News from MCS

Annwyl pawb

I am pleased to let you know that we have secured a new supplier for our school uniform. As part of the new contract, we have secured a significant reduction in price for key items such as blazers and ties. Additionally, we will revise our Uniform Policy to clarify the broad extent of generic alternatives that are permissible as alternatives to the main supplier uniform, as well as provide further guidance on some items such as skirts. Our main school PE kit is also moving to a generic kit from next academic year, in order to reduce costs for families. There are no design changes to the main uniform.

The new supplier will start before the end of this academic year, so that purchases for next year onwards can be made in good time. We will write again once details are confirmed, and will share the revised policy. We will also share answers to a range of Frequently Asked Questions, in order to inform your decisions on purchases. The policy has been reviewed in line with Welsh Government guidelines on school uniform, and we have also taken into account the range of perspectives from you through parent survey responses and elsewhere. Thank you for your contributions to this review and subsequent improvement.

Of course, many families choose to take advantage of the pre-loved uniform at Bridges in Monmouth or via other means, and this environmentally-friendly approach will continue to be supported by us. For example, if a pre-loved badged PE top is worn then this will be absolutely fine.

In other news, we have been delighted with the huge response that our visiting artwork installation has had. If you have visited reception recently then you will have spotted the ‘Whale Tail’ – a thought-provoking sculpture created by a local artist from ‘disposable’ vapes that were found in the local community. It has provoked many interesting conversations with students about the environmental impact of such items, as well as the fact that they are undoubtedly marketed to children. Astonishingly, 5 million disposable vapes a week are thrown away across the UK.

We will support these discussions with a Wellbeing lesson on the artwork and the debate that it provokes, which is particularly pertinent as various politicians promise to see through the proposed ban. We are hosting the installation for a further week, before it then proceeds to other local secondary schools.

All the best for the weekend ahead.

Cofion cynnes,

Hugo Hutchison
Prifathro/Headteacher

MCS Law team are proud to represent Wales at the National finals of the Bar Mock Trial Competition this weekend

Mae tîm y Gyfraith YGT yn falch i gynrychioli Cymru yn Rownd Derfynol Genedlaethol y gystadleuaeth ffug- dreial y Bar.

In order to support Year 11 students further, we are able to offer an invaluable opportunity to have extended time with their teachers before exams begin in May.  Some subjects and teachers are able to support examination preparation during the first week of the Easter break.  The schedule for the sessions is below:

Any students attending the sessions will need to meet their teacher in the main atrium. Students will need to bring a packed lunch with them for the day. No food will be available on site.  

This is an ideal opportunity to work with teachers on topics, skills or techniques that students may have found challenging in the recent Pre-Public Examinations and to ask any questions that you may have in the run-up to the upcoming examination season.  

We encourage all students to take full advantage of these sessions to ensure that any individual gaps in knowledge, understanding or skills are worked on in good time.  For those unable to attend during the Easter break, Power Up sessions will continue, after school, after the Easter break. 

Celebrating NODA Nominations: Recognising Excellence in Theatre

We're thrilled to announce the outstanding nominations garnered by our talented students at NODA (National Operatic and Dramatic Association).

These awards are for the 2022-2023 season, and we've received nominations across various categories that showcase the breadth of student achievement in our productions last year. Among the highlights are nods for our stellar production of "Sister Act," earning a nomination for Best Youth Production. Furthermore, Freya Piper's remarkable portrayal of Mother Superior has earned her a nomination for Best Youth Performance, while Amy Pearce's direction has been acknowledged with a nomination for Best Director.

Additionally, our creative team and performers have also been recognised for their exceptional work in bringing "Matilda Jr." to life. Tomi North's captivating performance as Miss Trunchbull has secured a nomination for Best Youth Performance, and our company’s collective efforts have led to a nomination for Best Youth Production.

The anticipation mounts as we await the final results, which will be revealed at the Regional Awards ceremony during the National AGM in September. Many congratulations to all nominees, and to everyone who contributed to the superb productions last year.

The recent concert, hosted on March 12th, was a remarkable showcase of talent and community support. Organised in collaboration with the Monmouthshire County Council Chairman, alongside Gwent Music and supported by Music for Youth, the Charity Spring Showcase was a testament to the power of music in bringing people together.

Ensembles from across the county captivated the sell out audience with their performances, including the Gwent Youth Brass Band, Clarinet Choir, Intermediate Brass Band, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Orchestra, and two school ensembles. Notably, the cast of Les Misérables delivered a stunning concert version medley from the iconic show, while our school String Ensemble showcased their prowess with two pieces, featuring an original arrangement of folk pieces highlighting fiddle soloist, harp and percussionist.

The feedback from our Music for Youth mentor was overwhelmingly positive, underscoring the exceptional talent and dedication displayed by the performers in the county and our school (many students performed in county groups as well as school ensembles). Furthermore, the evening served a dual purpose, supporting both Gwent Music and St. David's Hospice, the chosen charities of the Chairman.

Overall, the concert was a resounding success, demonstrating the vibrant musical community within Monmouthshire and the profound impact of music on individuals and society.

We're delighted to share that we've been appointed as a Lead Creative School with the Arts Council Wales and Welsh Government. This prestigious programme aims to enhance creativity in learning and pedagogy by providing funding for practitioners to collaborate with students and teachers.

We're excited to announce that the programme will span two years, giving us time to delve further into innovative educational approaches. Alongside our exploration, we're committed to leaving a lasting legacy from this programme. Our goal is to not only enrich the educational experience during the programme but also to implement sustainable practices that will continue to benefit our school community long after the programme concludes.

Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this exciting two-year adventure.

Last Friday our Leadership Academy Team attended a conference in Usk.

We did a range of activities, including discussing leadership roles, having a debate and creating a workshop based on our views and motivations on different aspects of sports.

The conference was presented by many inspirational speakers talking about their journey of being a leader and the challenges they've had to face. From these talks we learnt about the importance of being able to listen and communicate to others and to be resilient when being a leader. We were then able to practise these skills by interacting and working with other schools and young leaders.

It was a very interesting and inspiring experience for everyone.

Maya Thomas, Year 8