Monmouth Comprehensive School Parent Portal - Parent Newsletter/Cylchylthyr 09 05 25

Shwmae bawb

Many congratulations to our senior boys football team, who clinched an historic cup double by winning the Gwent Schools FA Cup this week, with a hard-fought win over Coleg Gwent TLZ. Never before has an MCS football team achieved the Welsh Cup/Gwent Cup double, so they have written their names into the record books. Da iawn, bawb! A full match report can be found below.

An update regarding rowing: our current rowing coach Mr Royston will be leaving MCS at the end of this academic year, and so we will be recruiting a full-time rowing coach to start in September 2025. Their remit will be to build on the incredible successes seen over the past few years for MCS Boat Club (MCSBC). We continue to be committed to supporting rowing at MCS, as the only comprehensive school in the country with a rowing club.

The Friends of MCSBC is a dedicated group of volunteers who support all the young rowers at our School. A valued part of the school community and a registered charity, a key role of the Friends is to raise funds for new equipment. This role will continue to be the case, as some of the boats are starting to show signs of ageing. We are also working closely with the Friends and their new Chairman to explore new ways to fund rowing at MCS, and to ensure that its long-term future is secured.

We have agreed some small changes that are required to how rowing is funded at MCSBC, in order to ensure the club can become financially sustainable and predominantly self-sufficient. The subscription fee will increase slightly to £110 per term (this can still be paid in 12 monthly instalments to spread the cost across the year). This means that a student rowing three times per week will pay £2.82 per session. There are also significant costs involved in attending a regatta, such as hiring a tow vehicle, coach transport, entrance fees and fuel. To help cover some of these costs we will also be introducing a “Pay As You Row” charge for the 2025/26 season of £12 per student per event.

Because of the many benefits that rowing can bring, we would like rowing to be accessible for all students. We are very lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world, and for the School to be located right next to the River Wye, and we are determined to ensure that all students have the opportunity to row. Hardship grants are available for students who wish to row, but who cannot make these payments. Please get in touch with the School if you’d like to find out more about these grants, or anything to do with rowing.

You may be aware that the May Fair will be in Monmouth next week. In the past, various issues have arisen during trips to the fair, including our students and others, sadly further inflamed by posts on social media. Unfortunately, I have had to issue significant sanctions in the past for several students, due to incidents at or around the fair. If your child is going to the fair, please could you discuss how they will look after their own safety and wellbeing. This might include them attending the fair early on rather than later in the evening, meeting your child at the fair rather than them making their own way home, and for younger students, having an adult accompany them as they enjoy the fair.

Finally, a plug for the MCS Friends Summer Raffle - again details below. There are some superb prizes on offer once again, such as an iPad, afternoon tea, event and festival tickets and river trips. Please do buy tickets if you are able to - all funds raised are used in direct support of students at school, often to support purchases that we would not otherwise be able to afford.

All the best for the weekend ahead.

Hugo Hutchison
Headteacher

MCS Football Team Secures Historic Gwent and Welsh Cup Double

On Wednesday, May 7th, the MCS senior boys' football team achieved a historic feat, securing a remarkable Gwent Schools FA U19 Cup victory just one week after triumphing in the Welsh Schools FA U18 Cup. This double victory cements their place in the school’s sporting history, making them the most successful football team in MCS history.

After impressive victories over Caerleon (2-1) in the quarter-finals and a commanding 5-1 win against Rougemont in the semi-finals, MCS entered the final with high confidence, buoyed by their recent Welsh Cup success. Their opponents, Coleg Gwent from Ebbw Vale, came into the match hoping to cause an upset.

From the outset, MCS dominated possession, asserting control in midfield. It didn’t take long for the opening goal to arrive. In the 7th minute, captain George Gouldingay delivered a perfectly timed through ball to left-winger Jack Palmer, whose blistering pace allowed him to outstrip his defender. Palmer kept his composure, slotting the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper to give MCS an early 1-0 lead.

Coleg Gwent responded by pushing forward in search of an equaliser. However, MCS's defence, led by Callum Wilding, Harri Williams, Lucas Harris, and Finley Cummins, stood firm. The backline, supported by a tireless midfield, repelled wave after wave of attacks, with goalkeeper Joe Porter making crucial saves. Despite Coleg Gwent’s efforts, MCS held onto their slender lead as the teams went into the break.

The second half saw Coleg Gwent raise their intensity, using their physicality to dominate possession. With several taller players, they posed a significant threat from set-pieces and long balls into the box. Yet, the MCS defence remained resolute, clearing every dangerous ball and allowing Porter to collect anything that came his way. Even as MCS grew fatigued, they held strong under pressure.

Losing midfielder Liam Brain to injury only added to the challenge, but Harry Wilson stepped in, providing crucial defensive support as Coleg Gwent pushed relentlessly forward. Porter continued to shine, making a string of vital saves to keep the opposition at bay.

As the final whistle blew, MCS had secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory, clinching their second piece of silverware in just seven days. This unprecedented Gwent and Welsh Cup double is an achievement that may stand for years to come, as no previous MCS team has accomplished such a feat.

The victory was especially poignant for many of the players, as this was their final school game. It was a fitting end to their school football careers, and their hard work and dedication throughout the season ensured they will go down in MCS history as one of the school’s greatest-ever teams.