On the 26th September, the Autism Education Trust launched their Autism in Schools and Settings programme, as part of an event in Abergavenny. This programme is one that has firmly been led by the opinions of students and young people, in order to spread further awareness about Autism, which is still so widely misunderstood.

A group of autistic students from the school, including me, were invited to form a panel to discuss autism in education and talk about what we think is good, and what we feel could be improved. From there, we were lucky enough to voice these opinions on camera, in films that will hopefully be sent all around the country within teacher training. This project was, and is, so important to me and to my fellow students on the panel as it gave us a chance to have our voices and opinions heard in a way we could never have imagined.

When the launch of the programme came around, Jake Fowler, Alfie Swain, Evie Jones, Elliott Walker, Noah Hardwick and I were invited to speak at the event to explain what our input to the programme was and why it continues to be so important. We also had the opportunity to talk with many of the people attending the event, including Will McLean (Strategic Director of Learning, Skills and Economy for Monmouthshire), Dr Morwenna Wagstaff (Head of Inclusion) and Martyn Groucutt (Cabinet Member for Education), and discuss with them directly the importance of not only autism awareness, but moving into a period of autism acceptance.

Sadly, we are still in a time where autism is still largely misunderstood and misrepresented, where untruths about autism cause stigma that is highly damaging to autistic people. This is why this programme was so important to be a part of. I cannot speak personally on the behalf of my fellow students on why this meant so much to them, but for me, as someone with a late Autism diagnosis, having the chance to have my voice heard, and to know that my voice may help someone else who is in a similar situation to me is indescribably amazing.

Finally, my thanks cannot go out enough to the Autism Education Trust as well as Mrs Burford and Miss Page, for helping us every step of the way, and allowing us to have our voices heard!

Freya Piper - Year 13

We are absolutely delighted to share the exciting news that the National Lottery Community Fund Wales have awarded the Friends of Monmouth Comprehensive School a grant of £19,850. This is to help purchase equipment to increase our community engagement through our wonderful Performing and Expressive Arts Faculty. We are now working with Matt Culpepper from Future Primate, who will be supporting the charity in the purchase and training of audio and lighting equipment. The bid to the National Lottery was led by Ceri Jones, and supported by other members of MCS Friends as well as Mrs Ritter, Mrs Pearce and students. It was students who led the final presentations to secure the grant.

We continue to be really grateful for the work and support that MCS Friends put in to support our school and our students. Not only does the funding that they raise allow us to provide for our students in ways we wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford, but they also do a huge amount to bring our wider community together. A perfect example is happening this evening, with the latest Quiz & Social Night happening tonight - it runs between 7-9.30pm, and there is a bar, snacks and prizes. Tickets are on parentpay and cost £5 per adult or £4 per child, and this price includes a free first drink.

The longevity and success of MCS Friends relies on parents and carers, and so if you are able to contribute your time, even if only occasionally, then it is deeply appreciated. If you are able to, please email moncompfriends@gmail.com to offer whatever you can in terms of support. MCS Friends have just appointed a new Chair, Abbe Opher and Vice Chair, Emily Ryder who say “We are all very excited to begin planning the year, and with this grant we will be in a position to 'dream bigger'!”

This month, 28 Sixth Form students put their Maths skills to the test in the UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Senior Mathematical Challenge — a 90-minute, multiple-choice test, designed to promote mathematical reasoning, precision of thought and fluency in using mathematical techniques to solve interesting problems. We are delighted to have received a stunning set of results, with 68% of our participating students receiving a Bronze, Silver or Gold award.

In Year 12, Oren Beaumont, Toby Hamence, Georgina Lewis, Mostyn Roberts and Jayson Roberts performed brilliantly and achieved the Bronze award. Lily Pearce, Serhii Sylkin and Gregory Young achieved amazing results and each achieved the Silver award.

In Year 13, Evan Bastow-Hale, Tilly McCluskey, Joseph Porter and Harrison Williams also performed brilliantly, achieving the Bronze award. Imogen Mitchell, Tristan Pritchard and Callum Thomas all achieved an amazing Silver award. The Gold award is awarded to the top 10% of students in the UK who take part in this challenge – a special mention goes to Archie Barrell, Angus Keown-Boyd, Daniel Millington and Isaac Thomson, who all achieved this exceptional accomplishment. Daniel, Angus and Isaac progress on to the Senior Kangaroo Round and Archie, with an outstanding score of 120, progresses onto the British Maths Olympiad. We wish you the best of luck and we look forward to seeing these results later this term.

Congratulations to all the students who participated in this challenge.  

Year 11 and Year 13 photographs were given to students this morning, if they were in Registration.

Please note that if you wish to take advantage of the free delivery to school, this is only available for 14 days. The 14 day countdown starts as soon as the first parent in the Year Group orders their photographs so, in theory, could end on Friday 25 October. Once the free delivery to school ends, that option is removed from the delivery list.

This week, we took 265 Year 8 students out into the community to understand more about Monmouth’s World War One History, in order to develop students’ understanding of the context of our novel this term, Private Peaceful.

Our students were able to visit the Castle and Regimental War Museum, where they were able to see, touch, and learn about authentic World War One artefacts, as well as listen to a fascinating talk about local families during the war, visit the local cenotaph and memorial garden, and read a poem written by a local soldier about his time at war.

The students were a credit to the school and seemed to enjoy the experience! We can’t wait to see the projects they produce for our Remembrance Day exhibition.

We send our sincere gratitude to Dr Stephen Shaw and Dr P.J. for their generosity in accommodating us.

Well done, Year 8!

The Friends of MCS are delighted to announce a new partnership with the Magic Cottage charity shop that has just arrived in Monmouth. Located at the top end of the high street (next to Shire Hall), and on the walk to school for many students, this light, bright shop has a changing room and is open every day.

You are very welcome to pop in and look through the rails of blazers (£15), badged PE kit and other secondhand uniform for sale at very affordable prices. 

Please know that your money supports both charities, enabling The Magic Cottage to help local children with additional needs or life-limiting illnesses and MCS Friends to support the school in areas that school budgets simply can’t stretch to.

Advance notice that we are due to have the ABUHB Nursing Team with us on Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd December to administer the Fluenze vaccine.

We understand we will receive the link to the online consent form after half-term and we will forward that to parents, once received.
 

Friday October, 18^th is National Show Racism the Red Card Day.

Students at MCS are encouraged to add a red flourish to their uniform for the day (e.g. ties, hair bobbles, socks, scarves).

There will be an opportunity to donate via Parent Pay, if anyone wishes to.

Following the recent parent/carer workshop, they continue on 16th October with Understanding Teenage Brains and Behaviour.  Please note that you do not have to attend every meeting, just choose the ones you feel would be of benefit to you.

These are tried and tested evening workshops to give parents of secondary aged children some ideas about how to support their children’s emotional wellbeing. They're open invitation to all parents and run from 6-7pm on Wednesdays via MSTeams. Here’s what they have lined up:

• 16th October: Understanding Teenage Brains and Behaviour
• 30th October: Supporting Your Child with Anxiety
• 13th November: Supporting Your Child with Low Mood and Self-esteem

Please click on each date above to access MSTeams or use the QR code on the poster below.

The feedback from these sessions will be used to shape more support options for parents, like groups or webinars on Emotion-Based School Avoidance.

The Aneurin Bevan University Health Board have put together a number of 'Helping Hands' toolkits which you may find useful.  Please click on the links below to access any topic you may find of interest:

Separation Anxiety

Understanding Behaviour

Supporting your child's transitions

Supporting Siblings

Supporting Anxious Children

Promoting Sleep in Children

Friendship

Building Resilience

Teacher of ALN: https://www.eteach.com/job/teacher-of-aln-additional-learning-needs-within-the-srb---maternity-leave-1442224?src=email  Closing date: 15^th October at 12 noon

Aramark, our catering company are looking to recruit staff to work in the Food Hall, term time only.  Various  hours are available for interested parties who should contact Mrs Jones on 01600 775163.

Aramark are also seeking to recruit an additional chef to work in the kitchen, again term time only.