17 July 2026
Friday 17th July 2026
Dear Parents, Guardians and Students/Annwyl Rieni, Gwarchodwyr a Myfyrwyr
Fond farewells
Ordinarily, my blog celebrates the efforts and accomplishments of our students. However, on
this final week, it is a celebration of some amazing staff who have hatched plausible escape
plans this August. Please join me in bidding a fond farewell to the staff who are departing
from Llanishen High School this summer to embrace pastures and adventures new. The
members of staff below have delivered over 58 years of service to the students, past and
present, of LHS.
It’s farewell to our amazing Examinations Officer, Mrs Wall
This summer, we say a fond farewell to our Examinations Officer, Mrs Wall, after an
incredible 25 years of dedicated service at Llanishen High School. Over a quarter of a
century, she has been at the heart of many of the most important aspects of school life,
ensuring that thousands of students have been able to sit their examinations smoothly and
successfully.
As you might expect from someone who has spent so many years overseeing exams, she
has collected more than a few memorable stories along the way. Two pupil moments stand
out in particular. One Year 10 pupil announced that he did not want to sit his exam because
he “wasn’t feeling it” and asked whether he could simply go home instead. Another, just 20
minutes into an exam, confidently closed his paper, slammed it on the desk and declared to
the entire Barn, “That’s me done. Can I leave now?” Unsurprisingly, the answer was no.
There have also been memorable moments involving staff, but perhaps they are best saved
for the staff farewell lunch!
Retirement will certainly not mean slowing down. Plans include spending more time in West
Wales, especially Tenby, and definitely watching more rugby. While Mrs Wall says she will
really miss her colleagues and the friendships she has made, she admits she will not miss
the school MIS systems or the early morning starts!
On behalf of everyone at Llanishen High School, we thank her for her dedication,
professionalism and friendship over the past 25 years, and wish her a long, happy and well-deserved retirement.
It’s farewell to our amazing Subject Leader for Welsh, Mrs Harry
As Mrs Harry prepares to leave Llanishen after an incredible 24 years of dedicated service,
we would like to thank her for the enormous contribution she has made to our school
community and to the promotion of the Welsh language.
Throughout her career, Mrs Harry has inspired generations of learners and has been
passionate about ensuring Welsh thrives within our school. Among her many proud
achievements, she fondly recalls Robynne Davies winning the prestigious WJEC prize for
achieving the highest marks at A Level in Welsh, as well as Alice Thomas reaching the final
of the Welsh Learner of the Year competition at the Urdd Eisteddfod in Maldwyn,
Montgomeryshire, in 2024. These successes reflect Mrs Harry’s commitment to excellence
and the lasting impact she has had on her pupils.
Looking ahead, Mrs Harry is excited to embrace a new chapter filled with travel, adventure
and well-deserved relaxation. In her own words, she is particularly looking forward to
travelling during term time, when destinations are “quieter and infinitely cheaper”! Her first trip
takes her to the beautiful city of San Sebastián in September.
Mrs Harry says she will greatly miss her colleagues in the close-knit, committed and
dedicated Welsh Department, as well as the incredibly supportive Languages Faculty. We
know the feeling is mutual. On behalf of the entire Llanishen community, we thank Mrs Harry
for her years of service and wish her every happiness in her retirement. Diolch yn fawr.
It’s farewell to our wonderful Assistant Exams Officer, Mrs Fletcher
As Mrs Fletcher prepares to leave Llanishen High School, we would like to thank her for the
dedication, warmth and good humour she has brought to her role over the past six and a half
years.
Mrs Fletcher first joined the school in November 2019 after responding to a letter sent to
parents seeking exam invigilators. Three years later, she successfully took on the role of
Assistant Exams Officer, a position she has thoroughly enjoyed for the last three and a half
years. Throughout that time, she has been a calm and reassuring presence during some of
the most important moments in our students’ school journeys.
Reflecting on her time at Llanishen, Mrs Fletcher recalls many moments of laughter with her
colleague Mrs Wall. One particularly memorable occasion involved persuading a late-arriving
student to enter the exam hall despite their fear that a “tragic” new haircut would attract the
attention of everyone in the room!
Among her fondest memories are the pupils whose determination shines through during the
exam season. Watching students overcome challenges with attendance, confidence,
academic achievement or social skills, and then seeing their smiles on results day when their
hard work is rewarded, has been especially meaningful.
Mrs Fletcher is looking forward to taking some well-deserved time off, with trips planned to
London and her beloved Lanzarote, which she affectionately describes as her second home.
While she says she will not miss mobile phones ringing during exams or the occasional
frustrations of Arbor, she will greatly miss the people. In particular, she pays tribute to Mrs
Wall, describing her as a kindred spirit with whom she has shared many years of hard work
and laughter.
On behalf of the entire Llanishen community, we thank Mrs Fletcher for her commitment,
care and positivity, and wish her every happiness in this exciting new chapter.
It’s farewell to our wonderful teaching assistant, Miss Trzcinska.
As she prepares to leave Llanishen after three years, we would like to thank Miss Trzcinska
for the care, commitment and positivity she has brought to our school community.
During her time with us, she has built strong relationships with both students and colleagues,
and it is these connections that she says she will treasure most. Reflecting on her time at
Llanishen, she is especially grateful for the many amazing staff members she has had the
pleasure of working alongside and the friendships she has made along the way.
Although we are sad to see her go, we are delighted that she is embarking on an exciting
new adventure. This September, she will be moving to Edinburgh to pursue her passion for
art history through a Master’s degree programme.
We thank her for everything she has contributed to Llanishen and wish her every success
and happiness in this exciting next chapter.
Bon Voyage!
Ultimately, any words for those who are leaving reminds us that it is the people around us
that matter. Our lives are determined by the school day, time in the classroom and routines.
But the relationships between students, between staff and between students and staff, forged
over months and years are what make it meaningful. So, as you depart on your onward
journeys, the very best of luck to you all.
Bon Voyage, Hwyl Fawr and Godspeed.
Thank you for reading/Diolch am ddarllen,
Mrs Sarah Parry
Headteacher