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Evening uccesses Debates onations Science Success ampions Festival mpions

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Message from the Head

Headteacher: Mr R Smyth This might be the last newsletter for which I have to pen some introductory words, but I hope it is not the last one that the school shares with you.

As usual what it contains is just the “tip of the iceberg” in terms of the type of things which pupils get up to, and the opportunities that are available to them beyond the normal five lessons a day.

It is these lessons which are responsible for nearly all of the key things which schools are now held accountable for, and not wrongly so. However, this can often mean that the other things in schools which are harder to measure are not given the prominence and consideration which used to be the case. Whilst not all of these contribute to formal qualifications; the experiences, the challenges, the creativity and the teamwork involved, can have just as much impact on character development and the accumulation of hard and soft skills as the things so beloved by statisticians.

For these reasons, I hope this school and many others, will amongst other things continue with its traditions of educational visits at home and overseas, creating musical and dramatic opportunities, aiming for both sporting participation and excellence, entering a variety of non-sporting competitions and encouraging an interest and involvement in the local and charities.

So for both the things which are listed in this newsletter and other things which have taken place which are not listed; well done to all the students who have taken part, thank you to the staff who have provided the opportunities and thank you to parents and guardians for supporting them.

Robert Smyth Headteacher

Staff leaving Llanishen High in July Mrs L Stringer, Assistant headteacher – retirement Dr C Lloyd, Head of Maths – pastures new Mrs K Smith, Maths teacher – pastures new Mr S Fox, Drama teacher – pastures new Mr A Turner, Maths teacher – pastures new Miss L Evans, Geography teacher – pastures new Mr C Batten, English teacher - pastures new Mrs K Holmes, Pupil Support – pastures new Mr G Murphy, Welsh teacher – pastures new Mrs V Noble, RE/Learning Support – pastures new Miss E Stephen, English teacher – pastures new Miss S Acreman, English teacher – pastures new Ms M Maqhlooq, Teaching Assistant – pastures new Mr M Powell, science technician – pastures new Mrs J Steel, LSA in Hearing Impaired Unit – pastures new Miss E Takle, Teaching Assistant – pastures new Miss E Parnell, Teaching Assistant – pastures new

Staff joining Llanishen High in September Mr L Humphreys – Assistant headteacher Mr R Denne – Maths teacher Miss N Phelan – English teacher Miss R Wilds – English teacher Mr M Lewis – Maths teacher Miss S Sullivan – English teacher Ms Y Carnegie – Maths teacher Ms R Ryan – Geography teacher Miss S Pitman – Teaching Assistant Miss K Pratley – Teaching Assistant Miss R Luxmore – Teaching Assistant Ms R Rowe – Teaching Assistant Miss C Price – Teaching Assistant Miss E Phillips – Teaching Assistant Mrs M Gannon – Science Technician

Term Dates Autumn Term 2015 Spring Term 2015 Summer Term 2015 Starts: 1/9/15 Starts: 4/1/16 Starts : 11/4/16 Half-term: 26/10/15 – Half -term: 15/2/16 – Half- term: 30/5/16 – 3/6/16 30/10/15 19/2/16 Ends: 18/12/15 Ends: 24/3/16 Ends: 19/7/16

Awards Evening – October 2014 Once again, the awards evening allowed the school to celebrate the achievements of our young people. Each teacher was asked to nomiinate one child for achievement and effort for every class and subject teachers chose two overall winners. Other certiificates given out during the eveniing included the Katherine Horton Award for English given to April O’Keeffe, Alex Fairhurst and Katie Evans; the Jonathan Gallimore Music Award was giveen to Hannah Towndrow and Karis Tompkins and the Mary Clee Language Award was given to Elinor Thomas for French, Ania Doughty for German and Kaaty Wills for Welsh.

Successes and Awards in Music, Politics and Dance In July 2014, 60 Year 8 pupils (now in Year 9) from tthe More Able and Talented (MAT) science group spent a day designing a model system that can be used in mountainous regionns to take vegetables and fruit to markets. Pupils worked in groups of 6 using basic materials, pulleys and ropes to take tomatoes from 1m in height across 2m in length. They spent a day doing this and so gained their Crest Discovery Award – a recognised Science award from the British Science Association. The activity was provided as a one-day challenge event, delivered by Liz Terry on behalf of the British Science Associattion. It was an exciting and interesting day.

**** Well done to all the following Year 8 pupils (now in Year 9) who worked so positively with the Principality staff last academic year. Thanks also to Miss Early who co-ordinated and arranged this great opportunity for the pupils: Ellis Shaw, Stiven Bahja, Sam Critchell, Dylan Pearce, Euan Bonni, Tim Reede , James Spanns, Romello Howard, KC Liam Kelly, Harry Merrifield-Jones, Ed Ball and Joe Davidson.

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In October 2014, one of our caretakers, Russell McConkey was featured in the South Echo showcasing his artwork. When he was diagnosed with vision problems, he needed to find a way to pass the time as he was unable to take part in other activities so he started to draw, thus unleashing a talent that had been hidden for some time. He is currently concentrating on zen tangle or tangle patterns and finds drawing relaxing and inspiring. He said he wishhes more children would put down their games controllers and pick up a pencil as using your imagination is much more fun than playing computer games! Some examples of Russell’s work are overleaf.

**** In April 2015, Callum Salter, Year 12, was invited to attend the prestigious Richard Fice Memorial Award Competition. He played trombone in front of an experienced panel of judges and went through a rigorous interview process, finishing a highly commendable 2nd place. Callum is also a committed member of the Youth Brass Band and travelled to Manchester to compete in the National Youth Brass Band Championships where they finished in 5th place. In addition, Callum and Katy Wills participated in the Young Musician of the Year competition run by the and Vale Music Service High Schools' Orchestra. Callum played trombone and finished in 2nd place and Katy played flute finishiinng in 3rd place. Congratulations to you both! ****

In March 2015, we entered a team of Year 12 students into the Rotary Club of Cardiff Quiz which was held at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeeg Glantaf. Masudah Ali, Jeorgia Carr, Maya Schofield and Laura Snook represented the school for the Robert Preswood Shield. They competed against over 20 teams across Cardiff. The girls did extremely well and finished in 4th place; setting an ambitious target for next year’s team to beat. ****

In the same month, a group of pupils from years 7 and 8 were involved in the Sherman Theatre Dance Festival. The team, ‘Tiny Dancers’, performed over two evenings. The choreographers were Claudia Sugarman and Emily Reid, Year 10, supported by Miss Bartley, PE teacher. The dance was a mixture of ballet and streetdance fusion where the pupils performed to the song ‘Ironik. Both performances were outstanding and the pupils were a real credit to the school. The pupils involved were Katie Partridge, Abby Tannetta,, Megan Clash, Emily Cann, Darcy Kivell, Emma Dinnick, Sophia Aburas, Bethan John in year 7 and Bethan Hawkins, Molly Fenton, Kaytee Purbrick, Mollie Dinnick, Joel Wilcox, Molly McKenzie, Ellie Gaale, Leah Turner, Amy Jones, Luisa Provini, Georgia Wilcox, Anna Holcombe, Lili Rainer and Megan Cornish in Year 8/9.

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Also in March, sixth form politics students from across Cardiff travelled to the National Assembly, including Year 12 students from LLlanishen High, to probe the First Minister about devolution, the role of the Ciivil Service, the role of committees in scrutinizing policy and legislation as well as creating a manifesto with a political party and presenting this to the other students. Jeorgia Carr, Maya Schofield, Ysabel Hodgson, Ben Francombe, Masudah Ali and Michael Winton found the conference to be well-organised and the debates really interesting. They are all hoping to study politics at university and this experience brought politics alive for them! The groupp is pictured below.

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In April, Year 7 and 8 pupils took part in The Junior Mathematical Challenge (UKMT) 2015. The team achieved excellent and were a credit to the school. The results are below:

Best in School/Best in Year/ Gold Medal/ Qualifyinng straight for National Maths Olympiad - Alex Fairhurst – Year 8

Gold Medal/Qualiffying straight for Junior Kangaroo - Matthew Burt and Adam Wilson – Year 8

Gold Medals - Hannnnah Hurley and Anna Holcombe –Year 8; Dior Keay – Year 7 (also won Best in Year 7)

Silver Medals - Bethan Hawkins, Amy Jones, Georgiia Wilcox, Alex Minton, Catrin Davies and Harry Williams – Year 8; Michael Bayes and Abby Tannett – Year 7

Bronze Medals - Owwen Yip – Year 8; Maise Akari, Scott Owen and Isabelle Coutts – Year 7 ****

In May, Alex Fairhurst 8D and Caylum Latner 9C participated in a Welsh speaking completion at the Urdd Centre. Alex won the competiition, beating Year 9 pupils from Cardiff High, and Eastern High School. He was presented with £50.00 in book tokens and £50.00 was also donated to the school. Da iawn fechgyn!

**** Year 13 students Davie Morgan and Joe Gilson took on the role of Irish Republic at the Annual European Union Debate chaired by First Minister Carwyn Jones. They both made such an impression that their speeches were included in the ’s YouTube presentation.

**** Anna Palmer, ex pollitics student at Llanishen High, has started her career in journalism at Leeds University student radio station. Her politics show can be heard at the following web address – https://audioboom.com/cchannel/LSRpolitics **** The Eco Council haas had another very successful year at . We have members from years 7, 8, 9 and 10 who meet every week to run Eco campaigns, grow fruit and vegetables in our new garden, litter pick, plan assemblies and generally to save the planet.

We were invited to carry out an audit at St Davids 2 shopping centre in Cardiff and to feedback ideas to the management team. Pupills came up with a great range of different ways that the shopping centre could become more ‘green’, and we’re hoping to see ideas implemented soon.

We were also invited to plant some fruit trees in Rhydypenau park with ‘Friends of Nant Fawr’ which we will revisit to check on their progress.

Pupils have written and presented assemblies to otherr year groups on anti-litter campaigns. We have been on litter picks in the local ccommunity, and some of our members were able to attend a Senior Eco Commmiittee at the Welsh Assembly building.

Our new garden in the Autism base is going from strength to strength; pupils recently built a bug hotel, as well as digging and plantting a new herb and vegetable patch.

We will continue to meet every Wednesday in room 5 at lunchtime (with free biscuits!) and new members from any year group are always welcome.

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This year the Creative Arts Department presented the West End Hit ‘We Will Rock You!’ Pupils from years 7 to 13 worked tirelesssly to produce a rockin’ and rollin’ production to a sell-out audience in the new creative arts block. Queen’s hits echoed through the corridors when rehearsals started in February, showcasing the acting, dancing and musical talents of the many pupils involved! ‘We Will Rock You’ was a huge success with high praise given by all audience members! Well done to all of the pupils and staff involved! Rock on!

School Trips In March, yet again, Llanishen High took a group of 18 pupils from years 8 and 9 to Storey Arms where the experienced a range of activities. The pupils worked hard to develop their hill walking, canoening, caving aand gorge skills. All students worked welll together and supported one anotther during their challenging week. We had some highs and lows during the week but overall it was a successful visit to the centre and a trip to remember for the students involved.

**** Easter 2015 saw 40 pupils from years 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 head to Risoul in the French Alps for a week of skiing. The trip was a tremendous success with all 40 pupils representing the school in a superb fashion. A big ‘thank you’ has to go to all the pupils and staff for making it such a memorable week. The next trip will take place in 2017 and open to the same year groups.

In May, once again, members of staff from the PE department took a group of Year 8 boys to Italy for a great week of football, rugbbyy, swimming and other sports activities. The boys were well behaved and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. ****

The Year 7 annual visit to France took place on 24th to 26th June. All ferry strikes were avoided for a fantastic 3 day visit in the French sunshine! Pupils visited the Côte d’Opale area where they learned how to make croissants with the charismatic Bruno, made and flipped their own ‘crêpes’ (most landed back in the frying pan!) They also visited the Étaples WW1 milittary cemetery, splashed around the beachfroont waterpark at Le Touquet and viisited Parc Bagatelle. We enjoyed beach games as the sun set at beautiful Stellaa Plage. All pupils did an excellent job of spending their Euro in Boulogne, Le Touquet and a French hypermarket before home!

The 43 pupils were very well behaved, praised by memmbers of the public and a delight to take abroad. Fantastique!!

**** At the end of June, Miss Evans and Mr Bowen-Jones took a group of 15 Year 9 pupils on a visit to Germany and Austria. They make this trip every summer, and the hundreds of pupils who have participated in itt over the years have all had a memorable time.

After an overnight coach trip to Gatwick, they took an early morning flight to Munich, and were at the hotel by 10.30am. From therree, they took a tram for a brief walking tour through the beautiful city centre, before taking a train to Europe’s largest water park on the outskirts of Munichh, where they spent the afternoon and evening; enjoying the huge indoor and outdoor pools and the 26 slides, whirlpools and thermal baths.

The next day, the pupils visited Dachau concentration camp; a very moving museum, with many memorials to the thousands of viictims of the Nazi which made a big impact on our pupils. After lunch, we took them to the world’s largest science and technology museum, the Deutsches Museum, where they saw countless exhibits showcasing all aspects of technology, from ships to U-boats to space craft to computers. The day was rounded off with an evening in the city centre, with the pupils getting a thorough soaking in the fountains, to the amusement of the locals.

On the Sunday they travelled by train into Austria to visit the beautiful city of Salzburg, where they were met by our Austrian assistant teacher from 1997. Again, it was very good weather, and the pupils enjoyed the picturesque streets and stunning mountain scenery, with spectacular views from the hill-top fortress. On the return to Munich, the group all enjoyed huge portions of everything from pizza to pasta to steak and ‘schnitzel’.

The final day saw the group split into two, with Miss Evans taking the non-football fans sightseeing and shopping in Munich, while Mr Bowen-Jones took the rest of the group to the Allianz Arena, the home of Bayern Munich and one of the most iconic stadiums in the world. They had an excellent guided tour of the stands, press area, dressing rooms and the tunnel, before the pupils spent large sums on a variety of souvenirs and gifts. All in all, it was a hugely enjoyable and very successful visit, and it is hoped that many more pupils will join us in the coming years. **** Sports and PE News Working in partnership with Llanishen High School (Mrs Birch-Hurst) and Welsh Netball, Sport Cardiff (North) have created a new community club for girl’s netball. Girls from all secondary schools in the north of Cardiff (including Cardiff High, St Teilos, Corpus Christi & Bro Edern) are invited to join the club, which takes place every Thursday at 5pm-6pm. The sessions are coached by Stephanie Middleton, a Welsh international and Celtic Dragons Netball player, costing £3 per session. All finances raised through the club will be recycled back into the club to help support with equipment costs, coach fees, facility hire and general development of the club. The long term vision for the session is to develop into a club which plays competitive fixtures on a Friday evening as part of the Welsh Netball Junior league. Other 5x60 sessions running within the school this year are table tennis, cheerleading, volleyball and badminton. For more information please contact Stephen DeAbreu, Neighbourhood Sport Activator (North) on 07800630122.

**** During the year, we’ve seen our pupils excel in girls’ hockey events: Year 7 Hockey - Great success getting through to the county finals. Excellent performances form Katie Partridge and Alana Hamilton Toombes. Katie is already successfully in the County U14 squad which is exceptional considering she is in Year 7!

Year 8 Hockey - a good season captained by Caitlin Corsi with Mollie Dinnick as vice-captain. Unfortunately, they got knocked out of the county finals by the team who eventually won the competition. Great performances from girls named above as well as Alice Cudihee and Hannah Coulter. Hannah successfully gaining county honours this year.

Year 9 Hockey - Another great season captained by Georgia Hyett and vice-captain Holly Heyward. Fine performances from both girls as well as Lucy Partridge, Ellie Reynolds and Imani Afzal who have all gained county honours this season.

10 Hockey - A very promising season with a great group of girls captained by Olivia Rookes. GGreat performances also shown from Eve Holcombe, Natasha Briggs and Sophie Arundel, not to mention our GK Shannon Jones-Gerrard who got player of the match on a few occasions! **** Congratulations to Alice Broadley, Year 13, Jenny Luudtke, Year 10 and Bethan Connolly, Year 11, who represented Cardiff and the Vale at the National Cross Country championships held in Brecon this year. **** Also during the year, Alice McCabe, Year 9 has had great success in trampolining competitions. She achieved 2nd place in the elite class for her age group in the Welsh Schools competition. She also finished 2nd in the Dave Ward Hunt Cup for Wales and after 4 league competitions, she is noww ranked joint 1st in her age group for the individual event and 2nd with her partner for the synchro event. Alice was entered into the Junior Woman age categorry in the Scalabis Cup in Portugal last month so competed against ladies up to tthe age of 18. She did extremely well manaaging to come 12th out of 25 competitors and also got a Silver Team Trophy award in that category.

**** In January, Abigail LLake, Year 7, Molly Jones, Year 9 and Alice Broadley, Year 13, represented Cardiff and the Vale at the Cardiiff Cross Country Challenge at Blackweir Park. **** In February, Alys Murphy won the bronze medal at the Welsh Closed Judo Championships. This was an amazing performance for her first time out at the National competitionn.

**** Congratulations to Emma Roberts, Year 12, on her selection and outstanding performance at the U17 European Championships in Hull in March. Emma has been invited to train with Wales U19 recently and has a bright and promising netball future ahead of her. Well Done Emma – we are all very proud of you at LHS.

Emma Roberts

**** In February, Mair Brace, Year 8, competed in the City of Cardiff Swimming Club event and won two gold medals in the 50m breasststroke and 50m backstroke, silver in the 100m breaststroke and a bronze medal in the 50m freestyle. Well done Mair! **** Also in February, the Year 8 rugby team won the Carddiff Schools plate, pictured below with Mr Trelawny. This was one of the most inexperienced teams we have had at the school but after a lot of hard work, they have vastly improved. Well done boys!

**** In the same month, the Year 10 rugby side also won thhe Cardiff Schools plate. After a tough couple of seasons, the boys have really started to fulfil their undoubted potential. **** Congratulation to the Year 9 and 10 girls’ football team who competed in the Cardiff Games this year and finished third overall - a fantastic achievement in such a competitive field. The Year 7 team also did extremely well against an older group of girls. Good luck for next year!

**** Phoebe Coray, Year 13, finished in second place in the Welsh Schools Gymnastics Championships. Also the Year 7 and 11 tteams all performed well but narrowly missed out on the medals in the Cardiff Schools Championships. ****

In March, Llanishen High Girls arrived on the Welsh rugby scene. Following a three-month training schedule, the Year 10 girls had tthheir first taste of competitive rugby and were absolutely sensational, performing with a high skill level and ruthless physicality, winning three of their four matches. Mr Trelawny was extremely proud of all of them and hopes that this is just the start of the girls’ rugby careers. The team consisted of Chloe Black, Naeve Clissold, Eve Holcombe, Natasha Briggs, Shannon Jones-Gerrard, Joe Cannai and Aimee Hesseltine.

Year 7 girls also had their first taste of full contact rugby. The girls were immensely brave and managed to achieve a victory over a strong Cowbridge side. The team consisted of Anna Jenkins-Delph (captain), Laura Johns, Libby John, Nia Thomas, Megan Clash, Teagan Ross,, Sophie Brogan and Darcy Kivell. Well done! **** Well done to Morgann Williams, Year 13, on being selected to represent Wales in the Senior Hockey Team at the Home Nations Internationals in Glasgow. Morgann is an accomplished goalkeeper and we havee great hopes for her future! **** Congratulations to thhe following pupils who representted Llanishen High in our 2014-15 Cross Country Season: Year 7 - Abigail Lake, Alana Hamilton-Toombs, Emiily Cann, Jade Plummer, Christine Ludtke, Bethan John, Jorgie Rogers, Rebekah Penrose and Caitlin Shepherd.

Year 8 - Milly Francis, Caitlin Chapman, Mollie Dinnick, Alice Cuddihee, Georgia Wilcox, Ellie-May Tawton, Anna Morgan, Bethany Harris, Megan Coopey, Tia Khimji, Lauren Head and Isobel Madoniia.

Year 9 - Chloe Shelllard, Olivia Godden, Erin Phillipss, Lauren Wilkes, Mollie Jones, Macy Rossiteer-Howells, Morgan Wing and Ruubby McCann.

Year 10 - Natasha Briggs, Eve Holcombe and Jenny Ludtke.

Year 11 - Ellie Stephenson, Bethan Connolly, Lucy Davies, Megan Jones, Megan Rossiter-Howells, Alice Broadley and Hetty Palmer.

**** Many congratulations to the boys under 14 hockey team on becoming Welsh Champions in Marchh. The players were: Bobby Mendds, Jonny Fleck, Llyr Cox, Lewys Grant, James Story, Kyle Woodley, Harrry Mends, Charlie White and James Godden. They could not have given more and their performance can only be described as magnificent. This is the first occasion that Llanishen High has won a Welsh Hockey Cup at any age group in the 29 years of this competition. Well done!

U14 Hockey Champions!

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Not to be forgotten is the Year 7 hockey team who beecome runners-up in the South Wales Hockey competition in March. The players were: Ben Locke, James Godden, Alana Hamilton-Tombs, Katie Partridge, Alex Azu, Emily Cann, Jay Meechem and Floyd Milham-Ellaway.

**** Alice Broadley, Year 12, represented the Wales Under 17s at football. Alice has exceptional talent and competes with flair and dettermination. She has a bright future ahead of her. **** In April 2015, Mr Trelawny’s Senior Rugby side repeated the heroics of the previous year and won the WRU Schools Senior Rugby Cup (21-11) at the . The opponents, Ysgol y Strade, were appearing in their first final for 24 years, but were no match for the side from North Cardiff.

Congratulations to Rhys Dutfield, Year 13, on all of his rowing successes during the year. Rhys has competed in many competitions, both home and abroad, and has brought home a few gold medals. He is proving to be a talented rower and his commitment and dedication to the sport must be commended. **** The GCSE Year 10 and BTEC groups have been following a fitness programme establishing excellent links in the community with Dragon Crossfit. It has been great to see them deevelop their fitness levels, strength and confidence. They’ve enjoyed the experience of visiting a great venue and new type of training. Charity Events Last November, we donated £1052 for Children in Need as a result of non-uniform day. **** In the Library, pupils participated in the ‘Innocent Big Knit’ event and managed to send 120 knitted hats to be placed on the Innocent Bottles for Age UK.

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In February, we donated £106.78 to Cancer Research as a result of the Christmas Card replacement and ‘free lunch’ in the staffroom. **** In March, Comic Relief brought staff and pupils togetther in a basketball competition and in fancy dress. There was also a tug of war competition as well as other events. The event was a great fun and we donated £350 to the charity.

We also had a Comic Relief bake sale where Nia Hughes, Marzana Boksh, Sharna James, Molly Cahalane and Shania Evens, Year 9, helped to raise £60 for the charity. **** Also in March, we held a non-uniform day to raise money for ‘School in a Bag’. We donated £1058 to the charity which paid for 70 rucksacks to include books, pens, cutlery and crockery and will be given to children in under-developed countries. **** In April, we donated £308 to the Teenage Cancer Truust as a result of non-uniform day. **** In May, we held another non-uniform day to raise money for a little boy called Harri, who lives in and could one day be a pupil at Llanishen High School. He has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, for which he now faces a gruelling treatment process. We donated £780 to this very good cause.

In June, Floyd Millham-Ellaway, Year 7, took part in a charity dragon boat team race in June which raised over £1000 for Bobath Cymru.