News from MCS

Our School Council have been busy preparing for the assemblies they will lead next week on the topic of Kindness and Community. I am immensely proud of the quality of their work on this - what an impressive group of young school leaders they are.

You will also be aware of the assemblies that were run this week by the anti-knife charity Fearless. The students dealt with an extraordinarily challenging topic with real maturity and consideration. 

A reminder from last week's newsletter regarding the future of GCSE qualifications in Wales. This really is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to contribute to shaping future qualifications - please click here to access the Qualification Wales consultation and visit our website page here for contextual information from us. Proposals include disposing of separate science courses in favour of a combined science qualification, and disposing of separate Literature and Language courses and instead having a combined English qualification. I personally view these two specific proposals with concern as it will reduce opportunities for older students to engage in the specific subjects such as Physics and Literature. Because of the relatively small population of Wales, our individual voices each have greater proportional weight, so please do contribute your views if you can. 

A reminder also that we will be running a series of events (both online and in-person) to find out more about our new Curriculum for Wales at MCS. The first one will be held this term, and we will share details as soon as they are confirmed.

Finally, you will see information in this newsletter regarding support that is available to our community at this tremendously challenging time nationally in terms of cost of living. Please let us know if there is any specific support regarding cost of living that we can provide to your family - our resources are finite, but we will do everything we can to help.

Hugo Hutchison
Headteacher

Secondhand Uniform

At the moment, Bridges do not have the capacity to have all of our uniform on display in the shop. 

We understand there is quite a lot of stock available so if you do need a specific item, please ask a member of staff and they will be able to check their stock for you.

Thank you to Janet Jefferies and Dean Williams from Robert Price Builders Merchants Ltd Abergavenny, for their generous donation to MCS and Mr Nicolaides’ GCSE Built Environment course. Materials and equipment donated included timber, plasterboard, plywood, gloves, and masks, which our Y10 Built Environment students took delivery of earlier this week.

Support from a leading company in the local Monmouthshire community is invaluable, and a fantastic opportunity to invest in MCS Built Environment students, who are our future trades people, Project Managers, Surveyors and Architects.

Many thanks from D & T and the whole of MCS.

Congratulations to Millie-Rose Cross (Y8) who has won the 21-22 U14 National Solo League for Latin dancing.

This is a huge achievement as dancers from all around the country compete at competitions each week in hope of becoming top dancer to win the League.

Well done Millie-Rose!

During October, 18 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 over half of our participating students receiving a Bronze, Silver or Gold award.

In Year 12, Robert Riba Fookes and Niari Wilde performed brilliantly, achieving the Bronze award. Special mention is due to Matthew Keenan who achieved the highest scoring Bronze award in Year 12!

In Year 13, Boris Hale and George Whinnett also performed brilliantly, achieving the Bronze award. Jessica Maylin, Oliver Fielding and Tomas McNally had amazing results and each achieved the Silver award. Joel McCann and Kate Rogers were outstanding and each achieved the Gold award, awarded to the top 10% of students in the UK who take part in this challenge They also succeeded in achieving an invitation to progress onto the Senior Kangaroo, the next stage of the competition this week – we look forward to seeing these results later this term. Special mention to Kate, who also achieved the best results in the school!

Congratulations to all the students who participated in this challenge.  

Last weekend the club raced our first event of the season at Stourport Head.

With a wide variety of boats and year groups involved, it was great to be back racing. The club picked up five wins, the first coming in the morning division in our J18 2x (Club Captain Elliot Lynch-Warden and Tom Coates). In the afternoon division our senior girls picked up multiple wins in WJ18 4x- (Kate Rogers, Harriet Morgan, Hannah Rogers and vice captain Ella Miles) and WJ18 1x (Seren van der Horst).

Some of our Year 11 rowers picked up their first ever wins in our J16 4x- (Lewis Jones, Freddy Potts, Hector Futcher, Isaac Thomson) & WJ16 2x (Nanci Edwards and Florence McGarry).
                                                                                                                       M Royston
 

Unless your child has reached Year 10, you may not be aware that the Social Sciences Faculty is made up of Health and Social Care, Psychology, Criminology and Law.

Year 10 having finished research methods, are now exploring developmental psychology, hoping to gain an understanding of the many changes that occur as humans grow and develop. Year 11 are delving into the topic of Criminal Psychology, asking the ultimate question of ‘what makes a criminal?’. At A Level, Year 12 students are discovering the many different approaches to Psychology and applying these approaches to various topics such as relationship formation with our pets and mental health. Year 13 are just beginning their work on addiction, having completed studying speciesism as a controversy in Psychology.

Y10 Health & Social Care students will sit their first exam in May 2023, have been studying the human lifespan and the developments that occur. Y11 students are preparing for their NEA and are currently researching the skills and qualities required to work in a variety of Health and Social contexts. Y12 A Level class are also examining these skills and qualities, as well as the legislation and regulations required. Y13 A Level students have been exploring the many complex care needs that children could face and were treated to a talk by our SRB teacher Mr Hobbs, who was kind enough to support the students in their understanding of additional learning needs. Thank you, Mr Hobbs! 

Both Y12 and Y13 Criminology A Level students have been preparing for their NEAs. Y12 are focusing on ‘Changing Awareness of Crime’, and are currently examining a variety of campaigns for change. Y13 are investigating the Criminal Justice System with their unit ‘Crime Scene to Courtroom’. Here, the students have been following the suspect from initial arrest to sentencing. In the summer term, the students were visited by PC. Conroy, of the Gloucestershire police, who gave a talk on the role of the police in an investigation.

Law is an A Level only subject, where students in Y12 have been focusing on the Nature of Law and the Welsh and English Legal Systems. So far, the students have concentrated their efforts on law making, delegated legislation and the Law of Tort. In Y13, students are studying Contract Law, as well as finishing up their work on Criminal Law, including liability and offences against the person.

Over 80 Year 12 Welsh Baccalaureate students took part this week in a Global Citizenship Conference centred around the UK Government’s response to extremism. 

We were fortunate to be joined by four fascinating guest speakers who shared their particular perspectives on this challenging issue and bravely fielded a range of thoughtful questions from our students. 

We would like to thank Ms Fookes,  Rev. Greaves, Mr Jones and Dr Mohamed for giving so freely of their time and expertise. 

The students have now been tasked with producing their own response to the issue to be shared with their peers.  

Eva Harris and Amber Morgan from the Leadership Academy will be attending a National Gold Young Ambassador Conference at the Swansea.com Stadium on Tuesday 22^nd November 2022, co-ordinated by Sport Wales and the Youth Sport Trust. This day will provide them with the opportunity to develop their skills and confidence in a variety of workshops, along with building relationships with fellow ambassadors from across Wales. Across the day they will get the opportunity to participate in 4 workshops outlined below.   

Young Ambassador Workshops

• Role of a Young Ambassador: The aim of this workshop will be to discuss the role and responsibilities of a Young Ambassador and give advice and guidance on how they can influence, lead and inspire across communities to develop the physical health and wellbeing of others.
• Future of the Young Ambassador Movement: The aim of this workshop will be to provide Young Ambassadors with an opportunity to help shape the future of the movement in Wales by discussing topics which will support the development of our new vision.
• #iWill Campaign: As part of 2022 #iWill Week, members of the #iWill team will be delivering a workshop on how the Young Ambassador programme connects to the wider #iWill movement and how in their roles across communities, they can ‘help shape a place’.
• Action Planning: Young Ambassadors and their designated officers will come together at the end of the day for the final workshop to reflect on what they have learned and discuss a joint a pledge that they can commit to as a local authority that they can then action this academic year.

Robin Comben, a member of the Leadership Academy and a member of the National Gold Young Ambassador steering group will be representing Monmouthshire and supporting Sport Wales and the Youth Sport Trust to deliver this event.

Further to this, on Wednesday 23^rd November, 10 Leadership Academy members will be supporting the MonLife team to deliver a Primary School Football festival on the school field. Five of the local Primary Schools will be in attendance, all of whom are bringing two teams. Our students will support the running of the event, and referee the fixtures. 

This is an important time for students in Years 8 and 9 as they begin to take more control and responsibility for planning their future careers.

 Careers Wales are here to support students, parents and carers during this time.

How can Careers Wales help?

We will work with students, parents and carers to provide information, advice and guidance that will help them to consider all of the options available. This will help students make informed choices about the career path that is right for them.

We will support students to:

• Choose the right subjects to study;
• Understand more about continuing in education;
• Generate ideas about jobs;
• Understand more about apprenticeship and training opportunities;
• Find out more about the world of work.

For parents and carers we will:

• Equip you with all the necessary information, advice and guidance to support your child when making subject and career decisions;
• Inform you about the current and future job market and the skills needed to succeed;
• Help you make the right decisions for your child;
• Make you aware of our resources available on the Careers Wales website;
• Raise awareness of Careers Wales and how you can access our services during education and beyond.

As key influencers in your child’s decisions, parents and carers will support your child in achieving their career goals.

Please use this link - Careers Wales - supporting your child to make career decisions - or contact us on the number below:

A massive thank you to all of you who voted for Green Grow either online or in person in Agincourt Square last week. 

Because of your votes, they were awarded £800 by You Decide, MCC and will be using the money to continue their work at MCS including completing the planting around our Phoenix Building and setting up the Food for Birds area.

The Kitchen Garden at the front of the school has been very successful, as has the wildflower meadow.  We look forward to another fruitful year.

Cost of living support available at Monmouthshire drop-in sessions

Over the next few weeks, representatives from Monmouthshire County Council’s Communities team and Employment & Skills team, Mind Monmouthshire and Citizens Advice Monmouthshire will be hosting drop-in cost of living support sessions at schools, community hubs and leisure centres. There’s more support available than most people realise.

This winter, the cost of living crisis is putting increasing pressure on so many households. Getting straightforward help and support that relates to individual circumstances is a key way to help lessen the pressures, so it is hoped that as many residents will attend the drop-in sessions as possible.

Everybody is invited to attend the sessions, which are free and do not require pre-booking.

The teams at the sessions will be able to help with making sure you’re getting all the money you’re entitled to, guidance on managing your energy bills and help with making your money go further. They will also be able to offer help with getting back into work, or into more secure employment, support to enable you to stay in your home, as well as emotional and wellbeing support.

The sessions will start in Chepstow on Thursday 17^th November, at Thornwell School (between 3.30pm and 4.30pm) and at Chepstow Leisure Centre (between 5pm and 6pm).

On Thursday 24^th November, the teams will move on to Caldicot, where they will be at Dewstow School (3.30pm-4.30pm) and at TogetherWorks (5pm-6pm). The following week, on 1^st December, Monmouth will host a session at Kymin View School (3.30pm-4.30pm) and the Leisure Centre (5pm-6pm). The sessions will then head to Abergavenny on Thursday 8^th December. Between 3.30pm and 4.30pm, residents are encouraged to drop-in to Deri View School, after which the team will be at the Leisure Centre for an hour from 5pm.

For those residents who need help right now, they can phone the MCC Contact Centre team on 01633 644644 or pop into any Community Hub for support at any time. They also have a dedicated section of the website with helpful information: www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/money-matters/