19 April 2024
Dear Parents, Guardians and Students/Annwyl Rhieni, Gwarchodwyr a Myfyrwyr
This week, I present to you a ‘well travelled and energetic’ blog! We’ve seen brief interludes of sunshine this week, but our intrepid Taith travellers were hogging it all in Murcia, Spain. They had a glorious experience this week. So let’s start there.
Taith exchange to Murcia (in the words of Mr Mann)
“Early on Sunday 7th April, fifteen Year 9 and10 Humanities students met at a dark and cold Cardiff Airport ready to embark on an educational and cultural exchange with Colegio El Ope in Archena, Spain. This amazing opportunity was provided courtesy of the Welsh Government Taith programme which aims to “create life-changing opportunities to learn, study and volunteer all over the world.”
The first day was spent acclimatising in the local area, exploring the dry, arid scenery nearby and testing out our Spanish skills with the locals. We also had our first experience of Spanish food in our local restaurant which kept us very well fed with plenty of courses at lunch and dinner throughout the week.
The next two days were spent in our amazing host school, Colegio El Ope. Students spent the first day immersed in the Spanish curriculum, seeing how Maths, English and PE, amongst others, are taught on the continent. The second day was spent working collaboratively with their new Spanish colleagues on a range of research projects, learning more about each other’s culture and hometowns. We were also able to help them in their school garden and participate in a Wales vs Spain football match (Spain won 🙁)!
The final two days of the trip were spent sightseeing and experiencing the fascinating history and geography of the region. We racked up the steps as we visited the cathedral, museum and theatre in Murcia, before having special tours around the Spa, town hall and central church of Archena. The warm evenings were spent socialising with the Spanish students and testing out the local ice cream shops.
Throughout the trip, students were exceptional, throwing themselves into all activities, building lasting connections and relationships with the Spanish students as well as improving their language and communication skills.
We can’t wait to host Colegio El Ope in the next academic year when they will travel to Cardiff for the second leg of the exchange!”
On behalf of the students, I would like to say a huge thank you to Mr Mann and Miss Koops for leading the educational visit. We really look forward to hosting the return party. We will need a rematch on the football! In the meantime, here are a few snaps from their adventures…
A round up of sporting and extra-curricular updates
We previously brought you news of Gethin, Adam, Abbi and Amelie who represented Cardiff & the Vale in the U13 Welsh Sportshall final. The girls progressed to the finals in Stoke, to represent Wales in the UK finals.
Abbi and Amelie did indeed go on to represent Wales in the UK Sportshall final in Stoke on 6th April. They did really well in their individual events and gained bronze medals for their relay team. A great result and a great experience for them both. Well done both – really proud of you! More to come on these two in the athletics round up that follows later…
Next, to rugby and a few words from Year 8 Team Leader, Mr Owen;
“It was a privilege to witness the courage and determination that was demonstrated by the Year 8 rugby team in the Cardiff Schools Final at Cardiff Arms Park. Although we fell just short in a tough battle, I am so proud of the skills, sportsmanship and character that was demonstrated throughout. It was a pleasure to support the boys alongside their parents and guardians. We are very proud of you all!”
CARTEN 100 mile cycle
It’s not just the students that have been pushing through their physical limits and beyond.
Mr Robson from our ASD base has entered the CARTEN 100 mile cycle ride on 11th May to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
It is a pioneering charity that is close to many people’s hearts.
So if you would like to sponsor Mr Robson, please follow the link to his Just Giving page…
We will follow his endeavours on the day and wish him a very successful, injuring free and forgiving training schedule!
Athletics Update
Next today, we have a plethora of updates on the LHS Running Club, courtesy of Mr Tony Gill….
“The summer term has arrived, and with it the dry weather sports (!), including track and field ATHLETICS. To support this, there will be additional opportunities for pupils to test SSSS – speed, stamina, spring and strength.
Running club (and it is not just running) continues every Friday after school, supplemented on other days by additional after school athletics sessions, so speak to your friendly PE teachers for more information.
Whether you just want to learn and get fitter, or compete and win medals there will be something for you. So come along, have a go, work hard, and have fun, as there are opportunities for all. Make the team and you get time off school to compete!
Regular attendance at extra curricular athletics sessions, will be a major factor in selection for inclusion in competitions.
Competitions Dates – (Cardiff and Vale Schools Championships)
- Wed-24-Apr Middle and Senior (Years 10/11/12/13 Boys and Girls)
- Thu-16-May Junior (Years 8/9) Boys
- Tue-21-May Junior (Years 8/9) Girls
- 10 or 11-June Team Cup Competition Preliminary Round
- Wed-19-June Year 7 Boys
- Thu-27-June Team Cup Finals
- Mon-08-July Year 7 Girls
Parents are welcome to come along and support at these competitions, all of which are at the Cardiff International Sports Campus, Leckwith, Cardiff CF11 8AZ.
WINTER REVIEW
Whilst athletics is primarily recognised as a summer sport, through the outdoor track and field program, there are also cross country, indoor athletics and sportshall competitions ensuring all year round opportunities.
CROSS COUNTRY
Cardiff and The Vale Schools
Top 10 finishers
- 26-Sep, Yr7 Girls, Emily Dando 6th
- 10-Oct, Yr7 Girls, Emily Dando 9th
- 03-Oct, Snr Boys, Rhys Pladdy 4th
- 03-Oct, Snr Boys, Team 3rd
- 03-Oct, Yr7 Boys, Haydn De-Ath 9th
- 24-Oct, Snr Boys, Jaafer El Kaddu 2nd
- 24-Oct, Snr Boys, Rhys Pladdy 3rd
- 24-Oct, Snr Boys, Team 2nd
- 24-Oct, Yr 7 Boys, Team 4th
Welsh Schools Cross Country Championships
Well done to 3 Llanishen High School students selected to represent Cardiff and Vale Schools Team:
- Snr Boys Finn Webster (19th)
- Middle Boys Rhys Pladdy (12th)
- Yr7 Girls Emily Dando (16th)
SIAB International
Well done to Rhys Pladdy who was selected for, and represented Wales at the annual SIAB schools Cross Country in Ireland on 24-March.
INDOOR ATHLETICS (Welsh Athletics Club Members only)
Welsh SENIOR Championships
- Chloe Farmer (Year 11) made the semi finals – TOP 12 – in the senior women’s 400m but had to then withdraw due to injury. Her performance ranked her in the top 3 U20 Welsh athletes over the distance this past winter.
Welsh JUNIOR Championships
- Gethin Hughes (Year 8) U15 boys. 4th place in the 60m, and one better in the 200m where he won the bronze medal. Well done!
- Jack Stewart (Year 11) U17 men, 4th place in the 800m – taking a huge 6 seconds off his personal best.
SPORTSHALL
Fast, Furious, Fun – running, jumping and throwing indoors where facilities are limited.
Cardiff and The Vale Schools Championships
Great performances by LHS athletes, with the following individuals achieving top 3 finishes:
- Abbi Beadle (Year 8) U14 Girls, 2 Lap race 2nd, Standing Long Jump 1st, Vertical Jump 2nd
- Amelie Edwards (Year 8) U14 Girls, 2 Lap race 1st, Speed Bounce 1st, Standing Long Jump 2nd
- Seren Ellis (Year 8) Speed Bounce 3rd
- Adam Yacoumi (Year 8) U14 Boys, Shot Putt 1st
- Gethin Hughes (Year 8) U14 Boys, 2 Lap Race 2nd
- Josh Harvey (Year 8) U14 Boys, 2 Lap Race 3rd
Welsh Championships (as members of Cardiff Schools Team)
- Cardiff Schools U14 Girls, 1st overall (qualified for UK finals)
- Abbi Beadle (Year 8) U14 Girls, 1st – 2 Lap race
- Abbi Beadle (Year 8) U14 Girls, 1st – Standing Long Jump
- Amelie Edwards (Year 8) U14 Girls, 3rd – 2 Lap race
- Adam Yacoumi (Year 8) U14 Boys, Shot Putt 1st
- Gethin Hughes (Year 8) U14 Boys, 2 Lap Race 2nd
UK Finals
Abbi Beadle and Amelie Edwards (both Year 8) were members of the Cardiff U14 Girls team that competed in the UK Finals, on Saturday 6th April. As members of the 4 x 1 lap relay team, they achieved medal success finishing in 3rd place overall.
Well done to everyone who competed for LHS over the winter, and apologies if I missed anyone out.”
A huge thank you from all of us at LHS to Mr Gill, accompanied by a tremendous well done to the incredible and speedy bunch celebrated above. We commend you and your commitment to winter miles as well as summer smiles.
Your PTA needs you!!
Next today is the extension of a warm welcome to any parents, carers, guardians or family members who would like to join our PTA. The PTA meet once a half term for about half an hour in school. The next meeting is on WEDNESDAY 22nd MAY at 4.00pm.
Joining the PTA is a great way to connect with the school, help raise money to support your children and the school, as well as being able to influence how the money is spent.
We currently have 4 PTA members from the whole school community, and really need more help! They are very friendly and try to keep the meetings to 30 minutes each time.
Please email PTA@llanishen.cardiff.sch.uk if you can join us on 22nd May or would like more information.
100 Club
The PTA run the 100 Club – subscription is £1.00 a month per share. There are 6 draws a year, and the more people who enter, the bigger the prizes. Details of how to join are below.
Winners last term (congratulations to you all!)
L Bray (parent) £100, L Shahwan (parent) £100, R Evans (Staff) £50, K Beck (staff) £50
Easyfundraising
If you ever do any online shopping, please consider going via Easyfundraising to support Llanishen High School PTA – there is no extra cost to you and it is very easy – just an app to download. Please see details below. We have raised around £100 so far by simply shopping.
That’s it for this weeks round up.
A big shout out to Mr Prince who will be running the London Marathon on Sunday. We will be with you in spirit Sir!
Thank you for reading/Diolch am ddarllen,
Mrs Sarah Parry, Headteacher