Dear Parents and Carers,

It has been another busy and positive week at Romilly, and there is plenty to look forward to over the coming weeks.

Improving communication

Thank you for the positive feedback we have received about our weekly year-group blogs and curriculum overviews. We know that keeping track of school information can sometimes feel challenging—particularly for families with children in different year groups—so we are continuing to make our communication clearer and easier to access.

Our aim is for the school website and newsletter to become your main places for news, dates and updates. We have also produced a parent-friendly overview of the key dates for the year. Other events will be added as they are confirmed, so please continue to check the school calendar regularly.

BulliesOut workshops

We are delighted to welcome BulliesOut to Romilly next week. They will deliver age-appropriate assemblies and workshops for pupils in the Plaza and Years 3, 4 and 5, focusing on kindness, courage, speaking out and changing attitudes.

BulliesOut will return on 20 October to work with Years 2 and 6, followed by training for our new Playground Pals on 21 October. These sessions will complement our continued work on positive relationships, respectful behaviour and ensuring every child feels safe and valued at Romilly.

You can find out more about their work at bulliesout.com.

Year 6 Secondary School Applications

Applications for children transferring to secondary school in September 2027 open on Friday 18 September 2026.

Parents and carers can find all the necessary information and apply online through the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s website:

🔗 Secondary School Admissions

The closing date for applications is Thursday 29 October 2026. The online application system is the preferred method, as it allows families to view or amend their application at any point before the deadline. Application notifications will also be sent by email.

You can check which secondary schools serve your home address using the Council’s catchment-area checker:

📍 Check your catchment-area schools

As part of the coordinated admissions arrangements, families can also apply for a place at St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School through the same online application service.

All applications for Stanwell School must also be submitted through the Council’s online admissions process. Transitional feeder-school arrangements apply only to eligible pupils who attended Albert, Evenlode, Sully or Victoria Primary during the 2023–2024 academic year.

Parents and carers who cannot access the online portal may request a paper application form. For application forms, further information or support, please contact:

📧 admissionssecondary@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

After-school clubs

Our new programme of after-school clubs begins next week. Thank you to everyone who has registered through Arbor. It has been wonderful to see such an enthusiastic response, and we hope the children enjoy the wide range of opportunities on offer.

Every Minute Matters

Strong attendance and punctuality give children the best possible opportunity to learn, thrive and feel part of school life. Thank you to all our families who support children in attending school every day and arriving on time. Every day—and every minute—really does matter.

Changes to the school lunch menu

Big Fresh Catering has asked us to share the following update with families.

In preparation for the Welsh Government’s new Healthy Eating Regulations, which come into effect in October 2026, Big Fresh will introduce a new two-week menu featuring a selection of popular hot meals.

As part of this change, baguettes, sandwiches and wraps will no longer be available as part of the usual lunchtime menu. Big Fresh has explained that this is intended to encourage more pupils to choose and eat a hot, nutritious meal each day, particularly during the autumn and winter months. The menu may be expanded in the future as pupils become familiar with the new choices.

Grab bags will remain available for school trips. These must be ordered at least one week in advance so that Big Fresh can arrange supplies and ensure that all allergen and special dietary information is provided.

Please note that the school lunch menu is planned and provided by Big Fresh Catering and is not decided by the school. We understand that some families may have questions or concerns about these changes. As a school, we have shared our own feedback and concerns directly with Big Fresh Catering. Big Fresh has confirmed that it welcomes questions and feedback from parents and carers, so if you would like to discuss any aspect of the new menu, please contact the company directly:

📧 hello@bigfreshcatering.co.uk
🌐 Contact Big Fresh Catering

Help with school costs

Financial support may be available to help eligible families purchase school uniform, sports kit, stationery, equipment and other school essentials through the Welsh Government’s School Essentials Grant.

We would encourage families to check whether they are entitled to support, even if they have not applied previously. Further information is available at Get help with school costs.

PTA Annual General Meeting

Our PTA AGM will take place on Wednesday 7 October from 3.30–4.00pm, straight after school pick-up.

Following a fantastic first year—including RomFest, discos and many other community events—we are keen to build on this brilliant momentum. All parents, carers and family members are welcome to attend, volunteer or become a class representative.

If you would like to stand for one of the nine elected committee roles, please send a short biography to romillyprimarypta@hotmail.co.uk by 30 September. Further details are available in the dedicated PTA news item.

Dates for families

Please take a look at our new parent-friendly overview of the year’s major dates, including parent evenings and key transition information. We will continue to add events to the online calendar as arrangements are confirmed.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. There is a great deal happening across the school, and it is lovely to see our children settling into the new term so positively.

Have a wonderful weekend.

James Griffiths
Headteacher