News from MCS

Annwyl pawb

Students and staff have worked incredibly hard throughout this short but very intense half term. We have, of course, had the superb school production of Les Misérables, and thank you to everyone who has sent kind messages in afterwards. Our Careers and Higher Education Fair this week was once again packed with exhibitors and a great success. As well as these events, the everyday learning in classrooms goes on, with a particular focus of attention for the students who have upcoming examinations, for whom the days at school before exams start number fewer than 40. It is hugely important for these students, and for all year groups, that they are in school every day on time. Learning is lost if students are absent and so may I make a plea to parents and carers to ensure that your child attends school every day, unless circumstances make it impossible.

You will have seen the message regarding budget cuts from our Chair of Governors in an email at the start of this week, and perhaps you will have also seen the media coverage of the proposed budget cuts. Please may I reiterate the importance of decision-makers hearing from as many of us as possible in the school community. If you have not yet done so, please add your voice here.

We also will return to our Ready To Learn messages for students at the start of next half term. These include:

• Being fully equipped. The equipment list may be found here.
• Having correct uniform. The details of our policy are here.
• Attendance and punctuality. Being on time and in every lesson is the foundation of making progress at school.

We look forward to welcoming all students back on 19^th February for the new half term. Many thanks for your continued support.

Hugo Hutchison
Headteacher

Congratulations to Year 10 student Theo Craig who has been selected to fence foil for Wales at the Cadet/Junior Commonwealth Championships, in New Zealand, in the summer.

Fencing Commonwealths are every three years, so that fencers can be eligible for the two different age groups, at least once in each, over two cycles.

This is an amazing achievement and is based on his UK National ranking position of 35, and Welsh ranking of 3.

Whilst there, Theo will fight as an individual and as part of the cadet team.

We wish Theo good luck in the competition.

On Tuesday, our School Council and a few prefects were invited to attend King Henry VIII Comprehensive School to discuss Monmouthshire County Council’s draft budget proposal, with councillors Mary Ann Brocklesby and Ben Callard, and King Henry students. We’re very proud of our students who prepared articulate and knowledgeable questions to ask the councillors on such a quick turnaround.

They raised their concerns about increased prices for breakfast clubs, social care and food caddy bags, and queried the distribution of grant funding across Monmouth. The students had much more to say at the end of the meeting, so have suggested a follow-up discussion be arranged.  They have also expressed a desire to attend consultations in future.

Da iawn school council members and prefects.

This week our Sixth Form students were given a presentation by guests from the Welsh Blood Donation Service which covered blood donations and stem cell registering.

The Service signs up 16-30 year olds to the stem cell register to help patients fight blood cancer.  Currently 3 out of 10 patients don't find a match, going up to 7 out of 10 if the patient is from black or ethnic communities.

Our students happily took cheek swabs to send away to the Registry.  If you would like to sign up for blood donation visit welshblood.org.uk or call 0800 252 266.  If you would like to request a swab kit, please viist welshblood.org.uk or call 0800 371 502.

This week saw Year 9 out and about in the community as the Cultural Studies group went into Monmouth as part of their research project into their local area.

They chose to start their project with a visit to the Shire Hall in Agincourt Square. They had a good look around the historic building and re-enacted the famous court trial of the Chartists.

The Wellbeing Ambassadors have been kept busy spreading the love over the past half term and will be enjoying a well-deserved break shortly.  Being kind, respectful and helpful to others makes a huge difference to a young person's wellbeing.

You can find the Wellbeing Ambassadors on the atrium staircase at most breaktimes, so please pop by for a friendly chat.

Happy half term to you all.

Monmouth Comprehensive School's performance of Les Misérables was an absolute triumph! The elaborate and visually stunning set, supported by the intricate lighting and sound effects, transported the audience to 19th-century France, creating a captivating backdrop for the unfolding drama. The students on the backstage and technical crew ran the scene changes meticulously and professionally. The audience were in awe of how seamlessly scenes transitioned, exclaiming how professionally the student backstage crew and cast members timed their set and technical changes.

For a full review, as seen in the Beacon, please click HERE.

2022 Show Success Recognised by NODA

NODA representative Dianne Hayes and regional councillor Sharon Davies, in their capacity to support, review and nominate for forthcoming NODA awards, attended a performance of Les Miserables at Monmouth Comprehensive School recently.

Following the performance of Les Mis, Ms Hayes took the opportunity to make a presentation for Best Youth Production 2022 for Seussical Jr (awarded at the September 2023 NODA awards ceremony) to Owain Phillips and Bon Farr (leading roles in Seussical JR.). Ms Hayes also took the opportunity to praise the cast of Les Mis for their performance that evening and gave her deepest respect to the performers. NODA were also present at MCS productions of Sister Act and Matilda Jr in 2023 and they await any nominations for these performances in the 2024 awards. MCS are proud to be members of NODA and are grateful for their continued support and recognition of their work within Theatre.

Please note that if a student who had returned their consent forms did not, for any reason, receive the vaccination this week, the ABUHB Nursing Team will contact parents to offer an appointment at a vaccination centre in the area.

Student Voice - Your chance to be involved - Monday 12 February

Monmouth Town Council have announced they wish to hold regular a Youth Forum with a view to electing two Student Council Reps who will then attend the full Town Council meetings.

Although there will be a DBSed checked adult at the Youth Forum, this is not an adult run group, it will be youth-led and will be a chance for young people in Monmouth to feed back ideas and maybe get involved with making those ideas happen. 

The first Youth Forum takes place at Shire Hall on 12 February (during half term), 4-5 pm.  Please see the poster below for more information.

The Council Reps will attend the full Town Council meetings which will be a formal adult-led meeting, but they will get to participate with an equal voice as would any other council member (as they are under 18 they will not get an official vote but they will be fully included in the discussion and they will be listened to).

If any students are interested in attending, please just arrive at Shire Hall on 12 February - they would be delighted to see you.

The Attik Youth Centre is open every day during half term. They will be serving hot food for free every day, and cooking pancakes on Tuesday 13th February.

They also have a Mosaic Workshop on Thursday 15th 4-7pm.

Age Friendly 50+ Monmouthshire Survey - MCC

Are you 50+, do you live in Monmouthshire?  If so, the Age-Friendly Monmouthshire 50+ survey is now LIVE!  Please help us by completing one, by sharing it with friends and family and by sharing it on social media.

This survey has been developed as part of the Partnerships Officer for Age Friendly Communities work to help Monmouthshire achieve World Health Organisation status as an Age-Friendly Community.

The survey can be completed online via the following link - Age-Friendly Monmouthshire Survey - Monmouthshire.  You will also find information on this page of dates that the Partnership Team will be out and about in the community, if people want to come and talk to us in person or collect a paper copy of the survey (paper copies will also be available in all of the Community Hubs & Libraries - Abergavenny, Caldicot, Chepstow, Gilwern, Monmouth & Usk).  You can also call the contact centre on 01633 644644, who will pass on individual's contact details to the team for us to make arrangements for them to receive a copy of the survey.