23 August 2023
Dear Parents, Guardians and Students/Annwyl Rieni, Gwarchodwyr a Myfyrwyr
Fond farewells
Please join me in bidding a fond farewell to the staff who are departing from Llanishen High School this summer to embrace pastures and adventures new. The members of staff below have delivered over 75 years of service to the students, past and present, of LHS.
Ordinarily, my blog celebrates the efforts and accomplishments of our students. However, on this final week, it is a celebration of some legendary staff who have hatched plausible escape plans this August.
I invited each member of staff to share their onward destination and some of their favourite memories from their time at LHS. Here they are in their own words, in reverse order of years served…
A farewell from Mrs Pam Govier, Teaching Assistant in the Hearing Impaired Resource Base…
After 32 years at LHS I’ve reflected on my funniest and fondest memories. One of those was a Geography trip to Porthkerry Park on a very wet November’s day. One of our students thought it was a good idea to wear ballet pumps. She slid and fell in the mud and it took two of us to pull her up and take her dripping in mud back to the minibus but not before myself and Mrs Murphy did our fair share of slipping and sliding! I have equally fond memories from our visit to Sorrento with the school, and all the wonderful trips and adventures with the wonderful Hearing Impaired Resource Base.
Now I’m headed into retirement. I’m not planning too far ahead other than to do what I want, when I want! But I will be headed on lots of holidays with dear friends, and will see some more of the world (experienced with a cocktail in hand in as many countries as possible). I will miss the staff and students in the HIRB because we are like a family who look after each other. I won’t miss coming to work in the dark and going home in the dark in winter!
A farewell from Mrs Carmel Kearon, Reprographics Officer…
If there is anyone who is the beating heart of a school, it is the reprographics officer. Now, this person doesn’t just help with teacher workload by getting the photocopying done. They are a key emergency service in a school! Mrs Kearon has saved us all on so many occasions and we have a huge collective love for her. She will be sorely missed.
In here own words…. “I started the job 19 years ago. It’s been a while (!) but it has suited me perfectly. I shall miss coming to school but feel I will also enjoy my new life. I am looking forward more than anything to having time(to myself). I have no big plans other than keeping as healthy and as happy as I can. There will be plenty things to do. More than anything I shall remember LHS for its appreciation of me.”
A farewell from Mr Rob Bloor, Year Team Leader and teacher of PE…
After 14 years at Llanishen High School, I’m moving on. I can’t divulge my funniest moment because I still have another week here and Mrs Whitehall would kill me! I have too many fond memories to recollect but many come from PE trips to Italy, skiing, or New York to sports fixtures in years gone by.
I’m heading off to take up a new challenge as Head of PE at Y Pant Comprehensive school in Pontyclun where I’m looking forward to sport and lots of it!
I will miss the students at LHS. There are some absolute gems that I have had the pleasure of teaching over the years. They are seriously talented, bright young people.
I will miss Mrs Whitehall and our daily chats about how many hours sleep our own kids allowed us! Of course I will miss the PE department. They are a mad mad bunch of extremely hard working, great people.
The only thing I won’t honestly miss is doing after school detentions three nights a week!
A farewell from Miss Emma Hastings, teacher of Design Technology…
I have worked at Llanishen for just over a year as an NQT. One of my fondest memories was taking part in the Year 9 Paris trip in 2023. The staff and students were amazing and it was great to see students enjoying themselves outside of the classroom – a real credit to the school. I am off to Cardiff High School next to teach HWB and DT . Long-term, I am hoping this will allow me to move towards the research side of education.
I will miss the DT team very much, as well as all the other lovely staff and students that made me feel very welcome here.
Thank you to everyone for all you do and being part of an amazing and unforgettable first year of teaching.
A farewell from Miss Lauren Enoch, Teaching Assistant in the Autistic Spectrum Disorder base…..
With sadness, I am leaving my current post as an SEN Teaching Assistant to pursue a new career opportunity in digital development as part of Cardiff Council. My time at the ASD Base has been a truly wonderful experience and I feel incredibly lucky to have worked with such remarkable and inspiring students. Working with the wonderful students and staff has provided me with an invaluable wealth of skills and has directly contributed to my strong advocacy of support for neurodivergent individuals. I will strive to continue to utilise this skillset both in my daily life, and within my new role.
A farewell from Mr Rhys Owen. Teaching Assistant in the Autistic Spectrum Disorder base…..
After an amazing time in the ASD base I’m moving to Cardiff Metropolitan University in September to study for a PGCE in Secondary English.
I have found the post at Llanishen to not only be enjoyable, edifying, and thoroughly worthwhile, but also essential in cementing my decision to move into full-time teaching. This opportunity has informed me of the rounded and beneficial insight into various students’ needs and skills that will give me the informed perspective I would need in the classroom. I deeply appreciate the opportunity I’ve been given and hope to have served the school well in my efforts. (You certainly have Rhys!)
A few more farewells…
It is always a joy for us to see colleagues coming into the school and then using their experiences and skills to propel themselves into even greater adventures in education.
We would like to thank Mr David Cobourne who has served our students magnificently in the Flexible Learning Centre. He has secured an academic place on a prestigious neurodevelopmental science course in Edinburgh.
We would also like to thank Mr Sam Hampson for his excellent service in the ASD. He is off to study for a degree in Biology.
We also thank Mrs Rachel Wilson for her excellent service in the ASD as she departs to focus on creative work.
Finally, we would like to thank Mr James Leppard who departs as our Rugby Hub Officer to take up another position in Bridgend.
Bon Voyage!
Ultimately, any words for those who are leaving reminds us that it is the people around us that matter. Our lives are determined by the school day, time in the classroom and routines. But the relationships between students, between staff and between students and staff, forged over months and years are what make it meaningful.
So as you depart on your onward journeys, the very best of luck to you all. Bon Voyage, Hoyl Fawr and Godspeed.
We wish all of our readers a very healthy and happy summer break.
Mrs Sarah Parry, Headteacher