3 October 2025
Dear Parents, Guardians and Students/Annwyl Rieni, Gwarchodwyr a Myfyrwyr
3rd October 2025
You are Awesome!
Yes. Every student at LHS is Awesome. That’s why the very first book that Year 7 read together is You are Awesome by Matthew Syed. It is the motivational story of kid-average v. kid-awesome and starts with the premise that anyone can get better at almost anything. With practice, hard-work and the right mindset, we can all achieve success. Year 7 are ploughing through with gusto and my thanks go to 7A who were my super models on this occasion!
School Priority 1
This year and last year, literacy forms one of our four top priorities at LHS. Literacy has always been important, but last year we launched the LHS Reading Strategy to continue to drive improvements in reading, for our learners.
So, let’s share some of our strategies with you today. Let’s talk about reading for pleasure, improving our tier 2/3 vocabulary, activating prior knowledge, and controlling the game.
Why Reading for Pleasure Matters
At secondary school, students face increasing academic pressures and distractions—but one habit that continues to have a powerful impact on their success is reading for pleasure.
One of the most powerful habits a young person can develop is reading for pleasure. At secondary school, where demands on students’ time and attention increase, choosing to read independently might not always come naturally. However, the benefits of reading for pleasure—beyond the obvious academic gains—are profound and long-lasting. As a school, we are committed to nurturing a reading culture that values enjoyment, curiosity, and language development.
Reading for pleasure plays a critical role in a young person’s educational and emotional development. Research consistently shows that students who read regularly outside of school not only perform better in English, but across a range of subjects. Why? Because reading develops a range of cognitive skills, including improved concentration, stronger memory, and greater critical thinking. More than that, it helps students grow in empathy, as they are exposed to different perspectives, cultures, and experiences through stories and characters.
One of the most significant benefits of reading widely is the acquisition of vocabulary—particularly Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary. These are words that are crucial for academic success.
Tier 2 vocabulary refers to high-frequency words that appear across subjects, such as analyse, contrast, or evaluate. These words are not used in everyday conversation, but are essential for understanding questions, following instructions, and expressing complex ideas.
Tier 3 vocabulary, on the other hand, is subject-specific, such as photosynthesis in science or iambic pentameter in English. Exposure to these terms through reading—both fiction and non-fiction—helps students build confidence in using academic language fluently.
The development of a broad and rich vocabulary is one of the clearest indicators of academic success. In fact, vocabulary size at age 15 is a strong predictor of both GCSE performance and later educational outcomes. When students encounter new words in context, as they do when reading for pleasure, they are more likely to understand and remember them than if they simply memorise word lists. This contextual learning builds deeper understanding and helps transfer vocabulary into speaking and writing.
But reading for pleasure is about more than results. It fosters curiosity, independence, and resilience. It gives students the chance to escape, to explore, and to reflect. In a world of constant digital stimulation, the quiet engagement of a good book provides a space for calm, imagination, and focus—skills that are increasingly valuable both in and out of school.
We encourage parents and carers to support a culture of reading at home: talk about books, model reading, and provide access to a variety of reading materials. Whether it’s novels, biographies, newspapers, or graphic novels—what matters most is that students find enjoyment in what they read. The more they read, the more they learn—not just about the world, but about themselves. Let’s work together to make reading for pleasure not just a school goal, but a lifelong habit.
Alongside vocabulary work and a focus on reading and reading aloud across all subjects in the curriculum, the Tutor Time Reading Programme continues for Years 7 to 11. After they complete You are Awesome, Year 7 will be moving on to two more inspirational reads. I am Malala and Trash.
In assembly this week….
In assembly this week Miss Evans has been exploring ‘where a good book can take you.’
As well as sharing the progress that Years 7, 8 and 9 have been making in their reading, Miss Evans talked about the Welsh National Tests that are coming up. The national tests are sat twice a year by all students in Years 7, 8 and 9.
The next round of testing will be 12th – 21st November. It is really important that all students attend school well to do their best.
The results and skills breakdown help us to shape our teaching in many different ways. They allow us to run interventions. They allow us to monitor progress. They allow us to set classes higher up the school. Also, they allow us to set predicted grades for GCSE. Students and parents will be able to see their results which will be published on Tuesday 2nd December. More details will be sent to parents via the Parent App.
Books that changed the world
Miss Evans then went on to take us on a journey through some of the books that have changed the world. These pioneering works have helped to change the narrative of human history… here are just a few.
There are students sitting in assembly this week that could go on to be the next defining authors of the 21st century. They are our change makers.
Wider provision
There are lots of wider opportunities in school to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of reading.
If you would like to join book club, just see Mrs Hazeltine-Rees for details. The members of book club get to read all the new books that we buy for the library before they hit the library shelves. Book club has now extended into the Sixth Form as we’ve run out of space in the library.
The librarians do an amazing job of opening and running the library. They pick up excellent tips from the other library provisions that they visit during the year.
In other news this week….
The Sixth Form had a very special assembly this week as Alumni Anna-Louise Bates came to update us on the amazing progress the Believe Organ Donation Charity are making in preparation for the opening of the memorial garden in the Northern Cemetery.
There are many ways that our Sixth Form students can get involved and contribute to the work. The official opening of the garden will be at 11am on Monday 1st December. This date is special because it marks the 10th anniversary of the change to the opt out laws in Wales. We send our best wishes as they continue to prepare for 1st December.
Year 12 and 13…. Did you work out who was in the bear?
Wrap Up Cardiff Campaign
This year we will be supporting the Rotary Club Wrap Up Cardiff campaign again during the month of October.
This will run from 1st to 31st October 2025, and the collection box for any coats, gilets, etc., is located in our main school reception.
If you have any items of outer clothing that you would like to donate, they will be repurposed to people in need in Cardiff. The Rotary Club are in particular need of men’s coats, but all donations are very much welcomed!
Staff Seren yr wythnos
This week, our student Criw Cymraeg group have nominated Mr Grimstead for his use of the Welsh language. Staff can be nominated for their effort or their accuracy and pronunciation!
Well done Sir! Da iawn!
Wishing all of our readers a lovely weekend.
Thank you for reading/Diolch am ddarllen,
Mrs Sarah Parry, Headteacher