22 May 2026
22nd May 2026
Dear Parents, Guardians and Students/Annwyl Rieni, Gwarchodwyr a Myfyrwyr
Farewell to our wonderful Year 13 students
Last Friday we said a fond and proud farewell to our Year 13 students as they marked the end of 7 remarkable years with us. Their final assembly was, as always, a celebration of individuality, humour and aspiration – with students dressed as what they hope to become in the future. From bold ambitions to creative interpretations, it was a joy to see their personalities shine so brightly one last time.
A highlight of the event was our light-hearted awards, recognising the unique contributions that have shaped this cohort. Congratulations to Ryan Wong for What’s in the Box, Jack Herald for The Power Shredder, our very own Disney Princess Lian Sakka, Cody-Lee Sanders for being the ultimate Lunch Legend, and Ewan James for Manager of the Season. These moments captured the spirit, warmth and camaraderie of a truly special year group.
Year 13, you will always be part of our school community – we wish you courage, happiness and every success in the next chapter of your journey. Good luck in your exams and we’ll see you on Friday 19th June at the Leonardo Hotel for your leavers’ dinner.
Finally, Mr Thomas was overwhelmed by the amazing gift that Year 13 made for him. After delivering units on Buddhism and taking our PRE class to a Buddhist Temple to bring their learning to life, it was only fitting that the brainchild of Jack was brought into reality by the 3D printing of Ryan and painting of Lian. This definitely needed a shout out in the blog!
Next, an update that we have all been eagerly awaiting!
Llanishen High school presents………
Once upon a time (actually, very soon indeed), in a land not so far away – right here in fair Llanishen – there arose a most ogre-the-top adventure.
The West Wing Hall of Llanishen High School has been transformed into a place of magic, music, and a surprising amount of swamp… yes, the school production of Shrek the Musical is coming!
You may be familiar with the story…
A grumpy ogre who “likes his privacy.”
A donkey who definitely doesn’t.
A princess with a few… unexpected qualities.
And a villain who is, well, perhaps a little short on patience.
Our cast of talented students have been working tirelessly (and possibly living on a diet of waffles and fairy dust) to bring you a show packed with laugh-out-loud moments, high-energy musical numbers, show-stopping costumes, and at least one character who insists, “Ogres are like onions!” Expect all the magic you know and love!
Rumour has it there may even be a dragon… (don’t worry, the school’s insurance paperwork is mostly in order).
Tickets are going on sale very soon!
And just like Lord Farquaad’s patience—they won’t last long.
Shrek the Musical will be running Tuesday 7th July – Thursday 9th July 2026. Tickets are available on parent pay now!
So don’t wait around in your swamp thinking, “That’ll do, donkey, that’ll do.”
Gather your fellow fairy-tale creatures (friends, family, and anyone who appreciates a good onion metaphor) and secure your seats before they disappear faster than Gingy running from the guards.
Some urban planning!
Meanwhile, we were delighted to welcome back the UrbanPlan educational initiative for a third consecutive year, working in partnership with the Urban Land Institute to deliver an exceptional learning experience for our students.
As a programme that runs across Europe – including Germany, the Netherlands, France and Switzerland – we are immensely proud to be the only school in Wales selected to participate.
UrbanPlan is a dynamic and highly engaging workshop that brings the complexities of the built environment to life. Led by professional facilitators, it challenges students to explore the realities of urban regeneration through a hands-on, collaborative simulation. Working in teams, our Year 9 students were tasked with transforming an urban site, balancing financial, environmental, ethical and design considerations to create a viable and sustainable development.
Through this process, they developed not only their creativity and problem-solving skills, but also a deeper understanding of how communities are shaped.
A particular highlight was the final stage of the programme, where students presented their proposals to a panel of industry experts. This professional pitching experience required them to articulate a clear vision for a vibrant, inclusive and accessible neighbourhood, responding thoughtfully to feedback and challenge.
Mrs Geare was incredibly proud of our Year 9 participants, who were highly commended by experts from Legal & General. Their creativity, confidence and passion were evident throughout, and they delivered their presentations with clarity and professionalism. It was a genuine pleasure for Mrs Geare to watch them in action.
Opportunities such as this are invaluable, and our students continue to demonstrate that they can rise to every challenge with determination and excellence. Here are a few more snaps of them in action…
Locally sourced foods
Over to our ASD Hub class now for some great advice on where we should all be headed on a Friday!
On a sunny Friday in Cardiff what better place to be than Rhiwbina’s Farmers market. The Hub class were on a mission for their AGORED qualification to learn about locally sourced food and a trip to the Farmer’s market did not disappoint!
A selection of unusual, smelly, delicious cheeses from ‘Ty Caws’, cheeses made in Wales and the UK were a highlight! Also, high-quality organic vegetables from ‘Langtons Farm’ in Cardigan where over 140,000 different plants are grown over 78 acres.
The students met the owners of ‘Penrhiw farm’ in Pontypridd who showed them their produce.
Following the trip Turhan shared, ‘I learnt about where the organic meat came from on the farm. I liked the meat because I learnt that it came from the cow. I saw free range eggs and raw milk without any chemicals, it was all fresh!’
Last, but definitely not least, they visited ‘Pettigrew bakery’ who are based in Canton and Roath in Cardiff. Buttery filled croissants and humungous sourdoughs were just part of a delicious feast that was enjoyed by all.
More than anything ‘diolch o galon’ to the local stall holders for the warm welcome, what a wonderful community! Thank you for the lovely chats you shared and for inspiring us to eat fresh, fresh, local and delicious foods. We will certainly be back!
There we have it. That’s a wrap for another very busy half-term. We wish everyone a lovely break, especially those of you who are still revising for exams.
Something very unusual appears to be on the horizon – a sunny bank holiday and a sunny half-term in general. So, on that positive note, I’ll sign off on some of the lovely work that Year 7 have produced to promote positive health and wellbeing. Great job.
We look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday 1st June.
Thank you for reading/Diolch am ddarllen,
Mrs Sarah Parry
Headteacher