27 March 2025
Dear Parents, Guardians and Students/Annwyl Rhieni, Gwarchodwyr a Myfyrwyr
Comic Relief
On Friday 21st March we got our red noses on, rolled up our shirt sleeves, and deployed more water balloons than anyone managed to count. We came together for Red Nose Day 2025 to raise some money, laugh, and support others – at home and further afield.
One of the highlights was ‘Soak a Sixth Former or SLT member.’ Students could donate in exchange for balloons, and they did not hold back!
Our thanks go to our Sixth Form volunteers Jack, Dan and Morgan. Also, to Mr White and Mr Card (who appeared to be the most targeted) for being such good sports.
It was a great day of school spirit. Thank you to the Sixth Form prefect team for organising the different events, including the more civilised cake sale! The ‘Soak a Sixth Former’ challenge was the brainchild of Jack Herald in Year 12, and it proved to be a very popular activity!
Radio-controlled amphibious hovercraft? Not a problem for our Engineers!
On Friday, 21st March, six of our finest minds went toe-to-toe with other budding engineers from schools across South Wales in a bid to demonstrate their engineering prowess, Physics skills and healthy dose of Llanishen spirit.
Over to Mr Lawson to explain…..
It all began in October when our team of intrepid sixth form Physics students joined the Engineering Education Scheme, Wales (EESW). Alongside Year 12 students from around 70 high schools and colleges, the team were paired with a professional engineer who set them their own project. Once issued with the brief, the team had until March to analyse, research and design their solution to the problem set. This year, our students were matched with Darren Williams from the Aerospace Engineering department at the University of South Wales. Their task? To design, build and test a radio-controlled hovercraft from scratch. Their craft needed to be amphibious, fast and highly manoeuvrable.
Led by Ryan Wong, Millie Tran, Jasmine Lee, Naina Luchman, Isaac Edwards and Ben Thompson launched themselves into the project with gusto. Within days, the students had their first designs sketched out and were busy refining, redrafting and perfecting their plans. In December, the team were invited to the University of South Wales to spend time with the engineering lecturers and technicians who helped the students bring their designs to life.
While significant progress was made at the university, and armed with bespoke, custom-made hovercraft parts, the work was far from over.
Over the next days, weeks and months, the students continued to refine, redesign and improve their prototype. At every turn, the team faced challenges on a decidedly difficult brief. Every part of the project seemed to provide new and unique conundrums on a daily basis: from complex electronic issues; exceptionally powerful motor units that seemed determined to self-destruct and the continual battle of strength to weight calculations, this project seemed set to defeat our team.
Despite this, our indominable gang persevered until their vision was realised. No time to rest though – the next stop was the University of Swansea to present the fruits of their labours to a panel of industry experts.
Flanked by teams of students from Radyr Comprehensive and Howell’s College, our heroes were undeterred and as their final creation roared to life in a brief but dramatic demonstration for the judges, the team soon became the hot topic of conversation among rival teams, professional engineers and university staff alike.
The team effort was praised by all who met them and even though they received a nomination for a major award at the event in recognition of their design, the team ultimately returned home empty handed… except for various stages of hovercraft prototypes.
Regardless, our students made a real impression on everyone they met. They have represented their school and their talents valiantly. I look forward to following this talented bunch in their chosen future endeavours.
Thanks to Mr Lawson for the superb write up, and well done to this amazing bunch of resilient problem solvers!
Shakespeare – but not as you know it!
Last Thursday, the cast of Llanishen High School’s ‘The Merchant of Venice’ had the opportunity to see the very same production being performed at the New Theatre!
The cast, Mr Wolverson and Mrs Brown met for a celebration meal before experiencing a phenomenal Shakespearean performance.
The students really enjoyed seeing the different interpretations of the narrative and characters.
Even more Shakespeare!
This week, Miss Lockwood, Mr Wolverson, Miss Koren, Mr Snaith and 60 Year 9-13 Drama and English students travelled to Bristol to experience ‘Romeo & Juliet’ in the historic Old Vic Theatre.
This rendition included original rap and R&B music that drove the well-known narrative along. However, we still believe our version last year was better… !!!!
Spring colours in the construction zone!
Last week, we were extremely impressed with the skills of our Year 10 Construction class.
There was intense concentration on display as they perfected their painting skills, dado rails and skirting boards included.
Is painting skirting boards one of your least favourite parts of DIY? If so, I hope your child is in this class!
Welsh Youth Track Champion!
Next, we would like to shout out our huge congratulations to Owain Creed in Year 7. Owain is now the Welsh Youth Track Champion in the Omnium!
Last Sunday, in an intense day of action at the Geraint Thomas Velodrome, Owain reigned victorious, winning the Omnium crown in the Youth C (Under 12) category. The omnium is a series of races, a Scratch race of 20 laps, an elimination race, where the last rider to cross the line is eliminated every other lap and then a points race where points are awarded for the first four riders to cross the line every 8th lap, over 32 laps.
Owain battled hard all day and came back from an injury sustained whilst racing on the Saturday to finish top of the podium!
If Owain has inspired you, any interested LHS students can find out more about joining Maindy Flyers and following in the footsteps of Owain, Luke Rowe, Anna Morris, Elinor Barker or Meg Barker! Just pop up to see Mr Jayne in S44!
Quite a haul!
Thank you to everyone who contributed and supported the Rotary March collection for Cardiff Foodbank. The amount donated equated to 312.6kgs and will provide 27 local people with supplies of food. This is a great amount, and your continued support, as always, goes a long way in helping. That’s it for this week. Thank you and well done to everyone who has contributed to another great week. I look forward to bringing you more news and achievements next week.
Thank you for reading/Diolch am ddarllen,
Mrs Sarah Parry, Headteacher