed in festival clothing or their own clothes (unless families have chosen to opt out through the Google Form). It promises to be a fantastic day packed with music, creativity and fun as we celebrate another successful year together.

    Thank you to everyone who has helped organise this special event—it is a wonderful example of our school community working together- see more information in our news feed article.


    Looking Ahead to September

    We are currently putting together our school calendar for the new academic year, which will include key dates, events and celebrations. This will be shared with families early in the autumn term.

    Academic Year 2026–2027

    Autumn Term

    • INSET Days (School Closed): Tuesday 1 September & Wednesday 2 September
    • Children return: Thursday 3 September
    • Half Term: Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October
    • Christmas Holidays: Monday 21 December – Friday 1 January

    Spring Term

    • INSET Day (School Closed): Monday 4 January
    • Children return: Tuesday 5 January
    • Half Term: Monday 8 February – Friday 12 February
    • Easter Holidays: Monday 22 March – Friday 2 April

    Summer Term

    • INSET Day (School Closed): Monday 5 April
    • Children return: Tuesday 6 April
    • Half Term: Monday 31 May – Friday 4 June
    • Last Day for Pupils: Friday 16 July
    • Summer Holidays begin: Monday 19 July

    Additional INSET Days

    • Monday 19 July 2027
    • Tuesday 20 July 2027


    Around Romilly...

    🎭 Finding Nemo

    Congratulations to every member of our Drama Club on their outstanding production of Finding Nemo. The performances, singing, costumes and confidence shown by our children were simply fantastic.

    The children were absolutely unforgettable, and their success is a testament to the dedication, hard work and care shown by our staff, who generously gave up evenings, weekends and countless hours to help our children develop their confidence, creativity and talents.

    Thank you also to the families who supported rehearsals and performances. It was a truly special production and one that will be remembered for many years. You have all made Romilly incredibly proud.

    âšŊ World Cup Day

    On Friday, children enjoyed our World Cup Day by coming to school in sportswear or football kits and taking part in a range of football-inspired activities throughout the day. It was wonderful to see so much enthusiasm, teamwork and sporting spirit across the school.

    🎨 Creating Our New School Mural

    This week, the winners of our Jenny Lambert Art Competition enjoyed a very special workshop with local artist Jenny Lambert, helping to create a beautiful mural that will take pride of place in our newly renovated school canteen.

    The standard of entries in the competition was absolutely outstanding. Jenny spent time with the children exploring their ideas and has incorporated many of their creative suggestions into the final design, making this a truly collaborative piece of artwork.

    A huge thank you to our fantastic PTA, who have generously funded half of the cost of this exciting project. Their continued support helps us create inspiring opportunities and lasting improvements for our children.

    We are also delighted to share that all of the competition entries will be displayed around the school so that everyone can enjoy the incredible creativity and imagination shown by our pupils.

    We can't wait to unveil the finished mural to our school community in September—it's sure to become a colourful and lasting celebration of everything that makes Romilly special!


    Finally, thank you once again for your support throughout this year. Working together with our families makes such a difference, and we are incredibly proud of the caring community we continue to build.

    Have a wonderful final week and, for those we won't see again until September, I wish you all a safe, happy and relaxing summer holiday.

    Learning, growing and succeeding together.

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  • Friday 3rd July 2026

    Published 03/07/26, by James Griffiths

    As we approach the final two weeks of the academic year, it is a time for celebration, reflection and, for some, saying goodbye.

    Saying Goodbye to Three Very Special Members of Staff

    This summer, we will also be saying farewell to three much-loved members of staff who have each made an enormous contribution to our school community.

    Mrs Dawn Dobbs

    After an incredible 26 years at Romilly, Mrs Dobbs will be leaving us. Throughout her time here, she has inspired countless children through her passion for sport and physical education. Her enthusiasm, dedication and commitment to ensuring children enjoy being active has touched generations of Romilly pupils. She will be hugely missed by us all.

    Mrs Daisy Walsh

    Mrs Walsh leaves us after five years at Romilly. During this time, she has worked tirelessly as a class teacher across different areas of the school, made a significant contribution to our Eco Committee and played a key role in the sporting life of the school. Her positivity, kindness and willingness to go above and beyond for our children and families will be greatly missed.

    Mrs Angela Sergant

    Mrs Sergant leaves us after more than 12 years as a Learning Support Assistant. During this time, she has supported countless children, particularly those with additional learning needs, and has played an important role in helping many pupils develop their confidence and reading skills. Her care, patience and dedication have made a lasting difference to so many children and families.

    It is incredibly difficult to say goodbye to these three amazing members of staff. They have given so much of their time, energy and enthusiasm to making Romilly the wonderful school it is today.

    They will be deeply missed by pupils, parents and colleagues alike, and we thank them sincerely for everything they have done for our school community. We wish them every happiness and success in the future.

    Thankfully, all three have promised that they won't be strangers, and we look forward to welcoming them back to Romilly in different ways in the years to come.

    End-of-Term Reminders

    As we begin to finish the year and prepare for September, we would be grateful if any school books, reading books or resources that have accidentally made their way home could be returned to school before the end of term.

    Our lost property collection has also grown significantly over the last few weeks. Mrs Evans will be displaying lost clothing and other items outside the school office until the end of term. Please take a few moments to check if anything belongs to your child.

    As you begin purchasing new uniform and equipment for September, please remember to label everything clearly with your child's first and second name. In a school as large as Romilly, it can be very difficult to reunite lost items with their owners if they are unnamed.

    Class Teachers for September

    Today, you will receive an email confirming your child's class teacher for the new academic year. We know that moving classes can be an exciting time and we hope this information helps your child begin to look forward to September.

    Annual Pupil Progress Reports

    From Monday, we will begin emailing Annual Pupil Progress Reports to families. We anticipate that all reports will be sent on Monday; however, due to the large number of reports being distributed, it may take a couple of days for all families to receive theirs. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

    Looking Ahead

    PTA Sponsored Bounce – Monday 6th and Tuesday 7th July

    Our rearranged Sponsored Bounce will take place on Monday 6th and Tuesday 7th July.

    Monday 6th July

    • Year 2 – 2DW, 2RF, 2SH
    • Reception – RBC, RDP, RRC
    • Nursery – NKRD (Nursery AM)
    • Year 5 – 5NM, 5GS, 5AP
    • Year 6 – 6MN, 6RC, 6MW

    Tuesday 7th July

    • Year 1 – 1MS, 1EH, 1KW
    • Nursery – NCK (Nursery AM and PM)
    • Year 3 – 3DH, 3BP, 3AW
    • Year 4 – 4JB, 4DW, 4DH

    Thank you to everyone who has already collected sponsorship. All money raised will go directly to our PTA to help fund school trips and experiences for children next year.

    All children will receive an ice pop after taking part. If you do not wish your child to receive one, please contact the school office.

    A quick reminder that consent must be completed on ParentPay before the Sponsored Bounce. Unfortunately, without consent, children will not be able to participate due to the PTA's public liability insurance arrangements.

    There is still time to send sponsorship money into school. If you need another sponsorship form, please contact the office or speak to your child's class teacher.

    Reception and Year 1 Parent Information Meeting

    On Monday, we will be holding a Parent Information Meeting for parents of children entering Reception and Year 1 next year.

    Time: 3:30pm – 4:00pm
    Venue: Lower School Hall

    This will be an opportunity to meet staff, hear about routines and expectations for September, and ask any questions you may have as we prepare for the new school year.

    Drama Club Performances

    Our Drama Club will be performing Finding Nemo in the Lower Hall on:

    • Wednesday 8th July- 6 pm
    • Thursday 9th July- 6 pm

    We are incredibly proud of the hard work and commitment shown by our young performers and look forward to seeing them shine on stage.

    World Cup Day – Friday

    Next Friday, we will be holding a World Cup Day in school. Children will take part in a range of learning activities linked to the World Cup and global sport.

    Children are invited to come to school wearing any football kit or sports clothing of their choice.

    FUTURE DATES

    • Friday 10th July – Parent Help Out Day
    • Friday 10th July, 2:00pm – Y3 Pbuzz Concert in the Lower Hall.

    This will be a wonderful opportunity for Year 3 children to showcase the fantastic musical skills they have developed during their recent project.

    Recent Events

    School Discos

    A huge thank you to our amazing PTA and all of the volunteers who helped make this year's school discos such a success. The children had a fantastic time, and we are incredibly grateful for the time and effort our PTA put into organising these events for our school community.

    As always, thank you for your continued support throughout another wonderful year at Romilly Primary School. The final weeks of term are always busy and emotional, but they are also filled with opportunities to celebrate everything our children and community have achieved together.

    Diolch yn fawr and best wishes,

     James Griffiths
    Headteacher
    Romilly Primary School

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  • Friday 26th June 2026

    Published 26/06/26, by James Griffiths

    Headteacher's Blog

    Thank You for Your Support During This Week's Heatwave

    Firstly, I would like to thank all of our families for their understanding, kindness and support during this week's extreme heat and Red Weather Warning.

    The last thing we would ever want to do is close the school. We fully understand the impact that any disruption has on children and family life. Our decision to close for most children at 1:00 pm on Wednesday and Thursday was not taken lightly. Unfortunately, temperatures in some classrooms during the afternoons rose well above 30°C. At this point, our classrooms became not only uncomfortable places for teaching and learning, but unsafe environments for both children and staff.

    A similar situation arose today. Although the outside temperatures were forecast to be lower, the residual heat left in our Victorian buildings meant that some classrooms were exceptionally warm from as early as 8:00 am.

    I would like to sincerely thank everyone for their support and understanding as we put these emergency measures in place. We are hopeful that next week will bring more normal temperatures and that our usual calendar of events can continue unhindered.

    Looking Ahead to Next Week

    We have a busy and exciting week ahead!

    Sports Days

    • Monday 29th June – Reception Sports Day – 9:15 am
    • Monday 29th June – Year 4 Sports Day – 1:30 pm

    We look forward to welcoming families to cheer on our children.

    đŸĒŠ PTA Summer Discos

    Our fantastic PTA Summer Discos take place next week:

    Tuesday 30th June

    • Year 1: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
    • Year 4: 4:45 pm – 5:45 pm

    Wednesday 1st July

    • Nursery: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
    • Year 3: 4:45 pm – 5:45 pm

    Thursday 2nd July

    • Reception: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
    • Year 2: 4:45 pm – 5:45 pm
    • Years 5 & 6: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

    These are always brilliant events and are a real highlight of the school year. Every ticket purchased helps raise money for our exciting new school library, so please come along and support the PTA if you can.

    đŸŽŸī¸ Purchase tickets here:
    https://www.pta-events.co.uk/romilly/

    💛 Can you help?
    The PTA is also looking for parent volunteers to support with running the discos. If you are able to lend a hand, please email:

    📧 romillyprimarypta@hotmail.co.uk

    A huge thank you to Amy and the PTA team for everything they do for our school community.

    Sponsored Bounce

    Our PTA Sponsored Bounce has now been rearranged and will take place on:

    📅 Monday 6th July and Tuesday 7th July

    We will share further information about arrangements and sponsorship shortly.

    Inset Day Reminder

    Please remember that school will be closed to pupils on Friday 3rd July as staff will be undertaking professional learning and training in school.

    A Little Ice Lolly Apology!

    Finally, an apology from us regarding our promised ice lollies this week.

    We promised the children an ice lolly each day during the heat warning. We were able to purchase some for Tuesday, but despite ordering additional supplies for next-day delivery, they have not yet arrived due to exceptionally high demand across the country.

    We will absolutely ensure that the children enjoy these treats as soon as they arrive!

    I would also like to apologise for Wednesday, when children having school dinners received an ice cream or lolly as part of their meal, while children with packed lunches did not. This was never intended to be unfair and we are sorry for any upset this may have caused.

    Looking ahead, ice cream will be available on:

    đŸĻ Thursday next week
    đŸĻ Friday 10th July
    đŸĻ Friday 17th July

    If you would like your child to receive one, please remember that all children are entitled to a free school meal and meals can be ordered through ParentPay.

    Thank you once again for your continued support. We are incredibly proud of how our children, families and staff have pulled together during what has been a very unusual and challenging week.

    I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and enjoy some slightly cooler weather!

    Mr James Griffiths
    Headteacher

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  • Friday 19th June 2026

    Published 17/06/26, by James Griffiths

    A Message from Mr Griffiths

    What a fantastic week it has been at Romilly!

    Firstly, a huge thank you to all parents and carers for your patience and understanding as we rearranged several of our Sports Days due to our wonderful Welsh weather. Whilst the changes weren't ideal, it was certainly worth the wait!

    Our Sports Day season began on Tuesday with our Year 5 and Year 6 pupils at Jenner Park. The sportsmanship, determination, teamwork and resilience on display were absolutely wonderful to see. The children represented Romilly brilliantly and should be incredibly proud of themselves.

    The same can be said for our Year 2 and Year 1 Sports Days on Thursday, and our Nursery Sports Day on Friday. Across every event, the children demonstrated enthusiasm, encouragement and a real sense of community.

    A huge thank you must go to Mrs Dobbs for her excellent organisation and coordination of our Sports Days, as well as to all of the staff who helped make the events such a success. Events like these take a huge amount of planning behind the scenes and we are very grateful for everyone's efforts.

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