18 September 2026
Friday 11th September 2026
Dear Parents, Guardians and Students/Annwyl Rieni, Gwarchodwyr a Myfyrwyr
This week, we are totally at the mercy of the students, and with good reason. It is with much pleasure and real pride that we bring you the ambition and early actions of two formidable student groups – the Student Council and the Criw Cymraeg.
Unleashing the full power of our passionate Criw Cymraeg
Our position as a school in the capital city of Wales is something we really value. Being located in Cardiff brings with it tremendous opportunities, but also an important responsibility. As the nation’s capital, Cardiff is at the heart of Welsh culture, history, language and identity, and we are proud to play our part in celebrating and promoting all that makes Wales special.
Last year, our successful achievement of the Siarter Iaith Bronze Award was a significant milestone for the school. It reflected the enthusiasm of our students, the commitment of our staff, and the growing prominence of the Welsh language throughout our community. From the work of our Criw Cymraeg and Tocyn Iaith initiatives to Welsh-themed events, assemblies and competitions, we demonstrated that Welsh can thrive beyond the classroom and become an important part of everyday school life. This success has given us strong foundations on which to build.
As a school in Wales’ capital city, we want every student to feel connected to the language, culture and heritage that surrounds them. Whether Welsh is spoken at home, learned in school, or encountered for the first time through friends and experiences, it belongs to us all. We want our young people to leave Llanishen High School with a genuine appreciation of Welsh identity and the confidence to engage with the bilingual world around them.
This year, we will be taking our Welsh language journey even further as we work towards achieving the Siarter Iaith Silver Award. The move from Bronze to Silver is about ensuring that Welsh becomes a natural and visible part of daily life across the entire school.
We want our corridors, classrooms and social spaces to reflect the fact that we are proud to be a school in Wales. Visitors walking through our doors should immediately recognise the rich cultural heritage that we celebrate every day.
Staff and students alike will play an important role in this journey. We will continue to encourage the use of simple Welsh greetings such as “Bore da”, “Prynhawn da” and “Shwmae” throughout the school day. Bilingual displays will become even more prominent, helping to create an environment where Welsh is both seen and heard regularly. Importantly, this is not about perfection or fluency. It is about confidence, participation and having the courage to give it a go.
Our students will continue to lead the way through the work of the Criw Cymraeg, helping to promote Welsh across the school and encouraging others to become involved. Alongside this, staff will be supported through resources, training and opportunities to build confidence in using Welsh within their everyday interactions.
As a capital city school, we are uniquely placed to embrace and celebrate the language and culture that define our nation. Together, we will continue to strengthen our bilingual ethos, honour our Welsh heritage, and ensure that every student understands the value of being young people growing up in modern Wales. We are proud of how far we have come, and excited about the journey that lies ahead.
Over the past week, Miri from the Urdd has visited Year 7 form classes to introduce students to the Urdd Clwb Gemau (Games Club), which takes place every Wednesday after school in Room 1.
The club offers a variety of fun games and activities, as well as a great opportunity to practise and use key Cymraeg words and phrases in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.
If you would like more information, please speak to your Cymraeg teacher.
We look forward to welcoming lots of new faces to the club in the coming weeks!
This week, the Criw Cymraeg also distributed our Welsh ‘non-negotiable’ posters round to classrooms and they are going to catching staff on film with their best ‘Shwmae.’
Our Year 13 student, Rose, who is studying A-Level Welsh has also made the frame that we will see popping up frequently this year! The staff certainly had fun with it at the first Bore Coffi this week.
Meet the School Council
This week, I also had the pleasure of hearing about the ambitious plans being developed by our Student Council for the year ahead. Led by Hayden Watkins, the Council has set out a clear vision for how student leadership can become even more influential, representative and impactful across our school community.
The strategy is built around three key priorities: visibility, accountability and engagement. These may sound like simple concepts, but together they represent a powerful commitment to ensuring that every student has a voice and feels connected to the decision-making processes that shape school life.
The Council recognises that, while it has already played an important role in influencing improvements to areas such as school transport, toilets and canteen provision, many students are not fully aware of the work that takes place behind the scenes. To address this, the Council plans to improve communication by sharing updates more regularly, making representatives more visible across year groups and exploring new ways of reaching students through digital platforms.
A second priority is accountability. The Council has proposed a number of measures designed to make its work more transparent, including publishing voting records and providing clear explanations for decisions. This demonstrates a real commitment to democratic values and ensure that representatives remain answerable to those they serve.
Perhaps most exciting is the council’s focus on engagement. Plans for student Town Halls, regular forums and opportunities for students to contribute ideas directly show a genuine desire to hear from as many young people as possible. The Council wants students not only to be informed, but actively involved in shaping the future of the school.
The ambition of our Student Council extends beyond the school gates. Their interest in issues such as the affordability of student transport demonstrates a willingness to think about the wider challenges facing young people across Wales and how student voices can contribute to meaningful change.
As a school, we are incredibly proud of the leadership being shown by our students. Their vision for the year ahead is bold, thoughtful and focused on making a real difference. I look forward to seeing these plans come to life and to working alongside a Student Council that is determined to ensure every voice is heard and every student feels represented.
Meet the Alumni – Sarah Jones
One of the greatest privileges of all is seeing our students grow into confident, successful young adults. While we are incredibly proud of their achievements during their time at school, it is equally inspiring to follow their journeys beyond our gates. This year, we are delighted to continue our feature celebrating the onward adventures of our alumni.
Through their stories, we hope to showcase the many different pathways our former students have taken, highlighting the opportunities, challenges and successes they have experienced along the way. We hope these stories will inspire our current students to dream big, embrace new opportunities and recognise that there are many routes to achieving their ambitions.
We are delighted to begin this year with former student Sarah Jones, who is currently studying Urban Planning and Real Estate at University College London (UCL).
As always, it is best told in her own words.
Can you tell us your name and one interesting fact about yourself?
My name is Sarah Jones and I play both guitar and piano.
What subjects did you enjoy most while you were with us, and why?
I particularly enjoyed Geography and Business Studies because they worked well together in helping me understand real-world issues. I found it interesting how geography influences business activity, and how business decisions can impact communities, economies, and the environment. Together, the subjects gave me a wider understanding of how the world works.
Were there particular moments or opportunities at school that helped shape your confidence or opened new doors for you?
One opportunity that had a huge impact on me was being introduced to urban planning through lessons and discussions that sparked an interest I hadn’t previously considered. My geography teacher, Ms Geare, also helped me secure a bursary scheme with Legal & General, allowing me to attend a programme at UCL. At the time, it felt like a big step outside my comfort zone, but it introduced me to new ideas and people and ultimately played a huge role in shaping the path I am on today. Experiences like this showed me how important strong pupil-teacher relationships can be, and how encouragement from a teacher can genuinely open doors.
What are you doing now, and how did you get to this point?
I am currently studying Urban Planning and Real Estate at UCL. I reached this point through a bursary opportunity linked to a Legal & General partnership, which required me to pursue an RICS-accredited degree. At the time, I felt that my interest in geography, particularly the human aspects of the subject, made me a strong candidate for the programme, as I had already developed a curiosity about how places and communities are shaped. When I began researching the different degree options available through the bursary, I discovered urban planning as a pathway, which I had not previously considered. The more I learned about it, the more it appealed to me, especially its connection between geography, people, and the built environment. This led me to choose Urban Planning and Real Estate at UCL, where I am now building on those interests and developing a deeper understanding of how cities develop, the challenges they face, and the role planning plays in creating sustainable and functional communities.
Did you always know this was the path you wanted to follow, or were there other options you considered along the way?
Not at all. Before my A-Levels, I was interested in investigative journalism and imagined pursuing a career in that field. However, as I learned more about how cities are designed, managed, and developed, I discovered a completely new interest that I hadn’t previously considered. Through the Legal & General bursary scheme, exposure to different human geography-related degrees led me to change direction, showing me the importance of keeping an open mind. Being willing to explore new opportunities and subjects led me to a path that eventually felt exciting and right for me.
School can feel challenging at times. What helped you to keep going or stay positive?
Having supportive teachers and positive relationships with staff made a big difference. Strong pupil-teacher relationships are incredibly important because they provide encouragement, guidance, and belief in your potential. Believing that my hard work would ultimately be rewarded gave me the motivation to overcome any challenges throughout high school.
Looking back, what advice would you give to your 16-year-old self about making the most of school life?
I would tell myself to stay organised and work hard, but also to enjoy school and find a good balance. Life after high school is different, so it’s important to make the most of your time there without losing focus on your studies. It’s all about working hard while still enjoying the experience along the way.
And finally, what advice would you share with students today as they think about their next steps and future?
Growth often comes from experiences that feel unfamiliar at first. Take any opportunity you can, even if it feels daunting or outside your comfort zone. Some of the most impactful experiences I’ve had were ones I wouldn’t have considered initially. You never know where something might lead, and even if it isn’t for you, that’s still valuable learning. The important thing is being willing to try new things, meet new people, and explore different interests rather than limiting yourself by passing up opportunities.
Superb advice from Sarah. To read more about the adventures of our Alumni, please head to the section on the school website.
We love to hear the inspiring journeys from Alumni and the different pathways you’ve taken after leaving school. If you would like to join our Alumni network, please get in touch with Mr Mee:
Andrew.mee@llanishen.cardiff.sch.uk
Whether it is to share your career journey, host a workshop, answer our probing Q&As or simply pop into school to support events through the year, we’d love to hear from you.
So until next time, thank you for reading/Diolch am ddarllen,
Mrs Sarah Parry
Headteacher