Since October, Max Swayne has been unable to play tennis, as he was diagnosed with a tumour in his big toe!

Thankfully, after a successful operation, it has now healed and he is back playing tennis again. On Sunday, Max played in his first competition since October, in a Mens Grade 4 tournament at Almondsbury and Bradley Stoke TC.

Despite the torrential weather, he was able to knock out the 1^st seed, then in the final, took a set off the 2^nd seed, losing to him in a match tie-break. Well done Max for digging deep and coming back fighting!

As part of their Duke of Edinburgh scheme, Oscar Wadley, Ethan Davies, Ioan Thomas and Tom Forde are volunteering at the Chippenham Fields Park Run. 

The organisers wanted to thank the "fabulous DofE volunteers - we appreciate your help and are grateful for your support". 

This year’s Rotary Youth Speaks competition took place at Shire Hall on 15^th January. We participated in the intermediate and senior competitions against Monmouth School, and won in both categories.

Daisy Court, Neve Owen and Annabel Atkinson in the junior team, and Ed Stapleton, Mia Owen and Albert Kent in the senior, will go on to compete at the district final at Churchdown Community Centre in Gloucester on Saturday 8^th February. Wish us luck!

MCS Careers and Higher Education Fair (CHEF) Wednesday 5^th February
6-8pm

This annual event is designed to support young people and their parents or guardians to find information and make contacts that will help young people make informed choices about their post-16 and post-18 pathways. We have over 100 employers, education institutions, apprenticeship and training providers coming to MCS and this is the biggest event of this type in the region.

The Fair will prove extremely useful to students from a variety of year groups:

Year 9 and 10: Will be considering their Year 10 subject choices and their pathway after GCSEs.  By talking to career professionals, further education and university representatives, Year 9 and 10 students and parents can get subject advice relevant to their future goals.

Year 11: Will soon be deciding whether to stay on at school in the Sixth Form, go to college, undertake training or enter into employment. The Fair will help their research with all of these pathways so they can develop a Plan A, Plan B and Plan C for next year.

Year 12 and 13: Will soon be considering, or in the process of applying for their University or career choices. The Fair will help with both.

We are extremely grateful to the many individuals who give their time freely and, in many cases, travel long distances in order to represent their career, college or university. Please do talk to them to find out what they do, how they got where they are and what advice they can offer.

Thematic review of International Languages

Estyn is currently conducting a thematic report to review the provision of International languages across primary and secondary schools in Wales.

They are keen to gather the perspectives of parents and carers in our school community.  Please would you share your views on the teaching and learning of International Languages using the link below:

ESTYN SURVEY

All responses are confidential and should be submitted by 13 February 2025.

We are very pleased to introduce our Year 12 Wellbeing Ambassadors for 2024/5.

They will be leading the way in promoting wellbeing in our school for all students, through weekly ‘buddy’ meetings with lower school students who may be experiencing difficulties, and organising events to highlight the importance of young people’s mental health and wellbeing.

The new series of Extraordinary Portraits with Bill Bailey returns, matching talented artists with inspiring individuals to create breathtaking works of art which reflect modern Britain.

Former MCS student Oriane Pierrepoint, a realist painter and charcoal artist, will be attempting to capture Clare, who was only 25 years old when she was first diagnosed with cancer. Following surgery, it looked like she was in the clear, but four years later a routine checkup showed the cancer was back, and this time it was incurable. As she turned 30, Clare set up her own charity, with the aim of offering the sort of support and community to young cancer patients that she desperately sought when she was first diagnosed.

Oriane's portrait, along with others from this series, will be exhibited at the opening of the Loading Bay arts venue in Bradford, which is 2025’s UK City of Culture, from 13 March.

The show will air on BBC 1 on Friday 7th February at 7.30pm

We are teaming up with the Welsh Blood Service to help save lives in Wales.

Sixth Form students may join us on 24th March for a blood donation session at Monmouth Comprehensive School - 10.30 am to 12.30 pm and 2pm to 4 pm.

"Did you know that hospitals in Wales require 350 blood donations a day to support patients in need? We can’t supply our hospitals in Wales without you! Giving blood is quick, simple, and entirely safe. And the best part? You’re saving lives.

We need blood donors from all backgrounds to give blood to meet the daily demand and ensure we have enough for hospital patients. Just one single blood donation can help up to three patients as it can be split into its different components and used in various ways to help patients recover.

Giving blood is one of the most selfless gifts you can give to another person. By giving blood, you are potentially saving lives and helping patients with specific conditions recover and lead a normal life.

Who can donate blood?

We encourage and welcome most adults to give blood. There are some reasons people can’t donate, but not as many as people think! Anyone who fits in with the criteria below may be able to give blood:

If you are:

• Between the age of 17 and 66 (for your first donation)
• Weigh over 7 stone 12 pounds (50kg)
• Healthy and not subject to medical exclusions"

Sixth Form students should use the link below to book:

https://forms.office.com/e/nNJSvSLheW

Find out more about the Welsh Blood Service by clicking this link:

Home Page - Welsh Blood Service

Memorial bursary fund re-opens to help young people in Monmouth develop their career.

Bursary applications are open for Year 13 Sixth Form students at Monmouth Comprehensive School who wish to study a course at university or through an apprenticeship.

The Roddy Thomson Memorial Bursary Fund offers long-term financial support to pupils who may need financial assistance to continue their education and develop a successful career.  

The bursary is offered by Roddy’s former colleagues at M&G plc in collaboration with his family to honour his memory and continue his commitment to bringing out the best in those around him.  

Roddy was Chief Operating Officer at M&G plc, and before that at Prudential UK and Europe. Prior to M&G, he was Managing Director at OpenReach. He was also a director at Ernst & Young and worked at Accenture earlier in his career.  

The bursary supports students studying at Monmouth Comprehensive School where Roddy was Head Boy and left a lasting impression.   

Two students from Monmouth Comprehensive School who were successful in receiving an award are both encouraging Sixth Formers to apply this year for financial support.

Boris Hale, studying for an apprenticeship, said:

“The bursary provides unimaginable support and helps students with potential to advance themselves in an ever-developing world. Continuing your studies after school is a big change, and support financially is a rare opportunity.

The support has given me peace of mind, allowing me to fully submerge myself into my role as well as my studies.

The Talent Foundry support also helped with professional interview practice to prepare for interviews with potential employers.”

Cain Legg, studying at Swansea University, said:

"For anyone interested in pursuing further education but are considering the financial costs involved, then I would highly recommend you consider applying for the Roddy Thomson Bursary.

It has allowed me to pursue my interests, meet new people, and open the doors to a rewarding pathway at university. I am glad to hear that other students will be able to benefit from this bursary as it has been very beneficial to me while studying at university.”

Students who are interested in applying for the bursary of up to £2,000 per year of study for up to three years, should speak to Mrs Guest, Director of Sixth Form.  There will also be an assembly dedicated to this bursary when school returns in January.

The application form is available here:

https://zfrmz.com/NScssVHbXhoX6YSCBEOp

The deadline for applications is Friday 7 February 2025