End of October half-term update
Wednesday 25th October 2022
Dear Parent/Carer,
As we draw closer to the end of a busy, successful and productive half-term there are few messages that we would like to share with you. Please note that we have two imminent INSET days on Friday 28th October and Monday 7th November. This means that your child’s final day in school this half-term is Thursday 27th October, and they should return to school on Tuesday 8th November.
Key Dates for 2022-2023
The remaining INSET days for this academic year are:
- Friday 28th October 2022
- Monday 7th November 2022
- Monday 9th January 2023
- Monday 5th June 2023
- Monday 24th July 2023
Swansea Council’s term dates for 2022/2023 can be found by clicking on this link: https://www.swansea.gov.uk/termdates2023
Attendance
Please avoid booking family holidays during the school term; absences naturally impact adversely on pupils’ learning. Taking holidays during term time will only be authorised by the school in exceptional circumstances. Unfortunately, we have had occasions when holidays have been booked during the school term that have also clashed with GCSE exams; they cannot be re-arranged for another date. On 14th and 16th of November, Year 11 pupils will be sitting GCSE Mathematics exams, and in May/June 2023 both Year 10 and Year 11 will be sitting GCSE exams. Attendance is currently back to the pre-pandemic levels (currently 94.4%), which compares favourably with other Swansea secondary schools. However, we do not want to become complacent in this vital aspect of school life; we shall continue to work towards our target of 95%. Research shows a strong correlation between high attendance and pupils’ wellbeing and academic achievement. If you require any support or advice with this, please contact the school.
School Uniform
To support with school uniform, we have continued to sell second hand/recycled uniform throughout this term. All items are priced at £1 that include: school jumpers, polo shirts, PE kit. If you would like to take advantage of this scheme, then just call into school.
Some other points to note from the uniform policy where pupils occasionally transgress is jewellery. The only jewellery permitted is one pair of stud earrings to be worn in ear lobes.
More details can be found here: https://pontcomp.co.uk/uniform/
Re-usable Bottles
All pupils will soon be supplied with a free re-usable water bottle to support the school’s drive towards reducing the amount of single use plastic bottles purchased in school. There are five water dispensers available around the school that the pupils can use to fill their bottles during the day. Please encourage your child to use the bottles.
Seat belts on buses
Please remind your child of the importance of ensuring they use their seat belts on school transport when travelling to and from school for the whole of the journey, for their own safety.
Extra-curricular
The extra-curricular scene is currently thriving! Many thanks to staff who volunteer to provide a varied range of activities to enhance our pupils’ school experience. All extra-curricular sessions can be found here: https://pontcomp.co.uk/extra-curricular-timetable/
Swansea Food Bank
Many thanks to all who have contributed to the school’s donation towards Swansea Food Bank. The final day for donations is Thursday 27th October. More information of this community venture can be found here: https://pontcomp.co.uk/2022/10/04/donations-for-swansea-foodbank/
Winter Fayre
Our fayre returns on Saturday November 19th with over 100 stalls, many of which will be run by our Year 10 pupils as part of their Welsh Baccalaureate course. More information can be found here: https://pontcomp.co.uk/winter-fayre/
We look forward to greeting your child back to school in November. Please contact the school if you have any queries or if you require any further support with your child’s education.
Yours faithfully
Mr. Gareth Rees
Headteacher
