19 December 2025
19th December 2025
Dear Parents, Guardians and Students/Annwyl Rieni, Gwarchodwyr a Myfyrwyr
Are you a Faithful or a Traitor?
Last Thursday 11th December, there was a Traitor in our midst. However, this turned out to be an excellent situation. No-one was murdered, but Years 8 through to 11 were invited ot listen to an inspirational story. Andrew Jenkins (runner up from the Traitors Series 2) is actually a local lad who was headhunted to appear on the rather addictive TV programme. He made the conscious decision to take part in order to grow a platform to launch his real passion – mental health.
Twenty years ago, after being pronounced dead on the side of the road, Andrew’s life was to change unrecognisably. 60+ staples held a metal plate in his skull as his family were told he would be unlikely to survive such horrific injuries, and if he did, he would have devastating brain damage and would never walk again. His recovery is nothing short of a miracle.
Andrew shared his story very honestly. He struggled enormously with his mental health. It actually took him 15 years to accept the professional support that he so desperately needed.
Andrew shared his story from very humble and traditional Welsh roots, to his struggles with mental health, to where he is now. He spoke openly about his emotions and feelings and his growing reputation as the antidote to Andrew Tait.
Andrew is relatable and honest. He shared his key strategies for positive mental and physical health. He spoke about the power of physical movement and how we fuel our bodies, the therapeutic power of nature, and walking in nature. Sometimes we just need to get outside for 20 minutes. He spoke about journaling. He spoke about choosing friends who are batteries (and support us) rather than hoovers (who suck the positive energy out of us). He spoke about spending time with friends and family.
In the week that Australia brought in stringent restrictions on the use of social media for under-16’s, he also demonstrated the impact of too much time spent on devices and social media, outlining the unhealthy dopamine spikes and troughs that resonate all too accurately with us folks in education.
Andrew’s visit was a great boost to students and staff alike. His messages resonate. I hope to invite him back in 2026 to continue to spread and embed these key messages. It is so important to reach out to others if we are not feeling ourselves.
It might be a friend, a family member, a teacher, a form tutor or a member of school support staff. Our students are like onions and they are surrounded by layers of support. If you share how you feel, you give others permission to do the same.
It was also no surprise to learn that Andrew is best mates with another inspirational member of our school community, Ricardo (Paradigm Shift). Ricardo runs our provision and intervention to change mindsets and develop positive mental health for lifelong learning and success.
It was lovely to see them reunited!
The smells coming from the DT block this week!
As stated above, how we fuel our bodies has a direct impact on our mental and physical health. So it was great to smell the aromas coming from the food department last week as Year 7 mastered the fine art of the stir fry! These skills will stay with you for life boys and girls. I’m not surprised you couldn’t wait to eat it!
If the festive stir fry wasn’t enough, it was time to dust off our best LHS recipe for the festive yule log. A spectacular finish that is worthy of any fine cake maker!
Finally, perhaps the most festive aroma came from the homemade gingerbread that just shouts out ‘it’s Christmas!!!!’
Rewards lunch
On Thursday 11th December we hosted our annual Rewards Christmas lunch for the top 30 merit achievers in each year group. The staff served the students and encouraged the consumption of all veg, including the sprouts. A big shout out to Cardiff Catering for feeding us so well during the month of December.
Over to the Performing Arts department….
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, which means the last two weeks have been very busy for the Performing Arts Department – filled with rocking around the Christmas tree, and spreading joy to the world around us.
On the morning of Thursday 11th December our Junior and Senior Choirs visited Ty Coch Care Home. Our 80-strong choir of students from across the school were packed into the day room, raising the roof and putting lots of smiles on faces. Even Mrs Brown showed off her fantastic dancing when the Junior Choir sang ‘From Now On’.
Singing our hearts out across Cardiff for City Hospice and Marie Curie
Yet again, we introduce this next segment with the statement that rain did not stop play. Another amber weather warning for rain did not deter our amazing junior and senior choirs from singing their hearts out for City Hospice in St David’s Centre in the morning, and then back in Llanishen for Marie Curie in the afternoon on Monday 15th December.
After getting soaked at the turn on of the village lights last Friday, I’m starting to worry that these lot are jinxed! Thank goodness they radiate light and goodness and everything that is beautiful in the world. They got absolutely soaked again on Monday as they travelled around the city, but they sang so beautifully that we were contacted by members of the public who were in awe of their unity and talent. I can’t tell you how proud I/we are of them all.
The choirs sang a mixture of modern and traditional Christmas songs, with the glorious backdrop of the sparkling Christmas tree in St David’s. At the time of writing we don’t know how much money was raised on Monday, however, last year a whopping £2,820 was raised on the day that Llanishen came to town! City Hospice is a charity very close to our hearts due to the invaluable work they do, including supporting some of our families.
After a location change and a lunch break at McDonalds, our choirs then sang outside of Boots Llanishen in aid of Marie Curie – another charity which supports families within our school community. Thankfully, the choirs were able to be under the cover whilst singing (in contrast to the Llanishen Lights event a few weeks ago!); although Mr Dwyer wasn’t so sheltered…
On Tuesday 16th December it was the turn of our Year 12 and 13 students to literally ‘wow’ members of the Rotary Club of Llanishen as the musical accompaniment to their Christmas gathering at Llanishen Golf Club. With musical and singing arrangements that varied from Debussy to Bach to a Christmas medley, a Welsh carol, and a song from Elf the Musical, they were magnificent.
It is nearly time to let Mr Grimstead and his team take a well-earned rest. But I said ‘nearly.’ We still have a two-night Christmas Concert to perform.
Sporting successes!
Whilst most of us (speaking mainly on behalf of myself) have been attempting to wind down in recent days, and have certainly eaten a less healthy diet than normal, some of our students have been putting us to shame by exceling in their different fields.
Today we celebrate some absolutely amazing achievements in sports that are a little off the beaten track. So here’s to our trail blazers.
First, Owen Rapps in Year 10 is the winner of the Elite British Selects 3v3 ‘best on best’ ice hockey championship.
Owen and his team were unbeaten in the final stages of the tournament and finished with final with a convincing 9-5 win.
An amazing achievement – we are in awe! That is some serious silverware!
Our congratulations also go to Carter Thain and Joshua Allen in Year 7.
The boys took part in the Newport Christmas Swimming Gala last weekend, representing the City of Cardiff. As we can see, they came away with several medals!!
Both boys have recently moved up a squad, which means their swimming training becomes a little more gruelling and requires some seriously early starts.
We commend your dedication to the training boys. It is clearly delivering some excellent results.
Well done. We can’t wait to see where your passion takes you in the next few years!
End of term Awards Assembly
This week, each year group hosted an assembly to celebrate the effort and achievement of students through the autumn term. It’s been 15 long but incredible weeks so well done to everyone collecting certificates for attendance, positive behaviour, effort, and contribution to school life. A huge well done to everyone for turning up and getting the job done.
Here are a few snippets from the Year 10 assembly which included 10 form hero awards that was selected by each member of the Year 10 tutor team.
Staff Seren yr wythnos
This week, our student Criw Cymraeg group have nominated Mr Jayne for his use of the Welsh language. Staff can be nominated for their effort or their accuracy and pronunciation! Well done Sir! Da iawn!
Tocyn Iaith Winners for end of the Autumn Term
As well as celebrating staff, we are also very pleased to announce the Tocyn Iaith winners from Year 7 for the Autumn Term. They received WH Smith vouchers as prizes. They were given a Tocyn Iaith for using incidental Welsh around the school. Da iawn Dario, Sofia ac Ava!
Before we sign off, there are just a few updates from some of our student led clubs and initiatives. Both extend the offer for new members in January 2026!
Library Autumn newsletter
The next few weeks offer the perfect opportunity to cosy down with a good book. Cue – the Library Autumn newsletter.
It is overflowing with recommended reads, competitions and opportunities to get involved in book club, library enrichment and Dungeons and Dragons. It also features some winning pieces of writing from this terms’ competitions.
Special thanks go to Ameera Khartrush, Alice Williams, Lily Francis and Clara Phillips for writing and editing the winter edition.
The Library Autumn newsletter is available here!
Pokémon Club Power-Up! – December 2025 (in the words of the club members)
What a half term, Trainers! It was packed with epic battles, big laughs, and unforgettable moments. The highlight? Miss Daley and Charlie bravely took on the SLIME CHALLENGE—and wow, did make it a spectacle! The cheers, the giggles, the slime… pure Pokémon Club magic. Miss Daley, you’re officially a legend for taking one for the team! With your help (and the awesome PTA), we raised enough to snag a Nintendo Switch 2! Game nights just got a serious upgrade.
Our weekly sessions are a hit, with members showing off collections with cards from all over the world. It’s amazing to see Pokémon bringing everyone together—language barriers? Not in this club! ✨
Our first Quick-Fire Battle Showdown of the year was intense! Lightning-fast matches kept everyone on edge. Huge congrats to Macsen, reclaiming his crown as GO! Champion, and Jack, who smashed it to achieve the TCG Grand Slam—three tournaments in one year!
Special shout-out to Alfie, our Best Newcomer, who showed incredible skill in his debut. Watch out, folks—future champ alert! 🚀
So what’s next? Pokémon turns 30 in February! We’re planning something epic for Thursday, February 26th (a day early because we can’t wait!). The real question: what wild challenge can we rope Miss Daley into next? Stay tuned for clues!
Jolly Jumpers Day for City Hospice
Finally today, let’s sign off with snaps from Thursday 18th December as we donned our festive vibes to raise money for City Hospice. As always, LHS never disappoints!
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this blog and every blog through the year.
Special thanks to my Chief Editor, Alan Nazemi in Year 9. He patiently addresses any abuse of the apostrophe or other grammar horrors.
All that remains is for me to wish all of our readers a very happy and healthy Christmas break. We look forward to welcoming the staff back for a training day on Monday 5th January, followed by all students on Tuesday 6th January.
Thank you for reading/Diolch am ddarllen,
Mrs Sarah Parry, Headteacher