Annwyl bawb

As we reach the end of term, I'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to you all for your support of the School this year. I have recorded a video version here if you'd like to watch it (including a glimpse into the school archives).

Many thanks also to all school staff for their sterling efforts, and in particular thank you and farewell to departing staff: from the teaching staff, Ms Chaplin, Ms Brickley Clark, Mr J Williams; Ms Thomas, Ms Lennon, Mr King, Ms Kotawala. From support staff we say farewell to Mr Phillips, Ms Gabaldoni, Ms O'Leary, Ms Thomas, Ms Clark, Ms Wheeler, Ms Richards, Ms Dass, Ms Sturgess, Ms Unsworth, Ms Beaumont, Mr D Lewis, and Ms T Davies.

We have had a really enjoyable last few days of summer learning activities, including local walks, Eisteddfodau, sports days, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, beatboxer visitors amongst many other guest speakers, and much more. I am sure everyone is looking forward to a break over the summer. Term starts again on Wednesday 3rd September for all students, except for new Year 7s and Year 12s, who start a day before on 2nd September.

Very best wishes and thanks to you all.

Hugo Hutchison
Headteacher

After success against Monmouth School and Sir Thomas Richs School, unfortunately Cricket Wales East U14s lost the match against Millfield School, but Year 9 student Oliver Hall opened the bowling and was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2 wickets.

Since then, Oliver has played for Cricket Wales East Under14s against Middlesex Schools, too. They lost that match very narrowly and now look forward to the return fixture in August.

Oliver has played 4 matches this summer for CWE and has bowling figures of 17 overs – 6 wickets for 65 runs.

The CWE fixture list extends through July and August, so Oliver will hope to increase his tally of wickets before the season ends.

Another fantastic result for Max Swayne last weekend at Solihull Tennis Club in the Mens Grade 3 Tournament.

Max won his 1^st match against someone 10 years older than himself. He then beat the 3^rd seed, who was much older. In the semi-finals, Max knocked out the 2^nd seed, then in the finals he nearly took a set off the 1^st seed!

This is an amazing achievement for Max as this result should now take him into the top 60 in the UK in 16U.

Earlier this term many of our students entered a photographic competition run by The Arts Society Monmouthshire.

The theme was ‘Your Local Environment’ and we were blown away with the response from students across all year groups. As a school, we’ve had many successful entries across the categories.

Category A

Jacob Saunders Year 8 - 1^st

Ramona Perrett Year 8 - 2^nd

Ned Bee Year 9- Highly Commended

Category B

Sapphire Oram Year 10 - 1^st

Category C

Alisha Welsher Year 12 - 1^st & Highly Commended

Our School Awards and Sports Awards evenings took place earlier this week, where we celebrated with over 120 students and their families - two fantastic evenings.

As indicated prior to the Awards Evenings, a link will be sent home to parents shortly, allowing you to download your child's photograph.

A full list of winners may be found on the links below:

School Awards                               Sports Awards

Another successful Eisteddfod was held on Tuesday.

The Year 7 Eisteddfod was won overall by 7AWI, to the delight of Mr Williams. Lily Jacques from 7RDA won the Chair for the best poem in Year 7.

The Year 8 Eisteddfod was won by 8MGR and the Chair won by Ifan Rosier 8LEG.

This year’s theme was Cymreictod and the students wrote fantastic poems linking to their own Welshness. We were treated to brilliant performances - singing, dancing, magic, rubik cube and even the harp.

The students thoroughly enjoyed it and it was a privilege to see all the amazing talents in both year groups.

We are delighted to report that, following a visit from the MCC Environmental Health Officer, we have again received a 5.

Comments included "superb allergen management procedures", "lovely clean and well-organised kitchen" and "well-run catering facility".

Thank you to Mrs Jones and her Aramark team.

This academic year, the SRB has worked incredibly closely with the Magic Cottage, a charity at the heart of Monmouth town. We have not only built a fantastic working partnership with them, but they have given our young people some rewarding opportunities, which we are immensely thankful for.

The Magic Cottage kindly donated £500 at the start of this academic year, and their generous donation provided our young people with an “Animal Experience” as part of our enriched summer learning programme. It provided our young people with a sensory experience, and an opportunity to interact with a range of animals in a safe and exciting environment. The animal encounter was every young person’s dream. Their smiles, engagement, and relishment was evident on the faces of each and every one of our ALN learners (and staff), and provided a memorable experience for all involved.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Magic Cottage for making this possible for our young people, and hope they recognise the value and impact this positive experience has had on our SRB learners. Diolch, Magic Cottage!

Dear Friends, 

We have a very exciting event coming up.

Please put October 17 into your diaries as we are delighted to be welcoming Calennig, a local Twmpath (Ceilidh/ barn dance) band to our school hall to lead an evening of fun and dancing for parents, carers and students. 

We would be very grateful for any offers of help for this event. If you are able to volunteer some time or raffle prizes, please email the MCS Friends Association on moncompfriends@gmail.com and let us know what you would be happy doing. 

Thank you for your support.

Abbe Opher
MCS Friends Association

We’re excited to introduce Klarna as a new flexible payment option for all online orders over £50. Just in time for back-to-school season, this update makes shopping easier for parents and carers by helping to spread the cost.

With Klarna, customers have the following options;

• Pay in 30 days, or
• Split the cost into 3 interest-free payments

Please note: Klarna is currently available for online orders only and not available in stores.

We’re thrilled to offer this added convenience and help take some pressure off back-to-school shopping!

MCS Uniform

Monkhouse
customerservice@swi.co.uk 

The School Nursing service are running catch up immunisation clinics over the summer holidays for young people aged 12 – 16 (those who were in year 8 - 11 this academic year) who have missed any of the below immunisations: 

• Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

• 3-in-1 teenage booster

• Men ACWY

If your child is outstanding any of these important immunisations, please book an appointment here: Catch-Up Clinics Booking Page 

The clinics are also available to any young people aged 12 - 16 who are educated other than at school. If your child is over 4 (has previously attended reception) and is outstanding their MMR vaccine they can also receive this at these clinics.

Alternatively, parents can drop in to the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Vaccination Centre in Cwmbran. 

Monday – Saturday from 9:15am-4:30pm (no appointment needed).

Address:  Shopping Centre, 19 - 25 The Parade, Cwmbran, NP44 1PB

Telephone: 0300 303 1373

We’re a group of young volunteers working with Mind, the mental health charity, in Gwent, and we’d like to invite students to our upcoming summer drop-in sessions.

It will soon be the summer holidays! While many young people look forward to this time, we also know that for some, it can be a time of heightened anxiety and isolation. We will be offering drop-in sessions in the area that are designed to be a safe, welcoming space to chat and spend a couple of hours - we’ll have a cuppa, biscuits and activities to hand too! It has been set up for young people who struggle with their mental health, but anyone is welcome to join. We’d particularly like to invite those that may already receive support during term time and may struggle without this support during the 6-week break. Your local session is on the following date and time: 

• Mind Monmouthshire, Wednesday 30^th July, 11am – 3pm (directions are at the bottom of this message.)

Next academic year we are hoping to start offering mental health group courses for young people locally. The summer drop-in sessions may be a good opportunity for students to meet the team. 

Also, if any students are about to start their Welsh Bacc community project and are still unsure what to do, they’re very welcome to come along so we can provide them with some more information and they can register to volunteer with us. Delivering peer support sessions is a meaningful and rewarding project. 

Best wishes,
Wellbeing Ambassadors at Mind in Gwent

Mind Monmouthshire – Find us!
Address: Beili Priory, Abergavenny NP7 5NE .
Directions: Please turn down the lane between the Tythe Barn and Fonseca Solicitors to find us. The nearest parking is the bus station.