Annwyl pawb

Welcome to the final newsletter of this half term. The autumn term is the longest one, and this half term at 8 weeks is even longer than usual, so I know that everyone is looking forward to a well-earned break, in order to rest and recharge. There is of course still a huge amount going on through this week, and lots of local opportunities over half term for families, which we communicate through this newsletter. If you are involved in a local provider or event that is relevant to our students or families, please let us know, as we are happy to promote it through this newsletter.

Somewhat unusually, we have an INSET day on the first Wednesday back, 6^th November (so please remember that no students attend school on that day). The reason for the INSET day is that we have a teaching and learning training conference taking place for all teachers, as well as all secondary teachers across Chepstow, Caldicot and Abergavenny. Additionally, we have a substantial number of primary colleagues joining us too; with almost 400 professionals taking part in the conference, I think it is unprecedented in recent decades for the county. Us all coming together to learn like this is a testament to the determination of Monmouthshire schools to be at the vanguard of innovative practice, focussed on improving the learning experiences of all of our students. This follows on from the improvements we have made to teaching and learning practice here at MCS over the past few years.

Furthermore, we have a support staff conference taking place at MCS on the same day, for all secondary school and Specialist Resource Base support staff. Our support staff colleagues carry out vitally important roles, and I’m delighted that they are also receiving training that is directly connected to innovative practice. This will have a significant further positive impact on the support we are able to provide for our students across the county, which as you know from various inspections and reports is already of exceptionally high quality.

A couple of other items to mention: first, we undertook a “planned fire evacuation” (i.e. a fire drill) on Tuesday this week, and it went very smoothly indeed. One measure of the robustness of our procedures is the timing, and from ‘alarm sounding’ to ‘last person out of the building’ was 4 minutes. We had some visitors from another school here at the time, and it was nice to hear that they commented positively on how students conducted themselves. We try to make the evacuation procedures as genuine as possible – for example, although I know some schools insist on a silent evacuation during drills, we don’t, because it doesn’t reflect what would happen in a real emergency evacuation. Just to make you aware, we plan to practise our lockdown procedures sometime in the next half-term, and we will communicate details to you closer to the time.

And finally: the Halloween event at the food hall was absolutely incredible, and I am so grateful to the superb catering team for the amazing effort they put into this. I know it was really well received by everyone. You can see some pictures further down this newsletter.

I wish you all a peaceful and restful half-term break.

Cofion cynnes,

Hugo Hutchison
Prifathro/Headteacher

We’d like to invite all parents and carers of Year 9 students to attend an information evening on Tuesday 12^th November 5-6pm. The evening is an opportunity for staff of core subjects to share what the year ahead will look like.

This will be followed by a guest speaker who will share an employer's perspective on the importance of languages in business.  David Binns, CEO of Sanako UK and Ireland, has already presented to Year 9 students (as well as 490 other groups of students nationwide). We’d also like you to have the opportunity to hear his views first hand as we prepare to launch the GCSE options process in the coming term. You will also be able to see the technology we are using in language teaching.

We look forward to seeing you at this event and answering any questions you have.

If you are interested in attending, please would you complete the Google Form link below.

Y9 Information Evening - Google Forms
 

Hello, I am Abbe Opher, parent of two MCS students and the new Chair of the MCS Friends Association.

Taking over the role after the exceptional tenure of Harriet Jones would be daunting if it weren’t for all the warm support and combined capabilities within our small group (less than 10 at most meetings!).

During her five years as Chair, Harriet helmed her small ship of volunteers with real vision and skill, enabling tens of thousands of pounds to be raised and carefully spent on activities, equipment and experiences that all of our children will have directly benefited from (watch the short MCS Friends film for more. Overseeing the recently successful National Lottery grant of £19,850 was the icing on her leaving cake!

Looking to the future, I will continue the mission of the MCS Friends group to provide a bridge between home and school, to support parents and to make a difference to as many pupils’ experiences in school as possible.

And with this in mind, I invite as many of you as possible to start helping us, in any way you can:

• Tell us your skills and give us fundraising ideas or feedback   (moncompfriends@gmail.com)
• Donate the cost of a coffee to us via parentpay
• Donate when you shop via EasyFundraising (scan QR code below and choose MCS Friends as your ‘cause’)
• Volunteer an hour or two of your time to help at an event

Thank you and I look forward to meeting you at school soon!

Abbe

Year 9 student Lily Cornish has started her own baking business.

Called Crumbs by Cornish, Lily has worked incredibly hard to get it set up over the last six months, achieving a 5* hygiene rating.

Lily has her first market stall in Monmouth on Friday 1st November and she would be delighted to see you there.

Alternatively, Lily also offers an online delivery service as detailed below.

Further to our notice two weeks ago, when we announced we had joined forces with the Magic Cottage charity shop, located in Agincourt Square (next to Shire Hall), we'd like to advise parents that there is currently a large stock of uniform available.

As half-term approaches, 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. 

The money raised 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.