7 June 2024
Dear Parents, Guardians and Students/Annwyl Rhieni, Gwarchodwyr a Myfyrwyr
Welcome back to the last half-term of this academic year, and what an action packed 7 weeks it promises to be. We hope everyone had a refreshing break.
Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 have more in the rearview mirror than ahead of them, but we are still in the midst of exams and they should continue to balance self-care alongside revision.
Keep taking breaks, get fresh air, and nourish your mind and body. It all adds up when you are in that exam bubble and are trying to keep calm and focused.
Wise words from these three wise men on the right.
Here are some of the ways that we have been heeding this advice. Let’s start in Venice! It seems a very cultured place to start. But with 40+ Year 8 boys?! Absolutely. That’s how we roll!
Year 8 had an amazing experience during their first LHS football tour of Venice! They interspersed football with culture! During their tour they had the incredible opportunity to play against Nettundo Lido where the pitch overlooked Venice. They played three closely contested games of the highest standard.
The boys experienced a different culture as well as some amazing excursions including a tour of Venice, a trip to Gardland, and the infamous ‘Ironman’ on the beach.
The boys take away some incredible memories and experiences that will live as the moments from high school that remain with them well into adulthood! Congratulations to Team AC Milan and to Mr Trelawny who won the trip. And thank you to the PE staff who gave up their half-term holiday to take 40+ Year 8 boys (and all the positive challenges and opportunities that come with that!). This year, the airline managed to reunite everyone with their luggage. So everyone had clean clothes, especially clean socks.
This annual tour began 33 year ago and long may it continue. We will leave you with some of the highlights…
Until May 2025…..
Our ultimate and inclusive Sports Day 2024!!
One aspect of our school ethos that we pride ourselves on is our inclusive approach to school events, especially those that should stay in our memories forever.
Over the last few years, our Sports Day has looked very different. There are opportunities for our elite to compete and shine. There are also opportunities for all of us to get stuck in to be active and to have fun, for the simple purpose of having fun with friends and peers.
Part of this has been the hiring of an inflatable obstacle course. But this comes with a price tag and school budgets have never been so tight.
So imagine our joy when Specsavers in Llanishen Retail Park gave us the joyous news that they are going to help us raise funds for the hire of the inflatable part our Sports Day on 16th July 2024.
On Saturday, they are holding a bake sale. Not only that… they have enlisted interest from M&S, Boots and Llanishen.
If you are shopping in that area this Saturday, get involved!
And on the right is a flashback to last year to see why!
A magical trip!
This term, students in the Hub classes visited Cardiff University School of Music. They received such a warm welcome from everyone and the joy of meeting Beverley Humphreys MBE, Welsh operatic and concert soprano and broadcaster.
The concert hall was inspirational and it was wonderful to see the pupils expressing themselves in immersive workshops through drama, song, performing rhythms/beats and playing percussions instruments. Beverley Humphreys is also co-founder of the Paul Robeson trust and on our trip we celebrated Paul Robeson’s story as a singer, actor and his legacy of civil rights in South Wales.
The students were truly captivated when they heard the first radio transmission between the US and Wales, when Robeson spoke to the miners gathered in Porthcawl. We would like to say a huge thank you to Cardiff University School of Music and Mr Grimstead for making this trip happen and providing a magical experience that will not be forgotten.
Girls to Golf
So, we’ve taken you to Venice, our back fields, and then the Cardiff University School of Music. Naturally, our next port of call will be Whitchurch Golf Club.
Llanishen High School Year 8 girls were chosen for a Girls to Golf pilot project that combined an introduction to golf alongside ways to establish positive habits for life. To say this has been a success is a huge understatement. The entire team including Wales Golf,
Cardiff Curriculum and all at Whitchurch Golf Club were incredibly complimentary of our girls.
The all commented on how well the girls represented LHS. They were amazing ambassadors, words that were echoed by a very experienced golfer and proud PAL, Mrs Beck. Here they are in action…..
Finally today, a few dates for your diaries. I started by saying that the last part of the school year promises to be a busy one. So a pertinent reminder….
Key dates for remainder of the summer term 2024:
- 17th June – Transition afternoon for Year 6 (PM)
- 17th June – Parents Information Evening for Year 6 parents (Evening)
- 20th June – Governors Strategy afternoon (PM)
- 20th – 25th June – Welsh National Reading and Numeracy tests for Years 7, 8 and 9
- 21st June – Year 11 leavers assembly (AM)
- 21st June – Year 13 Leavers Ball (Evening)
- 28th June – Year 11 Prom (Evening)
- 4th July – School Awards Evening (Evening)
- 5th July – Impact Day and Year 6 transition day
- 9th – 11th July – School production of Footloose
- 16th July – School Sports Day
- 19th July – last day of school for students
- 22nd July – INSET Day
LHS Blazer Exchange Scheme
I will shortly be sending out some information to parents about school holiday dates and INSET days for 2024-25. In preparation for September, please don’t forget about our blazer exchange programme. We have hundreds of freshly laundered blazers waiting for a new owner. Just speak to your pastoral team.
School Essentials Grant
As you will be aware, the School Essentials Grant is available to eligible families on lower incomes with children attending school from reception to Year 11. All looked after children also qualify for the grant of:
- £125 per learner
- £200 for learners entering Year 7
The 2023 to 2024 scheme has now closed but applications can be made for the new grant year from 1 July. Details are available on local authority websites via this link.
I look forward to bringing you more news and updates next week.
Thank you for reading/Diolch am ddarllen,
Mrs Sarah Parry, Headteacher