News from MCS

A bumper issue once again to mark the end of term - and what a term it has been. Extraordinary efforts from students and from staff, and great progress and learning has been evident in lessons and through the mock exam series we have run. Thank you all for your support. Students taking examinations this summer wil no doubt want to follow an extensive schedule of revision and preparation; this is admirable, but I would also remind them that their wellbeing is of foundational importance. They also need to have periods of rest and relaxation.

I have had the pleasure of meeting every curriculum leader across the school this half-term in order to discuss the development of our new Key Stage 3 curriculum. It has been inspirational to see their passion for their subject, their expertise shining through, and their determination to deliver an education of the very highest standard. We are very excited about the opportunities that this revitalised approach brings for all of our students here.

The briefest of Covid updates: from the start of next term, routine testing is no longer requested by us for students without symptoms. We will no longer be issuing LFT kits to students in most circumstances.

I wish everyone a restful Easter break, and we look forward to welcoming all students back on Monday 25th April - rested, recharged and revitalised for the summer term.

Hugo Hutchison
Headteacher

On Saturday, 2nd April, MCS Boat Club celebrated 30 years since the Club was founded with students completing a 30km sponsored row on the River Wye.  The distance was completed in a wide variety of ways ranging from cox quads, to mixed doubles to singles.  The youngest members in Y9 completed the distance on rowing machines, in teams.  With over 80 students taking part in the challenge, it was the largest club organised event since the pandemic.

Y13 student George Knight was the first to complete the distance on the water in a time of 2 hours and 45 minutes and the team of Owen Lloyd, Luke Peters, Cameron Hewson, Sandy Kohler and Tom Sutcliffe were fastest on the rowing machines with a time of 2 hours 13 minutes. They beat the time set by Head Coach Matthew Royston who attempted the distance the evening before on a rowing machine in a time of 2 hours 15 minutes. 

Other notable times included that set by the double of Y10 students Archie Barrell and Isaac Thomson who completed the distance in 3 hours 30 mins. Both students have only been rowing since last summer and were able to keep a smile on their faces for the whole distance. Our senior girls in Y12/13 were rolling back the years by completing the distance in an octo - it was the first time they had been in the boat since 2018. 

It was the first time the Club had held an event like this and it was an outstanding achievement that everyone was able to complete the distance. The sense of school and club pride was on full show as members of staff, parents and old club members were cheering from the riverbank. If you feel you would like to show your support for the club or the effort the students put in, their justgiving page is still open - https://www.justgiving.com/monmouthboatclub

The Year 8 Netball team started their league campaign away to Bassaleg where they competed in a closely contested match which resulted in them coming away with their first win. The team then played Newbridge and St Albans where they demonstrated fantastic individual and team skills which resulted in two very good wins.

Islwyn then came to MCS where the team played their toughest match yet, which could have resulted in a win for either team. The girls perseverance and resilience saw them edge away during the match, coming away with a well fought win. The team then played Ebbw Fawr and Caerleon, winning both matches comfortably, resulting in the team coming winners of their league.

Rougemont travelled to MCS to play in the much anticipated Semi-Final. The girls played true to themselves, reaching the Final after a fantastic, well earnt win.

The day of the Final saw the girls travel to Islywn to play Bassaleg, who had beaten Gwent is Coed in their Semi. The nerves got the better of both teams during the first half, resulting in a very close score line. Our girls then collected themselves and their performance in the second half saw them run away with the lead, beating Bassaleg 17-7. A fantastic and proud performance by all involved with Ava Powell receiving Player of the Match from the Bassaleg team.

Year 8 Netball Team

Ava Powell, Lola Jones, Bea Morgan, Bea Bourne, Lydia Lannen, Izzy Cleaves, Heidi Worgan, Gwen Grriffiths, Bronwen Williams, Roxi Phillips, Alice George.

You've raised a grand total of £1,542 with the raffle for the garden bench, with an additional ...... in the Bake Sale.  Thank you very much for your support for the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

The lucky winner of the raffle is..... Dan Longhurst in 10GA.

Thank you to Mr Nicolaides for donating the bench, to our Y11 students for refurbishing it and to all of you for buying tickets. Thank you, too, for kindly providing cakes for the Bake Sale.

HPV & SLB/Men C Vaccination

As the Aneurin Bevan Vaccination Team were unable to complete the Year 10 vaccinations in February, they have advised they will be coming to School on Monday 25 April to vaccinate students from 10RB, 10PB and 10WD.  They will also vaccinate any Year 10 students who were absent in February.

Please note it will only be Y10 students being vaccinated.

Students should wear a t shirt/vest under their school top to enable easier access to the very top of their arm.

Should you  have any queries, please contact the Aneurin Bevan Vaccination Team on 01633 431603.

Y11, have you ordered your Yearbook yet?  With the amount of photographs we  have, it looks like we will be able to use our full 100 pages this year.

The closing date for orders is Wednesday 11 May so if students wish to receive one at the end of their time with us, it is available on Parentpay now.  Once the order is placed with our Yearbook supplier, we won't be able to increase the order so please don't miss out.

Following their success in the school production of 'Grease', some of our students have been performing in 'We Will Rock You' at Newport’s Riverfront Theatre with their musical theatre group (CAST).

It was a spectacular performance, thoroughly enjoyed by both cast and audience including members of the MCS PEA Faculty. Our students were:  Lizzie Lane (Scaramouche), Rosie Lane, Tali Mills, and Chloe Mitchell (Bohemians).

Last Tuesday was an eye-opening and interesting evening. Rowan and I were delighted to Chair the event on Climate Change and host the Q&A with the brilliant Poppy Stowell-Evans who inspired us by showing what we can do, as a school and as individuals, to combat climate change. We are so lucky to live in an area with nature on our doorstep, however, these areas are under threat of climate change and pollution. 

Poppy, as ‘Youth Climate Ambassador for Wales’, encouraged us to act ourselves to combat our insecurities surrounding climate change. The best way to combat our anxieties is to fix the problem.

This year we have worked with Love Monmouth Hate Litter to create awareness on the environment. The Eco Council is looking forward to judging their Love Monmouth Hate Litter social media competition, which ends after the Easter Holidays. We hope to motivate students to come together to protect our environment. The May elections are coming up and we encourage all over 16s to vote as together we can make a big difference!

Suzie Paddock & Rowan Wilde
Head Girl and Head Boy

Well done to Year 10 student Alfie Rowlands who is walking 100km to raise money for British-Ukranian Aid.  So far, over the last week, Alfie has raised £181 through his justgiving page.

Alfie - Justgiving page 

RISK ASSESSMENT

UNWELL PROTOCOL

STUDENT PROTOCOL

VISITOR PROTOCOL