Croeso nol/welcome back to all students after half term - My video this week can be found here. There is as always plenty to read in this newsletter, including items on how we mark Remembrance, the fantastic new Reading Ambassadors programme we have launched, and individual student success. As ever, if you have items to share then please let us know.

All the best to you all for the weekend ahead, whatever your plans.

Hugo Hutchison
Headteacher

Congratulations to Year 10 student, Elisabeth Jackson, who has been selected for the Wales U16 Football team and will be playing two internationals against Holland and Belgium.

Good luck, Elisabeth.

Another successful half-term for Max and Lyra Swayne. Firstly, congratulations to Lyra for coming 2^nd in a 14U Grade 4 Doubles tournament at Firbank with her partner Scarlett, then winning an 18U Grade 5 Singles Competition at Cheddar Tennis Club, beating players all older than herself.

Secondly, congratulations to Max for winning the Usk Club Tournament Mens Singles title, as well as the Mens Doubles title with his partner Bill, both for the second year in a row, plus he came runner-up in the Mixed Doubles with his partner, Hilary.

The highlight of Max’s tennis this half-term was the opportunity to play in the Lexus National Grade 2 16U Competition in Corby. Only 16 players out of 70 who entered got into the draw, Max being one of them. He played amongst some of the top players in the UK.

Max came away with 1 win and 2 losses. However, he nearly took a set off 2 other players, one of them being the 3^rd seed. There was some phenomenal tennis and Max played extremely well and enjoyed the experience of playing amongst the best.

Following the success of previous years, we will once again be holding a Bake Sale for Children in Need on Thursday 13th November, during breaks 1 and 2.

We would be extremely grateful for students to bring in goodies to sell, to raise funds for this increasingly important cause.  Could we please ask that no nuts are used in any of the items.

Please drop items (home-baked or store-bought) at reception on the morning of the 13th - please put names on containers if they are to be collected to go back home.

Diolch yn fawr for your support!

MCS Charity Committee

This week, Mrs Curry, Literacy Coordinator, had the pleasure of working with 37 enthusiastic and conscientious Sixth Form students who have kindly volunteered their time to work with our Year 7 students for ‘Form Time Story Time’ every Tuesday morning.

Students completed 3 lessons of training to prepare them to support our youngest students as effectively as possible, and were introduced to strategies that we use as teachers to encourage fluent reading. They rose to the occasion admirably, and it was particularly wonderful to see them working with our Year 7 students as the final part of the training: the whole English Department was abuzz with excited chatter, meaningful conversations and compassionate interactions between older and younger students.

Mr Owen felt it was especially moving to see members of his old year group working with members of his new year group, as did Mrs Curry, a former Year 11 tutor.

We look forward to launching this programme fully later this month, when Sixth Form students will be allocated to a Year 7 Form and begin to read with their allocated students. Well done, and thank you, to our wonderful Reading Ambassadors.

Year 10 Fashion and Textile students are highlighting a range of skills and techniques through this Remembrance Day display.

The poppies, made from a variety of materials, feature a blend of textures and colours, making it a truly striking statement piece.

In Humanities last term, Dosbarth Derwen worked really hard on their investigation into the history of Monmouth. They acted like historians, studying the evidence around them, to create their own “Derwen Museum.” We enjoyed a visit to Shire Hall to experience their museum and Monmouth castle. 

They explored how the Romans once lived in Monmouth, and the artefacts that were found here. They learnt that, once the Romans moved out, the Normans moved in. Students explored how the Normans built Monmouth castle and leaned that Henry V was born there. They also found out that Monmouth was named the first UK Bee Town.

Students worked really hard last term to put together their museum showcase - “Derwen Museum”, where they each created their own Roman shield, piece of pottery and coin.

Dosbarth Derwen also made their own Henry V crowns and got creative, creating lots of beautiful bumble bees. 

Students Represent MCS at Human Rights Conference

On Saturday, October 18th, Jack Painter (Year 13) and Luke Wonson (Year 9) proudly represented Monmouth Comprehensive School at a Human Rights Conference in Aberystwyth - the only school students present among a group of over 100 academics, activists, and university students.

The conference featured powerful talks from a range of speakers, including from Palestine, the Senedd, and the Welsh asylum system. Jack and Luke described the event as both eye-opening and informative, offering valuable insights into global and local human rights issues.

Throughout the day, they had the chance to engage in discussions, share ideas, and ask thought-provoking questions. The experience not only deepened their understanding of current global affairs but also strengthened the links between Amnesty MCS and the wider human rights community.

This enriching and educational experience has inspired both students to continue exploring human rights and to take meaningful action in their communities.

With huge thanks to Amnesty Monmouthshire for organising.

“Meeting in Aberystwyth meant a long journey and early start, but hearing about the Comprehensive boys' reasons for involvement in their Amnesty Club on the drive up, was a huge bonus. Jack standing up and speaking out right at the end describing Monmouth Comprehensive burgeoning Amnesty Club, brought a gasp of delight and applause, even tears, from some of us.”  - Amnesty Monmouthshire group member.

“The conference went incredibly well. The guest speakers have been amazing and both of us learned so much! Overall, a really amazing day.” – Jack Painter

Please remember to put your child's name in any uniform they wear to school.  This enables us to reunite them with items which may appear in Lost Property.  Please also put names in any outdoor coats.

Monmouth Comprehensive Friends Association are using easyfundraising to raise some extra funds - for free! We'd love you to help us by collecting free cashback donations for Monmouth Comprehensive Friends Association every time you shop online - all courtesy of the retailer you shop with.

The simplest way to do this is to install the free easyfundraising app. You can use it to shop with all of the participating 8,000+ online retailers who will give us free money and it's available for android or iOS devices. This month only, with their Free £2 App-eal, if you register to support us via their app, we'll get a bonus £2!

Please get the app now (link below) and use it for all your Black Friday and Christmas shopping. It would make such a difference. Thank you! 

EASYFUNDRAISING
 

Monmouthshire County Council and Action for Children would like to provide more support to families within Monmouthshire that need specialist support with diagnosed or non-diagnosed neurodiversity.

The proposal is to provide holistic family support around parenting, looking at strategies to help families manage behaviour/challenges more effectively, supporting families to have better access and feel integrated in the community. Collaborating and linking families in with other services such as school etc. Thus, improving school attendance.

We would like people’s feedback to give us a better understanding of the support and resources needed from the County Council and Action for Children to enhance the offer of support for families.

The survey will close at 5pm Friday, 28 November

https://www.letstalkmonmouthshire.co.uk/lets-talk-neurodiversity

Abergavenny Symphony Orchestra Concert

FREE Concert Tickets for Students and under 18s

Sunday 16^th November @ 2.30pm

St Michael's Church, Abergavenny

Performing repertoire ranging from Tchiakovsky's 'Sleeping Beauty' to John Williams, 'Raider of the Lost Ark'. Tickets are free for students under 18. Tickets can be purchased on the link below.

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/abergavenny/our-lady-st-michaels-church/autumn-concert/e-legkye