14 May 2026

15th May 2026

Dear Parents, Guardians and Students/Annwyl Rieni, Gwarchodwyr a Myfyrwyr

Exams, stress, and Mental Health Awareness Week

With 4-year groups in the thick of the summer exam series, exam stress is a companion for many at the moment. While a degree of pressure can motivate focus and effort, excessive anxiety can undermine confidence, wellbeing and performance. In this weeks’ blog, we are promoting healthy coping strategies, and environments that ensure that our young people feel supported and capable. Open conversations, routines and realistic expectations are essential in helping students navigate this period successfully.  Without looking too far or too hard, here are some of the things we’ve seen around school in the last few weeks…

Let’s start with this moment on Tuesday morning. An impromptu team huddle before the A-Level PE exam.  Some last-minute words of motivation from Mrs Yeates to her girls…you’ve got this girls.

Meanwhile, some of our Sixth Form students sent me an email as they wanted to share a very sweet moment for the blog. They asked to remain anonymous, but it is best said in their words.

“With exam leave commencing soon, our English Literature teachers, Mrs Lockwood and Mrs Foley – the greatest human beings ever) decided to bring in treats as it was our last lesson. 

Mrs Foley baked brownies herself (and they were seriously unbelievable) and Mrs Lockwood bought us custard and jam donuts. 

I know it’s quite simple but it’s extremely sweet, I’ve always felt that teachers don’t get enough recognition for how they aid students particularly when stress levels are at an all-time high. 

Mrs Lockwood and Mrs Foley – greatest of all time. But it isn’t about just sweets, almost every teacher has been extremely nice and encouraging with exams coming up – and they deserve recognition. 

I was thinking about what we discussed at our meeting and the importance of student belonging, and it’s beautiful to see how belonging is most palatable when teachers (who are already overworked and stressed) shine light at our obstacles – making no hurdle feel impossible. 

If you do choose to add this to the blog, kindly do not share my name – this moment is for our wonderful teachers at Llanishen.”

So there we have it. The power of a donut and a chunk of brownie.  I’ll be stopping by at Mrs Foley’s classroom very soon.

So, we’ve seen staff supporting our students until the minute they step into the exam hall.

We are also seeing revision taking place in every nook and cranny of the school. The power of friends revising together is great.  Whilst some people revise better alone, there is also solace in shared experiences. 

I think this is one of my most favourite photos of the year so far. I took a photo of these wonderful Year 11 girls who were revising at break time. I happened to snap at the exact moment that Zara noticed the expiry date on her can of pop!!!  Priceless.

We hear from many of you that you want to do well, but confidence, pressure, friendships and overthinking sometimes make school feel more challenging. None of this is unusual and it doesn’t mean you’re not capable – it simply means you’re going through a lot at once.

So, this is an opportunity to broaden things out from exam stress. We’ve also been raising awareness about Mental Health this week. So, let’s break things down a bit.

So, let’s talk honestly about confidence and how it grows. Not in a dramatic, overnight way, but slowly and steadily through support, encouragement and the small decisions you make every day.

What Our Young People Are Telling Us

Across all year groups, many of you describe similar worries, even if they look different on the surface. Some of you tell us:

  • I feel nervous about speaking in class.
  • I overthink things before school.
  • I’m not sure where I fit with my friends right now.
  • Tests make me feel stressed, even when I’ve revised.
  • Some days I feel overwhelmed and don’t know why.

If any of these feel familiar, you’re in good company. Life as a teenager involves schoolwork, friendships, family expectations, social media, your future plans and your own thoughts. It’s understandable that things sometimes feel heavy.

What matters is knowing you don’t have to figure everything out on your own.

Worry and Anxiety – Understanding the Difference

As a starting point it is worth trying to understand what you’re feeling.

  • Worry – tends to have a clear cause, an exam, a deadline or something happening with friends. It often eases once you talk it through or make a plan.
  • Anxiety – can be harder to pinpoint. It might show up as butterflies in your tummy, restlessness or a sense of unease. Many young people experience this, especially during busy or uncertain parts of the school year or in their lives.

Neither one should be seen as a ‘problem’, they’re simply feelings and both become easier to handle with support.

If you want to read more in your own time, YoungMinds has helpful guides for young people: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/your-feelings/

Our Expert Voices

We asked the professionals who we regularly work with to share what they think you most need to hear right now, if you are struggling. Their advice is grounded, practical and based on what they see every day.

Ricardo Erasmus – Paradigm Shift Ltd

Ricardo works with athletes, performers and young people. He understands the pressure to ‘get everything right’ and the frustration of feeling stuck.

His message: “You don’t have to feel confident to begin. Confidence often comes after you’ve started, not before.”

Ricardo can help you:

Break tasks down into manageable pieces

Focus on effort rather than achieving perfection

Use practical habits to feel steady before assessments

Challenge negative self-talk

Recognise the strengths they often overlook

His approach shows that confidence isn’t something you’re expected to magically have, it’s something you build through experience.

Andrew Jenkins – Teacher, Coach and BBC’s The Traitors

Many of you may know Andrew from The Traitors, but his story reaches far beyond reality television. Andrew has years of experience working with young people, teaching, coaching and helping students understand their strengths. What you saw on TV – the pressure, the social dynamics, the need to stay calm and think clearly reflects skills he’s built over time, not overnight.

His message cuts through the noise: “Feeling unsure doesn’t mean you can’t do well. Most people feel like that at times.”

Andrew has talked openly about the moments on the show where he had to steady himself, decide what he stood for and trust his instincts. But he also draws on the real world, the classroom, the sports field, the conversations he’s had with countless young people who underestimate their own ability.

He encourages you to:

  • Stay steady when things change unexpectedly
  • Recognise the abilities they already have, even if they don’t always notice them
  • Accept that nerves are part of trying hard, not a sign that they should stop
  • Ask for support when something feels too heavy to handle alone
  • Build resilience gradually through experience, not sudden transformations

Andrew’s story, both on and off screen, shows that growth rarely happens in dramatic moments. It usually comes through everyday choices, small acts of courage and the confidence you build by simply taking part.

Where Confidence Grows at LHS

Confidence develops in lots of places – in classrooms, yes, but also in the everyday moments that make up school life. We have different spaces and groups designed to help you feel connected and supported.

  • Peer Mentor Group – Students from different year groups who help others settle in, build friendships and feel included.
  • Enrichment Programme – Clubs, activities and sports that help you develop new skills, try new things and feel part of the wider school community.
  • Wellbeing Centre – Open from 7:30am, it’s a calm space where you can check in, take a breath, talk to someone or get support throughout the day: https://www.llanishenhighschool.co.uk/wellbeing-centre
  • Student Wellbeing Hub – Online guidance and links to support: https://www.llanishenhighschool.co.uk/student-wellbeing

You don’t have to manage everything alone and you shouldn’t have to.

Feeling Part of a Community Makes Everything Easier

School can feel very different when you feel like you belong. Many of you have told us that when your friends are off, coming to school feels harder and it shows how much belonging and connection influence confidence. Friendships, supportive adults, clubs, routines and familiar faces all create a sense of stability.

At LHS, you don’t just learn together you support each other. Through:

  • The Peer Mentor Group
  • The Enrichment Programme
  • Friendships formed in classes and clubs
  • The Wellbeing Centre
  • Year Group teams and tutors

The message is simple: You are part of something bigger here and that makes challenges easier to face.

Mental Health Awareness Week – Practical Ways Students Build Confidence

In Mental Health Awareness Week, our form groups in Years 7, 8 and 9 have been engaging brilliantly in an inter-form competition to explore what good mental health means, ways to look after your own wellbeing, and how you can support others.

Entries are flooding in by way of poster, slogan, poem, drawing, class collaborative display, and even an amazing video by 8D.

Surely this amazing entry from 8B is a potential winner!

We look forward to receiving more of these.  In the meantime, here are some of the top strategies that our students say help them:

  • Break tasks into smaller steps – a huge job becomes manageable when you divide it up.
  • Keep simple routines – a predictable morning can make the whole day calmer.
  • Use grounding techniques – steady breathing or focusing on your senses can help settle nerves.
  • Challenge unhelpful thoughts – try changing ‘I’ll never get this’ to ‘I’m still learning this.’
  • Join a club or activity – being part of something gives you a sense of belonging and helps confidence grow naturally.
  • Talk early – sharing a concern with someone stops it from building up.
  • Notice small improvements – confidence grows through the things you may not realise you’re already doing well.

Confidence and Attendance – How We Support Each Other

Some of you may not realise how closely confidence and attendance are linked. When you feel more confident, coming to school feels easier. And when you attend regularly, lessons feel clearer, routines settle, friendships grow stronger and school becomes more predictable.

The result is a cycle that supports you, rather than adding pressure.

Some final words of wisdom

Some days will feel easy, and some won’t. That’s normal. What matters is that you keep moving forward, even if the steps are small. Every student at LHS has strengths, whether you see them yet or not, and every day offers an opportunity to build on them. You’re capable of more than you realise, and you don’t have to work that out on your own. We’re here to help you through it.

So, whether you are facing exams and assessments, or you are facing other challenges at the current time, this blog is for you.

We finish this section today with a heart-warming example of a young lady who makes us extremely proud. Alona was previously very frightened of dogs before meeting Koda. Initially, she did not want to be in the same space or room as him and would become very anxious. Over time, the staff gently encouraged Alona at her own pace to be around Koda. This began with preparing her in advance when Koda would be coming in or would be in the same room.

Gradually, Alona began to feel more comfortable and started asking whether Koda would be in. She then began to move closer to him and eventually asked if she could give Koda a treat.

Alona can now stroke Koda and greets him with a big smile whenever she sees him. This is a truly fantastic achievement and a moment we are all very proud of.

The results of our LHS mock election v. the outcomes of the 2026 Senedd election

This term, our students engaged brilliantly with democracy through our LHS mock election, providing a fascinating comparison with the 2026 Senedd election. In school, we saw a clear victory for Plaid Cymru, securing 40.3% of the vote and a decisive majority of seats, with strong support also for the Green Party. Turnout reached an impressive 40.5%, reflecting a high level of engagement from our student body.

Across Wales, the real election also saw Plaid Cymru emerge as the largest party for the first time, marking a significant political shift. However, unlike our school result, no party achieved an overall majority.

These comparisons highlight how our students are developing an informed and thoughtful understanding of political issues. Activities like this bring learning to life, encouraging curiosity, debate and active citizenship—key skills for the future.

Here is a round-up of our results v the actual outcome.

Start cooking!!!

Finally today, we are delighted to launch our very own LHS MasterChef Competition, a fantastic opportunity for our Year 7 and 8 students to showcase their creativity, flair and passion for food. This exciting event invites students to step into the kitchen, develop new skills, and celebrate the joy of cooking. With spaces limited and prizes to be won, we encourage all aspiring chefs to get involved and challenge themselves. Competitions like this build confidence, resilience and teamwork, while highlighting the incredible talents within our school community. We look forward to seeing the innovation and enthusiasm our students will bring to the challenge ahead.

This will launch with gusto across Years 7 and 8 next week.

Please see Mrs Pettite in G19 for your application form.

I’m hoping to find my way on to the judging part!

Thank you for reading/Diolch am ddarllen,

Mrs Sarah Parry

Headteacher