13 February 2026
13th February 2026
Dear Parents, Guardians and Students/Annwyl Rieni, Gwarchodwyr a Myfyrwyr
It has rained on every single day of 2026 so far. However, rain has not stopped play here. Quite the opposite. Let’s celebrate some of the great achievements of our students from the last week.
Oxford Debates!
Last Tuesday evening, six enthusiastic 6th formers in three teams took part in the Oxford Schools Debate competition (virtually!).
The teams were Ali Nehan and Toni O’Sullivan, Mruthu Sudhakar and Vita Patsiakina, and Haji Ali and Harry Newman.
The Oxford School’s Debate is held by the historic Oxford Union, one of the world’s most prestigious debating societies. The debates adopted British Parliamentary Style, resembling that of the House of Commons. The teams were tasked with two heated rounds of debate, one with the motion ‘this house believes that we would prefer a world where people do make social comparisons’ and the other with the motion ‘this house believes that celebrity activism on social media has done more harm than good’.
The teams took on roles like ‘Opening Government’, ‘Opening Opposition’ ‘Closing Government’ and ‘Closing Opposition’, each speaking for 5 minutes at a time and fielding challenging questions from other teams.
Over 70 teams participated! It was such a privilege to observe our students spontaneously craft insightful, articulate and substantial arguments with grace and respect.
It was LHS’s very first time at Oxford Schools Debate; they held their own and did us proud!
Congratulations to Miss Davies and to everyone who took part. We have also received notification from Oxford to confirm that one of our teams (Ali Nehan and Toni O’Sullivan) have made it through to the Finals Day in Oxford on March 14th! So, watch this space…
Life behind the lens
Our Year 12 A-Level Welsh criw were also out and about last week. They enjoyed an inspiring visit to Stiwdio Enfys, where they had the opportunity to watch the Welsh-language programme Trekkers being filmed.
During the trip, students chatted with directors and production staff, explored the set, and even had a go in the editing studio and behind the camera as a camera operator. The experience offered a fascinating insight into the world of television production and highlighted the wide range of exciting career opportunities available for Welsh speakers in the media industry. The students left feeling motivated and inspired by the creativity, professionalism and importance of Welsh-language broadcasting. Here they are in action.
Presidents Cup Final 2026
Last weekend, our Senior Netball team made the long journey from Cardiff to Bangor to compete in the Presidents Cup Final — the National Schools Championships.
The standard of competition was exceptional, with six fiercely contested matches throughout the day that tested the girls both physically and mentally. Their determination, skill, and resilience were evident in every moment of play.
Although we missed out on a semi‑final place by just one goal, the team responded with outstanding character, delivering a confident and cohesive performance in the 5th/6th play‑off to secure a well‑deserved victory. Every player took to the court and contributed meaningfully to the success of the squad. 💪💙
A special congratulations must go to our captain and Goal Keeper, Isla Grace Martin, who was named Player of the Tournament. Isla led the team with exemplary leadership, displaying composure, resilience, and the ability to inspire her teammates during pivotal moments. Her recognition is richly deserved and a testament to her commitment and talent.
This achievement marks a significant milestone for the school. It has been many years since we last reached the national finals, and this journey has been five years in the making. This remarkable group of players began their netball journey right here at Llanishen High School, growing together as athletes and young people. Their dedication, teamwork, and perseverance have brought them to this proud moment.
To our three Year 13 leavers — Lucy Ollerton, Ella Crockford, and Amalie Davies — we extend our heartfelt congratulations and gratitude. You have represented the school with distinction, and the legacy you leave behind will continue to inspire those who follow. Your futures are undoubtedly bright.
We could not be prouder of this team — not only for their performances on court, but for the way they conducted themselves throughout the entire weekend.
Mrs Yeates is justly proud! Well done everyone!
Amazing to see Year 11, 12 and 13 on our team!
Always Blue!
Basketball Wales
Congratulations also go to Karen Bakhtiyarpour in Year 10. It was amazing to hear from Karen that he has been playing basketball for 4 years and has been staying after school to practise his skills. He attends the Cardiff Met Archers and cannot wait to play for Wales! Brilliant news!
Celebrating Women in STEM – Hannah’s Story
As we celebrate Women in STEM this week I am continually inspired by the remarkable journeys taken by our former students—young women who leave Llanishen High School with curiosity, ambition, and the confidence to shape their futures.
Today, we are delighted to share the story of alumni, Hannah Doyle, whose path into aeronautical and astronautical engineering embodies everything we want our learners to believe – no field is off‑limits!
Hannah is now a first‑year student at the University of Southampton, studying Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering—a rigorous, prestigious and highly competitive field. But before she arrived at lecture theatres and laboratories, she was a student walking the same corridors as our learners today, navigating A levels, discovering her passions, and taking every opportunity that helped her grow.
When Hannah reflects on her time with us, what shines through is her love of learning and her appreciation for her subjects—particularly Product Design. The practical nature of the course, coupled with a department she describes as “knowledgeable, skilled, helpful and encouraging,” allowed her to experiment, imagine and create. She talks fondly about how the environment enabled her to develop her ideas and skills, and it is clear that those early experiences helped shape the engineer she is becoming.
One of the most influential moments in Hannah’s school journey came through participating in the EESW (Engineering Education Scheme Wales). Working with peers to design a solution to a real‑life problem, building a model and writing a report—all whilst presenting her ideas—gave her a taste of the engineering world well before university. She describes the project as an amazing experience that opened her eyes to the full process of engineering design. Opportunities like EESW matter: they demystify STEM fields and allow students, especially women, to see themselves as capable designers, problem‑solvers and innovators.
But reaching this point wasn’t simply about academic achievement. Hannah is refreshingly honest about what helped her stay positive when school life felt challenging. She credits her friends for being a constant source of encouragement and her teachers, particularly when she found subjects like Electronics demanding. It’s a powerful reminder that success in STEM—or any field—is rarely a solo journey. Supportive relationships, belief from adults, and peers who lift you up make an enormous difference.
Hannah always knew she wanted to become an engineer, though her path wasn’t always predetermined. She explored different routes—from the military to apprenticeships—before choosing university as the right next step. At Southampton, she still has the chance to pursue military pathways through the University Officers’ Training Corps (UOTC), showing students that decisions at 18 are not final; they are simply the beginning of many exciting possibilities.
We asked Hannah what advice she would give her 16‑year‑old self, and her words are ones I hope every young person in our school will take to heart: Take every opportunity offered if it interests you or will benefit your life. It will all work out. Don’t worry about what other people think. In an age where young people often feel under pressure to make perfect choices or fear standing out, her message is refreshing and empowering.
To our students today—especially the young women considering STEM—Hannah’s advice to you is simple: Pursue the opportunities that spark your interest, even if you’re not yet sure where they’ll lead. Use the support around you—your friends and your teachers—because they genuinely want to help you succeed. And never let the opinions of others hold you back from something you believe in.
Hannah’s journey reminds us why celebrating Women in STEM is so important. Representation matters. Seeing someone who once sat in the same classrooms now studying aircraft and spacecraft engineering shows our learners what is possible.
We are incredibly proud of Hannah and excited to see where her ambition takes her next. She represents the very best of Llanishen High School—curious, determined, compassionate, and ready to take on the world.
The language of love…! What’s going on here?!
Our student librarians and Reading Club members brought a wonderful splash of joy to our school community last week as they put on a different slant to Valentine’s Day by showcasing just some of the books that our school library holds on the theme of love!
From enduring classics to contemporary stories, they selected a beautiful range of titles exploring love in all its forms — friendship, family, kindness, and the magic of finding connection through reading. Don’t just wait for the cinema release… read the book first!
The creativity and commitment of these students reminds us of the power of books to bring people together and spark meaningful conversations.
Seeing them proudly holding up their chosen titles captures exactly what makes our library such a vibrant, welcoming place. We are incredibly proud of these students and grateful for the enthusiasm they bring to nurturing a culture of reading at Llanishen High.
I just have one positive problem to solve… to move our school library to a bigger space. Challenge accepted!
I hope that Valentines/Galantines Day eases us all into half-term kindly and I think that is a perfect note to end on.
Wishing all of our readers a very happy and healthy half-term break.
To all of you revising, make sure you work hard but also plan some downtime and some wellbeing activities with friends and family.
We look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday 23rd February.
Until then, thank you for reading/Diolch am ddarllen,ch am ddarllen,
Mrs Sarah Parry,
Headteacher