26 June 2025
Dear Parents, Guardians and Students/Annwyl Rhieni, Gwarchodwyr a Myfyrwyr
The Enrichment Curriculum at LHS
This week, Mrs Geare and I have been absolutely delighted to lead assemblies to launch the Enrichment Curriculum that will commence in September 2025.
The Enrichment Curriculum will allow students in Years 7 through to 13 to take more ownership over their curriculum, building engagement, motivation and confidence.
Many students take part in our wide range of extra-curricular activities and we see the positive impact that this has on their mental and physical health and wellbeing. We see the amazing relationships they enjoy with staff. We see the sense of identity and belonging that comes from being part of a team.
Whilst we are proud of the range and quality of these activities, we are aware that not all students currently engage with them. The Enrichment Curriculum brings these into the school day and makes them accessible for all.
Over time, we hope this will encourage students to take part in extra-curricular activities beyond the school day, exposing students to a wider range of potential sports, hobbies and activities that could become lifelong passions and interests.
As adults, we value a work life balance and we value the time to engage in physical and creative pursuits. We want to instil this in our students now and ensure that they balance the academic with wellbeing.
Through activities such as Sports Day, musical productions, and educational visits, we have seen the power of shared experiences to strengthen relationships. These moments enhance the school culture and help staff and students build positive connections that carry into the classroom.
We want students to step outside of their comfort zones and to experience success in different ways. How do you know if you’ll be a chess grand master if you don’t try? How do you know if you can be successful on the FTSE if you don’t try our Stocks and Shares group? How do you know if you are the next Jiu-Jitsu champion if you haven’t tried the Brazilian gentle art of grappling? How do you know if you are the next Luke Littler if you don’t try our Darts Academy? I could go on…
We also care about our staff who give so much to our school community. How lovely to have an hour in the week where you are leading and sharing a passion for an activity that is totally different from the rest of your week in the classroom!
Our groupings for the Enrichment Curriculum will be vertical. Since COVID, our year groups have had little exposure to one another because they all have different break venues and lunch sittings. The groupings for Enrichment will be a very structured and positive way to meet new friends and to interact with other year groups.
Here are just a couple of snippets from the Enrichment Brochure. Each activity runs for a term. Students will enjoy three different activities per academic year. What would you pick for your three activities for the year ahead?!
You can find the full brochure on the school website by following this link:
Whilst we have made every effort to keep costs to a minimum, there are some start up costs that we cannot avoid. We are very grateful to staff who have already secured various resources. We are asking for a voluntary contribution from parents of £5 per child, that is currently live on ParentPay. We have already been so touched by the kindness of parents who have contributed a little extra to ensure that we provide opportunities for all.
We are going to be reaching out to local businesses with our brochure to see if they would like to sponsor an activity or get involved. We will also be seeking further student voice on the types of activities that they would like to see. Student voice in recent weeks has already led to the inclusion of a skateboarding club.
If any parents or community partners are reading this blog and would like to put us in touch with a local business that might be willing to support us, please send the brochure in their direction and ask them to get in touch!
Monday 30th June – Friday 4th July is options week. Students will be working with their form tutor during registration to select their first-choice activity for the autumn term 2025. They will also select a back up option. We are encouraging the students NOT pick an activity just because their friend is doing it. This really is an opportunity to try something new and meet new people.
International Women in Engineering Day
Next today, we turn to a standout member of our LHS community to mark International Women in Engineering Day. We cannot think of anyone more fitting to celebrate than Hannah Doyle in Year 13.
This autumn, Hannah will be heading to Southampton University to study Aeronautics and Astronautics, developing the skills to help design and build the next generation of planes, drones, race cars, and spacecraft.
Southampton is the only Russell Group university to offer degrees combining both aeronautics and astronautics, and it’s a national leader in aerospace engineering and cutting-edge research.
We’re excited to see where Hannah’s ambition and talent take her, and even more proud that she’ll be staying connected through our LHS Alumni Network, helping to inspire the next generation of students.
Being part of our community doesn’t end when you leave. Whatever’s next, there’s always a place here for you!
Here is Hannah in her final days in Year 13. With apologies to Mr Hampton, whenever I think of Hannah, I always think of her amazing and positive personality and her academic brilliance. But I also remember two iconic moments during her time in school, and they both involve putting a plate of cream in Mr Hamptons face (such a good sport!).
Good luck Hannah. Keep in touch!
Now please be warned, the achievements in the next section of my blog will blow your mind. This is an incredible succession of news from the LHS world of sport!
Athletics Success at Welsh Championships!
Continuing on from her successful indoor season where she claimed the 60m Gold medal, Abbi Beadle has once again demonstrated her talents, cementing herself as one of the best u15G sprinters Wales has to offer by claiming the outdoor 100m/200m double. That makes it 3 gold medals and 3 Welsh Championship titles, made even more impressive by the fact this is her first official year training specifically for athletics.
Everyone in the PE department at Llanishen is so proud of the dedication shown by Abbi and wait in eager anticipation of her future accomplishments. Definitely a star in the making!
Cardiff Schools Football Player of the Year!
Next, we celebrate the outstanding achievements of Joel Ollerton. Joel was voted Player of the Year for U15s Cardiff Schools representative side (which is extremely hard to get into).
Joel is consistently one of the hardest working players on the pitch and he is an outstanding player. We are so pleased to see you receive this recognition Joel – you really do deserve it!
Success in the South Wales Hockey U13’s!
Now we have a big shout out for Tomos Davies, representing South Wales Hockey U13’s!
Tomos played for South Wales in the U13s UK Regions Tournament. Tomos was the youngest player in the squad and played superbly in defence. As a team they won all 5 qualifying games, going on to win in both semi and finals games in close 1-0 wins, only conceding two goals throughout the whole tournament!
A remarkable achievement Tomos and an amazing grin on your face – well deserved. We are all so proud of you.
Player of the Year!
We also have another ‘Player of the Year’ to celebrate! Hitting the blog for a second week running is a very humble Sam Lewis. Sam has been awarded 24/25 Player of the Year for Cardiff and Vale Schools for his age category.
The coach described him as:
- Indispensable
- A leader
- A player who they can’t take off the pitch
- Rock at the back who marshals his team
Sam has had a fantastic season and he epitomises the values of County football. He has a bright future.
Learning Support ‘Stars of the Week’
There is still more to celebrate as we move the Learning Support SoW awards. This week it goes to some fearless students. It goes to Benji White, Aaran James Dyer, Kaylem Hadley, Harri Bartlett and Lucas Jay Sanders in Year 11 for being fabulous, hardworking and excitable members of the Learning Support team for 5 years. The staff in Learning Support will miss you tremendously boys!
The award also goes to Deacon Baldwin in Year 7 for excelling in mainstream English classes. We didn’t convince him to have a photo, but Deacon is doing really well and gaining confidence every day. Well done to you all!
It’s nearly showtime!
Finally today, it is nearly showtime! Rehearsals are ramping up and the sound of music is spilling out from the West Wing Hall. The stage is set and the band are getting in position. And Mr Grimstead is elevated. He’s had a haircut. It means we are nearly there….
There is still time to grab some tickets. Please see the information below along with a few photos that don’t give very much away but should leave you wanting to see more!
Thank you for reading/Diolch am ddarllen,
Mrs Sarah Parry, Headteacher