1 February 2024
Dear Parents, Guardians and Students/Annwyl Rhieni, Gwarchodwyr a Myfyrwyr
Welcome to another round up from our week at Llanishen High School. As always, an eclectic mix of news!
Cardiff Young Musician of the Year Competition!
First today, last Wednesday saw Katie Gill in Year 13 representing both the school and the Llanishen Rotary Club at the annual Cardiff Area Young Musician of the Year Competition. Held in the Dutch Barn at Whitchurch High School, Katie sang in competition with 5 other extremely talented and very experienced singers from around Cardiff.
She performed the mysterious ‘Pulled’ from The Addams Family, and the very emotional ‘She used to be Mine’ from Waitress. The judges commented on Katie’s diction and range, powerful voice and her obvious passion for musical theatre.
Although she didn’t win the competition it was clearly a very difficult decision for the judges as they deliberated for almost an hour before announcing the results.
We are all extremely proud of her; well done Katie! Huge thanks go to Mr Grimstead for providing her piano accompaniment!
A very special Alumni and a new addition to our LHS family
Next today is a very special update.
Over the last few weeks, it has been a privilege to welcome a new addition to our school community. Fraser Bear has taken up residence in our school reception (photo below).
It has also been a privilege to welcome back alumni and former Head Girl, Anna-Louise Bates. We are absolutely delighted to be forging links with Anna who is not only our ex-Head Girl. Anna is also a Year 7 parent. And the founder of the organ donation charity Believe.
Believe is a charity established by Anna in memory of her late husband, Stuart and her son, Fraser (Bear) Bates whose organ and tissue donations went on to save many lives. The charity’s mission is to educate and help spread the word on organ donation, support those people involved, and break down the taboo around organ donation to get people talking.
Llanishen High School already has links to this trailblazing work. In 2018, with the help of Mike Young, the creator of ‘Super Ted’, Believe created a short animation, aimed at helping children to understand organ donation and gently encourage the conversation with their families. Please follow the link below to view the animation that is voiced by another LHS alumni, Dylan.
In Year 12 assembly last week, Anna (and mascot) came to share an exciting new project.
As a result of Believe being the Charity of the year 2021/2022 for Cardiff Bereavement Services, the charity has been donated a large area of land at the new ‘Northern Cemetery’ crematorium in Thornhill, Cardiff.
The aim of the garden is to reflect all areas of organ donation, be a wellbeing space for families and a time to reflect upon the ‘Fab Gift of Life’.
The first plans have been agreed and will include a heart that will be visible from the air and Google Earth as well as educational tools along the way. The garden will also incorporate our Welsh heritage with Wales being the first home country to adopt the opt out organ donation system in 2015 including the setting of our Believe award winning animation Castell Coch. Believe are aiming to unveil this project in Organ Donation Week 2024.
They are seeking corporate, charity, personal sponsorships and funding to enable the charity to complete this phenomenal project. As a school, we are considering how we can contribute. In the meantime, here are some illustrations of the early plans.
LHS looking pretty sharp!
Next today, we are very proud to announce that LHS alumni Ross MacKenzie has sponsored the senior rugby kit this year. As an ex-student and player Ross jumped at the opportunity to sponsor the team – a place where he had such an amazing experience himself.
Ross was a pivotal player on our rugby and football teams during his time at LHS. He was also an outstanding triple jumper. He has since gone on to captain Llanishen RFC.
Ross is the CEO of his company Isla Alexander Estates agents that offer you their time, local expertise and entrepreneurial spirit. Their ethos is to become your agent for life by providing exemplary service at every stage of your moving journey.
Here are some of our students modelling the kit that Isla Alexander are sponsoring. I’m sure you agree they have a future in modelling as well as rugby!
Finally
We sign off in style with another kit that is designed for colder temperatures! That of ice hockey.
We are delighted to highlight the sporting adventures of William Brooks in Year 7. These adventures took Will to Slovakia last week.
Following the dedication needed for training and trials, Will’s flew as a member of the England team to a small town called Trencin north of Bratislava which is a world ice hockey hub.
During this time the players trained over 12 hours on the ice and played 4 games against local teams in Trencin and Bystrica including a select team of the best players in Slovakia.
The team were hugely successful in Slovakia picking wins against some of the best teams in Europe.
Well done Will! What an accomplishment at your young age. We look forward to following you around the globe!
It has been amazing to feature the work of two LHS Alumni this week.
If you are reading this as a past student, or know of any others, please forward them the link below or directive them to the alumni page on the school website.
Please sign up – we would love to hear from you!!
We look forward to bringing you more news and updates next week.
Thank you for reading/Diolch am ddarllen,
Mrs Sarah Parry, Headteacher