Shwmae bawb,

We are getting to the 'business end' of the academic year, especially for all the students that have GCSE and A Level exams in the coming months (which is over 50% of the total student population).  Individuals respond in a variety of ways to these approaching exams - your child at home might already be busy with revision schedules, and feeling anxious about the challenges ahead, in which case the main support they need is reassurance, help with organising themselves and a reminder to take regular breaks. However, if your child is more of the 'head-in-the-sand' type, the support they need is more focussed on getting them started - not overwhelming them with everything they need to do, but taking the first step by sitting down for an hour and getting some revision done. This first piece of revision can then be the launch pad for their preparations for exams.

Whatever their current status, the late position of Easter and therefore the Easter break means that the traditional 'I'll start at Easter' approach that some take would simply be too late this year. So, our messages have been to get started right now if they have not yet started, and it will be very helpful for your messages at home to reflect this as well.

Some specific tips:

1. There is plenty of revision work available at all times - on Google Classroom (GC) (for example, all students taking science exams are part of science revision classes on GC) and elsewhere (for example BBC Bitesize). You will receive further messages from Heads of Year, Heads of Faculty and subject teachers giving further details, but if you are unsure please ask, and if you have not had a response please contact the main school address. "I don't have any revision to do" is not a valid response to any enquiry you have of your child!

2. Please ensure that mobile phones are out of reach/sight and switched to Do Not Disturb during a revision session. This is really very important - phones are designed to distract your child, so please don't let it happen.

3. If you can, have a separate quiet space for your child to revise in. Alternatively, a local library is a good quiet space to get work done.

4. Encourage your child to take part in after-school revision sessions, which are advertised by Heads of Year, Heads of Faculty and subject teachers. These are up and running for a number of subjects now, and are well-attended.

5. Remind them to focus on their weakest areas. There is little point revising what they already know, despite the general reassurance it might give them. They need to take a deep breath and jump right into the topic that they are least sure about.

6. We have been demonstrating a range of revision strategies over time with them, and they will have their favourites. You can help by testing their recall - perhaps quizzing them on key words or facts, where they do not have the answers in front of them. 'Little and often' is the crucial thing here - return later to the areas they previously got wrong to check their recall again.

I wish all our exam students all the best in the coming weeks as they prepare for exams, and staff are working incredibly hard to support them as best they can. A particular mention here to Mr Gary Jones, who volunteers at our school in maths and numeracy, and who has supported many students over the last decade and more to achieve their potential. He has received an award from the High Sheriff for his contribution to our school community - we are all very grateful indeed for his dedication to our students. You can read more about this award further down this newsletter - diolch yn fawr Gary.

All best wishes for the weekend ahead.

Hugo Hutchison
Headteacher

Last Sunday, Max Swayne played in a Men’s Grade 3 at the Court X tournament in Portsmouth. All his opponents were older than him, but Max fought hard and played some great tennis. The final was tough, against a much higher-ranked player, but Max was happy with how he played.

This is one of Max’s best results so far, which will help him move up the UK rankings.

In a recent awards ceremony, a very special member of our community has been recognised for his dedicated voluntary work at our school by the High Sheriff for Gwent. 

Gary Jones has been a volunteer within our Maths Faculty for over 10 years, supporting numerous Year 10 and 11 students to achieve their GCSEs in Mathematics and Numeracy. Each year, Gary has given up his time to work with a small group of students several times a week during their maths lessons, school holidays and early morning sessions on exam days.  

Gary provides his students with the confidence and knowledge to be able to successfully tackle their GCSE exams through patience, good humour and determination.  He gives his students the mindset to never give up and the confidence that they can do it! 

We are very lucky to have Gary offer his time so freely, and he has made a significant impact on the lives of many students who have been lucky enough to work with him.      

We are delighted to confirm that recent fundraising events have made over £400 for Comic Relief and nearly £1200 for the Ted Senior Foundation from Monmouth's Got Talent.

Many thanks to those who supported both of these events - we really do appreciate your support.

Please help your child maintain a positive balance on their lunch account as non-payment for school meals affects the quality of service we are able to offer and results in embarrassment at the tills for the student.

Please remember that an automatic maximum daily spend of £5 is allocated to each student's account, and that different individual limits can be set by contacting Mrs Jenkins in the Finance Department (jennifer.jenkins@monmouth.schoolsedu.org.uk), who will be happy to set the limit you require.  Please remind your child of their daily limit, which includes purchases of food and drink.

Good value may be found by using the £1.80 Meal Deal options which comprise:

• Hot Meal including all accompaniments, and a piece of fruit or cookie or jelly OR
• Simple sandwich, and a piece of fruit or cookie or jelly, and 500ml water OR
• Simple baguette, and a piece of fruit or cookie or jelly, and 500ml water OR
• Jacket Potato (one filling), and a piece of fruit or cookie or jelly, and 500ml water  OR
• Pasta (one sauce) and a piece of fruit or cookie or jelly and 500ml water OR
• Cheese pizza, and a piece of fruit or cookie or jelly, and 500ml water

Please remind your child that to take advantage of these offers, they must have all three items.

Full details of the menus may be found on our website, by clicking HERE.  On this page you will also find a price list.

To help your child have a positive experience in our Food Hall, low balance alerts can be set up on their account in ParentPay.

1. Navigate to Communication - Alert Settings

2. You are presented with each of the available alert notification options that you can now select by ticking the email alert and clicking the Save button at the bottom of the screen.

Please note we do not use text alerts.

Students entitled to free school meal allowance have £1.95 a day to spend.  However, parents can top up their child’s account if they wish.

If you think you are entitled to Free School Meals, please visit the Monmouthshire County Council website to check your entitlement by clicking on the following link:

https://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/home/counciltaxandbenefits/fsm/

MCS U18 Boys reach Welsh Schools FA Cup Final in dramatic fashion

On Thursday, March 20th, the MCS U18 boys’ football team made the journey to Penybont FC, Bridgend, to face Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr from Cardiff in the semi-final of the Welsh Schools FA Cup. Having overcome some tough opposition in previous rounds, the team had done remarkably well to reach this stage – the third time in history that an MCS boys’ team had made it to the semi-finals. Despite their strong run, they were fully aware of the challenge ahead, especially after losing on penalties to Plasmawr earlier in the season following a thrilling 3-3 draw in the Welsh Schools FA U’19 Colleges Cup.

The match was set in the perfect conditions, with the Spring sunshine illuminating a large, fast pitch at a Cymru Premier ground. Led by captain George Gouldingay, MCS started the game with confidence but despite their solid defence, MCS struggled to create meaningful chances, with only half opportunities for Jayden Makondora and Liam Brain in midfield. but goalkeeper Porter’s heroics ensured that MCS went into the break at 0-0, with everything still to play for.

Knowing they had to improve after the break, MCS came out with renewed energy. Within minutes of the restart, they struck. After some neat passing in midfield, Brain found Jack Palmer on the left. Palmer beat his man and fired a low left-footed shot into the far corner of the net. The goal sparked jubilant celebrations, but MCS knew there was still a long way to go. Shortly after, they doubled their lead. At 2-0, MCS were in dreamland, but Plasmawr quickly responded, pushing forward in search of a goal. Despite more top-class saves from Porter and resilient defending, Plasmawr pulled one back with a well-struck shot that beat Porter at the far post.

With the score at 2-1, MCS continued to attack, determined to restore their two-goal advantage. Harris was played in on goal by Gouldingay and looked set to score, but the Plasmawr goalkeeper made a brilliant save to keep the game alive. Plasmawr continued to press and, as the game neared its end, equalised with a powerful shot from inside the box that beat Porter, leaving MCS players devastated and dejected as they saw their hard work unravel.

With only two minutes remaining and the score tied at 2-2, penalties seemed inevitable, but forward Callum Wilding had other ideas. Starting the season as a defender, the converted striker received an optimistic long ball and, using his strength and pace, held off a Plasmawr defender before slotting a composed left-footed finish past the onrushing goalkeeper. The ball nestled in the far corner, and wild celebrations erupted on the pitch. 

With just a minute left to play, MCS held firm, sitting deep and protecting their slender lead. As the referee’s whistle blew, MCS emerged as 3-2 winners, securing their place in the Welsh Schools FA Cup final.

Having already qualified for the Gwent Schools FA Cup final, MCS now stand on the brink of a historic cup double. They become only the second MCS team in history to reach a Welsh Cup Final. Their opponents in the Final will be Bryntirion Comprehensive School, the venue likely to be Penydarren Park, home of Merthyr Town FC, with the date yet to be confirmed. It’s an exciting finish to what has already been a fantastic season for the MCS U18 boys’ team.

We'd like to say a huge thank you to all the Sixth Form students and staff who gave blood on Monday, when we were joined by the team from the Welsh Blood Service.  With most slots taken, it was a busy day with Sixth Form students also dropping by from Habs.

We were delighted that our very own Mr Pete Jenkins took the opportunity to reach his Ruby Award with 100 donations made over the years. For a blood donor to reach one hundred donations, it takes at least three decades and equates to potentially 300 patients saved. 

Mr Jenkins received a Ruby donor card,  a commemorative medal, badge and certificate.

Congratulations on an amazing achievement.