12 December 2025
12th December 2025
Dear Parents, Guardians and Students/Annwyl Rieni, Gwarchodwyr a Myfyrwyr
The official start of Christmas in Llanishen Village!
Last year, the planned celebrations in Llanishen Village to mark the start of Christmas were rained off by storm Bert. So, it was a pleasure to be back on again for 2025.
This year, the weather tried it’s best to dampen spirits again… but we weren’t letting it stop us this time. So, on Friday 5th December, we assembled.
Thank you to everyone who braved the weather, performed, helped out or simply brought the festive cheer. It was great to see so many familiar faces enjoying the start of the season together. In the supportive words of our wonderful Sixth Form who were there to support the younger students … ‘Always blue!’ Mr Grimstead and Mr Dwyer were ‘soggy’ to say the least.
Massive kudos to our junior and senior choirs and the staff who came to sing. We enjoyed a beautiful rendition of ‘Chasing Cars’ and ‘Do they know it’s Christmas time?’ to name but a few.
Our thanks also go to the Rotary Club of Llanishen for the sheer amount of organisation that went on behind the scenes.
Fingers crossed for better weather next year! In the meantime, we’ve dried out but we’re bracing ourselves for storm Bram. Here’s a round up from 2025…
Advance warning of festive vibes – Jolly Jumpers plug!
There is still an awful lot of learning packed in to each school day. But we’re also giving you advance warning that on Thursday 18th December, we invite everyone to do so in festive attire! Next Thursday is our Jolly Jumpers Day. All staff and students are invited to go festive and to make a £1 donation to our Christmas charity, City Hospice.
Dust off those jumpers everyone! Many thanks to some of our School Council members for some advance modelling. I have to say that they have gone very ‘tasteful’ in their choices.
Enrichment – the final session of the Autumn Term 2025
On Wednesday 10th December we had the final instalment of the Autumn term Enrichment activity. This time, we’re featuring two more different activities that are on offer so that students can get a flavour for future picks.
First, massive kudos to the creative bunch that took on pottery. It’s amazing to see the students from different year groups sharing a calm and creative space. There is something very mellow occurring here. Also, the pieces that they have created are beautiful and unique. I wonder where they will be gifted? Christmas is coming!
Equally creative but in a very different setting were our valiant Reservoir Rangers!
Each session, our Reservoir Rangers have been walking up to Llanishen Reservoir to work with the real-life rangers. Nature was their setting. Animal comfort was their mission.
Over their sessions, the Reservoir Rangers have been learning about natural materials and have been foraging to source them.
They have applied a very wide range of skills, including the (safe) use of various tools, to design and construct a magnificent bug hotel for the winter.
They named their luxury accommodation ‘Critter Castle’ although it is also known as Jeremy III (previous iterations of Jeremy have also existed).
Before we sign off on this term, I do need to give a shout out to the hardy and resilient bunch that came paddle boarding and kayaking with us on the reservoir. It’s amazing how fond we’ve become of this lot in such a short space of time! It’s hard to let go but we have to. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed spending time with you (even though you wanted to push us in ALL the time).
Just a few fond memories….
Final Festive Foodbank
On Wednesday 10th December we had our final collection for the Cardiff Foodbank on our bus bays. Thank you to Sainab, Isabella and Ava (some of our valiant Year 12 LDP volunteers) who braved the cold to help out with the collection and sorting. All of the donations collected will support local people over the coming weeks.
Cosy Café – the official launch
Meanwhile, back in school last week, the Cosy Café had a very smooth official launch. Again, they had very satisfied customers. I think we can see how happy Miss Evans was with her freshly ground coffee (there’s also some of that stunning brownie hidden somewhere).
The customer service is excellent and the baked goods are simply exquisite. The Christmas goodies are also very high end and are still available in the Autism base.
Learning Support Stars of the Week!
This week we have two SOTW! Congratulations to Ava Sweet in Year 9 who has been resilient about tests and growing in confidence – impressive! We also have Leo Thomas in Year 7 who has been so keen and so consistent with interventions – turning up to them all and engaging well. Da iawn! Well done both! Stunning students!!
Boxing champion
Massive congratulations to Kamil Omar in Year 11 on his win last weekend. This was his second Welsh Cap v England. An outstanding win!! Well done Kamil! You just keep smashing it! Well done on representing yourself so well!
Staff Seren yr wythnos
This week, our student Criw Cymraeg group have nominated Miss Foley for her use of the Welsh language. Staff can be nominated for their effort or their accuracy and pronunciation! Well done Miss! Da iawn!
Countdown to Christmas!
With lessons continuing through the week ahead, along with some festive activities and rewards assemblies, there is still so much to keep us busy. Every lesson counts, so make sure you are in school every day next week to be entered into the exciting draw!
Final appeal – Lost Property!
Before the term finishes, do you recognise any of these items?
We have a range of very high-quality coats that have been brought to Lost Property in the Learning Support department. If you recognise any of the items in the photos below, please go to Learning Support during ANY REGISTRATION before Wednesday 17th December. We will reunite you. After this time we will consider donating some to charity/selling some off to raise funds for the PTA.
That’s a wrap for the penultimate school week of 2025.
We look forward to bringing you one final bumper blog next week!
Thank you for reading/Diolch am ddarllen,
Mrs Sarah Parry, Headteacher