16 October 2026
Friday 16th October 2026
Dear Parents, Guardians and Students/Annwyl Rieni, Gwarchodwyr a Myfyrwyr
Student Leadership: Young People Shaping the Future of Llanishen High School
One of the things that makes us super proud at LHS is the way our students actively shape the life of our school. Student voice is not an occasional consultation or a one-off survey. It is woven into the fabric of our community and sits at the heart of how we make decisions, support one another and continue to improve. As a school, we believe that young people should not simply experience education; they should help create it. This year, hundreds of students are taking on leadership responsibilities that make a genuine difference to their peers and to the future direction of the school.
Our approach to student leadership is built around three important layers.
Influencing Strategic Change
At the highest level, students help shape the strategic direction of Llanishen High School. Through our Student Council, Sixth Form Leadership Team, Question Time events and involvement in staff recruitment processes, students have a direct influence on school improvement priorities and key decisions. Representatives meet regularly with senior leaders, bringing forward the views, ideas and concerns of their peers. Their contributions help us review our provision, refine our plans and ensure that the student perspective remains central to our thinking. It is inspiring to see young people engage so thoughtfully with the issues that matter most to them and to recognise the maturity and insight they bring to these discussions.
Peer Leadership and Supporting Others
The second layer focuses on students leading and supporting fellow students. This is where leadership comes to life every day through service, kindness and positive role modelling.
Across the school, students volunteer as Buddy Readers, Student Librarians, Year 6 Buddies, Criw Cymraeg members, Right 2 Confidence Ambassadors, Peer Mentors, and more.
Sixth Form students dedicate their time to supporting younger learners, helping pupils build confidence in reading, navigating the transition to secondary school and accessing wellbeing support when needed. Through the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Leadership Development Programme, students also contribute countless hours of service to our wider school community. These opportunities not only benefit those receiving support but also help our young leaders develop empathy, confidence and a strong sense of social responsibility.
Criw Cymraeg Shine in Front of Governors!
In fact, on Tuesday evening, our Criw Cymraeg took centre stage, presenting to our Full Governing Body about their work promoting the Welsh language across the school. It was a real pleasure to watch.
The students spoke with confidence and pride about achieving the bronze award in the Siarter Iaith. They explained how they’ve encouraged more everyday Welsh in lessons, corridors and the playground, and how they’ve helped create a school culture where using Welsh feels natural, whatever a studnets’s starting point. The Governors were impressed by how much the Criw Cymraeg has done, and by how clearly the students led the work themselves.
The presentation also looked ahead. The Criw Cymraeg shared their plans for working towards the silver award, including new ideas to involve more students and staff, and to extend the use of Welsh both in and beyond the classroom.
A huge diolchynfawr to every member of the Criw Cymraeg for their hard work and enthusiasm, and to the staff who support them.
Da iawn chi, Criw Cymraeg!
On that note, the staff also enjoyed another successful Bore Coffi this week! Diolch to all the staff who came to ‘cael paned’ a say ‘shwmae’! Gweld chi mis nesaf – See you next month!
Every Student Having a Voice
Perhaps most importantly, student voice at Llanishen High School belongs to everyone. Every student has opportunities to share their views through surveys, form representatives, Question Time events and regular feedback opportunities. Whether discussing teaching and learning, wellbeing, enrichment opportunities or wider school improvement, we want every young person to know that their voice matters. Our commitment is simple: listen carefully, act where we can, and show students how their feedback has influenced change.
What stands out to me most is the pride our students take in improving their school. Leadership at Llanishen High School is not about titles or badges; it is about making a positive difference. From those representing their year group at strategic meetings to those quietly supporting younger pupils in the library each morning, our students demonstrate every day the values of compassion, responsibility and community.
I am incredibly proud of all our student leaders. Their energy, ideas and commitment help make Llanishen High School the vibrant, inclusive and ambitious community that it is. They remind us that when young people are genuinely empowered, they do not just contribute to change, they lead it.
At the top of that big tree are two students who really do set the ambition for the rest of our student body – Emelia and Ali (head boy and head girl). Every year, the head boy and head girl are invited to put forward their views to be included in the Governors Annual Report to Parents (available on the school website).
Here’s what Emelia and Ali had to say…
Looking Ahead: Our Future Priorities
Emelia Standley (Head Girl):
“My experience in sixth form has been extremely positive. One aspect I have particularly benefited from is having Years 12 and 13 together. Being able to learn from students who had only recently been in my position meant that there was always someone who could offer advice, whether that was about subjects, exams or sixth form life more generally.
Now that I am in Year 13, I have been able to provide that same support to younger students, which has contributed to the strong sense of community within the Sixth Form.
I study Psychology, Business and Religion, Philosophy and Ethics, all of which have allowed me to explore areas that genuinely interest me. In particular, learning about Buddhism in Religion, Philosophy and Ethics has been incredibly interesting and has introduced me to beliefs and perspectives that I may otherwise never have encountered.
Psychology has given me a greater understanding of human behaviour, while Business has helped me understand how decisions made by organisations affect the world around us.
A major part of my experience has also been the support I have received from my teachers. Mr Edwards and Mr Thomas, in particular, have always been willing to give their time, advice and encouragement when I have needed it. Having teachers who genuinely want you to succeed has made a significant difference to my experience, both academically and personally. Across my subjects, I have felt that I can ask for help when I need it while also being encouraged to become more independent and take responsibility for my own learning.
Being Head Girl has been one of the most rewarding parts of my time in sixth form. I have particularly enjoyed attending governors’ meetings and being part of the finance team, as this has given me an insight into the work and decision-making that takes place behind the scenes at the school. I have also loved having the opportunity to work alongside the prefect team to make a positive difference to sixth form life.
Whether contributing ideas for improvements or organising events such as our bake sale, it has been rewarding to see our ideas turn into something that other students can enjoy. Most importantly, being Head Girl has given me the opportunity to represent other students and play an active part in impacting the school that I’ve been part of for so many years.”
Ali Nehan Khan (Head Boy):
“The sixth form experience has been nothing short of brilliant, and a large part of that has been the opportunities I have had through being Head Boy. One of the things I have valued most is being able to represent students and have a genuine role in shaping sixth form life. Being Head Boy has meant that I have had the opportunity to listen to what students want, bring their ideas forward, and work with staff to see what can actually be done. This has taught me a lot about responsibility and the importance of making sure that students feel heard.
I study Philosophy, Religion, and Ethics, Economics, Psychology and English Literature, which have each shaped the way I understand people, society, and the world around me. From exploring human behaviour in Psychology to examining different beliefs and perspectives in PRE, my subjects have encouraged me to think more critically and consider ideas from different points of view.
One of the most memorable parts of my role has been attending governors’ meetings. I remember how nerve-wracking it was initially to sit around a table with so many individuals who had their own proposals, plans and experience, and then be expected to put forward the views of students. Over time, however, with the support of the Head Girl and our Sixth form team, I became much more confident in contributing to these discussions and realised how valuable it was to have a student voice in the room. It was particularly rewarding when some of the ideas we had discussed began to become a reality. We were able to secure a new pool table for sixth form, and are also currently involved in the process of obtaining student IDs for the Year 12 and 13 students.
I have also really enjoyed working with the prefect team to organise events and create a stronger sense of community within the school. JUMP, our end-of-Year 12 day, was a particular highlight for me. Being involved in helping organise a day that gave students the chance to relax, spend time together and celebrate the end of the year was incredibly rewarding. Book Day was another event I particularly enjoyed, as it brought the whole sixth form together through something as simple as dressing up as our favourite literary characters. Seeing students and staff get involved made it clear to me that school life is nothing without creating memories and building a sense of belonging.”
Beautifully said, both!
A British Champion in our midst! Celebrating Freddie’s Remarkable Achievement
This week, we are delighted to celebrate an extraordinary success for one of our students, Freddie, whose dedication, talent and resilience have earned him national recognition.
Earlier this month, Freddie left school after his morning lessons to travel to West Wales and train with the Welsh Kayak Slalom Squad ahead of the Junior British Championships.
As the current Welsh Champion in his age category, Freddie arrived at the competition with high hopes, but what followed exceeded even those expectations.
We are absolutely thrilled to share that Freddie was crowned Junior U11 British Champion in Kayak Slalom, a truly outstanding achievement. As if that were not impressive enough, he also secured 2nd place in the U12 category and 3rd place in the U13 category, competing successfully against older paddlers and demonstrating exceptional skill, determination and composure.
To top off a memorable weekend, Freddie received his British Championship award from double Olympian Fiona Pennie-Douglas, a moment I am sure he will never forget. We are also looking forward to welcoming the championship shield to the school for the year.
What makes this achievement particularly inspiring is the level of commitment required to compete at such a high standard. Success of this kind is built on countless hours of training, sacrifice and perseverance. Freddie embodies the qualities we value so highly at Llanishen High School: ambition, resilience, humility and a determination to be the very best version of himself (and he’s also a member of the Student Council, representing Year 7!).
Freddie’s success is not only a personal triumph but also a source of pride for our entire school community. On behalf of everyone at Llanishen High School, congratulations Freddie. We are immensely proud of you and cannot wait to see what comes next in your kayaking journey. Da iawn, Freddie – British Champion!
An early Christmas treat?
Lastly today, we apologise for talking about Christmas, but you will need to get your tickets early for this one!
An evening of comedy that promises to give you proper belly laughs! Follow the link to nab your ticket and support our small but beautifully formed PTA!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19gabxGPrb
Well, that’s it from LHS this week.
Big week ahead with visitors. We look forward to updating you on everything, in due course!
Thank you for reading/Diolch am ddarllen,
Mrs Sarah Parry
Headteacher