8 January 2026
9th January 2026
Dear Parents, Guardians and Students/Annwyl Rieni, Gwarchodwyr a Myfyrwyr
Welcome Back and Happy 2026!
As we step into this rather chilly new year together, we want to wish every member of our school community a joyful and inspiring start to 2026. This year is full of opportunities to learn, grow, and make a difference. Let’s embrace challenges with confidence, celebrate achievements big and small, and support one another every step of the way. Together, we can make this year extraordinary. Thank you for being part of this vibrant community—let’s make 2026 a year to remember!
Just before we launch into January with resolutions, healthy eating, and plenty of exercise, there are just a few updates to bring you from the last week of the autumn term…
Christmas Concert 2025
We were all so incredibly proud of the Christmas concert that our students and staff delivered over two magical evenings in December. It was a true celebration of talent, teamwork, and festive spirit, and it showcased everything that makes our school community so special. From the moment the first note was played to the final applause, the atmosphere was filled with joy and pride. It was truly inclusive and a joy to see students from Year 7 through to Year 13 performing on stage together. There were some serious moves …
Our students demonstrated not only their musical and performance skills but also their dedication and resilience. Weeks of rehearsals, commitment, and collaboration were evident in every song, every harmony, and every smile on stage. It was wonderful to see students from across year groups supporting one another and working together to create something so memorable. An annual highlight is always the LHS Signing Choir that if made up of current and Alumni students. They were absolutely amazing and faultless!
Congratulations to the orchestra that included staff and students. They were so good. We also enjoyed very varied and entertaining performances that included The Fibs, Flute Ensemble, Firebranded, and We’ll Figure it out on Friday.
The junior and senior choirs were magnificent in their separate performances and spectacular in their combined performances. The Wednesday and Thursday casts spread Christmas joy as they dispelled the grumblings of the Grinch!
Here’s a round-up from the front of house…
Before we sign off, let’s just dip behind the scenes. It’s a joy to be in the audience. For me, it’s just as much a joy to dip behind the scenes to see what’s going on back stage. That’s where friendships are found and forged. There’s nerves and excitement (and some stressed teachers who are continually ‘shushing’!)
The feedback from parents, staff, and the wider community has been overwhelming, and rightly so—the concert was a triumph.
Congratulations to every student who took part, as well as the staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make it all possible. These events remind us why the Expressive and Performing Arts are such an important part of education: they bring people together and allow young people to shine.
A special shout out goes to Mr Grimstead, Mrs Brown, Mr Wolverson, Mr Dwyer and Mr Fox. What a team! As the rest of us crawl through the final days of the autumn term, this bunch find the energy to assemble a stage and set, and choreograph and perform in the way that only our school can. It was a perfect way to end the year.
Now, we look forward to July and the LHS Summer 2026 production of Shrek, the Musical. It would be fair to say that we are beyond excited! If you missed the ‘reveal video’ just head to our LHS Instagram or Facebook pages to watch it in full!
Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition GOLD finalist!
Towards the end of the autumn term we were incredibly proud to receive the news that Ali Nehan Khan in Year 12 was a gold finalist in the prestigious Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2025. In 2025, the award achieved a historic milestone, attracting a record-breaking 53,434 entries from across the 56 member countries of the Commonwealth – a 53% increase from 2024.
Submissions came from 54 nations, with particularly strong participation from Ghana, Nigeria, Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the Maldives.
Ali made up that strong participation from the United Kingdom and was a gold finalist, the first time anyone from Wales has achieved this. He was presented with his award at the Royal College of Music and Drama by a host of literary experts along with MS Julie Morgan.
Ali’s family and Mrs Hornblow were there to support him and his success. We are incredibly proud of this achievement and look forward to next year’s entry from him.
Well done Ali. An inspiring achievement.
Staff Seren yr wythnos
This week, our student Criw Cymraeg group have nominated Miss R Evans for her use of the Welsh language. Staff can be nominated for their effort or their accuracy and pronunciation! Well done Miss! Da iawn!
2026 is yet unwritten…
After that very creative launch into 2026, we hope that many of our readers will take inspiration for their own goals and aspirations for the year ahead.
We look forward to bringing you weekly updates from the adventures of the students of LHS.
Thank you for reading/Diolch am ddarllen,
Mrs Sarah Parry, Headteacher