14 November 2024
Dear Parents, Guardians and Students/Annwyl Rhieni, Gwarchodwyr a Myfyrwyr
Remembrance 2024
In assemblies over the last week, Mr Mee led us through some very poignant learning from war poets Wilfred Owen and Alun Lewis, both teachers who, like so many, tragically died in action. The powerful words of Owen and Lewis brought to life the realities of being a soldier on the frontline. In observing a minute silence on Monday 11th November, we remembered those who gave their lives for the peace and freedoms we enjoy today as well as thinking about our collective responsibility in preserving that peace.
Many of our students took part in Remembrance services around the city over the weekend, and we are delighted to share this photograph of Logan Barraclough from Year 10.
Logan is a member of the 30F Air Cadets and has a passion to pursue a career with the Royal Air Force.
The cadets were an important part of the Remembrance Parade on Monday 11th November 2024 and we are so glad that he could attend to mark the significance of the event.
As well as wearing their poppies with pride, lessons have reflected the importance of remembering the sacrifices that have been made by others.
The start of the term – Summer harvesting and weeding
Next, we bring you an update from the Autism Base Garden, which has been a hive of activity in the term so far! Mrs Shinton and students have worked extremely hard on their gardening skills. They worked on different parts of the gardens to grow vegetables or fruits.
The students were excited about the first harvest of their labour that included healthy runner beans, quirky looking carrots, delicious cabbages and some sweet raspberries and strawberries! Here they are in action…..
As the ASC Base has invested in gardening tools, it was also important to talk about how they should be used safely.
For the winter ahead, the students have been preparing the green house in order to get it ready to receive the new seeds. They have also worked really hard on removing unwanted weeds and plants from allotments. Well done to all our students and Mrs Shinton for their hard work!
The Grove take on Couch to 5k!!
Also getting out and very active are the members of our LHS Grove! We are incredibly proud of them all for agreeing to take on this challenge and we look forward to their final run in May that I have definitely committed to run with them! Each student gave 110% effort on the first outing and the Grove staff thoroughly enjoyed seeing them laughing and encouraging one another. Fantastic!!
Amazing Alumni
This month, we are delighted to share the successes of an LHS alumni who has landed beautifully close to home! After graduating from the Autism Base at LHS, Harri Dineen fought off over 100 other candidates to secure the post of Welsh Rugby Development Apprentice. He has wasted no time in setting the agenda for a very inclusive approach to this role and has already run a session for students in our Autism Base. We are absolutely delighted to have Harri on placement with us tis term. He is working alongside Mr Peters and is making a big impact on our students, especially with those from our two Special Resource Bases.
Rugby success
We might not have seen the result that everyone was hoping for in the Principality Stadium last Sunday, but there was some rugby success last weekend! Congratulations to Henry Parker in Year 13 whose exciting weekend took the edge off the Wales – Fiji game! Last weekend saw Henry on trial with the super league team, the Salford Red Devils on Saturday, followed by the Wales U19 match v Ireland where they went on to win the cup. Congratulations Henry, particularly after coming back from injury.
Sixth Form Updates
Next today we bring you some updates from Sixth Form life, starting with the next cohort of the Scholars Programme.
This term’s Year 12 scholars, as part of The Brilliant Club’s excellent programme, enjoyed working this week with PhD tutor Nia Hughes, from Cardiff University, on the theme of Viruses and the Immune System. Following the six-week programme, and completion of their study, they will graduate at a Russell Group University. They wasted no time in getting to grips with degree level research and critical thinking.
Remaining with our Sixth Form students, we would also like to commend Millie Exintaris for her kind charity work. Millie organised a cake sale, completely independently, to raise money for Marie Curie.
Millie is supporting this charity as part of her work for her Leadership Development Programme. This is part of the Welsh Baccalaureate qualification that our Sixth Form students study for.
Millie raised £150 which she is over the moon with! She hand-wrapped the cakes created her display. Creative and delicious. Well done Millie.
Leading the way for Rights-Respecting Schools
Next today is an example of some of the excellent work that our students undertake across a wide range of social issues and actions.
Last week, primary school students had a fantastic opportunity to attend a workshop in Techniquest that was run by Child-Friendly Cities and UNICEF. Eleanor Hopkins from Year 9 assisted with running this event. Of the 32 rights-respecting schools in Cardiff that were invited, of these schools were invited, 28 attended with a range of students from Year 1 through to Year 5.
They all came up with phenomenal ideas and solutions to common problems in today’s society. LHS is currently progressing through the award system with Child-Friendly Cities and we are very proud of Eleanor for taking such proactive steps in this field. Eleanor has also been designing surveys to to send out on about the work going on down at Roath Rec. Here are some snaps from the event at Techniquest.
Learning Support ‘Star of the Week’
The Learning Support ‘Star of the Week’ is back with a bang.
This week’s SOTW’s are:
Jaycie Fry from Year 8. Jaycie has shown fantastic resilience this week.
Well Done Jaycie, what a great start to the new term.
Jamie Walker from Year 9. Jamie has made amazing progress in his handwriting. Jamie might not be a fan of having his photograph taken but we are so proud of him!
Community support
My Year 12 LDP group will be supporting the Rotary Club of Llanishen in two more collections for the Cardiff Foodbank in the run up to Christmas.
The next collection at school will be on Wednesday 20th November between 5pm and 6pm on the bus bays. All donations will be greatly received and can also be dropped to the school reception at any time.
The Foodbank is in need of biscuits, chocolate, crackers, custard, hand soap, shampoo, deodorant, sponge puddings, sweets and washing powder.
The Foodbank is already well stocked with beans, cereals, nappies, pasta and squash.
Here are some suggestions for the visual learners amongst us.
Well done everyone! We look forward to bringing you more news and updates next week.
Thank you for reading/Diolch am ddarllen,
Mrs Sarah Parry, Headteacher